Chapter Text
Perfect. This was just perfect.
Amongst the things Liu Qingge had expected of the night, being trapped in a cave with an unconscious, weaponless Luo Binghe wasn't one of them. He's glad, though, that it was him that got stuck with the demon and not one of the disciples.
Or the asshole who caused this mess. That man better hope that Liu Qingge doesn't get his hands on him.
It started out as a joint camping trip between his and Shen Qingqiu's disciples - with Luo Binghe tagging along because he's a sticky, jealous brat who doesn't trust Liu Qingge to be able to protect his prescious Shizun if the man is somehow not able to protect himself - to hopefully get them to get along, since fights between Bai Zhan and Qing Jing disciples had become somewhat common ever since Liu Qingge's . . . involvement with Shen Qingqiu and Luo Binghe had been exposed.
That quickly changed as soon they were swarmed by monsters that not even Liu Qingge's disciples could manage to defeat just yet.
The last he had seen of Shen Qingqiu, the man was herding the disciples away and taking extra care to monitor any injured.
He and Luo Binghe managed to make quick work of the enemies, then Luo Binghe demanded that Liu Qingge follow him since he knew where the source of the monsters was.
The demon strangely hadn't even spared his husband a glance after speaking, despite having been unbearably clingy just half an hour previously, just walking determinedly in a seemingly random direction and expecting Liu Qingge to follow.
. . . .
Which he did, grudgingly.
Luo Binghe was silent as they made their way to the cave they're now stuck in, ignoring Liu Qingge's demands to know if he knew what was going on.
Eventually, they made it to the mouth of the cave. Standing in front of it was one of the most nondescript men Liu Qingge has ever seen in his life, an irratatingly smug grin stretched across his otherwise unnoteworthy face.
In contrast, Luo Binghe was solemn but radiating an aura of deep agitation.
The nondescript man started monologuing about Luo Binghe's supposed slight against his family - apparently, back before Shen Qingqiu and Luo Binghe got together, Luo Binghe rejected the man's sister several times.
After they got married the same woman came back and tried to demand that Luo Binghe either abandon Shen Qingqiu (Liu Qingge had nearly drawn Cheng Luan upon hearing this, but a sharp look from Luo Binghe made him stop reluctantly) or take her as a concubine. Luo Binghe had rejected her again, more coldly since she was disrespectful to Shen Qingqiu and still refused to accept rejection.
Afterwards, she went crying to her 'strong, tough gege' - Liu Qingge had raised an eyebrow at this. Nothing about this man screamed either of those. And if he wasn't mistaken Luo Binghe's lips had curved upwards at Liu Qingge's skepticism - about the situation, which prompted the man to go down and attempt to defend his sister's supposed honor.
(If Mingyan ever acted in such a way, Liu Qingge would have made sure that she understood how shameful her actions were. Family doesn't excuse reprehensible behavior simply because they're family.)
From there, Luo Binghe had outright told the man that he had no room in his heart for anyone but Shen Qingqiu.
At first, Liu Qingge was distracted by the familiar, heart-stabbing pain Luo Binghe's words caused. After thinking about the timeline of events, however, he realized that only a short time later he had first fallen into bed with the married couple.
And now, with the 'truth' out - a highly romanticized version of the truth, because Luo Binghe's devotion to Shen Qingqiu made people refuse to believe he'd act in a manner any less with Liu Qingge - to the public, the man wanted (self-) righteous justice.
All of it had made Liu Qingge's blood boil. The man was so petty that he found a way to control bloodthirsty monsters and brought innocent disciples into the situation just to lure Luo Binghe out. If Luo Binghe hadn't been there, who knows if Liu Qingge and Shen Qingqiu would've been able to kill all the monsters and make it out with all the disciples?
Part of Liu Qingge had wanted to leave Luo Binghe to deal with the man on his own, to go check on Shen Qingqiu and the disciples, but something had made him stay firmly planted at Luo Binghe's side.
