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Dawn was coming and Luo Binghe slowly peeled himself from his precious Shizun, careful not to disturb his slumber. They had spent all night “practicing” after Luo Binghe begged , pleaded, and insisted he still wasn’t good enough, and like he always did Shen Qingqiu gave in. He eyed the other man’s body, admiring it for a second before running to fix a delicious breakfast for him.
He hummed happily to himself, planning the day they would spend together. The past few weeks it had just been him and his Shizun and he couldn’t be happier. He actually enjoyed this domestic life together. Even when that idiot Shang Qinghua stopped by unannounced it hadn’t done too much to foul up his mood the other day. He had still left, leaving Luo Binghe’s Shizun all to himself.
With perfect timing he brought out two bowls of congee for him and his Shizun to enjoy together. He tried to be extra touchy and cuddly as they ate but Shen Qingqiu hit him in the head with his fan to stop him. “Not now.” He chided as he ate, though Luo Binghe could see the blush on his cheeks.
Try as he might, his Shizun couldn’t hide anything from Luo Binghe. He knew how to get what he wanted. He made his eyes as big as he could, tears welling up. “Did I displease you? Was breakfast not delicious?” The tears fell down his face, “I can go back and make it again and again, just so Shizun does not have to eat the horrors that I made…”
“Oh stop it.” Shen Qingqiu patted his head with his free hand and Luo Binghe beamed. He grabbed his hand and moved it to his lips to kiss his fingers and up his arms. “Stop!” Shen Qingqiu insisted but he didn’t pull his arm away until there was a knock on the side of the door.
“Am I interrupting?” Came a voice that annoyed Luo Binghe on principle. He looked up at the only man who would dare come between him and his Shizun. Liu Qingge looked down at them, a burning dislike in his eyes that Luo Binghe returned.
Shen Qingqiu pulled his arm free and immediately posed behind his fan to compose himself as if Liu Qingge didn’t just see them being so scandalous. Luo Binghe knew it fooled no one but he sat back so Shen Qingqiu could pretend that he ignored it. Though judging by his glare at Luo Binghe he wasn’t going to. Luo Binghe glared back.
“To what do I owe the honor, Shidi?” Shen Qingqiu asked, ever the poser. But Luo Binghe didn’t mind. Only he knew who Shizun truly was, and he loved that man more than anything. Not like this idiot who only had feelings for the act Shizun put on.
“There are several beasts causing problems in the Cloud Lotus Forest.” Liu Qingge pulled out a map to indicate the area. “Normally I would handle it myself, but I have other urgent matters to attend to and my disciples are spread thin.” He cast a glare at Luo Binghe as if it was his fault all of this was happening, as if Luo Binghe controlled all the beasts and demons himself. He probably could if he wanted to, to be honest, but he would much rather spend his days with Shizun.
“What kind of monsters?” Shen Qingqiu asked, ignoring the tense air between the two other men. It was probably better that way, otherwise he would get nothing done.
“Four Spiked Untamed Beast. At least two, I am concerned they have mated and are making more. This should not be put off so thus I have come to you…” There were unspoken words in there that Luo Binghe knew that Liu Qingge would never in a million years admit. He came to Shizun because everyone knew Luo Binghe could handle the issue in minutes.
He thought about the Cloud Lotus Forest. He knew about it, of course. It was named after how the fog in the area would cover the lakes between the trees, as if the lotus pods themselves were growing in the clouds. It might be a romantic place to be with Shizun for a bit... no one else around after he defeated this Untamed Beast. They could do all sorts of things and practice without worrying about anyone. He might even brew some wine to bring.
Shen Qingqiu glanced at Luo Binghe before turning back to Liu Qingge, “I believe it is something we can handle. We will leave first thing in the morning.”
Liu Qingge nodded and pointed to another point on the map, “There is a cottage here, built ages ago but it is suitable for sheltering you while you handle this.” He avoided looking at them. Luo Binghe’s fingers went to Shen Qingqiu’s thigh, he was probably thinking about how Luo Binghe was going to defile his Shizun while they were there and he would be right.
Shen Qingqiu and Liu Qingge planned more while Luo Binghe half listened, this all felt unnecessary and like Liu Qingge was stalling so he wouldn’t leave Shizun alone with him. It was starting to get incredibly annoying when Shen Qingqiu finally had Ming Fan come and escort the peak lord out.
