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The bamboo leaves whipped past Liu Qingge's face as he dashed through the forest of Qing Jing Peak. Shen Qingqiu's light footsteps sounded right behind him. He knew what he'd find if he turned. Shen Qingqiu's cold, elegant face twisted in a fury to rival his first days on Cang Qiong Mountain. A glare sharp enough it could probably freeze anyone to the spot. But Liu Qingge didn't have time for that. He had to fix the mess he made.

He'd come to Qing Jing Peak earlier that afternoon, determined to repay a debt. Shen Qingqiu had been the only reason their last mission was successful, and Liu Qingge had never been someone to not give credit where credit was due. His mother had always said his lack of tact would get him in trouble. As usual, she'd been right. Liu Qingge had put his foot in his mouth. The local lord had seemed on the verge of calling his guards on the Cang Qiong Mountain cultivators. Shen Qingqiu had stepped in.

Shen Qingqiu was sharp at the best of times, but he apparently knew how to speak. At his mildest, his words to Liu Qingge were nothing more than needles concealed in silk, but when he turned to the lord, his face softened, faintly chagrined.

"Please forgive my shidi," he'd said, voice honey sweet. "He is simply deeply tied to his oath to protect the common people. He sometimes sees little else. Might my lord speak with this humble Shen instead?"

With just enough wherewithal not to have his mouth hanging open, Liu Qingge watched Shen Qingqiu twist the man into circles with nothing more than words and a flutter of his fan. It was a work of art. Only then had Liu Qingge understood what his mother had meant about words being a powerful weapon. He'd left the negotiations with his mind spinning and his heart fluttering, certain that Shen Qingqiu—cold, callous, spoiled Shen Qingqiu—had just saved the whole mission.

Liu Qingge's honor demanded he repay the debt. Clearly, some gift was in order. Although his mother had always tried to instill the proper etiquette in him. Liu Qingge could not imagine Shen Qingqiu wanting any of the gifts favored by the nobles his brother and father spent their days with.

He'd lain in bed at night until it finally hit him. A practical gift for someone like Shen Qingqiu was really best! He'd leapt up, bursting into the night on Cheng Luan, heading straight for a nearby southern mountain to catch what he needed.

He'd arrived the following morning at the Bamboo House. Shen Qingqiu had frowned at him when he opened the door to find Liu Qingge standing with a freshly caught short-haired beast in hand.

"Liu-shidi…" Shen Qingqiu's frown had deepened. "What is that?"

"A short-haired beast." Liu Qingge thrust it out towards him.

Shen Qingqiu took it, a furrow carving in between his brows. Then almost absently, he cradled it in his arms like a baby. His long fingers stroked the beast's belly fur as he looked back up at Liu Qingge.

"Why are you giving me this?" he asked. He didn't seem mad; he didn't even seem likely to throw Liu Qingge off his peak as he had in the past. It was a good sign! Liu Qingge didn't exactly understand what Shen Qingqiu was doing with the beast as his hand drifted up to scratch its fluffy ears. It blinked up at him with large yellow eyes that slowly closed as Shen Qingqiu began to rock it back and forth. Well, whatever. At least Shen Qingqiu seemed to like it.

"It's good for cultivation," Liu Qingge said.

Shen Qingqiu's head lifted. "What?"

"The short-haired beast. It's good for cultivation," Liu Qingge repeated. "You need help with yours. So I found one."

Shen Qingqiu's mouth twisted. "Did you come all this way to insult me? I don't need your help."

Liu Qingge's fingers curled into his hand. "You do need it." It was common knowledge that Shen Qingqiu lagged behind their other martial siblings. So what was he complaining about?

"What do you know about what I need?" Shen Qingqiu sneered. In his arms, the short-haired beast made a soft whining noise. "You're just some stupid brute who only knows how to fight his way out of every problem."

"You!" Liu Qingge spat. "You're picking a fight?"

"I'm picking a fight?" Shen Qingqiu glared. "Aren't you the one who came all the way over here with your gift just to insult me?"

"It's good for cultivation. You need help." Liu Qingge crossed his arms. "If you hadn't started so late then—"

"You!"

The short-haired beast gave a yelp and started to scramble up over Shen Qingqiu's shoulder.

"Wait!" Shen Qingqiu grabbed for it, but it squirmed away. "Wait—"

It clambered over his shoulder and then made a large leap to the ground. Shen Qingqiu spun around as it dashed towards the forest. They both stared at it, its little legs scrambling as it ran at full speed directly into one of the bamboo stalks. The stalk cracked, falling and hitting a decorative rock right next to Shen Qingqiu's garden. The rock split in two. Shards crashed across the ground to the sound of another tree snapping.

Shen Qingqiu's head darted to Liu Qingge. His expression twisted. Liu Qingge didn't wait for him to speak, dashing into the woods to chase the beast.

They darted through trees, ducking leaves and branches and leaping over large stones. The short-haired beast was small but fast. Liu Qingge had caught it just the night before. He intended to catch it again. He leapt forward, hand outstretched. Then with an oof he was knocked to the ground, a heavy weight crashing on top of him.

"Brute!" Shen Qingqiu spat as he leveraged himself up to look down at Liu Qingge. "Get out of my way." He shoved Liu Qingge back down before darting off in a flurry of dark hair and silky jade green robes.

This time, Shen Qingqiu sped in front of Liu Qingge, dashing across a small stream to try to cut the beast off. It made a squeak at the sight of him and spun around; Shen Qingqiu spun with it. Liu Qingge tried to side-step and grab the beast, but Shen Qingqiu had the same idea. They whipped around each other, robes and feet tangling together until Shen Qingqiu crashed into his arms. He glared up at Liu Qingge and shoved him backwards.

"Just grab it," he spat. "You're the one who brought it here."

"You startled it!" Liu Qingge spat back. But he turned to follow the sound of breaking branches anyway. He couldn't believe this. When had this thing gotten so fast? Qing Jing Peak was rich with ambient qi, but it couldn't have had that much of an effect.

"I startled it? Who was the one yelling?" Shen Qingqiu shouted after him. He flitted up on light feet beside Liu Qingge.

Liu Qingge glared, then made another lunge at the same time Shen Qingqiu did. This time, they were able to side-step each other. Liu Qingge fumbled as Shen Qingqiu yanked his hair.

"You!" Liu Qingge whipped his head around, heart pounding as the short-haired beast got further and further away.

"Shut up and clean up your mess," Shen Qingqiu hissed.

They burst out into a clearing. A large pond glistened in the sunlight as three disciples stood around. Only one of them seemed to be doing any work. They all looked up as the beast crashed towards them. They jolted but were too slow. It plowed right through the group, knocking one into the water.

"Ning-shijie!" both of the girl's fellow disciples cried. The lazy one jumped in after her, while the one who had been working stared with a mouth hanging open.

"Luo Binghe!" Shen Qingqiu shouted. The boy snapped to attention. Shen Qingqiu pointed across the pond where the short-haired beast was running back towards the Qing Jing Peak training halls.

"Shizun?"

"Catch the beast!"

Luo Binghe didn't hesitate. He darted out, jumping across stones as Shen Qingqiu and Liu Qingge closed the distance. For a moment, Liu Qingge thought the boy might actually manage. He took a great leap, landing in front of the beast. It stared up at him with wide eyes, then turned around to see its pursuers hot on its tail.

"Hello," Luo Binghe raised his hands. "It's ok. Let me just—" The beast leapt onto his head. The boy yelped as its feet tangled in his curly hair. Then it catapulted into the trees, knocking Luo Binghe into the pond with a large splash.

Shen Qingqiu let out an angry, frustrated noise, but his steps didn't falter as he flashed after the thing with Liu Qingge right behind him.

They were no more successful weaving through the trees. Each time the beast slid through each of their hands like water. Liu Qingge's heart raced, his focus narrowed. How this thing had gotten so fast was beyond him. It certainly hadn't been this hard to catch it the first time.