It's a good thing he didn't. After he was done talking, the man pulled out what looked like a snuff bottle and threw it on the ground. It shattered and whatever had been in it instantly turned into thick, purple-ish grey smoke. Liu Qingge was quick to hold his breath, but what little he had breathes in before disoriented him and holding his breath only seemed to make it worse.
He had embarrassingly stumbled around aimlessly for a few moments, before he heard Luo Binghe let out a shocked sounding noise of distress that went straight to Liu Qingge's heart, followed by a loud, soul-crushing whine.
Hearing his lover's distress was enough for Liu Qingge to pull his shit together. He knew from experience that Luo Binghe was practically invincible - he'd never admit that to the demon's face, though. It would stroke Luo Binghe's ego and serve as an admission that Liu Qingge was inferior. Anything that could possibly harm him had to be something truly terrifying.
. . . .
It made Liu Qingge burn with the desire to annihilate the cause of his lover's distress. When he gets his hands on that asshole...!
(Liu Qingge knows that it's his fault that they're stuck now. Why hadn't he killed the man? He had plenty of chances? Did he fall into a false sense of security because of Luo Binghe's presence? Damn it!)
Liu Qingge had tried to head in the direction he heard Luo Binghe from since he couldn't see or sense his lover any more, but hadn't needed to go far since Luo Binghe came barreling into his side - almost like he'd been shoved.
They had both grunted on impact, the force that Luo Binghe had hit him with enough to make Liu Qingge stagger backwards. He'd blindly grabbed Luo Binghe to try and gain some semblance of balance, but the demon seemed to have been having the same issues, as grabbing him only led to another collision - this time one that had them fall to the ground and roll into the cave.
At some point during their tumble, Luo Binghe had fallen unconscious and, arguably, more worryingly had lost his sword. Liu Qingge had involuntarily grabbed Cheng Luan's hilt just to make sure it was still there.
Rancorous laughter rang out which made Liu turn his attention back to the caves opening. He could only make out the man's silhouette but knew the man was smirking obnoxiously.
"Looks like he's going to be out for a while," the man had sneered," It's best for you to take your chance now."
Now, if Liu Qingge didn't know any better, he'd believe that the man was trying to imply that he should take advantage of Luo Binghe's unconscious and weaponless state . . . to kill him.
As if Liu Qingge would dare break Shen Qingqiu's heart and betray his trust like that. . . . !
. . . . .
And it's not like Liu Qingge actually has any desire to kill Luo Binghe. Not anymore.
The thought of going through life without the annoying demon routinely defeating him when they sparred or trying to get Liu Qingge to eat his cooking (with Shen Qingqiu's encouragement) or wearing a self-satisfied smirk as he got (made) Liu Qingge moan and writhe around him....
To put it shortly, it wasn't appealing.
And to be the one who brought it to an end?
. . . . He'd never forgive himself.
However, the man didn't seem too worried that Liu Qingge wouldn't follow his suggestion. After he finished speaking, he . . . . did something - Liu Qingge's still somewhat disoriented mind combined with only the man's silhouette being visible making hard to tell exactly what he did (wasn't he Bai Zhan's War God?! Shouldn't he be better than this?!) - that made the cave start to collapse in.
Liu Qingge had enough sense remaining to throw himself on top of Liu Binghe's unconscious body to protect him - although thinking back on it, Luo Binghe's faster than average regeneration probably made such actions pointless, as opposed to something actually useful like picking up Luo Binghe and trying to make it out before they were trapped.
He remained over Luo Binghe, even when a few rocks fell on him and dislocated his shoulder - Liu Qingge's had them before and knows how to properly pop it back in place without Mu Qingfang nagging too much, if he finds out at all-, until the cave stopped shaking and he could no longer hear rocks clattering.
Luckily, he's fixed a dislocated shoulder often enough not to need a light source to do so. However, it was too dark to properly evaluate their chances of escape, so Liu Qingge had to make a small fire in order to see. Luo Binghe's a demon lord and Liu Qingge is a high-ranking cultivator - the drawbacks of lighting a fire in a enclosed space wouldn't effect them as quickly as it would a normal person.
. . . . Assuming whatever was causing Luo Binghe distress isn't already causing him damage in his unconscious state.
