#trust me it's real (i was cheng luan)

[yeahimb0]

am i late to the trend?

[delicioussshame]

Have some more kinktober sequel, this time for the SJ/SY one.

“I won’t allow it.”

Mu Qingfang doesn’t let Shen Qingqiu’s tone faze him. “His life is on the line. I realise this is an uncomfortable situation for Shen-shixiong, but Shen Yuan needs a partner.”

Liu Qingge doesn’t flinch either. “It was my fault. He was my responsibility. I should have protected him. I will do it.”

Shen Qingqiu’s fan slaps onto his palm with a smack. “No.”

Yue Qingyuan wonders who thought to warn Shen Qingqiu of his counterpart’s state. The situation would have been easier to deal without his presence.  

Then again, the dramatic way Liu Qingge had surged into the sect, Shen Yuan’s body limp in his arms, had attracted a lot of attention. Maybe a Qing Jing Peak disciple had witnessed the spectacle and warned him, the way his own disciples had.  

“If Shen-shixiong would forgive me, he doesn’t have a say in this. Only Shen Yuan could oppose this, and he’s sadly not in a position to.”

“I refuse to let Liu Qingge touch ou- his body.”

“Shall we call Luo Binghe then?”

If Mu Qingfang’s suggestion sounded perfectly mild, everyone in the room hears the provocation for what it is.  

Shen Qingqiu visibly bristles. “Weren’t you trying to save his life? Permitting this beast to sate his foul desires would only bring ruin to the sect.”  

“Then surely Liu Qingge is a better choice.”

“I will do it myself.”

Silence reigns in the room for a moment. Yue Qingyuan might have choked. That’s… an image he won’t be forgetting anytime soon.

Mu Qingfang regains control first. “I sincerely doubt Shen Yuan would prefer your help to Liu-shixiong’s.”

“I happen to know he would.”  

Yue Qingyuan chokes for real. Shen Qingqiu did not just imply… “Qingqiu-shidi?”

Shen Qingqiu ignores him completely. “I’m more than able of taking care of him. Liu-shidi’s help is unnecessary.”  

“Shen-shixiong is certain Shen Yuan would agree?”

But Shen Qingqiu has already decided the matter has been settled, and passes the door to the room shielding Shen Yuan from them without bothering to answer or look back.  

Yue Qingyuan can’t meet his fellow cultivators’ eyes. Not that he thinks they’re more at ease than he with what they’re tacitly allowing to happen.  

Liu Qingge is the first to snap out of it. “Shen Qingqiu can’t be trusted with Shen Yuan’s life! We have to stop him.”

Mu Qingfang makes a calming motion. “You might not like Shen-shixiong, but he isn’t stupid. If something happens to Shen Yuan, who else but him could be held responsible? He must be aware of this.”  

Liu Qingge turns to Yue Qingyuan, eyes flinty. “Would you hold him responsible?”

Yue Qingyuan falters. Would he? Could he sanction Shen Qingqiu for Shen Yuan’s sake?  

No matter. “I agree with Mu Qingfang. Qingqiu-shidi won’t hurt Shen Yuan.”

“That’s not an answer.”

Yue Qingyuan stays silent.  

The silence persists as all of them stare at each other, unwilling to leave but even more unwilling to disturb whatever might be happening in the room next door.  

An eternity later, the door opens again and Shen Qingqiu calls Mu Qingfang to check on Shen Yuan.

It does not take Yue Qingyuan more than a glance to notice that although he made a significant effort, Shen Qingqiu did not manage to be as pristine as he was before… before. His hairstyle isn’t as neat, and there is a bruise near the top of his neck that Yue Qingyuan cannot start thinking about or he will lose his sanity.

“If Zhangmen-shixiong could stop staring at me like I was a freak?”

Yue Qingyuan shakes himself out of it, contrite. “Please forgive me.”

Shen Qingqiu, of course, doesn’t. He just stands, back straight and mouth closed.

“If you hurt him in any way, you will feel my blade.”

Shen Qingqiu snorts. “I’m certain I hurt him less than you would have.”

Yue Qingyuan hates everything about this. “Is Shen Yuan fine?”

“Yes.”

… “That’s good.”

“Surely two peak lords have better things to do than wait here? I will be more than enough to accompany Shen Yuan back to Qing Jing Peak.”

“I won’t believe Shen Yuan is fine until I see it with my own two eyes. Who would take your word for it?”

“Liu-shidi, really. Please calm yourself.”

Shen Qingqiu snorts. “That’s too much to ask of an animal.”

Liu Qingge jumps to his feet, his hand on Cheng Luan, which Shen Qingqiu will take as another insult. As far as Yue Qingyuan knows, Shen Yuan is still the one wielding Xiu Ya.

“I’m certain you both are aware infighting in forbidden on Qian Cao Peak.”

The way both men freeze and try to act like they always meant to do that is almost funny. Mu Qingfang sounded perfectly mild, nothing to worry about, and yet. Everyone knows better than mess with the man. The consequences have been known to be dire.  

“For your information, Shen Yuan is perfectly fine. He should abstain from effort for the following days, but he can return to Qing Jing Peak.”

“I see there is no reason for us to remain here then. Thanking Mu-shidi for his help. Well, Zhangmen-shixiong, Liu-shidi, we’ll take our leave now.” Shen Qingqiu returns to the room only to exit it with Shen Yuan half-draped over him, obviously still unsteady.  

Seeing the two of them together really does bring out their differences. Yue Qingyuan still wonders how he could have been so blind as to mistake one for the other. Both of them aren’t looking at their surroundings, but if Shen Qingqiu is just outright refusing to acknowledge their presence, evidently Shen Yuan is too embarrassed to meet their eyes.  

“You really are… fine?”

Shen Yuan’s expression softens a degree as Shen Qingqiu’s frosts over. “I am. I understand Liu-shidi is the one who brought me to Qian Cao Peak? I am very thankful for his help and concern.”

Shen Qingqiu pushes Shen Yuan forward. “Yes yes, we’re all very grateful. Mu-shidi said you needed rest. Let’s go home.”

Li Qingge is not having it. “I’ll visit tomorrow. Make sure you’re well.” Because I don’t trust Shen Qingqiu to take care of you is the unsaid end of that sentence.

“I’ll look forward to it.”

“Since some people are apparently bent on keeping you from your bed, we’re leaving now.” Shen Qingqiu drags Shen Yuan away, leaving him no choice in the matter. Shen Yuan waves at Liu Qingge as he departs.  

Yue Qingyuan hasn’t said a word to Shen Yuan. His presence has barely been noted.

That’s fine. He already has more than enough to deal with. He can tell from Liu Qingge’s fixed gaze that this whole situation is a recipe for disaster.  

Even before he himself sorts his feelings on the matter. Shen Qingqiu and Shen Yuan...

Sleep will be hard to come by.