It ran out of the bamboo forest, knocking down another group of disciples holding instruments. Twanging strings and discordant notes filled the air as the beast's tiny feet crushed instruments, then kept running. Neither Shen Qingqiu nor Liu Qingge paid them any mind as they chased it into a practice hall.

The beast had nowhere to go. It cowered in the corner as they burst in after it, head darting back and forth before it turned and started to climb a shelf full of calligraphy. Paper shredded under its clawed feet, flinging into the air like snow. Liu Qingge lurched forward, digging his hands into its fur. He yanked hard to free it from the shelf. But somehow, he swore it had only gotten stronger. It yelped, wiggling back and forth, tearing more calligraphy as Liu Qingge pulled at it to no avail.

Shen Qingqiu ducked under his arms and slapped a talisman on the beast. With a shock of qi, it froze, then fell to the ground, its little paws the only things left twitching as it lay on its back, legs in the air.

They stood together panting as paper drifted and then settled around them. Shen Qingqiu closed his eyes, ran a hand down his face, then rounded on Liu Qingge.

"Why would you set this thing loose here!? Are you tired of living?"

"I said it was good for your cultivation. If you eat it, you—"

"Eat it?!" Shen Qingqiu glared, face split between shock and disgust. "You want me to eat it?!" A red flush climbed up to his ears as he thrust a finger in Liu Qingge's face.

"Get off my peak!"

"But—"

"Get out! Out!"

Whispering cut through the ringing silence of Shen Qingqiu's words.Liu Qingge turned and found a group of green-and-white-clad disciples peeking around the open door. He had spent his whole life honing his skills, so of course, he knew when a tactical retreat was necessary. He turned and fled through the door as Shen Qingqiu's voice cut through the air.

"Brute! Don't you dare come back here! And the rest of you, back to your duties!"

…

Liu Qingge could not abide by this failure. It was a matter of honor.

He had heard a rumor from his disciples that the always cold Qing Jing Peak Lord had tamed the short-haired beast and was now keeping it in his personal garden, complete with a porcelain water bowl and a large silk bow. But Liu Qingge couldn't really picture that. Disciples liked to gossip, and keeping a pet didn't really seem like something Shen Qingqiu would do. Still, ever since the incident during their mission, Liu Qingge had started to wonder if he really knew anything about his temperamental shixiong after all.

Regardless, he was determined to fix his mess, and he had a good idea this time. Perhaps when he'd been taught the proper methods by his mother, she had been right. Traditional was best. If it was traditional, that meant people for ages and ages likely did the same thing, so surely they would have worked out any issues by now.

The moment Liu Qingge's knuckles struck the Bamboo House door, a burst of qi slammed into him. He leapt back, raising his arms as a shockwave raised the scattered leaves across the courtyard. He stumbled as the door slammed open revealing Shen Qingqiu in his layers of fluttering robes and ice cold glare. He had to admit that, regardless of whether he thought Shen Qingqiu should have trained better in his youth, the man did not hesitate.

"Wait!"

Shen Qingqiu snapped forward, a precise kick aimed for his chest. Liu Qingge ducked, then raised his hand to block another kick as Shen Qingqiu spun on his heel to lash out with his other foot. "Wait!"

"I told you not to come back! Shameless arrogant brute! I'll—"

"Stop!" Liu Qingge ducked a punch, then flitted behind Shen Qingqiu, shifting his weight from side to side to dodge another two blows, precise as blades. "Shen Qingqiu, stop. I'm sorry."

Shen Qingqiu's expression twitched; he didn't lower his hands, but he did pause. "What?"

"I said I was sorry."

Shen Qingqiu's eyes narrowed. "You're sorry?"

"Mn," Liu Qingge bowed his head. "Here. Take this." He thrust a small package out.

Shen Qingqiu stared down at it, unmoving. "What is it?"

"Tea."

"I can see that." Shen Qingqiu huffed, rolling his eyes. "Why are you giving me tea?"

Liu Qingge shifted his weight. The breeze blew through the trees, carrying an almost musical rustle of leaves. Shen Qingqiu's gaze was unwavering in the soft afternoon light, his pale eyes tracking over Liu Qingge's face like it might reveal some answer. The intensity of it was making Liu Qingge's heart race.

"It's…" Liu Qingge swallowed and paused as he tried to find the right words. He couldn't afford to mess up again this time. A furrow cut between Shen Qingqiu's brows, his head cocking like a curious bird as he waited. "An apology. About the short-haired beast."

"Ah," Shen Qingqiu's mouth twitched, and he flicked out his fan to cover everything but his eyes, still unmoving from Liu Qingge's face. Just beyond the top of the painted paper, Liu Qingge watched the tips of his pale ears turn red.

Liu Qingge shook the box. After a moment, Shen Qingqiu reached out and picked it up from Liu Qingge's fingers.

"Thank you," he said.

"Mn."

Liu Qingge didn't make a move to leave, nor did Shen Qingqiu tell him to go. In the distance, music drifted, mingling with the clang of metal from disciples running sword drills. Shen Qingqiu was far more regimented than Liu Qingge had ever been with his own disciples, running the peak with constant drills and lessons in the gentlemanly arts. If anyone were to come to Bai Zhan, they were as likely to find the disciples brawling as they would be to find them hunting through the woods, playing some training game they'd devised on their own. Liu Qingge had very little to do with it. Shen Qingqiu was well known for being harsh and exacting with his students, but they were at least less feral than Liu Qingge's.

"Would you—" Shen Qingqiu fluttered his fan. "Would you like to come in. To share the tea."

Liu Qingge brightened. Perhaps this really had been a good gift! He nodded, then followed Shen Qingqiu inside the Bamboo House.

He had never visited Shen Qingqiu for anything other than a fight, so he had never seen what his home looked like. He had to admit it was nice. Shen Qingqiu led him to a sitting room before disappearing to boil water, leaving Liu Qingge alone to look around.

The room reminded him faintly of his mother’s study. Elegant paintings lined the walls, scenes of snowy fields, deep forests, a long stretch of beach by the sea. Plants crowded the shelves, their leaves stretching toward the paper-screened door, left slightly open to admit a soft floral breeze from the garden. A polished guqin rested nearby, well cared for and clearly played often.

That, he had expected. What he had not expected were the equally well-used xiao, pipa, and erhu beside it. He had not known Shen Qingqiu played anything beyond the guqin.

Despite that ornery personality, Liu Qingge thought Shen Qingqiu was actually quite refined—someone his family would have approved of as both a gentleman and as skilled martial cultivator. He realized his foot was tapping, and he forced himself to turn and sit down at Shen Qingqiu's low table, trying to ignore the strange nervous energy running through him.

Shen Qingqiu returned a few moments later with a tray, placing it between them. He poured out the first steeping without a word, then filled the cups with the next. Then he passed one to Liu Qingge.

Liu Qingge blinked down at it. The color a rich, deep red, and the scent lightly floral.

"Thank you," he said. It really should have been the other way around. Liu Qingge should have poured the cup for Shen Qingqiu, his shixiong.

"So the brute does have manners," Shen Qingqiu scoffed, but the words had little heat. He raised his own cup to his lips and took a sip. His long lashes fluttered, a pleased look crossing his face before he shuttered the expression, falling back into careful blankness.

"This is actually not bad," he said.

"Actually?" Liu Qingge cocked a brow.

"Forgive me if I have little faith in your tea choosing abilities." Shen Qingqiu rolled his eyes. "You seem like the type to drink a pot of tea you've had sitting since the day before."

Liu Qingge glared, grumbling some wordless complaint. Shen Qingqiu was right, but Liu Qingge didn't need to tell him that.

They finished their cups in silence, Shen Qingqiu refilling them twice more without saying a word. It wasn't awkward like Liu Qingge thought it might be. It was easy to sit next to Shen Qingqiu, to listen to the sound of birds outside and the distant trill of disciples practicing music. It was peaceful. Something he had never expected from Shen Qingqiu when they were liable to fight every time they saw each other.

