Chapter Text
Yue Qingyuan hadn't spoken, nor came to visit Shen Qingqiu since the incident in which he found out about Shen Qingqiu's ghoulish nature. But it didn't look like he was going to do anything about it so Shen Qingqiu had to assume it was a good thing. Therefore, he'd be able to return to his normal "caring, doting teacher" persona and work like normally despite numerous of his now younger disciples fucking up every now and then.
However, despite that, he was still nervous-hell Shen Qingqiu was drowning in anxiety during that moment that he praised the heavens above when Liu Qingge came by to "save" him and filled Yue Qingyuan in now that he figured out hints of Shen Qingqiu's inhuman nature.
Aside from the lack of contact from the sect leader. Everything else went by normally.
"Qingqiu," Luo Binghe began, "...Marry me"
Shen Qingqiu who had been sitting at his chair grading papers from his students suddenly paused. He faced Luo Binghe, his eyes wide.
"What?"
"Marry me" He said once more.
Shen Qingqiu was stunned, he didn't even know what to say nor how to respond to such a question-well, it didn't sound like a question more like a suggestion. Shen Qingqiu's brain (or what brain capacity it has) buffered for a while before he registered the full weight of his words and is face heated up instantly.
If Shen Qingqiu thought about it-it wouldn't be such a surprising question (suggestion-) saying as they've slept together, went on dates and lived together and ate together like a couple already. They never really officially stated that they were dating since that moment that Shen Qingqiu returned his Jade Pendant when they first slept together.
Shen Qingqiu looked away and cleared his throat.
"That's... A rather out of the blue question Binghe-"
"I can do it better if you'd like."
"I'm not saying that Binghe-" Shen Qingqiu said, sighing out.
"So will you?" He asked.
"Binghe-"
"Will Qingqiu do me the honors of marrying me and becoming my bride?" He asked, this time now kneeling beside Shen Qingqiu.
Shen Qingqiu's face heated up-his emotions spiraling out of control at his sincere words and in love eyes that his Ghoul eyes naturally came out and he looked away, too embarrassed and flustered to look at the other.
Luo Binghe narrowed his eyes "Do I have to get a blessing from a family member of yours?" He asked.
Shen Qingqiu's face heated up more-why would he need to ask Shang Qinghua's permission-He paused. His thoughts pausing as if he hit a pause button on a YouTube video and his expression blanked like a buffering screen.
...
WHY WAS THAT DUMBASS THE FIRST PERSON SHEN QINGQIU THINKS OF WHEN LUO BINGHE MENTIONED A FAMILY MEMBER'S BLESSING?!?!? HAS SHEN QINGQIU FINALLY LOST HIS MIND?!?!?
"Qingqiu?" Luo Binghe asked.
Shen Qingqiu sighed. An idea coming to mind.
"If you can figure out the one person so I consider family here without letting them know until you know who it is, then I'll say yes" Shen Qingqiu said.
Luo Binghe looked as determined as he did back before the Immortal Alliance conference. Back before he became a demon lord.
...
Back before even Meng Mo- Shen Qingqiu sighed, memories of years ago hitting his brain as Luo Binghe got up-said he'll do his challenge and left. Shen Qingqiu watched as he left, wondering how long it would take Luo Binghe to figure it out.
Due to sheer history, people would assume Yue Qingyuan would be like a brother to him. While Shen Qingqiu sees him as having a kind, older brother role. Shen Qingqiu wouldn't consider him his older brother but a close friend.
He and Liu Qingge have gotten closer, almost like a second best friend. That's all Liu Qingge was in the end, another best friend of his even if Liu Qingge denies such a friendship-but knows deep down he likes being called a "bestie" even if the poor man doesn't understand modern terms back in Shang Qinghua's and Shen Qingqiu's original home.
It'd have to be Shang Qinghua he sees as a brother in the end. Both came from the same home town. Both have been through some shit and actually understand each other fairly well. Not to mention the only other person here who was and is a ghoul. Even Shen Qingqiu was surprised as he came to that conclusion.
