Archive of Our Own

When Shen Qingqiu woke up, there was a moment where he could almost convince himself it was a bad dream. All of it. When he tilted his head, he realized he’d been laid down in his nest, the mixture of warm and comforting cinnamon and calming but affectionate matcha almost enough to convince him of such a thing.

He reached his shaking hand up to find dried blood stuck to his face and it knocked all such illusions out of his head.

“Shidi,” a voice gasped in relief and Shen Qingqiu turned his head to see Yue Qingyuan, the man’s eyes wide and glossy, a tentative smile growing on his face.

Shen Qingqiu stared at him for a moment. People would claim it later as a moment of madness, a minor deviation.

All Shen Qingqiu knew was his rich matcha scent surged as the memories returned, as Shen Qingqiu realized what Yue Qingyuan had done, and he leapt at the other man like a wild animal.

He wasn’t thinking clearly so it wasn’t even a good attack but it got the point across.

When they, Mu Qingfang and Wei Qingwei, that is, finally managed to calm Shen Qingqiu, to stop him from trying to gouge Yue Qingyuan’s eyes out, they all sat at Shen Qingqiu’s table.

Shen Qingqiu did not offer them tea, did not, could not, call Binghe to bring in snacks.

“Why?” is all he said, refusing to look Yue Qingyuan in the eye.

“Qingqiu-shidi must understand,” Yue Qingyuan pleaded, the relief gone. His faint wisp of a smell tried to respond to Shen Qingqiu's own, trying to soothe. Shen Qingqiu sank his teeth into his upper lip in order to not snarl at Yue Qingyuan. “This was necessary.”

“I see,” Shen Qingqiu said in false calm. “Tell me, what threat did Luo Binghe send to Cang Qiong? How has he proven himself a danger?”

“He was a Heavenly Demon, Qingqiu-shidi,” Yue Qingyuan said softly. “That is evidence enough.”

“He has done nothing to you,” Shen Qingqiu knew his scent was too strong, could see it in Mu Qingfang’s pinched expression and the way Wei Qingwei was discretely covering his nose, but couldn't bring himself to care. After what they had done, they could handle his flexing. “He was working on a peace treaty between the Demonic Empire and our sect! There was no reason-!"

“The other sects would not have accepted it,” Yue Qingyuan cut him off. “They would have turned against us.”

“Then why not just refuse his offer?" Shen Qingqiu didn’t understand, couldn’t understand. It made no sense! “He would have accepted it!”

“Then we would have lost you, shidi,” Yue Qingyuan tilted his head, eyes soft with… with pity. “You were so bewitched by his demonic charms, you’d have followed him to the demon realm without a second thought.”

“He is my husband,” Shen Qingqiu finally did snarl, animalistic in his anger. “Of course I would."

“You barely knew him, shidi,” Yue Qingyuan said, like an idiot. “We fear your attraction to him may have been… induced. There are many demonic arts known for ensuring and then feeding on cultivators.”

Shen Qingqiu wanted to spit up blood. Ex-fucking-cuse me?! He was so shocked that his scent actually eased up, allowing the others to breathe without being engulfed in his fury.

“He is a Heavenly Demon, not… not a succubus,” Shen Qingqiu sputtered. “And surely, if that was true, Mu-shidi would have caught Binghe as such earlier on.”

“A thought this master shared, shixiong, but Zhangmen-shixiong found an allegedly more reliable source than this one,” Mu Qingfang said dryly. Shen Qingqiu couldn't help but relax, soothed somewhat by the notion that not all of his sect siblings were on board with… with what had happened.

“The Old Palace Master has history and understanding of Heavenly Demons, even if it is incomplete," Yue Qingyuan said defensively.  “I have no reason to doubt his guidance.”

Mu Qingfang shook his head and went silent.

“Well,” Shen Qingqiu said. “He was wrong. I still love my husband as much now as I did before… before your actions.”

Wei Qingwei tried to use his pheromones to soothe Shen Qingqiu, the other Omega’s almost fruit-like smell calming. Shen Qingqiu turned his head and snapped his teeth at Wei Qingwei, not in the mood to allow any scent but his and Binghe’s to fill this place.

An instinctual part of him told him to guard his and his mate’s territory, that while his Alpha was away, it was up to him.

Wei Qingwei respected those unspoken wishes, bowing his head in apology for trying to assert himself in a place he did not belong. Shen Qingqiu scoffed. He’d never thought of himself as territorial or as the posturing type but Binghe wasn’t here to do it. Someone had to protect their nest.

“Mu-shidi, would you test Shen Qingqiu for any outside influence?” Yue Qingyuan asked and the doctor bristled.

“I thought the Old Palace Master claimed that Heavenly Demons couldn’t be detected doing as such,” Mu Qingfang said dryly.

“Perhaps with Luo Binghe’s death, it will have become visible and thus easy to dismiss,” Yue Qingyuan smiled blankly. Mu Qingfang huffed and stood up, his herbal scent tinged with a hint of annoyance. Shen Qingqiu couldn't help but feel the same.

“If this master may, shixiong?” Mu Qingfang asked. Shen Qingqiu loosely handed his arm over, uncaring of his exposed scent glands. He had been relaxing at home when… well. Mu Qingfang spent a minute examining Shen Qingqiu’s meridians before his brow furrowed and then his eyebrows raised in shock and horror. “Shixiong.”

Shen Qingqiu stiffened. He knew Luo Binghe hadn’t cast a spell on him, at least, not any spell he hadn’t cast on the world as a whole but the System was tied to Luo Binghe. It had gone into low power mode when Luo Binghe was in the abyss, now that he was… incapacitated, perhaps it had become detectable.

“What is it?” Yue Qingyuan asked, leaning forward.

“Shixiong, I’m so sorry,” Mu Qingfang said and the personal pronoun startled Shen Qingqiu even more. “You’re pregnant.”

…Pregnant? 

Shen Qingqiu felt his cheeks warm and heard the System do a low beep. Well, they hadn’t exactly been using protection, now had they? And this world's interesting biology had certainly inclined even men towards pregnancy.

Pregnant. A baby. Luo Binghe’s baby.

“No,” Yue Qingyuan said, looking horrified. “It’s- Qingqiu-shidi, it’s not his, is it?”

“Of course it is,” Shen Qingqiu said, glaring at Yue Qingyuan. “Whose else would it be?”

“You can’t plan to keep it,” Yue Qingyuan sighed, like Shen Qingqiu was the unreasonable one. “The other sects-”

“The other sects can burn, for all I care,” Shen Qingqiu spat and turned his eyes to Yue Qingyuan. “Out.”

He could no longer tolerate Yue Qingyuan’s presence, couldn't tolerate anyone’s, but Yue Qingyuan’s especially. The man dared to look hurt by the notion.

Shen Qingqiu didn’t care. Yue Qingyuan was a threat, a threat to him, a threat to his mate, to his territory, to the child he had just realized was resting within him.

“Shidi,” Yue Qingyuan started and Shen Qingqiu jumped to his feet, drawing his blade. Xiu Ya sang a song of rage, one in tune with Shen Qingqiu’s own heart.

“Get out of my fucking house,” Shen Qingqiu swore, pointing his blade at the three daring to remain in his territory. “Now!”

Yue Qingyuan lowered his head submissively, Wei Qingwei and Mu Qingfang following suit. Wei Qingwei subconsciously stuck to his own mate, covering Mu Qingfang’s back in the face of a furious Omega, and Shen Qingqiu’s heart ached bitterly.

He heard his door close as they left and he collapsed, curling in on himself.

“System,” Shen Qingqiu gasped out. “Are you there?”

[User 002,] the System flickered to life in front of Shen Qingqiu’s eyes, a dimmer blue than it had been before, as if it too was grieving. [While the System is separated from the Power Source, the new upgrade has permitted the System access to emergency stores. The System is running on said stores currently.]

“He’s… he’s not dead, right, System?” Shen Qingqiu whispered.

[the Protagonist can’t die,] the System responded. [but that does not eliminate harm.]

Shen Qingqiu closed his eyes, tight enough to hurt. He wanted it to hurt.

“What did they do?" Shen Qingqiu asked, eyes still closed.

[the System is unsure but will keep User 002 posted,] the system said. [User 002.]

“Yes?” Shen Qingqiu opened his eyes. He had overdone it, tears dripped down his face from the force he kept his eyes closed.

[Due to the emergency stores and User 002’s earlier unlocking of the Happily Ever After package, the System is able to assist User 002 in restoring his Happily Ever After status,] the System said. [One such opportunity is available. Would User 002 like to activate Plot Relevant Hearing?]

Wordlessly, Shen Qingqiu selected yes. He had to believe someone wasn’t lying to him here. As soon as he did, a window on the side of his house happened to blow open, allowing Shen Qingqiu to hear the distant conversation Yue Qingyuan was having with Mu Qingfang.

“Even if I had something strong enough to kill a Heavenly Demon baby,” Mu Qingfang said hotly. “I would not force an abortifacient on Shen Qingqiu.”

Shen Qingqiu’s eyes widened and he covered his mouth.

“This master can handle that,” Yue Qingyuan said. “Surely, Mu Qingfang can see this is for Qingqiu's own good?”

“Own good?” Mu Qingfang laughed. “He was happy! He was healthy! He was eating again, he attended meetings attentively and gladly, even after the qi deviation, I had never seen him in a better condition, especially for someone who presented so late!”

“Because of a demon,” Yue Qingyuan said coldly.

“Is that what this is about?” Wei Qingwei said. Shen Qingqiu imagined the other Omega still protectively standing with his mate and had to suppress a whine. “That Luo Binghe was a demon? Or that he was not you?”

It was a bold accusation. Wow, Wei Qingwei! Didn’t know you had the guts!

“...I am only interested in Qingqiu-shidi’s well being,” Yue Qingyuan said softly.

“If that is true,” Mu Qingfang said unsympathetically. “Then you will not poison our martial brother in some half brain scheme to free him from a brainwashing he shows zero signs of.”

Yue Qingyuan didn’t respond and that was answer enough. Shen Qingqiu sent a mental thank you to the system and stood, walking into his bedroom.

His nest was cold now, not having held a body since Shen Qingqiu left it, and, at the notion of his mate being absent for an extended period, had gained a layer of chill that was surely just in his head and made him shiver all the same.

It’s fine. This was fine. Shen Qingqiu lived three years without Binghe (but we didn’t know what he meant to us, we didn’t know what it would be like to love him like that, we didn’t know how it felt to have him so completely only to lose him) and he had been just fine. He could do it again, for however amount of time it took him to restore his happily ever after with his mate.

But, for a moment, Shen Qingqiu just lay in his empty nest and ached, unwillingly letting out wordless and chirping calls for his mate, his Binghe.

“Thanking Shidi again for his care,” Shen Qingqiu smiled as Liu Qingge entered his home. The man grunted but Shen Qingqiu noted his vanilla rich scent was pleased, pleased to be helping, to be supporting his pack. Shen Qingqiu’s throat moved as he subconsciously expressed his own pleasure at Liu Qingge’s joy. “Ah, excuse this one.”

Shen Qingqiu had been greatly surprised by Liu Qingge when he’d saved the man. For one, he was more pretty than most women, which could make sense in comparison to his sister, but he was also an mega! Shen Qingqiu had thankfully learned enough by now that megas were not the simpering flowery figures of Shen Qingqiu’s homeworld porn but his body still always seemed overly eager at the omega’s presence. How odd. 

“It’s fine,” Liu Qingge said, even though his face turned bright red. He sat across from Shen Qingqiu and averted his eyes. “Well?”

Shen Qingqiu nodded and lifted his wrist over to Liu Qingge’s hold. Liu Qingge’s face somehow grew redder at the sight of it.

“Shen Qingqiu," Liu Qingge snapped. “You- you already had your guards off?”

“It’s Shizun’s territory," Luo Binghe, newly sixteen, said as he stepped out of the kitchen, carrying a plate of snacks. They smelled delicious, Binghe must’ve just finished them. “Should he not be comfortable in his own space?”

Luo Binghe’s scent was juvenile, the boy had not yet presented, but there was a hint to something warm and almost spicy to his milky scent, a hint that grew as he placed the food down on the table, a wordless plea for praise. Even at this age, he was so good at manipulating his scent. Ah, he'd be such a good manipulator when he was older!

“Thank you, Binghe,” Shen Qingqiu said to his disciple, reaching up and patting Binghe on his head. “Did you make enough for your Liu-shishu?”

“Yes, Shizun,” Luo Binghe bowed his head respectfully. He turned his eyes to Liu Qingge. “Will Shishu be here for long today?”

“I’m just here to clear Shen-shixiong’s meridians,” Liu Qingge scoffed, looking disapprovingly at Shen Qingqiu’s hand and bare wrists so close to Luo Binghe’s head and face. 

Shen Qingqiu frowned and pulled his hand away. When he had transmigrated here, he had been caught off guard by the Xianxia standards for proper behavior, let alone the Omegaverse propriety rules!

He would have committed many social blunders if not for the system providing him a guide on basic interactions. Thankfully, as the Original Goods had never presented, a rare but not uncommon occurrence, Shen Qingqiu didn’t have to posture or act out submission anymore than he would have as just the second rank lord of a sect. 

It had been a few years since he woke up as Shen Qingqiu, in this knockoff version of PIDW, and he still messed up the rules here and there. In his defense, some of the rules were stupid! Shen Qingqiu barely had any scent, how was touching his own disciple with his scent glands bare a problem? 

Liu Qingge took a hold of Shen Qingqiu’s wrist, moving his fingers just shy of the gland and started funneling qi in. 

With his spare hand, Shen Qingqiu picked up a small zongzi from Luo Binghe’s tray. He took a bite and hummed.

“Red bean filling?” Shen Qingqiu asked his disciple.

“This disciple thought Shizun might prefer some Jianshui zong today,” Luo Binghe explained, pushing a small container of honey for him to dip his treat in. Shen Qingqiu set aside his current bite and patted Luo Binghe on the head again, selfishly uncaring for how Liu Qingge looked at him for that. 

“Done,” Liu Qingge declared after a moment, despite Shen Qingqiu able to tell by feeling the change in how his qi flowed. “Is that all-”

Shen Qingqiu interrupted him by shoving a Jianshui zong into Liu Qingge’s mouth. Luo Binghe sharply gasped behind him but Shen Qingqiu only smiled.

“Isn’t it delicious?” Shen Qingqiu asked gleefully. “Isn’t my Binghe a master chef?”

Normally, he wouldn't brag about Luo Binghe in front of the boy but he couldn’t help himself with how Liu Qingge had so coldly rejected his hard work. 

Both Luo Binghe and Liu Qingge flushed and Liu Qingge bit down, chewing on the sweet treat.

