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Liu Qingge has always been a threat.

A knife to his throat, the nicer, safer option for Shizun.

Luo Binghe remembers the first time he saw him. He did not yet know who he was but the glimpse of him was dazzling.

During the Demon Invasion, Liu Qingge came down like a comet, saving Shizun from further harm. The sight filled him with mixed and confusing feelings that left his stomach sore. He found himself jealous, awed, bitter. He wanted to be powerful to be able to scare his enemies with his mere presence and thus, to protect Shizun. But Liu Qingge was too late.

Shizun was already hurt – hurt from protecting him, the lowly Luo Binghe. That incident was a fundamental shift in Luo Binghe’s worldview. He knew then that Shizun truly cared about him. Who cares about some cultivator that was too slow?

Nonetheless, Shizun is a well of kindness and Luo Binghe wasn’t the first one he saved, something he has to learn quickly to his distaste. Luo Binghe watches all of his Shizun’s interactions, constantly comparing.

Luo Binghe can tell Liu-shishu was hopelessly charmed by his Shizun over the period of meridian cleansings. Luo Binghe did his best to act as chaperone. He loathed every moment of it. He can see the stars of his own eyes reflected in his shishu’s eyes. The man was just as enamored. At the time, Luo Binghe was glad for his Shizun’s obliviousness.

When he found out about who Liu Qingge was, it surprised him. He has heard of the rumors about their shared bitter rivalry. But none of it was present or at least, it was one-sided for a short time.

Then there were the three years that Liu-shishu was alone with Shizun. Luo Binghe was very lucky that nothing happened then. No forward option was available with how oblivious his Shizun can be when it comes to emotions which Luo Binghe can be thankful for on occasion.

Luo Binghe does not miss those five years that Shen Qingqiu was gone.

He can say, without a doubt, that that time was the worst in his life. Worse than his time in the streets, worse than when his mother died, worse than the Abyss. Luo Binghe has always had something to look forward to, a goal to strive for.

But death is usually awfully final. Despite him going through the motions of trying to revive his Shizun, deep down, Luo Binghe knew it was unlikely. The knowledge hurt like a festering, infected wound, ever present and with no end in sight.

With Liu Qingge, Luo Binghe just did what he needed to in order to keep Shizun. It was thoughtless, his limbs moving without his conscious input. They put on a show daily, fighting and enacting their grief on each other. Both of them knowing it changed nothing – Shizun was still dead. The loneliness shared did not make the agonizing weight lighter. All it did was destroy them. It wasn’t enough.

He doesn’t like to think of how it all went crashing down, of the one last favor to their shared connection was being dragged from the Luo River.

Accordingly, he knows pain. He can identify that what he is feeling is not pain. It is an annoyance, a boot that is too small and pinches. Luo Binghe frowns as he watches Liu Qingge wave off the invitation to drink after the Peak Lord meeting.

Liu Qingge is an annoying gnat that hangs around Shizun. Yet he hasn’t been on Qing Jing Peak for quite some time. Luo Binghe doesn’t remember when the shift happened. He sees glimpses of Liu Qingge when he picks up his husband after Peak Lord meetings. But the War God hasn’t been following them home.

The observation makes Luo Binghe itchy. He wonders if Liu Qingge stopped bothering them because Luo Binghe stopped provoking him. It is just that, Luo Binghe must have outgrown their petty fights at some point. He doesn’t see the need for it, now that he is more secure in his relationship with Shizun.

The change bothers him. It is one thing to ignore him. But to ignore Shizun is a most serious crime. Luo Binghe hates seeing his Shizun dejected. Did those five years of fighting for Shen Qingqiu mean nothing to Liu Qingge?

Liu Qingge fought practically every day of those five years for Shizun. Luo Binghe doesn’t understand how he can keep his distance now.

The confusion makes him pace. Luo Binghe is a prowling creature, walking the perimeter of his cage. He doesn’t want to expose his violence to Shizun, not again. He gnashes his teeth, but he requires something more substantial between them.

For once, Luo Binghe is glad that Shizun is in one of his meetings, drinking with his fellow Peak Lords. He tears out of the house, violence barely restrained.

If there is one thing to say about the five years, it is that it allowed him to practice his violence freely. Luo Binghe remembers how the white easily absorbed the red from blood making Liu Qingge look like he's wearing wedding robes. He feels a prick from his fangs at the memory.

Luo Binghe is distracted from his thoughts with shouts of “Beast!”

Fists start swinging so carelessly that Luo Binghe doesn’t even have to try all that hard to dodge. Unlike their Peak Lord, there is no technique to most of the Bai Zhan disciples yet. They are all very young and very reckless. They just know that he isn’t welcomed from the older disciples and cultivators.

If this was an average day, Luo Binghe would let the Bai Zhan disciples beat him up and thus, he can go to Shizun for comfort. But it’s one thing to be beaten up by his peers. It’s another when most of his attackers haven’t even gotten neither their spiritual weapon nor their first pimple yet.

Luo Binghe is stuck. He can’t beat up kids but he can’t get beaten up by them either. If he avoids and parries their attack, he will be doing it all day. The Bai Zhan disciples are annoyingly dogged in their pursuit to get him off their peak. 

He resigns himself to a day of tiring them out as a favor to his shishu.

“Hey!” A voice cuts across the field. It takes a moment for Luo Binghe to place it. “What do you think you’re doing?” Yang Yixuan shouts.

The disciples run to their shixiong. One of them announces, “We are chasing the beast away!”

Luo Binghe snickers. It’s nice that there’s a constant in the stupidity of Bai Zhan disciples.

Yang Yixuan face scowls at his reaction. “You can’t tell when an enemy is playing with you?” He asks the disciples and looks disappointed when they look at each other in confusion. He puts his hands on his hips. “Fifty laps!”

They groan. “We had him on his back foot!” they clamor in a chorus of dismay.

“Fifty laps,” Yang Yixuan stays firm. “Now, shoo!”

They complain but they follow his order. Yang Yixuan huffs then turns to face him. “What are you doing here? You know you are banned from the sect.”

He opens his mouth to answer only for Yang Yixuan to grab his wrist. “Wait. Let’s talk somewhere more private.”

Luo Binghe glares at the offending hand and shakes it off. “Lead the way.”

Yang Yixuan takes him to the head disciple quarters. It’s messy, clothes and weapons haphazardly placed all over the place. He blushes and picks it up and stuffs it somewhere out of sight. Luo Binghe rolls his eyes. Yang Yixuan ignores it and asks his questions again as he bustles around the house.

He knows well enough that admitting he is angry would get him nowhere. Luo Binghe settles for, “I want to spar with Liu Qingge.”

“Really?” Yang Yixuan wrinkles his nose. He puts a tray down with tea and snacks.

“Really. Where is he?”

The Bai Zhan disciple doesn’t answer right away. Luo Binghe watches warily as Yang Yixuan pours tea. He taps the table twice in thanks. Bringing the cup to his lips, Luo Binghe doesn’t need to be a seer to tell it will be bad: the smell is pungent. But it won’t kill him.

