Work Text:
It started with his sense of smell.
A whole new world was disclosed before him one day.
At first, Luo Binghe only knew something was slightly different. Not vastly different, but definitely not the way he remembered it. It was in the little things; subtle but there.
After a short period of adjustments and a few experiments, he had come to two conclusions by the end of the day:
Firstly, his sense of smell was more acute; he was now able to discern scents he didn’t even know existed before. Somehow, it didn’t feel unnatural or like an ability gained overnight. It felt more like he had unlocked something dormant deep inside him. Something that had always been there and that he instinctively knew was a part of him.
Secondly, and that was the best part, he discovered that he was able to associate a smell with every emotion someone was feeling near him.
He had realized this when he had greeted his husband with a kiss on the cheek one morning.
Shen Qingqiu had remained as aloof as ever, but the smell that had hit Luo Binghe the moment his lips had touched skin had been the most delicious thing Luo Binghe had ever smelled. There had been no more explicit way to understand that Shen Qingqiu had loved the gesture. He could have said —but never would— a thousand “I love you”s that it was just as crystal clear to Luo Binghe.
Delighted by this newfound ability, Luo Binghe had ended up overindulging himself. Shen Qingqiu’s scent when he was overflowing with affection had gotten Luo Binghe drunk on it. He simply could never get enough of it.
Of course, Luo Binghe could discern all kinds of other emotions. From giddiness and lust, to anger and sorrow. Some days, it was a little bit too much even. The number of feelings twirling around and assaulting his nose was a little overwhelming. Or at least it was, until he found a way to control it.
To put it simply, he had found a way to leave and enter that state at will.
The acute sense of smell wasn’t the only new thing. There were also… the horns and the claws.
The horns erected above his temples not long after he learned to master his new sense of smell. And the long, dark claws on his hands followed suit.
Just like his other capacity, they had popped up out of nowhere one day.
Had it been the demon side of him manifesting itself through new traits? If so, why now?
Pitch black, ten inches long, the horns were a new attribute hard to miss. One that Luo Binghe would rather hide than proudly display. It wasn't that he was ashamed of them or of his demon descent, but the idea that Shen Qingqiu could reject him because of them was one of the scariest things Luo Binghe could think about. He would cut them off with his own sword if he had to.
Fortunately, exactly like the new smells, Luo Binghe noticed immediately he could send the horns and claws away just as easily as he could let them grow back.
Both abilities were indeed tied, Luo Binghe had discovered. Now, whenever he wanted to switch his ability to perceive feelings around him on and off, the horns and claws were, in the same fashion, cropping up or disappearing.
Luo Binghe liked to think of this as him entering “full demon mode”.
It certainly was useful to assert even more dominance whenever he was in the Demon Realm. Not that he needed it, but in a place where power, wealth, and charism were coveted, these new parts were nothing to sneeze at. And the Demon Realm was precisely where Luo Binghe and Shen Qingqiu had been residing for the past months. In the Bamboo House that Luo Binghe had replicated, more specifically.
Dwellers of that part of the territory knew better than to bother their Monarch and his spouse when the couple retreated back to their 'love nest'. And Luo Binghe, while terrifying on his own as the undisputed Overlord, was even more so when his husband was tailing around him.
Between the nauseating devotion unfit of a demon on one hand and the murderous looks if one dared so much as look in the direction of the consort in another, not a soul wanted to linger around them. If only for self-preservation.
Thankfully for them, and unfortunately for Luo Binghe, a letter addressed to Shen Qingqiu came a morning. And with it, the word that the duo had to part for an indefinite time spread like wildfire.
That letter came from Cang Qiong Mountain.
When Luo Binghe’s eyes fell on its seal, he grimaced. He didn’t have to read its content to know it meant bad news for him. Nothing coming from this Sect was ever good news for him.
To Shen Qingqiu, however, it was a different matter.
Luo Binghe wasn’t at peace with it yet, but how his husband’s face lit up when he received a letter from the place that used to be his home made his heart ache in jealousy and drum madly. His husband looked too beautiful when he was happy.
This time, though, there was a frown on Shen Qingqiu’s face when he read the note Yue Qingyuan had sent him.
Chancing a peek over Shen Qingqiu’s shoulder, Luo Binghe read the letter in turn and his face also darkened.