“It’s fine,” he said, even as his scent sweetened with surprised delight.

“Has Liu Qingge had better?” Luo Binghe challenged.

“Liu-shishu,” Shen Qingqiu corrected, tapping the boy on the head with his fan.

“Liu-shishu,” Luo Binghe repeated, meaninglessly with how often Shen Qingqiu had to correct him.

“It’s fine,” Liu Qingge said, quietly finishing his first and stealing for himself a second. “But, Shen Qingqiu, don’t be so shameless!”

“Shameless?” Shen Qingqiu raised an eyebrow. “How so?”

He was genuinely asking but the question itself seemed to fluster Liu Qingge and the War God fled from Shen Qingqiu’s table like it was a mighty beast. Shen Qingqiu tilted his head, watching the man go. 

“Well, he did seem to enjoy it,” Shen Qingqiu nodded to himself. “What does Binghe think? Binghe?”

He glanced at his disciple and blinked in shock at his expression. He looked… the word enthralled was all that came to mind, even as Shen Qingqiu struggled to find a less insulting one.

“He ate it,” Luo Binghe said, in a daze, as if unaware of what he was saying. His throat was vibrating with guttural pleas for praise. “He really ate it.”

“Binghe?” Shen Qingqiu repeated and Binghe shook his head clear.

“Apolgies, Shizun,” Binghe turned a bright smile to Shen Qingqiu. “This disciple was distracted.”

“It’s fine,” Shen Qingqiu tilted his head. He knew that Luo Binghe would present as an Alpha, it was practically set in stone with his destiny as a harem master and as the protagonist. Could he be… interested in Liu Qingge?

It would explain why they always seemed to butt heads, even though Luo Binghe had not yet presented. At the same time, however, regardless of Omega status, Liu Qingge was a man! 

Luo Binghe was straight. There was no way he could be attracted to and wanting to court Liu Qingge! 

“More Jianshui zong, Shizun?” Binghe offered, his shining eyes on Shen Qingqiu.

“Thank you, Binghe,” Shen Qingqiu said and then pat Luo Binghe on the head. 

“It’s no trouble,” a voice, a familiar voice, deepened and richened with age yet still so young, responded, just in Shen Qingqiu’s earshot. He froze, his fan nearly shattered to pieces in his grip. 

It couldn’t be. It was… it was too fucking early!

It was too late to go back, too late to hide, too late not to follow that suspicious woman up here or to not request to go on the mission Jin Lan city or turn back when that boy told them to, it was too late for all of it.

Luo Binghe turned, surrounded by fawning Huan Hua Palace disciples, dressed in a striking black, and smelling… smelling so lovely. 

The System came to life, barraging Shen Qingqiu with endless messages.

“Senior Shen?” Gongyi Xiao called out, pulling attention towards them. “Why are you suddenly turning back?”

Shen Qingqiu nearly screamed at this fair faced youth with his creamer scent. If someone is trying to sneak away, let them sneak!

“Shizun?” the voice called, like that of his dreams, like that of his nightmares. Shen Qingqiu slowly turned his head to look at him. 

Luo Binghe’s smile was soft, kind, warm… fake. If there was any confirmation Shen Qingqiu needed to know this was the blackened protagonist he’d been bracing to meet since he came here, this was it.

“It really is Shizun,” and Luo Binghe approached. Despite himself, Shen Qingqiu continued up the stairs to meet him, both of them followed by their companions. As they stepped closer, the recognition of Luo Binghe’s scent hit him.

Cinnamon, Shen Qingqiu thought. It’s cinnamon. It’s lovely. Of course it is. 

It was so warm, the culmination of all the hints Luo Binghe’s scent had started to carry as the IAC approached. Warm and sweet and… home. It reminded Shen Qingqiu of home.

Don’t lose your grip now! Shen Qingqiu reminded himself, forcing himself through the interaction, even as Huan Hua disciples pulled their blades on him, even as Luo Binghe continued to turn that horrible and beautiful smile towards him. He’s not yours anymore. 

Yet, even when Shen Qingqiu managed to flee, flee back to the house where the Cang Qiong Deligation had made their camp, away from Mu Qingfang and his test subjects, up to the room he’d claimed, as far as he could get from Lu Binghe without actually leaving the city… that scent of cinnamon chased after him.

“With that, all official matters have been covered,” Yue Qingyuan said, near the Sect meeting’s end. Shen Qingqiu inhaled, bracing himself for what he was about to say. God, he hoped no one could smell his anxiety. “Does anyone else have something they’d like to add before we conclude?”

With that, all eyes turned to Shen Qingqiu. He barely suppressed a flinch. Well, that answers that question.

“This master does,” Shen Qingqiu said coolily, to no one’s surprise. “As my fellow Peak Lord may recall, this master reunited and brought home his disciple, Luo Binghe about a year and a half ago. This master has some developments regarding that.”

Yue Qingyuan nodded, urging Shen Qingqiu on.

“This master has wedded Luo Binghe, with my other disciple Ning Yingying and Xian Shu disciple Liu Mingyan as witness,” Shen Qingqiu said. “And the current Demon Empire will soon be sending a possible contract regarding a trade deal and negotiations for peace talks between us and them.”

The room went quiet and scentless. 

“And how are those two items related, Shen-shixiong?” Qi Qingqi asked, hands gripping the table.

“Luo Binghe is the current demon emperor,” Shen Qingqiu said, raising a fan in front of his face. “And as we are both married and mated-”

“Mated?!” Liu Qingge exclaimed. “He didn't tell me-”

“Yes, mated,” Shen Qingqiu avoided looking at him, face red. Perhaps, they should have told Liu Qingge privately first, considering their plans for him in particular. This was no time for his thin face! “With those circumstances, my… my husband wishes to establish a relationship between the two.”

“Luo Binghe is the current Heavenly Emperor?!” Gui Qingcen, the peak lord of Ku Xing, now stood, his scent sour with surprise and horror. “There is a Heavenly Demon in our midst?!”

“And has been for around 8 or so years,” Shen Qingqiu glared. “And yet, the peaks still stand.”

“Is Shen-shixiong asking us to accept a marriage and collaboration with the Demon Empire?”  Ming Qingxi, Peak Lord of Bai Shi Peak, which recorded the histories of Cang Qiong Sect, cried. “After years of being enemies, after our own sect leader aided in striking down the previous emperor-”

“I am not asking you, I am telling you,” Shen Qingqiu snapped and took a bit of pleasure as the Alpha flinched away from Shen Qingqiu’s bitter smell. “Whether you accept the deal is not up to me, just as who this master marries is not up to any of you.”

He glanced at Yue Qingyuan at that. If anyone could contest his marriage, it would be the sect leader.

“We will… we will consider this news, Qingqiu-shidi,” Yue Qingyuan said and then flexed his qi at the raising of angered voices and smells. “Thank you for sharing.”

Shen Qingqiu nodded, aware of how both his guilt and gratitude was obvious. This had both gone better and worse than what he had expected. Not all the lords present seemed against it, just surprised. Shen Qingqiu could work with that.

No one else had anything to say and Shen Qingqiu glided out of the hall, unaware of the look Yue Qingyuan gave his back. 

There was a scent outside of Shen Qingqiu’s territory and, if not for its strangeness and familiarity, Shen Qingqiu would have run out swinging. As it was, Shen Qingqiu simply sighed.

“Either come in or don’t, Shang-shidi,” Shen Qingqiu called and, with that, Shang Qinghua hurried in.

“Hey, Cucumber-bro,” Airplane smiled anxiously. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m trapped on my Peak and my mate is MIA, how do you fucking think I feel?” Shen Qingqiu snapped.

That had been an unpleasant thing to learn, Ning Yingying trying to help him sneak off the peak only for them to be stopped by Qiong Ding disciples and herded back up the peak. Yue Qingyuan had been waiting in Shen Qingqiu’s Bamboo House, his territory, and Shen Qingqiu quickly corrected that. 

Didn't help Liu Qingge visited often. He wasn't sure if it was due to the man's own stubbornness and guilt or due to orders. Either way, Shen Qingqiu had made a sport of saying just the perfectly hurtful thing to drive him away. It was never as enjoyable as Shen Qingqiu hoped it would be.

Shang Qinghua winced and lowered his head submissively as he approached. The fact he was an Alpha always surprised Shen Qingqiu, even with his unconventional ramen scent. Shen Qingqiu huffed and looked away, allowing Shang Qinghua into his territory. 

“Sorry about that,” Shang Qinghua said. “Just came by with some updates.”

Shen Qingqiu gestured for Shang Qinghua to go on.

“Yue Qingyuan doesn’t want people to know Cang Qiong had a heavenly demon at all so Luo Binghe’s dea-” Shen Qingqiu cut him off with a glare and Shang Qinghua corrected himself. “Luo Binghe's attack is being covered up. Mobei-Jun and Sha Hualing have assumed control of the Empire under the assumption that Luo Binghe will eventually return. The Empire is used to an absent Emperor so it’s working for now.”

“Where’s Xin Mo?” Shen Qingqiu asked. “And can you get me out of here?”

“Locked up on Wan Jian but Mi Bao Peak wants it shifted to their custody, to be kept with their collection of demon artifacts,” Shang Qinghua said. “And I don’t know.”

“Don’t know?" Shen Qingqiu repeated, raising his eyebrows.

“Yue Qingyuan has this place on lock-down, the only place that hasn’t increased security in here is your house because the original goods was paranoid as shit and made it so he can only edit the security in here,” Shang Qinghua said. “Mobei-Jun can’t teleport into here because of it and he can’t teleport onto Qing Jing without all of us getting caught and maybe killed. Technically, I’m not even supposed to be visiting you. Liu Qingge just happens to be visiting his sister so I was able to slip in.”

Shen Qingqiu’s hands tightened on his robes and his scent turned angry and bitter. Shang Qinghua winced and stood up, heading towards the kitchen.

“Boy, I’m thirsty, mind if I have some tea?” Shang Qinghua laughed anxiously.

“Only if you're fine swallowing poison,” Shen Qingqiu said dully. Shang Qinghua paused.

“What?” Shang Qinghua said.

“All the food I’m given and all the tea I have,” Shen Qingqiu explained. “It has a poison in it, the same poison Su Xiyan was given.”

“How do you know?” Shang Qinghua exclaimed.

“The system showed me, it has just enough energy to do so,” Shen Qingqiu said, looking away. “Don’t worry, I’ve been keeping it away from the baby.”

“Bro, that is not reassuring, if it’s not going to the baby, it’s going to you!” Shang Qinghua rushed back, sitting once more across from Shen Qingqiu.

“What’s the progress on the mushroom bodies?” Shen Qingqiu said. Shang Qinghua gaped. “Airplane.”

“...Still growing steadily,” Shang Qinghua said and Shen Qingqiu noted a souring of Shang Qinghua’s ramen scent, like noodles left on the stove too long. “Bro, don’t do anything drastic…”

“I can’t not eat,” Shen Qingqiu said, a hand going to his growing belly. “My little treasure needs nutrients. Poisonous or not, I have to eat.”

“Fuck, bro,” Shang Qinghua groaned, rubbing his face. “How the hell did things go so sideways?”

A part of Shen Qingqiu wanted to blame Shang Qinghua, he was the author after all, but he knew that’d be hollow blame.

“I don’t know,” Shen Qingqiu said helplessly, pulling the robe he was wearing tighter around him. A fading scent of cinnamon hit his nose. 

“Shizun, may this disciple speak with you?” Luo Binghe said, looking anxious and worried as he returned from another spar with Liu Qingge.

“Of course, Binghe,” Shen Qingqiu raised a hand, dismissing a disciple. “What is it?”

Luo Binghe’s throat made a worrying chirp and Shen Qingqiu frowned, grabbing and pulling his… his mate into the Bamboo house.

“What’s wrong?” Shen Qingqiu asked, feeling his scent automatically turn sweet and soothing, warm matcha, trying to comfort Luo Binghe.

“This disciple apologizes,” Luo Binghe dropped to his knees, kowtowing before Shen Qingqiu. “This disciple is greedy and unfaithful…!”

Huh? What was… oh! Luo Binghe had fallen for someone!

…Luo Binghe had fallen for someone.

“Who?” Shen Qingqiu asked, trying to keep his scent calming.

“Liu Qingge,” Luo Binghe raised his head, full of tears. “Shizun, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to-!”

“Did Binghe do something?” Shen Qingqiu felt his blood run cold. They weren’t even married yet! Had Luo Binghe already…?!

“No,” Luo Binghe shook his head. “No, I, I just want. And I’m sorry.”

“...Well, there’s nothing wrong with wanting,” Shen Qingqiu said. “Or… with having.”

Luo Binghe looked up, shocked. Well, Shen Qingqiu reasoned, he was expecting to share Luo Binghe. Having him for a year alone had been more than he’d been expecting, even though his Binghe was very different from PIDW Binghe. And if Shen Qingqiu could pick someone to share a husband with, Liu Qingge wouldn't be too bad a choice.

“Shizun?” Luo Binghe blinked in surprise.

“What feelings do you feel towards your Liu-shishu?” Shen Qingqiu tapped his chin with his fan. “Are they romantic? Sexual? Do you feel towards him like you do me?”

“No!” Luo Binghe exclaimed and then hesitated. “Well… not the same but… I want him to see how strong I am. To see me as an equal, in battle and off. To sweep him off his feet.”

“How romantic,” Shen Qingqiu raised his eyebrows. How would he describe how he felt towards Shen Qingqiu in such a case? “Well, I see no reason to offer a courtship.”

“Do you think he would accept?” Luo Binghe tilted his head, confused.

“He’s a proud man but he’d have to be a fool to reject Luo Binghe,” Shen Qingqiu smiled, smelling of a deep affection and pride. They were alone so it was fine that it was so obvious.

“And Shizun wants me to court Liu-shishu?” Luo Binghe asked.

“I want Binghe to do what makes him happy,” Shen Qingqiu reached forward and pulled Luo Binghe to his feet. “If another husband would do so, if Liu Qingge would do so, this master would not protest. It would be nice to spend more time with him, regardless.”

“I see,” Luo Binghe’s eyes brightened with understanding. “Then I will court Liu-shishu on both of our behalf!” 

Both?! Luo Binghe, you’ll be the one marrying him! Regardless, the notion of the two of them courting Liu Qingge, instead of just one, was reassuring and… a little exciting.

“I’ll prepare something to present him next time I see him now,” Luo Binghe said with his usual eagerness. He pressed a kiss to Shen Qingqiu’s nose, Shen Qingqiu turning a soft pink. “Does Shizun know what flavors Shishu prefers?”