The smallest sip has him regretting his choices. The tea is oversteep and burnt. He eyes the snacks. Hopefully, he can get away without taking a bite.

“He’s with the rest of the peak lords,” Yang Yixuan says.

“Try again,” Luo Binghe says, unamused. “He’s been avoiding Shizun.”

Yang Yixuan narrows his eyes. “Which is why you’re truly here.”

Luo Binghe risks a pastry to delay answering. It is as terrible as he expects and then some. The food is not edible. It’s hard and the flavors don’t go together at all. If this is how Bai Zhan eats, Luo Binghe can easily tempt Liu Qingge to visit with food at this rate.

“Is that really your place to ask?” Luo Binghe puts the pastry down. It lands with a dull thump. His poor teeth.

Yang Yixuan points at himself with his thumb in pride. “I’m his personal disciple!”

“Does that mean you’re entitled to his personal information?” Luo Binghe drawls.

“What about you? Who are you to him?”

What are they to each other? The easy answer is that they are nothing to each other, but that would yield him just the same. A more truthful answer is that they are rivals but that doesn’t quite fit either. Luo Binghe has won in every way imaginable and then some.

His thoughts are drawn to those five years once again. It was when they were at the height of their animosity. Thanks to those years, he’s known Liu Qingge longer than Shizun. Fighting is a way of communication. They discussed their despair, anger, grief, and loneliness with each blow and swipe exchanged – not that either of them like to acknowledge it. After Shizun, there is no one who knows him more than Liu Qingge. Nevertheless, despite knowing him at his worst, the War God still decided to save him after Maigu Ridge. Maybe it was for Shen Qingqiu. But Luo Binghe likes to think that it was for the years they spent together. He never felt the need to ask before – he didn’t want to know.

After that, whenever they were in the sect, he and Liu Qingge would argue and fight and Liu Qingge would follow Shizun around like a stray. Until, one day, it all petered off without Luo Binghe noticing. It only came to his attention because of how often Shizun would look out the window when they were on Qing Jing Peak.

Luo Binghe doesn’t know where that leaves him.

“I’m… I’m his shizhi.” It’s too little and not enough.

“Hah! You don’t even address him properly as shishu! You have even less cause than me to know him.”

Any further gloating is cut short with a knock. Luo Binghe finds himself lucky with all these interruptions. He stays seated while Yang Yixuan opens the door. Soft words are traded then Yang Yixuan calls for him. “Liu-shijie wants to speak to you.”

Luo Binghe gets up and joins them at the door. He is paused by the sight. Perhaps, he isn’t as lucky as he thought. Liu Mingyan’s eyes slide over him. Her gaze is unfamiliar. She doesn’t look at him with the usual amused creased smile, laughing at a joke only she knows.

She lifts a delicate brow. “I heard you want to speak with my brother. We can wait together at his residence.”

He doesn’t argue. He trails after her.  There always seem to be something with the Liu siblings. Shizun isn’t just preoccupied with Liu Qingge’s beauty but also Liu Mingyan’s. On the journey to that fateful Immortal Alliance Conference, Shizun was very focused on Liu Mingyan. He still doesn’t even know what’s great about her – half her face is covered at all times.

Luo Binghe stares at her profile. If the rest of her face is a quarter as pretty as Liu Qingge, then he can understand. He shakes his head. Luo Binghe needs his wits with him. He can’t get away with evading like he did with Yang Yixuan.

Once they settle in the room meant for meeting with guests, they sit in silence. Liu Mingyan doesn’t offer any snacks or tea, obviously aware of Bai Zhan’s offerings. Luo Binghe gets the sense he should have prepared a red envelope or something. He waits for her interrogation, keeping motionless.

Liu Mingyan is tranquil. She doesn’t betray any nervousness. For someone who wants to speak, she didn’t have anything to say.

Unable to stand it any longer, Luo Binghe asks, “You’re not going to question me?”

“Would you even be truthful?” Liu Mingyan retorts.

Luo Binghe spreads his hands. “I don’t have a reason to lie.”

“Let me ask you another way: do you know the truth?” She rudely leans on the table, bracing her chin against the back of both of her hands. “You already have everything you want. What do you need my brother for?”

Sweat beads at the back of Luo Binghe’s neck at the question. He gulps. Luo Binghe gets the feeling that if he missteps here, Shizun will never see Liu Qingge again. Going to confront him is maybe a bad idea.

But he’s here and he can’t turn back now. He gives the question serious thought.

The answer is obvious to him: he wants Shizun happy. With the recent dearth of visits from his favorite shidi, though he wouldn’t admit to having one, his Shizun has been noticeably forlorn, waiting for a visit that never comes.

It is frustrating that Luo Binghe needs Liu Qingge for Shizun to be happy. Luo Binghe wants to be everything Shen Qingqiu needs but he knows how much Shizun loves to interact with others, to be social. Unfortunately for him, that means Shizun wants to meet with his close friends often – like Liu Qingge.

Accepting Shang Qinghua is easier. Luo Binghe can tell that the rat-like peak lord and Mobei-jun only have eyes for each other, despite not officially courting, much to his second’s dismay. Shang Qinghua wouldn’t encroach on liberties he has no right to.

Not that Liu Qingge would. He’s too honorable for that. But Luo Binghe has eyes. He was aware from the very first time he saw him interact with Shizun that Liu Qingge has feelings. It vexes him. Luo Binghe hates how he can recognize the same longing on his face as his own.

His mind continues to race in order to come up with a satisfactory response for Liu Mingyan.

But the silence has stretched too long. She sighs and leans back, shaking her head. “As I thought.”

His fist tightens, nails biting into his palm. He has no retort for her.

The air is awkward as they wait.

The door opens with a bang.

“A-Yan, I got you the brushes you asked for.” Liu Qingge’s confident stride stutters to a stop at the sight of him. His brow furrows and his shoulders are tense. It reminds Luo Binghe of the times Liu Qingge would try to chase him out of Cang Qiong Sect. “Why are you here?”

Liu Mingyan stands. Unbothered by the standoff, she plucks the qiankun pouch from his hands. “We can talk at a later time.”

Alone with Liu Qingge, the silence returns.

“Greeting shishu.”

Liu Qingge squints and crosses his arms. “What are you doing here?” Repeating the same question Yang Yixuan asked earlier with no welcome for his guest, demonstrating that the disciple truly learned his manners from him.

Luo Binghe brushes past the question. “This lowly one misses seeing shishu around.”

It is easy to read the disbelief on his face. Liu Qingge doesn’t even grace that flippant answer with a response. Luo Binghe pouts. “Didn’t shishu miss us?”

“No. Get out,” he flatly demands.

Luo Binghe falls back on the excuse he gave Yang Yixuan, not willing to give up yet. “We haven’t sparred in so long though!”

“What spar?” Liu Qingge barks.

“Is shishu no longer eager to lose to this one anymore?” Luo Binghe gets up and slinks his way closer to Liu Qingge.

