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Shen Qingqiu's blade slashed across the demonic cultivator's throat. The man dropped, tumbling across the rock and twig strewn ground of the forest. Liu Qingge waited to the side, but when no more movement came, he let out a breath and resheathed Cheng Luan. Shen Qingqiu flicked Xiu Ya's snow white blade, dusting the ground with droplets of blood.

"At least that's done," he grimaced.

"Would have been faster if you let me lead," Liu Qingge said. Shen Qingqiu turned to stare at him.

"Your plan would have had us wander half the woods looking for him. My tracking talisman—" He cut off, eyes going wide. A burst of qi split the air as Shen Qingqiu flung Liu Qingge across the ground. Liu Qingge's head whipped up. A piece of qi backed paper whooshed by right where he'd been standing. It crackled then burnt up with no target. The demonic cultivator, notably not dead, grinned, his teeth red. Liu Qingge had half a breath to curse before the man slammed another talisman drenched in his own blood onto the ground. He collapsed as Shen Qingqiu darted forward in a flurry of silk and gauzy chiffon. But he was a moment to slow and the second talisman lit up.

Qi lit up the ground in a circle around Shen Qingqiu. Shen Qingqiu took a quick step back and the light of the talisman's energy streaked forward. It piercing up, rippling over Shen Qingqiu's body in brilliant, too-bright waves. He gritted his teeth against the rush of energy, swallowing hard as his fingers dug into his palms. He coughed then spat a stream of red before falling backwards into a heap of long dark hair and now blood-stained robes.

Liu Qingge stared, heart racing as he tried to make sense of what had happened. The damned demonic cultivator had been playing dead. And Shen Qingqiu… Shen Qingqiu had pushed Liu Qingge out of the way. Liu Qingge let out a shuddery breath as the realization hit him. Shen Qingqiu had protected him. He rushed over. The moment his fingers touched Shen Qingqiu's body, the full implication of the talisman was revealed.

Brilliant light flashed across Liu Qingge's robes and skin. Qi burned through his meridians like he'd sat too close to a flame. Then all at once until he was cut off. Left gasping, he forced himself to move, pulling Shen Qingqiu up into his lap. Shen Qingqiu's qi was blocked as well, Liu Qingge could feel that much. But his golden core still thrummed low in his chest when Liu Qingge placed a hand against it. His pulse was thready, but after a few moments, it regained strength and his eyes fluttered open.

"What…" he looked up at Liu Qingge, dazed. Only moments later, alertness sparked in his pale eyes and he shuddered, pushing Liu Qingge away as he stumbled to his feet. "Get off me, brute."

He made it a few steps before he collapsed again with a sharp cry. Pain lanced through Liu Qingge in turn, burning straight down his spine through his useless meridians. It was a familiar feeling. A memory echoed back to him as he forced himself to think through the steadily building pain and focus through watering eyes. This had happened once before. He was sure of it.

It was years ago. An early mission as a new disciple. His gruff but kind shijie had taken his hand and told him not to let go.

He grunted, swallowing the rising tide of his temper. There was nothing to do about it now. He could only face their situation head on. He closed the distance between him and Shen Qingqiu, pulling Shen Qingqiu back into his arms as the man struggled.

"Stop!" Liu Qingge bit out. He could already feel the pain rapidly fading as he regained contact with Shen Qingqiu. "Just stop for one—"

"Unhand me!" Shen Qingqiu's palm slapped Liu Qingge's cheek. It stung, but little else. Shen Qingqiu was cut off from his qi, too.

"Stop! Don't you feel it?" Liu Qingge clenched his jaw, forcing himself to focus. There were more important things to deal with.

Shen Qingqiu glared, but he did pause.

"The pain," he started. His pale eyes searched Liu Qingge's face. His brow furrowed, lips turning down. "It's gone."

"Mn," Liu Qingge said. The wind whistled through the trees and he let out a huff of breath, lost in the cicada cries and the thrum of the forest around them. "We've been cursed."

…

Since the curse blocked their qi flow, they had to walk back to Cang Qiong Mountain. At least they had only been a few towns away. It was not more than a three day's journey on foot. If it had been any more, Liu Qingge thought, Shen Qingqiu might have strangled him. Curse or no curse. Liu Qingge didn't really get it. The only way to remove the curse was to get back to Cang Qiong Mountain where the rich qi reserves and Mu Qingfang's collection of rare materials would be certain to unravel it. There was nothing to be done for now, so what was the use in complaining?

But Shen Qingqiu had not taken the news of the curse well. He'd looked aghast when Liu Qingge had told him they needed to be in physical contact until the curse could be removed, otherwise it might cause them both to qi deviate. Then Shen Qingqiu had almost caused exactly that when he decided to test the theory.

He'd given up on trying to break the curse by simply not acknowledging it at least and had resigned himself to walking side by side with his nose in the air. His fingers were wrapped around Liu Qingge's, his cool palm against Liu Qingge's own.

Which made Liu Qingge wonder.

"Why are your hands so cold?" He asked.

Shen Qingqiu turned to level a glare at him. The bright sunlight glinted off his xiao-guan, it's long ribbons fluttering in the breeze. "They just are. They're always that way."

Liu Qingge lapsed into silence as he scuffed his boots against the rocks on the road. "Always?"

Shen Qingqiu sighed. "Yes."

"Huh," Liu Qingge huffed. "Weird."

"Apologies, shidi. I wasn't expecting to have to hold hands like children otherwise I certainly would have worn gloves to improve your experience."

Liu Qingge frowned. "There's no way to fix it now. Why are you so mad?"

Shen Qingqiu's feet skidded across the path as he pulled Liu Qingge to a stop. "Some of us actually think about things from time to time," he sniffed. "So even if there is only one solution, it does not make the situation less aggravating."

"You!" Liu Qingge could not understand why Shen Qingqiu had to pick a fight at every turn.

Shen Qingqiu tipped his head and arched a brow like he'd expected exactly that reaction. "You hate me and you think I'm unreasonable for not wishing to be attached to you for several days. Really, which one of us is the irrational one here?"

"We can't do anything so just focus on fixing it," Liu Qingge grumbled.

Shen Qingqiu's mouth twisted then his lips slid up into a mean smile. "So I am right, you do hate me."

Liu Qingge stared at him. "I never said that."

"You didnt have to. You take every chance to pick a fight."

"I take every chance?" Liu Qingge jerked Shen Qingqiu's hand. "What about you?"

"If you had stopped criticizing me for even one moment, we wouldn't be in this mess!" Shen Qingqiu shoved Liu Qingge's shoulder with his own.

Liu Qingge shoved him back. "If you had listened to me, we could have surprised the cultivator."

"Or lost him in the woods," Shen Qingqiu said. "What do you know about demonic cultivators anyway?"