“...Savory flavors, I believe,” Shen Qingqiu cleared his throat. “He really enjoys duck!”

“Thanking Shizun!” Luo Binghe called from the kitchen. Shen Qingqiu snorted and nodded. 

“He trusts you,” Shen Qingqiu heard Yue Qingyuan say to Liu Qingge, through the system’s recording. “If you bring this to him, he’ll take it.”

“It doesn’t feel right,” Liu Qingge argued. “Isn’t this too underhanded?”

“It’s this or let that parasite grow inside of Xiao- inside of Qingqiu-shidi and ruin his life,” Yue Qingyuan said. “I- we can not fail him again.”

“Why don’t you give it to him?” Liu Qingge said hotly. 

“He doesn’t trust me,” Yue Qingyuan sighed. “And if the Old Palace Master is correct, he will continue to distrust and trust the wrong people until we rid him of this demonic connection.”

Liu Qingge was silent for a moment before sighing as well.

“As you say, Zhangmen-shixiong,” Liu Qingge responded. “How... how much do I need to make him drink?”

“Ensure he drinks at least a cup but leave the tea there just in case,” Yue Qingyuan explained. “We must ensure he receives an effective dose.”

“Idiot,” Shen Qingqiu muttered. “Too much and you might kill me. Did you really not speak with Mu Qingfang on this?”

Well, Mu Qingfang probably would have tried to stop it and Shen Qingqiu couldn’t properly critique Yue Qingyuan because this conversation was in the past, Liu Qingge flying over with the ‘gift’ now.

At the thought, a knock on the door sounded.

“Come in,” Shen Qingqiu called, closing the system and standing to meet Liu Qingge. 

The other Omega looked as stunning as ever, with a red and green tassel on his sword. Shen Qingqiu wanted to tear it off of him but restrained himself.

“Liu-shidi,” Shen Qingqiu closed his eyes. “What a surprise. I wasn’t expecting anyone but Yue Qingyuan.”

“Would you have let him in?” Liu Qingge asked.

“Only to kill him,” Shen Qingqiu shrugged. “He owes me much.”

Liu Qingge went quiet and started walking to his kitchen.

“Let me make you tea,” he announced and Shen Qingqiu settled back, saying nothing in argument.

The system popped up when Liu Qingge returned, noticeably pouring only one cup.

[Purchase the Baby-Be-Gone Detector?] the system asked.

“How much?” Shen Qingqiu said as the cup was pushed in front of him.

[1 B point,] the system said.

“I’ll take it,” Shen Qingqiu said and blinked. When his eyes opened, the steam on his cup slowly morphed into a skull. System, if this wasn’t going to be so helpful going forward, he’d scream.

“You should drink the tea,” Liu Qingge said, avoiding Shen Qingqiu’s eyes. His scent was guilty and anxious. The man was incapable of lying, it seemed. 

Shen Qingqiu stared at Liu Qingge and picked up the cup. Liu Qingge continued to look away.

“Would shidi like to hear a story?” Shen Qingqiu asked.

“As long as you drink,” Liu Qingge gritted his teeth.

“I heard this story from a good friend,” Shen Qingqiu started. “There was a cultivator who fell in love with a demon.”

Liu Qingge stiffened.

“She and the demon spent many happy days together,” Shen Qingqiu went on regardless. “And the cultivator became with child. However, as that happened, her lover was locked away and she was held captive by her master.”

Shen Qingqiu blew on his tea, watching the steam reform into a skull.

“The master gave the cultivator a choice; to take a poison that would harm her child or go free,” Shen Qingqiu went on and took a sip. Liu Qingge relaxed as he did so, even as the scent of vanilla bittered even more. Good. Let that guilt eat you up just as much as it does me. “The cultivator took the poison and fled.”

Shen Qingqiu closed his eyes.

“The cultivator took the poison into her own body and died giving birth to her half-demon child,” Shen Qingqiu said. “Liu-shidi, who should we blame for the cultivator’s death? The demon, the child, or the master?”

Liu Qingge did not answer and Shen Qingqiu opened his eyes to glare at Liu Qingge as he drank his tea.

“Liu Qingge, the blame for my death will be solely on your shoulders," Shen Qingqiu declared. “For I will not allow you to harm my treasure.”

“You knew?!” Liu QIngge exploded, sitting up. “Then why did you-?”

“Did Yue Qingyuan not order you to ensure I drank it?” Shen Qingqiu snapped. “Would you not have forced it down by my throat if I refused? Sit down.”

“...You’ll be fine,” Liu Qingge looked away. “This will pass.”

“It will not,” Shen Qingqiu scoffed. “I can’t believe I encouraged my husband to court you.”

“He- what?” Liu Qingge jolted.

“What, did you think those meals he delivered you were poisoned? The treasures he offered traps?” Shen Qingqiu glared. “My husband followed every custom, every vow. And in turn, you allowed him to be attacked without cause.” 

“He was a demon, a Heavenly Demon,” Liu Qingge argued.

“He was fucking courting you!” Shen Qingqiu stood to his feet. “He wanted to offer himself to you! If his overtures were too much, were not to your liking, you could’ve rejected him! You could’ve come to me! Instead, you stopped me from saving him!” 

“You- you don’t know what you’re talking about,” Liu Qingge cowered under Shen Qingqiu’s show of force, even as he tried not to.

“Then explain it to me. Go on! Tell me what a threat my husband was to me!” Shen Qingqiu demanded, still standing over Liu Qingge, his qi and scent bleeding fury. “Tell me it was to save me.”

“It was,” Liu Qingge dared to raise his eyes, to bare his teeth. Shen Qingqiu corrected that with a bark of a snarl. Liu Qingge flinched back. Good.

“Then I will drink every drop of poison you give me, I will consume every piece, I will absorb it into my body to separate it from my child and ensure your cruelty wins you nothing,” Shen Qingqiu vowed, shaking. “I will die, you hear me? I will die and you will have killed me and killed my husband for nothing but your stupid bias and pride!” 

“I’ll, I’ll call Mu-shixiong here,” Liu Qingge said weakly. “He’ll fix this.”

“Yue Qingyuan won’t let you. You were my friend,” Shen Qingqiu felt the anger fade, leaving only the hurt. He didn’t like it. The anger was safer, the anger was more effective, but Shen Qinqiu was just some fraud who happened upon gold only to have it snatched away. What else could he do but cry and try and get it back? “My friend. Weren't you?”

Liu Qingge looked at him like he had said something strange. Shen Qingqiu looked away. 

“Well,” Shen Qingqiu sighed. “That's on me, isn't it? Get out.”

“Shen Qingqiu-” Liu Qingge started.

“Get out!” Shen Qingqiu screamed, the anger returning, allowing Shen Qingqiu to hide comfortably behind it. “Get out of our house!”

Liu Qingge opened his mouth to say something before shaking his head, thankfully leaving. Shen Qingqiu let out a quiet sigh of relief.

He wandered into the side room. Binghe hadn't even properly moved back into it when Shen Qingqiu completed the nest and Luo Binghe took his expected place within it but he'd left some stuff in there.

Shen Qingqiu found a robe. It was mostly red but comfortable, perfect for a day indoors or lounging. When he pressed his face to it, there was the warm scent of cinnamon, strong enough to rest on his tongue. Shen Qingqiu repressed the urge to cry into it and ruin the smell.

After the traitorous scent of vanilla, Binghe's scent, distant as it was, was a comfort. Shen Qingqiu slipped it on without another thought.

Shen Qingqiu felt hot but, more importantly, he felt alone.

It was bad enough he was so far from his and his pack’s territory, all the scents strange and unfamiliar, but he was alone.

No pack, no mate, no pups! Just him and this inadequate nest, because it only smelled of him! What the hell had he been thinking?

Shen Qingqiu let out a grumble as he rearranged the sorry assortment of robes and cloth on the bed, completely dissatisfied. Where was his pack? Something herbal or vanilla scented would be nice.

Instead, it was all just matcha! Matcha, matcha, matcha! Shen Qingqiu was getting sick of matcha!

There was a knock on the door and Shen Qingqiu turned with a feline like ‘mrrp?’ at the sound.

The door didn't open so Shen Qingqiu returned to his work of trying to make his nest at least tolerable.

The door was then forced open. Shen Qingqiu jumped with a cry of shock before wheeling with a snarl.

Intruder! On his territory, near his nest! It may be a shitty nest but it's still his, asshole!

That snarl stopped the second he smelled the scent of the intruder. Because it wasn't an intruder, it was… was…

Well, Shen Qingqiu wasn't entirely certain who the curly haired and wide eyed Alpha in front of him was to him. He didn't smell like pack or pup but his instincts said it was something close to that.

He was speaking and Shen Qingqiu’s head was too fuzzy with heat and figuring out the puzzle of the familiar yet unclaimed Alpha that felt… just right in this area.

There was a blue scentless square in his view and it made Shen Qingqiu mad because it wasn't giving him any answers and he really felt like it should!

This Alpha smelled so good and… well, not quite familiar but familiar enough. Then, cruelly enough, the Alpha started to back out of the room.

Shen Qingqiu scrambled to his feet, a desperate and near threatening sound leaving his lips. It did not work to cow the Alpha so Shen Qingqiu was forced to storm over and grab him before he could flee.

The Alpha went limp in Shen Qingqiu’s grasp, despite his verbal protest. That was a mark towards the pup category, despite the man being way too old for it. 

His nest certainly looked and smelled so much better with someone in it, especially an Alpha like this. He just looked impressive! 

Hm… is… is this Alpha a prospective mate in that case? His gut was saying he'd make a most impressive mate, strong and capable. But what if Shen Qingqiu was wrong? He'd have to keep testing.

Shen Qingqiu crawled into his nest and pushed the Alpha down, pleased with how he went down with barely a squeak. Good boy!

Shen Qingqiu squirmed on top of the Alpha, the wider and taller man like a giant warm pillow. Honestly, whatever he ends up being, Shen Qingqiu was making sure he's staying in his nest! He was so comfortable and smelled so nice.

Shen Qingqiu moved his head to the side of the Alpha’s neck, tugging his thick and heavy robes out of the way so he could get a good noseful of that cinnamon scent, like those pretzels at the mall but a thousand times better, somehow. Shen Qingqiu's brow furrowed as he analyzed the scent with his half awake brain, something having caught his attention.

“Mine?” Shen Qingqiu muttered to himself and the body under him lurched, as if just surprised by the revelation as Shen Qingqiu was. Well, that explained why such a phenomenal Alpha was running around unclaimed; Shen Qingqiu had already done so!

Well, not entirely. The Alpha didn't have the nibbles a pup would have, the dominating or submissive marks of a pack, nor a mating bite. While the Alpha's scent declared himself Shen Qingqiu’s, it seemed Shen Qingqiu had never claimed him properly! 

What kind of brainless, worthless Omega was he?! He had an Alpha of this pedigree declaring himself Qingqiu's and he didn't notice?! Now Shen Qingqiu really can't let him go!

Shen Qingqiu let out a whine, his scent shifting with his newfound anxiety.

Oh god, and they were both in an absolute shit nest! Shen Qingqiu is surprised anyone would claim to be Shen Qingqiu’s when he was being such a terrible Omega! He has to make up for it or the Alpha might leave! If that happens, Shen Qingqiu might as well human stick himself!

Shen Qingqiu’s dismay was paused when the Alpha ran a hand through his hair, his long claws scratching oh so deliciously. The Alpha's scent shifted to something calming, soothing. Shen Qingqiu stiffened before relaxing with a sigh, curling into the body beneath. 

That felt so nice… and that smell of cinnamon, like home, like comfort, Shen Qingqiu could fall asleep like this. Was Alpha comfortable too?

Shen Qingqiu raised his head sleepily to get a look at his face, pausing at the red mark on his forehead. He adjusted his position so he could see it better, running a finger over it. The Alpha was speaking again, squirming beneath him.

“Pretty,” Shen Qingqiu said absently. Wow, this Alpha came with built-in led lights? Shen Qingqiu could not let him go, he was beyond perfection! How had he possibly passed him up before?

Didn't matter, didn't matter. Shen Qingqiu readjusted himself so he was laying on top of the Alpha, nose pressed to his scent glands. He reached out and took his hand, indicating he should do that nice scratchy thing again. Maybe Shen Qingqiu should be more focused on finding out what this Alpha was to him but he was lazy, okay! Lazy and tired!

He's mine anyway, Shen Qingqiu thought as he drifted to sleep, purrs rumbling from his chest. I'll figure out what that entails later.

“Zhangmen-shixiong,” Shen Qingqiu greeted post yet meeting arguing over the treaty between Cang Qiong and the Demon Empire. He'd wanted to go home to bitch about Shang Qinghua’s ‘devil's advocate without revealing he's technically working for the devil' schtick when Yue Qingyuan asked him to speak privately. Shen Qingqiu, of course, agreed. He was making the poor man suffer a lot of trouble. “What did you wish to speak to this master about?” 

Yue Qingyuan gave one of his brotherly smiles. If he had a scent, Shen Qingqiu had no doubt he’d be inhaling the martial family affection Yue Qingyuan had for him. Alas, Yue Qingyuan kept his scent down to a mere whiff at all times. Rumor said it was that his natural scent was so overpowering, the whole world would fall to its knees before him and he kept such a power under wraps in the same benevolence he kept his legendary sword, Xuan Su, always sheathed.

It couldn’t possibly be true but, well, Yue Qingyuan was the only Peak Lord Luo Bing-ge defeated with trickery and an underhanded trap rather than in combat… hm. 

“This master wanted to check in on Qingqiu-shidi,” Yue Qingyuan said, pulling Shen Qingqiu out of his thoughts. “Especially with your… marriage.”

“Once again, apologies to shixiong for not inviting him,” Shen Qingqiu blushed. “We do hope to have a more official one, when this one is declared Empress.”

Yue Qingyuan’s expression tightened, as it often did when Shen Qingqiu mentioned his increasing involvement in the Demon Realm. It wasn’t as if Shen Qingqiu was slacking off here! Airplane even said he was turning his paperwork in better than most of the other lords and he spoke up the most during this day’s meeting!

“This master sees,” Yue Qingyuan said. “Then shidi intends to split his time in the Demon Realm?”

“50/50 would be the ideal,” Shen Qingqiu nodded. “But I promised to follow Binghe wherever he goes, from now on.”

He bashfully and automatically raised a hand to touch the mating bite hidden under his collar, missing Yue Qingyuan’s eyes widening in horror.

When he looked back at Yue Qingyuan, curious about his silence, he noticed a letter on the sect leader’s desk, the script in Hua Hua Palace’s trademark gold ink. Shen Qingqiu frowned, reaching for it.

