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Shen Jiu stares at the quickly retreating back of his previously cowardly shidi. He never expected an outburst of that size from the little rat, of all people.
Liu Qingge seems just as shocked, though Shen Jiu can feel his eyes locked on him.
They stand there for a moment, Shen Jiu looking off into the distance and Liu Qingge looking at him. Eventually Shen Jiu breaks the awkward silence.
"I'm… sorry." Saying the words reminds him of grinding his teeth in frustration when he had no other way to express it. "I should have tried harder. To show you the truth."
Shen Jiu can hear the sharp intake of breath beside him but keeps his eyes firmly on the horizon.
"I'm sorry as well," Liu Qingge says after a pause. "I should've made more of an effort to get to know you." He stops there, but something about the silence tells Shen Jiu he has more to say.
He risks a glance to the side and locks eyes with Liu Qingge, whose eyes widen in surprise before they find the ground. A heavy red blush appears on his ears, catching Shen Jiu off guard.
"And…" Liu Qingge mumbles, then speaks clearer but faster, "I'm really sorry I accused you of trying to kill me that was really stupid of me."
Shen Jiu blinks, turning to more fully stare down Liu Qingge. His shidi manages to blush harder at the sudden attention, but squares his shoulders and meets Shen Jiu's gaze head-on.
"…thank you," Shen Jiu finally settles on. Shit. Is it his turn to be vulnerable now..? "…we probably shouldn't leave Shang Fei alone for too long. We can talk more at the sect? Arrange a time to meet up, sit down, and talk things through?"
Liu Qingge nods, relief flooding his face. He sticks his hand out. "Friends for now?"
That— seems a bit fast. Is that just how noble kids work? Or perhaps it's just how Liu Qingge works. Regardless, Shen Jiu nods back, shaking Liu Qingge's hand. "Friends for now."