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Luo Binghe was rapidly losing his patience with the woman at the jewelry stall. She kept making unasked-for comments about which would impress a girl's parents as a courting gift, and then sensing his disinterest she changed her tune to which would impress a wife. Luo Binghe really didn't care enough about her to bother speaking, even to correct her.
Shizun had gone his own way at the market at some point, but Luo Binghe didn't worry too badly. He could feel his blood parasites in Shizun's body nearby which always reassured him. Besides, he wanted to surprise him with a gift. So far, he hadn't found much that Shizun might like. He never really wore much jewelry, but if it was something that Luo Binghe bought for him...
Well, none of the pieces here were very good anyway. And the service was horribly unprofessional. The woman made one last comment about his supposed wife and what she'd like as a present as he turned and left. There were plenty of options for stalls and tables to shop at, they were staying in a fairly large city for a little while. But with the city environment, the people were rather loud and tried to be overly friendly with him. Shizun seemed to delight in it though, as he always did in these sorts of places, so Luo Binghe was happy to stay and explore.
He eyed a table selling various sweets, but almost immediately discarded that idea. He could make better himself. The table next to it, though, caught his attention. An elderly woman and a young man were running it, selling various perfumes and makeups. Again, not really anything Shizun uses but maybe if it was something Luo Binghe bought for him! A husband might get his wife perfume sometimes, right? Not for the first time, he wished someone might write an instruction book for being married. Really, you can never know what's normal or not until you do it.
Luo Binghe smiled at the pair and looked helplessly at the jars in front of him. Obviously he knows what sort of things Shizun wears and uses normally, but if it's a gift between spouses it should be special. He opened his mouth to ask the vendor some questions but was interrupted by someone appearing at his side.
"Ah, here you are." Shizun smiled briefly at him before turning to the wares on the table. "Was Binghe interested in this?"
"This one was only trying to find a surprise for Shizun." Luo Binghe couldn't help the smile that spread across his face, nor the way his attention was completely gone from the vendors trying to sell him things. "But I'll need to look for something else now. Did you find something?"
Shizun eyed the table again, a little warily this time, then held out a small box. "Mn. This master saw it and thought of you." When Luo Binghe didn't immediately make to take the box, he pressed it into his hands.
Luo Binghe opened it and looked down at the hairpin laid inside. It was simple but decorated with small metal flowers that gave it a sort of elegance. It wasn't even close to being the most fanciful one he'd seen but this one was special! Thinking of his husband picking it out specifically for him, because it had reminded him of Luo Binghe in some way, it made his heart flutter like he was a young girl with a crush.
Shizun frowned at his silence. "Well, if it isn't to Binghe's liking, he doesn't need to wear it. This one only--"
"No, I love it!" Luo Binghe interrupted. "It's very pretty and I love anything Shizun gives to me."
"Well. Good. I'm glad." Shizun nodded, holding his fan up to hide his face. "I'll do your hair with it tomorrow."
The thought of that was so delightful that Luo Binghe let Shizun lead him away from the market to eat at some teahouse he'd heard about from someone local. He'd only remembered that he wanted to get him a gift as well when they'd retired to their room for the night. Shizun was entirely unsympathetic to his distress!
"Hm. Serves you right." He'd said, holding back laughter. "I barely get a chance to spoil my husband these days."
--
When Luo Binghe woke up, Shizun had already left the bed which was unusual. Normally he slept in, and was half-asleep even after he got himself out of bed. Luo Binghe would've wondered where he'd gone if not for the sounds coming from the kitchen. Which was also unusual.
Shizun didn't notice him sneaking up behind him until he pulled him into a hug. "Binghe! Don't scare me here! What if I set myself on fire, hm?"
"Apologies." Luo Binghe said, not meaning it in the slightest. "Were you hungry? You should've woken me."
"Ah, no. It's just..." Shizun trailed off, cheeks going a little pink. Cute. "Binghe always cooks so much for me, I thought it would be nice to cook for him."
"Are you sure?" Luo Binghe pouted. How rude of him, to take over one of Luo Binghe's favorite chores and to do it while looking cute. "I could help if--"
"No, go sit!" Shizun pried Luo Binghe off of him and pushed him out. He tried to go back in a couple of times but stopped his little game when Shizun started hitting him on the shoulders with a wooden spoon. Then he decided to behave and go sit at the table.
While sitting, Luo Binghe discovered a new fun game. He would sneak little looks at Shizun and see how many or how long before he noticed. Whenever Shizun noticed him looking, he'd frown and tell him off a little and Luo Binghe would act like he didn't know what he was talking about.
"I'm not going to look at you now." Shizun said. "If you keep distracting me I'll burn the house down.
"I'm not even looking at you!" Luo Binghe said, staring at Shizun. He held back a laugh as Shizun glared at him over his shoulder.
Eventually, somehow, breakfast was finished. Shizun brought out two steaming bowls of congee with just some pork, egg, and scallions added. It was a simple meal, but Luo Binghe has never been someone to overlook anything cooked by a loved one. Under Shizun's expectant gaze, he ate a generous spoonful.
