Work Text:
When Luo Binghe wakes up, the day has already long since begun.
It’s not often he awakes so late, his body trained to take care of his husband every morning, and Luo Binghe finds himself reeling in surprise as he sits up. The other side of the bed has already gone cold, and the sunlight streams through gaps in the window.
Looking at the bedside table, an incense promoting deep sleep is slowly dying, burned through completely.
Luo Binghe’s heart warms. If not for Shizun, who else could have lit this incense and let him sleep in?
“Shizun?”
No direct answer, but noise comes from beyond the door. Luo Binghe barely has the time to throw the blankets off his lap before the door opens.
“Shizun!”
“Good morning, Binghe,” Shen Qingqiu says. Dressed only in his inner robes, he seems to be in a good mood today, already smiling softly. “Stay in bed.”
“Yes, Shizun.”
Shen Qingqiu walks closer, carrying with him a platter of fragrant breakfast food. Despite the clear orders to stay in bed and not do anything, Luo Binghe helps him set up the bed tray table — Shizun only lets out a short tsk then pats him on the head.
“Don’t overexert yourself.”
“Shizun, this one isn’t injured.”
Shen Qingqiu fixes him with a disapproving look. “I hope not.”
Cowed at the reminder, he lowers his head and lets his husband push him back into a half-sitting, half-lying position. Shen Qingqiu even takes the time to place pillows under his back.
“If not because this one is injured, then why is Shizun…” spoiling me? He doesn’t dare finish his sentence, knowing his husband’s thin face.
He already knows that Shizun likes this kind of thing. When he pushes Shen Qingqiu too far at night, he makes sure to treat Shizun with breakfast in bed the next morning. Each time, Shen Qingqiu’s pinched look disappears, replaced with the soft laziness he loves so much.
For Shizun to be doing all this…
“Am I not allowed to?”
“Shizun can do anything he wants to this disciple!”
Shen Qingqiu’s eyebrows lower in annoyance. “Don’t get excited.”
As he says this, he also slips into bed, the movements slowed as he takes special care not to disrupt the bed tray table. In the end, Shen Qingqiu ends up plastered against his side, one hand in between them while the other rests on Luo Binghe’s chest. His head leans against Luo Binghe’s shoulder.
The position nearly makes him speechless, brain melting at the sensation of soft skin and silky hair against his naked torso. “Shizun…”
“Don’t talk. Eat.”
Seeing that his husband’s face has become red, Luo Binghe can only exclaim his happiness in his heart.
Having Shizun so close to him while the day is still young, of course he’s overjoyed, but a part of him can’t help but wonder as to why Shen Qingqiu is behaving this way.
Usually, he only acts this sticky at night, when his mind has been half lost to the pleasures of the flesh. Just what could make Shizun act like this now? Not only is it morning, but Luo Binghe has just woken up, so he hasn’t had the time to wear down Shizun’s reservations yet.
Only one reason comes to mind.
Shizun really is trying to spoil me.
“What is Binghe smiling about?”
“Shizun.”
“Hm?”
Luo Binghe can’t answer, overwhelmed, and takes his husband’s hand instead.
Shen Qingqiu frowns, then leans forward and grasps the bowl of congee with his free hand. “Does the food seem so bad that Binghe doesn’t want to eat it?”
“My hands are busy.”
“You!” Shen Qingqiu goes silent, but doesn’t take his hand away from his hold. “You… You really want me to feed you?”
Shizun! He’s really spoiling him. Luo Binghe’s eyes water. “If it’s alright with Husband…”
“Don’t start crying now… And let me go, I can’t hold a spoon like this.”
“This one never wants to let go.”
“You… Binghe can hold me again later, be obedient.”
“Yes, Shizun!”
After that morning that seems to come out of a dream, Shen Qingqiu continues to behave strangely.
Once breakfast has been eaten and the tray laid down elsewhere, he lets Luo Binghe hold him without a single complaint, instead hiding his face in his chest. Even when Luo Binghe dares to bite his neck and let his hands wander under his husband’s robes, Shen Qingqiu’s face goes red, but he doesn’t scold him.