Shang Qinghua as a brother.. Something not even Shen Qingqiu would think of considering the other male as.
Welp....
Shang Qinghua once more found himself in a situation.
Could it be bad?
Could it be good?
Who is he to tell?
Shang Qinghua was busy with his work, he managed to get a decent amount done early and was planning on bathing for a while then to take a nap when he was snatched up by an icicle man known as Mobei-Jun and whisked away back to his freezing Palace of ice. But before Shang Qinghua could even complain about the sudden change of temperature of warm to deathly cold-Mobei-Jun gave him a coat to keep him warm.
Well-now that Mobei-Jun had willingly surrendered his coats freedom to Shang Qinghua to harass as he pleased. Could Shang Qinghua be mad? He wrapped it more comfortably around himself as Mobei-Jun continued to carry him over his shoulder. He didn't know what he would want this time, but at the moment he didn't care nor complain as his legs have been hurting from walking and running all day trying to complete his daily and weekly tasks.
Well, he didn't start struggling until he was thrown onto a bed.
Not just any bed.
Mobei-Jun's bed.
"H-hey! M-My King what are you doing?!" Shang Qinghua asked.
The door was closed shut by Mobei-Jun's magic as he casually was pinning the male under him. Shang Qinghua shrunk back-realizing just how small he was compared to the male above him. Mobei-Jun grabbed his chin with one hand-and before Shang Qinghua could process what was happening at the moment-he found that Mobei-Jun leaned down and began devouring the smaller male into a hungry-almost brutal session of a kiss.
Shang Qinghua, realizing what was happening released the coat to try to push Mobei-Jun off. Which he did, only to glare.
"What-"
"W-what are you doing?!" He asked, Shang Qinghua now breathless.
"What does it look like?" Mobei-Jun asked, his eyes locked onto the male below him.
Shang Qinghua had to take a moment for himself. When he moved his arms-he pushed the coat off him and there he found that the room they were in was a tad bit warmer than the other parts of the palace. It was still cold but not as cold. Shang Qinghua could survive it without the use of coats.
It was easily a temperature where both Mobei-Jun and Shang Qinghua can agree on without one or the other dying. But aside all that-
He knew what his King wanted.
And Shang Qinghua wasn't at all against it- but there was one tiny problem.
"M...My King... I need to bathe first-I've been running around and-and I'm sure I stink-" Shang Qinghua said.
Mobei-Jun narrowed his eyes, Shang Qinghua yelped when he was lifted up off the bed and was once more carried by Mobei-Jun. Shang Qinghua didn't understand what was going on through Mobei-Jun's head at the moment- especially so since eventually, there was a bath ready and he was bathed in it. Only, the problem wasn't Mobei-Jun's strange behavior at the moment-but rather that...
WHY THE HELL WAS HE STANDING THERE AS SHANG QINGHUA WAS TRYING TO CLEAN HIMSELF FROM SWEAT AND DUST?!?!
Mobei-Jun stood there like it was nothing, but Shang Qinghua was nervous and slightly concerned under his watchful eyes. He tried his best to ignore him as he washed the dust he picked up from his hair. Shang Qinghua had his back to him-trying his best to ignore the piercing stare. Not only was the bath an excuse to clean up-but to also mentally prepare himself for what Mobei-Jun wanted.
He was confused-sure Mobei-Jun since Shang Qinghua killed and ate his uncles organs had been very... Kinder to him.. Hitting him less and less and was... Actually more attentive to his needs and didn't brush it off like before. Shang Qinghua was lost in thought-why did Mobei-Jun have a sudden change of heart?
Was it cause he protected him when he was at his most vulnerable?
Was it cause he helped Mobei-Jun get rid of his bastard uncle?
Was it to simply thank him?
Or was it more to that?
Either way, he was so lost in thought that he didn't even realize when Mobei-Jun had walked up behind him, and felt an icy hand touch his upper back. Shang Qinghua jumped at the sudden coldness. The bath Shang Qinghua was in was warm and almost steaming, so Mobei-Jun's ice cold hands was a stark contrast to the warm bath.
