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Liu Qingge is avoiding him. Shen Qingqiu isn’t sure why. He can’t remember doing anything wrong or weird.

Shen Qingqiu turns his attention back to the Qing Jing disciples. The junior disciples are practicing their qi control, specifically in their feet so they keep jumping high up or running up the trees. He’s had Ming Fan find a spot with plenty of trees for them to use but that also has enough grass to cushion any rough landings. Shen Qingqiu keeps having to tell Ning Yingying to watch out for her head because the branches haven’t moved; he’s already had to comfort her tears twice. And there’s another disciple who keeps jumping too high and forgetting that he has to come back down. Gravity is still an important constraint.

Shen Qingqiu remembers the episode of Naruto this training session is from and it’s another mark against that hack Airplane Shooting Towards the Sky. He’s absolutely going to rake him over the coals for it. But it keeps the disciples busy and it works in this world so might as well let them train with it.

It’s like babysitting cats. Shen Qingqiu doesn’t know the first thing about babysitting other than if something is on fire, that’s bad, and you should probably call for help. Everything turned out fine, he was just banned from making popcorn and his sister had another piece of dark history against him. No one died from a microwave incident. No, his actual end had been much more pathetic, and he’s hoping to avoid a similar terrible end in his transmigration route.

Shen Qingqiu hauls Ning Yingying out of the trees and leaves the responsibility to her, figuring he’s seen enough of these little idiots to know that none of them are ready for the next level. Yeah, he semi-cheated his way to his skills, but he also read a million billion words of Airplane Bro’s shitty writing, so he figures it’s a fair trade off. The older disciples can tell that he’s deemed them unfit and they look at the younger disciples with pity, though he thinks they’re waiting until he leaves to make fun of them. He’s going to have to deal with their little crushed souls later.

Shen Qingqiu makes his way to Bai Zhan, sixty percent sure that Liu Qingge is on his peak today. He just came back from a four day bender, as he calls it affectionately, but Liu Qingge hadn’t stopped by Qing Jing Peak to tell him about how his hunt had gone. Shen Qingqiu had been looking forward to it too! He doesn’t get to go West often enough. There’s so much cool stuff out there!

One of Mu Qingfan’s disciples stop him, nearly bouncing in place as they tell him about a new strain of plant they’ve cultivated from one of the samples Shen Qingqiu gave him. Shen Qingqiu listens with interest; he doesn’t know anything about medicine but he knows when he finds a rare herb stuck in an South Peak Avalanche Wildebeest's tooth. Surprisingly, he had not been with Liu Qingge for that one since he’d been poisoned and required bed rest for the day. No, he’d been with Shang Qinghua, the shittiest writer ever, and Shen Qingqiu had taken extreme joy in ripping him apart for having rare herbs stuck in random monsters’ jaws. It’s such a stupid plot device.

Shen Qingqiu sends Mu Qingfang his regards and continues on his way to Bai Zhan. Some of the disciples scowl and other quake, remembering how Shen Qingqiu had set their shizun up to beat them black and blue. Shen Qingqiu hides a smirk behind his fan when some of them outright flee at seeing him. Serves those bullies right! Liu Qingge really needs to get them in hand.

He’s unsurprised but disappointed when Liu Qingge doesn't come out to greet him. He knows the way to Liu Qingge’s quarters though so he doesn’t let himself be dismayed for long. The surprising part is when one of the disciples stops him.

Shen Qingqiu listens politely as the Bai Zhan disciple blatantly and horribly lies to his face that his shizun is not on peak. Bai Zhan disciples are strong but they’re all terrible liars. This one is slightly better than his mentor but he’s still shifting his weight from foot to foot and drumming his fingers against his sword. It’s kind of dizzying. Shen Qingqiu dithers for a moment over if he wants to verbally humiliate the disciple then waves him off, deciding to save his wrath for the peak idiot. The disciple sighs in relief as he’s dismissed, thinking he’s covered for his shizun instead of digging him in deeper.

It’s odd for Liu Qingge to use his disciples like this. Most days Liu Qingge can’t be bothered to remember he’s master to the unruly gaggle. Shen Qingqiu has no scruples about telling his disciples to ward off other peak lords or business he wants to procrastinate. He’s seen the other peak lords do the same. But Liu Qingge?

Shen Qingqiu goes around to the back, unimpressed as he watches the window open and Liu Qingge jumps out. Shen Qingqiu clears his throat and Liu Qingge freezes in place, eyes wide as he’s caught fleeing. Later, he’ll laugh about it, because Liu Qingge looks like a kid with his hand caught in the cookie jar. Shen Qingqiu lets him stew for a full minute, mostly so he can gather his own thoughts.

“Were you trying to run away from me?” Shen Qingqiu asks. He already knows the answer.

“No,” Liu Qingge gamely tries anyway.

‘Fuck you,’ he thinks and then out loud he says “you were.”

“I was not,” Liu Qingge says, resorting to a stately, offended position. It doesn't last under Shen Qingqiu’s scathing disbelief.

“You are not leaving until you tell me what I did wrong,” Shen Qingqiu demands, holding one arm out to prevent Liu Qingge from leaving.

The truth of the matter is that if Liu Qingge wants to leave, he bloody well fucking will. Shen Qingqiu might as well be a piece of a paper; hell, paper might put up a better fight because it can give a wicked paper cut! But Liu Qingge is also a big softy and he huffs, displeased at the ultimatum.

“You didn’t,” Liu Qingge says. Shen Qingqiu looks at him in confusion so he clarifies further. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”

Okay, well, he didn’t clarify much.

“Then why do you keep avoiding me?”

Liu Qingge clamps his lips together and looks down. Shen Qingqiu sighs and looks up at the sky, praying for patience. He goes around to the front so they can enter Liu Qingge’s home through the door like civilized people; Liu Qingge is following behind him. If it was anyone else Shen Qingqiu would call it ‘meekly’ but this is Liu Qingge. He’s absolutely confident in his awkwardness.

Shen Qingqiu sits down on the neglected couch, patting the seat next to him, but not at all offended when Liu Qingge’s shoulders tighten as he refuses. He’s not sure if they’re fighting but he’s definitely not content right now so it probably counts. Shen Qingqiu pulls out his fan and lazily waves it, trying to appear like he’s comfortable and not at all worried that he’s upset his boyfriend. Is it because he mispronounced the name of that fancy sword they found on their last outing? He didn’t mean to confuse it but there are literally thousands of rare magical swords in Proud Immortal Demon Way. None of them compare to the OP sword of Xin Mo or even the side swords like Xiu Ya, Cheng Luan, or Xuan Su. But for a sword nerd like Liu Qingge they’re all fascinating and worthy of respect.

Or maybe it’s because Shen Qingqiu keeps harassing Liu Qingge into dates? He knows that Liu Qingge is single mindedly focused on training and killing everything that can put up a decent fight. And Shen Qingqiu loves exploring with Liu Qingge, finding cool monsters, and getting to use his cultivation. But sometimes he’s not in the mood to risk his life; sometimes he wants to be lazy and explore a festival or look at fans.

And while he’s never had a girlfriend, Shen Qingqiu has expectations of how dates should go and if he’s nabbed himself a boyfriend, then he’s going to do his best to realize those desires! Hand holding! Moonlight kisses! Buying treats for a loved one! It’s sappy as fuck but Shen Qingqiu has a boyfriend and he gets to have these things now!

“Do you remember when we fought that Amber Eyed Vicious Spider?” Liu Qingge says, still not meeting his eyes.

“Yes?” Shen Qingqiu says. He remembers it in extreme detail. The spider was the size of a school bus, man-eating, and absolutely disgusting. It would spray out spider gunk in addition to the usual webbing. Shen Qingqiu had, of course, gotten wrapped up in the web and Liu Qingge had finished it off, cutting its head off and ending its reign of terror against the Xiaogang Village. The village still had to be abandoned because the eggs had hatched. It was nothing but a hive for the spider and they’d burnt it all as soon as they had evacuated everyone.

It wasn't the happiest of endings for the villagers. Cang Qiong Mountain Sect could help them relocate, secure them a new place, but it wouldn’t be the same. Too many people had died to feed the beast’s hunger. Shen Qingqiu doesn’t think a single family escaped losing someone to the creature.

