Work Text:
Luo Binghe is sitting in class once again taking in the sight of their TA, Shen Yuan. The way his glasses slowly slide down his nose only for his slim hand to reach and push them back up. The way his hair is perfectly tossled. The way his peach blossom eyes squeeze together as those plush pink lips part in a small yawn.
Love weighs Luo Binghe down every time he looks for too long. Shen Yuan is always the most dazzling person in any room he's in. So it's no surprise that others might notice. Of course Luo Binghe isn't the only person who's gazing so lovingly.
When his eyes veer to his right he spots his upperclassman, Liu Qingge. His yearning for Shen Yuan is poorly hidden behind an attempt to keep a straight face. His softened gaze and pink tipped ears betray him.
We're the same
_____
After class Luo Binghe corners Liu Qingge.
"What do you want?" He grouses as he keeps shoving his things in his bag.
"I saw you staring. I'm not lacking in observation skills." Luo Binghe lingers by the desk.
Liu Qingge's eyes narrow slightly. "What of it?"
"You're in love with him." It's not a question but a fact.
Liu Qingge's head snaps up and he frowns. He's silent for a moment but notably doesn't deny it. "So are you. So would anyone with any sense." he finally says.
Luo Binghe also doesn't deny it.
_____
In the following weeks Luo Binghe finds himself being a bit clingy with Liu Qingge. He's constantly following him around, pestering him for any information he may have about Shen Yuan. Liu Qingge had known Shen Yuan for a year longer than Luo Binghe had so it was a reasonable ask in his mind.
"Why do you keep hounding me for information about Shen Yuan? What makes you think I'd want to share what I know with you?" Liu QIngge snaps as they sit eating lunch together one day.
Luo Binghe shrugs. "We're the same. We should have some camaraderie. Besides, I'll share with you too."
Liu Qingge seems to chew on that for a moment. "Fine. We can hang out this weekend and talk I guess."
Luo Binghe smiles and agrees easily. As they go back to eating quietly Luo Binghe once again notices the thin friendship bracelet around Liu Qingge's wrist. He realizes that as many questions as he's asked Liu Qingge he's never asked the man a question about himself. "What's up with that bracelet?"
"My meimei made it for me a long time ago. She wears a matching one."
Interesting. Maybe he should learn more? They may be the same but they're also competing and knowing your competition is never a bad thing.
_____
It's Shen Yuan's birthday and Luo Binghe is once again watching his love's glittering smile. When the love he feels starts to overwhelm him he turns away for a moment. As he looks around he spots Liu Qingge standing out on the balcony. Before he really thinks about it the door to the balcony is sliding open.
He steps up to the railing next to Liu Qingge and looks up at the shimmering stars and full moon. His gaze turns toward Liu Qingge and notes the furrow in his brow. He finds himself wanting to reach out and smooth it out. He's not sure what to do with that urge so he speaks instead. "Shen Yuan looks happy."
"Mn. He deserves to always be that way." Liu Qingge nods.
Luo Binghe waits for him to speak his mind. He doesn't have to wait long.
"I could never do that for him. He's so perfect and I'm…not."
Luo Binghe reaches out and covers Liu QIngge's hand that sits on the railing with his own, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I understand. I do. No one's good enough for him, not really."
_____
Luo Binghe wakes up to the sound of an annoying rhythmic beeping. He's trying to place where he's heard it before when he suddenly remembers where he'd just been. He'd been driving to the movies with Shen Yuan, excited to spend time with him, when suddenly someone ran a red light. He remembers Shen Yuan's scream and seeing the car headed for his side before nothing. His eyes snap open and dart around the hospital room. They land on a familiar face and he breathes a sigh of relief. There's no way Liu Qingge would be here if Shen Yuan had been hurt.
"Where's Shen Yuan?" he rasps out anyways.
Liu Qingge's head snaps up. "He went to get food. He's fine, just some cuts from the glass. They fixed him up hours ago."
Luo Binghe fully relaxes at the news. "Good."
Liu Qingge's face suddenly scrunches in irritation and he stands up to get close to his face. "You should care about your own well-being too. You've been unconscious for half a day. That's very serious."
Liu Qingge opens his mouth to keep lecturing him but Luo Binghe cuts him off by leaning up and pressing his lips to Liu Qingge's. Liu QIngge seems frozen in shock so Luo Binghe leans back down. "I know I'm not as perfect as him. I never will be and neither will you. But, I still want to be with you, to seek comfort in eachother." He has more to say, about how the idea of being with someone he feels he can truly deserve is a breath of fresh air, about how he sees himself in Liu Qingge and the affection he feels for him makes him feel like maybe one day he could learn to appreciate himself too, but this time it's Liu Qingge's turn to cut him off with a kiss.