Of course, they often do this anyway, but usually Shizun’s face is much thinner and Luo Binghe has to cry a few times to get to this point.
By the time Luo Binghe has gotten his fill, time for their midday meal approaches. Shen Qingqiu has become soft like jelly in his arms, his lazy soul making him nearly doze off a few times.
Luo Binghe continues to hold him for a while longer, content to follow his husband’s rhythm.
Like this, it’s much closer to their usual mornings than what actually happened this time, with Luo Binghe awake and staring at his husband while waiting for him to wake up.
Shen Qingqiu must feel the same, because eventually he turns his frown towards him. “It’s nearly time for lunch, yet we’re both still in bed.”
“Shizun is often in bed at this time.”
“Who taught you to talk like that…” Shen Qingqiu sits up and begins to tidy his robes, which have become messy due to Luo Binghe’s wandering hands.
“Shizun did.”
Shizun pauses to consider his words, then gets up without comment. “Sit up, it’s no good to laze around all day.”
Shizun, haven’t you done that before?
But this time, Luo Binghe doesn’t say those words aloud. The sight of Shen Qingqiu staying in bed — their bed — all day long isn’t too unpleasant, and it’s thanks to Luo Binghe’s hard work that Shen Qingqiu can be allowed to do that. As long as Shizun needs me…
Shen Qingqiu interrupts his thoughts. “Here, what do you think?”
He holds out a set of robes, all in shades of white and green. They’re not Luo Binghe’s usual robes, and clearly not fit to be Shizun’s — he’s the one who hand selects which fabrics are best suited for his husband’s skin, and he doesn’t remember buying those.
“Shizun?”
“These robes, are they fit for my husband?”
Luo Binghe scrambles to stand up and take his husband by the waist. “Shizun! Did Shizun—”
“Hold on, you’ll make me fall—”
“Did Shizun select those robes for this one?”
Shen Qingqiu frowns. “Obviously. Who else would?”
That’s right — apart from Shen Qingqiu, Luo Binghe has no family. Who else but Luo Binghe himself or Shen Qingqiu would ever take the time to select those robes for him?
Servants don’t count.
“These are Qing Jing Peak colors.”
“As this master’s husband, Binghe belongs on Qing Jing Peak — ah, don’t cry.” Shen Qingqiu hurriedly lays the clothes on the bed to cup Luo Binghe’s cheeks with both hands, brushing away the tears. “Surely Binghe already knew that…?”
“Shizun,” Luo Binghe says, voice soft and plaintive. “This one has been thinking — the meal didn’t taste the same as in my memories. Could it be that the one who cooked that congee and made those steamed buns was not a cook from Qing Jing Peak, but rather—”
Shen Qingqiu’s face goes red.
“—did Shizun cook for this one?”
“I… don’t cook often, it might not have tasted very good.”
“Shizun!”
“Ah!”
Shen Qingqiu stumbles back from the sudden weight, but wraps his arms around Luo Binghe, letting him hide his face in his neck. Meanwhile, Luo Binghe can only let out a waterfall of tears on his husband’s collars, mind, body, soul, and heart all overwhelmed.
He lifts his head. “Shizun.”
“Yes, Binghe?”
“Shizun, Shizun, Shizun, Shizun, Shizun—”
“Don’t bite!” Shen Qingqiu cries out between kisses. “Binghe—!”
Luo Binghe pulls back to look at his husband, taking in his bullied-red mouth, deep frown, and watering eyes. “Shizun, I really love you.”
Shen Qingqiu’s face softens. “Mh.”
“Can Shizun say it back?”
“Ah? Binghe is so demanding today.”
He grins. “But isn’t Shizun the one who decided to spoil me today?”
At that, Shen Qingqiu’s face flashes with panic, and he suddenly starts struggling in his arms again. Knowing his husband is only fighting with himself this time, Luo Binghe doesn’t let him go.
Finally, his husband goes limp and hides his face against his chest. “When did you realize?”
“When Shizun climbed into bed with me.”