Shen Qingqiu is still adding in notes to his bestiary about the spider. The ones he has are very lacking. Three giant books all devoted to the creepy crawlies of the Northeast and not a single one had mentioned the gunk it shot out! It’s a disgrace.

“Is it because I got caught in the webbing and you had to fight it by yourself? I apologized for that,” Shen Qingqiu says, making a pinched face. The webbing had proven to be stickier than he had anticipated. He’s not surprised or disappointed, seeing as how the only person better than Liu Qingge is the protagonist (even though Luo Binghe hasn’t come out of his rebirth from the Abyss but it’s fated).

Liu Qingge is making a strange face. Shen Qingqiu waits for him to explain himself but that expression just morphs, from one unfathomable look to another.

“That’s not it,” Liu Qingge says, clenching his eyes shut and gritting his teeth as he speaks. His words are almost unintelligible but Shen Qingqiu manages to hear him.

“Okay?” Shen Qingqiu says, leaning back. He snaps his fan shut, a little amused that Liu Qingge jumps at the sound, and taps it against his hand. “You’re going to have to use more words, Liu-shidi. I’m really at a loss here. If I’ve done something wrong-“

Liu Qingge shakes his head again. He finally exhales, hands tightening into fists.

“I want to do it again,” he says.

“Do what?”

“You...tied…” Liu Qingge is growing green in the face.

Shen Qingqiu takes a minute to process those precious few but illuminating words. He takes another minute to realize that what Liu Qingge means is that he got turned on by seeing Shen Qingqiu wrapped up in spider gunk and he’s been avoiding him since because of it. Then he takes a full five minutes to scream “what the fuck” in his head because what the fuck.

“You want to tie me up?” Shen Qingqiu asks flatly. He’s going to kill Shang Qinghua. Why is everyone in this world so damn kinky! Shen Qingqiu isn’t! He likes their normal, vanilla sex, thank you very much! What’s wrong with some tender missionary sex between two people who like each other? Why does it always have to get kinky?!

“You don’t like it. We don't have to do it. We don’t have to discuss it again,” Liu Qingge says quickly, like he would outright beg to never talk about it again. Shen Qingqiu is leaning towards that option because, again, what the fuck.

But it’s also really rare for Liu Qingge to ask for anything. Shen Qingqiu is always dragging him along and while he has a good idea of which kind of activities Liu Qingge prefers and which he hates, he’s never really gotten clear confirmation. Obviously Liu Qingge prefers to be hunting down monsters with Shen Qingqiu. But he’s not sure what Liu Qingge’s opinions on visiting market stalls is. He seems to enjoy it alright; every time Shen Qingqiu asks him he says it’s fine.

“Okay,” Shen Qingqiu says softly. Liu Qingge’s head snaps up and he stares at Shen Qingqiu, his mouth slightly agape in his surprise. It's kind of an adorable look. Shen Qingqiu pats the couch again and this time Liu Qingge sits. He’s staring at Shen Qingqiu with a strange adoration, and it makes Shen Qingqiu squirm; it’s similar to when Liu Qingge looks at him after a round of sex, when he’s been worked over and he has nothing to hide behind.

Shen Qingqiu takes his hand, interlocking their fingers. Some of his nerves are mollified when Liu Qingge returns the force of the grip.

“We can talk more about this tonight,” Shen Qingqiu says. “I don’t understand it but if it’s something you want, if it’s something you’d enjoy, then I want to try it with you.”

Liu Qingge nods jerkily, like he’s overeager but still in disbelief. Shen Qingqiu takes advantage of their close proximity and kisses Liu Qingge’s cheek.

“Why did you have to make this so difficult? I thought I’d done something wrong,” Shen Qingqiu complains.

Liu Qingge mumbles something that Shen Qingqiu can’t make out but he gets the gist of it. He’d be pretty embarrassed to ask to tie his boyfriend up too. In the grand term of kinks it’s pretty low on the freaky list but Shen Qingqiu has always considered himself to be perfectly normal; apparently his boyfriend has slightly different inclinations.

Shen Qingqiu returns to his peak, and he intends to put the notion out of his mind, but instead it hovers at the edges of his thoughts. He’s on autopilot through the lesson on recognizing a qi deviation. It doesn’t help because he recalls his initial meeting with Liu Qingge and his thoughts quickly spiral back to his boyfriend.

He’s read plenty of bondage scenes. Shang Qinghua had a few littered throughout Proud Immortal Demon Way but they were pretty much along the same line. Luo Binghe would tie up an unruly wife, make her see the stars with his protagonist dick, untie her and continue the pounding. Shen Qingqiu vaguely remembers some commenters enjoying it and demanding more of it. But Airplane Bro didn’t seem to like the kink too much.

Shen Qingqiu hasn’t really thought about it for himself either. Hell, before Liu Qingge, he had considered himself totally straight! He’d assumed he would be dating a girl and being the husband rather than.whatever they are now.

Not that he’s complaining. Shen Qingqiu fans himself, hoping his face hasn't turned red as he remembers the last couple of times he and Liu Qingge had slept together. There’s no rhyme or reason, other than their own whims, but Shen Qingqiu likes being inside of Liu Qingge as much as having Liu Qingge inside him. He has a slight preference for letting Liu Qingge take him, because Liu Qingge is such a devoted lover and he’s attentive to his needs.

Shen Qingqiu keeps his students a while longer than normal during the lesson as he keeps getting distracted, trying to imagine how it’ll work to have sex while he’s tied up. He’s seen some really intricate knots online but he doesn’t think that Liu Qingge is capable of that yet. It takes time to learn it, right? You can’t just shibari someone right out of the box, right?

Normally but this is the world of Proud Immortal Demon Way; it could be that everyone is a master of ropework without any training. Shen Qingqiu hopes not. He’d like to start slow. And while he could vaguely admire it whenever he stumbled across his during his porn adventures, it’s not something he ever saw himself wrapped up in.

Shen Qingqiu distractedly looks over the sheet music his disciples bring to him, distractedly listens to the poetry his disciples declaim, and distractedly observes the swordwork session. Ming Fan is there during the sword training and he asks Shen Qingqiu if he’s feeling alright. Shen Qingqiu pats his head, assuring him that he’s fine, and Ming Fan floats off, a dazed and satisfied expression on his face.

It makes Shen Qingqiu miss his little white lotus Luo Binghe. But Luo Binghe is in the Abyss, training to become the demon supreme lord of this world, and he wouldn’t be able to help Shen Qingqiu right now anyway.

Shen Qingqiu finally makes his way to his bamboo house after nearly spilling his dinner in the library. He’s the Peak Lord so if he wants to bring food into his library he damn well will. But he had to hide his face behind his fan when his disciples were cleaning up the tea he’d knocked over. It hadn’t wet any books but it was still embarrassing.

The candles are already lit, flickering like they’re eager for his return, and Shen Qingqiu smiles to himself. He likes this much better than when Liu Qingge would lurk outside, anxiously waiting for him but not comfortable enough to stay inside his house without him.

Shen Qingqiu enters and sees Liu Qingge sitting on the couch, lighting another candle.

“Have you been here long?” Shen Qingqiu asks.

“Not very,” Liu Qingge says, gesturing to the other unlit candles. “Sect Leader Yue stopped me on my way here. He wanted to know how to deal with a type of wraith he’d received a message about.”

“Oh, was it a Blood Soaked Vengeance Thirsting one or a Thrall Inducing Poison one?”

“No, it was a Green Scaled Kidney Devourer,” Liu Qingge says. “Told him to cut it in half and burn the head.”

Shen Qingqiu nods, vaguely remembering that Luo Binghe had fought one to save a wife from it’s dangerous grasp. That one in particular had been hoarding a valuable gem that Luo Binghe had gifted to Sha Hualing. It set off an extremely boring arc about the wives fighting for it, representative of their ranking in Luo Binghe’s heart. Yue Qingyuan will have to send some high level cultivators to beat it.

They fall silent and it’s normally comfortable but today it’s awkward. Shen Qingqiu clears his throat and shifts in place, unsure of what to do next. Liu Qingge scoots over a little and looks at Shen Qingqiu, waiting for him to sit down next to him. Shen Qingqiu obliges, eager for something to do, but then the uncomfortable silence is back.

Liu Qingge clears his throat, and Shen Qingqiu jumps. Liu Qingge looks at him with a slightly pained look and clears his throat again.

“I’m sorry,” he says.