“What’s there to fight for?” Liu Qingge widens his stance but does not uncross his arms. He otherwise stays rooted to the spot.

And there it is, the splinter he can’t help but pick at, his opening to find what he wants to know so badly. He can’t imagine a world where he cuts all contact with Shizun. Luo Binghe once thought Liu Qingge is the same as him. He steps further into his space. “You don’t care?”

“You’re married to him.” Liu Qingge picks up on his implied question with ease. All that does is drive Luo Binghe further into madness. Looking at Liu Qingge is like a curved mirror, at once unrecognizable and not. The thought he can be like him and leave Shizun scares him.

Luo Binghe wants to shake him.

“So that’s it? If it were me, I -” Luo Binghe hisses through gritted teeth before he is interrupted.

“I’m not you.” His chin lifts and Liu Qingge looks down on him despite being shorter. It gives Luo Binghe the urge to flick his nose just to be contrary.

Unsure how to argue back, Luo Binghe redirects the conversation. He sticks around a bit to tease Liu Qingge. Luo Binghe half-heartedly trades barbs that Liu Qingge can easily bat away. He isn’t lying that a part of him does miss his shishu. Seeing his reactions are so fun. Throughout, Liu Qingge looks at him with confusion but doesn’t rise to any of the bait. He doesn’t hit back.

Luo Binghe then leaves without accomplishing anything. He had hoped for the very least to wrangle a promise out of Liu Qingge to make the trip to the Bamboo House. The visit does convince him of one thing however – he needs to seduce Liu Qingge, his own feelings notwithstanding. No matter what, it is all for Shizun.

He doesn’t tell Shizun about his little jaunt. Shizun would only emphasize that Luo Binghe doesn’t need to worry about him which is counter to what he is trying to do. Luo Binghe wants Liu Qingge around to worry about.

But while they are in the sect, Luo Binghe enjoys his time with Shizun thoroughly then gets back to work. The moments when it is silent and he has to work on paperwork or some other matter as Junshang, Luo Binghe takes advantage of the time to think of ways to entrap his shishu. If Liu Qingge gets the slightest hint, he will be spooked like a horse. That would not do at all.

Like always, Meng Mo is no help. He is still of the opinion that they should kill the Peak Lord.

Luo Binghe considers asking Shang Qinghua for advice again. Shang Qinghua’s advice of acting pathetic worked last time. Maybe he has another good idea.

The next time Shang Qinghua is in the assembly hall of the Underground Palace, Luo Binghe poses his question aloud: “If you were bitter enemies with someone but now want to be something else to them, how do you change their opinion of you?”

Shang Qinghua begins to babble, his words strange and confusing. The monologue is, in a word, nonsense. Luo Binghe disregards the rambling suggestions. Liu Qingge is different from Shizun and he doesn’t have the same friendship with Shang Qinghua. He should have known the advice wouldn’t apply.

The sleezy peak lord freezes at his displeased look and his eyes dart to Mobei-jun. The ice demon takes it as his cue to step in: “Make them noodles.”

Luo Binghe thinks about it. Making noodles is something he can do but he wonders if it would appeal to Liu Qingge. Shizun always tells him his food is heavenly and he remembers how the food at Bai Zhan is terrible.

It is Mobei-jun’s suggestion that pushes him to the kitchen when they go back to Qing Jing Peak. Luo Binghe doesn’t make just noodles. He experiments with all sorts of dishes, unsure which would be best for Liu Qingge. Shizun’s spirits is raised for a moment as he eats his tests all happily, effusive with praise.

Luo Binghe even reaches for old qiankun packs with preservation arrays on them. Inside, its packed with meat that Luo Binghe had dressed after Liu Qingge had dropped carcasses at Shizun’s door. Nothing in it is recent due to the end of the visits. Luo Binghe couldn’t throw it away but he couldn’t use it either back then. He has use for it now.

Once again, Luo Binghe takes advantage of the time Shizun is at the Peak Lord meeting and the after-meeting gossip and drink session. He makes dumplings and noodles and more then packs it up. Luo Binghe rushes to Bai Zhan Peak to deliver the meal.

Shamefully, Luo Binghe brushes off his neglected subtlety to sneak onto the peak. His goal is not to antagonize the snot-nosed disciples nor get stuck in awkward conversations with its head disciple. Once was enough to discourage him from ever eating food from Bai Zhan ever again.

Luo Binghe readjusts his grip on his qiankun bags. He made so much that it couldn’t fit in one bag. He stuffs some of it in his sleeves, realizing that maybe he brought too much with him and that it is overwhelming to start with. Hands free, Luo Binghe knocks. “Shishu, I know you are in there!”

Liu Qingge yanks the door open. His hair is down but his braids are still in. “How.”

“I timed it.” Luo Binghe pushes his way in, not that Liu Qingge provides much resistance.

“Don’t you have better things to do?” He sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“No, this is the best use of my time,” Luo Binghe responds, cheekily. “The food here is awful so,” he shakes the bag in his hands, “I got you something better.”

Liu Qingge raises an eyebrow. “I don’t need to eat.”

Luo Binghe passes an eye over his form. He’s rather thin and his clothes can use some more filling out. Luo Binghe deigns not to point that out. He brushes past it and says, “You might not need to but it’s still good to do. Don’t you miss it?”

Liu Qingge does not dispute him so Luo Binghe takes it as tacit approval to continue.

Grabbing bowls, plates, and chopsticks from Liu Qingge’s storage, he inspects them - it’s all very plain. Luo Binghe sets the table and starts to unpack dish after dish, still piping hot.

The other eyebrow joins the first, his mouth agape. “What is this? A new trick?”

“It’s food!” Luo Binghe chirps.

That response jolts Liu Qingge to movement. He pulls Luo Binghe by the back of his collar and drags him to the door. “That’s it. Get out.”

“Is that all you know how to say? Hey!” Luo Binghe protests. “You’re being ungrateful! Rude!”

Liu Qingge tosses him out. As the door slams behind him, the last thing Luo Binghe sees is Liu Qingge re-tying his hair in a low ponytail with a ribbon instead of a guan. The look softens his harsh edges.

He consoles himself that it’s only a first attempt. Opinions don’t change overnight. Luo Binghe has bags stuffed in his sleeves that he still needs to give Liu Qingge. His shishu is at turns apathetic and wary towards him. Like one of those stray street cats, Luo Binghe will need to approach carefully – otherwise, he will have arms full of scratches. He’s patient.

His first mistake is perhaps being too direct and spooking Liu Qingge.

Luo Binghe can’t just enter his space. His new plan is simple. He delivers the food without Liu Qingge seeing him. Luo Binghe further splits the bags. The original set had too much and agitated Liu Qingge. It also gives him more opportunities to drop food off made with gifts from his shishu.

He does it sporadically to keep it a surprise. But Luo Binghe does do it more often than not. When he hears that Liu Qingge is about to go on a night hunt, Luo Binghe sneaks a bag of food for each day he will be gone.

He then escalates it by handing it to Liu Qingge directly. His shishu doesn’t throw it at his face. He only stares at the innocuous qiankun bag then dismissing him. The plan goes pretty well in Luo Binghe’s opinion.