“Huan Hua Palace wrote to you? After the fuss they caused in Jin Lan City? This master was nearly carted off to the Water Prison and not a single word or apology!” Shen Qingqiu scoffed. “If I hadn’t been escorted out earlier, they’d have shipped me up the river!”

Yue Qingyuan grabbed it before Shen Qingqiu could, looking almost guilty.

“The Old Palace Master wishes to do just that,” Yue Qingyuan said hastily. “It is a letter discussing reparations. As Shidi is hard at work, leave it to this master.”

Shen Qingqiu frowned but accepted it. He’d prefer to squeeze that penny pincher for all its worth himself but he’d trust Yue Qingyuan to do an adequate job in his stead. The man had nearly drawn Xuan Su in Jin Lan from what he’d heard, Shen Qingqiu knew he was just as furious.

Probably for the best it wasn’t Shen Qingqiu. Binghe would, of course, demand to be involved and… something about the way the Old Palace Master had watched his Binghe had unsettled him.

“Qingqiu-shidi,” Yue Qingyuan said. He glanced at the letter and glanced up again at the man. “You know Cang Qiong will always protect its own, yes? If… if Xiao Jiu is any danger… Qi-ge will be there. He failed you but he will not fail you again.”

He looked so serious when he said that, so noble and sincere! Shen Qingqiu was, of course, flattered by the declaration, even if it was, ah, awkward, referencing a past that wasn’t Shen Qingqiu’s own. It’s not like he could say that though.

“Zhangmen-shixiong need not worry,” Shen Qingqiu assured. “If this shidi has any trouble, he will rely on his sect.”

Yue Qingyuan smiled at that.

“And on his mate, of course,” Shen Qingqiu added.

Yue Qingyuan did not smile but he didn’t not smile, if that made sense. 

“Of course,” Yue Qingyuan parroted.

“If that is all?” Shen Qingqiu asked, eager to be back home but not wanting to sound desperate or lazy but he must’ve failed because Yue Qingyuan’s expression became more strained.

“...That is all,” Yue Qingyuan said. “Have a good day, Qingqiu-shidi.”

Shen Qingqiu bowed respectfully and exited. Yue Qingyuan glanced at the letter in his grip and then at Shen Qingqiu as he practically ran home.


“Shizun!” Binghe greeted as Shen Qingqiu glided into the house, his cinnamon growing sweeter as his mate entered their territory. Shen Qingqiu could smell his scent sweetening in the exact same way. “You’re home late. This Binghe worried.”

“Apologies,” Shen Qingqiu stepped closer to his mate, allowing Binghe to kiss his cheek. “Are you baking or do we have company?”

“Company, Shizun,” Luo Binghe’s smile turned teasing and Shen Qingqiu glanced at his table to see a bright red Liu Qingge sitting at his table. “He’s been waiting here with this Binghe.”

“Your husband said I could,” Liu Qingge barked, aggressively bashful. “If he was wrong, just say so.”

“No, no, shidi is always welcome,” Shen Qingqiu smiled and then blushed as his scent revealed just how welcome Liu Qingge was. At least it wasn’t like Binghe, where he was practically screaming, ‘come fuck me!’ “Has shidi eaten already?”

Liu Qingge shook his head and Shen Qingqiu turned beseeching eyes to his mate.

“There is lunch in the oven,” Luo Binghe promised, kissing Shen Qingqiu on the cheek again. “But I’ll grab Shizun and Shishu snacks, since Shizun didn’t eat breakfast.”

With that, Binghe went back to his kitchen and Shen Qingqiu relaxed across from Liu Qingge.

“You didn’t eat breakfast?” Liu Qingge, of course, questioned. Shen Qingqiu after all hadn’t skipped a meal since Binghe’s return.

“It’s been making me nauseous lately,” Shen Qingqiu admitted, pouring a cup of tea for each of them. “It hasn’t been for long, probably due to my last presentation. I already promised Binghe that if it lasted longer than a week, I’d visit Mu-shidi.”

That seemed to satisfy Liu Qingge as much as it satisfied Binghe; not at all but they accepted it because they knew he wouldn’t budge. 

Binghe returned with a plate of… was that sugar cookies?! How had Binghe known he’d wanted those! Where did he even learn that recipe! See, this is what happens when he leaves his mate alone for two hours, Binghe goes and commits another world defying feat!

“Shang-shishu suggested Shizun would appreciate this recipe,” Binghe said delicately. “Shishu is free to try as well, of course.”

No fool would deny Binghe’s cooking, especially when it smells that good. Even Liu Qingge took one without his usual required cajoling. It was soft and almost chewy in Shen Qingqiu’s mouth, a treat he hadn’t had since his transmigration. 

Should Shen Qingqiu be shaking Airplane down for food recipes instead of PIDW secrets? How had he remembered to make an Western baked good but couldn’t remember half of the plot points of his own book?!

“It’s good,” Liu Qingge said, interrupting Shen Qingqiu’s plotting.

“Thanking Shishu,” Binghe grinned, pleased, before leaning in, his grin growing devilish. “This recipe required the use of vanilla extract. It smelled much like Shishu while cooking. Would Liu-shishu taste similar to these cookies if eaten?”

“Shameless!” Liu Qingge sputtered, turning a fetching pink. Shen Qingqiu covered his mouth with a fan. Ah, Liu Qingge truly had the most fascinating reactions. It was like watching a tiger hide behind its paws. 

“Apologies, Shishu,” Luo Binghe said, insincerely. He brightened. “This Binghe has a gift for Shishu.”

“Is it more food? Another sword?” Liu Qingge asked, trying to sound uninterested but his questioning revealed his eagerness. Shen Qingqiu didn’t blame him. What Omega, straight male or otherwise, could resist Luo Binghe’s charm? He was the ideal Alpha, a perfect provider!

Yet, Shen Qingqiu found himself nervous. This gift, if Shen Qingqiu was right on which one Luo Binghe was retrieving, wasn’t just made from Binghe.

Luo Binghe handed over a sword tassel, the thing made of woven red and green threads.

“The wool for it was sourced from Man-Eating Lionwolf Sheep,” Luo Binghe said as Liu Qingge stared at it. “Shizun found them and I collected the wool. Then, we wove and dyed the threads together. Does Shishu like it?”

Liu Qingge said nothing and Shen Qingqiu fanned himself, feeling a little like he was on trial. It wasn’t even his gift! Sure, he helped a lot but still! It wasn’t like he was courting Liu Qingge.

“...It’s beautiful,” Liu Qingge said softly, his scent spilling open like the flower it was based on, filling the house. Luo Binghe grinned as it did, watching Liu Qingge hook the tassel on immediately. 

Liu Qingge’s scent didn’t even feel intruding or unnatural in the Bamboo House, it was as if it was meant to be there, alongside the cinnamon and the matcha, like one of the cafes in Shen Qingqiu’s past life.

“Shishu should wear it when he comes to the Demon Realm with us,” Luo Binghe said and Shen Qingqiu jolted, reaching over and smacking Binghe’s arm. Binghe smiled sheepishly.

“You want me to join you… in the Demon Realm?” Liu Qingge asked, reigning his scent in. Shen Qingqiu envied his control and missed his scent at the same time.

“We were going to ask you properly,” Shen Qingqiu grumbled before smiling softly. “But, yes, we wished to extend such an invitation.”

Liu Qingge stared at Shen Qingqiu, his eyes then moving to an eagerly smiling Luo Binghe.

“...I’ll consider it,” Liu Qingge said.

“You won’t refuse,” Luo Binghe teased, leaning in close. Liu Qingge stiffened and stood up abruptly. Luo Binghe jerked back, blinking in surprise. “Shishu?”

“I have to go,” Liu Qingge said, rushing towards the door.

“What a strange man…” Shen Qingqiu snorted but Luo Binghe frowned.

“Did he seem almost… afraid, to you, Shizun?” Binghe asked.

“He spars you weekly, if not daily. I don’t know why he’d suddenly get chills when you’re just teasing,” Shen Qingqiu reassured, reaching over and patting his insecure Alpha on the head. “Just give him time. Nothing good comes from rushing a courtship.”

“We rushed a courtship,” Binghe said sullenly.

“Because you- you looked pitiful!” Shen Qingqiu sputtered, face red. “How could this master say no to his Binghe? That’s us. You and Liu-shidi have a different flavor of relationship but that doesn’t make it any more or less, right?”

Luo Binghe nodded and crept over to Shen Qingqiu’s side of the table, practically demanding headpats. Shen Qingqiu snorted and complied.

“Binghe won’t be rejected,” Shen Qingqiu reassured, getting to the heart of Binghe’s concern. “And even if he is, this master will still… still love you. Always.”

“This disciple-” Binghe started and stopped when his husband yanked on a curl, not hard, just admonishing. “This husband loves you too, Shizun.”

Shen Qingqiu tried to sleep often. With how his body was weakening both due to the various and seemingly endless supply of poison everything he could possibly eat and the baby forming inside him, it seemed like a necessity.

Try does not mean succeed.

Most nights, he was jolted from his sleep by horrific nightmares: nightmares of being torn apart, of being buried alive, of trying desperately to heal or to die and being unable to do either, of calling in agony, Shizun, Shizun, Shizun-

Shen Qingqiu would like to think the dreams are just that, dreams, but that pitiful bleating was too loving to be anything but Binghe himself. The dreams from his own mind were not so vague, forcing him to reach out for his husband only to be torn from his side again and again.

Shen Qingqiu's point is, he was awake late at night and couldn't sleep so he slipped out to pace the small perimeter around his house, hand tight to his swollen belly. 

Shen Qingqiu had only been doing so for a moment when his nose was assaulted by the stench of an absolutely furious Alpha.

“Airplane?!” Shen Qingqiu cried in surprise before Shang Qinghua stepped out of the shadows, motioning for him to keep quiet.

“Sorry,” Shang Qinghua muttered, breath stuttering as he tried to reign his scent in. “Just… came to say goodbye.”

“Where are you going?” Shen Qingqiu said. “Why are you going?!”

“They hurt my king,” Shang Qinghua snarled, losing the little bit of control he had. “Huan Hua Palace, they lured him out, I don't know how yet, and they tried torching him. When he fled here, one of the other Peak Lords saw, attacked us. I convinced my king to go ahead without me but I have to hurry and join him, I don't trust anyone to help him like this.”

“And you can't take me,” Shen Qingqiu guessed.

“Bro, I physically can't get any closer to your house because I have just demon cooties right now,” Shang Qinghua gestured, looking frustrated with helplessness. “It's definitely a Human Hua Palace array, you know how complicated those are.”

“I suppose Huan Hua Palace and Cang Qiong Sect are allies now,” Shen Qingqiu grumbled. That's great, cultivator unity or whatever, but why did it have to be geared towards ruining his life. “Just make sure you come back and get my treasure. I'll figure out a way to get them out of here so you can pick them up.”

Shang Qinghua's scent wavered at the implications, as it had the last time. 

“Don't blame yourself for someone else's foolishness and cruelty,” Shen Qingqiu said. “You have your own to worry about.”

“Ha, right,” Shang Qinghua laughed dryly. “I guess I'll see you when I dig you up.”

“Take care of yourself and your king until then,” Shen Qingqiu said. He gnawed at his lip before adding one last thing. “It wasn't so bad. PIDW, I mean. I wish… I wish I could have read your draft.” 

“...Bro,” Shang Qinghua smiled. “I knew you liked it!”

“Just go,” Shen Qingqiu huffed, turning away. “Unless you want to end up as roommates?”

“...Bitch into that good night, Cucumber bro,” Shang Qinghua muttered, oddly serious for his words, and then he was gone, swallowed back up by the shadows, maybe literally.

Shen Qingqiu rubbed his poison black and frigid fingers together, trying not to let the sudden loneliness chill them more than they already were. 

“Just a little longer, my treasure,” Shen Qingqiu whispered to his and Binghe's child. “You can hold on for Baba, can't you?”

Shen Qingqiu walked back into the Bamboo House, gritting his teeth against the nightmares to come.

Shen Qingqiu woke up slowly and reluctantly, the purr in his chest grinding to a halt as he opened bleary eyes in confusion. 

He felt… hot. Why did he feel so hot? And who the hell was making matcha in here, in this time period? Did Shen Qingqiu fall asleep? Why couldn't he remember what he was doing last?

The pillow under him was warm and soft, particularly plush in certain parts, so Shen Qingqiu decided to deal with it when he was less tired and less comfortable. Shen Qingqiu could feel his insides cramping horribly now that he was awake and he’d like to go back to being unaware. He went to fluff up the pillow more, only for his pillow to fucking squeak when he squeezed it.

Shen Qingqiu paused. Pillows don't squeak.

[+100 Protagonist Satisfaction Points.] the System informed. 

He pushed himself up, meeting the star filled and dark eyes of Luo Binghe. Luo Binghe looked back down at him.

Shen Qingqiu cried as he jolted off of Luo Binghe, shoving the man off his bed. He barely caught Luo Binghe's expression shifting as he fell, Shen Qingqiu pushing himself as far back as he could.

[+100 Heartbreak Points.] the System said, much to Shen Qingqiu’s confusion.

As he did, he realized there was a barrier formed of blankets and robes on the bed, forming a…

A nest?! How the hell did a nest get on his bed?! The matcha scent changed, becoming bitter and fearful. 

Shen Qingqiu paused and raised his arm, pressing his nose to the scent gland in his wrist. Oh, god, the matcha was him. This was his nest, he’s an Omega. 

…Why does his nest look so bad? How the hell had Shen Qingqiu convinced Luo Binghe to enter such a terrible nest?

Luo Binghe!

[Congratulations, congratulations, congratulations! Important things must be said in three! Side-Quest: ‘Hidden Omega, Discovered’ has been completed! Rewarding 300 B-Points and activating Potential Main Storyline Quest: ‘A Scent To Call Home’!] the System intoned, confirming his certain doom. What the hell were these quest titles?

Shen Qingqiu leaned over the edge of the bed, where Luo Binghe had landed, now pushing himself up on his knees. What was he doing here? Did he come to drag Shen Qingqiu off? Was he humiliating Shen Qingqiu before destroying his reputation and destroying him? Was this the beginning of the end?

All those thoughts grinded to a halt in his head as Luo Binghe looked back up at Shen Qingqiu, his dark and beautiful eyes filling with tears. His scent curled free and towards Shen Qingqiu, further displaying Luo Binghe’s great and horrible upset.

“Shizun…” Luo Binghe whined, looking pitiful and somehow flawless despite that. “Did this Alpha displease Shizun?”

What. What. What.

Why is Luo Binghe talking like that? Why is he acting like some mistreated wife?!

Shen Qingqiu said nothing, mouth agape, as Luo Binghe stared up at him, lip trembling.