“Don’t,” Shen Qingqiu says. He scratches at his head then drops his hand with a sigh. “It’s not...bad. I’m nervous. And so are you. That’s okay.”

Liu Qingge falls silent again and Shen Qingqiu sighs to himself. He stands up, holding his hand out to Liu Qingge. He looks at him, almost shyly, then slides his hand into Shen Qingqiu’s professed hand and follows him into his room.

“Let’s just get ready for bed,” Shen Qingqiu says.

Liu Qingge grips his hand once before dropping it and obeying.

Some of the awkwardness fades away as they slip into the routine of the night. Liu Qingge helps him take his hair crown off and Shen Qingqiu combs Liu Qingge’s hair. It’s normal until they’re in bed, staring at one another. Shen Qingqiu could roll over and fall asleep, and Liu Qingge wouldn’t object. He’d probably even be a little relieved.

“Okay, so, how do you want to do this?” Shen Qingqiu asks, hesitant still because he had no idea Liu Qingge was like this. But he trusts Liu Qingge and he knows he would never harm him. Still, being willingly tied up seems strange and Shen Qingqiu is trying to think back to all the bondage scenes in Proud Immortal Demon Way to figure out if this is Shang Qinghua’s kink that he’s suffering from and how badly he’s going to beat the man up after this.

“I don’t know,” Liu Qingge says.

“What, you hadn’t thought about it? You can’t say that, Liu-shidi, when you very clearly have. Extensively, I might add,” Shen Qingqiu says, unable to help teasing him a little. Liu Qingge’s face flushes and he looks down to Shen Qingqiu’s chest.

“You….need your clothes off,” he mumbles.

“Oh. Right.” Shen Qingqiu swallows some of his nervousness down. He sits up and pulls his shirt over his head. Liu Qingge’s gaze burns today; a tingle runs through his chest where Liu Qingge’s eyes roam. Shen Qingqiu can’t ever recall having experienced this from him. Part of him wants to stop but another part wants to see how much he can rile Liu Qingge up like this.

He hooks his thumbs into his pants and pushes it all down, his cock quickly hardening under the attention. Liu Qingge doesn’t hesitate to take his fill with his eyes but he seems frozen in place. It’s jarring since Liu Qingge’s developed a proficiency in touch; Shen Qingqiu has gotten used to Liu Qingge’s forceful ways, from his demanding kisses to his overeager hands. Everything that Liu Qingge struggles to say, he proves with his body.

Shen Qingqiu takes a fortifying breath and reaches out to wrap his arms around Liu Qingge’s neck, pulling him in for a kiss. Liu Qingge makes an adorable noise, a whimper of surprised arousal, and Shen Qingqiu nearly breaks this kiss apart to laugh. He kisses him harder, taking comfort in the familiar feel of Liu Qingge’s lips. Shen Qingqiu pulls away enough to speak, unable to help an amused smile at Liu Qingge’s stupefied expression.

“Is Qingge going to keep his clothes on or do I get to enjoy him too?”

Liu Qingge’s eyes are wide, but that’s finally enough to jolt him into action. He grabs onto Shen Qingqiu with one arm, his hand digging into his hip, and his other hand trying to desperately rip his own clothes off. Shen Qingqiu laughs and pushes him off, laying down on the bed so he can give Liu Qingge the chance to disrobe without tearing his clothes apart.

Liu Qingge pounces on him the moment he’s naked, devouring his lips again. Shen Qingqiu moans as Liu Qingge grinds up against him, heat flaring up from his toes to his head. It’s hard to believe he never indulged in this before; now he can’t imagine life without this kind of sexual pleasure. (It wouldn’t have been the same, not without Liu Qingge.)

“I need rope,” Liu Qingge says, running his hand up and down Shen Qingqiu’s side. His hand is moving so slowly Shen Qingqiu can’t pinpoint the exact moment where his hand is by his hip versus once it’s by his nipple. Liu Qingge is nervous but his hands are steady as he feels Shen Qingqiu up, and Shen Qingqiu laughs to himself when he realizes that Liu Qingge is using touching Shen Qingqiu to calm himself down.

“Liu-shidi, how can you ask to tie someone up but forget the most crucial requirement?” Shen Qingqiu asks, unable to help a chuckle.

“I forgot,” Liu Qingge says.

Shen Qingqiu laughs again and winds his arms around Liu Qingge’s neck, pulling him in for a kiss. He can taste the dumplings that were served tonight for dinner, and he’s glad that Liu Qingge ate; inedia is a part of this world but his first life’s requirements to eat daily meals hasn’t been erased from his viewpoint yet. Watching Liu Qingge skip meals for days or weeks at a time makes him nervous.

Liu Qingge leans in, easily pushing Shen Qingqiu down as he demands a deeper kiss. Shen Qingqiu doesn’t fight it, his nerves dissipating as they fall into the usual route of their love making. He spreads his legs to let Liu Qingge settle there, pressing his knees and thighs to his sides so he can hold onto Liu Qingge.

They fall into the normal rut of sex, Shen Qingqiu gasping in delight as Liu Qingge thrusts his cock inside, and part of Shen Qingqiu doesn’t see why they need any more than this. Liu Qingge ends up curled up against his chest as Shen Qingqiu strokes his hair. He’s panting heavily, unable to talk, and Shen Qingqiu takes advantage of his pliable state.

“What was so great about me being tied up in spider gunk that it makes you want to repeat the experience?”

Liu Qingge tenses up, and Shen Qingqiu rubs his back to calm him down. But Liu Qingge shifts so he can sit up and look down at Shen Qingqiu.

“Does it bother you?” Liu Qingge asks.

“Hm, I think it’s less that it bothers me and more that I’m not sure I totally understand the desire,” Shen Qingqiu says, staring down at his feet. He pretends like he’s totally fascinated as he wriggles his toes.

Liu Qingge tucks his hair behind his ear so he can lean down and kiss Shen Qingqiu. It’s a sweet, short thing, and Shen Qingqiu beams in satisfaction. Liu Qingge is breathtaking like this. Shen Qingqiu doesn’t hesitate to reach out and cup his face, stroking his thumb along Liu Qingge’s cheekbones. Liu Qingge tilts his head into the touch.

“I don’t know if I can explain it,” Liu Qingge admits.

“That’s okay,” Shen Qingqiu says. “If you figure it out, let me know.”

“You don’t seem too concerned,” Liu Qingge says.

“Well,” Shen Qingqiu says slowly, “I trust Liu-shidi. I know he won’t do anything to hurt me. So I’m confused but not worried, you know?”

Liu Qingge smiles faintly and settles back down to his previous spot, pressing himself into the crook of Shen Qingqiu’s arm. He holds onto him tight as if a strong hug will convey his thanks.

They slip off to sleep like that and Shen Qingqiu expects to stay like that for the night. But sometime later, he’s roused awake, unsure why. He blinks in the dark for a moment before rolling over to see Liu Qingge sitting upright, looking out the window with a contemplative look. He’s still naked from falling asleep right after sex.

It’s rare to see Liu Qingge so still. Shen Qingqiu’s mental image of the man is always in motion; landing from his flying sword in a flurry of leaves, slashing at a deadly beast with Cheng Luan, or nearly tackling him in a hug after they’ve been apart for a few days. But like this, with only the moonlight illuminating his toned, strong figure, he truly lives up to every depiction of an immortal cultivator.

He shifts and catches Liu Qingge’s attention. Liu Qingge turns to look at him, tucking his loose hair behind one ear when it obscures his vision.

“Why are you awake?” Shen Qingqiu asks, rubbing at his eyes. He’s not sure what time it is but it’s probably only been an hour since they fell asleep.

“Did I wake you?” Liu Qingge asks and Shen Qingqiu shakes his head. He tugs on Liu Qingge’s wrist to get him to lay back down. “Not sleepy yet.”

“You know I think it’s creepy when you stay awake all night and I’m asleep,” Shen Qingqiu complains. Liu Qingge huffs a tiny laugh. Shen Qingqiu lets go of him and tugs the blanket around his shoulders, scooting over to sit next to Liu Qingge. He bumps his shoulder and leans his head against it. “What are you thinking about?”

Liu Qingge takes a few minutes to put his words together. Shen Qingqiu waits patiently, comfortable leaning against Liu Qingge.

“It feels wrong to ask this of you,” Liu Qingge says.

