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It's a mess.
Shen Qingqiu discreetly looks around the room, fan raised high in front of his face as he observes the ongoing descent into utter chaos all around him. Who would've guessed that Cang Qiong's esteemed Peak Lords would be so… wild .
The whole thing that is happening right now reminds Shen Qingqiu of those chaotic American frat boy parties they show on TV.
Everyone is in various states of drunk - it's both a little funny and very concerning.
Yue Qingyuan, for example, is suspiciously teary-eyed, making big sad puppy eyes at Shen Qingqiu whenever their eyes meet and it's honestly causing Shen Qingqiu goosebumps. He is ready to grab his stuff and run if their sect leader shows even so much as the slightest hint of going into a sad, drunken rant.
Shang Qinghua is absolutely shitfaced. It makes him much more outgoing than usual and Shen Qingqiu is only mildly disturbed to see him currently hanging off of one of Qi Qingqi's arms, slurring a true atrocity of a song in harmony with her.
It's so terribly bad it'll make Shen Qingqiu's ears bleed any second now.
Whatever Zui Xian's Peak Lord has brought to this "meeting" has had a much stronger effect than any of them expected. If anyone could see the twelve (well, eleven, really - Ku Xing's Peak lord wisely didn't attend) esteemed and graceful Lords of Cang Qiong Mountain Sect, their reputation would be ruined for years to come.
Not that Shen Qingqiu is completely unaffected. No, he has tried a cup of whatever hellish brew has been offered and his cheeks feel like they're on fire. The light breeze from his fan helps only marginally.
Honestly , it would probably be best to leave now, lest something happened that'll have him embarrass himself-
"Truth or dare!", Shang Qinghua yells in that very moment, ever the bane of Shen Qingqiu's existence.
Shen Qingqiu shoots a look to the door and wonders how much attention it would attract if he just ran towards it and back to his own beloved calm peak.
"Truth or what?!," Qi Qingqi repeats, swaying where she sits. Those still clear enough in the head to somewhat comprehend speech all turn their heads to the normally so skittish, nervous Peak Lord. Shang Qinghua raises his cup, liquid sloshing and spilling on Qi Qingqi, who squeals.
What the fuck , Shen Qingqiu thinks despairingly.
" Truth or dare ," Shang Qinghua repeats, looking disgustingly happy with himself, glassy eyed and stupid drunk as he is. "We, we spin a bottle- hic , and whoever it points to, has to… tell the truth about somethin' or do something daring!"
For whatever reason, that absolute abomination of all drinking games, prompts enthusiastic cheers from all those present. Shen Qingqiu honestly doubts they have any idea of the horrors they all just agreed on.
Shang Qinghua fishes out a bottle from somewhere behind him and gives it a much too hard spin.
It spins and spins and finally comes to a halt - pointing to the unsuspecting victim, the only one who's still somewhat sober apart from Shen Qingqiu himself.
Liu Qingge, his pretty face set in his signature frown, draws his brows together and stares at the bottle as if he contemplates fighting it. Shang Qinghua has the mind to at least cower a little bit as those dark eyes land on him.
"Liu-shidi!!," Qi Qingqi exclaims way too excitedly, slapping Shang Qinghua's back so hard that he nearly faceplants into the table. "Truth or-" she pauses and Shang Qinghua finishes the sentence for her. "Or dare!"
(When they're all sober again, come morning, Shen Qingqiu will blackmail Airplane with his behaviour of tonight.)
Liu Qingge harrumph' s, crossing his arms over his chest.
Tough luck picking Liu-shidi, Shen Qingqiu thinks gleefully. He's sober and responsible, he won't do anything stupid.
"Dare," Liu Qingge says with absolute certainty.
… scratch the previous statement, Liu-shidi is obviously missing a braincell here. Shen Qingqiu squints at his fellow Peak Lord - is it his imagination or is that beautiful face actually tinged red? Maybe Liu Qingge isn't as sober as he'd thought.
Whatever , Shen Qingqiu sighs mentally, fanning himself a little faster. It's only a stupid drinking game with no actual consequences.
Shang Qinghua leans over to whisper something into Qi Qingqi's ear. Her eyes go wide, her smile turn mischievous and she yells: "We dare Liu-shidi to kiss Shen-shixiong!"
What. The. Fuck.
Shen Qingqiu freezes into a perfect impression of a stone statue where he sits. He thinks he may even stop breathing. Then, slowly, he turns his head and sends a look to Shang Qinghua that could kill a man immediately.
Is that what betrayal feels like?! You confess one crush to your so-called bro and that's how he repays you?!
Shen Qingqiu swears to himself that he will personally murder Shang Qinghua first chance he gets.
He clears his throat - abruptly aware of the fact that the attention of the whole room is on him . There are eleven pairs of eyes flitting from him to Liu Qingge and back to him, some curious, some uncomprehending, some outright crying. ( What the fuck, sect leader!!)
"Kiss, kiss, kiss!" Qi Qingqi and Shang Qinghua chant together. Shen Qingqiu gathers what little courage he has (he would've drunk more if he'd known it would turn out like this) and turns to Liu Qingge. It's one little kiss. What does it matter!
So what if he's maybe a little in love with Liu Qingge!! One kiss as part of a dare won't change anything!
"Liu-shidi-", he begins.
Liu Qingge fixes him with a hard look. The force of his gaze has a shockingly sobering effect and Shen Qingqiu suddenly feels nervous, like he's made a mistake and is unaware of it.
"I refuse."