“Don’t say it like that!” Shen Qingqiu exclaims, then takes a moment to consider his words. “…So from the beginning.”
Amused, Luo Binghe lowers his head and bites his husband’s red ear. “This one is always curious about what is in his husband’s mind.”
“…Mh.”
“Shizun has already fed and clothed me, this one can only wonder what else Shizun is planning.”
Unknowingly acting cute, Shen Qingqiu glares at him, then looks at his still naked chest. “Clothed you?”
Understanding, Luo Binghe lets him go.
Shen Qingqiu huffs and takes up the white and green clothes. Luo Binghe obediently lets his husband control his body and dress him, heart alighting every time their bare skins make contact.
Once Shizun seems satisfied with both their states of dress, Luo Binghe finally relents and agrees to leave their bedroom. Although Shizun obviously wishes he could stay in bed, he still steps away and heads towards the kitchen.
Luo Binghe tries to follow, only to be stopped.
Shizun frowns. “Stay here, don’t follow me.”
“Why not?”
“I need to make your meal.”
“Shizun, can’t this disciple cook instead?”
Shen Qingqiu’s face immediately pinches. “So the food was bad.”
“No! Not at all! To this disciple, Shizun’s food is the best in the world. This disciple would be honored to taste it again, it’s only…”
Clearly bothered by the idea that he fed Luo Binghe something unpleasant, Shizun scowls at the long pause. “What is it? Spit it out.”
“…This disciple wonders, does Shizun like cooking? Shizun has never cooked in front of this husband before.” And he would know, considering he has been the one in charge of Shen Qingqiu’s food for over a decade now — not counting the time when he was gone. Shen Qingqiu stopped eating as soon as Luo Binghe wasn’t here to feed him.
“I have cooked before.”
“When was this?”
Shizun goes silent, then a little bit pink. “Binghe has been busy lately…”
“With matters relating to the Demon Realm, yes…” he says slowly, then gasps. “Shizun, have I been remiss in my duties? Did I leave Shizun so hungry he had to cook for himself…!?”
Shen Qingqiu’s mouth drops open. “What are you saying! Do you think I will starve as soon as you’re not around?”
“Shizun stopped eating while I was…”
“Yes, well.” He avoids Luo Binghe’s gaze. “That was a different matter. And, no, that’s not it.”
“Shizun…”
Shen Qingqiu turns around and heads into the kitchen. This time, he doesn’t try to scold Luo Binghe into not following him. Instead, he seems focused on bustling around the kitchen, taking utensils and moving them around with purpose. Already, ingredients have been prepared, simply waiting for Shen Qingqiu to make use of them.
Standing by the door, Luo Binghe takes in the sight, mind working quickly.
“Shizun, did you intend to prepare both breakfast and lunch for this one?”
“What does Binghe think?”
He crowds closer but doesn’t dare to step in Shizun’s way. “Is Shizun skilled at cooking?”
His head turned away and focused on something else, Shen Qingqiu falters. “…Not particularly. In fact, it can be said that I am… bad at it.”
“Who said that?”
He sighs. “Myself.”
Luo Binghe frowns, ready to defend his husband’s honor — before suddenly, the truth hits him. “But today’s breakfast was good.”
Shen Qingqiu turns around. “Was it?”
“Shizun.”
His husband lets him come closer, close enough that they get tangled in a sweet embrace.
“Did Shizun… learn how to cook for this one?”
Shen Qingqiu’s eyelashes lower demurely. “…Mh.”
“Then, it must be that this day is something Shizun has been planning for a long time.”
“Something like that.”
Luo Binghe smiles maliciously. “Or is it that Shizun has been looking for an excuse to spoil me?”
“You!” Shen Qingqiu hits him with the flap of his sleeve, the touch barely enough to be felt, then raises his hands to pinch his cheek instead. The whole time, Shizun shows an expression that can only be described as a pout. “Who taught you to say things like this!”
“Shizun!”
Despite his thin face, Shen Qingqiu still goes pliant as Luo Binghe lays a dozen kisses on his face, becoming like jelly in his arms. Or like a sleeping kitten, perhaps.