Mobei-Jun felt the warm, supple skin of Shang Qinghua's upper back. His eyes moved up from where his hands was on Shang Qinghua's back, up to meet his eyes when Shang Qinghua moved his head to face him.
"M-my King?"
"Show me"
"Huh-"
"That thing that you had, it sprouted from here" Mobei-Jun said as he applied just a tiny bit of pressure there to signal what he was talking about.
Shang Qinghua faced away, and took a deep breath.
"I...I'm still a bit inexperienced with it-"
"You seemed to know what you were doing that time" Mobei-Jun said, is eyes narrowing at the others words.
Shang Qinghua didn't speak, Mobei-Jun however, did.
"You say you're 'inexperienced', does that mean it was recent you became like... This?" Mobei-Jun asked.
"Yea" Shang Qinghua said.
"When?"
"When uh.. I saved Shen Qingqiu from that other Luo Binghe-"
Mobei-Jun's eyes narrowed, almost glowing a bit, showing he was either displeased or angry. Which, in this case could be both "What did he do?" He asked, his voice deep.
Shang Qinghua just then realized he never filled Mobei-Jun in on what happened. Now that he thought about it-he was surprised that he hadn't tried forcing it out of him but rather... Gave him space-also explains the week long vacation he had with Shen Qingqiu from Mobei-Jun. Shang Qinghua sighed as he slightly and hesitantly looked back at Mobei-Jun.
"W-well... Long story short-that Luo Binghe sent a whole army on Shen Qingqiu and I, he ordered for my kill-but the three of us fell, hit our heads. When I came to, Shen Qingqiu was at his feet, and I in chains and immortal binding cables" He started off with.
Shang Qinghua felt Mobei-Jun's hand twitch as his back at the news he was given.
"T-then he uh.. Sent a whole horde to kill me where I laid..."
"...And then?"
Shang Qinghua gulped as he looked away "T-then... The only thing in my head was a whole frenzy of fear, pity and guilt that I wouldn't be able to defeat-"
"Your own creation?"
"Huh-" Shang Qinghua looked back at Mobei-Jun.
"I was there, you said that you created that world, if you did, I'd assume you also created that version of My Lord who wanted you killed" He said.
Shang Qinghua could slap himself...
HOW THE FUCK COULD HE FORGET HE DROPPED THE "I'm the God there, the ultimate creator" ON EVERYONE AND FUCKING FORGET HE SAID IT?!?! FUCKING MOBEI-JUN WAS THERE AS WELL!!!!
FUCK HIM!!!!
Shang Qinghua smiled nervously "I did? Huh, I must've forgotten-but yes, I couldn't defeat him and I felt something surge from my gut to my chest and I felt warm all over my back and... My head exploded in pain-my eyes burned and I became what Shen Qingqiu is" Shang Qinghua said, going back to the original topic.
Mobei-Jun only nodded, and told Shang Qinghua that he wanted to see it (more like "take it out"). Shang Qinghua had no choice but to comply and did his best to willingly take it out. Once it was, Shang Qinghua brought his knees to his chest and hugged them as he felt Mobei-Jun's piercing gaze on his Wing-like organs.
Eventually he felt his cold hands on it-sending goosebumps around his body, not from the cold of Mobei-Jun's hands-but rather the foreign touch. Ever since he turned into a Ghoul-never once had he actually looked nor felt what they felt like. If he did he felt as if he'd be accepting he lost all form of his humanity that he's still trying to hold on to.
Shang Qinghua allowed Mobei-Jun to get a feel of it, that was until he left his arm snake around his waist and pull I'm back to him-Shang Qinghua barely had time to process that he was held captive when he felt a bite on the base of his wing like organs. Shang Qinghua yelped by the bite-they were rather sensitive.
Not the "No don't touch I'm ticklish" but rather the "fresh wound" type sensitive and he felt shooting pain from it.
"AGH!" Shang Qinghua eyes turned Ghoul-ish at the sudden attack-his instincts at first thinking he was under attack.