"What do you know?"

"More than you," Shen Qingqiu sniffed.

"Of course." Liu Qingge kicked a rock, watching it bounce down the dirt path under the warm spring sun, shaded by trees. The air was filled with insect noises but between the two of them, a long silence stretched. Shen Qingqiu leveled him with an icy glare.

"Of course what, shidi?"

"Of course you'd know more," Liu Qingge said. "You're always taking shortcuts, just like—"

Shen Qingqiu's fist collided with Liu Qingge's jaw. Without qi to back it, it barely hurt, but it did send Liu Qingge careening back. He yanked Shen Qingqiu with him and they collided into each other with a loud oof. They tumbled across the path, crashing into the grass with Liu Qingge on top of Shen Qingqiu. If Shen Qingqiu wasn't mad before, he was mad now. He tried to throw Liu Qingge off, hissing like a feral cat. Liu Qingge pushed him down, but Shen Qingqiu pushed him right back, sending Liu Qingge back against the grass and dirt.

Liu Qingge's heart pounded. He pulled Shen Qingqiu's hair and Shen Qingqiu drove his knee into Liu Qingge's gut. Shen Qingqiu got a foot under him, but Liu Qingge yanked him back down, his blood pumping not yet ready to stop. It was always like this with them. Since the day they'd first met, they could never seem to not fight.

They rolled back and forth, neither able to stay up for long. But Liu Qingge was determined. He flipped over Shen Qingqiu's back, knocking his face into the dirt. Then he wrenched Shen Qingqiu's arm around and pinned him to the ground. He pushed his weight against Shen Qingqiu's prone form, Shen Qingqiu squirming to free himself.

"I win," Liu Qingge said.

Shen Qingqiu's hand spasmed. His whole body tensed. He only didn't tear his hand away because of how hard Liu Qingge was still gripping him.

"Fine!" Shen Qingqiu ripped at Liu Qingge's hold again. "Let me go."

"No," Liu Qingge said. "Say I won."

"Unhand me," Shen Qingqiu spat, voice quavering at the edges. "Get off."

Whatever triumph Liu Qingge had felt drained out of him. There was something in the way Shen Qingqiu spoke…

"Shen Qingqiu—"

"I said get off me!" A tremor ran through Shen Qingqiu's body as his voice cracked.

Liu Qingge let go like he'd been burned, only keeping the fingers of one hand threaded with Shen Qingqiu's. Shen Qingqiu was perfectly still for one long moment, then he let out a shuddery breath and pushed himself to his knees.

"Shen Qingqiu—" Liu Qingge held out his other hand but Shen Qingqiu knocked it away.

"Don't touch me!" Shen Qingqiu spat. He sucked in a breath, squeezing his eyes shut like he were trying to block everything out. In a voice so low, Liu Qingge could hardly hear him, he mumbled to himself. "Stupid brute. Stupid Liu-shidi."

He let out another shuddery breath, then stared down at the ground breathing heavily. There was a smear of dirt across his pale cheeks and his xiao-guan had come askew but he hadn't seemed to have noticed.

Liu Qingge sat watching him, his mind tracking back to what had just happened. Had Shen Qingqiu always reacted that way? He knew the man didn't like having even a hair out of order, but he'd never felt Shen Qingqiu be so tense.

"Shen Qingqiu," Liu Qingge said.

Shen Qingqiu's eyes flicked up. "What?"

Liu Qingge realized he had no idea what he even wanted to say. Shen Qingqiu watched him. The breeze stirred the soft hairs by his face, lifting them in slow undulating wave. Then he sighed and used his free hand to tug his robes back into place and smooth out his hair.

"Let's go," he said. "We should try and reach the next town before nightfall."

"Mn," Liu Qingge nodded, following as Shen Qingqiu took the lead.

…

They got to the inn just as the sun was setting, the sky awash in a deep unending red. It was a small town and many of the local street vendors were already packing up as they walked through the single main street. A few nodded at them, likely unused to seeing prestigious cultavators. Shen Qingqiu tensed every time a new set of eyes landed on them, his cheeks turning an increasingly vibrant shade of pink.

"What's wrong with you?" Liu Qingge asked.

"Nothing," Shen Qingqiu grumbled and tugged him forward.

The inn was a good enough affair, not overly luxurious but Liu Qingge had never cared about that sort of thing. A bed was a bed and a meal was a meal and a meal was what he wanted right now. They'd luckily, also arrived just in time for dinner. The innkeeper looked between the two of them when they walked in, then down at their joined hands, then back up.

"Ah this one welcomes the revered xianshi to his humble establishment."

Shen Qingqiu's face was impassive as he fluttered his fan, but Liu Qingge watched in rapt fascination as his ears turned an even deeper shade of pink.

"We need one room. And dinner as well," Shen Qingqiu said.

Liu Qingge nodded.

The innkeeper smiled. "Of course, of course. We're happy to host you for the evening."

The silence stretched. The innkeeper kept smiling. Liu Qingge's brow furrowed. Shen Qingqiu fluttered his fan faster then tugged at Liu Qingge's hand. "Shidi."

"What?" Liu Qingge looked over at him.

"The payment." Shen Qingqiu arched a brow like he was waiting for Liu Qingge to argue.

The innkeeper looked between them again, some expression crossing his face that Liu Qingge couldn't read.

"Why am I paying?"

Shen Qingqiu sighed. "I paid yesterday."

Liu Qingge cocked his head before he nodded. He guessed that was true. He went to pull the coins from his sleeve only to be brought up short by Shen Qingqiu's hand in his. They looked at each other, the moment stretching as Liu Qingge considered how to get his money out with only one hand. Shen Qingqiu's ears turned even redder.

"They're—"

"Yes, yes," Shen Qingqiu interrupted. "Come here." Like a snake darting from one hole to the next, Shen Qingqiu's hand slipped into Liu Qingge's sleeve and extracted the small coin purse. He held it out to Liu Qingge for him to take what he needed, then shoved it back in with little care for where it ended up. When that was done, he turned his head away, fluttering his fan back and forth, expression frosty as a mountain peak.

Liu Qingge frowned as he handed the money over. He didn't understand why Shen Qingqiu was so mad. It wasn't like this was his fault.

The innkeeper smiled, all professionalism, and led them into an adjoining room filled with tables and lit by warm lanterns hanging from the old but well-cared for ceiling beams.

"I'll bring your dinner right away." The innkeeper bowed his head, shooting a strange half smile at Liu Qingge before he left. Liu Qingge stared after him, unsure of what that look was supposed to mean. Shen Qingqiu's fingers twitched, his expression growing frostier.