Once he’s had his fill for now, Luo Binghe leans away just enough to be able to talk and see his husband’s expression. “Shizun, right now, I’m so happy.”
Shen Qingqiu sniffs, but the image is ruined by the sight of his red lips and moist eyes. “Right now? Just wait, I haven’t finished.”
He can only groan. “I don’t think I can make it…”
“Binghe…”
Voice soft and languid, Shen Qingqiu pats his hair as Luo Binghe nuzzles his face into his neck, hugging him tight. If he has to lift his head right now, he might cry — and the genuine, ugly kind of crying.
“Shizun, I want to eat your cooking.”
He sighs, but it sounds fond. “I know. That’s why, let me go so I can begin—”
“But I also want to cook for Shizun.”
“Binghe cooks for me every other day.”
Finally, Luo Binghe gets to his original goal: “Shizun, can we cook together?”
Shen Qingqiu pauses, clearly startled at the idea. “Together?”
If it were possible, Luo Binghe would do everything with Shizun. As long as it’s Shen Qingqiu, as long as they’re together, he’ll accept anything.
The idea of cooking with Shizun… It brings back memories of being a child, standing in that cold and drafty kitchen with his mother, trying to help her cook, being taught her recipes, the taste and fragrance…
His eyes water, for once without his consent. “Shizun, can we?”
Shen Qingqiu takes one look at him and gives in. “Oh, Binghe… Of course, if it makes Binghe happy.”
After a hearty meal — during which Luo Binghe only cries once — Shen Qingqiu heads to his desk, where the usual paperwork lays. It’s usually Luo Binghe’s duty to take care of those, simply because his husband dislikes that kind of work, but to his surprise, Shen Qingqiu sits down at his desk and waves Luo Binghe away.
He’s not so easily deterred. “Shizun, let this one—”
“Binghe shouldn’t work today.”
“But Shizun…”
Shen Qingqiu huffs. “Protesting like that, do you think this master incompetent? Who do you think took care of these matters before you did?”
“Ming Fan.”
Shizun’s face darkens, but he doesn’t refute — if he were anyone else, he would undoubtedly be pouting. “Didn’t you say I want to spoil you? Then don’t work and leave it to this master for today.”
“Shizun…”
But Shen Qingqiu refuses to hear any more. Instead, he sits down and faces the desk, determinedly turning away before Luo Binghe can convince him with his tears.
He doesn’t give up yet — Luo Binghe sits down behind him and wraps his arms around his husband’s waist, nuzzling his face into his back. “Shizun, this one can’t bear to leave you.”
“Then stay, but don’t disturb me.”
“Shizun!”
It seems like it’s Luo Binghe’s loss this time. Even as he wraps his arms as tight as possible and lets his voice drag into a tearful whine, Shizun refuses to give up. Of course Shizun would only be this resolute when he believes he’s spoiling Luo Binghe…
He stays in that position, refusing to let his husband go. If he can’t relieve his shizun from work, at least he can provide comfort.
It doesn’t take too long before the first signs of unease appear in Shen Qingqiu’s body language: a frown or a scowl from time to time, and soon, a near constant hand touching his head — like he’s nursing a headache.
It’s time to strike. Luo Binghe makes a long whining noise to startle his husband out of his concentration.
“Binghe? Is something wrong?”
“Shizun…”
He sighs. “What is it?”
“Shizun seems tired…”
Shen Qingqiu doesn’t answer, but Luo Binghe can read the trouble on his expressionless face. Shizun has probably already realized that he’s not all that suited to this kind of work. So cute.
“Shizun, this disciple really can’t do the work instead…?”
“No.”
Luo Binghe lets his eyes water. “This disciple understands. Shizun doesn’t trust this disciple to do the work right…”
Shen Qingqiu finally turns his head and fixes him with a disapproving look. “It’s nothing like that. Binghe can do this work perfectly.”
“And effortlessly.”
“Mhm.”
“So why can’t this one do the work today too?”
