Work Text:
It was a perfect day, really - Binghe was in the kitchen making excellent breakfast, as he always did, and the spring air was crisp but not too cool, a refreshing turn towards warmth but before the blistering heat of summer. The wind carried the sweet smell of fresh leaves budding and the small river danced along in the distance, just on the edge of earshot with its burbling.
Normally Binghe had breakfast ready before Qingqiu was even awake, but Binghe had been… extra attentive that morning, and they had ended up delaying getting up a bit more than normal. Not that it mattered - they were off on their little honeymoon, at the charming little hut that Binghe had built them, so they were free of the worry of disciples or demons running in with urgent business to find them in compromising situations.
Qingqiu still had little time to wait though - Binghe was soon coming out of the kitchen with a laden tray and a wide smile, like a puppy who found a stick. A memory passed over him, of when Binghe was his sweet little lotus and none of the hurt had passed between them, and he wore the same smile as he came to serve his Shizun meals.
Binghe kneeled down at the table to set the tray down, noticing Qingqiu's expression; the tray made it shakily to the table as his smile faltered. "Shizun? Husband? Is everything okay?"
Qingqiu instinctively brought his fan up to cover his face as he schooled his expression from… whatever sort of face he was making. But when he heard the tell-tale sniffle of Binghe as his eyes started to water, he sighed and dropped the fan down to the table, looking over to his husband with an apologetic smile.
"Don't mind me, Binghe. I was simply lost in thought for a moment." The placation didn't seem to help much, as Binghe kneeled beside him still, searching Qingqiu's expression.
"Is breakfast too late? Is it not to your liking? Did… I hurt you this morning?" He kept pushing, but Qingqiu barely knew where his own mind was right then, let alone wanting to lay himself bare - again. So to try to ease the pitiful look on his face, Qingqiu reached out to put his hand on Binghe's head, smoothing back that fluffy hair in a tender motion.
"None of that, now," he said, soft as he kept his hand on Binghe's head. Of all gestures, this one always soothed his husband the most. "I was just thinking old thoughts. No need to be concerned."
Binghe bowed his head to the touch, his eyes glazing over a little as he calmed a bit. Always did the trick. But after a moment he looked up again, tears starting to stick to those beautiful lashes - what business did this man have being so beautiful? - and Qingqiu gave a small sigh. "Come now, stop that. This master is just fine, and wishes to eat this meal before it grows cold."
His husband seemed to consider this a moment, and then switched tactics; in a startling display, he gave a deep bow from his kneeling position, his hair cascading down around his face as his forehead almost touched the floor. "It is this disciple's honor to serve his master."
It was almost too much. Qingqiu always panicked when Binghe deferred to him, even though the system had been blissfully quiet for a while now - it didn't mean it was never coming back to torment him. The main character shouldn't be bowing to him like this! What were the implications?!
But, whispered a traitorous thought in the back of his head. But, would Binghe ever do anything he wasn't willing to? Back then certainly, but Binghe was fully in his power and well aware of his control over his own life now. If he didn't like the direction things were going, wouldn't he be able to stop Qingqiu with a single touch?
Surely he was possessed, Qingqiu thought, as he leaned down and softly tapped his fan on Binghe's head, his voice quiet. "This master is served best by this disciple."
Binghe's head shot up, looking at Qingqiu with such curious, eager eyes that Qingqiu had to look away, hiding behind his fan again. "Shizun really means it?" He asked eagerly, clamoring closer so that he was almost draped across Qingqiu's lap. "Shizun would let this disciple serve him, for always and in whatever way he can think of?"
Cheeks burning, Qingqiu refused to meet his gaze. "That… Your imagination is too much, Binghe! I could never!"
There was a quiet laugh, but Binghe leaned in to speak against Qingqiu's exposed ear. "Oh Shizun… I meant your imagination."
Qingqiu's eyes snapped back, and Binghe was wearing his most coquettish smile. "Is… there something you'd like to try, Shizun? Something on your mind?"
Qingqiu's cheeks were burning but he tried to shoo Binghe back. "You are insatiable. Let this master think while he eats and gets some rest first."
"Of course, Shizun," Binghe chirped, backing up enough to let Qingqiu eat but also taking the bold move to rest his head against Qingqiu's lap, snuggling to his side happily. Qingqiu tried not to focus on what exactly their post-meal plans would get up to. Qingqiu didn't touch the "literature" that Binghe had been pursuing, he didn't have any experience in being with anyone except Binghe, how was he supposed to come up with new ideas?!
But then again… The idea of finding out could be very appealing…