“I thought he would never leave!” Luo Binghe whined and plopped his head into Shen Qingqiu’s lap. “It feels like he wastes our time intentionally.”
He nuzzled along Shizun’s thigh and got bwapped in the face with the fan. “Stop that!” Shen Qingqiu chided once again.
“But he interrupted us!” Luo Binghe sat up, eyes wide and sad. “Unless… this disciple’s time is worth less than that of Shizun’s shidi… am I still not good enough? Does this disciple need to go out and practice while Shizun plans for our journey?”
“You know that is not true.” Shen Qingqiu sighed. That was exactly what Luo Binghe was waiting for. Luo Binghe leaned in to kiss him, to pick up where they had left off earlier.
After a very busy night of papapa, Luo Binghe and Shen Qingqiu took off together to the Cloud Lotus Forest. Luo Binghe had insisted they share the same sword, so he could keep Shizun safe from falling and not as an excuse to continue holding him for as long as he could.
Even with flight it took them a few hours to find the small house that Liu Qingge had pointed out and both of them were relieved to see it… until they got close. The place was run down, and dirty. Luo Binghe noticed some beetles crawling around in the dark corners as well. He frowned and went to light up some lanterns. “Rest Shizun, this disciple will clean this place up.” He promised and immediately went to clear a spot for Shen Qingqiu so he could sit down on something not covered in a thick coat of dust.
“Has no one been here in so long?” Shen Qingqiu used his sleeve to keep dust from making him cough and sneeze as Luo Binghe started cleaning up, focusing on the small kitchen area.
“That bastard Liu Qingge probably knew this was like this. He could have sent one of his pathetic disciples to come clean at least if they aren’t strong enough to handle a few untamed beast!” Luo Binghe snapped, carrying a bucket out to a well to fill it up. Just thinking about him was enough to piss him off today. He ruined their time yesterday and now sent them to this house that would probably be better firewood than a shelter!
He deeply regretted not just killing the man in one of his many attempts to steal Shizun’s body away from him. Who did he think he was? What gave him the right to Shizun’s body? Luo Binghe alone was the one Shizun loved.
Right?
The doubt crossed his mind as he cleaned and prepared the cooking area, grabbing what ingredients they had brought to start chopping.
But then Shizun did seem rather friendly with the others, and they all cared for him. Wherever they went people swarmed around Shizun. It was exacerbated when they returned to Qing Jing peak, with all the disciples practically throwing themselves at Shizun. It was shameless how much they wanted his attention when it should only be on his most loving and devoted disciple!
His face was dark as he chopped away. Something about him must have drawn Shizun’s attention as the peak lord got up and went to him. “Binghe… are you really that upset? We can find better accommodations in a town tomorro-” His voice cut out as Luo Binghe turned to look at him. He took a step back, fear behind the concern he had earlier.
Fear. Just like when Luo Binghe had just come out of the Endless Abyss. Shizun couldn’t even stand to look at him and just ran away like he was a monster. Did Shizun still secretly think of him like that? Was he only here out of fear? Did he not love him? “You ran.” Slipped out of his mouth.
“What?” Shen Qingqiu frowned. “Binghe, I am right here. I didn’t run. What are you talking about?”
“YOU RAN!” Luo Binghe’s anger was roaring hot. He wasn’t thinking clearly. It was like every annoyance, every negative thought, was consuming him all at once. Shen Qingqiu took a step back, clearly afraid. This only added fuel to the anger inside of him but also made him feel guilty for pushing his Shizun away. He wanted him to comfort him, hold him… pat his head. But he also wanted to make him suffer and hurt for all the pain.
“What is with you?” Shizun tried to keep his voice steady but there was a shake. “I told you I am not running again. We’re married, Binghe. What more can I do?”
Luo Binghe threw the knife he was using to chop, it missed Shizun like he intended but the man gave a yell and fell to his ass as he shook in terror. Luo Binghe turned to leave. He didn’t know what was wrong with him but he knew he couldn’t be here.
He had to make it up to him. He would prove himself to Shizun. He would find those untamed beast and bring their heads to him before dawn. Then Shizun would be so proud and happy with him that this will all be forgotten and they could be back to how they were.