One morning, the qiankun bags return empty at the kitchen window. Embroidery that wasn’t there before decorate the bags. Luo Binghe rubs a thumb over them, delighting in the feel. Scrutinizing them, he notices that the small stitches also double as arrays to detect danger. It’s beautiful and practical just like Liu Qingge.

It's a sign to go on to the next step, it must be. Luo Binghe has yet to see Liu Qingge eat his cooking. It’s the best part when he does it for Shizun. He only wants to witness it because if shishu really likes the food, then he is probably softened enough for Luo Binghe to ask him to visit Shizun again. Since the qiankun bags were returned empty, it must mean he ate everything.

Like his other visits, Luo Binghe purposely goes when Shizun is busy. He doesn’t want to spoil the surprise. The best-case scenario is that Shizun comes home and sees Liu-shishu waiting for him. The idea of it makes him giddy to imagine. Shizun will be so happy.

While Luo Binghe plans to give the food in person, he still slinks onto the peak. The habit is hard to break. Plus, the disciples haven’t warmed to him either. It’s only logical not to go freely.

His sneaking is for naught.

The back of his robes is pulled and he’s lifted and turned around to face Liu Qingge. Luo Binghe raises his feet so he’s completely off the ground. His shishu is shorter - Luo Binghe hunches so they’re eye to eye. At that, Liu Qingge scowls.

“What’s with you?” he asks, shaking him a little.

Swaying, it takes a couple of tries for Luo Binghe to reach into his sleeve. “This lowly one comes bearing food for shishu!”

“Why are you talking like that?”

“Would shishu rather this one be rude?”

Liu Qingge looks at him a bit more then snorts. “You’ve been strange.”

He drops him and walks away. Luo Binghe sits there, unsure. If Shizun did something like that, Luo Binghe knows he can push more. Shizun’s face is thin and he needs some encouragement.

Luo Binghe knows Liu-shishu but not in the same way. Ask him how to anger the War God, Luo Binghe can answer that easily. But his boundaries to remain comfortable is outside of his scope. He hopes that it is only for now. He wants to uncover what’s inside the man outside of their shared grief and anger, beyond negative emotions. Luo Binghe doesn’t think it’s too much to ask for.

“Are you coming?” Liu Qingge spares a glance back.

“Yes, shishu!” Quickly, Luo Binghe stands and brushes himself off. He races after him, hopping a little to catch up. He notices that Liu Qingge slows just the smallest bit to make it easier.

Liu Qingge is a man of few words. The walk is quiet. Luo Binghe will never learn anything at this rate. He racks his brain for a safe topic.

Breaking the silence that has befallen them, Luo Binghe asks, “How was your latest night hunt?”

“Fine,” is the short reply.

“What was it?” Luo Binghe tries to prompt him.

“A Copper Spined Boar.” He pauses then continues, “You can save your food for later.”

“Oh.”

Luo Binghe might have been wrong. Maybe Liu Qingge was throwing away the food and giving the bags back. Of course, Liu-shishu doesn’t trust him and wouldn’t put one morsel into his mouth. This was a bad idea, Luo Binghe doesn’t know what he was thinking. He should leave and save them both the trouble.

Liu Qingge’s eyes widened. He grabs Luo Binghe’s arm. “I mean – I can cook some of the meat I got from the boar. For you.”

“Oh!” He’s a little sad that he won’t get to witness Liu Qingge eat the food he made in person but he can still try to ask him about dropping by. Not to say that the offer doesn’t fill Luo Binghe with delight. Liu Qingge is willing to put in the effort to cook for him and spend time with him. Luo Binghe can almost skip. “Can I help?”

“En.”

Before he knows it, they have arrived. The house is the same as the last time he went inside. This time, he gets to go where he did not before – the kitchen.

Liu Qingge hands him a knife and vegetables to peel and Luo Binghe gets to work. From his peripheral, he sees his shishu season and prepare the meat.

Though his hands are occupied, his mouth is not. Curious about Liu Qingge, Luo Binghe asks, “How did you learn to cook?”

“It was that or starve.”

Luo Binghe winces. A civil conversation with Liu Qingge is a new experience. He feels like he is bumbling around blindly, scared of tripping into dangerous territory.

“Don’t do that,” Liu Qingge snaps.

“Do what?” Luo Binghe responds, mulish. He doesn’t even know where he is mis-stepping. He gives the fully peeled and cut vegetables to Liu Qingge.

“Pity me. It – it was not as bad as you are probably thinking,” Liu Qingge stumbles through as he puts the vegetables in the wok.

“Then what was it?”

“I needed to eat during night hunts.”

“There’s packed qiankun bags from the commissary,” Luo Binghe points out. Many of the disciples are pampered children that come from noble families and thus, never had to cook before. Rather than have cooking be part of the curriculum, Cang Qiong Mountain Sect simply provided the provisions.

“You’ve had Bai Zhan’s food,” Liu Qingge says, deadpan.

That makes Luo Binghe laugh. At least Liu Qingge is aware and has a sense of taste.

“It’s from An Ding,” he wheezes when his laugh peters out.

“Do you trust that it is any better?”

Luo Binghe shakes his head. “I don’t.”

“There you go,” Liu Qingge says with a careless wave of his hand. The gesture reminds Luo Binghe of Shizun. One of them must have picked it up from the other. The casual intimacy of the thought makes him fond.

They wash their hands then Liu Qingge roughly wipes his own and Luo Binghe’s hands with a towel. Liu Qingge hadn’t answered his question but Luo Binghe lets it go for now. He has opportunities in the future to dig and find out more about his shishu.

For a bit, the only sound is the crackle of oil as meat and vegetables alike are stir fried. Liu Qingge continues about as if he’s not there. With a lack of anything else to do, Luo Binghe observes Liu-shishu. Every time he frowns, Luo Binghe wants to reach across and smooth out the lines.

“What about my food?” Luo Binghe asks, pulling at a loose thread from the embroidery on his robes.

He wonders if Liu Qingge trusted it – if he ever took a bite of it. And if he did, if he even liked it. Luo Binghe wars with himself whether to keep looking at Liu Qingge or to tear his eyes away. He’s afraid of the answer but he wants to catalogue every expression, especially if the response is positive.

Liu Qingge responds before he can decide where to look, barking, “It’s good.” His face is a furious red and the angle between his brows become even more severe. “Stop fishing for compliments. Your shizun tells you enough.”

The reminder that Shizun talks positively about him buoys Luo Binghe. It’s always nice to know that when he’s not around, Shizun still feels the need to praise him. Hearing it from others is like a delayed pat on the head, a pleasant surprise. But he can’t be waylaid.

“But you haven’t spoken to Shizun,” Luo Binghe says. “How would you know?”

“Maybe I stopped because of how often he speaks of you,” Liu Qingge sneers. His shoulders are hunched and something about his demeanor reminds Luo Binghe of a cornered animal.

