Work Text:
1.
"You spoil your disciples too much," Liu Qingge grumbles into his cup. The fragrant scent of green tea fills the air, flowery and light and very much fitting for Qing Jing Peak. Across from him, Shen Qingqiu flutters his lashes. The cheeky little smile that's undoubtedly on his lips is hidden behind his fan.
"Why would Liu-shidi say that?" Shen Qingqiu's tone is all feigned innocence; he knows as well as everyone else that Qing Jing Peak disciples are spoiled rotten by their master. Then he gasps, that fake little thing that has Liu Qingge on edge because what follows it is always mischief.
And it does: Shen Qingqiu lowers his fan and asks: "Ah, is Liu-shidi perhaps jealous ? Did this shixiong not give you enough attention?" There's hidden laughter in his green eyes and it effectively distracts Liu Qingge. When he blinks, Shen Qingqiu is right by his side, close enough that Liu Qingge can see the faintest trace of red on those pale cheeks.
Suddenly it feels hard to breathe. This proximity shouldn't be anything new - but it has barely been two weeks since Liu Qingge decided to court Shen Qingqiu and each time they're close now, Liu Qingge's heart skips a beat in anticipation.
Shen Qingqiu, blissfully unaware of the inner turmoil he causes, leans in further. A strand of his hair falls forward, brushing against Liu Qingge's shoulder; Shen Qingqiu's warmth is like a brand, even through their clothes.
Decorum would demand they keep a more respectable distance and yet, Liu Qingge is helpless to resist anything that's Shen Qingqiu. He makes the mistake of looking down; Shen Qingqiu's lips are still parted in silent laughter and before Liu Qingge can catch himself, he's already leaning forward-
"Shizun!!"
The door flies open and Liu Qingge springs to his feet, immediately ready for battle, Cheng Luan flying from its sheath with a mere thought. Behind him, Shen Qingqiu calls for him to calm down and in front of him, the sharp tip of his blade points at…
"Binghe!!," Shen Qingqiu scolds, scampering to his feet. "Has this shixiong not taught you to knock before you come in? Especially when we have guests!"
Liu Qingge calls back his sword and turns away from the disciple, whose bright eyes slowly fill with tears at his shizun's reprimand. But Liu Qingge hasn't missed the glare that had been sent his way just before that.
He decides to leave.
2.
That sticky disciple, Luo Binghe, is always around. Whenever Liu Qingge sets foot on Qing Jing Peak, the first thing he sees is a head full of curly hair and brows that furrow at his presence. Whenever he goes inside the bamboo house to meet with Shen Qingqiu, Luo Binghe will trail behind him.
He's also bringing tea and snacks. Constantly.
Liu Qingge doesn't get a single moment alone with Shen Qingqiu and it feels like it happens on purpose. He would call Luo Binghe out for it; but Shen Qingqiu seems particularly fond of him and Liu Qingge does not want to invoke Shen Qingqiu's wrath.
He settles for glaring at Luo Binghe the same way Luo Binghe glares at him.
This afternoon, when Liu Qingge comes over, he finds Shen Qingqiu outside, surrounded by his disciples. The sun bathes them all in golden light, painting a picture of serenity and beauty - Shen Qingqiu, of course, looks especially ethereal.
"What are you doing?," Liu Qingge wants to know, once Shen Qingqiu has spotted him and approaches with a faint smile on his lips.
"It's an art exercise," the other man replies, casting a fond look at his students. The sticky one and Shen Qingqiu's head disciple look seconds away from throwing brushes at each other.
"They work in groups, you see. They all settled on a theme they will draw - one will sketch it, the next one will colour it, the third one will do the details. It's meant to improve relationships with each other." Shen Qingqiu glares at his two quarreling students and sighs when they settle. "They need it."
Then, he lifts his fan and leans in close. The fan hides not only his face from view but Liu Qingge's as well - a barrier to protect whatever Shen Qingqiu is about to tell him. Liu Qingge's heart is back to skipping beats in his chest.
"Truth be told, Ming Fan still needs to learn to be nice to Luo Binghe," Shen Qingqiu whispers. He's close enough that his breath (scented with tea and something sweet) brushes warmly against Liu Qingge's chin, making him shiver.
Green eyes look at Liu Qingge through long, dark lashes; tinted gold by the sunlight and sparkling with life. Once again, Liu Qingge finds himself being pulled in. They're hidden, no one would see if he leaned down and kissed Shen Qingqiu-
Something wet hits him, freezing him in place. Shen Qingqiu's eyes widen comically before he turns his gaze back towards his disciples- the lot of them frozen in place as well.
Luo Binghe and Ming Fan seem to shrink.
"Who threw that paint brush," Shen Qingqiu asks very calmly. Somehow, his calmness is more terrifying than if he started yelling right away. Ming Fan wordlessly points at Luo Binghe.
Coward , Liu Qingge thinks immediately. His left cheek and shoulder are stained with red paint. Luo Binghe cries out in rage and Shen Qingqiu walks over before the two boys can start quarreling for real.