“Because…” He goes silent.
“Because Shizun wants to spoil me?”
Shizun’s cheeks flush red, and he turns his head away again.
“But if Shizun wants to spoil me, he can do it in other ways. This one is satisfied with anything as long as it’s Shizun.”
“Binghe,” he sighs.
“It’s true! This one— this husband loves Shizun, and so he loves anything that has to do with Shizun.” Now that Shen Qingqiu is listening to him again, Luo Binghe deals the finishing blow: “If Shizun wants to spoil me, how about he stays in my lap while I work?”
Shen Qingqiu’s mouth drops open. “What did you just say?” he says, voice faint.
“Can Shizun stay in my lap while I work?”
“Luo Binghe!”
He can only let out a laugh, squeezing Shizun around the waist again. In protest, Shen Qingqiu weakly moves as though to take Luo Binghe’s hands off of him — but in reality, he only lays his own hands over Luo Binghe’s, like he’s making a point to keep them here.
“Shizun, can we? This one would love to have Shizun on his lap…”
“No!”
Luo Binghe lets the moment drag, silently watching as Shen Qingqiu’s face goes through all the stages of self-persuasion without any more prompting. Shizun can be silly sometimes. Really so cute.
“Fine.”
“Shizun, really?”
“I already said, fine!”
Shen Qingqiu limply lets Luo Binghe maneuver his body around — something they are both used to, now, since his body doesn’t have demonic stamina and often gives up halfway through their evening activities. Only the high flush to his cheeks betray his real thoughts.
“Wait.” He puts his hands on Luo Binghe’s chest. “Why am I facing you?”
“Does Shizun not like this position?”
He frowns. “I can’t see the work like this.”
“But Shizun accepted that it’s this one’s work instead. There’s also that it’s easier for me to hug Shizun if we’re like this. Does Shizun not want this one’s hands on his body?”
Shen Qingqiu looks down at the hands on his body pointedly.
Luo Binghe slowly removes them.
A panicked expression quickly flashes by. “Don’t play,” he says shortly, then moves forward until Luo Binghe’s arms can comfortably wrap around his waist and beyond, towards the desk. In turn, Shen Qingqiu tucks his arms in between both their chests, hands grasping Luo Binghe’s robes tight, and hides his face against his husband’s neck.
Really, really too cute.
Only pretending to turn towards the work for now, Luo Binghe swims in a sea of happiness until he realizes the issue with this position. “Shizun, I can’t see your face like this.”
“Your problem.”
“Shizun!”
“Binghe wanted to work. He can work now.”
Soundly defeated, Luo Binghe turns back to work.
After all the desk and paperwork are done and over, Luo Binghe follows behind Shizun as he makes his rounds to check on the disciples and hall masters.
If this were a normal day, Luo Binghe would have stayed at home. He knows that no one on this Peak intends to take Shizun away from him — and the younger disciples are afraid of him, and Shizun always gets a pinched look on his face when confronted with that.
This time, when Shizun steps outside, he pauses and looks back.
“What are you doing?”
“Shizun?”
Shen Qingqiu frowns. “Follow me.”
“Yes, Shizun.”
Luo Binghe falls into step with him, curious about what Shizun is thinking about this time.
After a few steps, Shen Qingqiu sighs. “What is Binghe doing, standing so far away?”
“Shizun?” The distance between them is the same as usual.
“Come closer.”
“Oh.”
Seeing Shen Qingqiu’s face going red again, Luo Binghe finally understands. He crowds close enough that they can share the same breath — then, when Shizun barely reacts, he dares to hold his husband’s arm.
Shizun hides his face behind his fan. “Ready? Let’s go.”
And so they go.
The disciples stare and whisper behind their backs, but for once, no disaster happens. Even Ming Fan only shows a sour face — and Ning Yingying bursts into a fit of giggles as soon as they appear in front of her.
Luo Binghe sends a look at his shizun, who stays impassive.
Shizun, did you tell them not to bother me?
He smiles. He already knows the answer.
Much like lunch, dinner is a quiet affair.