“You like listening to Shizun, no matter the topic,” Luo Binghe asserts, confidently. “There’s nothing wrong about that, of course. I do too.”

“Then why aren’t you with him right now?”

“Because I value time with shishu too!” Luo Binghe moves towards Liu Qingge, hooking his chin over his shoulder. “And so does Shizun.” Taking a leap, Luo Binghe decides to push more. “He misses you; did you know that? Why don’t you come to the Bamboo House anymore?”

With the closer proximity, Luo Binghe can feel Liu Qingge heat up at his words.

“Don’t pretend you are ignorant,” Liu Qingge jostles him off.

Luo Binghe raises his hands. “Fine, I know why. But can’t you visit?”

“Stop distracting me! I don’t want to burn this.” With a shove, Liu Qingge aggressively stirs.

“Will you at least think about it?” Luo Binghe plaintively pleads. If this doesn’t work, Luo Binghe is ready to get on his knees.

“Mn.” Liu Qingge agrees easily – almost too easy. Luo Binghe has an inkling that he didn’t want to deal with whatever other antics he might have planned. Liu Qingge lifts a small portion of meat and vegetables towards him, a hand under it. “Here try this.”

Recognizing it as a way to keep his mouth occupied, Luo Binghe lets Liu Qingge have his quiet. He accepts the bite and chews.

The vegetables are nice and crisp. The meat has a crunch that then makes way for tender flesh that overflows with juice. Liu Qingge uses the same chopsticks to taste. Pleased, he grabs another pair of chopsticks and two bowls that he hands to Luo Binghe and they eat. The bowls clear quick without disruptions.

With a click of the chopsticks against the bowl, Liu Qingge tells him, “I will come by after the next Peak Lord meeting.”

Luo Binghe almost doubletakes – despite that being his aim, the proclamation nonetheless surprises him. He has to be sure. “Do you swear it?”

“Yes, I do.” Liu Qingge meets his eyes squarely.

Luo Binghe straightens at the confirmation and bites his lip to prevent a smile from stretching across his face. “Thank you, shishu! Shizun is going to be so happy.”

“Mn. If you say so. Now scram.”

Luo Binghe follows the command with no protest and leaves behind the qiankun bag with the planned meal. Once out of sight, he grins and punches the air in victory. He finally secured the much-desired promise.

Or close enough – mission success!

He glides across the Rainbow Bridge in excitement. Luo Binghe wants to shout but knows better than telling Shizun ahead of time. It would be awful to crush his hopes if Liu Qingge ends up going against his word. Not that he would, Liu Qingge is not the type. Yet at the slightest chance of it, the thought dampers Luo Binghe’s mood a little.

So much so that the moment Shizun comes home, he pampers him with head pats.

Luo Binghe doesn’t understand why he is sulking at the mere thought of Liu Qingge not keeping his word. It’s not going to negatively impact Shizun – he doesn’t even know what Luo Binghe is doing. It’s not going to be any worse than how things currently are. At night, he turns the thought over, rotating it like a river stone in his hands until its smooth. Nevertheless, no conclusion comes to him beyond Meng Mo’s annoyed huffs.

Luckily, Luo Binghe’s worries were for naught. Just as he says, Liu Qingge is with Shizun when he returns to the Bamboo House from a Peak Lord meeting. Shen Qingqiu’s expression is awed at the attention that he is owed. Annoyance wars with joy in Luo Binghe. He’s happy to see Shizun cheered but shishu’s mere presence shouldn’t be a special occasion. It should never have gotten to that point. Luo Binghe never did find out how Liu Qingge can cut all contact with Shizun.

“Liu-shishu, what a welcome surprise!” Luo Binghe says.

“Is it?” Liu Qingge gives the table a pointed stare. Every flat surface, including the table, is filled with Luo Binghe’s stress cooking. It is more than enough to feed three grown men, let alone the entirety of Qing Jing Peak.

There’s really no good explanation he can give. He doubles down anyway. “Of course! Why would I expect you? But now that you are here, you can enjoy a meal.”

Shizun watches with rapt attention. He picks up his cues and follows his lead. He pushes Liu Qingge towards the overflowing table. Clapping, Shizun says cheerily, “I’m so glad Binghe is getting along with Liu-shidi! Now Liu-shidi gets to try his food – it really is the best.”

Liu Qingge tilts his head in confusion. It occurs to Luo Binghe then that he never told Liu-shishu that Shen Qingqiu is unaware of the little operation he’s been running. For all that he’s been avoiding raising Shizun’s hopes, Luo Binghe doesn’t know why he never said anything to Liu Qingge. He supposes it was safer to let him assume his actions were on behalf of Shen Qingqiu’s asking and not his own initiative.

Thankfully, his shishu is not a wordy man and responds with a simple “Mn,” in affirmation.

Undeterred, Shizun launches into talking about all Liu Qingge has missed since he saw him last. Every so often, Liu-shishu grunts or makes an inquiring noise and Luo Binghe pipes up with anything Shizun might have forgotten. It really is like how it was before but the tension is different. Luo Binghe is not gritting his teeth and bearing his presence for Shizun.

It takes some prodding but Shizun is able to press Liu Qingge for some stories about his recent night hunts, or at least more than Luo Binghe was able to. It helps that Shizun has an interest in beasts and fauna and is able to ask in-depth questions that force Liu Qingge to consider then answer. It is after the interrogation that Shizun pulls his own brazen move.

“Speaking of,” Shizun tucks a loose strand of hair behind his own ear, “would Liu-shidi like to go on a night hunt with this shixiong and his disciple?”

Liu Qingge looks at him and Luo Binghe inclines his head. Placated, Liu Qingge turns towards Shizun and nods his agreement. “Mn. It’s been a while. It would be nice to do it again.”

Shizun beams.

Luo Binghe is gracious enough not to mention that it is on Liu Qingge for the dearth of night hunts together. He’s keeping the peace. Even Shizun notices it and pats his head after Liu-shishu leaves.

“Thank you for not scaring Liu-shidi away, Binghe,” Shizun says, his voice soft in the quiet of the night. Slivers of moonlight highlights Shizun, giving him an ethereal glow. Luo Binghe drinks in the details, the small imperfections that mark Shizun as alive. He never gets tired of it.

His hand slides from patting his hair to cupping his cheek. Luo Binghe nuzzles it.

“I’m not accusing you of anything but – did you do something Binghe?” Shizun asks.

“What makes you think that?” Luo Binghe responds.

Shizun squeezes his face between his palms, rubbing them a little in circles. “You’re my little troublemaker,” Shizun says, “and, you hate when your shishu visits.”

“He’s not so bad!”

Shizun gives him an unimpressed look.

Luo Binghe folds. “Shizun has been very sad when Liu-shishu stopped coming by. So, this disciple,” he pauses for Shizun to interrupt him about referring himself as such and get distracted but he doesn’t, and thus he is forced to explain and scramble for words he doesn’t have yet, “wanted to cheer Shizun up,” which is true and easy enough for him to say.

Shizun doesn’t rush in to say that Binghe is enough and reassure him. They’re both confident enough in each other after years together. He waits him out to continue.