But he was lifted, Mobei-Jun's teeth releasing the Wing shaped organs and spoke directly into his ears.
"This one thinks you've bathed long enough" He said.
"WHA-" Shang Qinghua barely had time to process when he went from comforting warmth to ice chilling freezing temperatures.
His body broke out into goosebumps. Mobei-Jun held onto the Wing-like organs so Shang Qinghua couldn't suck them back into his body as he once more pinned the male under him onto the bed. Shang Qinghua turned to shout at him for the rough man-handling-but was was silenced by a harsh and hungry kiss by Mobei-Jun.
Mobei-Jun only released him from the kiss only to flip him onto his back and dived back down again. Shang Qinghua didn't know what to do-all he knew was that his icy hands started to roam his warm, freshly bathed skin. Shang Qinghua felt goosebumps as Mobei-Jun moved his starved mouth from his own to Shang Qinghua's jaw.
Shang Qinghua's mind was slowly going blank from all of the new sensations mixed in with the cold.
However-despite being in such cold temperatures.
He felt warm in the arms of Mobei-Jun.
He felt warm when their skin met flesh to flesh.
He felt warm when Mobei-Jun embraced him-their limbs intertwined.
He felt warm regardless of the rough but gentle treatment he was giving him.
Shang Qinghua for some reason, hadn't minded it one bit.
There was a time their hands had intertwined as Mobei-Jun drove into him.
Both had become breathless. Regardless, Shang Qinghua was warm despite how cold the room and Mobei-Jun's body is.
Well... It seemed the both were the rough type. Shang Qinghua sat on the bed, covered in the blankets-but his body? Bruises, bites and hickeys. Bite marks littered from his jaw down to his neck to his arms, torso and even legs. Same with the other two.
"M...My King... I'm sorry-"
Shang Qinghua stared at the violent scratches and bites he left upon Mobei-Jun that only something inhuman could make. It looked like Mobei-Jun was in a battle with a monstrous beast that was trying to eat him alive.
Although-he looked oddly refreshed for someone who looked like he barely escaped battle alive.
"Mobei" Mobei-Jun said.
"Huh?" Shang Qinghua's guilt turned into confusion.
Mobei-Jun faced him, hair down and almost divine. His eyes still held that icy indifference, but were much more softer now.
"Do I need to dumb it down? No more of this 'My King' nonsense. We've past the point of no return, so call me Mobei" Mobei-Jun said.
Shang Qinghua's brain took a moment to process what Mobei-Jun was saying, and once his pitiful brain had caught up, his face reddened as he found out that Mobei-Jun had wanted to go on proper name basis. Shang Qinghua once more felt warm.
He looked away, burying himself into the blankets that warmed up due to Shang Qinghua's body heat "If-if you say so"
"Say it"
"Huh-"
"Say my name"
Shang Qinghua wanted to kill himself. But he rolled onto his other side so when he removed the blanket just enough out of his face-he could make eye contact with Mobei-Jun.
"F-fine then... Mobei"
Mobei-Jun nodded, accepting it as he stood, got dressed and walked over to the other side of the bed where he'd have easier access to the smaller male and leaned over.
"Stay here and rest. This one will be back shortly" He said.
Shang Qinghua-having been skin on skin with Mobei-Jun still found the close proximity nerve wracking.
"W-where are you going?"
"To get something." He said, then walking off.
Shang Qinghua was confused, but nodded and watched as he walked off. Once that door closed, Shang Qinghua figured he'd too, get dressed. He sat up, once more ignoring the soreness and tiny radiation of pain at the lower and upper parts of his back. The lower part is a given due to the previous nights activity.
The upper back?
Shang Qinghua figured Mobei-Jun was growing a slight kink or turn on just by his predatory organ. Why?
Shang Qinghua was suspecting it to be due to the sole fact it aided in Shang Qinghua in protecting Mobei-Jun and murdering that diabolical uncle of his who was planning on murdering Mobei-Jun at his weakest. If that was the case, then Shang Qinghua needed to watch his back every time he uses that organ to battle.
