Work Text:
Gongyi Xiao stares at the real Luo Binghe. His shidi has grown from a boy to a man, one that stands tall, towering over the Huan Hua Palace disciples grouped behind him.
Where once there was fluffy curls often tied with a green ribbon in a high ponytail now sits hair that as gone more straight, deflated of its curls and fluff.
Luo Binghe is dressed not in green like that of Qing Jing, nor of white and gold like the disciples around him, but of black. It makes him seem removed from Huan Hua despite the obvious way those disciples body language tells of held respect for him, admiration.
Even with the changes, the dark eyes gazing back at Gongyi Xiao are just the same. There seems to be a red tint growing within them the longer the two look at each other however.
Regardless, surely Shen Qingqiu will be able to tell that one man belongs and the other hasn't these past years.
Gongyi Xiao doesn't dare look. He can only assume that Shen Qingqiu will look at him—really look at him—and see that he does not belong here.
── ⋅ ⋅ ──── ⋅ ⋅ ──
Luo Binghe!?
When Shen Qingqiu first sees the second Luo Binghe, dressed in black and standing with Huan Hua Palace, his brain does a little chirp, his stomach fluttering, his feet itching to step forward and grab his lamb.
Look at how uncared for his hair looks, yet no one has taken action to bring life back into it! His current Luo Binghe has such fluffy hair, and it's only gotten more so with care he's provided. The relaxing life of no longer having to go out on night hunts or missions also helps significantly. It'd only be right to take what others are so obviously unfit to handle!
Shen Qingqiu gets one step out before this new Luo Binghe speaks causing him to halt.
"Shixiong replaced me after all," the second lamb speaks with a flat tone, gaze locked on Shen Qingqiu's leashed lamb.
What.
Shen Qingqiu looks between both lambs, confused. Despite the hair difference, the clothing, the… placement of sects, there's not much difference. Did he have a second Luo Binghe on his peak? Did he forget? Did he forget one of his own little lambs!?
The hand holding on to the leash tightens and tugs his current lamb closer. The weight is reassuring, reminding him he has the one, calming down the fearful gabble of thoughts that threaten to creep up at the very concept of forgetting someone so important.
"Binghe," he begins, tone a forced calm, gaze locked on the lamb standing in the wrong colors, crowd and wear. If he can just coax that lamb to his side, they'll be able to leave and return to the small hut together. All three of them.
It'll have to be expanded, the bed will need to be bigger. Will they need proper kitchen? Will two little lambs work together in one space? The thought of them fighting over who'd get to cook their meals is a little enduring however, ah…
"Shen Qingqiu!"
Oh no.
Tugging the leash of his lamb, Shen Qingqiu makes to run for it. Luo Binghe lags for a split second, but like the good boy he is, his legs are moving, following where Shen Qingqiu takes him.
Which isn't really anywhere at all! Seriously, why must his shidi be so insistent in chasing them like they're a pair of beasts on a night hunt. They only make it down an alleyway when another tug pulls them back. Shen Qingqiu would think it was his lamb lagging again, if not for the way his name rings out in anger, "Shen Qingqiu!"
Followed by a nervous whisper, "Liu-shishu, hello…"
Really, Shen Qingqiu begins to think to himself, turning around to meet the man eye to eye, would it actually kill his shidi to be less of a bloodhound!?
Shen Qingqiu feels a throbbing pain in his head when his eyes catch sight of his martial brother's hand on his Little Lamb.
Binghe is gone, the bamboo house empty save for the visits from Mu Qingfang, Yue Qingyuan.
Shen Qingqiu doesn't want to talk to them, he just wants to know where his little lamb went. Binghe didn't come home yesterday- He was supposed to be home before nightfall.
Where is he? Where is he? Where is he!!?
"Shen Qingqiu!?"
"Shizun!"
The people he trusted, the people he had a little fondness for decided without his input that the best thing for him was sending Binghe away. They sent him away and dared to claim it was for Shen Qingqiu's own good! That they were thinking only of his health!
There won't be a second time.
There won't, there won't, there won't, THERE WO-
A tug on his clothing and a cry finally catch his attention, "Shizun, please! You're scaring this Binghe!"