“Don’t tell me you’re going,” he said with pleading eyes.
“What are you pouting for?” Shen Qingqiu patted his head gently.
“Shizun knows very well why.”
“Well, I don’t have much choice now, do I?”
“You do. Shizun, just ignore it,” Luo Binghe whined, already resorting to using his best 'sad-puppy-eyes'.
“Nonsense. You are not my only disciple, Luo Binghe. If Qing Jing Peak and my disciples need me, what kind of Master would I make by ignoring their turmoil?"
"But if this is a curse and Shizun has to help investigate, who knows how long it will take before you'll be back?"
"Indeed." Shen Qingqiu acknowledged Luo Binghe's worries, yet didn't add a word indicating he was going to change his mind.
"Can't I accompany you at least?" Luo Binghe tried to plead some more.
"When this clan from the East region —whatever their name was, again?— has reached past your borders and you're at a critical turn in your strategy to stop them? Binghe, I'm afraid you can't. Not this time."
Resigned, Luo Binghe sighed in defeat. He was being so brave about it.
“If Liu-Shishu so much as touch you—”
“And why exactly would he hurt me?” Shen Qingqiu asked in confusion.
“I’m not talking about this kind of ‘touch’, Shizun.”
“Huh? Then what kind are you talking about?”
“Shizun, just don’t let him near you.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Binghe. Now get your hands off me, I need to get ready.”
Reluctantly, Luo Binghe removed the hands that had snaked of their own volition around Shen Qingqiu’s waist when they started speaking about Liu Qingge.
He watched, dispirited, as Shen Qingqiu walked away to change into lighter clothes, more fitted to traveling by sword.
That same expression hadn’t left Luo Binghe when he kissed his husband goodbye with a sulky face. Shen Qingqiu sighed with a smile as he placed a gentle hand on Luo Binghe’s cheek.
“Don’t be like this. I’ll be back before you know it.”
“This disciple already misses you,” Luo Binghe replied honestly, on the verge of tears.
“You’re being silly, haven’t we parted before?”
“We had, you died.”
“.....”
There was an uncomfortable moment that lasted a few seconds before Shen Qingqiu spoke again, more quietly, “... right.”
Sensing Shen Qingqiu’s mood had dropped thanks to his lack of tact, Luo Binghe was fast to take his hands in his own and apologized fervently.
“This disciple is an idiot and apologizes deeply for his thoughtless words. Shizun, I’m so sorry.”
Shen Qingqiu sighed heavily. What else could he do, when Luo Binghe made a scene, other than patting his head patiently as he tried to console him?
With a heavy heart, Luo Binghe dried his tears, sniffing loudly.
His husband didn’t seem to share the same sorrow as he felt and it was, admittedly, paining him deeply. He knew Shen Qingqiu was never as clingy as he was and he didn’t feel the same level of neediness as he did, but still…parts of him wanted his husband to miss him as much as he did…
That’s when it hit him; he could switch to his demon form briefly and try to see if he could smell anything on Shen Qingqiu. Just a quick sniff.
Shen Qingqiu might not have been aware of his horns— Luo Binghe was too afraid of his reaction. There were words and acts that had left him in too much pain and he was now afraid of exposing anything that could remind Shen Qingqiu of his demon origins. He would rather conceal them than let himself go through the pain of rejection. He knew it was silly and that he was being foolish, but it was the trauma speaking for him.
His husband was, on another hand, aware of his other ability. Luo Binghe had been unable to resist telling him just how delicious he had smelled and sharing with him this incredible discovery the first time he had smelled love all around his husband. The flushed cheeks on his flustered husband afterward had been worth it.
This time, however, Luo Binghe decided not to mention a thing.
Stealthily, he unlocked his powers and allowed his senses to reach a higher level of sensitivity.
Immediately, a strong smell saturated his nose as an overflow of emotions engulfed him. Luo Binghe looked at his husband again; his face, as calm and elegant as ever, didn’t betray a thing, but his smell was telling an entirely different story.
Sometimes, Luo Binghe wondered how Shen Qingqiu could conceal his feelings so skillfully. As much as Luo Binghe had remained conflicted about his demon side, that same side also had its perks when it came to some of his skills. That one skill he had embraced fully. He even considered it a blessing. It had opened a whole new world for him and had smothered his insecurities. There was indeed nothing more delightful and treasured than to smell being loved and cherished when the face and the mouth usually wouldn’t dare to say such words out loud.