3.
Worry is not a good look on Shen Qingqiu, Liu Qingge thinks half delirious, and then curses whatever concoction Mu Qingfang has forced him to drink. It makes his thoughts feel slow and sluggish.
"It prevents you from dying of poison!," Shen Qingqiu quips; Liu Qingge hadn't been aware he said that out loud.
He's laying down on a little cot in Mu Qingfang's office, the bitter scent of herbs and medicine stinging his nose. His injuries no longer ache now that they're properly dressed - he thinks it would've been fine on its own but Shen Qingqiu had all but dragged him here the second he'd seen Liu Qingge.
"Liu-shidi is far too reckless," Shen Qingqiu speaks up again. Liu Qingge opens his eyes (he can't remember closing them) and makes a valiant effort to focus on familiar green eyes. It's a near impossible task. "Why did you come to Qing Jing first instead of seeing Mu Qingfang? And don't even try saying you weren't aware these beasts were poisonous. They're literally called Poisoned Heart Frogs!"
Even as Shen Qingqiu scolds him, he gently wipes the sweat off of Liu Qingge's forehead, muttering something about a fever and having to call Mu Qingfang back in if it gets any higher.
"Wanted to see you," Liu Qingge manages, when Shen Qingqiu pauses to breathe. His tongue feels too big for his mouth. Shen Qingqiu stares at him in open disbelief; one of his hands twitches as though he wants to reach for his fan. (He won't find it. He dropped it when he saw Liu Qingge and Liu Qingge picked it up to give it to him, but instead he'd been all but carried to Qian Cao Peak.)
"Liu-shidi's health is more important than seeing me," Shen Qingqiu argues, but his eyes soften just so. He's beautiful . "This shixiong does not plan on leaving anytime soon, after all."
Liu Qingge isn't listening, not really. His eyes are drawn to Shen Qingqiu's mouth, mesmerized by the way his lips curl around each word he speaks. He really wants to kiss him.
Liu Qingge struggles to sit up and succeeds, despite Shen Qingqiu's attempts to stop him. "Liu-shidi! You're hurt, you're supposed to lay down!"
Liu Qingge reaches out. He means to aim for Shen Qingqiu's shoulder but his vision swims a little and his hand finds Shen Qingqiu's cheek instead. It's warm under his skin. Smooth. He leans in.
"Shen-shixiong?," Mu Qingfang's voice interrupts them. "Liu-shidi?"
Shen Qingqiu jerks back so fast that Liu Qingge nearly falls.
4.
"You should not be walking around."
Liu Qingge rolls his eyes and walks on, his steps cushioned by fallen leaves. The tall bamboo stalks all around them block out most of the sunlight. Only occasionally does the sun manage to pierce the leaves, drawing golden patterns on the ground. Beams of light also dance over Shen Qingqiu's green and white robes and Liu Qingge allows himself a moment to get distracted.
"I'm fine," he says, which earns him a long-suffering sigh.
"Your definition of fine and my definition of fine greatly differ, Liu-shidi," Shen Qingqiu retorts but he keeps up with Liu Qingge's pace, gracefully walking through the bamboo forest. Liu Qingge has heard people call the Qing Jing Peak Lord a fairy. Sometimes he thinks it's a fitting sentiment.
"What are you even doing here? Is there not a peak full of children you have to train?"
Liu Qingge snorts and shakes his head. "The older students do that. I only need to check their forms."
Shen Qingqiu's elegant brows draw together in a frown. "You mean you only need to beat them up once a week. Brute."
Years ago, that remark would've made Liu Qingge bristle with anger and prompted a fight full of insults. Now, Liu Qingge merely shrugs, trying to keep down his smile.
"Hands-on practice is the best way to gain experience. If they can't defeat me, they're not strong enough."
Shen Qingqiu shakes his head and huffs a laugh, amicably bumping his shoulder against Liu Qingge's. "That's not fair, Liu-shidi. No one can defeat you. You're the strongest."
Liu Qingge feels warmth spreads through his chest at these words, far more pleasant than the fever that ravaged his body three days ago. Shen Qingqiu is always quite generous about giving praise, unaware of the impact it has on those receiving it from him. Liu Qingge ducks his head and turns, hiding the warmth on his cheeks from view.
They walk on in companionable silence, side by side, through the lush green bamboo speckled with gold. Eventually, Liu Qingge hears the sound of running water and catches a glimpse of the smile on Shen Qingqiu's lips. "There's a beautiful little waterfall just ahead of us. Time for a break."
Amidst the bamboo is a clearing and the aforementioned waterfall. Liu Qingge spots water lilies in full bloom, delicate pinks and pure whites, and red-speckled fish with flowing fins flit past beneath. Truly a serene place.
Shen Qingqiu tugs at his sleeve to pull him along. He ushers him to sit and joins him, looking right at home amidst the greenery.
"Oh, Liu-shidi, you have a leaf in your hair. Let me get it for you?"
