Archive of Our Own ^beta

Don't cry.

The one he watched. The one he finally realized he loved... was crying over his rapidly cooling body.

"Live! Please, live! Liu Qingge!"

A face that was always marred with a blank expression or a sneer so foul, was now soft and vulnerable, tears streaming down sharp cheeks, turning that handsome face a beautiful red with how hard his cries were.

"... sorry..." he choked out. "'M sorry..."

He wanted to reach up. To comfort the other. To wipe away those tears.

His heart was steadily slowing. His chest hurt as more blood gushed out of his mouth. The one above him sobbed, that unstable qi continued to rush into him, desperately trying to save his own burned out meridians.

He wanted to say more.

He couldn't say more.

His eyes closed as he realized that he had failed. That he was too late to say his piece. That he could never have admitted how much he adored the other. How jealous he was when others received his attention. How much he loved their fights, even if the words could really hurt most times. He loved the other's viciousness, his determination, even if he was a weak cultivator that he was strong in so many other areas.

"Sorry... Qingqiu..."

Liu Qingge woke with a start. He turned in his bed and vomited. He gasped once he was done, breathing so hard as he looked around.

Dead. He had died. He knew this.

Where was he?

There was a knock on the door. He clenched his chest as the door opened to reveal Mu Qingfang and Qi Qingqi.

"Liu shidi! You're awake!"

Mu Qingfang ran over, glancing at the vomit on the ground before helping Liu Qingge sit back up.

"Are you alright? Are you in pain?"

He took Liu Qingge's free wrist and sent cooling qi throughout his body. Liu Qingge shuddered, but allowed it. His head was still spinning. He took in the others.

They were young again. Just how they looked back in his disciple days.

"What happened?" His mouth felt like it had cotton in it.

Qi Qingqi came over to the other side, grabbing a cup and filling it with water, "Liu shidi, you went overboard on your night hunt again. This is the first time you've gotten hurt since we've known you! Seriously! Not even you can take on a Heavenly Tiger by yourself!"

Liu Qingge blanked out.

He remembered this.

This happened a whole two months before Shen Jiu was brought onto the peaks. He had missed the Annual Immortal Conference because his chest had been impaled. It didn't bother him very much considering he went to his first one at fourteen anyways. He went home during that time to recover.

This was also after he got promoted to head disciple. In the next two years, he would receive his generational name, confirming him as the succeeding disciple.

"Shidi, we know you're eager, but there's no need to rush. You're a head disciple like us now. You don't need to catch up when you're kind of much stronger than half of us." Mu Qingfang chided, grabbing a few herbs and bottles to mix up some medicine to help with the chest pains and other soreness Liu Qingge must feel.

Liu Qingge clenched his fists as he sipped the water, nodding instead of using his words.

He wasn't sure what to say. He had no idea what to say.

They didn't seem to remember. Maybe that was a good thing? He liked them. They were good people...

It was Shen Jiu that he had to fix things with. His heart raced painfully as the flash of his face in the caves struck him again.

The other cried for him. He begged him to live. That meant... Shen Jiu must have been fond of him. Somehow. That was the only conclusion he could draw up. Shen Jiu, Shen Qingqiu was a steel trap, made of spikes and walls. Aside from anger, he never let his real emotions show. God, he was beautiful like that. A different kind of warrior that set Liu Qingge's heart on fire.

But he was stubborn and didn't really get to know the other. So was Shen Jiu. They were both prideful, but for different reasons. Reasons he wanted to know.

Reasons that this time, he would discover for himself.

He would not wait this time.

He would not hold back.

He was going to become a better man for Shen Jiu, so that the other would trust him and rely on him.

He had matured.

He knew he was in love with Shen Jiu. For a very long time. And he would not be an idiot about it.
________

He did what he did last time.

Up until he listened in on his shimeis and shidis talking about Yue Qingyuan bringing in a disciple that Xu shibo took in.

His pulse raced with excitement as the others invited him along.

This was his chance.

He had been practicing for the last two months to make a better first impression on Shen Jiu. He would start this off right.

And he would prevent Shen Jiu from doing the same things he did in their first life. No more brothel. No more arrogance. No more nasty fights that lead to the others not trusting him either.