Though part of him wants to eat Shizun’s exclusive cuisine, Luo Binghe still insists on helping his husband prepare the meal, and this time, Shen Qingqiu lets him with minimal resistance. Those moments of being able to share his passion for cooking with his husband resonate too deeply to give up without a fight, and his husband seems to understand that.
As expected, with Shizun’s gracious hands helping, the meal ends up exquisite. Shizun insists it’s because of Luo Binghe’s skill, but that can’t be true. He’s never cooked something so delicious before.
Perhaps his hunger for his husband influences him somewhat…
After everything has been eaten, Luo Binghe starts to rise to clean up the dishes and utensils, when suddenly Shen Qingqiu presses him back down.
“Stay here, let me do it.”
“Shizun—”
“Binghe does it every other day. Can’t this master do it this once?”
This argument again… but in the end, Luo Binghe can rarely refuse his husband’s wishes. He stays sitting down, insides squirming with the urge to jump up and help his husband with the chore.
Once everything has been cleaned, Shizun hesitates, then says softly, “Is Binghe tired?”
“Not at all. This one can still be spoiled.”
He swats his shoulder. “It sounds to me like you already are! Ah, but I meant…”
Luo Binghe tilts his head. Thinking about it, isn’t Shizun often tired after large meals? It’s hard to say for sure, since Shizun is a lazy soul in general, but…
“Is Shizun tired?”
“No.”
He looks back towards the emptied table. “Shizun didn’t eat as much today.”
His husband frowns. “The food was for Binghe.”
Luo Binghe frowns, too. He wasn’t paying as much attention to Shizun’s actions as he should have, too focused on the taste of the food made by Shizun’s hands. The only reason why he knows that Shizun ate less today is because he kept seeing hands putting more food on his plate instead of their own.
“Shizun’s well being is more important than mine.”
“Nonsense. Who said that?”
“I did.” He tugs on his husband’s hand until Shen Qingqiu finally relents and sits on his lap, then wraps his arms around his husband. Once again, by some sort of miracle, Shizun accepts the affection with minimal resistance. “Shizun, I’m a little tired.”
“Mhm…”
Oh? What’s with the sudden flustered attitude?
Luo Binghe tries to catch his husband’s eye. “Shizun…”
Instead, Shen Qingqiu directs his gaze up towards the Heavens. “Do you… Does Binghe… perhaps want…”
“If it’s to do with Shizun, this one wants everything.”
“Let me finish.”
“Yes, Shizun.”
“If you’re tired, then maybe you…” He struggles for a moment longer, then sighs, defeated by his own mind. “Do you… want to rest your head on my lap?”
“Shizun! Yes, of course!” Luo Binghe jumps to his feet, still carrying his husband in his arms.
“Ah! Let me down! Luo Binghe, let me down right—”
“Shizun, Shizun, Shizun—”
“This again…! Don’t bite!”
That evening, Shen Qingqiu pushes Luo Binghe into their bathroom, then makes him sit down on the stool while he goes around preparing the bath. Tasks like carrying the water and warming it, or choosing the right soap and scented lotion, which would usually be Luo Binghe’s, are now suddenly his husband’s.
“Shizun, let me—”
He scowls. “I already let you take care of the work earlier, now you want to do this too? Binghe deserves a lazy day as well.”
But Shizun, I like taking care of you above all else, he almost says, but keeps quiet instead. He doesn’t want to upset Shizun by implying he doesn’t appreciate this — he does!
Taking his silence as an agreement, Shen Qingqiu relaxes and smiles. “Just stay here and be good.”
“Yes, Shizun.”
Although Shizun is clearly not as experienced with drawing a bath as Luo Binghe is, he still manages and before long, he begins to remove Luo Binghe’s robes for him. The touch remains just as electrifying now as it was when he was dressing him instead.
“Shizun is the one who dressed me today. And now he undresses me as well?”
Shen Qingqiu gives him a mean eye. “I would undress you more often if you gave me the chance.”