"Binghe-"
Coming back to himself Shen Qingqiu takes in Xiu Ya crossed with Cheng Luan. He doesn't realize it immediately, but he's panting and he feels sweat beading against his forehead.
Liu Qingge stares at him with shocked concern. "Have you been possessed?" His gaze flickers to Luo Binghe, suspicion taking front stage.
"Don't look at him!" Shen Qingqiu does not give himself time to feel a bit apologetic for attacking his shidi in a blind state of mind. Instead, attacking again with a qi blast that sends the War God stumbling back, Shen Qingqiu lifts his Little Lamb with a single arm and books it around a corner out of the alley.
"Binghe's safe," he says in an attempt to reassure his Little Lamb. "Binghe's safe now."
· · ─ ·· ─ · ·
Lambs really are so cute! Shen Qingqiu feels like a shepherd with how the other lamb decided to pay him a nightly visit. Ah, pay his first lamb and him a nightly visit that is.
The only thing that isn't so cute is how the second growls and glares at the first even with Shen Qingqiu cradling his face!
Really, it'd be so much easier if everyone got along now that they're here.
Together. In the dead of night. In some building out of fairly good range from the one he spotted his shidi go into.
The root cause of the issue has already been found to be sower demons by the Huan Hua group. Liu Qingge should be taking care of them with whomever else—if Luo Binghe, the second lamb, hasn't done so already. Even if he hasn't, this is the perfect opportunity to book it!
"Binghe," his tone soft, gaze flickering between both the lambs, "We have to leave the city. Tonight."
"But Shizun, what about the others?"
"Shizun wants to leave with him?"
Sillies. Shen Qingqiu gently pats Luo Binghe's face. "One, I admire my Binghe's want to stay for the others, but they can handle it themselves. They've surely done more without this master and his disciple. Two, my dear second Binghe, I want to leave with you both. Look at you! Those fools in Huan Hua obviously aren't appreciating you enough. Shizun is glad you made your way to me."
Luo Binghe bites his lips, eyes moving to the other Luo Binghe, then returning to Shen Qingqiu. There's a considering look to them along with something else that Shen Qingqiu can't decipher.
It doesn't matter in the end.
"This disciple was only with Huan Hua in order to find Shizun… he would like to leave with Shizun now." Luo Binghe squints at the other Luo Binghe, "And anyone else Shizun wishes to bring along."
Jumping with glee is too embarrassing for someone like Shen Qingqiu, so instead he hops in place three times. "Pack whatever you have, we'll find a way to leave after."
Luo Binghe the second gives a small smile, "There's nothing to pack that won't be found with Shizun eventually."
· · ─ ·· ─ · ·
Gongyi Xiao gives Luo Binghe an apologetic bow. "This shixiong is sorry for what has become of Shizun. I had thought I was helping him, but I think it only caused more issues…"
Humming, Luo Binghe looks down at the leashes both of them are attached to, the ends tied securely elsewhere, long enough for them both to wander the secluded house but not long enough to wander outside. Shizun had only tied them to it after coming to the conclusion that neither of his lambs should go out in case they were kidnapped, instead leaving himself to collect supplies.
Unlikely for Luo Binghe given his heritage and power, but to be kept in the home is… It makes his heart beat and soar so high it sends him into a state of pure bliss. To think he spent so much time planning on how to make Shen Qingqiu accept him again just for the solution to be as simple as showing himself for the man to take him away, lock him up, and constantly refer to him as something owned. A lamb, his Binghe.
Sharing with Gongyi Xiao is annoying, but it is nothing new. Luo Binghe shared back when they were both younger and Shizun had wanted Luo Binghe to have a friend. He doesn't know the exact way Gongyi Xiao wormed his way into Shen Qingqiu's bamboo hut, how he convinced Shizun it was a good idea, but it somehow paid off in the end regardless. Who else would be willing to play an act than someone who lived close with Shen Qingqiu?
In short, Luo Binghe is happy with this outcome. "Shixiong only did what he thought was best, so this shidi will not blame him." After all, he's once more Shizun's. All he has to focus on now is displaying his affections.