He thought maybe he should try harder to have a conversation. Though it wasn't like he was well known for that particular skill. Maybe his parents had been right that all that training and running away from his studies had taken a toll. He'd just never cared much about anything besides getting stronger. But this was supposed to make things right with Shen Qingqiu.

"Shen Qi—" He stopped. Shen Qingqiu had dropped his head into his hands, eyes closed, and mouth pulled down into a grimace. "Shen Qingqiu?"

Shen Qingqiu mumbled something. His body swayed, then he collapsed to the floor in a heap of silk robes and long dark hair.

Liu Qingge jolted, dropping his cup as he darted over. He flipped Shen Qingqiu onto his back, hand flying down to grip his wrist and check the flow of his qi. It felt a little odd, but nothing dangerous. A flush burned high along Shen Qingqiu's cheeks, reaching the tips of his ears. His lashes fluttered, then his pale eyes opened, scanning the room in a dazed slide.

"Shen Qingqiu?" Liu Qingge leaned over him, the long tail of his hair sliding off one shoulder to pool next to Shen Qingqiu's head. Shen Qingqiu squinted at him.

"W-what?" he slurred.

"Are you alright?"

Shen Qingqiu turned his head first one way, then the other. His brows furrowed, his lips pulling into a pout. "Where am I…"

He stared up at Liu Qingge, eyes tracking along his face in strange, unfocused paths. Liu Qingge frowned. Even if the flow of Shen Qingqiu's qi was mostly steady, his pupils were dilated and there was definitely something wrong.

Shen Qingqiu lifted his hand and stroked his fingers along Liu Qingge's cheek. "Ah, so pretty."

Liu Qingge's face went hot, burning hotter as Shen Qingqiu's lips pulled up into a smile and he started to laugh. Liu Qingge had only ever seen him laugh in a snarky way, a snort here or a derisive snicker there. His heart started racing as Shen Qingqiu careened upward, swaying into Liu Qingge's space with a sensuous sort of grace.

"A new jiejie?" He hummed, his words tripping over each other, pupils still wide and dark. "When did you start working here?"

"What?"

Shen Qingqiu tipped his head, but his whole body went with him, tilting back towards the floor. Liu Qingge dragged him upright, fingers grasping his narrow shoulders.

Shen Qingqiu laughed again as he cupped both of Liu Qingge's cheeks and peered up at his face like he was trying to discern the brushstrokes of some intricate painting.

"You know…" he pouted as he tried to force the words into order. "You look like a pretty young mistress. I imagine you'll be very popular."

"Popular?" Liu Qingge was at a total loss.

"Mn, popular. You know, you look a bit like my shidi. He is very pretty too, but so rude. What a waste," Shen Qingqiu sighed.

"You!"

"Hush," Shen Qingqiu put a finger against Liu Qingge's lips. "New-jiejie doesn't have to worry. Your other jies here at the Warm Red Pavilion will take care of you. Just listen to what they say, alright?"

Liu Qingge gaped. Was this what a qi deviation felt like? Shen Qingqiu must have had some kind of adverse reaction to the tea, but why did he think Liu Qingge was from the brothel?! And if he thought Liu Qingge worked there, wouldn't that mean Shen Qingqiu would come onto him?

"Shen Qing—" he started.

"Shhhh," Shen Qingqiu cut him off. He wiggled around onto his knees, then plopped himself in Liu Qingge's lap. Liu Qingge stared down at him. He didn't know where to put his hands. They hovered just over Shen Qingqiu's waist as Shen Qingqiu dropped his head onto Liu Qingge's shoulder and rubbed his face back and forth like a cat.

"It's ok, New-jiejie, I'm sure it's a big change, entering this line of work." Shen Qingqiu curled his legs up until he was fully in Liu Qingge's lap, his whole body resting against Liu Qingge's chest, a warm, steady weight. "There are a lot of terrible men. But just come tell your Jiu-didi. I'll take care of them for you."

"You'll," Liu Qingge stared down at him, frozen. "You'll what?"

"I'll take care of them," Shen Qingqiu sniffed. "I won't let anyone bully my jiejies. So don't hesitate. Just come tell your didi, alright?"

He leaned back to squint up at Liu Qingge's face. "You know, you have such a pretty face, but that ponytail won't do. It's so plain. You look like you're ready to go out and punch someone." His head cocked, then a sly smile curled over his lips. Liu Qingge sucked in a breath, sweat slicking down his back.

With a surprisingly nimble quickness for someone who was very intoxicated, Shen Qingqiu leapt to his feet and dashed towards a door at the back of the house.

"Jiu-didi will brush your hair out for you, just this once. Since you're new."

"Jiu-didi…" He stared at Shen Qingqiu, stumbling towards the door. Didi? Shen Qingqiu was who's didi? Shen Qingqiu's foot caught in his robe as he took an overly large step, and he swayed backwards. Liu Qingge shook himself. Whatever he thought about Jiu-didi didn't matter. He dashed across the room just as Shen Qingqiu righted himself.

"Eh, why are you following me?" Shen Qingqiu pouted, then flicked Liu Qingge's forehead.

"Hey!" Liu Qingge rubbed the spot, and Shen Qingqiu's lips slid up again into a sly grin.

Something was wrong! Something was very wrong! Shen Qingqiu needed to go to Mu Qingfang immediately. There was a problem, though. Liu Qingge had never met anyone with a more adverse reaction to getting treatment than Shen Qingqiu. He had to act fast.

"Just stay here." Shen Qingqiu spun on his heel, freeing his foot just as Liu Qingge bent and scooped him up into his arms. For his height, he was lighter than Liu Qingge had expected, but that was well enough. Easier to throw him over one shoulder and start striding towards the door. Shen Qingqiu yelped, his hands beating against Liu Qingge's back. But he was still uncoordinated, and Liu Qingge barely felt it.

"Wait!" Shen Qingqiu cried out as Liu Qingge kicked open the door and burst out into the warm spring afternoon. "Put me down! What are you doing?! Put me down!"

There was a rustle, and Liu Qingge's head whipped around to see a familiar little curly-haired disciple turn around the side of the Bamboo House.

Shen Qingqiu paused his complaints for a moment. "Luo Binghe?" He slurred. "What are you doing here?"

Luo Binghe's eyes darted between Liu Qingge and Shen Qingqiu. "Wait? Where are you taking my Shizun?"

"To get treatment." Liu Qingge drew Cheng Luan, hopping on as Luo Binghe yelled at him to wait. Liu Qingge ignored him, darting into the air towards Qian Cao. The wind carried Luo Binghe's words as the boy ran off towards the practice halls.

"Help! Liu-shishu kidnapped Shizun!"

…

Several days had passed since the tea incident. When Liu Qingge had carried a kicking and screaming Shen Qingqiu to Qian Cao Peak, it had taken several disciples to keep him from squirming away while Mu Qingfang checked him over. Liu Qingge didn't think even fish were this slippery. Luckily, the diagnosis had been easy. Apparently, Shen Qingqiu had a rare intolerance to the tea, and the hallucinations were the result.

Liu Qingge was still trying to parse what he'd learned from the whole thing. He didn't think Shen Qingqiu went to the brothel for sex anymore, but what he did go for, Liu Qingge could not figure out. Whenever he thought of it, his mind tracked back to the warm weight of Shen Qingqiu curled in his lap, the delicate floral smell of his hair, and the soft musical sound of his laugh.

Liu Qingge kept losing focus during his training and had gotten so frustrated that he'd punched a tree the day before. It had fallen and crushed the wall to one of the training grounds, and he'd reluctantly had to ask Shang Qinghua to send someone to fix it. Otherwise, his disciples would probably start using the broken pieces as weapons, and that was no good. The sword was much more honorable.

Shen Qingqiu was absent at that morning's Peak Lord meeting. Still resting, according to Mu Qingfang. This had drawn a range of comments, from wondering how Mu Qingfang had kept Shen Qingqiu on Qian Cao to thinking Shen Qingqiu was milking his illness to get out of the admittedly tedious meeting.

