#ding ding ding

I told myself I wasnt going to finish this, and yet a whole month later Ive somewhat finished it. Sigh

This took me about nine and a half hours and I'm pretty proud of it! I hate this guy.

Shen Qingqiu knows that something is wrong. He doesn’t know what is wrong in particular, but sometimes is definitely off.

He walks just a little slower than usual, Luo Binghe matching his pace at his side easily.

It almost feels like a Without-A-Cure blockage, only it’s not uncomfortable nor does it restrict his wi in any way. Shen Qingqiu also doesn’t think it’s something bad. It doesn’t feel dangerous. So, not like Without-A-Cure at all.

As they approach Qiong Ding Peak, Luo Binghe walks just a little bit closer to him, his warmth familiar and comforting. He smells like spice, incense and crisp winter morning even though it’s summer. Shen Qingqiu feels extremely lucky, for a moment, and as if he could fly without a sword. His husband is the best at easing the tension out of him.

“Binghe smells nice.” He comments quietly.

“Shizun smells the best.” Luo Binghe retorts momentarily.

Shen Qingqiu can’t help but laugh.

“Adorable.” He says. Luo Binghe squeaks, as he often does when Shen Qingqiu compliments him. Not that he manages to do it often, even if he, maybe, would like to.

The Peak Lord Meeting is especially boring this time around. Wei Qingwei is talking about something with a great passion, but Shen Qingqiu can barely hear his account of his new dormitory repair plan. He looks at his husband, who’s feigning interest almost flawlessly. He really is beautiful. His eyelashes are long and thick, fluttering softly every time he blinks. His eyes-

“Shen-shixiong.” Qi Qingqi calls from across the table. “Are we boring you?”

“This one can endure, Qi-shimei.” Shen Qingqiu replies, barely looking away from Luo Binghe.

“Shixiong’s husband just interests him more than this one’s report.” Wei Qingwei laughs mirthfully.

“Certainly.” Shen Qingqiu answers unthinkingly. “Have you seen him?”

Luo Binghe gasps. Everyone in the room goes awkwardly quiet. Shen Qingqiu doesn’t really understand why. He said nothing but plain truth.

“This master didn’t mean to interrupt.” Shen Qingqiu says, even though he didn’t interrupt anything. “Please, continue, Wei-shidi.”

“Shen Qingqiu.” Liu Qingge barks. “What’s wrong.”

“Nothing is wrong, shidi. Can’t this one praise his own husband a little?”

“Shixiong!” Liu Qingge snaps.

“Shizun!” Luo Binghe cries.

“Shidi?” Yue Qingyuan calls softly.

Why is everyone being so strange?

“Does shizun really hold such a high regard for this one?”

“Wh-! Binghe! Of course I do, you’re a dream come true!”

“Is there a reason we’re talking about Luo Binghe instead of discussing Peak’s performance?” Yue Qingyuan asks, voice carefully neutral.

“Wei Qingwei prompted and this one was bored enough to speak out.” Shen Qingqiu answers, absently patting Luo Binghe’s thigh, hoping to get his shaky breath back under control.

“Does Shen-shixiong always circles back to admiring his husband the moment he loses interest in conversation?” Qi Qingqi sneers. And hey! He thought they were over that already!

“Yes!” Shen Qingqiu says, feeling more and more annoyed. “I thought I said this already!”

“Is shixiong feeling well?”

Aaand, here’s Mu Qungfang. Figures.

“This master feels fine.” Shen Qingqiu says. “But there’s clearly something going on and this one doesn’t think he should stay at the meeting any longer.”

“That may be wise.” My Qingfang nods.

Shen Qingqiu nods and stands up. He’s out of his chair already when he notices Luo Binghe is sitting shock stricken and still in his own chair.

“Binghe.” Shen Qingqiu sighs. “Let’s go home.”

Luo Binghe turns to look at him, eyes glassy and utterly uncomprehending.

“Binghe, let’s go.”

His husband blinks at him, very prettily and very uselessly.

Shen Qingqiu sighs, again, and turns to look at Liu Qingge.

“Liu-shidi, your hair looks very nice today.”

That finally bears fruit. Luo Binghe jumps out of his chair and starts whisking Shen Qingqiu away.

“Sorry, shidi!” Shen Qingqiu laughs, throwing a glance at his red-cheeked martial brother. “I know you hate it, but flirting with you a little is the best way to get my husband’s attention!”

Liu Qingge frowns, mouthing flirting? back at him. Shen Qingqiu doesn’t worry about it.

Once they’re outside, Shen Qingqiu laughs outloud, clinging to Luo Binghe’s arm, even though his husband’s hold is iron-tight as it is.

“Binghe is very hot when he’s jealous.” Shen Qingqiu lets him know.

Luo Binghe whines, quickening his steps.

“In fact-" He starts, but Luo Binghe doesn’t let him finish.

“Shizun, this one is begging you to wait with more confessions till we’re home.”

Shen Qingqiu shrugs, but indulges his husband. Why is his shameless husband is acting so shy all of a sudden is weird, but-

Oh.

Here it is. Shameless. Shame. That’s what’s missing.

Shen Qingqiu has been lacking it severely this last hour at so.

System! What’s goin on?

[Bravo!] System dings cheerfully. [Host successfully uncovered event Subscription to SHAME Declined!]

What?

[Event Subscription to SHAME Declined will finish in 6 hours 23 minutes! Host should enjoy the experience!]

How come I didn’t know about the event? What’s even the objective here? System!

[Host may consider this secret mission a parting gift! Goodbye! Goodbye! Goodbye!]

With that, System blinks out of existence. If not for Luo Binghe, Shen Qingqiu would fall to his knees right then and there, but his glorious husband would never let that happen, would he?

“Shizun?”

“I’m good, love.” Shen Qingqiu murmurs, half delirious from relief. He’s free?

“Shizun!”

Oh, right. Endearments. He doesn’t use them, does he? Now his husband is crying out in the open. Poor protagonist’s pride!

It’s fine. Shen Qingqiu can fix this.

“Binghe is very hot when he cries, too.”

"WHY DID YOU LEAVE THEM"

"WHY DID YOU RUN AWAY"

"WHY AREN'T YOU STRONG ENOUGH"

"WHY DID YOU ABANDON YOUR FRIENDS"