#possible endings here range from acceptance to uh tearing apart reality to system is feeling merciful today and gives him binghe anyway

[transmigrationisunderrated]

Luo Binghe dies and Shen Qingqiu is so fucking normal about it. Really he is.

He doesn't eat because... well, he doesn't need to! He doesn't sleep because he's too busy trying to keep his (dead) husband's empire intact! He's not allowing Binghe to be properly buried and mourned because he's the PROTAGONIST! They can't just assume it's, it's permanent! Because surely it's not, right? Surely?

It's a year into the whole mess when Shen Qingqiu doesn't so much as snap as he does crinkle, calmly asking the system what's going on.

("HOW COULD YOU LET THIS HAPPEN! HE'S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO DIE, HE'S THE PROTAGONIST, HE'S GOT THE HALO, HE WON, I WON, WHY, WHY, IT CAN'T POSSIBLY END LIKE THIS-")

The system offers Shen Qingqiu a chance to reverse Binghe's... Current status. All he has to do is pass one final test.

Lead Binghe out of the underworld and back to the world of the living. Simple enough. Shen Qingqiu accepts. All he has to do, is not turn around as he's leading Binghe. If he interacts at all, Binghe's second chance at life is forfeit.

So Shen Qingqiu agrees. How hard could it be?

Luo Binghe doesn't understand what's happening. He remembers a moment of pain and then he was alone in the dark, waiting for his Shizun, his husband. And then there Shizun is, his back to him.

Shizun starts walking and what is Binghe supposed to do but follow?

He talks, relieved, excitedly, he knew Shizun would come for him, would find him, Shizun wouldn't leave him in a place like that-

But Shen Qingqiu won't speak, won't say a word, won't even look at him. He just walks, like it's an evening stroll. Luo Binghe doesn't understand. Did he do something wrong, to receive this cold shoulder? (Shen Qingqiu dares not speak. What if it's a trick or the System? What if he forgets himself and turns around? He can't risk it. He can't lose Binghe.)

They've been walking for a while now and Shen Qingqiu's silence weighs heavy, like weights on Binghe's chest, keeping him from breathing.

He keeps talking, he doesn't know what else to do, it's as if Binghe will be swallowed back by the darkness if he doesn't but even the darkness was better than Shizun's silence. (Please forgive this master, Binghe! He'll explain once it's over, once they're out, just please wait-)

They're nearing the end, the light of the day nearly visible, but Binghe doesn't care, he's begging, crying, Shizun, what have I done wrong, Husband, please, correct this Binghe has erred, clearly, just correct me, don't shut me out again, I don't know what I'll do if I lose you again- (Binghe, please! This master isn't abandoning you, how could you think that, please, please, stop crying, this master can't comfort you now, this master, I, am bringing you home and we will never lose each other, ever.)

Binghe finally breaks down, collapsing on the dirty ground, Shen Qingqiu stopping as he hears Binghe hit the floor.

Binghe refuses to take another step unless Shen Qingqiu looks at him, that he'd rather die loved than live without his husband's care.

Unable to take the thought that Binghe might think himself unloved, Shen Qingqiu finally turns, tears in his eyes.

As Binghe fades once more, returning to death, he smiles and thanks Shen Qingqiu for loving him so much.