Liu Qingge glared down at the table like it had wronged him, unsure where the burst of anger had come from as he listened to his martial siblings debate the matter. Shen Qingqiu really had been ill, and it wasn't his fault either. But no one had asked Mu Qingfang how he actually was; they had just made different assumptions about the whole thing. It all seemed very unfair.

"He's definitely well enough to come to this meeting," Qi Qingqi huffed. "He wouldn't even go to Qian Cao for a qi deviation, and you want me to believe he's sick?"

"I did need him to explain the budget from Qing Jing this month," Shang Qinghua mumbled. "I just don't think we need that many bolts of silk. I'm sure he knows I was going to reject it…"

"Shidi?" Yue Qingyuan's voice cut over the others. "Are you—"

The table cracked as Liu Qingge slammed his hand onto it. The rest of his martial siblings froze.

"What's wrong with you?" Qi Qingqi stared at him like he'd grown two heads.

"Nothing," Liu Qingge jerked to his feet. "I'm tired of hearing you all gossip."

"We weren't—" Shang Qinghua started, then broke off on a squeak as Liu Qingge glared at him.

"I have better things to do." Liu Qingge rounded the table and kicked the door open, letting a burst of early morning light in.

"I wonder if I should go too." He heard Mu Qingfang say, then the door shut behind him, and he jumped onto Cheng Luan, setting a course for Qian Cao Peak. He wanted to make up for messing up his gift again.

He found Shen Qingqiu lounging on a daybed in one of the recovery rooms adjoins the Qian Cao Peak gardens. His hair lay loose, curling like spilled ink of the the cushions, and he wore only light-colored linens that draped softly over his willowy frame. It was so different than the way he usually covered himself all the way up to his jaw that Liu Qingge found himself standing in the doorway for a long moment until Shen Qingqiu looked up and caught him staring.

"Mu-shidi let you in here?" Shen Qingqiu arched a brow.

"He's busy. Peak Lord meeting."

"Aren't you a Peak Lord?" Shen Qingqiu drawled.

"So are you."

Shen Qingqiu rolled his eyes. "I see. Since the poison didn't work, you decided to take a more direct approach?"

"I didn't poison you." Liu Qingge paused, then winced. "Not on purpose."

Shen Qingqiu closed the book in his hands, then pressed his fingers to the bridge of his straight nose.

"Fine. Out with it then. What do you want? I'm busy."

Liu Qingge looked around. The garden door was open, the sun glinting off dewy, multicolored flowers. Shen Qingqiu looked like he had been relaxing. There were none of his papers or brushes around, nor were there stacks of work or correspondence. He didn't even have his music books.

"You're not busy," Liu Qingge said. Shen Qingqiu glared at him, but Liu Qingge ignored it. Shen Qingqiu was always glaring anyway.

Liu Qingge really did want to make up for the two times he'd now blundered. Ever since he had brought Shen Qingqiu here, he had been wracking his brain for a way to do so. Before the meeting that morning, he'd gone down the mountain looking for something he could bring back. He'd found the perfect thing pretty quickly and had the vendor wrap it up without much thought before shoving the package right into his qiankun pouch.

He reached back into the pouch now and thrust the package out. Shen Qingqiu stared at it, eyes narrowed. But when Liu Qingge refused to move, he sighed and accepted it with both hands. He carefully unwrapped the silk to reveal an array of brilliant blue blossoms, their petals soft and silky with a smudges of pollen across the leaves.

A furrow cut between Shen Qingqiu's brow. "These aren't poisoned, are they?"

"No," Liu Qingge huffed. "Poisoning is underhanded."

"So you're saying if you were going to kill me, you'd be more straightforward about it."

"I would," Liu Qingge nodded.

Shen Qingqiu snorted, his lips curling up. Liu Qingge stared as Shen Qingqiu lifted the flowers so he could breathe in their scent. Whatever was left of the derisive edge to his smile melted away, leaving an expression so soft that Liu Qingge could barely look at it. It was such a rare thing to see Shen Qingqiu smile that Liu Qingge didn't think he'd ever noticed that it was actually… very… His heart fluttered, and he darted his head away.

"They're good?" Liu Qingge shifted from foot to foot.

"They're passable." Shen Qingqiu cocked a brow. Liu Qingge watched as a flush crept across Shen Qingqiu's pale cheeks and up to the tips of his ears. He lifted the bouquet.

"I know you didn't choose these. Dumb brute. Here—you should smell them so you'll learn something."

Liu Qingge leaned in as he was told, taking a deep breath of the petals. They were nice. But he wasn't sure what he was meant to learn. It smelled like all the gardens back home. Flowers were simply…flowers. He had never really given much thought to why.

"I bet you don't even know what a single flower means," Shen Qingqiu said.

"I do." Liu Qingge's nose twitched, a sudden itchiness worming its way to the surface of his skin. "I took lessons as a child."

"And you remembered them?" Shen Qingqiu seemed either impressed or sceptical. Liu Qingge wasn't sure.

"I do. I—" The itchiness came again, his eyes watering.

"You remembered what delphinium generally mean? Because you gave me delphinium."

"I—" Liu Qingge broke off, rubbing his nose.

"Shidi?"

Liu Qingge opened his mouth, but instead of words came a violent sneeze. It jolted him backwards. He had a moment to think, Oh no, I've messed up again, then another sneeze came. Qi pulsed through his body with the jerk of his muscles. It lanced outward, striking a vase behind him. The porcelain shattered into pieces, raining across the floor.

"Shidi!" Shen Qingqiu exclaimed.

Liu Qingge tried to take a step back, to maybe get out of the room and into some fresh air. But several more sneezes came in rapid succession. Another vase shattered along with a tea set that had been left on the room's low table. He toppled forward on the next one, eyes watering and nose itching. Shen Qingqiu tried to catch him, but another ill-timed sneeze sent them both falling back onto the daybed.

Liu Qingge sniffled, staring down at Shen Qingqiu. Shen Qingqiu stared back. His loose hair was spilled in every direction, and his robes had fallen askew, baring the curve of his shoulder and a sweep of pale chest to the air. His face turned pinker by the moment, yet he seemed as frozen as Liu Qingge. Liu Qingge's hand twitched, and he realized it was pinning Shen Qingqiu's wrist to the cushions.

His heart leapt into his throat, and he made a move to get up and realized his knee was pinned between Shen Qingqiu's legs.

"Shidi!" Shen Qingqiu bit out, his voice strangled.

"I—"

The door burst open, and they both whipped around to find a handful of Qian Cao Peak disciples stumbling in. Their mouths hung open, eyes going wide as they looked between Liu Qingge and Shen Qingqiu.

"Wait, I—" Liu Qingge started.

One of the disciples clapped a hand to his mouth and squealed. The others followed suit in a cacophony of shouted words.

"You owe me two spirit stones!"

"I knew it!"

"Someone go tell the Ning-shijie!"

Shen Qingqiu's face, which had been a soft pink like a new rose petal, had turned bright red. His mouth twisted, and he shoved Liu Qingge off him. Liu Qingge's back hit the floor, and he sneezed again so violently that one of the paper screens ripped from the sudden burst of qi.

The door slammed open again, and Mu Qingfang rushed in. He turned to stare at the mess, then at his now silent disciples, then at Shen Qingqiu, whose robe was still hanging off one of his lithe shoulders.

"What is going on?" Mu Qingfang demanded.

His disciples blanched. Half of them took that as their cue and streaked out the door into the garden and vanished. The other half shuffled their feet awkwardly.

"Well?" Mu Qingfang crossed his arms.

One of the girls bowed her head, her ears a bright red. "Shizun, Liu-shibo and Shen-shibo were… they were…"

Another piped up from her side and exclaimed, "They were kissing!"

"I—" Liu Qingge's face went hot. "I— No wait!"

Shen Qingqiu launched himself to his feet. All the disciples cowered back, ducking behind their shizun. Shen Qingqiu's hands curled into fists. He tensed so hard he began to shake. Then he threw the bouquet of flowers at Liu Qingge and stormed out through the garden door, robe still askew and feet bare.