Right now, not so much different than love, Luo Binghe was smelling something more bittersweet on his husband. It was obvious that Shen Qingqiu— while never admitting it earlier— was in rather low spirits about their imminent parting. From his smell, he was actually already missing him even though he had not left yet.
Love, worry, eagerness to reunite…all of these feelings mixed together and twirled around Luo Binghe like gentle cherry blossoms, their smell just as exhilarating.
Luo Binghe couldn’t resist leaning towards his husband with a knowing smile, closing his eyes, and pausing to breathe in slowly. Shen Qingqiu gave him a strange look and suddenly realized what Luo Binghe was doing.
Luo Binghe was pulled out of his reverie with a sharp knock on his head— Shen Qingqiu had hit him with his fan.
He lifted pitiful eyes on an innocent-looking face, using his most efficient move to ask for forgiveness. He knew full well Shen Qingqiu was unable to remain stone-faced when Luo Binghe was pulling this card on him. And then he laughed, delighted.
Shen Qingqiu, having been uncovered, didn’t have the heart to scold him. Luo Binghe, on his end, was way too happy to spot the red on his cheeks and was still feeling high from the scents wafting around him.
Now in much higher spirits despite Shen Qingqiu’s leaving, Luo Binghe kissed his husband’s cheek and then bent down to kiss him again, for good measure.
As he watched Shen Qingqiu flying further and further away from him, he was left with two vastly different feelings conflicting in his heart. The reveal that Shen Qingqiu was reluctant to be separated from him just as much as he was had been enough to improve his mood, soothing his melancholic heart. But sadly, it wasn’t enough to fill the emptiness he was already feeling from his absence.
That on the one hand, but even more gnawing was the idea to leave his husband without him in Cang Qiong Mountains.
Sure, with what he was able to smell on Shen Qingqiu, he shouldn’t have to worry. But it wasn’t exactly Shen Qingqiu’s feelings for him that was the source of his anxiety— at least, no longer. No, it was the fact that many eyes would fall on him, free to ogle as much as they wanted. Hands other than his would get to touch him…
Just as the thought of it, Luo Binghe shuddered in anger. Shen Qingqiu was his and his only and he wouldn’t even be there to remind everyone in Cang Qiong of that fact.
To make things worse, Luo Binghe’s imagination knew no boundaries. His mind filled up with many scenarios, each more horrible than the other and all of which seemed to be made up only to torture him relentlessly.
At least, and even though it wasn’t quite the same as reality, Luo Binghe still had the Dream Realm to reunite with his husband. This would make the separation a little more bearable.
With all these thoughts in mind, Luo Binghe returned to his Palace. Shen Qingqiu’s absence didn’t mean the world had been put on hold— he still had work to do.
Hopefully, he thought, this would help him to forget about everything else.
It had been a week now since Shen Qingqiu had left. Luo Binghe focused on his work. That way, he had been able to endure the separation much better than he originally thought. The dreams he shared with his husband certainly had helped, but so had directing all his attention into his work.
He had been working days and nights out, able to push his limits for maximum efficiency as he did not need to sleep or eat and only allowed himself to sleep in order to pull Shen Qingqiu into his dreams. If Shen Qingqiu was there and knew about this, it was no doubt he would have been scolded for this. But again, if Shen Qingqiu was there, Luo Binghe wouldn’t have needed to be told to stop working as he would rather spend quality time with his husband anyway. And, anyway, Shen Qingqiu wasn’t there so there was no stopping him from this mad toiling.
Keeping himself thus busy and with Shen Qingqiu’s absence, Luo Binghe had not seen the utility of using his demon form at all these days. The last time he had used it was the day he had parted with his husband.
He didn’t know what compelled him to use it that night after he decided to take a break from his work to take a nap (and most importantly, to dream) but as he passed a bunch of servants on his way to his private quarters, he smelled something new. Something he had yet to smell on his husband…
Luo Binghe couldn’t be mistaken. This was far from the positive and resplendent smells usually pouring from Shen Qingqiu. This time, the smell reeked of…resentment.