They were forced to sit on the same side of the table, knees pressed together. Shen Qingqiu didn't seem keen on talking, so Liu Qingge dropped his head into his hands and glanced around at the few patrons still dining. There were a few tables scattered about. A family at one. Another group of travelers at another. Just as Liu Qingge's gaze tracked around the room, he found that they too kept sneaking glances back at him. Whenever he caught them, their heads would dart away. Liu Qingge frowned.

"Everyone is staring. They must not see many cultivators."

Shen Qingqiu's lips thinned. "If only it were that."

Liu Qingge's head tipped as he looked back at Shen Qingqiu. "What do you mean?"

"Shidi," Shen Qingqiu started, voice drawing out the word like he were speaking to a child. He didn't get a chance to finish what he was going to say before the innkeeper returned with plates, a young woman bearing a strong resemblance to him following with more.

Liu Qingge dug in right away. There were pork dumplings and dan dan noodles. Even better, a bowl of crisp green beans with garlic and chilies was set in the middle of the table, one of his childhood favorites. He settled in, happy that, despite the day they'd had, he'd at least eat well.

"What were you going to say?" He asked when he filled his plate, frowning as he watched Shen Qingqiu barely touch even a bowl of rice.

"We've been here before. Don't you remember?"

Liu Qingge cocked his head as he thought about it. The sun was almost gone now, the sky through the open window a deep purple. The lanterns in the streets were lit one by one and Liu Qingge stretched his memory trying to find something familiar.

"Maybe? I remember the area. The mountain nearby. But these small towns all look the same."

Shen Qingqiu rolled his eyes. "Some spoiled little lord you are. Can't tell villages apart, but I'm certain you could tell one gentry estate from the next."

"Not really," Liu Qingge frowned. "It's all gardens after gardens."

Shen Qingqiu blinked, then, amazingly, he snorted. "Shidi is truly one of a kind."

Liu Qingge thought he didn't sound like he was insulting him, so he shrugged. This also seems to surprise Shen Qingqiu. His long lashes quivered, then he huffed, shaking his head.

"What does us having been here before have to do with anything?" Liu Qingge asked.

"Nothing. Just that the people here are certainly more interested in something besides cultivators they've seen before."

Liu Qingge wondered what Shen Qingqiu even meant, or more so, why he cared. But Shen Qingqiu was as forthcoming as ever, and when he didn't elaborate, Liu Qingge didn't push.

He'd gotten halfway through his plate when he noticed Shen Qingqiu still had barely eaten anything. His hand was wrapped around his tea cup which he'd refilled and drained several times, but he had touched little else. He looked at ease, almost bored as he sat, head tipped and expression distant. His long hair, spilled in a dark sheet across his back, the lantern light warming the curves of his face, softening his cold expression. Even so, Liu Qingge realized he could feel how tense Shen Qingqiu was from where their hands were still wound together.

"What?" He asked. "You don't like the food?"

"It's fine," Shen Qingqiu said.

"Not fancy enough for your palate?"

Shen Qingqiu's lips thinned. "You certainly seem to know so much about me, so I do not know why you bother asking." He poured himself another cup of tea, gaze drifting around the room like he'd rather be anywhere else. Liu Qingge's brow furrowed. He wondered if Shen Qingqiu even noticed it, but Liu Qingge could feel how he tensed even more from where their legs were pressed against each other's.

Shen Qinqiu had felt like that back when Liu Qingge had pinned him down earlier too. Had he been wound up all this time? It was impossible to tell from his expression alone but…Was Shen Qingqiu uncomfortable? Liu Qingge would be the first to admit he wasn't exactly good at reading people. His sister had berated him about that many times. But he thought, maybe he could treat Shen Qingqiu like one of the beasts he tracked, look for clues. Didn't he owe Shen Qingqiu a little effort at least? He didn't know what the first talisman from that demonic cultivator would have done. Shen Qingqiu had pushed him out of the way when he didn't have to and Liu Qingge couldn't help but think, maybe he'd gotten some things wrong about his shixiong.

He turned his attention towards Shen Qingqiu's plate. Shen Qingqiu had eaten the rice at least, and some of the sliced pork, but he'd entirely avoided anything spiced. Liu Qingge hummed, then started taking things off his own plate and putting them on Shen Qingqiu's. Shen Qingqiu stared at him like he'd lost his mind but he ignored him and waved over the innkeeper instead.

"Bring more of the stir fried vegetables, but leave out the peppers."

The inn keeper looked pleased at the promise of more money from the wealthy cultivators and darted away to the kitchen with a quick nod of assent.

"What are you doing?" Shen Qingqiu hissed.

"If you can't eat something, just say so. Why do you have to be weird about it?"

"Why do I—" Shen Qingqiu's jaw clenched and he darted his head away. "Nevermind."

His lips were pulled into a pout and he refused to take even one glance in Liu Qingge's direction, but Liu Qingge felt pretty pleased with himself. Shen Qingqiu still didn't eat everything on his plate, nor did he finish what the innkeeper brought, but it was probably the most Liu Qingge had ever seen the man eat, so he'd call it a success.

Why Shen Qingqiu felt like he had to hide something as innocuous as being sensitive to certain foods though was a true mystery.

…

Liu Qingge was feeling even more pleased with himself as they made their way up to their room. He'd asked for something sweet on a whim and felt Shen Qingqiu nearly vibrate next to him. His face had been completely blank in the warm lantern light, but the tips of his ears had stayed pink as a bowl of tangyuan was placed in front of him.

He hadn't left a single bite.

Liu Qingge had always thought him so arrogant, but how strange he seemed to actually be after the single day they'd spent joined together. For Liu Qingge, things were simple: if he liked something, he liked it and if he didn't, he didn't. He had never seen the point in hiding things. But with Shen Qingqiu, he could barely tell what the man was thinking at the best of times and if he even hid a love of sweets under layers and layers of subterfuge, Liu Qingge really didn't know how he'd ever figure Shen Qingqiu out.

With the door shut to their plain, but serviceable room, another problem revealed itself. He really couldn't disrobe with one hand.

"We'll have to help each other." Liu Qingge waved a hand at his robes. Liu Qingge at least prioritized efficiency. His robes were high quality, but made to be put on quickly. Shen Qingqiu on the other hand…

"I'll just sleep like this," he said.

"You'll wrinkle the silk."

Shen Qingqiu's frown deepened.

"And what about your xiao-guan?" Liu Qingge asked.

A furrow started to form between Shen Qingqiu's brows.

"And your jewelry? Your hair pins?"

Shen Qingqiu grumbled something under his breath.

"I can—" Liu Qingge started.

"It's fine," Shen Qingqiu snapped. "It's fine. I'll help you and you help me. There's no need to make a big deal out of it."

Who's making a big deal out of it? Liu Qingge thought, but decided not to say out loud.