Hit by the many memories of pushing Shen Qingqiu into bed before they even get a bath, Luo Binghe goes silent and limply lets his husband urge him into the bath.
“Shizun, won’t you get in with me?” He looks up at his husband with pleading eyes.
He sighs. “Binghe, the tub isn’t fit for two people…”
“It is. This one chose it that way.”
Shen Qingqiu goes mute, clearly unimpressed.
“Shizun, please get in with me,” he whines. “I’m so cold without you here…”
“What is Binghe saying? He runs like a furnace,” Shen Qingqiu says, as he starts removing his robes anyway. “Don’t play around. We’re only taking a bath. Does Binghe understand?”
“Yes, Shizun,” Luo Binghe answers, being nice and obedient for now.
From the look that appears on his face, Shen Qingqiu is well aware of what thoughts run through his head. But yet again, he doesn’t say a word against him and only sighs, before finally joining his husband in the bath.
Deciding that he’s already been spoiled enough for now, Luo Binghe stays obedient and doesn’t try to play around — he can already tell he’ll be allowed much more later on, as long as he stays patient right now.
His husband’s soft hands on his naked skin, washing gently, nearly betray his resolution, but Binghe manages at the very last moment. In the end, he only goes so far as to gently bite his shizun’s neck and fingers.
“Binghe, be good,” Shizun scolds, gently hitting him over the head — which is to say, he pats his hair. “Be still and let me wash your hair.”
Once they’re done with the bath, Shen Qingqiu helps him back into clean robes.
Luo Binghe looks down at the hands currently tying a belt around his waist, and his heart pinches. “Shizun, like that, we really look like a husband and wife.”
Shen Qingqiu pauses, then stares up at him. “And who’s the wife?”
“Binghe is the wife.”
Shizun smiles. “Good boy.”
Like being struck by lightning, Luo Binghe’s heart and body go into overdrive, but he must stay patient. Instead of acting upon his true intentions, he puts his hands over Shen Qingqiu’s and herds him into the wall, kissing him breathless.
For once, Shizun accepts without any complaint.
Who knows how long later, Shizun is the one to push Luo Binghe onto the bed.
“Sh-Shizun, so forward!”
Holding a comb with one hand, Shen Qingqiu gently swats his chest with a smile. “Don’t play.”
Shizun is in such a good mood, Luo Binghe wonders silently. “Of course, Shizun can do anything he wants to this husband…!”
“I know.”
Unfortunately, in order to get Shizun to comb his hair, Luo Binghe has to make some of the worst of concessions: in this position, he can’t see Shen Qingqiu’s face at all, back turned to him.
“Shizun, this one has a question…”
“Mh?”
The hands in his hair nearly lull him to sleep, the movements rhythmic and gentle, as soft as Shizun’s love for him.
“Why did Shizun decide to spoil this one today?”
A falter in the movements makes Luo Binghe’s eyes open.
“…Perhaps I just felt like it.”
“But Shizun must have studied cooking before, for the sake of this one.”
“Mh…”
“And Shizun prepared robes for this one, also.”
“Ah…”
“So how can it be that this was just something done on impulse? Shizun must have planned for this day to happen.” He considers the thought. “Is today… a special day?”
The comb stops completely, this time. With a wounded noise, Luo Binghe moves to turn around, but is stopped by two arms suddenly curling around his chest.
Shizun is hugging me?
“Binghe…” A sigh, then Shen Qingqiu’s head lays down on his shoulder. From the heated skin he feels there, he can tell his husband’s face must be red. “Don’t ask anymore, this husband really can’t answer you.”
So it’s something embarrassing?
“Shizun, I’m really curious.”
“Can’t Binghe accept that it happened like this?”
He can, of course, but Shen Qingqiu’s tone tells him that he’s still allowed to push for now — that, and the fact that Shizun is hugging him so tight. If he were genuinely upset and hiding, he would have already walked out the room, or at least changed the subject of conversation.
“Shizun, I want to know.”