Liu Qingge isn't too worried about running out of air either. Shen Qingqiu and Luo Binghe seem to be able to hone in on each other no matter what. Once the disciples were safe, Shen Qingqiu would no doubt looking for his husband. . . . and Liu Qingge as well, seeing as how they were together last the man was aware.
A quick assessment of the cave in the newfound light proved what Liu Qingge feared; that any attempts to escape - at least from the inside - would cause the already unstable cave to collapse further inward, crushing Luo Binghe and himself.
Which just left. . . . Luo Binghe himself.
Liu Qingge is under absolutely no circumstances a doctor - as Mu Qingfang would no doubt jump at the chance to confirm. He knows far more about how to decimate a person than he knows how to fix them. What he does know is the bare minimum required to keep himself alive until he can reach Qian Cao (if he even decides to seek medical treatment at all).
He tried to remember the procedure My Qingfang uses whenever whatever is ailing Liu Qingge isn't blatantly obvious.
You. . . . check the pulse. . . . and make sure the patient's breathing is normal, right?
Luo Binghe's pulse was slightly slower than average, which if Liu Qingge remembers correctly is something that happens naturally when you sleep. Or it could be a demon thing.
The demon's breathing seemed to be normal, but it's not as if Liu Qingge had ever really paid attention to Luo Binghe's breathing.
(Not during their spars, not when Luo Binghe near effortlessly manages to pin him to the ground for the umpteenth time and brought his victorious smirk a bit too near for comfort, not during sex, when everything was too close, too touchy and still not enough. . . . ! Never.)
Next you. . . . elevate the head. . . . and check for any not immediately apparent injuries. . . . ?
Liu Qingge had briefly thought about keeping Luo Binghe's head in his lap, but quickly disposed of the idea. Too intimate a position! Especially when one of the people in question is unconscious! He ignored the burning heat in his face the notion brought forth.
Instead, he took his outer robes off and folded them into a makeshift pillow, which he then placed under Luo Binghe's head.
As for checking for injuries. . . . the most Liu Qingge could bring himself to do was give Luo Binghe a quick pat down to feel for anything akwardly out-of-place or sticky with blood, while ignoring the return of familiar heat in his face.
(He wasn't groping! He didn't get distracted by the muscles of Luo Binghe's arms, which have restrained Liu Qingge countless times as if it were child's play, during fights, during sex. . . . He was respectful!)
The last thing Liu Qingge needed was Luo Binghe waking up to his Shishu undressing him and deciding to tease him for 'feeling frisky', so anything underneath Luo Binghe's robes would have to remain hidden until further notice.
Afterwards, Liu Qingge had pondered what else he could do to, but only came up with one answer. An answer that made him blush deeper than his previous actions had.
Which is why he is currently holding one of Luo Binghe's large hands in his own as he channels his Qi into the demon's meridians.
Though he hasn't done it in a while, the action brings forth a sense of nostalgia that Liu Qingge isn't sure he likes.
Hopefully, it helps.
Suddenly, Luo Binghe's eyes fly open with a loud gasp and he jerks up into a sitting position, nearly disentangling his hand from Liu Qingge's.
Liu Qingge has to force himself to not flinch back at his lover's (partner? rivals with benefits?) abrupt movement. ". . . . Binghe?" he asks involuntarily, then mentally kicks himself for referring to the demon so casually.
Sexual partners or not, they're not that close.
But there's no teasing or other mocking. Luo Binghe whips his head towards the sound of Liu Qingge's voice, pupils dialated and eyes looking suspiciously wet.
". . . Shishu . . . .?" Luo Binghe mumbles, but it's all shy and scared, lacking any form of disrespectful undertones that the demon usually puts into the title.
It's all wrong! The rage that had become a simmer under Liu Qingge's skin returns to a full boil. How dare that scoundrel -!
But, before he can do anything, Liu Qingge suddenly finds himself with a lapfull of trembling demon lord.
"Shishu. . . Shishu. . . Shishu. . .," Luo Binghe repeatedly mumbles in the same unsettlingly pathetic tone.
"Shishu, where is Shizun?"