They maneuvered around each other, hands bumping into hands and fingers tangling in robes in unpracticed and uncoordinated movements. Shen Qingqiu managed to help Liu Qingge divest himself of everything but his inner robe in record time, but Shen Qingqiu had at least five more layers than Liu Qingge and each was belted and tied so tightly around his willowy frame that Liu Qingge swore they'd never get them off.

With every layer, Shen Qingqiu only seemed to get more tense rather than less, his shoulders rising towards his ears as Liu Qingge tugged a tie free and finally got to a white linen inner robe.

"Are you always like this?" He asked, as Shen Qingqiu's nails bit into his palm.

"Like what?" Shen Qingqiu asked.

"So on edge."

Shen Qingqiu glared at him but didn't answer. Instead, he turned his attention to try and unwind his xiao guan one-handed. It occurred to Liu Qingge that there may have been a more efficient way of keeping in physical contact with one another but it was probably too late to mention it now. Still, he was tempted to say something just to have Shen Qingqiu snap at him. After the awkwardness of the last half shichen, He almost preferred it when they fought; Shen Qingqiu was freer. Whenever they devolved into drawing swords or swinging fists, Shen Qingqiu would lose that cold exterior to reveal the blazing thing underneath.

Liu Qingge had always been too angry to notice, but now, standing with this quiet, uncomfortable version of Shen Qingqiu, Liu Qingge missed it.

"We should…" Shen Qingqiu started, his jaw working. "We should tie our hands together, so we don't lose contact in our sleep."

Liu Qingge nodded. That seemed reasonable enough. He swiped the ribbon that had been curled on Shen Qingqiu's xiao-guan off the side table, and they worked together to wrap it around their wrists, tying it tightly so it wouldn't slip away.

Satisfied, Liu Qingge blew out the lantern light then slid onto the bed, tugging Shen Qingqiu towards him. Shen Qingqiu stared at the empty space beside Liu Qingge for a long time, his expression invisible in the dark. He let out a long, drawn out sigh, then slid onto his back and stared directly at the ceiling. Liu Qingge waited to see if Shen Qingqiu would say anything, but he didn't and after a few moments, the day caught up to Liu Qingge and he slipped into sleep.

He awoke sometime late in the night to find Shen Qingqiu had moved. He sat with one hand still resting on the bed next to Liu Qingge, the other curled around his knees drawn close to his chest. He was resting his head on them, the full moon illuminating a silver slice of his pale face and the long dark fall of his hair. His lashes quivered as he stared out at the moon, unmoving save for the slow rhythm of his breaths.

In the soft haze of half sleep, Liu Qingge watched him until his eyes grew heavy again. As he started to drift off, he thought that Shen Qingqiu was actually quite pretty. If only he didn't look so unreachable.

…

They departed the inn not long after the sun rose. Dark circles curled under Shen Qingqiu's eyes and Liu Qingge wondered if he had slept at all. Well, one night would probably be alright even without being able to practice inedia. He'd just make sure Shen Qingqiu slept later.

Instead of the elaborate style he usually went with, Liu Qingge helped Shen Qingqiu tie his hair back into a simple tail and Shen Qingqiu returned the favor for him. He still insisted on all of his layers, but this time Liu Qingge had at least a little experience with them, though putting them on had been no easier than taking them off.

Through the morning, their journey was easy enough. There were not many travelers on the road, but the day was nice. A brilliant blue sky with scattered wisps of fluffy clouds stretched above them. The weather was mild as they made their way into spring and a breeze was blowing at their backs. Shen Qingqiu walked straight and rigid as a tree beside Liu Qingge, gaze focused ahead as if pure will would get them to Cang Qiong Mountain faster.

They stopped mid morning by a stream and Liu Qingge produced two fluffy bao from his sleeve. The innkeeper had handed them off to him this morning with a wink and a whispered "share them with your companion." He handed one to Shen Qingqiu who took it with a soft "thank you" and nothing more. He'd been quiet all day. Even his usual biting glares were absent. Liu Qingge wondered if the lack of sleep was getting to him.

They started walking again, passing through a thicker wooded area before coming out on a wide sweeping plane of tall grass and farmland. They both froze as the wind carried a sound back to them. Shouts. Galloping horses. Ringing metal.

"Did you hear that?" Shen Qingqiu said.

"Sounds like fighting," Liu Qingge replied.

Shen Qingqiu's lips thinned and he turned to face Liu Qingge for the first time since they'd left that morning.

"Be ready."

"Mn." Liu Qingge nodded.

As they cleared a bend in the road, the sound of fighting grew louder. The tall grass fell away and at once they saw what was causing the noise: a band of travelers in two carts pursued by a group of three bandits on horseback.

Shen Qingqiu's hand tensed in Liu Qingge's, still tied by the ribbon they'd been using the night before. Liu Qingge knew Shen Qingqiu would want to fight and, for once, they were in perfect agreement. Hand already going for the hilt of Cheng Luan, Liu Qingge darted forward. The tie on his wrist yanked and he was pulled up short. Shen Qingqiu yelped as they crashed into each other. Liu Qingge's hand grabbed Shen Qingqiu's waist as Shen Qingqiu flailed before his fingers caught onto Liu Qingge's robe. They turned in a circle, trying to regain their footing.

"What are you doing?!" Shen Qingqiu snapped.

"Fighting bandits."

"Then run the right direction, brute!"

Liu Qingge glared. "You run the right direction."

"You!" Shen Qingqiu yanked at Liu Qingge's hand and Liu Qingge yanked back. "You're so arrogant! Self-centered! You never think before charging off."

"You think too much," Liu Qingge spat. "We need to fight, so we fight. What's the issue?"

Shen Qingqiu's eyes blazed, mouth twisting. "Stupid, foolish—"

Liu Qingge yanked him forward. He pulled Shen Qingqiu against his chest as he leapt away. Shen Qingqiu's eyes went wide. An arrow flashed right where his head had been, imbedding itself into a tree. Time seemed to slow as Liu Qingge's gaze met Shen Qingqiu's. Understanding sparked between them. They turned in unison as the bandits bore down on them, their swords glinting in the midday sun.

Shen Qingqiu swept Xiu Ya from its sheath, the blade glowing a brilliant white light.

"You wish to fight," Shen Qingqiu called, raising his chin. "Then lets fight."

Without qi, a fight would be difficult, but Liu Qingge was not the Bai Zhan War God for no reason and Shen Qingqiu had always been vicious underneath all those layers of silk and cold expressions. Liu Qingge still remembered his early disciple days when they'd first sparred and, for a moment, he'd actually thought Shen Qingqiu would get the upper hand from sheer will alone.