Mu Qingfang watched him go with a sigh, then ran a hand down his face. "Liu-shixiong, why are you here? And what hap—"

Liu Qingge sneezed again, sending him careening backwards across the floor. His qi spiked in response, cracking the low table.

…

Liu Qingge had messed up again. He didn't know why he was so bad at giving gifts, but it didn't matter. Even he failed repeatedly; this was a matter of honor. It was the principle of it. As the Peak Lord of Bai Zhan and the first son of the Liu family, he could not back down.

He'd heard from Mu Qingfang—before his shidi had pointedly told him maybe it was better if he returned home—that the rumor about Shen Qingqiu keeping the short-haired beast as a pet was true. Apparently, he'd even named it and told Mu Qingfang someone needed to look after it while he was confined to Qian Cao Peak. Liu Qingge hadn't known that Shen Qingqiu liked animals. Since he did, however, Liu Qingge now had the perfect idea for another gift!

Shen Qingqiu opened the door a moment after Liu Qingge knocked, as if he'd been waiting. Then he sighed and stepped back into the house without a word. But he left the door open for Liu Qingge to follow behind him.

"What is it now?" Shen Qingqiu took a seat at his low table, smoothing his robes out so they curved perfectly around him like the petals of a flower.

"I have something for you," Liu Qingge said, taking a seat on the edge of the table. Shen Qingqiu looked up at him with a scowl.

"I really wish you didn't."

Liu Qingge blinked. "Why?"

Shen Qingqiu just stared at him. He ran a hand down his face. "Fine, fine. Hand it over."

Liu Qingge pulled a cage from where he'd tucked it safely into his sleeve. A little blue and teal bird tweeted, hopping around the bamboo perch inside. It ruffled its feathers, their iridescent texture shimmering in the light.

Shen Qingqiu's lips parted, his scowl falling away. One of Liu Qingge's aunties raised birds, and when he'd gone home for a visit, she'd happily given him one with a sly smile and a pat on his head like he was a child.

"These birds are known for their singing," he explained. "They mimic instruments." He shuffled as Shen Qingqiu turned to stare at him. "I thought, since you like music…" Liu Qingge frowned. He'd never been a verbose sort of person, but he felt even less so now, every word he said sitting awkwardly in his mouth.

After a moment, Shen Qingqiu held his hands out, and Liu Qingge placed the cage into them. He watched as Shen Qingqiu brought it close, peering in at the little bird hopping around, no bigger than his palm. His lips twitched into one of his rare smiles, and then he cooed. Liu Qingge's heart fluttered, a rush of warmth tingling down his spine.

The bird cocked its head one way, then the other, the long feathers on its head rising and falling. Then it whistled back. Shen Qingqiu's lashes fluttered, his smile curling wider. Liu Qingge swallowed hard.

Shen Qingqiu's pale eyes cut over to him, and he arched a brow. "Shidi, a word of advice. Giving a pet is a terrible gift."

"But you like it," Liu Qingge said.

"Shush, that's just luck on your part. What if I hadn't? Then you'd have to deal with the bird."

Liu Qingge frowned. "I'll consider that... in the future."

"Good," Shen Qingqiu sniffed. He was quiet for a moment, one finger idly stroking along the bars of the cage as the bird turned its head this way and that, whistling. "Shidi… would you like—" he cut off, head darting towards the door. Liu Qingge had heard it too, the sound of footsteps making their way up his path outside.

"Were you expecting someone?"

"No." Shen Qingqiu scowled. He rose to his feet and grabbed Liu Qingge's wrist before he could react, dragging him off towards the back of the house. He threw the side room door open and shoved him inside.

"Wait—"

"Shut up," Shen Qingqiu snapped. "Stay here and be quiet. I don't need anymore rumors circling the whole mountain about you."

"Shen—"

Shen Qingqiu slammed the door in his face before he could say another word.

He listened as Shen Qingqiu walked away, then a knock came at the front door. Shen Qingqiu did not seem to respond, but a moment later, it sounded as though the door opened anyway. Liu Qingge frowned down at the side room door. He really didn't want to make more trouble for Shen Qingqiu, especially when this gift had gone so well, but he didn't understand what was going on, and he didn't like just standing around either. He tapped his foot, then decided to crack open the door so he could just peer through it.

Shen Qingqiu was sitting by the table again, staring down at a book like he'd been there the whole time. A moment later, Yue Qingyuan came into the room.

"What a surprise. Zhangmen-shixiong," Shen Qingqiu drawled. "What do you want?"

"Qingqiu-shidi, I wanted to visit to see how you were feeling," Yue Qingyuan said, smiling despite the unamused look on Shen Qingqiu's face.

"Fine. I'm certain you already knew that from Mu-shidi."

"Of course, but it's my duty as your shixiong to make sure—

"Is it? Well, as you can see, I'm completely fine. And busy."

Yue Qingyuan didn't seem to get the hint and sat down, a true feat because even Liu Qingge understood that dismissal. His attention turned to the bird still sitting on the side of the table.

"Ah, this is nice. I didn't know you got a new pet, shidi."

Shen Qingqiu sighed and put his book down. "Well?"

"Well, what?" Yue Qingqyuan smiled.

"You want to say something so just say it, why are you wasting my time talking about my bird?"

Yue Qingyuan kept smiling. "It's nothing really, I was just concerned. You never go to Qian Cao Peak and then Liu-shidi…"

"What about Liu-shidi?"

Yue Qingyuan's smile tightened. "Well, I had heard that—"

"You heard nothing. There was nothing to hear. Just a bunch of over-excitable children making things up."

Yue Qingyuan winced. "Well, your disciples also were speaking with mine and—"

"What did I just say?" Shen Qingqiu snapped. "There's nothing happening with Liu Qingge and me."

The bird whistled, hopping around in its cage. Then, in an almost perfect mirror of Liu Qingge's own voice, it said, "Gift. A gift for Shen-shixiong."

Liu Qingge blanched, his heart dropping into his stomach. Flying back from the Liu estate, he had spoken to the bird like his Auntie had suggested. It was supposed to keep it calm on the long journey. And he had said that a few times, that it would be a good gift for his shixiong.

But he hadn't known it could speak! He thought it only repeated music!

Shen Qingqiu and Yue Qingyuan both stared at it.

"I…" Shen Qingqiu trailed off.

The bird whistled a few times, then cooed in a replica of Shen Qingqiu's voice. Shen Qingqiu glared at it, but it only hopped around and then spoke again in Liu Qingge's voice.

"A pretty bird. Pretty shixiong."

Liu Qingge flushed! He had not said that! Well, he had called the bird pretty. But that's what his auntie had always done. He hadn't called Shen Qingqiu pretty, though! Not to the bird!

Yue Qingyuan's smile cracked, wobbling as his fingers hard gripped the table. Shen Qingqiu had never been a brighter shade of red, even when all the Qian Cao Peak disciples had accused him of kissing Liu Qingge.

"Qingqiu-shidi, if you and Liu-shidi—" Yue Qingyuan started.

"No! No! There's nothing happening." Shen Qingqiu jolted up and stomped over to fling his front door open. "Zhangmen-shixiong should leave right now. This shidi has things to do."

Yue Qingyuan ducked his head, resembling nothing more than a puppy that had gotten left in the rain.

"If Xiao Jiu cares for Liu—"

"No!" Shen Qingqiu snapped. "Don't call me that. Just get out of my house and forget anything weird you've come up with in your stupid head!"

"Xiao—"

"Get. Out." Shen Qingqiu hissed.

Yue Qingyuan looked like he wanted to say something else, but with a last darted look at the now whistling bird, he fled through the front door.

Shen Qingqiu slammed it behind him, then stomped over to fling the side room door open. His eyes blazed, mouth twisted. He was also still flushed straight to his ears.

"Liu Xiaoyu."