It was...fine. The rice was a bit undercooked, the pork was a bit overcooked, and overall it could use a bit more flavor. But that aspect of it wasn't really that important. "It's perfect! Just as I thought."
"No need to flatter me." Shizun took a bite himself and his lips twisted downwards. "I suppose it's alright for a first try. Yours is much better."
That was maybe true on a technical level, but really only just on that! "Only because I've had more practice. If you cook more, you'll get better."
Shizun looked surprised somehow. "You'd want me to cook more for you?"
"If you'd like to." Luo Binghe said. Even if it was all burnt and disgusting, he'd still eat it. How could he refuse such a labor of love?
--
If you asked Luo Binghe to think of his favorite place to be, it would not be the demon realm. As a whole, it wasn't a bad place once you got used to the differences between it and the human realm, but if he was there then he was mostly being asked to think about politics. Which was interesting sometimes and unfortunately necessary but it really wasn't even in the top ten most important things he could think about.
Now, though, the demon realm was a fine place to be in. His husband had always taken an interest in the flora and fauna there, so they were on a sort-of vacation where they tried to find interesting beasts and not get eaten by them.
Shizun was seated on a rock and sketching a bush with drooping yellow flowers. He'd said it was called the Acid Nectar Orchid or something along those lines. Luo Binghe stood next to him, one hand on his sword in case something crept up on them. But most of his attention was on how handsome his husband looked when he was so focused.
"Is there anything interesting about this particular plant?" Luo Binghe asked. This was a trap that Shizun never failed to walk right into.
As predicted, Shizun nodded and looked up from his sketch. "Well, as the name suggests, its nectar is mildly acidic." He started. "In small amounts it'll only cause a rash, but it can be quite dangerous in large quantities. Usually if there's one, you'll find a few more in the same area since they all like to grow in these sorts of warm environments."
Luo Binghe nodded along to the botany lesson. His husband always seemed so excited to share his knowledge on these topics, how could Luo Binghe not lead him into it? "Is it bad to touch the plant itself? Or only its nectar?"
"I suppose the plant itself might be alright to touch, but better to be safe." Shizun mumbled something under his breath in that strange language of his. Something about building a world? Luo Binghe could only pick up on a few words. "The Vine of Lover's Embrace also grows near them, which is..." He grimaces. "Such a stupid name."
"It's a romantic name." Luo Binghe says, just to pester a little. It is a stupid name, really. "Is that another one of the sort where it would be such a shame if this one just happened to--"
"Stop getting strange ideas!" Shizun shot him a glare, which was his next best weapon without his fan in hand. "We're not doing anything here in the wilderness and I mean it."
"Ah, I suppose." Luo Binghe deflated and sat on the ground next to Shizun. "But what if it really was just an accident? And there was no choice?"
"Don't, don't, don't." Shizun put his charcoal down and pinched his cheek. "I won't help you with it if you do."
"My husband is so cruel to me." He wiped the charcoal smudge off his cheek and smiled. It really would be a bit dirty to do it out here, but maybe he could come up with some sort of scheme for later. Shizun loved his schemes.
He hadn't thought Shizun would enjoy this sort of trip, at least not for very long. He always preferred the comforts of Cang Qiong or Luo Binghe's palace. But he'd kept his good mood throughout. Even when they'd run into an Exploding Five-Fanged Serpent, he'd complained about the mess for a while and then laughed about it over their campfire. Maybe he just enjoyed these sorts of research trips more than he did night hunts or the various missions for the sect. And maybe, Luo Binghe thought smugly, the good company would make any sort of trip better.
--
It's one day out of many where the two of them are sitting on the porch as the sun sets. Shizun is reading something he very obviously doesn't like and Luo Binghe had been trying to paint. He'd never been very good at it but he remembered it being fun when he was younger. So far he had been trying to make a crane with some nice background landscape, but it all ended up looking a bit weird and shaky so he gave up for now. He'd come back to it when the sun was up and he didn't have his husband monopolizing his left side.
At some point, Shizun had shuffled so he could put his feet up on the bench and lean against Luo Binghe as he read. Which did make it harder to reach and to focus, but he wouldn't dream of complaining about it. His husband was a bit like a prickly cat, one that rarely allowed any physical affection, let alone give it. So you had to really make it count when the cat wanted to come cuddle you.
When it was just the two of them like this, he was more open. He didn't complain when Luo Binghe started giving him little braids and even leaned over to kiss his hand, then laughed at how flustered Luo Binghe got from that. Like he had any room to make fun!
It was one of many quiet evenings, where they just sat close and enjoyed each other's presence. And when the sun set and they made to go inside, Shizun kept holding onto his arm.
--
It was very difficult to not sulk over his husband's easy friendships with other men. Especially when he'd invited Liu Qingge to tea at the Bamboo House, of all the people he could've had over. He had told Luo Binghe to be civil, and maybe had given Liu Qingge a similar warning, but it was very annoying to have to sit at the table in this awkward silence. Shizun would try to start some conversation, Liu Qingge would answer in one or two words, Luo Binghe wouldn't have anything nice to say to that so he just didn't say anything, and the topic was dropped.