They rushed forward together. Shen Qingqiu bent low so he could sweep his foot high, knocking the first bandit from his horse. Liu Qingge took on the second. He threw Cheng Luan like a spear, it's aim true as it sliced directly into the second bandit's chest. The man fell with a crash, spooking his horse. It ran towards the woods and vanished into the shadowed trees.

"Now we need to get your sword," Shen Qingqiu huffed.

"I can—" Liu Qingge stopped, frowning. Right. No qi.

"The other rider first."

Liu Qingge nodded. They ran in tandem and when Liu Qingge leapt to knock the man from his saddle, Shen Qingqiu bent, using his weight to pull Liu Qingge back around right after his foot collided with the bandit's face.

"Now your sword." Shen Qingqiu started running and Liu Qingge followed his lead. The bandit lay in a pool of blood on the road, Cheng Luan speared upwards from his chest. Liu Qingge's fingers gripped the hilt just as he felt Shen Qingqiu tug on his hand. He swept the blade up without thinking. Blood sprayed as Cheng Luan sliced across the first bandit's gut, and Shen Qingqiu finished the job, stabbing Xiu Ya straight through the man's heart.

Liu Qingge flicked the blood from his blade. Good, only one left. He looked up to scan for the last man. A glint of metal drew his eye. Blood pulsed through his veins, mind narrowing as the last bandit swung his blade. Liu Qingge yanked Shen Qingqiu back, wrapping a hand around his waist. Shen Qingqiu shouted as his back collided with Liu Qingge's chest. Liu Qingge ignored him, raising Cheng Luan to block the last bandit's sword. Metal rang out under the afternoon sun. Their swords glinted as Liu Qingge parried, then parried again, dragging Shen Qingqiu back with him with each step.

This bandit was either more skilled than the others or just luckier. Liu Qingge was forced back as he blocked blow after blow. He couldn't dodge while holding Shen Qingqiu and he hadn't yet found any opening. Shen Qingqiu's sword arm was pinned by Liu Qingge's hold so he couldn't raise Xiu Ya.

After another parry, Shen Qingqiu hissed out a, "sorry."

A moment later he dropped his whole weight and they both fell to the ground. Shen Qingqiu's fingers dug into the earth then he flung a handful of dirt up at the bandit. The man startled, swiping at his eyes. The fingers of Shen Qingqiu's bound hand wrapped hard around Liu Qingge's wrist. He dragged them both up, streaking forward, driving Xiu Ya straight through the bandit's chest. The man's eyes went wide. Blood spilled from his mouth. Then Liu Qingge kicked him and he slid off of Xiu Ya, collapsing against the ground. He twitched once, then again, then finally, he went still.

Shen Qingqiu sank back, his shoulder bumping into Liu Qingge's as he caught his breath.

"Nice trick," Liu Qingge said. Shen Qingqiu's jaw tightened.

"What, you want to die too? Tired of living?"

Liu Qingge blinked. "I was serious."

Shen Qingqiu blinked back. "What?"

"It worked," Liu Qingge shrugged. "It was a good trick."

"That's not what you said the last time I threw dirt in someone's face," Shen Qingqiu grumbled.

"When was—" Liu Qingge broke off as a shout cut through the air. They both tensed, then relaxed as they saw the traveler's carts winding back along the bend in the road. One of the travelers held the reigns of two of the horses as they walked along the path towards Liu Qingge and Shen Qingqiu, waving and grinning like they couldn't quite believe their luck..

Shen Qingqiu dusted himself off as best he could, but there wasn't much to be done about the stains on his robes. A streak of dirt coated high across his cheek and Liu Qingge frowned.

"Come here," he said, tugging at Shen Qingqiu's wrist. He swiped a finger across the dirt, watching as Shen Qingqiu's long lashes fluttered, his lips parting.

"Shidi…"

Liu Qingge froze, his thumb still pressed to Shen Qingqiu's cheek. His heart thumped. A nervous trill ran down his spine and he yanked his hand back.

"Dirt," he said. "On your face."

"Oh," Shen Qingqiu sheathed his sword and withdrew his fan, raising it high until only his eyes were visible. "Come on," he said, tugging Liu Qingge towards the approaching group. "We should see if they're injured."

Liu Qingge nodded but said nothing. His heart beat hard, palm beginning to sweat where it was joined with Shen Qingqiu's. He didn't know what was wrong with him all of a sudden, but he thought if he tried to open his mouth to speak, no words would come out.

…

The travelers insisted on giving them a ride to the next town. They'd tried to give them one of the bandit's horses as well, but Shen Qingqiu had refused even though Liu Qingge thought they could have gotten to Cang Qiong Mountain twice as fast on it. As they waved the travelers off, Shen Qingqiu turned to Liu Qingge.

"They'll use the horse better than we will. It's not like we need more of them on the mountain."

Liu Qingge frowned. He hadn't really considered this, but Shen Qingqiu was right. He was right about a lot of things, Liu Qingge realized. He was always more observant, it was just that Liu Qingge had never really paused long enough to notice, too caught up in his own less than stellar opinion of Shen Qingqiu. He could feel that shifting now with a uncomfortable twist in his gut.

They watched the travelers leave at the edge of town, then turned to make their way through the streets to find somewhere to stay. It was a bigger town, but not as busy as Liu Qingge would have expected, with a handful of people milling about on their way to here or there. They finally found an inn at the end of a long street. It's wooden facade and elegantly painted sign making even Shen Qingqiu lift his brows, impressed.

They walked into the inn and the innkeeper took one look at them. Her eyes lit up.

"Ah, xianshi, you've come to just the right place," she sang. "Our humble inn is fortunate enough to have access to a hot spring. I'm certain you'll find it acceptable after your travels."

Shen Qingqiu blanched, then tried to turn right back out of the door. "No."

Liu Qingge tugged him back. "You're covered in blood."

"No," Shen Qingqiu repeated.

"What's wrong with you?" Liu Qingge said. "We'll just take a bath together."

"I—" Shen Qingqiu flushed up to his ears. His eyes darted to the inn keeper who was looking between them with a strangely growing smile. He leaned in to whisper to Liu Qingge. "I am not taking a bath with you."

Liu Qingge frowned, considered for a moment, then thrust his arm out to the inn keeper.

"I have a coin purse in my sleeve."

Her smile grew. "As xianshi says."

Shen Qingqiu's shoulders climbed higher before he darted his head away, refusing to look at the innkeeper or Liu Qingge as the payment was sorted out.

She showed them their room first, then led them through the back of the inn to the entrance to the hot spring. Liu Qingge could feel the warm, humid air flowing back towards him, his muscles already starting to relax in response.

"It's our off season," the inn keeper said. "You'll have the whole thing to yourselves." Liu Qingge's brow furrowed as her tone lilted up. "Take as much time as you need." She shot a wink at him, then vanished back into the inn, leaving the two of them alone.