It was a KILLING machine.
But Mobei-Jun found it as a chew toy... Either way, when he stood up-ignoring the shaking in his legs and how they tingled after laying down for so long-he waddled his way over to the bath area where he took his clothes off. Only to find they were still dirty with his yesterday's sweat and grime from his harsh labor as a Peak Lord.
"Just great" Shang Qinghua muttered to himself in displeasure as he set the clothes down and clutched the blanket tighter.
He walked back into the main part of the room, and decided to harass Mobei-Jun's closet and found something light to wear. Which was a thin robe with an almost frozen color shade of blue. Regardless, Shang Qinghua found it good enough, fixed himself another bath to clean himself up from the night's activities and thus got changed.
He stared at the bed-knowing the bed sheets needed to be changed, and thus, looked around the room belonging solely to Mobei-Jun and found where he kept his spare blankets. Thus, he stripped the bed, folded it neatly and set it to the side to have cleaned later. He busied himself with making the bed.
However....
He paused mid task, not hearing when the door was opened once again as Shang Qinghua grabbed at his hair and cursed aloud.
"Mother-FUCKER!!" He thus began pacing around.
"I'VE SPENT TOO MUCH TIME WITH SHEN QINGQIU!! NOW I'M CLEANING WHEN I'M BORED TOO?!" He yelled.
"What are you rambling about?" Shang Qinghua turned his head and found that it was only Mobei-Jun once more, and Luo Binghe who looked confused at his sudden shout.
"What?"
Luo Binghe walked up "Never mind that, I have a question for you" He said as he walked up.
Shang Qinghua crossed his arms as he did "Okay, what is it?"
Shang Qinghua was rather confused on what it was "What is Qingqiu to you?" He asked.
"Eh?" Shang Qinghua didn't know if his spin off creation of his was on crack, got hit in the head or was suddenly dumb.
"Why?"
"Just answer" He said, Mobei-Jun moving to stand somewhat beside and behind Shang Qinghua as he was minorly interrogated by Luo Binghe.
"He's my best friend.. My bro? My brotha from anotha motha"
Luo Binghe was familiar with the term "Best friend", the "Bro" he was used to hearing whenever Shen Qingqiu and Shang Qinghua gotten together, he wasn't ignorant of how... Dumb those two were together.
However-"Brotha from anotha motha" was something new.
"What does that mean?"
"What does what mean?" Shang Qinghua asked.
".... Brotha from anotha motha-"
Shang Qinghua almost bursted out laughing-never once in his life would he ever hear a prominent creation of his say something so dumb in modern slang-but boy was he glad to live to see the day!! Luo Binghe raised a brow along with Mobei-Jun. Not knowing where the joke was.
"What?" Luo Binghe asked once more.
Shang Qinghua took a moment to calm himself and took a deep breath.
"It basically means he's like a brother to me. Not only are we best bros, we consider each other like family" Shang Qinghua said.
Luo Binghe nodded, then smiled like he won something "Good" he said.
"What-"
"This one asks that you give permission to ask for Qingqiu's hand in marriage" Luo Binghe said, making Shang Qinghua freeze in place.
That...
THAT'S WHAT HE WANTED TO ASK?!?!?
Well... He couldn't be mad-he asked permission first.
Shang Qinghua cleared his throat, but sighed "Fine fine-"
Luo Binghe instantly turned to walked off-but something went off in Shang Qinghua that he kicked the Demon Lord behind his knees-making him fall on it and there-the Ghoul in the room grabbed him by the hair tightly and leaned in.
"What are you-"
"If you hurt my bro in any way-expect me to hunt you to the ends of their pitiful world, cut your dick off and send you back into that Endless Abyss but the hell torture is a hundred fold more worse" Shang Qinghua threatened.
Luo Binghe didn't speak, not cause he was scared nor intimidated, but of understanding. He merely nodded, knowing the two had a closer bond than he and Shen Qingqiu will ever have so therefore-his input might be a bit more stronger and important than his own. Shang Qinghua released the Demon Lord, and watched as he stood up, fixed up his hair, bid the duo farewell and left. Neither spoke of that moment after.