Eventually he really couldn't take it. "This one will make another pot of tea." He got up and took the tea set with him to the kitchen before anyone responded. He just needed to kill a bit of time.
The water slowly heated on the stovetop while Luo Binghe riffled through all of their tea leaves. Sure, he could've used a talisman to heat it up faster but he was trying to drag this out. He appreciated Shizun trying to get him and Liu Qingge to be friendly, but he couldn't picture it happening. Really, he didn't mind if Shizun was friends with him (he didn't, he reminded himself). Why bring him into it?
He could hear the two of them chatting and laughing from the other side of the wall. Well, just Shizun laughing the one time. If Liu Qingge ever so much as smiled, Luo Binghe wouldn't believe it. Of course they'd be getting on when he wasn't there. He was just bringing the mood down by being around. If Liu Qingge were gone, then Luo Binghe would probably just get scolded for not making a good effort to be friendly. Why be friendly to someone who looks at his husband in such a shameless manner? Shizun probably doesn't even know he has that type of friend. Or else he does know. And he's just waiting for Luo Binghe to get the hint that there are others who want him, others who are better and stronger and easier to get along with.
The water boils. Luo Binghe doesn't put much thought into making the tea. If it's awful, it's awful.
He only has to suffer through the awkwardness for a little while longer before Shizun makes some remark about forgetting all the paperwork he has to do and really it's getting quite late, isn't it. Eventually Liu Qingge gets the hint and leaves. Good.
Shizun takes his seat next to Luo Binghe almost the moment the door shuts behind Liu Qingge. "What's wrong, hm? You've been sulking all afternoon."
"Would you have preferred to marry Liu-shishu?" It tumbles out of his mouth before he's fully aware he's going to say it. He hadn't meant to, it's probably unfair, but...
Shizun's eyes widen. "Where'd you get an idea like that?" He says, taking one of Luo Binghe's hands in both of his.
"When he's around, you're always happy and smiling at him."
"Aren't I happy around you too?"
"And you get along better with him."
"Who says that? I get along with you just fine."
"And he's stronger and prettier than me."
"That's--eh?? Don't just say such things." Shizun sighed. "He's my friend and you're my husband. If I didn't want to marry you, would I have done so? Would I have decided to remain by your side? Would I marry someone all while secretly holding affection in my heart for another? Is that the sort of person you think I am?"
"Ah, this one didn't mean to insult--"
"Then don't say such silly things." He paused a moment, looking down at the table. "If you really don't like Liu-shidi, you don't need to try and make friends with him. I appreciate the effort but don't force yourself."
Luo Binghe nodded, focused on his hand being held and how Shizun played with his fingers seemingly without thinking. He'd made his husband worry. He doesn't mean to. It's just that he gets worried and somehow Shizun always seems able to notice and that makes him worried. Luo Binghe can't help it, he tries but he can't. But at least he has his husband to let him know whenever he's being silly. So maybe he can put in a little effort to be nice to Liu Qingge.
--
It was getting to be late at night, but Shizun had been absorbed in some book that evening and had taken it to bed. Luo Binghe was sort of reading along, with his chin hooked onto Shizun's shoulder and skimming the characters. He was mostly paying attention to the little huffs Shizun would make in reaction to something on the page or the little facial expressions he made. Or, more recently, how he'd been staring at one page for a few minutes now. Luo Binghe didn't want to say anything in case it startled him out of whatever thought he was having or thing he was trying to say, so instead he took to playing with strands of his hair.
"Binghe," Shizun said quietly after some time. "You know I'm not very good at...saying the things I'm thinking. Or feeling."
Luo Binghe nodded and made a little affirmative noise. That was true, he really wasn't. It was something he got better at but habits are hard to break. Luo Binghe understands, he has his own. He'd come to pick up on the nonverbal cues Shizun made, so that he often didn't need him to say something for him to get the meaning. Luo Binghe thought himself good at reading people, and he was especially so with the man he loved above anything.
"I try, but it's...it's difficult." Shizun continued, still staring down at his book. "I grew up in that way, so it's hard to let go of." He closed his book all of a sudden and turned to face Luo Binghe. "But you...you know that I love you, right?"
Luo Binghe tried very hard to hide his smile or that he was blushing horribly or that his heart was going to come out of his chest. "Ah, I didn't quite hear that. Could my husband repeat himself?"
Who had said anything about not needing Shizun to say things? Luo Binghe certainly hadn't!
Shizun's face was all red now and staring at the opposite wall. "You know what I said!"
"This one really didn't, I was distracted by my husband's beautiful face and really didn't hear what he said. Could he say it again, just once?"
"How old are you? Still acting like this." Shizun sighed but his expression softened. "Fine. I love you."
"I know." Luo Binghe pressed a kiss to Shizun's cheek. "I love you too."