Playing with his own fingers, Luo Binghe doesn’t meet Shizun’s eyes. “Shishu is a bit like a cat.”

“Mn?”

“This one tempted him with food.” Luo Binghe bites his lip when Shizun pushes at his shoulder, giggling.

“Truly?” Shizun asks.

“Truly,” Luo Binghe confirms.

The giggles turn into full-blown laughter and Luo Binghe can no longer hold his own either. When Shizun finally catches his breath, his words tickle Luo Binghe’s neck, “Thank you.”

The promised night hunt takes a while to set up because their schedules and the hunts available don’t align for a long time. But that’s fine. Every time Luo Binghe comes by with an invitation, Liu Qingge visits and thus, Shizun’s moods are lighter.

Shizun and Luo Binghe alike are able to freely tease Liu Qingge – the aggressively cruel tinge that underlie Luo Binghe’s relationship with Liu-shishu is no longer as strong. It’s more playful he thinks. Shizun tends to watch with a fond air and a bemused smile. Liu Qingge doesn’t storm out in anger.

Luo Binghe finds that he doesn’t mind his shishu. Its more than he expected when he started this endeavor.

The first night hunt together, it is anticlimactic. Chasing down all the long-fang translucent rabbit-bat is disorienting work. Alone, it’s not terrible but the rabbit-bats run in packs and can be overwhelming for lesser cultivators. Their bites aren’t vicious but it is deadly for mortals and thus, they can’t let any escape from the cave.

Having two peak lords and a heavenly demon is overkill. If it wasn’t for the company, Luo Binghe would say that the night hunt is pointless. A group of senior disciples could have easily handled it.

It is the trip back that causes issues. They get a little turned around trying to get out. It doesn’t help that there is a plant, the soothing verdant tooth vine, that has a symbiotic relationship with the long-fang translucent rabbit-bat.

The vine in question whips out and twists into rope, tying him to Liu Qingge by the wrist. Before Shizun can shout out a warning, Liu Qingge slices through the vine that connects them to the cave, activating the teeth mentioned in its very name. It lets out a numbing agent that acts fast and causes them to fall into each other.

“If shishu wanted to be closer, he could have just asked,” says Luo Binghe.

“Get off me!” Liu Qingge wiggles and tries to dislodge Luo Binghe. He is unsuccessful in his attempts to move more. “Aren’t you immune to these poisons?”

“This one is particularly tricky,” Luo Binghe lectures, “And it shouldn’t be circulated, otherwise it makes it stronger.”

Liu Qingge freezes. Luo Binghe figures that he was too late in giving his advice – either he already started or it got stronger. If Liu Qingge could move, Luo Binghe is pretty sure he would chew through the vine. Though he can’t turn to look, he hears the sounds of Shizun handling the soothing verdant tooth vine. It’s quiet for a bit – Shizun is probably collecting the vine for Mu-shishu.

Finished, Shizun takes him off Liu Qingge. He enters his field of vision and his hair brushes his cheek. Shizun props them up against the cave wall.

Their hands are still tied together. Shizun knows not to touch it and accidentally trigger it further.

“There’s nothing dangerous here right now and it’s better to wait for the vine to rot. I think it will be a good idea to rest here until the poison runs its course.”

Liu Qingge grumbles about it but acquiesces. Shizun sits next to him, bracketing Luo Binghe with a comforting warmth that lulls him to sleep.

When Luo Binghe blinks awake, the heat besides his hand has moved. Fingers entwine with his. His eyes trace from the fingers to the delicate wrist that is no longer bound to his own, then to the bracer up to the face of the still sleeping man. Luo Binghe stares. There’s no tell-tale blush high on Liu-shishu’s cheeks, only the brush of long eyelashes. He’s so close, he can count each individual lash if he so chooses.

He's drawn to their joined hands again. It’s a thoughtless motion – changing the position of his hand has no meaning. Nevertheless, Luo Binghe can’t help but analyze the action. He wonders if Liu Qingge is dreaming of Shen Qingqiu – if he thought Luo Binghe is Shen Qingqiu and that is why he tangled their fingers together. It’s not a spring dream; his shishu is probably too virginal for that. Luo Binghe imagines the most scandalous thing about the dream is handholding.

Luo Binghe can find out. He only needs to shut his eyes again and slip into his dreams. It’s not like Liu Qingge would know. Luo Binghe has only used his dream walking on Shizun. No one but Shizun and Meng Mo are aware of it. He bites his lip. The impulse is tempting for some reason. The idea of seeing Liu Qingge with Shizun doesn’t fill him with rage anymore.

Before he can act on it, Shizun’s fan raps on his forehead, straight on his demon mark.

“Shizun,” Luo Binghe whines.

“Don’t ‘Shizun’ me! I recognize that look in your eyes – you were about to stir up trouble.”

Luo Binghe pouts and mutters, “It wasn’t going to be trouble.”

Shizun rubs at his demon mark then kisses it.

“Stop flirting,” Liu Qingge grouses. “I’m right here.”

Luo Binghe startles. Liu Qingge made no move to withdraw his hand despite being awake. He doesn’t get time to ruminate over the possible implication because Shizun leans over him and kisses (!!) Liu Qingge on the beauty mark.

“See! Not flirting,” Shizun declares.

Doing the same thing to someone else doesn’t make it not flirting. Luo Binghe is grateful at times for Shizun’s obliviousness. However, it does make Shizun truly a menace for those around him. Luo Binghe can feel Liu Qingge’s palm heat up.

The long-awaited blush blossoms across Liu Qingge’s cheeks and his ears and down his neck. Luo Binghe watches in fascination and he isn’t alone in his appreciation. By his side, Shizun ogles.

Luo Binghe’s rush of possessiveness feels different from usual. Jealousy doesn’t well up in him. If Luo Binghe wanted to test the idea of how he would react to seeing Shizun and Liu Qingge together, he finds his suspicions are correct – he doesn’t mind. He can tolerate him just like he does for Shang Qinghua. Better in fact, he wants to see Liu Qingge with Shizun happen more. Luo Binghe must have truly grown as a person.

Shizun leans back and clears his throat. “Anyway, the poison should be cleared now. Try moving your arm?”

Liu Qingge lifts the hand that was resting on his, the remaining vine crumbling to dust. Luo Binghe stamps down the disappointment. It’s only that his hand is cold. He demonstrates his own wellness by raising his arm as well.

“We can continue then.” Shizun stands and brushes off his robes. He offers them each a hand to pull them up that they both take. In this, they are in sync.

The three of them get out of the cave without any additional mishaps. Now that Liu Qingge knows what to expect with the soothing verdant tooth vine, the encounters go smoothly. Mu-shishu is going to appreciate all the vines they will bring back – he can always use more anesthesia.

Not only is Mu-shishu satisfied with the outcome of the night hunt, so is Luo Binghe himself. He doesn’t have to grab Liu Qingge by the scruff and drag him to Shizun anymore. Liu Qingge comes without prodding from Luo Binghe and invites them on night hunts whenever they are at Cang Qiong Mountain Sect. Every invite draws a brilliant smile from Shizun and every smile draws a delightful flush from Liu Qingge.