Liu Qingge winced at his given name. Shen Qingqiu hadn't called him that in years.

"Shen-shix—"

"I swear if you start calling me shixiong all of a sudden out of some…some…" he sputtered, throwing up his hands. "I don't even know what you're doing!"

"I—"

"No! Enough! Just get out of my house."

"Shixiong—"

Shen Qingqiu grabbed him by his ear. Liu Qingge yelped but was unable to stop Shen Qingqiu as he dragged him towards the garden door. Then, with a push backed by enough qi to fling Liu Qingge out past the wooden porch, he spat, "Out! Out of my house right now!"

Wary of making more of a mess than he already had, he pulled out Cheng Luan and was halfway back to Bai Zhan before the thought to flee had caught up to him.

…

So, Liu Qingge had fucked up. Multiple times. He had always been good at whatever he set his mind to. But what he set his mind to was usually killing monsters, sparring, or cultivating. The softer skills seemed to have eluded him entirely. Half the mountain was filled with wild rumors, and at the Peak Lord meeting that morning, Shen Qingqiu had refused to acknowledge him or Yue Qingyuan at all.

Whenever he'd been forced to answer one of them, he would turn to Shang Qinghua and, with a flutter of his fan, demand that Shang Qinghua pass his answer along to Liu-shidi. It had been a blessing when Yue Qingyuan had called an early end to the meeting, citing some business that Liu Qingge was not sure existed.

Despite failure after failure, Liu Qingge felt he was gaining a better understanding of his shixiong. He had never realized the man got embarrassed so easily. He really had a thin face. A thin sort of cute face…

But the fact remained that he'd yet to give Shen Qingqiu an appropriate gift. Shen Qingqiu had liked the bird, and apparently ended up liking the short-haired beast, too, but Liu Qingge had still just ended up causing problems that he was stuck making up for. He would just have to try again. Maybe this time he'd be successful. Then Shen Qingqiu would be pleased, and he might offer up one of those rare soft smiles again. Liu Qingge swallowed and shook himself. No, it wasn't about that. It was a matter of honor.

Whenever he wasn't sure what to do, he'd always had one reliable source. His sister. He knew Shen Qingqiu loved to read. His house was full of books, even though there was a whole library on Qing Jing Peak to pull from. Liu Mingyan was also a book lover, so who better to ask for advice from?

He hopped over the wall near his sister's disciple dorm and let himself in through her window. Unfortunately, she wasn't there. He sat down on the edge of her bed, tapping his foot as he waited. But she didn't show up, and he wasn't sure how long he'd have to wait around for her. He didn't actually know her schedule, and it wasn't like he could just wander around looking for her. He wasn't even supposed to be here, considering this peak was only for girls.

Well, did he actually need her? Her bookshelf was right here. He pulled out a few from the shelf nearest her bed, but didn't see anything that really seemed like something Shen Qingqiu would like. Then he saw it. Towards the end of the shelf were five copies of the exact same book. He hummed while reading the title: The Taming of the Bamboo Courtesan. Well, that seemed good enough. And if his sister had decided she needed five copies, then it must be good! She'd always been a bit of a collector. Besides, with that many, surely she wouldn't notice one missing.

Having made up his mind, he tucked the book into his sleeve and departed for Qing Jing Peak. He landed outside the Bamboo House and paused before knocking. Since Shen Qingqiu might not let him in after last time, he just let himself in.

As he walked through the front hall, he heard the light strains of music. He followed it to the back of the house. Shen Qingqiu's bedroom was just as elegantly decorated as the rest of the house, with paintings lining the walls and his bed piled high with silks, furs, and cushions. The door to his private garden was open.

Shen Qingqiu knelt under one of the wide, branching plum trees, stroking his fingers along his guqin. In front of him on a new perch sat the bird, tilting its head as it listened to Shen Qingqiu play. In the sun napped the short-haired beast, its little paws twitching like it was running in its dreams. There was, in fact, a green silk bow tied around its neck with a little bell that glinted in the sunlight. Just like the rumors had said. Liu Qingge's heart fluttered. It was such a peaceful sight, entirely unexpected. Frozen at the doorway to the garden, he realized he didn't know what to do. For once in his life, he was unsure.

Shen Qingqiu paused in his playing, and the bird picked up the next note, singing back in a perfect replica of the guqin.

The bird got to the end of the melody and stopped, letting out a few lilting tweets.

"Hmmm," Shen Qingqiu hummed to the bird. "I wonder what trouble Liu-shidi will bring with him today."

"I wasn't trying to," Liu Qingge grumbled.

Shen Qingqiu sighed, then turned to face him. "And still somehow you manage it every time. Aren't you the son of a prominent gentry family? Who taught you manners?"

Liu Qingge shot him a glare, striding out into the afternoon sun. "My family—"

Shen Qingqiu's brow arched. "Why are you getting all angry? Clearly, the fault is the student and not the teacher."

Liu Qingge shifted from one foot to the next. Whatever rush of annoyance he'd had ran, departed as quickly as it came. Now that he'd made it into the garden, he wasn't sure why he'd hesitated at the door to begin with. He plopped down next to Shen Qingqiu, feeling a little pleased with himself that Shen Qingqiu didn't immediately tell him to leave.

"You were annoyed," Liu Qingge said.

"With you? Always."

"No, when Yue-shixiong came."

Shen Qingqiu huffed. "Yes, because he's always just letting himself in whenever he pleases. I didn't invite him."

Liu Qingge had never quite been able to figure out what the relationship between those two was. He knew Yue Qingyuan brought Shen Qingqiu to the sect, but Shen Qingqiu seemed to want nothing to do with their shixiong. And though Yue Qingyuan was, in some ways, very lenient with Shen Qingqiu's quick temper, he was also more critical than he was with any of their other martial siblings.

The fact that Yue Qingyuan would just let himself in made Liu Qingge a little annoyed. Though, he too had just let himself into Shen Qingqiu's house. He tipped his head back, watching the sun glinting through the tree leaves. He guessed it didn't matter much why he felt annoyed. It's not as if Shen Qingqiu seemed to even like being around Yue Qingyuan anyway.

"Well?" Shen Qingqiu asked.

"Well, what?"

"Well, get on with it. I know you didn't come over just to see me."

Liu Qingge frowned. "I could have."

"Unlikely." Shen Qingqiu raised a brow.

"I could have!"

Shen Qingqiu crossed his arms. "Did you?"

Liu Qingge stared. Shen Qingqiu stared back. A light breeze drifted between them. Liu Qingge huffed and looked away, grumbling, "No."

Shen Qingqiu set his guqin aside so he could pull out his fan. He fluttered it, still watching Liu Qingge with an unimpressed look. He didn't say I told you but he looked like he wanted to.

Liu Qingge knew when to admit defeat, so he pulled out the book and handed it over.

"Here. You like to read."

"Liu-shidi is truly one of a kind. I've never met anyone who thinks in such unbending lines"

Liu Qingge's brow furrowed. "Is that… are you insulting me?"

"No," Shen Qingqiu said. He plucked the book from Liu Qingge's hands, lips twitching up. "In fact, it was a compliment."

" Oh." Liu Qingge tapped his hand against his crossed legs. He felt like he had too much energy. Like maybe he should go take a lap around the mountain. "Well, then you are—"

"Let's see, "Shen Qingqiu hummed. "Arrogant, quick-tempered, spoiled."

"No. Why do you always take things badly?"

Shen Qingqiu arched a brow. "What, were you going to compliment me?"

"I was. I wanted to say you're clever. You think of things other people don't."

"Oh." Shen Qingqiu's lips parted, fan coming up to hide most of his face. But Liu Qingge still watched his ears turn red. "Shut up. What would a brute know anyway."

Shen Qingqiu turned his attention back to the book, frowning down at the cover. "I don't know this author. Sleeping Willow's Flower. They share a name with you."

"I didn't notice," Liu Qingge said.

"Of course not." Shen Qingqiu opened the book and held it out so they could both look at the first page. It was immediately clear that this was a sequel to an earlier book, and it left off where the previous one had begun.