Luo Binghe stopped dead in his tracks. Where was this stench coming from and for what reason did a demon feel like that to the point of stinking that bad?
The little group of servants must have felt something was off with their leader because they stopped their whispering and looked as Luo Binghe approached them.
“What were you talking about just now?” he asked in a dangerous voice that made gulp in discomfort one of the demons.
“Us? What could we possibly talk about if not of how mighty and incredible our Lord is? How grateful we are that he-”
Luo Binghe clutched the demon talking by his throat and slammed him against the wall, stopping him instantly from babbling more nonsense.
“Save your breath and keep your filthy lies to yourself. You guys stink so badly it makes me want to puke.”
The demon he was holding against the wall and all the other ones around him fell silent. None of them longer dared to utter a word and Luo Binghe was starting to lose patience. With a sigh, he let go of the demon and told them to scram.
The demons didn't need to be told twice and they scattered in an instant, leaving Luo Binghe fuming.
What were they hiding from him? Was he really that tyrannic that they couldn't speak their thoughts in front of him? And most importantly, this didn't tell him why these demons were feeling so much resentment. Was it about him? He never smelled such a putrid smell before when Shen Qingqiu was at his side. But then again, he also was too focused on Shen Qingqiu's smell which was blanketing everything else for him to notice anything different. Now that Shen Qingqiu was away, he was starting to notice different, much less pleasant smells and realized he had been on cloud nine all this time.
Luo Binghe left the matter aside for a while but the smells were reaching his nose all too often after that day. Or to be more exact, he realized the smells had always been here; he just had failed to notice them in the past...
Eventually, he couldn't handle it anymore and followed covertly one particularly putrid smell. It led him to two demons chatting over a drink in a tavern nearby the Palace.
There, in the shadows of a dark corner, safe from prying eyes, Luo Binghe listened to the two demons talking. When the nature of their conversation reached his ears, his blood boiled.
How dared they?
With unacceptable nonchalance and laughing nastily, they were exchanging snide remarks about him and his husband. To speak of him in a derogatory way was a thing. He didn't really care and was used to it. But to do the same when it came to Shen Qingqiu...? That was inadmissible.
How could anyone speak ill of his husband in his (and Shen Qingqiu's) back?
In their back or not, Luo Binghe couldn't even begin to understand, let alone accept, that one could think of his master in anything but positive terms.
Well, he could have expected it really, coming from demons, considering Shen Qingqiu was a human. But what did they know of the outward and inward beauty of Shen Qingqiu?
Nothing.
Shizun was the most perfect being to be. He couldn't expect demons to understand that... Even so, Luo Binghe simply couldn't accept anyone speaking of Shen Qingqiu in ill terms. To his eyes, it was a crime deserving of the worst punishment. Saying (or even thinking) hateful things about his husband had to be forbidden —he should make it a law. The moment the words would be out of one's mouth, measures would be taken.
Luo Binghe nodded frantically, agreeing with himself.
He was ready to tear the two demons to pieces right there and then when a thought popped into his mind and he stopped to consider it.
From what he gathered from the talk, a majority of demons were unhappy with the fact that their Lord's consort was a human cultivator. It had less to do with Shen Qingqiu himself but more with his race and status in the cultivating world. After all, the demons had been at war with the humans for such a long time... Luo Binghe himself had infused these thoughts in their minds, repeatedly attacking Cang Qiong Mountain. He even declared the Sect as their number one enemy one time. And now, he had allowed an Immortal from that same Sect to gain rank and power over the demon race by marrying him.
Evidently, the reek he had been smelling stemmed from pure hatred and disregard.
Luo Binghe couldn't deny that his actions probably made very little sense to the demons. But Shen Qingqiu had always been an exception. He had always been the one. All demons should have known that, right?
It also certainly didn't excuse their infamous words and defamatory remarks. Luo Binghe was so mad he thought he could combust on the spot.
What bothered him the most was that it wasn't only those two demons that were thinking this way from what he heard of their conversation.
If those two demons were far from isolated cases, Luo Binghe thought it wiser to find a way to change the residents of the Demons Realm's minds about his husband.