Shen Qingqiu watched her go then rooted himself to the spot. He didn't seem like he would be moving anytime soon. He stared down at his shoes, his frown deepening by the moment.

"Come on." Liu Qingge squeezed his hand.

"No," Shen Qingqiu said.

Liu Qingge looked him over, at the blood coating his cheeks and the dirt in his hair. He'd be unhappy if Liu Qingge let him stay like this.

"Shixiong, let's go."

Shen Qingqiu's fingers tightened in response. "Calling me shixiong now after all these years."

"Come on." When Liu Qingge pulled this time, Shen Qingqiu let himself be tugged through the entrance to the hot spring.

Immediately, Liu Qingge started pulling at his sash, dropping it to the side once it was undone, then toeing off his shoes and working on the ties of his pants.

"It's a good thing you had so many layers," he said. "You'll have something that isn't stained somewhere underneath." Shen Qingqiu had yet to move a single muscle. Liu Qingge turned back to him. "Do you need help?"

"No, I do not need help!" Shen Qingqiu smacked his hand away. "I just—" His eyes darted to the slowly rippling water.

"You just what?" Liu Qingge cocked a brow. "I bathe with our martial siblings all the time during missions."

"Well, I don't!" Shen Qingqiu snapped.

Liu Qingge cocked his head. "Do they not do that on Qing Jing?"

Shen Qingqiu's lips turned down. "I don't know. Maybe."

Liu Qingge considered how to reply to that, but at last admitted defeat. It's not like it really mattered what they did or didn't do on Qing Jing Peak anyway.

"Do you want me to close my eyes?"

Shen Qingqiu's head whipped back up to stare at him before he dropped his gaze again. Liu Qingge thought he was getting better at this, reading Shen Qingqiu.

He hummed, then shut his eyes. "You still need help right? You can't do it one handed."

Shen Qingqiu was quiet. The ripple of the water suffused the air. Somewhere nearby, wind chimes clinked in the breeze.

"Mn," Shen Qingqiu mumbled.

Liu Qingge tugged him closer, then dragged a hand down Shen Qingqiu's chest, searching for the tie of his sash. His fingers bumped Shen Qingqiu's, the coolness of his skin leeching into Liu Qingge's, making him shiver. They worked in tandem the same way they had when they fought, the humid air beginning to make Liu Qingge sweat. Shen Qingqiu pulled the tie around their hands free so they could switch sides, helping to push off the rest of their robes. Liu Qingge felt Shen Qingqiu bend to drape everything over a nearby rock, then he was tightening his grip around Liu Qing he's hand, guiding him towards the water.

The first touch was almost too warm, wrapping around Liu Qingge's ankles and then his thighs with a stinging ripple. But he adjusted quickly, sinking down to his shoulders with a sigh. There came a small splash as Shen Qingqiu slipped in beside him, water sloshing over Liu Qingge's shoulders as his shixiong sunk deeper. Even Shen Qingqiu was unable to prevent the soft huff of breath as he submerged himself.

"You can open your eyes now," he said after a moment.

Liu Qingge cracked his eyes open. Shen Qingqiu's narrow shoulders were the only part of his body visible over the glimmering surface of the water, the steam concealing anything underneath. He'd let his hair down and it drifted over the water in curls like ink, the humidity turning his cheeks a soft pink. Liu Qingge swallowed, his heart quickening again. He looked away, fingers spasming around Shen Qingqiu's in the water. He felt a rush of dizziness, unsure of why there was some jittery current running through him at just the sight of Shen Qingqiu. They were sitting close enough for their knees to touch under the water and Liu Qingge was reminded that Shen Qingqiu was naked. Completely bare. He swallowed hard as his gut pulsed with warmth.

Liu Qingge forced himself to lean back against the smooth stone wall of the spring, frowning as Shen Qingqiu continued to sit rigid and unmoving. At least this was something for Liu Qingge to focus on.

"Why don't you ever relax?" He tugged at Shen Qingqiu's hand.

Shen Qingqiu shot a glare at him before he plopped back against the edge of the spring with a splash of water. "Is that better, shidi?"

Liu Qingge cocked his head, then nodded. "Mn."

Shen Qingqiu rolled his eyes, but after a moment, he let his head drop back against the smooth stone, submerging even farther into the water. Liu Qingge followed suit, closing his eyes and letting his thoughts drift. It was relaxing, especially after having traveled so far. It wasn't that he wasn't up to the task, but without qi, everything was so much harder. Plus, only having one free hand made things complicated. He frowned, thumb starting to stroke idly over Shen Qingqiu's, swirling small currents of water over their hands. They actually didn't work badly together. It was more difficult, sure, but when they had fought earlier, Liu Qingge had found they were more in-tune than he'd expected.

Plus, he could tell so much more about Shen Qingqiu just by holding his hand. His shixiong kept everything so hidden behind that cold as ice exterior that it was like being given a tiny peek through the falling snow at the landscape stretching beyond.

"You fought well," he said.

Shen Qingqiu snorted. "Surprised?"

"No," Liu Qingge paused. "Mmm, yes."

Shen Qingqiu cracked an eye open, lips pouting. "I do in fact train, shidi."

"I know," Liu Qingge's brow furrowed. "I meant, I was surprised we fought well together. I liked it."

"Oh." Shen Qingqiu's lips parted and he glanced away. "I… I liked it, too." The silence stretched for another long moment before he added. "You also fought well. It is clear how much you love the sword. You are unparalleled, even without your qi."

Liu Qingge's heart fluttered, his ears going hot. He didn't think he'd ever actually received a compliment from Shen Qingqiu. Shen Qingqiu glanced at him and his lips quirked up at the corner. Liu Qingge's face burned. He didn't think he'd ever seen Shen Qingqiu smile like that either. His foot tapped under the water as that nervous winding trill ran back through him.

"Shidi?" Shen Qingqiu cocked his head, the fan of his dark lashes framing his pale eyes. Liu Qingge swallowed hard, then suddenly dunked himself under the water.

…

They stayed in the hot spring until they were both soaked through, Shen Qingqiu relaxing little by little. When they decided to get out, he'd apparently forgotten his insistence that Liu Qingge close his eyes. As he swept his hair back, the long dark strands parted to reveal the pale sweep of his back. He was thinner than Liu Qingge had expected. But what drew Liu Qingge's eye more were the paper-thin scars littering his skin. Liu Qingge frowned as his gaze tracked the space. How deep they must have been, if even his cultivation practice had not healed them. High on his shoulder was a raised mark, rippled like a burn. It was the character for nine.

Shen Qingqiu paused as he wrang out his hair and Liu Qingge slammed his eyes shut before he could be caught looking. Shen Qingqiu's fingers tensed around his. Liu Qingge waited, unmoving as he felt Shen Qingqiu's gaze on him. The moment stretched.

