Shen Qingqiu

What's gotten him in this mood?

He strokes Luo Binghe's head, holding him close when he leans against him.

“What has Binghe been thinking about?” he gently asks, absentmindedly raking his fingers through his curls.

Hold on, is there really a need to strip while cutting cake?

Unable to stop himself from watching, he ends up blocking his gaze entirely with his fan, face a crimson red.

“This master greatly appreciates Binghe's efforts,” he manages to mumble.

Shen Qingqiu glances up from his paper, surprised by the sudden question.

“... Binghe is not a bad person,” he replies, certain with his answer. “Why does he ask?”

Eyes linger for a second on the slip of skin revealed underneath Luo Binghe's robes.

The pink on his cheek reaches up to his ears— he quickly snaps his fan open and lifts it up to the lower of his face.

“Mn. Did Binghe bake it himself?”

He responds to the question with a small shake of his head, sitting across from Luo Binghe and looking at the cake.

“Mm, no plans. This master was...”

Clearing his throat, cheeks taking on a soft pink.

“Was hoping to spend the day with Binghe.”

“Thank you, Binghe.”

He smiles at him, not wasting a second in making his approach.

“Did I make you wait long?”

Ah. It's his birthday.

Shen Qingqiu lets out a low hum of agreement.

“And now?” He asks. “How does Binghe see this master now, if not untouchable anymore?”

“... Mn. What about it?” He looks to him, curious about the sudden question.

“Do I not spoil Binghe enough?”

... And just how can this master show his husband just how sorry he is?

( His thumbs smooth over jade-like skin, ready to catch any stray tears that threaten to fall. )

( Such a sight just makes Shen Qingqiu want to tease him even more! )

Forgive me, Binghe— haha—

( Tilting Luo Binghe's head down, he presses a kiss to his forehead, a small giggle against warm skin. )

A contemplative hum as Shen Qingqiu's hand continues to glide over his head. Isn't this very much like praising a pet dog?! All that's missing is a bark or two!

"For the rest of the day, my attention will be Binghe's and Binghe's only. Undivided."

( Stifling laughter. He looks over Luo Binghe's way before moving forward to cup his cheeks. )

Don't be upset. This master was just teasing Binghe.

As he expected, there really, really is no way around this!

He raises his hand to gently pat Luo Binghe's head, heaving a small sigh.

“Binghe does deserve a reward for all he's done,” he coolly says.

...

( Averting his gaze elsewhere. )

Who else could I be looking at but you? Silly.

Trepidation sets in, though he doesn't make it apparent.

“... One more thing?” He repeats with a small tilt of his head. “And what could that one more thing possibly be?”

👀

“En. Ever since, I've always wanted for both of us to be happy. And as things are now, I'm deeply, deeply satisfied.”

He presses a kiss to Luo Binghe's forehead, over the crimson zuiyin.

Shen Qingqiu falls silent, contemplative for a spell, before gentle hands reach up to cup Luo Binghe's cheeks.

“Binghe will never be a disturbance,” he reassures, thumbs gliding over jade-like skin. “After all, he is a part— the biggest part— of my happiness too.

“So it was you,” he mumbles.

First of all, how fucking unfair of him to play his lethal face card while they're having a conversation like this! Second of all—!

“Why didn't you make your presence known?”

In seconds, his back presses against the wall, and a hand slides over his waist.

“Binghe...” He begins, resting his hand on his arm before lifting his chin to meet his gaze.

“... Were you the one watching during my lesson earlier?”

He might be the only person in the world to see his words as an attempt at seduction! Really!

“Shameless,” he mumbles, cheeks turning pink as bottle-green eyes are cast downward. “Who's seducing who, now?”

His flowing green sleeves engulf Luo Binghe as he returns the embrace, a hand rubbing his back.

“Mn. It was productive. They're very eager to learn and a joy to teach.”

He pauses, his voice lowering for only the other to hear.

“But I anticipated seeing you the most.”

“I'm sorry that I kept Binghe waiting.” He lifts his hand up to pat his head, wearing a small smile as his hand smooths over soft curls.

“I must have disturbed your meditation.”

Shen Qingqiu eyes the congee and tea on the table before continuing his search for his husband, finally spotting him on their bed.

He doesn't speak, doesn't make a sound, simply watches him from the door.

He turns his head to identify the source of that heavy stare — only to be met by the sight of long, dark shadows.

A while passes before Shen Qingqiu finally returns to the bamboo houses, properly tired from tutoring.

Yawning behind his fan, he calls, “Binghe? Are you home?”

As he finishes the score, the green-clad disciples approach him excitedly. With a small laugh, Shen Qingqiu quiets and settles them down, unaware of the presence hiding in the shadows.

A tangible pressure on his back nails him to the spot.

He gives pause. There are eyes upon him.

He only replies to the curt question with a small nod of his head, a hand sliding to rest over Luo Binghe's.

“Mn. Inside.”