He didn't know yet how he was going to do it, but he would make sure Shen Qingqiu would return to a kingdom respecting him. If after Luo Binghe successfully changed the demons' opinion he still found some full of contempt towards Shen Qingqiu, this time he wouldn't hesitate a second before convicting them.
Yes. This was perfect, he thought as he returned to his quarters in the middle of the night, fresh blood still dripping from his hands.
Weeks had passed now and Shen Qingqqiu still hadn't returned, much to Luo Binghe's chagrin. If his beloved didn't return soon, he was going to become completely depressed sooner than later.
Thankfully, he had kept himself busy with thoughts on how to not only change the demons' judgment towards Shen Qingqiu, but also to make them revere his husband.
To this end, Luo Binghe had come up with a few plans.
First, he had instructed his subordinates to make public statements praising daily one of Shen Qingqiu's traits. Sadly, instead of helping Shen Qingqiu's reputation this way, Luo Binghe quickly noticed this had resulted in flaming up disdain towards his husband and he just as quickly dropped that idea.
Then, he had ordered his subordinates to find all the demons that actually liked Shen Qingqiu to gather them in one place and instructed them to give arguments as to why all the demons should speak positively about Shen Qingqiu. But he had dropped that idea even faster than the previous one. Those demons were too passionate when it came to Shen Qingqiu's qualities.
Luo Binghe, highly suspicious, was way too jealous to bear to listen to them speaking of his husband in words only he was allowed to. In a way, this was even worse than the disrespectful words and with a heavy heart, he had yet to conceive another plan.
Finally, fed up, depressed and tired of his husband's prolonged absence, he more drastically had threatened to sentence to death any demons that would hate his husband.
This worked only halfway. At this point, the demons had well understood that Luo Binghe would not tolerate any form of reserve regarding the royal consort, so they were all playing along. Yet, the stink never faded and Luo Binghe knew he had failed, again.
Now, he was even running out of ideas...
He was running out of ideas and his anger had doubled. The nauseating smell that surrounded him constantly was such that he had abandoned using his demon form entirely. But even that way, he swore he could see and hear nastiness from everyone and everywhere.
Falling down the path to paranoia and nearing the verge of madness, Luo Binghe had reached his limit.
It was in such a state that Shen Qingqiu found his husband when he returned.
And it was high time for his return.
Luo Binghe was so riddled with anger, sitting on his throne lost in thoughts, that he didn't notice when Shen Qingqiu entered the room and sighed with fatigue after a long journey back to the Demon Realm.
A gentle hand touched Luo Binghe's shoulder and Luo Binghe snapped. He grabbed the hand roughly and turned around, eyes injected with red and a snarky “who the fuck?” at the ready between his bared fangs. He stopped himself just in time when he realized his husband was back. The blood in his eyes was instantly replaced with tears.
“Shizun!” He exclaimed happily as he jumped from his seat and brought Shen Qingqiu in a crushing hug, rivers on his cheeks, telltales of his joy. “You're finally back.”
“Binghe, what happened to you?” Shen Qingqiu couldn't hide his worry.
“Shizun... Maybe we should leave the Demon Realm...”
“We should? I don't mind if we do but would you explain yourself first?” Shen Qingqiu asked in confusion as he watched Luo Binghe sniffing loudly in his arms.
“Shizun wouldn't believe what they said about him,” he sniffed even louder. “This disciple should kill them all.”
At these words, Luo Binghe felt the familiar flick of Shen Qingqiu's fan on his head.
“We're not gonna kill anyone, Binghe,” he reprimanded. Then asked, gentler, “Who tormented you?”
“I can't stand that the demons here wouldn't respect you,” Luo Binghe finally explained.
“Oh. This Master has been aware long ago. You shouldn't have to worry about that, Binghe.”
“Bu-”
“No 'buts',” Shen Qingqiu hushed him and slapped a finger on Luo Binghe's lips. “This husband hasn't seen you in a very long time and would rather make up for lost time with you.”
While Shen Qingqiu was using his usual firm voice as he spoke, a quick look at his face and the cute way his eyes fell to the side while a tint of pink was adorning his cheeks eyes was enough to tell Luo Binghe what Shen Qingqiu had in mind.
He beamed.
His heart healed. Two minutes in the presence of his husband and all his ailments instantly vanished. It was that easy.