Luo Binghe has always known he is a greedy thing that wants more than what he can have. He wants to push, to see how far he can take it. Plus, the more he gets, the more Shizun does. It’s a win-win for everyone.

He will have to make another plan. Maybe he can invite his shishu to the Demon Realm? There are plenty of hunts that can be done there. Liu-shishu would surely appreciate the chance to kill something he hasn’t had before.

However, any plans he wishes to make is put on hold.

Mobei-jun alerts him of a brewing rebellion. Shizun offers his help but Luo Binghe declines it, as much as it hurts him. He would like to have Shizun by his side all the time but he prefers him safe. Not that Shizun isn’t capable! It’s just that it’s better he handles it on his own without having to worry about Shizun in the crossfire. He leaves Shizun with a kiss at Cang Qiong Mountain Sect and trusts that he will enjoy socializing with his martial siblings.

Rebellions in the Demon Realm are relatively easy to put down usually. Above all, demons respect strength and power which Luo Binghe has an abundance of. He just needs to demonstrate it and then they either scatter or bow to him. But occasionally, the revolt is comprised of demons too stupid to know when to back down which is the unfortunate case this time for Luo Binghe. What makes it annoyingly worse is the sheer numbers in the opposing army.

Getting through the army is a slog. Blood weighs down his clothes and makes it stick uncomfortably. He is not afforded a moment to stop and rest. It is days of fighting. They come upon his army in waves, unrelenting like the rain from a storm. One drop past his cover is endurable but the torrential downpour of forces wears down his men.

It is then Luo Binghe gets help from an unexpected quarter.

Just like all those years ago, Liu Qingge arrives like a crashing comet, creating a crater and decimating several enemies at once with his impact. Sword glares illuminate the battlefield, cutting through lines of calvary. His arrival energizes both him and his men. With a shout, they rally.

Luo Binghe takes the time to watch Liu Qingge fight. It is a different vantage point from usual – they usually don’t fight on the same side. Luo Binghe is typically too focused not dying by his blade to admire it fully.

This time, Luo Binghe can appreciate the grace of which he moves with. Luo Binghe can’t help but think of his father’s words. Liu Qingge’s bladework and spiritual power is truly excellent. Luo Binghe deflects any attacks easily despite being distracted, a perk to being powerful enough to do so.

With renewed vigor, they work to dwindle down his enemies until those remaining surrender. Luo Binghe delegates to his representatives to do what is needed from detaining the survivors to setting up tents to treat their own wounded.

From there, he is able to take a break. Luo Binghe grabs a towel to wipe himself off then he makes his way across the battlefield, to the shining white robes of his shishu.

“Greetings Liu-shishu!” Luo Binghe says. “This shizhi thanks you for your assistance. Without you, I worry we wouldn’t have made it.”

Liu Qingge snorts. “You did most of the work. All I did was help you finish it.”

“This one is still grateful. It was a much-needed boost.”

“It’s nothing,” His shishu waves it off.

If Luo Binghe wasn’t soaked in blood, he would have bumped their shoulders playfully. Instead, he gets as close as he can in his personal space without touching.

“It wasn’t nothing. Your arrival was convenient – we were sagging. How did you know we needed the help?” Luo Binghe asks.

Liu Qingge twitches then recovers. He flicks his sword, splattering blood across the ground. Not a drop landed on Luo Binghe. Liu Qingge doesn’t look up. “I heard from your Shizun. He was worried about you.”

But something doesn’t quite sit right – the explanation seems off. Luo Binghe doesn’t get time to question it further however – one of his lieutenants rush up to him about an escalating issue. Luo Binghe excuses himself. His break is over and he has responsibilities to return to. The quicker it is done, the quicker he can return to Shizun’s side. He has a rebellion to quell and allies to settle.

Later that night, Liu Qingge is nowhere to be found. Luo Binghe squashes any inconvenient feelings that swell within him.

He rests at the Underground Palace before heading to Cang Qiong in the morning. Luo Binghe reunites with Shizun in the Bamboo House with his normal amount of gusto. After several rousing rounds and Luo Binghe cleaning them off, they laze on the bed together.

“Can this disciple ask Shizun something?”

“Of course!” Shizun says as he plays with Luo Binghe’s hair, curling strands around his finger.

“Did you tell Liu Qingge to help me?”

“Hm?” Shizun’s brows furrow. He lets go of the strands and sits up. “I hadn’t spoken to him while I was here. In fact, right after the Peak Lord meeting, when I was talking with Shang Qinghua, Liu Qingge rudely pushed his way past us and flew off to parts unknown.” Shizun huffs in annoyance. “I swear that man can be such a brute sometimes.”

Luo Binghe blinks. Shizun didn’t tell Liu Qingge? Then how did he know? “What were you talking about with Shang-shishu?”

“I was telling him about the rebellion. What’s with all these questions Binghe?”

That means Liu Qingge came to him on his own initiative. It makes Luo Binghe’s heart beat faster and his ears ring. His mouth has become dry. He swallows. “Liu-shishu assisted in suppressing the dissidents.”

“That’s where he went?” Shizun asks, surprised. His hands fidget with the edges of the blanket in thought. He mumbles, “They have been getting along better recently. Huh.”

“Shizun?”

He bites the corner of his lip. “You should get him a gift to thank him. But not food.”

“But that’s what I’m best at! If not food, then what?”

“Binghe, it’s supposed to be a gift from you,” Shizun scolds.

“You know him better,” Luo Binghe whines. “Please help this disciple?”

Shizun sighs and fondly pats his head. “It will be a gift from the both of us then. After all, I am grateful to have my husband come back in one piece.”

This aligns nicely with his idea for them to get even closer to Liu-shishu. Luo Binghe grins and pecks Shizun with a light kiss. “Thank you, husband.”

It takes a couple of days to come up with an idea then implement it. Shizun has to pull a few strings to get Shang-shishu to provide the supplies needed. Luo Binghe elicits the help from a shimei to teach him how to craft the gift without letting her know who the gift is for.

Shizun inspects it before putting it in a box. He wraps it with a bow and hands it to him. “You did a very good job on this.”

“Now that I learned, I can make one for you too!” Luo Binghe offers.

“Then it won’t be special,” Shizun says.

“I’m sure Liu-shishu wouldn’t mind matching with Shizun.”

Shizun shakes his head. “We’re getting off topic. Now Binghe, I know you might get embarrassed, but don’t become aggressive, okay?” He wags at him with a finger.

“Don’t worry Shizun! I’ll deliver the gift and then I’ll be right back,” Luo Binghe promises.

He leaves the Bamboo House with a bounce in his step. Luo Binghe is well-accustomed to sneaking onto Bai Zhan and he gets to Liu Qingge’s house without any trouble. He knocks on the door and Liu Qingge readily opens it.

Liu Qingge skips any greeting. “Shouldn’t you be clinging to your husband right now?”