Shen Qingqiu wants to rush to reassure Liu Qingge that his kink is pretty tame but he doesn’t actually think that’ll help Liu Qingge feel any better about it. Instead he mulls over his words some more. Liu Qingge rests a hand on his knee, squeezing it for a moment as he waits for Shen Qingqiu to speak.

“I don’t think it is. Besides, even if it is, I like hearing you ask things of me. I like being able to give you what you want. There’s very little you seem to want. I can’t go shopping and buy you a cute knick knack that reminds me of you because you absolutely abhor that sort of thing.”

“I don’t really need anything,” Liu Qingge starts, as usual.

“Yeah, like that,” Shen Qingqiu says, poking his cheek. Liu Qingge makes a derisive noise and moves his face away. Shen Qingqiu lets the blanket slip off so he can wind his arm around Liu Qingge’s. “I’m happy to do this for you, Liu-shidi. But I won’t lie and say I’m enthusiastically waiting to get tied up, because that’s just not true. Maybe I’ll end up liking it but I won’t know until we do it.”

Liu Qingge doesn’t answer for a while, long enough that Shen Qingqiu nearly drifts off. He finally shifts, seeking out a kiss, and Shen Qingqiu chuckles even as he meets it. There are many times when Liu Qingge can’t find the words he wishes for and resorts to this, but Shen Qingqiu isn’t complaining. He’s happy to let Liu Qingge push him down and kiss him silly out of gratitude. The short rest they’ve taken is enough that arousal rises in both of them again. Shen Qingqiu rolls his hips against Liu Qingge, searching out any friction he can.

Liu Qingge pins his wrists down and Shen Qingqiu fights it for a moment before he falls back. Liu Qingge tightens his grip.

“Don’t...don’t stop,” Liu Qingge says.

Shen Qingqiu blinks at him. There’s no way he can escape from Liu Qingge’s hold, not without playing dirty like kicking him in between the legs or crying. He studies him for a moment, taking in Liu Qingge’s quick breaths and the way his eyes are dark with desire. Shen Qingqiu jerks his wrists, watching as Liu Qingge’s gaze narrows even further.

He can’t say he understands it. But he can see how it affects Liu Qingge, and Shen Qingqiu fights back more, thrashing around in Liu Qingge’s iron grip. Liu Qingge bites his lip as Shen Qingqiu grunts with the effort, squirming as he fights both Shen Qingqiu and the shame he clearly feels at being so aroused by this.

Shen Qingqiu can’t say he shares the same feeling. It just feels like they’re wrestling naked. Even when Liu Qingge’s hard cock brushes against him, it doesn’t do anything for him. He does jolt at feeling how much Liu Qingge is dripping, unused to this much pre-come from him.

Liu Qingge makes an odd noise, a triumphant sound as he finally slots himself between Shen Qingqiu’s thighs, using his own legs to spread them open. Shen Qingqiu is used to doing this himself, eagerly, and he bites back a smile at how excited Liu Qingge is to do it. It’s easier to pretend to fight back now and Shen Qingqiu kicks out, keeping at the hard work for Liu Qingge’s sake.

Liu Qingge struggles a little to put it in, but he doesn’t ask for Shen Qingqiu to stop, eyes alight with the challenge. It’s not painful but it is a bit awkward when Liu Qingge’s cock finally pushes inside him. Shen Qingqiu stops his fighting so that Liu Qingge can slide in properly.

Shen Qingqiu gives a pleased sigh, enjoying the feeling of Liu Qingge filling him up. He wraps his legs around him and pulls him in deeper, grinning to himself as Liu Qingge shivers. He wants to cup Liu Qingge’s face, or wrap his arms around and pull him in for a kiss, but he’s forgotten that Liu Qingge has his wrists pinned. He jerks his wrists then looks up at Liu Qingge, whose gaze is far away as he fights off his orgasm. Shen Qingqiu makes a little questioning sound and Liu Qingge’s attention snaps back.

“Should I, ah, beg for you to stop?” Shen Qingqiu asks, barely finishing his sentence before groaning as Liu Qingge grinds inside him.

“No,” Liu Qingge pants, curling his fingers into Shen Qingqiu’s wrist for a minute. “It won’t help you.”

Shen Qingqiu tries to laugh but instead he moans and forgets what he was asking about, heat and pleasure wiping out all other thoughts. He rolls his hips back into Liu Qingge’s thrusts, crying out wordlessly to show his appreciation. Liu Qingge never disappoints in this.

Shen Qingqiu keeps forgetting that Liu Qingge has his wrists pinned and each time he jerks against him, Liu Qingge fucks him harder. It’s a loop that quickly spirals into Liu Qingge’s climax. He cries out, burying himself deep inside Shen Qingqiu. At last he lets go of Shen Qingqiu’s wrists; Shen Qingqiu takes immediate advantage to jerk himself off, sobbing out his climax.

Liu Qingge collapses, whimpering at how overstimulated he is, and Shen Qingqiu has a few questions for him. But it’s going to wait until he can think again, his mind currently a satisfied mush of pleasure and sensation. Shen Qingqiu wipes his hand on the bed, letting that be a problem for future him. He has a lover to comfort right now.

Liu Qingge is trembling, and he buries his face into Shen Qingqiu’s neck. Shen Qingqiu rubs his back, murmuring soothing noises; he’s not really sure what that’s about but Liu Qingge isn’t pushing him away. He soaks up the feeling of holding Liu Qingge in his arms, his cock still hard inside him, and ignores the conversation they’re going to need to have in a bit.

Shen Qingqiu waits until he’s drifting off and shifts to signal he wants to speak. Liu Qingge also moves, slipping out of Shen Qingqiu, and sliding down so he’s curled up against him.

“Ready to talk?” Shen Qingqiu asks and Liu Qingge shakes his head, burying his face deeper against Shen Qingqiu. Shen Qingqiu gives a soft laugh and continues to pet him, amused as always by how cute Liu Qingge can be. They’ll probably fall asleep like this but it’s fine. They can talk in the morning when they’re both rested. He wriggles around to get more comfortable, twining his legs with Liu Qingge’s, and lets himself slip off to sleep.

Shen Qingqiu wakes up alone on a freshly made bed. Part of him wants to frown because it’s rare for Liu Qingge to leave him to wake up to an empty bed after a night of sex but he clearly cleaned up. He’s putting on his outer robes when Liu Qingge returns.

“Good morning,” he says, and Liu Qingge trots over to help him put his robes on even though he really doesn’t need it at this point. Shen Qingqiu lets him do it anyway. “Where did you run off to?”

Liu Qingge mumbles something and Shen Qingqiu raises his eyebrows at him.

“Sect Leader Yue asked me to retrieve some items for him,” Liu Qingge says. He winces at Shen Qingqiu's skeptical look. “I requested a delay and he granted me the morning.”

“Oh,” Shen Qingqiu says, believing him now. It’s pretty normal for Liu Qingge to go off retrieving rare components for medicine and talismans. He’s the best suited to it since he’s practically and currently undefeatable. “What are you going to go get?”

“Dunno. I have a list. And a map,” Liu Qingge says, and Shen Qingqiu smiles at him, recognizing that Liu Qingge is prioritizing the conversation they need to have over his duties. Liu Qingge licks his lips, hands stilling as they smooth out nonexistent wrinkles in Shen Qingqiu’s robe. “Shen Qingqiu. Last night…”

“Mm,” Shen Qingqiu says, not entirely ready for this, but he wants to encourage Liu Qingge. He goes to sit down on the couch, unsurprised that Liu Qingge chooses to stand.

“Did you like it?” Liu Qingge doesn’t look like he’s ready for whatever the answer is but he’s always been brave.

Shen Qingqiu mulls the answer over. He doesn’t want to take too long to answer but he’s just not really sure how he feels about it.

“I think I did,” he finally says before Liu Qingge can jump out of his skin. “But I don’t think I liked it the way you did. It seemed to really turn you on.”

It’s funny to see Liu Qingge flush, embarrassed at the truth of that. Liu Qingge doesn’t say anything, just makes a small noise of assent. He’s really tense, his shoulders up to his ears, and while Shen Qingqiu recognizes how hard this is for him, it’s also kind of hilarious.

“So,” Shen Qingqiu says slowly. “Can you explain it to me?”

“Explain what?”

“Why you want to tie me up. Why it’s so appealing to you. I want to understand.”