"Shixiong?" He asked.

Shen Qingqiu made a soft noise. "Really. After all this time. What a fool you are." He relaxed again, the sound of water from his hair dripping into the pool filling the air as he returned to work.

Liu Qingge's gut twisted. Shen Qingqiu, once Shen Jiu before he'd been named successor, had always said the Jiu was written with the character for "black jade." It was a strange name, but Liu Qingge had never questioned it.

The strangeness resurfaced now along with a sudden, cold understanding. Liu Qingge knew he was not the most observant person. He did not pick up on social cues despite all his mother's training, and though he traveled often, he thought he probably knew very little of the world outside of how he'd been raised. Even so, it did not take much to put the clues together. Shen Qingqiu's cold nature, his wariness, the way he was wound so tight he seemed like he might crack at any moment. Even more subtle things seemed to come together in light of that one character scarred on his back. Shen Qingqiu had always seemed so arrogant, never following the proper etiquette, overly concerned with his appearance like he was a preening peacock. He wore the mask of a young master well, just like he wore cold aloofness like his second nature. But Liu Qingge had already seen through the latter. He only wondered how it had taken him so long to see through the former.

…

They readied for bed in a dance that was becoming familiar. Each helping the other to slide off robes and untie sashes until they were dressed down to their inner robes. This room was nicer than the last one had been, the breeze from the garden outside bringing the scent of gardenia and roses to suffuse the room. One wall was painted with a delicate mural of mountain peaks that reminded Liu Qingge of home and he stared at it for a long moment before returning back to his task. They slid into bed together, the sheets feeling soft and smooth and comfortable after the long soak in the springs.

Liu Qingge wondered if Shen Qingqiu would lay awake again tonight, but after he'd rebound their hands, Shen Qingqiu dropped off even before Liu Qingge, breaths evening as his body sank into the bed. Liu Qingge thought he must have been tired. Unable to practice inedia, even Shen Qingqiu couldn't stay awake night after night during their journey home. Still, Liu Qingge was careful not to jostle him as he settled.

He watched Shen Qingqiu's elegant profile in the dark as the moonlight disappeared behind clouds. Rain started to patter the window and the roof tiles outside, snuffing out the light entirely. Liu Qingge rubbed his thumb over the back of Shen Qingqiu's hand, listening to his shixiong's slow, even breaths and wondering what else he'd missed about Shen Qingqiu in the long years they'd known each other.

He did not know when he fell asleep but he awoke suddenly in the dark to Shen Qingqiu's tossing and turning. His muscles were tense as he whimpered, the fingers around Liu Qingge's hand shaking.

"Hey—" Liu Qingge rocked up, his free hand curving around Shen Qingqiu's shoulder to shake him awake.

Shen Qingqiu's's body trembled, his breaths quickening as he whimpered again.

"Shen Qingqiu." Liu Qingge shook him again. "Hey! Shen Qingqiu—"

Shen Qingqiu gasped as he jolted up in the dark, hand tugging at Liu Qingge's as if he was trying to free himself. His other hand slapped against Liu Qingge's hold on his shoulder.

"Stop—" He gasped, struggling. "Don't—"

"Hey!" Liu Qingge felt his hand start to slip free of the silk tie. He jolted, then pinned Shen Qingqiu's wrist to the bed, his free hand coming up to cup Shen Qingqiu's cheek.

"No!" Shen Qingqiu trembled undeneath him, palm smackinging against Liu Qingge's chest as he squirmed.

"Shen Qingqiu!" Liu Qingge pressed harder, trying to hold him still. "Qingqiu, it's me."

"What?" A tremor ran through Shen Qingqiu's body, but he stilled. Liu Qingge let out a sigh of relief.

"It's me," Liu Qingge repeated. "It's Liu Qingge."

Liu Qingge could make out just the lines of Shen Qingqiu's face in the dark. His muscles were still tight under Liu Qingge's hands, his breathing too quick to be normal.

"Qingqiu—"

"Get off of me!" Shen Qingqiu shoved him. Liu Qingge rocked back onto his side of the bed and Shen Qingqiu let out a shuddery breath in response. "Why are you pinning me down like some beast? Huh?" The silence stretched. Liu Qingge did not move, unsure of what he was supposed to do. Shen Qingqiu snapped. "What? Just say what you're thinking. How foolish for the Qing Jing Peak Lord to have nightmares?"

"I don't think that," Liu Qingge said. Shen Qingqiu made a tsking noise but fell silent. He was still too tense, minute tremors running down to where their hands connected. Liu Qingge hadn't had a nightmare in some time, but when he was young, he'd been plagued by them. His dreams were full of dark shapes and looming doors, rooms full of people all expecting things he couldn't understand. His parents had never chastised him if he ran to their room. They'd just pull him into bed, settled him between them and held him close until his mind calmed and he could sleep again.

He couldn't just let Shen Qingqiu stay like this, shaking from some dream. Liu Qingge shifted closer, a little at a time. He could feel Shen Qingqiu's gaze on him even in the dark, but when Liu Qingge reached out, Shen Qingqiu didn't pull away. He wrapped his arm around Shen Qingqiu's back, pressing their joined hands to his chest as he tucked Shen Qingqiu close, his head pressed to the crown of Shen Qingqiu's head.

Shen Qingqiu shivered, every muscle wound tight like he was trying to decide whether to run or not. Liu Qingge stroked a hand down his back, running it up and down across the smooth linen until, little by little, Shen Qingqiu sank into his arms.

The sound of the rain pattering outside filled the air . Liu Qingge inhaled the scent of Shen Qingqiu's hair, fresh from the bath. He could just pick out the smell of something floral, some oil he probably used, to keep the strands silky. It was nice, Liu Qingge thought, and shivered.

"You're not going to ask?" Shen Qingqiu pressed the words against Liu Qingge's shoulder.

"About what?"

"The nightmare."

Liu Qingge's brow furrowed. He wanted to know. Of course he did. But it had not occurred to him to fish for details even once.

"No… Did you want me to?"

"No," Shen Qingqiu huffed.

"Mn. Then I won't ask."

Shen Qingqiu's fingers twitched around Liu Qingge's. He sighed out a mumbled "foolish," before settling himself closer against Liu Qingge's chest. His arm slowly slid up to curl into Liu Qingge's robe, nose pressed into the joint of his shoulder. Liu Qingge swallowed hard as his heartbeat quickened, a strange fluttery feeling filling his chest.

It didn't dissipate even as Shen Qingqiu slipped back to sleep. And it remained as Liu Qingge's thoughts swirled, memorizing the feeling of Shen Qingqiu relaxed and loose in his arms. Sleep didn't come despite his tiredness until the rain stopped and the sun just started to peak over the horizon.

