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Qingqiu had barely heard it - the quietest, hidden huff of a sniffle as they passed through the marketplace on the edges of the Demonic realm. He had come with Binghe for some relaxation, but when he paused to examine some trinkets he had heard the crying, just barely, from a place tucked away in the alley.
"...Shizun?" Binghe's quiet tone followed him as he turned from the road to investigate, tilting his head and stepping closer to the alley - there was a small child there, their horns barely starting to come in, far too small and too young to be on their own. Binghe saw the child the same moment that Qingqiu did, but he remained back, watching the scene intently.
On the Peak, he would have asked Binghe to bring the child to him - but there was no need for a show or pretenses here, a quiet respite that Qingqiu always enjoyed about the demon realm (though he'd never admit it). Instead of standing on the role of a Peak Lord, he could draw down his fan and smile softly. "Hey, little one. Are you lost?"
The child jolted and folded in on themselves at the sound of his voice, but when they saw the calm jade of Qingqiu's robes, the worry in his smile, the stillness of his hands showing no immediate danger, they allowed themselves to peek from over their arm.
"...Yeah," a tiny voice finally came from the small bundle. "Mama said she'd be right back but that was so long ago…"
Qingqiu gave a small tutting noise, tapping his fan on his leg before he carefully replaced it into his sleeve. "Well that does seem to be something to worry about. If you'd like, we can walk with you and try to find your mother. What's your name, little one?" He offered his hand, palm down and open, for the child to take. There was a beat and then the child ignored the hand, lunging to wrap their arms around Qingqiu's neck.
"Yong," the little child responded, grasping handfuls of Qingqiu's robes as he clung and continued to sob. "Don't… Don't leave me, okay? There were some scary people and I don't wanna stay anymore…"
The words pierced directly to Qingqiu's heart, and again he would have normally peeled the child off, chided them softly, rearranged his robes before the snot and tears stained his shoulders - but the thought crumbled before he even fully formed it. He wrapped his arms around the tiny child and stood, picking him up; he weighed nothing at all and his clothes were in tatters, further proof of just how long he had been waiting here.
"Shh, I won't Yong, you're going to be okay," he reassured, a steadying hand on the child's back. He turned back, realizing he was now going to have to explain himself to Binghe, only to see his husband watching him with wide eyes, intent and unblinking. Qingqiu had seen that look before, and if they weren't in public where he had his reputation as the fearsome Junshang, there was no doubt he'd be crying right now. Embarrassed, Qingqiu looked to Yong and gave an encouraging smile. "Come on then, why don't we get something to eat before we start looking?"
Binghe was at his side in a moment, his hand coming to rest over Qingqiu's on Yong's back. "Anything you'd like, little one," Binghe reaffirmed, giving a rare and gentle smile. "You couldn't ask for better help than this Shizun. You will be safe now."