“...Is Shizun awake?” Luo Binghe asked and the sadness disappeared from his face. “Since he is awake, perhaps now we can talk.”

Shen Qingqiu had known it was an act but to see the sad lil’ Alpha look vanish so quickly still made Shen Qingqiu freeze. Luo Binghe rose to his feet, adjusting his clothing.

Shen Qingqiu straightened up, even as every other instinct screamed at him to submit, to soothe the Alpha in front of him, to pull him back into the nest and smother him with his scent. Shen Qingqiu pushed his newly emerged instincts down, telling them that this was not just some Alpha, this was Luo Binghe, the disciple he betrayed!

The disciple he hurt. 

“Shizun, please,” Luo Binghe sighed. “You may turn cold towards this disciple, but your scent reveals more than enough.”

The matcha had become darkened with guilt, with shame, with fear. Shen Qingqiu hated how exposed he was, how his now years of practice with Shen Qingqiu’s cold expressions meant nothing with this new development. 

“This master has no clue what Luo Binghe is referring to,” Shen Qingqiu said with false calm. Luo Binghe’s eyes flashed dangerously.

“This disciple can smell your fear,” Luo Binghe crooned, leaning closer. “Which part are you afraid of? This disciple’s filthy blood or how badly you crave it?”

“Luo Binghe!” Shen Qingqiu exclaimed, not even sure which part he should dissect first. The idea of Luo Binghe’s blood being filthy? The idea of craving it? 

The thought spirals ended when he felt Luo Binghe step closer, brushing his fingers up Shen Qingqiu’s arms to his shoulder.

Shen Qingqiu flinched away from the touch, curling in on himself. His scent exploded with fear, with terror.

“Does Shizun really fear a demon’s touch so badly?” Luo Binghe snarled, his smile falling away. His mark burned on his forehead. “Does this Binghe disgust Shizun so terribly?”

Submit, Shen Qingqiu’s instincts demanded. He’s mad, you’ve upset him, he’ll leave if you don’t, submit, submit-

Well, it’s better than any other idea I’ve got, Shen Qingqiu admitted to himself. Luo Binghe was blocking him from the window. Shen Qingqiu took a deep breath, accidentally inhaling the anger and… and sorrow of Luo Binghe’s scent, as he stilled himself.

With his usual grace, Shen Qingqiu lowered his head and exposed his neck. Considering he was just in his inner robes, he seemed even more exposed.

Shen Qingqiu had never moved like this before. Shen Qingqiu was an unpresented adult, second only to Yue Qingyuan, who never demanded as much submission or respect or the long and complicated rituals of this world as he deserved, especially not from Shen Qingqiu.

Regardless, it felt right, to slip off the bed, out of his nest, and to his knees before Luo Binghe, to hold himself beneath the young Alpha and offer himself up for punishment. It felt… freeing. It felt like kneeling before the sword mound.

“This mas… this one admits he has treated Luo Binghe wrongfully,” Shen Qingqiu said. “The betrayal I dealt you can not be forgiven. This lowly one acknowledges as such and prays Luo Binghe only punish this one for this trespass. Anything Luo Binghe wishes to do to this lowly one is justified.”

“What are you doing?” Luo Binghe asked, sounding aghast. “Shizun- Shizun shouldn’t kneel-”

“I can’t kowtow,” Shen Qingqiu admitted shamefully. “My stomach is cramping.”

Well, it felt lower than his stomach but close enough. Despite that, Shen Qingqiu went to go even lower, only for Luo Binghe to grab him and force him to his feet.

“Stop it, stop it!” Luo Binghe cried, sounding horribly wronged when he should be feeling the exact opposite. “Shizun, what are you talking about? Punishment?!”

“Is it not what this one deserves?” Shen Qingqiu asked, genuinely confused. He did not notice how he leaned into Luo Binghe’s touch, his hold. “It’s only fair.”

“Wait, no, Shizun, don’t you- don’t you hate me?” Luo Binghe asked. “You threw me away. You flee from me, even after holding me so close!”

Shen Qingqiu made a face. Luo Binghe shook him, curling his lip back, Shen Qingqiu lowering his head at the sight of them.

“You let me into your nest. You called me pretty, you called me yours,” Luo Binghe’s eyes were brimming with tears and the sight was making Shen Qingqiu sick. Or was that his presentation heat acting up? “And then you kneel in front of me like I’m some wild animal who will bite you for hurting me.”

“You’re not a wild animal,” Shen Qingqiu couldn’t stand how Luo Binghe was talking about himself. Shouldn’t the young man be more confident? Was this Shen Qingqiu’s fault? “And I’m only trying to give you what you’re owed, what you want. Isn’t this what you want?”

“No!” Luo Binghe cried and then covered his face, trying to reign in his tears. “No, no, I don’t want Shizun to submit, to lower himself, I don’t want to punish him, I don’t want him to be afraid of me. I don’t!”

Shen Qingqiu stared at him. Half of him was telling him to pull the boy, the man, into his arms, to hold him close and soothe him, the other half was telling him to run, before he changed his mind.

Aren’t both of those reactions a little extreme?!

“...Then what do you want?” Shen Qingqiu asked, genuinely a little lost. Luo Binghe raised his head to look at him, eyes full of tears. It was too beautiful for a sight so heartwrenching. “Whatever it is, I’ll do everything in my power to give you.”

“You’re expecting me to want your life or to hurt you, even now,” Luo Binghe muttered. “But, Shizun, all I want is for you to let me come home.”

Shen Qingqiu stared at Luo Binghe, trying to see through the act. He couldn’t. Either Luo Binghe was an even better actor than Shen Qingqiu expected or… or it wasn’t an act at all.

“That’s all?” Shen Qingqiu said.

“No,” Luo Binghe replied. “I also want you to never throw me away. I want you to keep me. In whatever way you want, in whatever way you have to, just keep me. You can chain me or, or imprison me, just keep me, Shizun, keep me!”

Shen Qingqiu couldn’t bear it anymore. He pulled Luo Binghe close, as if he could hide Luo Binghe inside him if he tried hard enough.

“Stop talking like that,” Shen Qingqiu begged. “Stop talking like you’re the one that’s done something wrong, like you’re the one who’s wrong. It’s not you, alright? It was never you. What I said, I was lying, okay? Binghe… Binghe is perfect. Binghe was always perfect.”

“Then why? Why did you…?” Binghe cried, pitifully. Shen Qingqiu gnawed at his lip. He couldn’t say the truth but… maybe he could give a truth?

He glanced at the system and it said nothing. Great! Thanks for nothing in that case! Okay, improvise…

“Let this master look at you,” Shen Qingqiu said, pushing Luo Binghe back slightly. He looked over Luo Binghe. He felt his scent sweeten and chose to ignore whatever the hell his stupid body was saying. “Yes. Binghe has grown as powerful as he dreamed then?”

“...Shizun sent me down into the Abyss to gain power?” Luo Binghe asked, confused.

“There was nothing left for this master to teach you,” Shen Qingqiu went on. “How was I supposed to fight destiny’s designs? The rest of the sect would have preferred I kill you.”

It was too simple an explanation. It didn’t say how badly Shen Qingqiu had wanted to keep him, how hard Shen Qingqiu had tried to fight against ‘destiny’s designs’. How he only submitted because it would truly be for his disciple’s benefit. It didn’t say… it didn’t say a lot of things. 

Luo Binghe eyed the gap between the truth and what Shen Qingqiu had said and decided to leave it be.

“The reason doesn’t matter,” Luo Binghe said. “Shizun, do you regret it?”

Shen Qingqiu didn’t even get to respond, Binghe sharply inhaling as Shen Qingqiu’s traitorous scent glands let Luo Binghe know exactly how much Shen Qingqiu regretted it. Still, he should say something. 

[+50 B Points!] the System rattled off. [-25 Heartbreak Points!]

“I regretted it before I had even done it,” Shen Qingqiu said quietly, another small piece to build a bridge between his excuses and his truths with.

“Then… why hasn’t Shizun apologized?” Luo Binghe asked.

“...Would that truly make up for the harm I caused? Would that really be enough?” Shen Qingqiu asked doubtfully.

“As long as Shizun apologizes and keeps me,” Luo Binghe said. He took Shen Qingqiu’s hand and rubbed the glands on his arms against the exposed ones on his neck, guiding Shen Qingqiu into scenting him. “That will be more than enough for this Binghe.”

“I’m sorry,” Shen Qingqiu blurted out, his vision blurring. All the scents flying around, it was making his eyes water, that’s all. “Binghe, I’m sorry.”

“Shizun…” Binghe let out a shuddering sob and sank into his arms. “Shizun, Shizun, Shizun…”

He didn’t say he forgave Shen Qingqiu. That’s fine. Shen Qingqiu would just have to earn it. 

Shen Qingqiu pulled them back into bed, back into his nest. His scent turned soft and sweet, cajoling Luo Binghe to relax, to burrow into Shen Qingqiu and shed his precious tears.

They stayed like that for a few moments before the cramps Shen Qingqiu had felt got worse, a pulsing emptiness inside of him. Shen Qingqiu suppressed a sound of pain, only holding Binghe closer. 

“Shizun is in heat,” Binghe pointed out, finally pulling away. He looked beautiful, even after crying so much. Unfair! “Is there someone Shizun usually spends his heats with? He must’ve found a companion when he presented in this Binghe’s absence.”

“I… this master is actually experiencing a presentation heat,” Shen Qingqiu admitted, looking away. The oddly jealous look on Binghe’s face shifted to panic. “What?”

“This is no place for Shizun to be so vulnerable! No wonder he was so out of it when this disciple came in…” Luo Binghe cried. “We need to get you back to Qing Jing Peak.”

He stood up and Shen Qingqiu felt some part of him panic, reaching out to grab a hold of him.

“Where are you going?” he asked.

“This disciple won’t go far, Shizun-” Luo Binghe started, taking his hand, only to pause and stare. “Shizun.”

Shen Qingqiu followed his gaze to where a red rash was on his hand.

“Oh, I forgot about that,” Shen Qingqiu said.

“I could get rid of it,” Luo Binghe said. “With my blood. If Shizun would allow me?”

Shen Qingqiu went to automatically refuse, like hell was he letting the darkened protagonist put his blood parasites inside him!, when he saw Binghe’s face. The man was braced for rejection, face twitching between hurt and anger already. Could Shen Qingqiu really say no, after he claimed he found nothing dirty about Luo Binghe? Surely it would stunt his development or something!

Shen Qingqiu swallowed around a lump in his throat and nodded. Luo Binghe blinked, surprised.

“Alright,” Shen Qingqiu said. “This master will allow it, considering the circumstances. Now, tell this master where you’re going?”

“To alert Mu-shishu to Shizun’s condition and to ask permission to take him back to Qing Jing Peak for the remainder of his heat,” Luo Binghe explained. That sounded reasonable, as much as a part of him didn’t want him to leave.

“Collect your things from Huan Hua Palace as well,” Shen Qingqiu said. “If you don’t already have it on you. You won’t be going back.”

Shen Qingqiu flushed, surprised at his own possessiveness, but Luo Binghe only smiled, pleased, before raising his hand to his mouth. Shen Qingqiu glanced at the System once more, afraid it’d put a stop to this clear de-railment of the story, but it said nothing, just rattled off point increases.

Maybe because it was the Protagonist demanding to come home?

Luo Binghe bit into the meat of his palm, precious lifeblood bubbling up. Shen Qingqiu took his hand, steeling himself before pulling it up to his mouth, lapping up the blood. For some reason, it tasted… good.

“Shizun,” Luo Binghe gasped, eyes full of awe. Shen Qingqiu licked his lips clean and then looked away. “Ah, Shizun, what have you done to yourself…?”

Shen Qingqiu flinched and then forced himself to relax as he felt the blood parasites move about inside him, the skin on his hand clearing and the ache from his cramps easing, somewhat.

He could feel them moving even more and Luo Binghe frowned.

“I’m still unable to cure it…” Luo Binghe murmured sadly.

“Binghe doesn’t need to worry about such a thing,” Shen Qingqiu reassured. Had he been trying to cure Without-A-Cure with his blood? Ah, Binghe, it’s a different bodily fluid needed for that!

For some reason, at that thought, the cramps in Shen Qingqiu increased.

“As Shizun says,” Luo Binghe said in false obedience. “This disciple will hurry back to Shizun’s side.”

Luo Binghe then took back up Shen Qingqiu’s hand, pressing a kiss to the now cured side of that accursed hand. Shen Qingqiu sharply inhaled, his scent flaring at the act.

With a smirk, Luo Binghe exited the room, smelling both incredibly pleased… and of Shen Qingqiu himself.

Shen Qingqiu pulled his hand close to his chest, blushing violently. The ache was growing by the moment and Shen Qingqiu moved his other hand to see if he could feel what was the cause.

Shen Qingqiu inhaled as he felt between his legs, his inner thighs wet from the slick dripping out of him. He hastily moved his hand back out, looking at how his fingers now shimmered with said slick.

“Oh no,” Shen Qingqiu said. 

His body had decided what Binghe was to him. 

It started normally. Luo Binghe had just left to deliver another courting gift to Liu Qingge after their spar. Hopefully, he’d come back with news on whether or not Liu Qingge had accepted their offer to visit the Demon Empire with them. 

It hadn’t been long when the System popped up, its usual bright blue now a frantic warning red.

[Warning, warning, warning! User 002’s Happily Ever After Status is at risk!] it declared and Shen Qingqiu scrambled up.

“What the hell do you mean?” Shen Qingqiu said. “At risk of what?!” 

The System does not explain, only showing a map. Shen Qingqiu recognized it as the Bai Zhan training grounds.

Shen Qingqiu swallowed around a lump in his throat. Was… was Binghe leaving him? For Liu Qingge? That… that didn’t make any sense.

Maybe a year wasn’t that long to determine one’s character but Shen Qingqiu had known Luo Binghe some time, both in this world and as a character. He’d know when the man was lying and Binghe hadn’t been lying when he said he’d love Shen Qingqiu always.

[+500 Heartbreak Points. Recommending User 002 to do something to maintain Happily Ever After Status!] the System said. Shen Qingqiu flinched from the large number.

Something was wrong. Shen Qingqiu called Xiu Ya to his side and rushed out of the house, stepping onto the sword and taking to the skies.

As Shen Qingqiu flew towards Bai Zhan Peak, he felt waves of qi, demonic and spiritual clashing, large amounts, powerful amounts, almost knocking Shen Qingqiu out of the air. 

As he approached he could see… 

“Binghe!” Shen Qingqiu cried in panic as his husband fended off what looked like half of the sect, for some reason swarming him with visible killing intent. As he screamed, two heads snapped up at him.