Liu Qingge’s face flushes deeper. He opens his mouth then shuts it, extremely lost. It shouldn’t be so cute and Shen Qingqiu will not coo over him right now. But the temptation is bright red in front of him.

“Do you mind if I guess why?” Shen Qingqiu asks. Liu Qingge nods, quickly and in relief, desperate for someone else to find the words for him. Shen Qingqiu pauses, because he’s not sure about this, but the odds are better that he can verbalize it than Liu Qingge. “It felt like...like you were on a hunt. And I was the prey. You caught me and I was yours. Does that kind of make sense?”

“It’s not like that,” Liu Qingge says and Shen Qingqiu nearly rolls his eyes. Of course.

“Okay. I definitely felt caught though.”

Liu Qingge takes a breath.

“Yes. But you weren’t my prey.”

“No?” Liu Qingge shakes his head. “Well then. What was I?”

“You were…” Liu Qingge furrows his brow. “You were…”

Shen Qingqiu pats the couch but Liu Qingge is focusing too hard and doesn’t notice. He paces once across the room before returning to stand in front of the couch.

“You aren’t weak,” Liu Qingge says, out of nowhere, and Shen Qingqiu blinks at him. He gives him a blank stare, waiting for him to go on and elaborate. Because like fuck he can make sense of that. He’s not a mind reader, Liu-shidi!

Unfortunately, neither is Liu Qingge, and he seems to think that’s a good enough explanation. There’s a satisfied air to him.

“Thank you for the compliment but what does that have to do with this?” Shen Qingqiu says, trying to keep the snap out of his voice. He’s not irritated but he’s definitely confused.

“You’re a strong cultivator. Seeing you trapped by the web was…” Liu Qingge swallows. “You were helpless.”

“I probably could have gotten out on my own,” Shen Qingqiu protests. “But you were right there and you weren’t trapped in a sticky web.”

“Yes. You were trapped,” Liu Qingge says.

Shen Qingqiu sighs and leans back into the couch. He runs his hand over the carved crane design on the guard of his fan, removing a piece of dirt from one of the crevices, trying to make sense of this new information.

“Did you like seeing me helpless?” Shen Qingqiu asks, glancing up at him.

Liu Qingge frowns.

“I didn’t want you to get hurt.”

“But did you like it?”

Liu Qingge crosses his arms and looks away. It answers Shen Qingqiu’s question and he’s about to speak when Liu Qingge beats him to it.

“I don’t like seeing you in danger.”

“But you liked seeing me tied up which is why you’re struggling with this. Because you know it can be dangerous but it still turned you on.”

Liu Qingge huffs but after a moment of thought, he reluctantly agrees. Shen Qingqiu pats the couch again and Liu Qingge sits down at last. He won’t be surprised if the floor develops grooves from where Liu Qingge likes to pace.

“You know, I really like seeing Liu-shidi under me,” Shen Qingqiu says. Liu Qingge looks torn between scandalized, aroused, and confused. It’s cute. “I imagine it’s similar for you. That submission.”

“It isn’t-”

“But isn’t it? You submit to me all the time. And I like it. What’s wrong with liking that? Do you think it’s something we shouldn’t do?” Liu Qingge shakes his head. “If Liu-shidi wants to see me bound and at his mercy because it turns him on, then I will happily fulfill that desire of his.”

“If you don't like it we’ll never do it again,” Liu Qingge says. And that’s the thing. Shen Qingqiu believes him. He knows that Liu Qingge would drop the subject and never bring it up again.

“This shixiong isn’t opposed.” Shen Qingqiu takes his hand, interlocking their fingers. “Liu-shidi will stop if I ask. And I want to do this for him.”

He wasn't expecting Liu Qingge to embrace him but as he slides his own arms around him, he can feel the tension rolling through him. Shen Qingqiu gives a little fond sigh and pats his back.

“You aren’t weak. I don’t want you to think that I’m devouring you like some kind of prey,” Liu Qingge says, pulling away so he can cup Shen Qingqiu’s face and look him in the eye. “I’m not a predator, not to you.”

“I know,” Shen Qingqiu says, reaching up with one hand to cup Liu Qingge’s hand. He leans into the touch, letting his eyes slide shut with the weight of his trust. “I know.”

They stay like that for a while until Liu Qingge tears himself away to perform his peak lord duties, and Shen Qingqiu bids him farewell for the next few days, scolding him to stay safe.

Yue Qingyuan calls for him a few times, obstinately to ask for help about sect business, but Shen Qingqiu doesn’t see the point in him being there. If he thinks that Shen Qingqiu is lonely without Liu Qingge, well, that’s awfully nice of him but Qing Jing keeps him busy enough. He’s kept on his toes by those rascals he calls disciples.

Last week one of them botched a talisman and caused a rash of blindness amongst the youngest disciples. They’d had a few close calls with the blinded disciples nearly walking off the cliffs and now they were being led around by their seniors. It was, quite frankly, absolutely adorable.

So while he appreciates Yue Qingyuan’s concern it’s not really necessary. It would be a different matter if Shen Qingqiu was actually helping but whenever Yue Qingyuan asks for his opinion, Shen Qingqiu has the feeling that Yue Qingyuan has already decided how matters will be handled. He’d rather be on Qing Jing by himself than dealing with that.

But he is the sect leader and he’s not a bad guy so Shen Qingqiu spends the afternoon with him. He doesn’t hide a sigh of relief as he walks into the Qing Jing library though. Qiong Ding Peak is beautiful but it isn’t his Qing Jing Peak.

Shen Qingqiu is sitting with his oldest disciples in the library, writing out the final copy of his entry on the Amber Eyed Vicious Spider; it’s still light out but some of them are pulling the candles out, getting ready for a long night. The door to the library busts open, and one disciple screams, jolted out of their reverie. There’s only one person who does that and Shen Qingqiu looks up, glad to see Liu Qingge even as he glares at him for banging his door open. They’ve talked about this.

Liu Qingge’s eyes widen in guilt as he realizes what he’s done. Shen Qingqiu sighs, forgives him, and smiles as he stands up to greet him.

“I thought you would be gone longer,” Shen Qingqiu says as he takes Liu Qingge’s hands. He discreetly slips his fingers to his wrist to check on the flow of his qi. Liu Qingge has a truly awful habit of ignoring his injuries or straight up not noticing him. There’s nothing amiss and Liu Qingge shakes his fingers from his wrist, grasping his hand again.

“Rushed back,” Liu Qingge says. Shen Qingqiu smiles at him again, aching a little at the expectant kiss in Liu Qingge’s eyes. But Liu Qingge is shy and Shen Qingqiu has a thin face. This is really the most they do in front of others’ eyes.

“Come, I need another book for reference. It’s in the next room,” he says, loud enough so that everyone can hear and stay the fuck out.

Liu Qingge follows obediently and he shoves Shen Qingqiu against the bookcase the moment they close the door behind them. Shen Qingqiu doesn’t need anything but this room’s privacy and he cups Liu Qingge’s face, kissing him in return (while also keeping from knocking anything over because he’s organized this bookcase twice already, he is not doing it a third time, thank you very much!)

“Missed you,” Shen Qingqiu murmurs when Liu Qingge gives him a chance to breathe. “My bed was lonely.”

Liu Qingge grunts, sliding his leg up against Shen Qingqiu’s groin, and Shen Qingqiu has to pinch him to remind him that he is never again fucking someone in the library. He’s forever scarred from the last time. Liu Qingge huffs at him but obeys, gentling his hands and mouth as he banishes his own loneliness.

If Liu Qingge had it his ridiculous way, Shen Qingqiu would accompany him on all of his hunts. But Shen Qingqiu enjoys being a teacher, likes Qing Jing, and while he absolutely loves going off on hunts, it doesn’t sustain him the way it does Liu Qingge.

He doesn’t need to hear Liu Qingge repeat the words back because he can feel it right now, wrapped up in that ache as Liu Qingge takes his fill. Shen Qingqiu even tilts his head, letting Liu Qingge suck on his neck long enough to leave a bruise, grateful that his lover has returned to him without injury.

“I want-” Shen Qingqiu breaks off in a delighted gasp as Liu Qingge bites down on his shoulder through the layers of his robe. It doesn’t hurt but the pressure goes straight to his cock and Shen Qingqiu has to fight past his arousal to remember his own rule. “I want you to tie me up tonight.”