…

"Well, I am certainly glad you didn't get into any trouble on the way back," Mu Qingfang said as he looked Shen Qingqiu and Liu Qingge over. They were sitting on a day bed in Mu Qingfang's personal study, the sound of disciples going about their duties distant through the closed door. "The curse gets worse over time, so I'm certain that if you'd parted even for a moment by the third day, one of you would have qi deviated."

Liu Qingge watched as Mu Qingfang's gaze lingered on Shen Qingqiu, the implication clear. Shen Qingqiu was already prone to qi deviations, it most likely would have been him. Liu Qingge's gut twisted at the thought.

Mu Qingfang made quick work of stirring together some decoction and handed them both a cup of it.

"Drink this. It'll give a very brief boost to your qi that will burn out the curse."

Shen Qingqiu's eyes landed on Liu Qingge, his face impassive. Liu Qingge nodded back, squeezing his hand.

"It'll be fine," he said. "Don't be nervous."

"Who's nervous?" Shen Qingqiu glared before he downed the cup in one go, and Liu Qingge followed suit.

At first, nothing happened. Then, a sudden sharp pain spiked through Liu Qingge's body burning straight into his core. His fingers spasmed on Shen Qingqiu's as he swallowed down blood and bile. For a moment it was all he could think about. The sudden intensity of the pain overwhelming him. Then it vanished as fast as it had come, leaving him gasping at the sudden lack of it. He sucked in a breath as, for the first time in days, he felt his qi start to flow.

He turned immediately to his side. "Qingqiu?"

With the back of his hand, Shen Qingqiu wiped a streak of blood from his nose and mouth, his breathing shaky but even.

"Fine," he sighed. "I'm fine."

Liu Qingge squeezed his hand. "Good." Through their connection he could begin to feel the soft shimmer of Shen Qingqiu's qi flowing again as well and he made a pleased noise. Shen Qingqiu rolled his eyes, fingers twitching in Liu Qingge's hold.

"Hmm," Mu Qingfang hummed, then took a notebook and jotted something down with a piece of charcoal. "Interesting. You can let go now, you know?"

They both stared at him, then Shen Qingqiu froze. He ripped his hand away, folding his arms so both were now tucked into his sleeves. Liu Qingge watched his cheeks flush pink and felt his own go hot in turn. What was wrong with him? He didn't know why he was getting all flustered for no reason.

"Hmm," Mu Qingfang hummed again.

"What?" Shen Qingqiu snapped. "If you have something to say, then say it."

"Nothing," Mu Qingfang said. "Just observing the after effects of the curse. You're both fine to leave. If you have any symptoms in the next few days, be sure to come back." He paused, tipping his head. A small smile tugged up his lips. "Liu-shixiong."

"Yes?" Liu Qingge asked.

"If Shen-shixiong has any issues, make him come back and see me."

Liu Qingge blinked as Shen Qingqiu's face twisted, clearly working himself up into some sort of retort.

"I will," Liu Qingge said, cutting him off before he could.

Mu Qingfang's smile widened, looking just a little too smug.

…

Shen Qingqiu departed for his peak right away, leaving Liu Qingge with nothing to do but return to his own. It had only been a few days, but it was strange to now be walking along by himself without Shen Qingqiu right next to him. He couldn't stop flexing his empty fingers, or turning to tell Shen Qingqiu something only to find that he was alone. But Liu Qingge had never been one to sit idly and sulk, so he decided to work out his frustration by seeing if his disciples had kept up with their training while he had been gone.

As he knocked one disciple after the other off the training platform, he kept thinking about the last couple of days. Liu Qingge was certain he hadn't had that much close physical contact since he was a child, not even just occasional hand holding. He wasn't a very affectionate person and he had never thought it was something he cared about. But when Liu Qingge had laid in bed the night before with Shen Qingqiu curled against his chest, he couldn't help but think that it had been nice.

Maybe it had been good for Shen Qingqiu, too. Liu Qingge's face flushed and he forced himself to turn back to his groaning disciples.

Liu Qingge had dinner alone in his house as he usually did. He meditated afterwards like he usually did, then lay down to sleep. He wondered if Shen Qingqiu was doing the same. Or was he staying up late into the night so he didn't wake alone from whatever nightmares plagued him?

He knew he probably should let it go. Liu Qingge wasn't sure what just a few days could change between people who had fought every chance they got for years. He frowned up at his ceiling, his chest tight with some unnamed thing. His mind swirled around and around, each turn making his gut twist. He'd never been one to overthink things, and he didn't know why he was starting now.

Whenever he wanted to do something, he had always just done it.

Decision made, he threw off his covers and strode outside, still in just his inner robes. Cheng Luan thrummed in his hand as he swept it into the air, then hopped on, setting course straight for Qing Jing Peak.

Liu Qingge didn't have to figure out what he would do if it turned out Shen Qingqiu was asleep. His lantern was burning behind the paper screens, warm light spilling onto the moon soaked ground. He knocked on the front door and waited.

After a few moments, the door swung open. Shen Qingqiu had pulled a thick outer robe over his inner one, holding it closed to his chest. His long hair spilled loosely down his back, making him seem soft, like he'd just awoken. Liu Qingge's heart beat hard, a warm and shivery curl filling his belly at the sight.

"What are you doing here?" Shen Qingqiu narrowed his eyes, glancing back and forth between the empty path and the bamboo forest beyond Liu Qingge like he expected some trick.

"I came to sleep with you," Liu Qingge said.

Shen Qingqiu's mouth twisted as he shifted back, cheeks flushing.

"What’s wrong with you?" Liu Qingge cocked a brow. He'd expected Shen Qingqiu to be a little reticent, but not outright shocked. "We’ve been sleeping together for days"

Shen Qingqiu stared at him. Then he let out a long, low sigh. "Gods, what's wrong with you? Please stop saying it like that."

Liu Qingge shrugged. "Alright, I won't. Let me in."

Shen Qingqiu stared at him for a long moment. Liu Qingge stared back, wondering if he should just shove his way in. Shen Qingqiu hadn't told him to leave yet, and he wasn't even holding the door anymore, a small space open just to his side. If Liu Qingge had learned anything over the last few days it was this, Shen Qingqiu very rarely said what he actually wanted, but if Liu Qingge was observant enough, he could catch some hint. He was sure Shen Qingqiu wouldn't stop him if Liu Qingge shoved his way in, even if he grumbled about it.

Just as expected, Shen Qingqiu ran a hand down his face. "Fine, fine. It's not like I'll put you off. Stubborn brute."

He turned and strode off deeper into the Bamboo House without a backwards glance, his long robe gliding across the ground behind him in a ripple of rich green silk. Liu Qingge's lips quirked up and he stepped inside, shutting the door behind him.