It starts small. Luo Binghe hides all his demonic features, which — Shen Qingqiu didn’t even think he was hiding, until he wakes up earlier than usual one day and sees Luo Binghe enter the house all red-eyed and claw-handed. Before any excitement can build up, though, Binghe blinks, startles and the features are gone.
Shen Qingqiu didn’t ask, but he started watching his husband more closely. And he began noticing things:
• Luo Binghe is never rude to other Peak Lords, at least not in front of Shen Qingqiu.
• He never complains, at least not about what’s really bothering him.
• He gets anxious when he doesn’t have time to cook or clean for Shen Qingqiu
• He barely talks about anything related to his Emperor duties, if he attends to them at all
• With his every word and action he tries to be good for Shen Qingqiu
At this point, Shen Qingqiu stops keeping track. He knows what’s going on.
Luo Binghe thinks Shen Qingqiu’s love for him is conditional and he needs to work hard every day not to lose it.
The thought of it sends cold shivers down Shen Qingqiu’s spine. He misses his self-assured, impudent white lotus. He can’t let it stand.
So, he does the following:
“Binghe doesn’t need to cook today.” He says, motioning for Ming Fang to come closer. “We’ll get the food from the kitchens.”
“But Shizun!” Luo Binghe pouts. “That food isn’t good enough. This one can do better.”
“Of course Binghe can.” Shen Qingqiu says, fighting the blush. “My husband is most talented. Today, though, this master wants an extra hour with him, even if it means worse food.”
“Emperor Luo must be missed in the Demon Realm.” Shen Qingqiu notes, ignoring the way Luo Binghe freezes midway through the room. “Maybe we should visit?”
There’s a moment of silence. Then, Luo Binghe says, voice carefully neutral:
“It’s not pleasant in there, shizun. This one wouldn’t want to expose his husband to such a cruel, dangerous environment.”
“Luckily,” Shen Qingqiu notes. “This one married the most dangerous creature in the world. He is sure he’d feel pretty safe.”
“Shizun.” Luo Binghe whines, hunching his shoulders and trying to appear as small, as non-threatening as possible.
“Does my Demonic Emperor of a husband so unsure in his abilities?”
Luo Binghe stands straighter, eyes gaining a glint of determination. Shen Qingqiu hides a smug smile behind his fan.
“Binghe looks annoyed.” Shen Qingqiu says, as they walk back home after the Peak Lords meeting.
He doesn’t, his pretty face a pleasant mask. But Shen Qingqiu knows his husband, and he knows his martial siblings aren’t his favorite people.
“This one is fine, shizun.”
“Hmm.” Shen Qingqiu says. “Doesn’t Binghe think other Peak Lords were acting a bit… self-important?”
“They do try to take too much of shizun’s precious time.” Luo Binghe answers carefully.
“Thank you, Binghe, yes. This one has no idea why they think this master would prefer their company to his husband’s.”
Luo Binghe gasps softly. Shen Qingqiu smiles. If he continues just like this, he’s sure soon enough he’ll get his Binghe to act as spoiled as he did back in his discipline-hood, if not worse.