“I would be but he likes to visit Shang-shishu alone,” Luo Binghe explains. “Can I come in?”

Liu Qingge scrunches his face at the mention of Shang Qinghua but lets him in. “Do you have food?”

“I do, but that’s not why I’m here.” Luo Binghe struggles with how to start. He fiddles with his sleeves, the weight of the gift suddenly heavy. He takes a deep breath. “Shizun and I wanted to thank you for your support in suppressing the revolt. So, we wanted to give you a token of our appreciation.” Luo Binghe pushes the box into Liu Qingge’s hands.

Liu Qingge stares blankly at the box. “You didn’t have to.”

“We wanted to,” Luo Binghe insists.

Tugging on the ribbon, he opens the box. Inside, is a tassel with jade and carnelian beads. Each bead has multiple layers. Luo Binghe had carefully carved the layers in the beads with unique arrays for protection and health. Liu Qingge traces the engravings with a fingertip.

“It’s a waist ornament,” Luo Binghe tells him after Liu Qingge hasn’t reacted.

His voice is thick, his words slow. “This is too much. Luo Binghe, this -” Liu Qingge starts to return the box but Luo Binghe pushes it back into his hands, enclosing his fingers around it.

“It’s a gift. You keep those,” Luo Binghe says.

“Luo Binghe, why isn’t your Shizun here with you?” Liu Qingge asks.

“I told you, he’s with Shang Qinghua.” He struggles not to get aggressive like he promised Shizun. But he’s frustrated that Liu Qingge just can’t accept the gift. He wonders if Liu Qingge would have if it was from Shizun. “But we worked on this gift together for you.”

“Does he know what this means?” Liu Qingge continues to question him.

“Of course, he does.” Luo Binghe scowls. Why doesn’t Liu Qingge believe him? “It’s a gift of gratitude.”

“This gift,” Liu Qingge spits out, “is much more than that.”

“What does it mean to you then?” Luo Binghe asks, petulant.

Liu Qingge meets his gaze, his jaw clenched. “These arrays are more suited in a gift for a lover.”

The words stop him short and force him to really confront his actions. To look at what’s he done since Liu Mingyan had asked her own questions to him and re-examine his thoughts. The context he was missing is suddenly in sharp relief. The whole time, Luo Binghe couched what he was doing as something he did for Shizun. But maybe it wasn’t just Shizun that missed Liu Qingge, maybe a part of him did miss him too. His shishu was a constant he had for years. Liu Qingge means more to Luo Binghe than he expected him to be.

Luo Binghe wants to prove it to him. He leans in but before he can kiss him, he is stopped by a hand to his mouth. Liu Qingge’s eyes are closed. He breathes out. “Talk to your husband, Luo Binghe.”

“Will you keep the gift at least?”

“I’ll hold on to it,” Liu Qingge says.

Luo Binghe nods and leaves. He finds himself no longer glad for his Shizun’s obliviousness.

Heart pounding, Luo Binghe knows what he must do.

When he gets back to the Bamboo House, Shizun waits anxiously by the door for him inside. His face falls from what he sees of Luo Binghe. “What happened? Did he reject it?”

Luo Binghe feels like a new disciple again, afraid to disappoint Shizun. But he knows he has to tell the truth. He learned the hard way how terrible misunderstandings can hurt. He decides to get straight to the point. “Liu-shishu said the gift is more appropriate for lovers and,” Luo Binghe stutters, unsure how to continue next. “I didn’t mind the thought of it. But I love my Husband.”

“I love you too, Binghe.” Shizun straightens and gets a determined look to his face. “You can love multiple people.”

“I know that, I started this because Shizun loves Liu Qingge!” Luo Binghe cries out.

Shizun reels back in surprise, his determination faltering. “What? I don’t – I mean. I. What?”

Luo Binghe mopes. “Genuinely, the only goal this disciple had was to get Liu-shishu to visit you again because Shizun was so miserable without him. So, this one went to flatter Liu Qingge for you so he would. This disciple wasn’t expecting this.”

Shizun doesn’t react. He is still processing. He mumbles, “I knew there was more to it but – oh. Oh. I was flirting with him, wasn’t I?”

“You were,” Luo Binghe confirms.

“And you didn’t mind,” Shizun states, not quite a question.

“It doesn’t bother me. I like it,” Luo Binghe admits.

“Then we both want him.”

“Mn.”

“We will need to present a united front.” Determination sets over Shizun again. “Let’s strategize.”

They stay up late into the night doing just that. Nonetheless, having an idea about how to approach their upcoming conversation does not calm Luo Binghe’s nerves. He tries to reassure himself: Liu-shishu didn’t seemed opposed when he presented the gift, just concerned about how aware Shizun was.

There is not much time to spiral about it. The following morning comes with winter’s frost. The ground glitters with ice. Shizun’s hands are tucked into the crook of his arm.

“Ready?”

Shizun’s grip tightens then loosens. “Mn.”

They fly to Bai Zhan Peak – there’s little need for subtlety. No disciple would dare to fight in front of a Peak Lord. The two of them stand in front of the door. Without knocking, Liu Qingge opens it and lets them in.

The door closes behind them.

“You made your decision then?” Liu Qingge pulls out the box, ready to give back the gift.

Shizun rushes closer, dragging Luo Binghe with him, and stops Liu Qingge. “We want this relationship. We want you.”

“How could you want me? You don’t know me,” Liu Qingge says.

Luo Binghe steps in. “Let us learn then.”

“I don’t want to be second. I’ve seen what that does – I refuse to suffer the same.” His gaze is challenging. Liu Qingge sets the condition as if he knows it is something they can’t overcome.

Years ago, Luo Binghe might not have been able to meet the challenge. He would have hesitated to make any promises. But the thing is, the months of absence made Luo Binghe realize he does care for his shishu more than he knew. He values Liu Qingge’s steady presence. Luo Binghe thinks he can fall deeper in love with the man if given the opportunity.

He sees Shizun send him a tentative glance. Shizun is confident of his own feelings but not necessarily Luo Binghe’s. Luo Binghe will have to take the lead and trust that Shizun will tell him when he doesn’t agree.

“Let us court you then to prove to you that we are taking this seriously. Or are you going to make another excuse?” Luo Binghe taunts.

Liu Qingge grits out, “You can’t goad me into this. You’ve given me no guarantee.”

“Since when do you need one? You once spent five years fighting me despite knowing you will never win. Why stop now?” Luo Binghe asks.

Shizun lets go of Luo Binghe’s arm. He steps even closer into Liu Qingge’s space, resting a hand on his neck, his thumb on his pulse point. “Binghe is right, Liu-shidi. To love is to take risks. I spent so long running, I hurt myself and those around me. But I couldn’t avoid it. I couldn’t control how others felt. Won’t you face this with us?”

“Please?” Luo Binghe moves to bracket Liu Qingge between himself and Shizun.

Liu Qingge’s resolve crumbles. “This isn’t going to end well.”

Luo Binghe hugs him with Shizun, squishing his face against his cheek. “We won’t know unless we try.”