They would have a better relationship this time.

"It seems Qing Jing is infested with little rats. To what do we owe the pleasure of Bai Zhan disciples sneaking around as if they're trying to make dens on our grounds." A cold voice spoke up, startling the little group.

Liu Qingge looked behind him and his eyes widened.

Shen Jiu was just as he remembered. Tall, with a handsome face covered behind a fan. Striking green eyes gazed at him from the top of the hill they had gone up on. His long, inky black hair blew in the wind as his green robes, ones similar to Xu shibo and not like the other Qing Jing disciple robes, billowed around him. Otherworldly. Untouchable. Grace unparalleled.

Just like before, Liu Qingge's throat went dry and he struggled to swallow and hold back the urge to go up to the other and grab his hands to profess the love he kept hidden.

"Why are you on this peak? Did Jiang-Shibo send you? Did this one's Shizun give you permission to sneak around?" The fan lowered, showing off that sharp, but handsome face.

One of his shimeis spoke up, "We were just coming to see Xu Shibo's newest disciple! No sneaking!"

"Then why are you hiding amongst the bamboo instead of walking up the path? Like a normal disciple would?" The young man drawled, irritation seeping into his calm mask.

Liu Qingge blinked and walked forward, "This one is the head disciple of Bai Zhan. Liu Q— Li-jie. We were curious about the new disciple that came to the mountain under Xu shibo."

The fan went back up as the other narrowed his eyes, "Who's asking?"

The same suspicion as before. It drove Liu Qingge crazy as he grabbed the handle of his sword to ground him, "No one special. Just curious.

The youth looked him up and down, a curious expression flashed before it returned to normal, "... this one is Shizun's new disciple. This one is called Shen Jiu."

Yes, yes. I know who you are. Now let me be your friend!

"Now that you have seen me, off with you lot." The fan snapped shut and Shen Jiu walked around them. "If you do not have permission to be on this peak, leave. It's disrespectful to this one's Shizun and the others."

Another shidi spoke up, "Fight us!"

Shen Jiu stopped and turned to look at the group with a disgusted glare, "I don't fight brats. Now, leave."

In a surprising turn of events, Liu Qingge smacked the back of his shidi's head and hissed out, "Don't be a brat. You've seen him! Now scram!"

The others blinked in surprise. Shen Jiu's eyes widened slightly at the display. Cautiously, the others looked between themselves and at Liu Qingge's scathing glare. They glanced at Shen Jiu before leaving. Liu Qingge was in charge of them. They had to obey his commands.

Liu Qingge watched them turn tail and leave before looking back at Shen Jiu, who still stood where he was, watching Liu Qingge with calculating eyes.

Liu Qingge's grip tightened on his sword before bowing to Shen Jiu. He had only ever done it their first spar. Any time else, he had disrespected Shen Jiu by not doing so. This time, he would be respectful.

"This one apologizes about his shidis and shimeis. They can be brash." Liu Qingge apologized, doing his best to relax his nerves before he stood back up and stared at Shen Jiu. "It's nice to meet Shen... shidi."

Shen Jiu lifted his fan a little more, but otherwise bowed back. Not as much as Liu Qingge, but enough to be respectful.

"... this one... thanks Liu shixiong for the welcome. And for not letting your disciple brothers and sisters escalate the situation."

Liu Qingge nodded, "It's a tradition on Bai Zhan to fight disciples on other peaks. But it's disrespectful to jump on newcomers before they have a chance to become accustomed to their surroundings and such."

Shen Jiu raised an eyebrow and nodded, "... that's... very kind of you, Liu shixiong. This one hasn't exactly heard good things about Bai Zhan since coming here. Full of muscle-headed brutes and battle-hungry brats. Liu shixiong seems to be the only one of sense."

Ah, an insult with a compliment. Liu Qingge missed this. The banter. This was how they talked. This was how they were able to be around each other.

Liu Qingge's mouth quirked slightly, "Qing Jing is full of prissy, soft scholars. You're all smart and practice the four arts. The Peak Lord is actually the tactician of the sect. So, if you're as smart as you look, we might be working close in the furture."

And we will. Because. Xu shibo favored you. And your plans never failed.