Liu Qingge hums in agreement, and Shen Qingqiu is just thinking what an underwhelming reaction that is when Liu Qingge is kissing him again, sliding his tongue into his mouth and ravaging him. Shen Qingqiu whimpers and clings to Liu Qingge, unsure of when he had been lifted off the ground, arms and legs wrapped around Liu Qingge for support. Everything is delightfully hazy and warm, and it isn’t until the bookcase shudders precariously behind him that Shen Qingqiu regains his cognitive thinking.

“Slow down,” Shen Qingqiu gasps, tearing his lips away from Liu Qingge’s greedy mouth. Liu Qingge is gentle as he sets him back on his feet and Shen Qingqiu wipes at his mouth, legs shaky as he lets Liu Qingge support him with his hands on his waist. “I told you-”

“I know. But I didn’t want to stop,” Liu Qingge says. He presses his forehead to Shen Qingqiu’s, his eyes closed as he breathes heavily. “I want more.”

Shen Qingqiu sighs and kisses him softly on the corner of his mouth, unsurprised when Liu Qingge chases his lips for a sweet kiss.

“We’re going to wrap up soon,” Shen Qingqiu says. “Some of my disciples are writing out their first drafts and-”

Liu Qingge scoffs, lightly, and Shen Qingqiu tugs on his ear in reproach. Qing Jing is known for the four arts, and that takes practice. Shen Qingqiu has actually found it immensely enjoyable, for he can be as acerbic and brutal in his assessment as he desires when he reviews their works. And those masochistic disciples of his love it.

“I’m going to edit all their works, right now, and see how you like waiting,” Shen Qingqiu says. He’s joking but Liu Qingge glowers at him and nips at his neck again. Shen Qingqiu curls his fingers at the back of Liu Qingge’s neck, moaning as Liu Qingge palms his ass.

By the time Shen Qingqiu returns to the library’s main room, the first candles are burned halfway through, and Shen Qingqiu is grateful for the shadows that hide where Liu Qingge brutalized his neck. His disciples are well trained though and they keep their eyes down, focused on their work. He knows it’s a lie, he heard them whispering before he walked in, the gossipy little shits. But he can hold his head up high because Liu Qingge did not fuck him; well, at least not yet.

If Shen Qingqiu is slightly sharper in his reviews that night, well, that’s their own fault. Shen Qingqiu doesn’t stay as late as he intended, since Liu Qingge has returned, and he hurries to his bamboo house. He frowns in confusion as he hears water splash and steps in to see Liu Qingge sitting in the bath.

“What are you doing?” he asks.

“Washing,” Liu Qingge says, arching an eyebrow at him, like he’s the funniest person in the world.

“Obviously,” Shen Qingqiu says, amused despite himself. “Do you want me to join you?”

Liu Qingge shakes his head rapidly, sending water droplets flying. Shen Qingqiu rolls his eyes but it’s affectionately. He settles in to close up his house for the night, changing into his nighttime wear and brushing his hair out. The sounds of Liu Qingge finishing up his bath are comforting; when he’s gone, it’s too damn quiet. It really is best to have him here.

Shen Qingqiu is standing by his desk, absently reading through some missives as he organizes them for what he’ll deal with tomorrow and what he’ll put off for another day, when Liu Qingge pads over and wraps himself against his back as best he can. Shen Qingqiu leans his head back and clucks his tongue.

“Your hair is still wet.”

“Dry it for me.”

“Aren’t you a grown man? Do it yourself.”

“You’re better at it.”

“Lazy.”

Liu Qingge doesn’t say anything but Shen Qingqiu can feel his unimpressed stare. Shen Qingqiu pushes his letters back before Liu Qingge can drip on them. He takes the towel that Liu Qingge has and pulls him to bed, sitting him on the floor so that Shen Qingqiu can dry his head off. Liu Qingge looks at peace, like he could start purring any second, and Shen Qingqiu had intended to yank his head back at some point but he can’t bring himself to do it. Instead he keeps his hands gentle but with enough strength to get the job done. He knows some cultivation stories have people using the skill to dry hair instantly, but Airplane Bro probably has a kink for this too, because people were always rubbing each other dry in his story.

“All done,” Shen Qingqiu murmurs, biting his lip as Liu Qingge kisses his wrist in thanks.

Liu Qingge stands up and climbs into bed, reaching out to pull Shen Qingqiu to him for a kiss. Shen Qingqiu obliges with interest, sinking into the pace that Liu Qingge sets. He expects him to be hot and heavy but instead he’s slow and languid with it; even his fingers against his side are barely grazing across his clothed hips. Liu Qingge is still nervous about this whole bondage business and Shen Qingqiu doesn’t press him, more than enjoying the sweet makeout. Reunion sex is always great even without experimental ropes involved.

Shen Qingqiu rolls himself so he’s on top of Liu Qingge, eager to kiss him deeply, having missed him the past couple of days. They don’t have sex everyday but Liu Qingge is a steady presence in his life now; he’s there at night, in the morning, and throughout the day. He runs into him intermittently during the mornings, steals him away from his peak for lunch, and at any moment can send a disciple to fetch Liu Qingge for him. It’s something he’s always wanted, a partner who would sit beside him while he reads, that he can reach over and poke with whatever thought crosses his mind.

Shen Qingqiu presses himself against Liu Qingge, grinding his groin against him as desire starts to grow. He’s been nervous about getting tied up even though he trusts Liu Qingge completely. But sex with Liu Qingge isn’t something he’s worried about.

Shen Qingqiu gasps in surprise as Liu Qingge flips them, pinning his wrists down so he can shove his tongue down his throat. Liu Qingge shows him no mercy and Shen Qingqiu bucks, partly unconsciously but also because he needs to breathe. When Liu Qingge finally releases him, licking his lips as he watches Shen Qingqiu pant, he doesn’t soften his grip on his wrists.

“You should, ah, tie me up now,” Shen Qingqiu says, groaning as Liu Qingge’s hips grind against him. He can feel how hard Liu Qingge is.

“Mn,” Liu Qingge says, kissing him again. Shen Qingqiu moans into his mouth, feeling how Liu Qingge smiles, and then pushes his hips up. He tries to hook a leg around Liu Qingge’s hips but Liu Qingge doesn’t let him take control again. He keeps Shen Qingqiu pinned in place like the selfish asshole that he is.

Shen Qingqiu finally manages to break away and narrows his eyes at Liu Qingge in amused suspicion.

“Did you remember the rope this time?” Shen Qingqiu teases.

But then Liu Qingge nods, letting go of his wrists at last and reaching under the bed to pull out a golden rope. Shen Qingqiu’s words dry up and he looks at it, transfixed by the shine. Liu Qingge finds the end and rubs his thumb over it. He sits back on his knees and holds the rope out like an offering. Shen Qingqiu props himself up to sit, his legs a little weak from how passionately he was kissed and also at the reality of what is about to happen.

“An immortal-binding cable is…” Liu Qingge wets his lips and tries again. “It is a tool. Not to be used for this. So I found something else.”

“Because regular rope won’t hold a cultivator,” Shen Qingqiu finishes. He hadn’t thought that much about it. He’d left it to Liu Qingge, who seems to have risen to the challenge. Part of him wants to touch it but another part isn’t ready. He settles his twitchy fingers by closing them into fists. “What is this one made of?”

Liu Qingge doesn’t answer for a moment. He’s avoiding Shen Qingqiu’s gaze but that isn’t hard when Shen Qingqiu’s eyes are drawn to the golden rope.

“Ruthless Primordial Moth silk. It’s mostly used in netting for catching Mega Quail-Snakes.”

“You’ll have to tell me more about that later,” Shen Qingqiu says, unable to remember what side plot this was originally for. It’s not important right now. Liu Qingge’s lips twitch, used to this refrain.

“You can still break it,” Liu Qingge says. “But it will take more effort. It weakens your cultivation temporarily.”

Shen Qingqiu reaches out to touch it, a little surprised at how firm and tight the weave is. Liu Qingge lets him take his time. Shen Qingqiu runs his fingers across it until his fingertips hit Liu Qingge’s palm. They both jolt at the touch and look at each other.

“I trust you,” Shen Qingqiu says. If Liu Qingge says the effects are temporary then he believes him.