Days, weeks, months and eventually another beautiful year had passed. The morning of the wedding was held. Everything was going to perfect plans, and it was only then that Yue Qingyuan showed his face to Shen Qingqiu before the ceremony.
"Ah-" Shen Qingqiu was surprised to see that he showed up.
"I've been doing some thinking about our last encounter" Yue Qingyuan said.
Shen Qingqiu was already started to be bummed out-like... Why the fuck are you bringing this up on his day?
"This one apologizes, and come to apologize for the way I confronted you"
"Ah, I see"
"Do I have your forgiveness? Perhaps put it aside us and move on? This doesn't affect how I think or feel about you. The news of... Your nature surprised me and I needed time to process it-"
"No no, this Shen gets it. Everyone processes it differently, you're not the only one" He said
Yue Qingyuan nodded. Glad the ordeal could be put behind them as the whole party for the union of Demon Lord Luo Binghe, and Peak Lord Shen Qingqiu could be celebrated and feasted in for their honor. The party was grand, the food was freshly cooked (even if Shen Qingqiu and Shang Qinghua couldn't eat-) the decorations were pleasing on the ears when they jingled and the colors soft on the eyes.
It made Shen Qingqiu tease Shang Qinghua about his turn to be "married" to Mobei-Jun.
"You should bro"
"Why? And be like you? A married old man?"
"A sexy old man"
"Pssh, yea-I see those gray hairs coming on. Watch your back grandpa" Shang Qinghua said, his eyes rolling.
There were no gray hairs on Shen Qingqiu's head anywhere. Both played as if they really were blood born brothers. Both pushed and shoved each other in a playful way before Shen Qingqiu and Luo Binghe had to bow to themselves, their ancestors and the heavens. The party lasted for days before the now married couple could have their wedding night to themselves.
But not even a day after, he and Shen Qingqiu took a trip to an lone old village.
"Binghe? What are we doing here?" Shen Qingqiu asked, walking behind Luo Binghe as he led his new husband through the village.
A few villagers looked their way, but didn't say much more stared for too long when they left to the minor outskirts of the village. There, they saw an old, broken down beat up house that looked to half-way crumble down by now. The house, however wasn't the important element-but rather an old headstone.
Shen Qingqiu walked up behind Luo Binghe as he kneeled down before it.
"Mother" He said.
That one word told Shen Qingqiu everything. He knelt down beside Luo Binghe, and placed his hand atop his, where gold rings showed on their fingers. Luo Binghe smiled at him, and both looked at the headstone, and both bowed to it, paying their respects to the woman who raised Luo Binghe for the beginning parts of his life before he was taken to be a disciple.
The married couple sat there for a while, reminiscing before they got up, as Luo Binghe prepared to use Xin Mo for a fast and easy transport to their shared cottage. Shen Qingqiu found someone standing by that tree the headstone was at.
When he turned his head to see-it was a young woman. Her skin soft and hair delicate as a sparrow as she stood beside the headstone. Shen Qingqiu's eyes widened as he saw her soft and gentle, motherly smile.
She spoke no words. But he understood when she moved her lips.
"Take care of my Binghe for me"
Shen Qingqiu's eyes widened as her eyes met with his.
"Qingqiu?" Luo Binghe questioned, startling his husband that his Ghoul eyes came out.
Shen Qingqiu turned to face Luo Binghe "Yes?"
"Are you alright?"
"Yea, thought I saw something" Shen Qingqiu turned his head and saw no one.
He turned his head to the skies, where a could in the odd shape of a disfigured, but known shape of a gentle heart was shown. He smiled, sighed as he turned and held Luo Binghe's hand as they returned.
'Don't worry, your Binghe is in good hands madam'
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I thank the readers who have read to and fro-I hoped you enjoyed this story as much as I did!! Have a good Morning / Afternoon / Night!!!