Binghe nearly paid for his distraction but Yue Qingyuan only paled. He turned and shouted something and that was the only warning Shen Qingqiu got before Liu Qingge tackled into him. 

Shen Qingqiu had been right about to land so it wasn’t a far fall, thankfully. Shen Qingqiu didn’t care for that, pushing Liu Qingge off of him and scrambling to his feet.

“What are you doing?! Get off of him!” Shen Qingqiu demanded and some disciples paused in their attack, giving his Binghe a brief reprieve.

“Ignore him,” Yue Qingyuan commanded, swinging his sheathed Xuan Su at Binghe. Binghe swore and jumped back, directly into the blade of another disciple. Wait, no, that wasn’t a disciple, that was Gui Qingcen! “Do your duty to your sect and to the people of this world!”

Shit, had Yue Qingyuan been infected with something to make him sound so cold? That was Shen Qingqiu’s husband you’re attacking! You were just talking with him about the treaty yesterday! 

Shen Qingqiu rushed to defend his husband, only for Liu Qingge to grab a hold of him, pinning him to the ground.

“Shizun!” Binghe cried and started to try and fight to Shen Qingqiu.

“Binghe,” Shen Qingqiu gasped and wriggled under Liu Qingge’s hold. “Qingge, get off!”

“No,” Liu Qingge said before softening. “Just… relax. It’ll… it’ll be over soon.” 

His vanilla scent tried to be comforting but Shen Qingqiu was too trained on the confused, angry, and frightened scent of his mate.

Shen Qingqiu could see he was fighting but he wasn’t doing killing blows, he wasn’t taking advantage of certain openings, clearly focused on reaching Shen Qingqiu and not killing anyone. His combatants, a good number of the Peak Lords and their disciples, were not so merciful.

“Binghe, Binghe, hold on!” Shen Qingqiu called out, struggling even harder. “Hold on, Shizun’s coming!” 

Whatever sense Shen Qingqiu had gained after sleeping, it was lost by the time Luo Binghe returned. 

It had been lost to an increasing warmth across Shen Qingqiu, lost to an emptiness inside of himself, lost to the way humping one of his pillows between his legs feels so good and yet so far from what he so desperately wants.

Shen Qingqiu doesn’t even notice someone has entered until a hand has pressed against his back. Shen Qingqiu turned his head, glaring at whoever the hell had fucking decided to interupt him when he was so close-

Oh. it’s Binghe.

“Binghe!” Shen Qingqiu said, grinning, forcing himself to sit up. “You’re here, you’re back, good, good.”

Well, he tries to say that but it doesn’t really come out of his mouth, more like chirps and trills from his throat. Binghe seemed to understand, humming in reply to Shen Qingqiu’s greeting.

“I see Shizun is… busy,” Luo Binghe said out loud. “Should this disciple go?”

Go? Why the hell would Luo Binghe do that? Shen Qingqiu frowned, pulling him into his nest, where he belonged. Why had he even let Luo Binghe leave? 

“Shizun, you’re, you’re not yourself right now,” Binghe said, pushing himself up. “I… I shouldn’t.”

“This master is here,” Shen Qingqiu grouched, thankfully out loud this time. He shook the fog away, pulling back from Luo Binghe. “I just… Binghe is right. This master shouldn’t.”

But he wanted to. Oh, god. Had the Omegaverse turned him, the straightest man in existence… gay?! Why was he so desperate to have Luo Binghe as a mate?! Sure, Luo Binghe would be a fantastic mate, better than any other possible one, the only one Shen Qingqiu wanted… but he was a man! And Luo Binghe’s teacher! And they had just tentatively reunited! He could not fuck him. Not that he wanted to, of course.

“When are we returning to Qing Jing Peak?” Shen Qingqiu said, ignoring the urge to resume humping his pillow in front of Luo Binghe. “I wanna go home. I need my things, my nest here sucks.”

“Shizun!” Binghe gasped, overdramatically. 

“It does! I could make such a nicer nest in the Bamboo House for yo-” Shen Qingqiu shut his mouth so hard, it made a physical sound. “Me. A nest for me. Just me.”

“...Shizun?” Luo Binghe asked tentatively. “Are you… do you want me in your nest?”

“...It would be nice,” Shen Qingqiu grumbled. 

“As… as what, Shizun?” Luo Binghe asked. “Apologies, it's just… What do you want from me?”

“Nothing you wouldn't already give,” Shen Qingqiu said. “Why do I have to want anything from you to have you?” 

“Shizun, I'd give you everything, just as long as you'd keep me,” Luo Binghe said softly. “Everything.”

“I'll keep you even if you give me nothing,” Shen Qingqiu crawled over to Binghe. “Binghe is the one who deserves everything.”

Luo Binghe melted as Shen Qingqiu held his face. Shen Qingqiu carefully angled his lower half away, not wanting to let Binghe know about his… situation. 

“This disciple just wishes to help Shizun, to prove himself. Even if Shizun says there’s no need…” Luo Binghe placed his hands on Shen Qingqiu’s hips, pulling Shen Qingqiu into his lap with ease. As if Shen Qingqiu needed a reminder of their new height dynamic! “Won’t he let this disciple tend to him?”

Shen Qingqiu stared, mouth gaping.

“I… Binghe!” Shen Qingqiu scoffed, horrified at how his scent made him seem interested. “We’re both men! I’m your Shizun!”

“So?” Luo Binghe pouted, nudging his way under Shen Qingqiu’s chin, nibbling at Shen Qingqiu’s scent glands. “Didn’t Shizun always say this Binghe would make a good mate? Doesn’t Shizun want me, even now?”

Luo Binghe’s scent was beguiling, tempting. Shen Qingqiu’s heat addled brain was struggling to find valid reasons to refuse. If anyone was a good mate, a protector, a provider, how could it not be Luo Binghe?

Shen Qingqiu knew that. Why should he let someone else get a hold of such a catch when- no, no, no! This wasn’t just some Alpha! This was Luo Binghe! He was Shen Qingqiu! 

He couldn’t allow this to… to… hey, how long has he been grinding against Luo Binghe as the man nibbled his throat and did open mouth kisses along it?

“Is… is Binghe certain?” Shen Qingqiu asked tentatively. “We don’t have to…”

“This disciple will pacify Shizun,” Luo Binghe assured. “And then breed Shizun to full satisfaction in the Bamboo House. Will Shizun trust this Binghe with such a task?”

Shen Qingqiu felt his face grow red. It… it didn’t have to mean anything. It was just to reassure Binghe. He’d soon move on and this would just be an awkward memory. It would be fine.

“Alright,” Shen Qingqiu said, only to be flipped onto his back, Luo Binghe practically tearing his pants off. “B-Binghe!”

“Shizun,” Luo Binghe panted, the heat of his breath on Shen Qingqiu’s pussy. “I’ve dreamed of this for so long…”

Luo Binghe dragged his tongue along Shen Qingqiu’s slit, desperately, slobberly, like a dog lapping up a treat. He looked and sounded so eager, so hungry for Shen Qingqiu…

Shen Qingqiu found himself moaning and squirming despite Binghe’s unrefined technique, rutting his hips against the man’s face. A part of him wanted to sit up and coach Luo Binghe, so terrible, what will his future wives say, while the other part was enjoying this way too much, yes, yes, there, there, please, more. 

Luo Binghe abided by his unspoken wishes, bullying his tongue through Shen Qingqiu’s lips, lapping up the slick that seemed to flow endlessly from him with each pleasurable touch. His tongue occasionally grazed against Shen Qingqiu’s clit, driving Shen Qingqiu insane with the inconsistent shock of extra pleasure. 

Shen Qingqiu felt himself approaching the edge, his various attempts to… self soothe leaving him already so close and Binghe’s touch closing the gap. At the same time, it felt like an impossibility: the Scum Villain cumming on the Protagonist’s tongue?

But Binghe wanted to forgive him and to come home and stay in his nest and was moving up so he could lick at his clit, having realized what an effect contact to it had.

“Is Shizun close?” Binghe teased, dragging his tongue against the twitching bud. Shen Qingqiu’s back arched and he clawed at his nest beneath him while violently shaking his head, not so much in response, just in general. “Allow this disciple to bring Shizun relief.”

And then Luo Binghe wrapped his lips around Shen Qingqiu’s clit and sucked.

Shen Qingqiu did not scream but it was a near thing as he finally orgasmed, a sensation unlike any other he’d ever felt washing over him. Luo Binghe pulled away before he overstimmed his master. His mouth was glistening with Shen Qingqiu’s slick, Shen Qingqiu’s scent all over him and Shen Qingqiu felt relieved and… oddly proud? What did he have to feel proud about? He just laid there and did nothing!

“Shizun smells so good… and tastes even better,” Luo Binghe licked his lips, making Shen Qingqiu whimper helplessly and disbelievingly at the sight. “Allow this disciple to properly move Shizun. Mu Qingfang believes this one has already left, flying Shizun to safety. I’d hate to make myself a liar to Mu-shishu.”

Luo Binghe cut a hole with Xin Mo, the dark portal showing directly into Shen Qingqiu’s bedroom. In one swift move, Luo Binghe scooped up Shen Qingqiu and his pitiful nest, depositing it all onto his bed.

Shen Qingqiu, despite the jelly feeling in his legs, quickly sat up, his instincts urging him on. He was home! Which meant he could make the best nest ever! Something that would be perfect for him to be in and for Binghe too!

It was so easy to add his pillows and blankets, yanking even the winter quilts out of hiding for this endeavor. Shen Qingqiu could see what he needed, how it should all be arranged, despite a complete lack of experience. The design just made sense!

Walls high enough to rest on and to protect from potential intruders, blankets to hide in or to sleep in, items that smelled of his pack, of his pups, a hair ribbon Liu Qingge accidentally somehow finding its way to a place of honor next to…

Shen Qingqiu blinked confusedly at the false jade pendant in his palm and then at the System. It just fucking smiled at him with those stupid kamojis, saying he couldn’t put it back now that he’d requested it. Stupid fucking thing.

Regardless, it did fit in perfectly with everything.

“Shizun… is that…?” Luo Binghe asked, breathless.

“...this master meant to return it,” Shen Qingqiu muttered. “I just… couldn’t find a good time. Should I-?”

“No, no, if Shizun wishes for it to be a part of his nest, then that’s the best place for it to be,” Luo Binghe reassured and then hovered at the foot of Shen Qingqiu’s bed, as if he didn’t still smell like Shen Qingqiu. “Shizun… may this disciple…?”

With a huff, Shen Qingqiu pulled Luo Binghe, manhandling him as if he were a particularly warm and thick pillow.

Binghe relaxed at it, smiling as he allowed Shen Qingqiu to do so before he reached between his legs, scooping up a glob of slick and swallowing it.

“Does Shizun still need relief?” Luo Binghe asked and Shen Qingqiu just looked away as his traitorous new scent answered for him. Luo Binghe at least smelled pleased. “Then allow this Alpha.”

With that, Luo Binghe moved Shen Qingqiu back somewhat, so he was resting over his bulge. And holy shit, what a bulge! Airplane wasn’t lying when he called it a Heavenly Pillar!

Shen Qingqiu felt his mouth water from horror and wiped away his drool as Luo Binghe moved just enough of his robes to expose himself and the thick knot at the base. 

“Is Shizun wet enough?” Luo Binghe genuinely asked, moving a finger between Shen Qingqiu’s lips and then inside of him, making Shen Qingqiu gasp. It was so close to what he wanted. “This disciple has heard that lack of proper lubrication can lead to serious harm-”

“Binghe asked this one for permission to assist,” Shen Qingqiu cut off, the tease of a single finger driving him to further madness. “Was he intending to lie to this master?”

“No, Shizun!” Luo Binghe cried and Shen Qingqiu leaned forward, rocking himself on that one finger.

“Then fuck me,” he said and Luo Binghe gasped at that crude language. Regardless, he obeyed, removing his finger and positioning Shen Qingqiu over his dick before slowly pressing the man down on it.

It was… big.  Shen Qingqiu could feel himself gaping just from that alone, he could barely imagine what his pussy would look like with that giant knot stopping him up. Luo Binghe went slowly but not as slow as he probably should but that was fine because Shen Qingqiu was two seconds away from slamming himself down onto Luo Binghe, to hell with the pain. 

“Is Shizun comfortable?” Binghe asked. 

“Don't ask such embarrassing questions!” Shen Qingqiu snapped and then moaned, feeling Binghe twitch inside him. “Just… get on with it…!”

Binghe nodded and muttered a, ‘yes, Shizun,’ before pulling Shen Qingqiu up, his legs trembling and then moving him down.

In Shen Qingqiu's past life, he had experimented once with a fleshlight. It had been nicer than his usual… things but it was so plastic and cold and only squeezed Shen Yuan when he squeezed himself. Shen Yuan remembered the way he pumped it up and down on his dick, trying to follow along with some porn he was watching, only to go faster and chase his own pleasure.

Shen Qingqiu was reminded of that as Shen Qingqiu was bounced on the Heavenly Pillar. He felt like he was just a toy, something to use for pleasure. He was too out of it to deny that the thought had made his pussy pulse around Binghe like a heartbeat.

Binghe looked wrecked, head thrown back, mouth open, his claws were digging into Shen Yuan's hips, tears budding his eyes as if he was the one with an entire leg shoved up inside of him rearranging his guts.

“Shizun, Shizun, Shizun,” Luo Binghe cried. “I’m, I’m allowed to do this? I’m allowed to have this? Have you?”

“Binghe, Binghe can have anything he wants,” Shen Qingqiu felt like the words were punched out of him. “Anything. Deserves everything.”

“You… Shizun, you’re not allowed to throw me away again,” Binghe snarled. It would be frightening, if he didn’t look so desperate, so frightened. “You can’t. You can’t!”

“Won’t, can’t, wouldn’t,” Shen Qingqiu toppled forward, burying his face into Luo Binghe’s neck, inhaling his scent full of sorrow and desire. “Didn’t wanna the first time, won’t this time.”

“Shizun…” Binghe tilted his head, moving so his breath tickled against Shen Qingqiu’s neck. “Do you mean it? Truly?”

“Truly,” Shen Qingqiu sighed. “I don’t wanna leave you again.”

He was speaking far too casually for his usual untouchable master persona but… Binghe deserved a bit of honesty after all the hurtful lies and he wasn’t really in the headspace to keep it up, read, he was getting fucked to the point of seeing stars. 

“Promise?” Binghe was thrusting harder, his knot catching on Shen Qingqiu’s entrance. Shen Qingqiu wondered if he was close, if Shen Qingqiu should stop him before he came inside him. The idea sounded impossible and hellish to his heat addled brain.