Liu Qingge nods then leans forward slowly, wordlessly asking for a kiss. Shen Qingqiu doesn’t hesitate, winding his hands into Liu Qingge’s hair as he presses his lips to his, answering the pull to Liu Qingge’s push. He leans his body into Liu Qingge’s touch as Liu Qingge slides his shirt off him. Liu Qingge takes his time, inching his top from his arms as he runs his hands across Shen Qingqiu’s shoulders then down to his wrist then back up again. They trade kisses in between, without rush or hurry.

Shen Qingqiu inhales shakily as Liu Qingge’s fingers dig into the waistband of his pants, mostly eager as his heartbeat echoes throughout his veins. But he’s still worried, still unsure, and he leans into Liu Qingge’s touch as his hands trace the curve of his ass while coaxing his pants down.

Liu Qingge avoids touching his cock; Shen Qingqiu hisses as Liu Qingge’s fingers trace the seam of his thighs and groin. Liu Qingge presses a kiss to his shoulder and grins, dragging his finger through the crevice of his ass. Shen Qingqiu jerks into the touch and moans, aware that they’ve barely begun. His pants are at his knees, and when Liu Qingge taps his hips, Shen Qingqiu sits back on his bottom and helps him slide them off his legs. Liu Qingge looks up at him and takes his ankle, pressing a kiss to it and then making his way up his leg. Shen Qingqiu watches, hazy with pleasure, breath coming quicker when Liu Qingge settles between his legs.

Liu Qingge licks his lips, eyes devouring his cock, and then reaches back to grab the golden rope.

“Put your hands behind your back,” Liu Qingge says and Shen Qingqiu shudders, both in aborted pleasure, uncertainty, and the pressure increasing in him as his climax is pushed back.

But he obeys and closes his eyes to let Liu Qingge begin. It’s kind of a relief that Liu Qingge defaults to a standard ‘tie a prisoner’ up rather than busting out some fancy ropework. Shen Qingqiu isn’t sure he’s on board with having his hands tied behind his back though; it leaves him awfully unbalanced. He’s trying to come to grips with it when Liu Qingge taps his shoulder to get his attention.

“You don’t like it?” His expression is inordinately worried and Shen Qingqiu smiles at him.

“I...don’t think I want my hands behind my back, if that’s alright? Maybe above my head?”

Liu Qingge had begun untying him the moment Shen Qingqiu had said “don’t” but his hands slow down.

“Is that really enough?”

Shen Qingqiu nods and Liu Qingge quickly rearranges him, gentle as he places him on his back with his arms stretched out over his head. It still feels weird, but Shen Qingqiu doesn’t feel as easily toppled over like this, and some of the tension he hadn’t noticed he was carrying leaves him.

An immortal-binding cable cuts off all his cultivation. This one feels more like he’s been pushed into a dark pit of soft mud; he can still feel his cultivation but it’s harder to reach, like he’d need to squelch and flail to get to it. Shen Qingqiu closes his eyes for a moment as he recalibrates, testing to see how much effort it would take to access his power again.

It’s possible but it takes a lot of effort, just as Liu Qingge said. Shen Qingqiu blinks his eyes open to see Liu Qingge watching him with trepidation. He tugs on the bonds once and Liu Qingge’s hand shoots out like he’s about to untie him the second Shen Qingqiu asks for it.

“Is this-?”

“Yeah, this is fine,” Shen Qingqiu says. He smiles as Liu Qingge kisses him, trying to raise up his arms to sling them around his neck. Liu Qingge huffs a laugh into their kiss and breaks apart, running his fingers up Shen Qingqiu’s shoulders to his bound arms.

“Tell me if it’s too much,” Liu Qingge says. Shen Qingqiu nods, and Liu Qingge presses a kiss to his forehead. Then he sits back and fits himself between Shen Qingqiu’s legs, hauling his hips up and burying himself there. Shen Qingqiu can’t fight back like this and he watches in dismay as Liu Qingge makes himself at home. Without hesitation or delay, he plants his face in his ass, and licks at his hole.

“Bastard!” Shen Qingqiu screeches, trying to kick at him. Liu Qingge, you utter piece of shit! He knows that Shen Qingqiu likes this but feels weird about it, and he’s abusing his power! Liu Qingge smirks and Shen Qingqiu feels it against the curve of his ass, his fucking ass!, and starts licking him more vigorously. Shen Qingqiu shudders, weak to getting rimmed, and he succumbs to the pleasure. He devolves into a shivering, drooling mess, crying out as Liu Qingge devours him.

Liu Qingge has his eyes closed as shamelessly licks his asshole. He’s enjoying himself far too much, spreading his cheeks apart so he can reach deeper inside. Shen Qingqiu scrambles to find the appropriate words but he’s torn between praising and cursing him. He ends up moaning and sobbing, rocking his hips up into Liu Qingge’s rhythm.

Liu Qingge stutters, muffling a grunt, and it’s enough to let Shen Qingqiu escape the haze of rapture he’s been forced into. He stares at Liu Qingge, unfocused, taking in his own far off gaze, his flushed cheeks. His chin is slick with spit and Shen Qingqiu gives a strangled gasp as he realizes that Liu Qingge came from eating him out.

Liu Qingge catches his look, licks his lips, and pulls Shen Qingqiu’s ass back to his mouth. Shen Qingqiu doesn’t get a chance to say anything, falling back into incoherent moans and cries. Tied up like this, Shen Qingqiu can’t physically fight back, and Liu Qingge takes full advantage to spread him wide open. He’d never had his tongue so deep, so lewd, and Shen Qingqiu sobs from the pleasure and mortification of it. When Liu Qingge finally pulls away, Shen Qingqiu is trembling hard, tears at the corners of his eyes as he fights back his embarrassment.

Liu Qingge looks at him for a moment then rips his clothes off, sodden pants and all, and just as Shen Qingqiu realizes that he was fully clothed while he’s been completely naked, he places his cock at Shen Qingqiu’s hole and starts to push in.

“Oh god,” Shen Qingqiu moans. His asshole is sensitive from the rimming and he feels like his balls are about to burst.

Liu Qingge moans too and pushes in harder, enough that Shen Qingqiu winces. His hole is wet and Liu Qingge is dripping but it’s not enough. He’s about to say something when Liu Qingge pulls back, murmuring an apology with a kiss against his cheek. Shen Qingqiu relaxes, more than alright with a minute to catch his breath. He watches as Liu Qingge scrambles for the lubricant, grabbing the first bottle he finds. He’s sloppy about it, coating his fingers and his cock in record speed, and Shen Qingqiu bites back a laugh. He stops laughing entirely as Liu Qingge slides back in, slowly but deliberate, and gives a loud, appreciative moan.

“Shen Qingqiu,” Liu Qingge moans, latching onto his neck, vicious with his kiss. Shen Qingqiu wraps his legs around Liu Qingge, whimpering as he thrusts deep.

Liu Qingge has his hands all over, roaming from his chest to his hips to his face, touching as if Shen Qingqiu has deprived him of this. He’s forceful but not enough to hurt or bruise, and Shen Qingqiu babbles praises as Liu Qingge pays attention to everywhere that feels good. He knows how to please Shen Qingqiu and he makes no secret of it.

Shen Qingqiu wants to wrap his arms around Liu Qingge, to hold onto him through the vigorous pounding Liu Qingge is giving him, but he’s bound in place. He tugs and pulls at his bonds, not really to escape them, but because his arms naturally want to hug Liu Qingge. Liu Qingge notices, his eyes drifting to the rope around his wrists every few moments, and he reaches up to pin his captured wrists. It’s overkill and Shen Qingqiu whines at him, though it only makes Liu Qingge smirk and lick at his neck, worrying at the bruises and kiss marks he’s already left.

“Liu-shidi,” Shen Qingqiu moans, stuttering as Liu Qingge focuses again on thrusting into him. It’s so good.

“You’re coming,” Liu Qingge notes, letting go of his wrists so he can pull Shen Qingqiu’s hips up a little higher, unforgiving as Shen Qingqiu starts to cry out.

Shen Qingqiu’s toes curl and he arches off the bed as much as he can as Liu Qingge fucks an orgasm out of him. He intends to cry out Liu Qingge’s name but instead he only manages wordless screams, like his voice is as tied up as his arms.

Liu Qingge doesn’t slow down, fucking Shen Qingqiu into oversensitivity, and Shen Qingqiu doesn’t fight it. He keeps his legs spread open, limp against the bed as Liu Qingge enjoys himself. Shen Qingqiu thrashes, fights, and jerks as he tries to release some of the excessive stimulation and pleasure. It’s useless, bound as he is, and Liu Qingge takes horrible advantage to keep fucking him until he slams deep inside and fills him up, brutal as he presses himself as far as he can go.