He doesn't really wait for an answer and Liu Qingge is unprepared to have Shen Qingqiu so close all of a sudden. The Qing Jing Peak Lord leans right into his space to pluck the leaf from his hair - and then he stays where he is. Close.
Liu Qingge swallows against the sudden dryness of his throat. They're alone, he realizes and excitement sends a rush down his spine. "Shen Qingqiu," he manages, daring to come closer. Those green eyes are very close and very wide. He can almost feel those soft lips against his own-
"May I-"
"SHIZUN!!"
Luo Binghe comes crashing through the bamboo.
5.
After that second time of Luo Binghe interrupting them, he seems to be permanently glued to Shen Qingqiu's side. It's honestly a little disturbing to see him act so pathetic and helpless, always quick to turn wide, glassy eyes to Shen Qingqiu.
Liu Qingge is sure that brat can cry on command.
He also seems to have a personal vendetta against Liu Qingge; whenever Shen Qingqiu turns his back, Luo Binghe's face is dark and he scowls at Liu Qingge like he's about to start growling. A part of Liu Qingge has to compliment that kid's courage. There are not many who would dare go against Bai Zhan's War God.
But it's starting to get annoying. Liu Qingge isn't getting anywhere with his courtship like this. Sure, he comes by after his hunts to drop off gifts - but now they are never received by Shen Qingqiu. Instead, Luo Binghe will pop up from Heaven knows where, all fake politeness, and inform Liu Qingge that " Shizun is in a very important meeting, this disciple shall hand your gift over to him ."
Liu Qingge is not above fighting a child. (If anything, that sticky brat could use a good lesson. His foundation is terrible.)
Liu Qingge is overseeing training on his peak when someone approaches him with light steps. He turns and finds Shen Qingqiu by his side, an amused little smile half hidden behind his fan. Liu Qingge can't help but smile back.
Then he sees Luo Binghe right behind Shen Qingqiu and his smile changes back into a frown.
"Hello, Liu-shidi," Shen Qingqiu greets him. "I feel like I have not seen you in a while."
"And whose fault is that?," Liu Qingge grumbles back, earning a dark look from Luo Binghe. Shen Qingqiu, however, seems to take the words as an oversight on his part and looks genuinely apologetic.
"Ah, that's true. This shixiong has been far too busy lately, my apologies."
Liu Qingge falters. That's not what he meant-
"But! Today I've come to ask Liu-shidi a favour. You see, Binghe here has great potential to be a strong fighter and I would like for him to act on that potential. And what better teacher could there be than the War God of Bai Zhan?"
Luo Binghe's expression turns into one of bitter betrayal. Liu Qingge, on the other hand, can barely restrain himself from laughing.
"He will have to prove himself before fighting against me," Liu Qingge says. He isn't smiling. Luo Binghe's face turns even darker, mouth turned down and set into a thin line as Liu Qingge calls for one of his disciples to fetch a training sword.
"Go, Binghe," Shen Qingqiu says gently. One of his hands musses dark curly hair and Luo Binghe looks a little less bitter for a moment. "Go and start training. You want to be strong, right?"
Luo Binghe walks off like he's about to receive a death sentence, casting woeful glances at his shizun all the while. The Bai Zhan disciples seem wary of him but one command from Liu Qingge has them all in order, getting ready for a training fight.
Shen Qingqiu shuffles a little closer as soon as they're somewhat alone. Much closer than is necessary and Liu Qingge feels warm.
"Liu-shidi wasn't lonely, was he?," Shen Qingqiu wants to know. He seems to mean it as a tease but his eyes are soft and show open honesty. Liu Qingge shakes his head.
"I'm used to being on my own."
Shen Qingqiu hums at that, fan fluttering lazily in front of his face. " Mhm ," he says. Is it Liu Qingge's imagination or are Shen Qingqiu's cheeks getting red? "Then it seems it was only this Shen who felt a little lonely without Liu-shidi around."
Liu Qingge is wholly unprepared for this confession and it takes him by surprise. His face seems to catch on fire. He wants to say something back, because he's been the same, he missed Shen Qingqiu even though it's only been a week - but his tongue seems tied and he's not able to get the words out.
So, actions it is.
Liu Qingge carefully reaches out. Shen Qingqiu's hand is cool when he closes his fingers around it and it jerks briefly at the contact before returning the gesture. Liu Qingge is sure his heart will break through his ribs at any moment.
Hidden by Shen Qingqiu's long, flowy sleeves, their hands tangle together.
"Shen Qingqiu," Liu Qingge finally manages. Is that his voice, so terribly soft and shaky? Shen Qingqiu looks up at him, looking just as flustered as Liu Qingge feels. "I want to kiss you."
Green eyes go very, very wide. Shen Qingqiu's lips part on a breath but instead of leaning away he seems to sway forward. Liu Qingge meets him halfway.
Almost-
That's when a loud cry sounds from behind them and everything delves into chaos.