Shen Linhua lazily fanned himself, sprawled across the day bed of the Whispering Clouds Pavilion. He was dressed loosely in delicate embroidered silk and gauzy layers. Although he was still covered up to his jaw, the picture was undeniably attractive, beckoning anyone to imagine what was underneath each luxurious layer.

"Sect leader," Shen Linhua hummed. His jade green eyes pinned on his visitor. "Have you come to punish me for leaving the sect and my duties once again?"

Yue Linshu stood at the threshold of the room. His usual kind and noble countenance falling away to reveal a stormy expression. Shen Linhua cocked one of his knife-sharp brows, gaze piercing his shixiong as if in challenge.

"Shidi." Yue Linshu stepped inside and shut the door. "I have told you that it dishonors the sect and yourself to flaunt around this way. But my words have done nothing." He stalked forward, his broad shoulders and larger frame looming over Shen Linhua on the daybed. "So if words won't do, then this shixiong will show you."

Before Shen Linhua could react, Yue Linshu's hand flashed out, pinning the slighter man down before sealing their lips together in a passionate kiss!

Liu Qingge stared down at the book, his eyes going wider with each line. The pages began to shake as Shen Qingqiu's grip tightened. He flicked through the pages, but Liu Qingge could still catch snippets of words. He swallowed hard as sweat pooled down the back of his neck and his heart began to thump. He thought his mind might be boiling.

Shen Qingqiu's face twisted between shock and rage. "What— Is this about me!?" He leapt to his feet, then flung the book at Liu Qingge. Liu Qingge was too shocked to block as the book hit him in the head. Pain lit up across his skin as the pages sliced his forehead.

"Why would you bring me this?!"

"I didn't know!" Liu Qingge couldn't stop picturing what he'd just read. Shen Qingqiu pushed down onto a daybed, all those layers of silk pulled off him until the smooth skin underneath was revealed.

"Disgusting brute!" Shen Qingqiu stabbed a finger in Liu Qingge's direction. His face was flushed to his ears, and Liu Qingge's traitorous brain reminded him that this is how Shen Qingqiu would look if Liu Qingge did push him down onto a bed. Maybe even the bed in Shen Qingqiu's own room right behind them.

The short-haired beast made a startled noise, leaping into the air before scurrying off into the bamboo forest beyond the garden, its bell ringing. The bird chose this moment to repeat a "pretty shixiong" in Liu Qingge's own voice.

"I don't know why I let you in here!" Shen Qingqiu spat. "Why are you always causing trouble for me!"

Liu Qingge's face burned. "You! You're too hard to give gifts to!"

"So it's my fault that you brought me— me—" He made a flustered noise as his eyes landed on the book again, open on the ground. He swept a hand out, and the fallen leaves from the tree flew into the air, circling Shen Qingqiu before spearing back towards Liu Qingge.

Cheng Luan leapt into Liu Qingge's hand, and he cut a swath through them. His blade flashed, raising to block Xiu Ya as Shen Qingqiu lunged at him. They exchanged several blows, the metal of their blades ringing in the air. Liu Qingge thrust forward, and Shen Qingqiu bent under the blade, sweeping back up to flit around Liu Qingge's back. Liu Qingge blocked, hand colliding with Shen Qingqiu's wrist, then spun to swipe Cheng Luan towards him. Shen Qingqiu sidestepped, the blade whipping by his face as he glided back across the garden with a rush of qi.

They leapt at the same moment, feet grazing the roof tiles of the bamboo house before darting into the forest. They cut through the trees, stirring up leaf litter and clouds of dirt. Shen Qingqiu's robes flutteredaround him as Xiu Ya's bright white blade left afterimages across Liu Qingge's vision. His aim was good but Cheng Luan met the blade each time.

Liu Qingge's heart hammered a steady beat, his focus narrowed only to Shen Qingqiu. He bent, sweeping out with his leg. Shen Qingqiu leapt backwards, feet gliding across the forest floor as he dipped deeper intp the forest. Liu Qingge followed, swinging his blade up to meet Shen Qingqiu's. They clashed together with a ringing burst of qi. Liu Qingge gritted his teeth, his arm vibrating. He watched Shen Qingqiu's jaw tighten. Then both blades went flying. Shen Qingqiu arched back as Liu Qingge's fist flew over his nose, his long hair curling out behind him like he'd been hit with a strong wind.

Shen Qingqiu's lips twitched up. His pale eyes blazed. Then he flashed forward, unyielding as he struck out again and again, forcing Liu Qingge back. Liu Qingge blocked each blow as they spun around each other, neither able to gain any ground. Shen Qingqiu's boot flashed out, kicking up a rock towards Liu Qingge's head. Liu Qingge stumbled back.

"You!" He cried.

Shen Qingqiu's lilting laugh cut the air as he flipped, landing near Xiu Ya. He swept the blade up, spinning it around. Then bent his knees and waited.

"Shidi, is that it?" Shen Qingqiu arched a brow. "I thought you were a war god."

Liu Qingge whipped his hand out, pulling with his qi. Cheng Luan sailed into it, the grip warm and familiar in his hand.

"I didn't know shixiong wanted a lesson today,' he said.

Shen Qingqiu tsked. He flashed forward. He may not have been as strong as their martial siblings, but his speed had never been in question. Liu Qingge got his blade up just in time to push Xiu Ya's tip away. His lips ticked up, his blood pumping, the qi in his veins singing as the fight dragged on.

They dashed through the bamboo trees, ducking each other's blades and the swipe of boots. They burst into a clearing with a large pond and a pergola covered in deep purple hyacinth, the surface of the pond a perfect mirror of the bright blue sky. Shen Qingqiu's feet barely touched the earth as he jumped from stone to stone across the water, Liu Qingge on his tail. Their blades colliding filled the air with the sound of ringing metal.

Shen Qingqiu leapt onto the roof of the pergola and Liu Qingge followed. He was forced to dodge, turning as Xiu Ya flashed by his face. For a moment, Shen Qingqiu seemed to have the upper hand, then a tile came loose. His foot slid, eyes going wide. He careened backward over. Liu Qingge whipped a hand out, catching Shen Qinqiu's fluttering outer robe. Their eyes met, Shen Qingqiu's pale gaze tracking over Liu Qingge's face as his body hung over the edge of the roof, his long hair drifting out towards the water below.

They stared at each other for a long moment. Shen Qingqiu's chest heaved, his face flushed. Liu Qingge could feel his own face growing hot as Shen Qingqiu watched him. Then Shen Qingqiu's brow quirked. His hand flashed forward, gripping Liu Qingge's robes.

"Shen—"

Shen Qingqiu pushed against the roof with a burst of qi. The flowers rustled, petals floating up around them as Liu Qingge was suddenly weightless. They sailed over the edge of the roof, then a moment later, crashed into the water below.

Liu Qingge burst through the surface, sputtering. Shen Qingqiu broke through a moment later, flicking droplets from his face as he treaded water, his long robes drifting around him in soft hints of color under the rippling surface. His dark hair slicked back from his face, curling over the water like a spill of ink.

"You!" Liu Qingge bit out. "Why did you do that?"

"Shidi," Shen Qingqiu hummed. "You move like an arrow towards every target. I only wished to teach you to watch for less direct paths."

Liu Qingge considered this as he treaded water, watching a droplet carve its way along Shen Qingqiu's flushed cheek and past the fan of his long, clumped-together lashes.

"Mn," he nodded after a moment. "Good spar, shixiong."

Shen Qingqiu blinked. Then his head whipped away. "Calling me shixiong all of a sudden after all these years. So foolish. Come on, before you scare all my fish to death."

He paddled back towards the shore, and Liu Qingge followed, climbing onto the grassy bank to shake his hair out and wring some of the water from his robes. He looked up and froze, heat pouring into his gut. Shen Qingqiu had taken his top robes off, draping them over the pergola's railing. He was left in his inner robes, belted tight around his narrow waist. The fabric clung to him, showing the line of his shoulders and the slope of his chest, down and down to the delicate curve of his backside.