Shen Qingqiu whimpers, rubbing his face against Liu Qingge, wordlessly begging for mercy. Liu Qingge doesn’t react at first, panting open mouthed as he gives little jerks of his hips to keep his cock inside of Shen Qingqiu as he empties out. He takes all the pleasure he can wring from Shen Qingqiu’s body, absolutely relentless.

“Fuck, that was…” Shen Qingqiu tries to speak but he can’t find any of the words he needs. Liu Qingge kisses his neck, smiling against the thin, sensitive skin, but Shen Qingqiu doesn’t even care. He’s a goddamn mess, unable to resist anything that Liu Qingge wanted, and Liu Qingge is a beast when he’s allowed to have his way. “Ah, fuck it.”

Liu Qingge does laugh at that, a little tired huff. He still hasn’t pulled out and Shen Qingqiu wriggles his hips, frowning as he notes that Liu Qingge still hasn’t gone soft. He’s pretty exhausted. Liu Qingge grinds his cock deeper, tiny circles of his hips that grow until he’s fucking Shen Qingqiu gently, and Shen Qingqiu gasps as he clenches down. He’s so tired but this feels good.

“You’re hard again,” Liu Qingge murmurs, reaching down to grab his cock. Shen Qingqiu cries out, because he is hard, but it also hurts. He just came.

“You can’t be serious,” Shen Qingqiu says and Liu Qingge smiles, shifting so he can suck on Shen Qingqiu’s nipples. Shen Qingqiu groans, partly out of pleasure and partly because he’s tired already, Liu-shidi, give your shixiong a break! But Liu Qingge takes his nipple into his mouth, worrying it with his teeth with just the right amount of pressure, and Shen Qingqiu pushes his chest into his mouth.

Liu Qingge takes his time, rolling his hips to keep Shen Qingqiu’s ass full, while he pinches, plucks, and pleasures his chest. Shen Qingqiu whimpers when Liu Qingge finally pulls his mouth off but his fingers go to rolling the hardened nub. He’s no less merciful with his fingers, playing with his reddened nipples to his heart’s content.

“You, ah, shameless fucker, ooh,” Shen Qingqiu pants, words less than lethal as he moans and whimpers.

Liu Qingge pauses then pulls out. Shen Qingqiu only has time to widen his eyes when Liu Qingge turns him over, pulls his hips up, and slams back in. Shen Qingqiu nearly chokes on it, eyes rolling back as he’s fucked stupid. He pants, uncontrollably, and wails as pleasure hits him sharp as a knife. Shen Qingqiu yanks at his wrists, slamming them against the bed, wanting to tear the rope off and escape.

There is no mercy here. Liu Qingge fucks like his only purpose is to make Shen Qingqiu come, and he does an excellent job. Shen Qingqiu chokes on a scream as Liu Qingge hits all his good spots, his pleasure spiraling as his hips are pulled back so Liu Qingge can fuck in. He tries to scramble to get his footing but with his hands tied up, his hips in Liu Qingge’s grip, he has no chance. Liu Qingge bangs him good and hard, and Shen Qingqiu sobs out his climax. He’s stretched taut for a moment before his pleasure snaps through him and he collapses, crying out as Liu Qingge fucks him.

Thankfully, Liu Qingge doesn’t last much longer. He also whimpers as Shen Qingqiu clenches down on him, and he fills Shen Qingqiu’s ass with his warm come again, filling Shen Qingqiu up like he can feel it in his throat.

Liu Qingge falls on top of him but the pressure on his back is comforting and Shen Qingqiu doesn’t try to roll away. He doesn’t even bother to move out of the wet spot where his cock spurted out wildly and without aim. Shen Qingqiu focuses on regaining his breath and critical thinking, body trembling with the last vestiges of pleasure.

He murmurs a thanks as Liu Qingge gets up and unties him, the pressure at his wrists slipping off and Shen Qingqiu gives a violent shiver as he draws his arms down, an odd sort of relief sweeping through him. It’s like drinking from a cool stream on a hot day, and he doesn’t fight the feeling, letting it flow through his limbs down to his fingers and toes. Liu Qingge is sitting by him, watching him carefully, and Shen Qingqiu smiles dumbly at him.

“I’m so fucking tired,” Shen Qingqiu says and Liu Qingge chuckles, pushing his sweaty hair from his forehead so he can kiss him.

“Sleep. I’ll clean up,” he says and that’s all Shen Qingqiu needs to hear. He passes out shortly after.

When he wakes up, Liu Qingge is true to his words; the bed is remade and Shen Qingqiu can feel that his body has been cleaned. He turns over to see Liu Qingge sleeping, and he’s very comfortable in their current position, with Liu Qingge holding him like he was worried Shen Qingqiu had been hurt.

Oh, his ass hurts, and he’s not sure his legs will hold him up, but he’s been through worse. He shifts so he can look at Liu Qingge but that’s enough to wake Liu Qingge up.

“How are you?” Liu Qingge asks before Shen Qingqiu can speak.

“Sore. But in a good way,” Shen Qingqiu says. He pats Liu Qingge’s cheek. “Thank you for cleaning up. I was not up for it.”

Liu Qingge nods and pulls him in tighter. They’re quiet for a moment, relaxed in the early morning before they need to rise.

“How was it?” Liu Qingge asks and Shen Qingqiu smiles against his chest.

“Ask me later tonight,” he says, rolling his shoulders as he takes stock of his aches again. “I came twice though so that’s pretty good.”

Liu Qingge huffs at him but he doesn’t press for an answer again, instead prodding him out of bed to get ready for the day. Shen Qingqiu fights it for as long as he can but Liu Qingge is relentless when he feels that it’s time to get up. It’s a major flaw of his but Shen Qingqiu still adores him.

The day passes by without event which is good because Shen Qingqiu’s mind is still absolute mush. He can’t even say he’s preoccupied with anything. His mind is just happily blank, like he’s been refreshed. Liu Qingge ends up bringing him lunch in his study because he completely forgets to eat.

“Hey,” Liu Qingge says, gently knocking his fist against his head. “Are you awake?”

“Yeah?” Shen Qingqiu says, blinking at him.

Liu Qingge has spent most of the morning with him, taking his arms every time Shen Qingqiu almost runs into a wall or doesn’t hear a disciple call for his attention. It’s sweet and Shen Qingqiu wishes he could say it isn’t necessary but he’s run into disciples five times today; as in he has physically knocked into them and now they all think he’s sick or injured. Liu Qingge playing guard dog hasn’t helped that misconception but his students are dodging out of his way and Shen Qingqiu will appreciate that later when he can think again.

“You don’t seem like it.”

“Ah, yeah, I’m kind of out of it.” Liu Qingge gives him a worried look. “Not in a bad way! It’s hard to explain.”

“Alright,” Liu Qingge says, unconvinced, and shoves a bowl of soup towards him. “Eat.”

“Yes, yes,” Shen Qingqiu says, rolling his eyes at him. He clears off the paperwork he had been staring at without reading and figures it’s a lost cause today. He’s halfway through his meal when he sees Liu Qingge staring at him. “What is it?”

Liu Qingge reaches out and touches his wrist. Shen Qingqiu looks to see his sleeves pushed back enough that his bruised skin is showing.

“Does it hurt?” Liu Qingge asks, obscenely worried over an injury that he has inflicted. Then again, maybe that’s why.

“Not a lot,” Shen Qingqiu says, tracing the marks on his wrists. “It’s more like an ache I can feel when I forget.” He pauses. “I think I like it. Not all the time! But...once in a while...it’s nice.”

Liu Qingge stares at him for a moment then flushes, averting his eyes as his breath comes a little harshly. Shen Qingqiu smiles in amusement and interlocks their fingers.

“Maybe next time I’ll tie you up,” Shen Qingqiu says, enjoying the way Liu Qingge jolts and turns a deeper red, though he only holds onto his hand tighter.

“If you’d like,” Liu Qingge says.

Shen Qingqiu outright laughs at that, uncaring for once if someone hears him. He squeezes Liu Qingge’s hand in silent promise, then holds out a bite for Liu Qingge to eat, warmth spreading through him as Liu Qingge obediently accepts it.