“Promise-” Shen Qingqiu said and then screamed as Luo Binghe sank his teeth into his scent glands. The pain, impossibly, pushed Shen Qingqiu over the edge, convulsing around Luo Binghe’s dick. “Ah- Binghe-”

“Now, me, Shizun, please, now me-” Binghe pleaded pitifully. Shen Qingqiu shouldn’t, should put a stop to this, there are discussions to be had, he wasn’t ready for this kind of commitment-

“Mine,” Shen Qingqiu shuddered out, still awash in pleasure, and sank his teeth into Luo Binghe’s neck. 

The young man howled, thrusting up into Shen Qingqiu, burying all of him, including his knot, into Shen Qingqiu. Shen Qingqiu mindlessly swallowed the mouthful of blood, shaking with the deluge of sensations he was facing.

Binghe was still babbling “Shizun,” when Shen Qingqiu gathered enough of his senses to try and soothe him, running a hand through his curly hair, feeling his scent turn sweet and soothing.

“This Binghe is sorry,” Luo Binghe muttered, still crying. “I want to believe you, Shizun, I want to but I’m so scared- but we’re mated now so now you can’t, can’t leave me without an explanation-”

“We… we do need to talk,” Shen Qingqiu said. “But this master, with or without this bond, has no intention of leaving you. From here on out, this master will follow you wherever you go.”

[Congratulations, congratulations, congratulations! Important things must be said in threes! User 002 has met all requirements for Happily Ever After Status! Please commence the Marriage Ritual to accept!] the System said, bursting the little bubble of bliss Shen Qingqiu was in. 

Marriage?! Are you insane?! Sure, they were mated now but that… that didn’t have to mean anything! Lots of people mated just to have someone to go to in case of sex pollen or really bad heat/rut situations! He… Binghe couldn’t really…

Shen Qingqiu lifted his head to look at Binghe’s face. He looked so happy, so relieved, despite the tears flowing down his face. Shen Qingqiu tsked and made a sound deep in his throat like a coo before he reached up, gently whipping those tears away.

“What is that, huh? Big bad Alpha crying like a little pup,” Shen Qingqiu said, feeling inexplicably fond. Binghe looked at him like he was an angel. Shen Qingqiu felt his heart ache. “It’s alright, Shizun’s here. Shizun will look after you.”

Well… okay, marriage wouldn’t be such an impossibility, if Binghe asked… who could possibly refuse Luo Binghe?

In the end, it’s not any of the cultivators who got the upper hand on Luo Binghe. It’s Xin Mo.

Shen Qingqiu caught the exact moment that damned sword betrayed its wielder, sending the delicate balance of Luo Binghe’s cores into horrific deviation.

Luo Binghe stumbled and his zuiyin spread across his face, consuming it, growing bright. He groaned, even as he blocked another futile blow from one of the assaultants.

“Stop, stop, can’t you see he’s qi deviating?! Just leave him alone!” Shen Qingqiu snarled and cried, the System screaming in one ear, the terror and pain in Luo Binghe’s scent consuming him. “Liu Qingge, get the fuck off!”

They don't stop. Liu Qingge doesn’t get off. The Peak Lords present encourage each other and their disciples on how the beast is weakening, how they must strike now or they’ll be lost to the demons, to ignore Shen Qingqiu.

They continued to attack and Luo Binghe tried desperately to disengage, to get away. Why wasn’t he attacking them? Why wasn’t he fighting back? Didn’t he know, in a case such as this, Shen Qingqiu couldn’t care less whether or not Luo Binghe hurt someone?

“Binghe,” Shen Qingqiu gasped and bucked Liu Qingge off, if for but a brief moment. “Binghe!”

“Shizun!” Luo Binghe called back, turning to meet him. He surged forward, reaching out for Shen Qingqiu. Shen Qingqiu tried to reach back, horrified by the blood dripping out of Luo Binghe’s nose, starting to well up in his eyes like tears-

Liu Qingge grabbed his other arm and pulled him back, pressing Shen Qingqiu to his chest. Xuan Su rang like a gong with power as Yue Qingyuan drew it from its sheath.

Shen Qingqiu and Luo Binghe were still reaching for each other when Yue Qingyuan buried Xuan Su in Binghe’s chest.

Binghe didn’t scream but Shen Qingqiu did, the sound abrupt and painful, mirroring the pain on Luo Binghe’s face. Yue Qingyuan said nothing, didn’t react to Shen Qingqiu’s scream or Binghe’s pain. 

To Shen Qingqiu’s horror, another cultivator stuck their sword into Luo Binghe. And another. And another. And-

They all were sticking their sword in him, uncaring for how Luo Binghe gasped in pain, in how his blood was creating puddles on the ground, or the tears in Luo Binghe’s eyes.

Yue Qingyuan, looking pale, drew Xuan Su out of Luo Binghe through his head, cleaving his beautiful face and body in two, and Shen Qingqiu finally passed out from the sheer horror of it all, the System ringing in his ears.

[Error, error, error. User 002’s Happily Ever After Status lost. Please reconnect with Protagonist to re-establish Happily Ever After. Please reconnect with Protagonist. Please-]

“Shidi,” Yue Qingyuan greeted with a smile.

Shen Qingqiu yanked out of the grip of the Qiong Ding disciple, baring his teeth at the younger individual.

“This one is not permitted to merely take a walk down to visit my favorite bookstore?” Shen Qingqiu sneered.

“Would Shidi have returned?” Yue Qingyuan asked.

“Of course,” Shen Qingqiu lied. Yue Qingyuan sighed and gestured for the disciple to leave, leading Shen Qingqiu back into his own house like a prisoner. Shen Qingqiu supposed he actually was.

“Is Qingqiu-shidi thirsty? Hungry?” Yue Qingyuan asked, sitting down. There was a pitcher of tea on the table, next to a plate of tanghulu. Shen Qingqiu stared at it, the tea billowing skull shaped steam, the tanghulu turning a poisonous purple due to the System’s warnings.

“No,” Shen Qingqiu said, adjusting the robe around him. Yue Qingyuan’s eyes flitted at it. “Get out.”

“Can’t we talk, Shidi?” Yue Qingyuan pleaded.

“What is there to say? You killed my mate, you wish to poison me and my child, you have imprisoned me,” Shen Qingqiu scoffed. “I have nothing to say to you.”

Yue Qingyuan stared at him, beseechingly, as if he could convince Shen Qingqiu to accept these circumstances if only he stared hard enough. Shen Qingqiu considered the consequences of clawing his eyes out. Was this how the Original Goods had felt? He was starting to feel sympathetic for the man.

“Have I not made myself clear?” Shen Qingqiu snapped, knocking the plate, the tea off the table. “I hate you. I don’t want you here. I trusted you and you ruined me. I will never forgive you. Never.”

“I was- I’m just trying to save you," Yue Qingyuan tried to say. “To make up for… past failures.”

“Want to make up for your failures?” Shen Qingqiu scoffed. “Give me back my husband.”

Yue Qingyuan sat there for a moment, looking physically pained, before he stood up and left, the door sliding shut behind him. 

Shen Qingqiu glared at the door before storming to the kitchen. Okay, maybe he was lying about being hungry, okay? Look, he’s not as eager to die as he bluffed at Liu Qingge, if he can escape, he’s going to. 

Shen Qingqiu rummaged through his cabinets, searching for something, anything, to eat. Everything Shen Qingqiu found quickly turned an acidic purple or had a skull on it. Shen Qingqiu stared in disbelief.

How much of this poison did the Palace Master give to Yue Qingyuan?! It was… it was everywhere!

Shen Qingqiu stumbled outside and demanded a meal. The one Ming Fan brought was just as bland as usual but was also clearly tainted. Shen Qingqiu sent it back, just to receive something just as tainted.

Shen Qingqiu stared, wordlessly, at the plate Ming Fan held. The young Beta man looked up at him, unsure.

“Shifu?” Ming Fan asked cautiously. Shen Qingqiu felt the pangs of hunger and reached out and took the tray.

Should he blame Ming Fan for this? Was he collaborating with the parts of Cang Qiong that were against Lu Binghe? The boy had never been fond of his shidi but Shen Qingqiu had pushed him away from bullying and he had seemed genuinely happy for Shen Qingqiu when they were together.

Or was this the kitchens’ doing? He had tried to keep a professional relationship with the people who worked on his peak but could he say, truly, if they’d adhere to his wishes over, say, Yue Qingyuan’s?

He didn’t know and he couldn't ask.

“Thank you, Ming Fan,” Shen Qingqiu finally said before retreating inside.

He settled back down at the table, setting the tray down. It was a bowl of congee, something filling but settling. It wouldn't be good. It would taste poor and would be literally poison to his body.

It didn’t have to, of course. Shen Qingqiu could eat it, let it settle where it wanted to, let it attack the child inside him. In all honesty, he probably should. It’d allow him to escape. He can’t really expect to raise a Heavenly Demon child in the midst of a war, against the same man who’d defeated a full blooded Heavenly Demon and a half human Heavenly Demon.

Shen Qingqiu took a bite of the congee. He swallowed the bite, feeling it slip down to his empty stomach.

Shen Qingqiu had a thousand reasons to let this child die but he had two, infinitely better, reasons to preserve this child even at the cost of his own life.

1. It’d piss everyone off and heavens forgive Shen Qingqiu if he comes out of this situation a little spiteful.
2. …It’s Binghe’s.

Shen Qingqiu cycles the abortifacient through his body, safely away from the baby, from anything that could pass it to them. He can’t protect his child from all of it, just the majority. It will have to be enough. It’s Binghe’s, the Protagonist’s, child, surely it can handle the spare few crumbs that slip past Shen Qingqiu’s defenses. 

The child has been fine so far, still so small, barely a person, but that’s okay because they are all Shen Qingqiu currently has of Luo Binghe, his last gift, Shen Qingqiu’s little treasure. How could Shen Qingqiu even consider letting harm come to them?

Shen Qingqiu hasn’t given up yet. He needed to speak to Airplane, see if there was a way to escape, a way out. If he can do that before Yue Qingyuan indirectly pumps him full of enough poison to kill an elephant, even better.

But he will protect this baby, his baby, his and his mate’s baby, with everything he has.

It is only the fact that Shen Qingqiu is so close to giving birth that Shen Qingqiu allowed Mu Qingfang into his territory. The doctor looked horrified as soon as Shen Qingqiu came into sight, though he swiftly tried to hide it.

Shen Qingqiu couldn’t blame him. He knew he looked terrible, his veins visible with black bile across his skin, his lips chipped from constant nausea and vomiting, his scent rotting with oncoming death instead of ripening with new life. 

“You should have called me,” Mu Qingfang said, skipping all formalities as he pressed a glass of cool, untainted, water into Shen Qingqiu’s hands, and then pulling one of Shen Qingqiu’s arms to the side, pressing his fingers down to check his qi. “I would have found some way to come.”

Shen Qingqiu drank the water and said nothing. He doubted Mu Qingfang had an antidote to this. It was extremely experimental, after all, meant to kill the unkillable. Could it really be so easily removed?

This belief was confirmed when Shen Qingqiu passed along some tea leaves that had the poison mixed in and Mu Qingfang’s face twisted in panic before forcing it to calm.

“...I can get you something to help with the nausea and pain,” Mu Qingfang said. “I’ll have Liu-shidi deliver it.”

Shen Qingqiu passively wondered if Liu Qingge would refuse and how Mu Qingfang would react if he did. 

“Thanking shidi for his care,” Shen Qingqiu said plainly, nodding respectfully.

“If you really want to thank me, don’t do this to yourself,” Mu Qingfang said desperately. “Don’t let this grief consume you.”

“I'm not grieving,” Shen Qingqiu said. “My mate isn't dead. I'm furious, Mu-Shidi. It’s different.”

Mu Qingfang sighed, as if Shen Qingqiu had said something ridiculous. 

“Well, at least you’re not kneeling at the sword mound again,” Mu Qingfang muttered.

“I can’t,” Shen Qingqiu said. “They shrank the array so I can only go five feet from the Bamboo House. I can’t reach it. I wish I could. It’s where we got married.”

Mu Qingfang didn’t say anything after that. Before he left, he pressed a talisman into Shen Qingqiu, glancing over his shoulder before lowering his voice to levels even a cultivator would struggle to hear. 

“Shidi, when the child comes, activate this,” Mu Qingfang whispered. “This master will ensure you and your child are well. I promise.”

He looked at Shen Qingqiu beseechingly, then stood and exited.

Shen Qingqiu could hear him exchanging a few words with Liu Qingge outside but couldn’t find the energy to eavesdrop, even with aid from the System. 

Shen Qingqiu tightened his fist, crumpling the talisman in his hand. The thing was, he wanted to trust Mu Qingfang, that he truly was on his side, that he truly wanted to help. He did. Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to.

So, on that dark rainy night where Shen Qingqiu finally had to free his child from his body, the talisman was in the sitting room, untouched.

It felt like hours of effort, of sinking his teeth into his arm, terrified his labor would be heard and someone would enter to kill the babe as they entered this world.

His scent was sweet, for the first time in a long time, even as it occasionally flinched into bitterness and pain, desperately trying to self soothe. 

When Shen Qingqiu was certain he’d pushed the child out, he laid in his nest, panting in the quiet. The quiet.

The silence stretched for a second too long, giving Shen Qingqiu enough time to start panicking, start spiraling, no, no, please, not my treasure, I tried so hard, don’t take them from me, my treasure, please, before it was interrupted with the wail of an infant.

Shen Qingqiu forced himself to sit up with a wince, scooping up the wriggling thing into his arms. A towel was snatched from where it had been laid ahead of time, cleaning the baby of the blood and other fluids covering it. 

He pressed his nose to… to her head, taking in the milky and simple scent, the weak curl of it expressing nothing but a desire for food and warmth. 

Shen Qingqiu scrambled for the bottle Ning Yingying had snuck him, pressing the nub to his baby’s mouth. He’d feed her from his own flesh but it was too tainted in of itself at this point.

Shen Qingqiu realized abruptly he was purring, all the horror and agony gone for a brief moment as he held his baby in his arms, real and whole and present. 

“My little treasure,” Shen Qingqiu whispered with a smile. “Baba is so happy to see you.”

Shen Qingqiu wished he could linger in that moment a bit longer but his scent swiftly returned to the telltale and warning scent of rot and he could feel his strength starting to sap away. 

Now that his main motivation to preserve his own body was free of said body, he didn’t have much time left.

Shen Qingqiu did not bother to clean himself more than a cursory wipe. The last thing he wanted to do was leave a trail for Liu Qingge or some animal to follow his escape but the state he was in was not a matter of deep concern.

He collected the supplies he needed as he prepared to leave, pausing to collect Luo Binghe’s pendant from its prized place in his nest.