One of Shen Qingqiu’s hands leaves his chest, and a finger soon starts drawing misshapen half circle shapes into his lower back. After a long moment of silence during which Luo Binghe can only conclude he misread Shizun’s mood, Shen Qingqiu finally talks again:
“Today is… the date might not be exact, the calendar is different, but, there’s a possibility that… Ah…”
“Shizun? If Shizun can’t say it, then it’s fine.”
“It’s just… I wish I had chocolate instead, but…”
“Choco… late?” Luo Binghe vaguely recognizes the word. “Isn’t that a sweet from beyond our borders? Is Shizun interested in that kind of thing?”
“Don’t mind me,” Shen Qingqiu says instantly, clearly embarrassed. “No, I wanted some for you. I…”
Patient and trying to be obedient, Luo Binghe waits for a continuation, but Shizun doesn’t continue. This must be very difficult for him, if he’s letting it drag out this much.
“Shizun, I really want to see you right now. Can I turn around?”
“No. Forbidden.”
“Shizun…!”
“Today, it’s—” Shen Qingqiu starts, then sighs again, sounding tortured. He trembles lightly against his back. “It’s a special day… for… for couples.”
Luo Binghe’s hearts stops. “A… special day for couples…?”
“Mh.”
Overtaken by sudden heat, Luo Binghe forcefully turns around and takes his husband in his arms, nearly crushing him with the force of his emotions. “Shizun!”
“Binghe! Ah, not so tight…” Despite his words, Shen Qingqiu clearly tries to use the position to his advantage, ducking his head under Luo Binghe’s chin so he can’t see his face.
But even like this, Luo Binghe can read his mood: red ears, trembling frame, and hands against his chest, mimicking the act of pushing him away. He’s sure that right now, Shen Qingqiu’s face must be completely expressionless, his husband’s way of protecting himself.
Oh, Shizun… His entire body, filled with overpowering joy and love, can only strain against his basest instincts.
“Shizun, this special day, does it say you have to spoil me?”
Shen Qingqiu takes a moment to recover. “…No, not at all.”
“What do couples do during this day, then?”
“Ah… Usually, the girl gives the boy chocolate to confess her love. Later on, there is another day where the boy gives the girl a sweet in exchange, in order to thank her.”
He’s never heard about this event, but it doesn’t surprise him that Shizun would know of such foreign concepts.
“That’s why Shizun wants to give this one chocolate?”
“Yes.”
“So Shizun wants to confess his love for me?”
Head lifting to glare at him, Shen Qingqiu gently hits his chest. “Binghe already knows this husband’s feelings.”
Luo Binghe instantly gets teary-eyed. “Earlier as well, Shizun refused to say those words… Does Shizun not love me anymore?”
“Don’t say that! Obviously, I—” Realizing the trap, Shen Qingqiu freezes. “Binghe.”
He smiles. “Shizun already can’t give me chocolate, but he can’t give me his feelings either? Perhaps the reason why Shizun spoiled me today is that—”
“Binghe…”
“—Shizun wants to convey his feelings without needing to say them aloud. But Shizun…” He lowers his head until their faces touch. “To me, there’s nothing better than knowing Shizun loves me.”
Shen Qingqiu doesn’t say anything, but the sound of his throat clicking as he swallows is enough to convey his mood. A fetching blush high on his cheeks, dewy eyes glancing down at Luo Binghe’s lips, and a small tremble in his frame — he wants to devour his husband whole.
“Didn’t Shizun say he wanted to spoil me?”
“Haven’t I done so already?”
“Shizun, it’s not enough.”
Lips pinching, Shen Qingqiu looks away first, frowning. “Binghe has grown spoiled.”
“Shizun.”
“Fine.”
Luo Binghe leans away until he can see the whole of his husband’s expression without any trouble. Like this, with Shizun in his lap and his hands on his chest, being able to hold his husband by the waist and watch as he works up the courage and face to say those words, there’s nothing better.
“I love you.”
Luo Binghe smiles. “Shizun.”
“I… I really love you.”
“Shizun, Shizun, Shizun—”
“Don’t get too excited! Ah, no biting, Binghe—!”
Any further protests are swallowed by biting kisses.