His hand went to the jade pendant around his neck, touching it in the cool night air helped calm him down. With his focus reset he went to handle their mission, and he would do it better than Liu Qingge ever would.
A few hours and a lot of blood later, Luo Binghe was carrying the furs of the untamed beast and the small whelps they had made back to the cottage. He wanted to use them to make something for Shizun as a peace offering. He felt incredibly guilty about his outburst earlier. He had a moment of weakness and took it out on his beloved husband.
He set the furs down and went to quietly poke his head into the building, seeing if Shizun was there and asleep. Much to his surprise the whole place had been cleaned, it wasn’t as spotless as he would have gotten it but it was clear Shizun had put in a lot of time into it. In fact, Shizun was asleep leaning against the wall, as if he had passed out while cleaning.
It did a lot to make the place feel better. Luo Binghe didn’t feel any irritation walking in. He knew he should just let his Shizun sleep after all his hard work but he couldn’t help but move to lay down next to him and hold him. Shen Qingqiu stirred and looked at him, eyes barely able to open from sleepiness. “I’m sorry.” Luo Binghe told him, squeezing him tight. In response Shen Qingqiu reached out and patted his head before falling back asleep. Luo Binghe felt tears well up in his eyes. Shizun wasn’t mad at him, in fact he seemed to have no ill will towards him. He truly was a great man who Luo Binghe loved with all his heart. He cuddled up close and fell asleep holding his beloved Shizun.
He woke up before Shen Qingqiu again, and went to make breakfast for him. If he was lucky Shizun would wake up after he was done. But it seems the smell was too good and soon Shen Qingqiu was awake and approaching him. “You're feeling better. Good…” He yawned behind his fan.
Luo Binghe turned around and immediately got on his knees. “This disciple has shamed himself. I lost control of my temper and scared you… when you have done nothing wrong, and you forgave me.” The tears came up again. “This disciple does not deserve your love and deserved your-” He felt the familiar feeling of the fan hitting his face.
“Stop that. This wasn’t your fault.” Shen Qingqiu admonished and went to grab a basket that hadn’t been put away before he passed out. “Look in here.”
Luo Binghe did as he was told. Inside were a bunch of dead beetles, the ones he had seen when they first arrived. But now he was looking at them closer he realized, the beetles had human faces instead of jaws and their black exoskeletons had red demonic markings on the underside. “What are these?”
“Raging Fire Bugs.” Shen Qingqiu went to dump the bodies into the fire. “A very minor beast, they invade old homes and fill the area with negative energy, as they feast on the rage and ire of people. Usually couples. They have led to many divorces. You… seemed particularly sensitive to them. I realized what it might have been after you left so I went to exterminate the pests and clean the place to ensure I got them all.”
Luo Binghe went up and wrapped his arms around Shizun, holding him close. “My Shizun is so smart. How did you know them but I didn’t sense a thing?”
Shen Qingqiu tried to squirm free but Luo Binghe’s grip was too tight so he resigned himself to being stuck in his arms. “They don’t like to be noticed, and you were so overwhelmed with your anger I doubt you would have noticed even if they had been more noticeable. Let me go!”
Luo Binghe looked at him, looking like the very definition of hurt innocence. “You are right. I don’t deserve to hold you. I will finish cooking and then go out and chop down enough wood to completely restore this building and hunt and gather so Shizun has only the freshest meals. And then maybe Shizun can start to want my touch again.”
Shen Qingqiu looked away and mumbled something. Luo Binghe heard it but wanted him to say it more clearly. “What was that? This disciples ears must be failing in his shame…”
“I said there is no need. Now let’s finish breakfast and then we can handle the untamed beast… and then we can see what else we can do today.”
“Like exploring more ideas I have had after reading those stories.”
Shen Qingqiu opened the fan to cover his face. “Perhaps.”
Luo Binghe jumped up to his feet to go back to cooking the congee. “The untamed beast are dead and in the front yard. I have a lot of ideas. You liked the wine bottle so I was thinking you also might like… Shizun are you listening? Shizun?” He turned around and saw that Shizun had fallen back asleep. It made sense, he had been awake most the night and barely got any sleep. Luo Binghe would just have to tell him about the idea of what else they could use later.