He slipped it into the basket he’d placed his treasure in, just out of reach so she wouldn’t choke on it. 

“A birthday gift from A-die, so don’t lose it, okay?” Shen Qingqiu told her sternly. He really hoped Binghe would approve of such a thing. Shen Qingqiu couldn’t bear for it to be left here. A part of him wished he could leave something of himself for her but Shen Qingqiu sternly reminded himself that they’d be reunited as soon as he was revived in the mushroom bodies. Hopefully, it wouldn’t take too long…

When Shen Qingqiu finally exited, the rain had paused and Ming Fan and Ning Yingying waited outside the barrier trapping him.

Both disciples drew talismen and placed them on the ground, the array shattering like glass but thankfully silently.

Shen Qingqiu smiled as he walked towards them, both rising to meet his gaze.

“Thank you, my disciples,” he said.

“Of course, Shizun!” Ning Yingying said, her honeysuckle scent trying to soothe him. Unlike any other Omega, he allowed it. It was all the comfort he could afford to give to her. “All of Qing Jing stands behind you!”

“Shizun is proud of you, both of you,” Shen Qingqiu adjusted his hold on the basket so he could give his two disciples headpats. He’d scent them but it was too risky they’d get in serious trouble for being his accomplices. “Don’t let anyone bully you while Shizun is gone.”

“This disciple will eagerly await Shifu’s return,” Ming Fan said with a harsh sniffle. Ning Yingying’s face spasmed in pain but she said nothing. Shen Qingqiu kept his poker face and patted Ming Fan one last time.

“Make yourself scarce,” Shen Qingqiu said. “We may not be Xian Shu but my disciples can carry some level of desecration, yes?”

Both nodded and bowed, fleeing.

As they left, Ning Yingying paused and looked back at Shen Qingqiu. There was an unreadable expression on her face as tears budded in her eyes, before she followed Ming Fan into the darkness of Qing Jing’s bamboo.

Despite the time limit, Shen Qingqiu had indulged himself by way of leaving from where the sword mound used to be.

It felt odd, to look around this place where he had wasted away in such guilt and grief, where he had celebrated such love and joy, and know he might never see it again.

Regardless, lingering did nothing but waste time. With a stumble and a hiss of pain, Shen Qingqiu rose up on Xiu Ya and fled into the darkness of the rain, clutching his daughter close. 

He did not see Liu Qingge watching from the roof. 

“Shizun?” Luo Binghe asked as he stepped out of the Bamboo House, onto the back porch. He looked stunning in the afternoon light, his dark eyes glistening, his hair unbelievably soft. He looked soft himself, to be honest.

Shen Qingqiu cleared his throat and turned to face him, his thin face already stretched to its limits.

“You’re marrying me,” Shen Qingqiu said and then winced. No, idiot, you were supposed to ask! Ask! What the fuck was that?! “Please?”

Luo Binghe stared at him. 

“I have everything set up already so Binghe wouldn’t have to prepare anything,” Shen Qingqiu went on. “Witnesses, wine, red robes… we could get married, right now!” 

“Shizun… wants to marry me?” Luo Binghe said breathlessly. Shen Qingqiu bristled.

“Would I not be offering if I didn’t!” he cried, smacking the young man with his fan. It didn’t seem to discipline the man as much as it should. He only started grinning like a fool, releasing his scent to reveal just how positively pleased he was. “So, are you going to or not?”

“This disciple would be honored to marry Shizun,” Binghe said. “Now?”

“Yes, now,” Shen Qingqiu huffed. “If you said yes, why would I wait?”

Ugh, didn’t that make him sound overly eager? He’d have waited longer, if the System hadn’t told him he needed to get married in order to officially unlock the Happily Ever After status! Sure, it wasn’t on a time limit or anything… but what if he did it too late and it had expired?! How could he let his own hesitance stop himself from giving Binghe and himself a happily ever after!

Shen Qingqiu quickly handed over the wedding attire he’d acquired and the two ascended up to where the sword mound had been. Binghe looked ravishing in his bridegroom robes, glowing with such joy. 

Shen Qingqiu looked at him through a mesh of red, having elected to wear a veil. Sure, it put him in the role of wife but he was the Omega in the relationship! And marrying Luo Binghe! He couldn’t expect him to take the role himself. 

As they entered the clearing, Ning Yingying and Liu Mingyan stepped apart. Ah, such good friends! He was lucky to catch them together, two witnesses was enough, right?

Eh, if it wasn’t, they could just have a bigger wedding later. This was just to unlock the achievement. 

“Shibo,” Liu Mingyan greeted. Her scent was vanilla, like her brother’s, but was that of flowers, not the extract. Additionally, she was an Alpha, another difference from her brother. “Thank you for allowing me the honor of witnessing your union.”

Ning Yingying swatted at Liu Mingyan scoldingly before turning her smiling face to her shidi and shizun. Shen Qingqiu did feel bad about making the First Wife and Best Wife watch him marry what would have been their husband but neither looked nor smelled that torn up about it.

Good, because Shen Qingqiu wasn’t quite ready to share just yet. 

The wine was something Shen Qingqiu had borrowed from Zui Xian and it tasted warm in the afternoon light, settling in Shen Qingqiu as they shared the cup. They bowed four times, Heaven and Earth, Ancestors, Parents, each other, while their witnesses clapped.

Shen Qingqiu exchanged a few words of gratitude between Liu Mingyan and Ning Yingying before Binghe pulled him back to the Bamboo House.

“Would Shizun be willing to do one more ritual, for superstition’s sake?” Binghe asked, pulling out a white sheet. He made his scent pleading and tempting, the little manipulator. Shen Qingqiu’s face colored and he glanced at the System.

It didn’t say it was required but… well, if Binghe wanted… Shen Qingqiu gave a single brief nod.

Binghe laid the white sheet over Shen Qingqiu’s nest and Shen Qingqiu undressed, climbing on top.

He went to remove his veil, only for Binghe to stop him. Binghe’s eyes roved over him, taking him in, his bare skin and long white socks, paired with the long red veil.

“Will Shizun allow this Binghe to indulge?” Binghe asked. “This Binghe… I never imagined I would be married, much less to one such as Shizun.”

Shen Qingqiu’s heart melted, as it often did for Binghe. He laid back, wearing only the veil and socks.

Binghe undressed and crawled into the nest, resting his face against the mark he’d left on Shen Qingqiu’s neck glands.

“Mate,” Binghe sighed, tears already sprouting. “Husband. Husband.”

“I’m here, I’m here,” Shen Qingqiu assured. “Hus… husband.”

It was raining harder now but the mountains were distant now. Shen Qingqiu would have to hope this was far enough. 

Shen Qingqiu landed, barely not crashing. He pulled his supplies out, tools to make a seal over his daughter’s demonic heritage, one that could only be broken by Shen Qingqiu himself. He couldn’t risk something going wrong while he was… absent and his daughter was hunted down for her blood while he was unable to help.

First, he set down a talisman, one keyed to Shang Qinghua, letting him know where to find his baby.

As Shen Qingqiu got to work, he was interrupted by a voice.

“Shen Qingqiu!” Liu Qingge called as he abruptly landed. Shen Qingqiu stood up quickly, nudging his baby and supplies under some undergrowth behind him. 

Shen Qingqiu called Xiu Ya to his side and gritted his teeth. This was bad. This was really bad. 

Fine, he no longer could make the seal. But maybe Shang Qinghua would show up while Shen Qingqiu kept Liu Qingge distracted and whisk his treasure to safety. He had to hope.

“What are you doing out here?” Liu Qingge demanded harshly. “You aren’t allowed to leave Qing Jing Peak-”

“Don’t come close,” Shen Qingqiu snarled, pointing Xiu Ya at him. Liu Qingge stilled. He moved slowly, away from his baby’s hiding space. 

“Shen Qingqiu,” Liu Qingge looked him over and then looked away. “You’re not well-”

“No thanks to you,” Shen Qingqiu scoffed.

“You’re not well,” Liu Qingge reiterated. “We need to get you back home. You’ll be safe there.”

“Safe? Safe?!” Shen Qingqiu laughed, hysterically. “Ah, yes, as safe as can be, with the great and noble Liu Qingge and Yue Qingyuan watching over me! The two men who have imprisoned me, have poisoned me, have slaughtered my husband like an animal! How foolish of me, not to run into your arms!” 

“Shixiong,” Liu Qingge said, with a warning tone in his voice.

“What? Will you kill me?” Shen Qingqiu asked with a crazed grin, tilting his head. “You have already done so, merely wait a moment and it’ll be done.”

“You’re not going to die,” Liu Qingge said but he sounded like he didn’t even believe himself. “Just… come with me.”

“No,” Shen Qingqiu said before he flash stepped in front of Liu Qingge, swinging his sword down on the man. Liu Qingge swore as he drew Cheng Luan up, blocking the blow.

Shen Qingqiu didn’t let it discourage him, merely swinging again. His attacks were senseless, formless, not the elegance and grace he was known for. It left Liu Qingge on guard, focused on blocking Shen Qingqiu’s many attacks. 

“Do you want to kill me?” Liu Qingge exclaimed as Xiu Ya grazed his throat.

“No!” Shen Qingqiu said. “But what does that matter? You clearly don’t care about what I want. Why else would you rob me of everything I ever wanted?”

“We didn’t- it was to save you,” Liu Qingge exclaimed. “The other sects would have had you executed for harbouring a Heavenly Demon! We did you a kindness!”

“You should have!” Shen Qingqiu screamed, delighting in the blood trickling down Liu Qingge’s cheek from another near miss. “At least then I would have been with my husband!”

“You don’t mean that,” Liu Qingge said desperately.

“I do,” Shen Qingqiu realized that the rain had grown heavy, that it blurred his vision. “You destroyed the only man who ever loved me.”

“I love you,” Liu Qingge blurted out but Shen Qingqiu could only make himself laugh cruelly.

“No, you don’t,” Shen Qingqiu sneered. “You only want to possess me.”

Liu Qingge’s pretty face, stained with blood and rain, twisted in rage.

“That’s not true!” he roared, charging forward at Shen Qingqiu.

Shen Qingqiu noticed two things at once.

1. There was no ground under his feet.
2.Cheng Luan was embedded in Shen Qingqiu’s heart.

Liu Qingge shifted from rage to heartbreaking regret and horror as Xiu Ya dropped from Shen Qingqiu’s grip and Shen Qingqiu stumbled off the edge of Liu Qingge’s blade and off the cliff.

The pain of falling was barely noticeable amongst all the other sources of pain. Shen Qingqiu could hear his own breath come out in a rattle.

The world was fuzzy and distant, so much so that Shen Qingqiu could no longer feel the rain pelting down on him. He was so cold… where was Binghe? Binghe always kept him warm. Binghe kept the pain away.

He called out for Binghe, not with words, but with his scent and the calling chirps from his chest. They sounded weak, even to Shen Qingqiu, but he couldn’t help it. Binghe was… was lost. If he stopped calling, how would Binghe find him?

He tilted his head into the robe still wrapped around him, no longer that bright red it was when Binghe owned it. Shen Qingqiu inhaled and a sob came out as he realized the robe was completely cleared of Binghe’s scent, smelling more of blood and Shen Qingqiu’s own rotting matcha scent than anything else.

He called out for Binghe more desperately, even as the world grew colder and more distant, even as he felt himself fading.

Binghe, Binghe! Shen Qingqiu’s last thoughts were. Wait a little longer. This husband will find you…

And then Shen Qingqiu’s scent went dead and he knew no more. 

Liu Qingge stood at the edge of the cliff, horror filling him as he looked down at where Shen Qingqiu had fallen.

He heard the calling and weak chirps for a mate and Alpha who couldn’t hear, he smelled the rotting stench finally fade away as Shen Qingqiu’s life left his body, he watched as Xiu Ya shattered beneath his own feet, for a spiritual blade can not survive without its master.

Liu Qingge remembered, immediately after the Immortal Alliance Conference, Shen Qingqiu kneeling in the frozen and burnt earth, picking up shards of his disciple’s blade, even as the edges cut his fingers.

Liu Qingge found it easier to collect Xiu Ya’s shards than Shen Qingqiu did Zheng Yang, considering they were all in one spot. 

He felt… numb. Separated from his body. Shen Qingqiu’s blood was not only literally on his sword, it was figuratively on his hands. 

Shen Qingqiu was right. Liu Qingge had killed him. They all had, the moment they had torn Luo Binghe from his master’s side.

Liu Qingge let out a shuddering sigh. He needed to go down there, retrieve Shen Qingqiu. Yue Qingyuan would never believe Shen Qingqiu had passed until he saw the body with his own two eyes-

Liu Qingge’s thoughts were interrupted by the wail of a baby. Liu Qingge’s eyes widened. No.

Shen Qingqiu had successfully given birth. 

Liu Qingge stalked towards the cries, mind churning. He parted some undergrowth and found the baby in a basket, surrounded by tools for some ritual Liu Qingge wasn’t familiar with. 

It was a little girl, her scent demanding her parent return and protect her, no doubt from the harsh rain falling. On her head, small but glowing, was a zuiyin, the same as Luo Binghe’s. 

A Heavenly Demon. Shen Qingqiu had birthed a Heavenly Demon. Liu Qingge ran a hand down his face.

What was he supposed to do? This was what Yue Qingyuan was trying to prevent, what they all were trying to prevent! 

The baby cried, unaware of nothing but her own discomfort. 

Liu Qingge should kill her, it. It was a demon. If he let it live, it would grow and grow destructive. If he struck it down now, it would never hurt a soul.

Liu Qingge reached out, picking her up out of her basket, cradling her. Her face wrinkled, confused by the unknown scent but anything was better than being alone to a baby as small as her. 

A baby. She was just a baby. The baby Shen Qingqiu had whispered to when he thought Liu Qingge wasn’t listening, the baby Shen Qingqiu died to protect, the baby he so lovingly called his treasure. 

…Liu Qingge couldn’t do it. The act alone felt like it would be too little too late, after driving away his own sister and driving Shen Qingqiu to his own death, but Liu Qingge could not allow Shen Qingqiu’s child to sit in discomfort, much less kill her. 

Liu Qingge made his scent shift to something sweet and reassuring, something it did not want to do when Shen Qingqiu’s corpse was but a headturn away, but he forced it. He’d have to hire a nursemaid, one who could keep their mouth shut, and find a way to hide the demon mark. 

Surely, if he did that…

Shen Qingqiu had wanted this child safe, loved. Maybe Liu Qingge couldn’t make up for… for what he’s done, but he could at least honor those wishes, seeing as he failed to honor all others.

Liu Qingge would have to hope that was enough.