The words ring out clear as a bell, stunning everyone into collective silence. Shen Qingqiu stares at Liu Qingge with wide eyes. The sting of that refusal doesn't sink in immediately - but then it does and Shen Qingqiu feels it like a bucket full of ice water over his head.
Ah, of course. Why would Liu Qingge kiss him? They're hardly even friends, are they? Shen Qingqiu might have saved him, and he might have repaired their relationship at least somewhat , but that doesn't mean Liu Qingge likes him.
"Oh," Shen Qingqiu manages. He's proud of himself for how even his voice comes out - all cool and unaffected, truly an aloof immortal cultivator, unperturbed by silly worldly things such as crushes!
(On the inside, he rather feels like crying. God damn it, Liu Qingge isn't even aware that Shen Qingqiu likes him far more than what is proper for sect siblings and this is hardly a rejection but it sure hurts like one.)
He rises to his feet. Gracefully, slowly.
It's time to go home.
"I am thankful for the invitation but this shixiong will take his leave now," Shen Qingqiu says as evenly as he can manage. "Goodnight to all of you. May my fellow Peak Lords enjoy the rest of the night."
He bows shallowly and turns, not really waiting for a reply. No one holds him back, no one calls for him as he leaves the room.
The night air is crisp and cold and Shen Qingqiu shivers. It would be tempting to fly back to his own Peak but maybe a walk over the rainbow bridge will help cool his head and settle his thoughts.
Morning comes slowly, after a truly terrible night of fitful sleep. Shen Qingqiu knows he must look downright sickly, hair mussed and rings under his eyes that no level of cultivation could hide right now.
Luo Binghe, bless him, goes full mother hen mode upon taking one look at him. He provides the best service with minimal fussing and whining. Shen Qingqiu is pathetically grateful for it.
They sit in silence at the table, Luo Binghe's big dark eyes full of worry. He's some sorry excuse of a teacher, Shen Qingqiu thinks woefully, for making his beloved student worry like this. He sighs and reaches out to gently pet Luo Binghe's fluffy hair, giving him a small, tired smile.
"No need to look so concerned, Binghe," Shen Qingqiu says quietly. "This master is fine. Or will be fine, really."
Because it's just a crush! Shen Qingqiu isn't even meant to fall in love in the first place, he has far bigger problems to avoid! Liu Qingge refusing to kiss him as part of a drunken game of truth or dare shouldn't get to him the way it does.
He sighs.
There's a knock on the door, quiet and unobtrusive. Luo Binghe springs to his feet before Shen Qingqiu can say anything - he wonders idly who it could be, this early in the morning.
Maybe Ming Fan has some news to deliver. Maybe it's Ning Yingying coming to fetch A-Luo for practice.
Shen Qingqiu raises his tea cup to his lips. He looks out of the window and thinks that it promises to be a beautiful spring day full of sunshine. He barely registers the footsteps behind him until Luo Binghe speaks up.
"Shizun? This disciple is sorry to interrupt but… Liu-shishu is here."
Goodbye, peaceful morning! It was nice while it lasted!!
Shen Qingqiu downs his tea in one swig, slowly places the cup on the table, slowly turns around to face the man who unknowingly broke his poor (stupid) heart last night.
"Shen Qingqiu," Liu Qingge says in lieu of a proper greeting. Shen Qingqiu channels his best scum villain energy snd snaps his fan open with more force than necessary - the sound of it unfurling is like the crack of a whip.
Luo Binghe scrambles out of the room.
"Good morning, Liu-shidi," Shen Qingqiu replies cooly. "This shixiong would not have expected it to be you. Usually Liu-shidi has a habit of kicking the door down instead of knocking."
Liu Qingge doesn't flinch but he does hunch his shoulders guiltily. Good. At least he's self aware of his uncivilized behavior.
"I came to talk to you," Liu Qingge starts, ever the warrior charging headfirst into confrontation. Shen Qingqiu steels himself.
"I apologise for my words last night."
Okay, Shen Qingqiu was not expecting that .
Curious, he grants Liu Qingge a look, expression safely guarded by his fan. Bai Zhan's War God looks strangely nervous. Which is ridiculous! This man charges into battle without a second thought, confident his sheer strength is enough to win!
Liu Qingge does not get nervous .
They look at each other for a moment. Liu Qingge's mouth is a thin line, his jaw clenched. It's very obvious that this is hard for him but he treats this situation like it's a battle to fight.
"I refused to kiss you because we were both drunk." Liu Qingge's voice is a lot softer than usually and Shen Qingqiu comes to a stop. What. What?!
"Liu-shidi-"
"I want to kiss you," Liu Qingge carries on, talking right over whatever pathetic attempt to speak Shen Qingqiu has tried here, eyes determined and full of… longing.
Ah, that's Liu Qingge for you! So very straightforward, brutally honest and direct to a fault. Shen Qingqiu's poor heart can't take this rollercoaster of emotions!
They stare at each other, Shen Qingqiu gaping like a fish. What's even there to say?! Last night he thought his silly little crush was unrequited and now here Liu Qingge is, the most beautiful man to ever grace this earth, confessing that he wants to kiss Shen Qingqiu .
"I want to kiss you too," Shen Qingqiu somehow manages and then he has a moment of white hot embarrassment flooding his face before- well.
Before Liu Qingge smiles and holy shit, what were they even talking about?
In the next moment, Liu Qingge is right there in his space, battle-roughened fingers unspeakably gentle as they cup Shen Qingqiu's face. Holy shit , Shen Qingqiu thinks and then again, holy shit!!!!! when Liu Qingge finally kisses him.
Maybe that game of truth or dare wasn't such a stupid idea after all.