Liu Qingge's mind flashed back to that book. He couldn't help but picture Shen Qingqiu's long fingers, pushing aside his drenched robes, revealing the pale plane of his bare skin. Liu Qingge's heart pounded like he was still in the midst of their spar.

Shen Qingqiu's head turned, brow furrowing. "Shidi?'

Somewhere nearby came the drifting sound of disciples talking. Liu Qingge jolted.

"I—I have to go."

"Shidi?" Shen Qinqiu took a step forward, his wet robes shifting to reveal more of his chest. Liu Qingge swallowed hard. He swore his ears were burning.

This was a problem. He had a problem, and he wasn't about to deal with it right now.

He swept his hand out, and Cheng Luan spiked out of the water, flying into his palm. Then he leapt on and darted over the bamboo tree tops of Qing Jing Peak, sure his whole face was on fire.

Shen Qingqiu watched him go, twisting his long hair to wring out the water. That dumb brute. Left soaking wet without even bothering to help Shen Qingqiu dry off his clothes. Really, what a mess his shidi was. Couldn't give a proper gift, couldn't be polite for even one moment, starting fights left and right and losing his temper. Shen Qingqiu sighed. But the man kept trying for some reason.

Shen Qingqiu's heart fluttered. How dumb.

But also… He flipped his hair over his shoulder, gathering his wet robes and turning back for the Bamboo House. But also… perhaps Liu Qingge was, maybe, just a little, cute.

Someone ought to teach him how to give a proper gift, though. Shen Qingqiu had never met someone so inept in his whole life.

He hummed as he stepped onto the path, passing Ning Yingying and Luo Binghe, who both gaped, eyes tracking over his wet hair and robes. Shen Qingqiu ignored them both. He had more important things to consider.

…

Liu Qingge walked back to his house after training. He'd been going nonstop for several days, trying to work out the burning tension that kept winding back into his gut. Whenever he thought about Shen Qingqiu, it was like he was filled to the brim with too much energy, and he was forced to go carve his way through his disciples until they all begged for mercy from his training. Still, he was left jittery, unable to sit still until the moon rose, and he'd exhausted himself.

He made his way back up the path and stopped. A warm cut of light sliced the path up to his house. His door was ajar. He unsheathed Cheng Luan, taking one deep breath before kicking the door open the rest of the way. He rushed in, ready to fight whoever was stupid enough to break into the house of the Bai Zhan War God.

He stopped as he cleared the doorway into his main room. Shen Qingqiu sat at his low table. The door looking out onto the garden was open to let the cool night air in. The full moon cast the garden in blue light, contrasted with the warm lanterns Shen Qingqiu had lit.

There was tea on the table, a talisman on the side to keep the water steaming, and a tray of assorted treats. But Liu Qingge barely noticed them. Shen Qingqiu was dressed as luxuriously as he always was, with layer upon layer of silk draped across his body. But there were earrings dangling from his delicate ears, and jade bangles along his wrists. His long hair had been half twisted up and pinned into one of his more elaborate xiao-guan, with a long ribbon hanging from the pin keeping it in his hair. He'd painted his lips, too, his eyes lined in red and black with a huadian decorating the center of his forehead.

Liu Qingge shivered. Shen Qingqiu was pretty…he was beautiful. Liu Qingge couldn't deny it.

"Shixiong? You're here."

"Don't leave your mouth hanging open, it makes you look dumb," Shen Qingqiu sniffed.

Liu Qingge turned in a circle, trying to figure out why Shen Qingqiu was in his house. When nothing seemed out of the ordinary, he at last sheathed Cheng Luan and stepped forward, sitting down next to Shen Qingqiu. Shen Qingqiu smiled a smug little smile and poured him a cup of tea.

"Liu-shidi may have had a gentry upbringing, but clearly, he learned nothing. So this shixiong will have to teach him about how to repay someone a kindness"

"I—"

Shen Qingqiu shushed him. From his side, he picked up his guqin and settled it on his lap.

"Now be quiet. I composed this to calm your qi flow and to heal injuries. You never seem to think before you act, so I'm certain you need it."

At the best of times, Liu Qingge barely knew what to say, and now his mind was spinning too hard to think of anything. What was he to do except exactly what he was told?

Shen Qingqiu set his fingers on the strings. The room hung in silence for a moment. Then he began. He plucked the guqin, with expert precision, clever fingers sliding up to warble a note into the air, before nails struck the strings, sending delicate trills of notes to wind through the melody. It was a smooth but quick beat, like a rippling stream through a forest.

Liu Qingge's heart slowed as the sound wrapped around him. He felt warm to the tips of his toes. Shen Qingqiu was a good musician, having him come to Liu Qingge's house just to play would have already been an honor he'd bestowed on none of their martial siblings. But he'd composed this melody just for Liu Qingge. He'd come to Liu Qingge's house, dressed up, made Liu Qingge tea and sat at Liu Qingge's table just to play music for him.

Shen Qingqiu swayed in time with the melody, his eyes closed, his long lashes fanned across his cheeks. His fingers never missed a note, flickering through the quick beats like the music flowed out of his body and not the guqin in front of him. Even as Liu Qingge felt warmth stir in his meridians, his qi flowing smoother, his mind was alight. He was dizzy with something he could not name as his heart fluttered.

He thought he maybe liked Shen Qingqiu quite a lot. More than just his long-time rival, more than just his shixiong. It had been so hard to find the right gift because it had felt so important to get it right. He'd just wanted Shen Qingqiu to look at him. Really look at him.

Shen Qingqiu let the last notes tremble through the air, then placed his hands over the strings to still them. He was quiet for a moment, then he lifted his head, eyes opening. His lips parted when he found Liu Qingge staring at him. A blush crept over his cheeks, and his gaze flickered away, painted lips pulling into a pout.

"If you didn't like it, just say so."

"I did like it," Liu Qingge said.

"You—" Shen Qingqiu's head whipped back towards him. "Well, of course you did. This is my specialty isn't it?'

"Mn," Liu Qingge nodded.

"So that's how you give a gift," Shen Qingqiu huffed. "You understand now, right?"

"I do," Liu Qingge said.

"Well…" Shen Qingqiu lifted his nose into the air. "Good then." He went to move the guqin off his lap, freezing as Liu Qingge shifted.

Liu Qingge got to his knees to slide closer to Shen Qingqiu. He curled his hands along his shixiong's warm cheeks. Shen Qingqiu's lashed fluttered, his eyes darting away, then back to Liu Qingge, then away again, like he wasn't sure what he was supposed to be doing. Liu Qingge thought the music had probably done something. He'd never been one to hesitate, but he felt calm, full of absolute conviction that he knew exactly what he wanted. And he thought him and Shen Qingqiu wanted the same thing.

"Shidi, what are you doing?" Shen Qingqiu started.

"I'm testing my knowledge," Liu Qingge said. He closed the distance between them in one swift move and sealed their lips together.

Shen Qingqiu jolted, making a shocked noise, his lips parting. Liu Qingge pressed forward. He curled his tongue into Shen Qingqiu's mouth, licking along the back of his teeth and swallowing another muffled, shocked noise from his shixiong. Shen Qingqiu tasted like the bitter green tea he drank and something sweet and floral, and beneath it all, whatever was just Shen Qingqiu. He ran his hands up into Shen Qingqiu's silky hair, finally feeling the long, soft strands between his fingertips.

Shen Qingqiu sighed. Then his fingers tangled into Liu Qingge's robes. He pulled, and they both toppled to the ground, breaking for just a moment before sealing their lips together again. Shen Qingqiu's arms wrapped around Liu Qingge's shoulders, his back arching to press them closer together. Liu Qingge groaned, pleasure winding tight through his body. With Shen Qingqiu beneath him, kissing like it was the only thing they'd ever wanted to do, Liu Qingge couldn't help but think that that book had maybe been onto something.