Shen Qingqiu was right; they had been apart long enough and Luo Binghe needed nothing more now than to keep his husband close and in his arms for as long as he would be allowed to.
After giving up on using his demon skills, Luo Binghe felt compelled to switch back to his demon form now that Shen Qingqiu was back. He had had enough of the other demons' smell but couldn't wait to be reminded of Shen Qingqiu's sweet fragrance.
His nose picked up something completely unexpected, however. It was stronger and more violent. Instead of the soft, flowery smell, he was reminded of a stormy wind and smoke carrying still-burning embers. It was surprising coming from Shen Qingqiu, but not unpleasant. On the contrary, it stirred up something fierce inside him. Shen Qingqiu had missed him deeply and was an impending storm of feelings about to break out.
There, among these clouds, Luo Binghe smelled something pungent and sharp. Short-lived, like lightning. It smelled like surprise and he wondered what made Shen Qingqiu react this way.
He looked at Shen Qingqiu, who was looking above his head...
It hit Luo Binghe like a rock when he understood what Shen Qingqiu was looking at and he felt the need to hide in embarrassment. During Shen Qingqiu's absence, he had taken the habit to stay in his full demon form and again this time, he hadn't thought twice before switching... Which meant Shen Qingqiu was currently looking at his horns. The horns he had kept hidden from Shen Qingqiu's eyes for so long.
Luo Binghe froze and his heart missed a beat.
What would Shen Qingqiu say? Was he disgusted? Would he leave him? There was no rationality left in Luo Binghe's mind when he was reminded of what happened the first time he revealed one of his demon traits to his master.
Right now, he was that kid again. A kid ready to be left alone at sea, desperately holding on to the plank that kept him from drowning.
But when Shen Qingqiu placed both his hands on his cheeks and looked at him lovingly, Luo Binghe was brought back to the present times.
“Shizun... You don't hate them?” he asked hesitantly.
Instead of replying, Shen Qingqiu touched one of his horns with a gentle hand and stroke it, like he wanted to familiarize himself with this new physical feature. All the while, he smiled and used his other hand to pat Luo Binghe's head like he loved to do.
To Luo Binghe, this was all the validation he needed. He threw all his worries, all his thoughts of plans, and infuriating demons through the window. Any residue of doubts and seething anger dissipated completely as he couldn't hold himself any longer and crushed his lips against his husband's.
Maybe Shen Qingqiu could have used a warning. Luo Binghe could tell he had been surprised by the sudden kiss. He certainly wasn't complaining though, if the enthusiastic way he returned the kiss was any indication.
When Shen Qingqiu broke the kiss, he closed his fingers around one of Luo Binghe's hands and intertwined their fingers. He didn't leave a chance for Luo Binghe to ask for more kisses even as Luo Binghe leaned towards his lips again. Instead, he led them to their bedroom without a word.
Luo Binghe obediently followed.
Luo Binghe's mood was nothing like the previous day. Even if the demons didn't already know about Shen Qingqiu's return, they would have easily guessed the consort was back with a simple look at Luo Binghe's radiant smile.
Luo Binghe was sitting on his throne, having only eyes for his husband who, for once, had accepted to join him and was standing beside him, head held upright.
With all the grace and dignity of a royal consort, he looked absolutely stunning and imposing.
Luo Binghe grimaced when the telltale smell of disdain reached him once more. To his surprise, though, the smell was subdued this time. It might have come from the fact that Shen Qingqiu had placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. Or the fact that he was smiling knowingly but also peacefully at the demons in the room. Or it could have been his next words, “Aren't you grateful I'm back?” To whom these words were addressed, Luo Binghe wasn't entirely too sure.
Maybe it was all these things combined. But in the end, the smell gradually became less noticeable until Luo Binghe could focus purely and solely on Shen Qingqiu's feelings.
Enveloped by it, Luo Binghe failed to notice when they were left alone in the Throne Room. His eyes wouldn't leave his husband's face and the latter was not doing any better. In retrospect, maybe they had been left alone because they looked like a newlywed couple but Luo Binghe had never cared for such things. Especially not when both of his husband's hands rested on his shoulders before sneaking back up to his neck possessively.
Not when he looked at him like he was the sun and the moon, both at once.
How could Luo Binghe do anything but look back at him in the same way?