Shen Jiu blinked and lowered the fan. His expression had eased up a bit. If Liu Qingge hadn't practiced his responses and found some ways to temper himself, they would have gotten into a fight like before that would have resulted in him getting slapped.

Liu Qingge steeled himself before asking, "Have you been shown around the peaks yet?"

Shen Jiu fanned himself slightly before hiding his face again, "... no... this one has been adjusting to Qing Jing first."

"If shidi has time, this one would have no qualms showing him around."

Accept. Accept it! Walk with me! We can talk! I have conversation starters that Qi shijie and the others helped me with!

"No, thank you."

Liu Qingge almost deflated as Shen Jiu turned away.

"This one's Shizun was going to show him around next week. This one... appreciates Liu shixiong's offer."

Liu Qingge held back his sigh before nodding even though Shen Jiu couldn't see him do it, "Then— ah, this one hopes to see Shen shidi around?"

Shen Jiu turned slightly, his green eye peering at him with an unreadable expression.

"... as long as shixiong follows the rules... this shidi wouldn't mind shixiong's presence."
____________

"You want to visit this master's newest disciple?"

Liu Qingge was on his knees in front of the bamboo house. Originally, he came with a scroll from his own Shizun to hand over and then leave, but he needed to earn Xu Mingyu's permission. If Shen Jiu was going to trust him, then he needed to follow his demands.

He didn't do this before. He just showed up and goaded Shen Jiu into fighting him.

"Yes. Shen Jiu. This one wants permission to come onto the peak and visit when he's not busy."

Xu Mingyu stared at the Bai Zhan disciple before him. This was unheard of to him. Back in his own disciple days, the Bai Zhan disciples had free reign to go wherever they wanted when they wanted. Unruly and bull headed. It always annoyed him and his own Shizun.

Liu Li-jie. Jiang Mingzhong's head disciple. He was know as a gruff and quiet, young man. When he spoke, it was quick and to the point. He had issues following social cues, but he was still smart and knew what he was doing in battle. He was also rising the ranks in strength, definitely coming close to Yue Qingyuan.

"What is it that you want from this master's disciple?" Xu Minghu questioned.

He noticed Liu Li-jie clenched his fists and then watched as his ear became a steady red.

"N... nothing, Xu shibo. This one just wants to... become friends with Shen Jiu." Liu Li-jie explained.

"Friends?"

Xu Mingyu had already witnessed the hostility towards Shen Jiu. He already couldn't sleep in the dorms with the other boys and found himself sleeping in the woodshed. Just a few times, he went down the mountain, most likely to find sleep in an inn for the night with the money Xu Mingyu coincidentally left out for him. It was why he had An Ding come and install a large side room and moved his disciple in. Shen Jiu had slept their three days out of the week, so he accepted that as a win that his disciple trusted him well enough.

Liu Li-jie nodded, "Shen shidi... seems like a formidable ally. This one wants to get to know him more, if that's acceptable."

Xu Mingyu stared at him for a moment longer before a gentle smile formed and he nodded, "So long as Jiu'er is alright with it, Liu shizhi is most welcomed on this master's peak."

Liu Li-jie jumped up immediately and bowed deeply to him, "Where can this one find Shen shidi?"

Xu Mingyu's eyes widened as he covered half of his face with his sleeve in surprise, "Jiu'er will most likely be in the library right now—"

Liu Li-jie ran out before Xu Mingyu could finish.

Oh...

Oh my.

Liu Qingge raced to the Qing Jing library, almost knocking down a few Qing Jing disciples in his excitement. He was given dirty looks for disturbing the peace, but he paid those canon fodder brats no attention.

Before bursting into the library, he came to a sudden stop.

"Were you raised in a barn?" Came the shriek.

Shen Qingqiu glared at him so fiercely as he was pushed out of the library, where he kicked down the solid doors and challenged Shen Qingqiu to another match.

"You're a moronic boar! Get the hell off of my peak and don't come back if you can't learn even the basics of human decency and manners!"

Kicking doors was a... really bad habit for him. However, Shen Qingqiu was the only one who called him out on it. He could feel the twitch in his legs to do just that.

Instead, he forced his arm up and grabbed the handle, pushing open the quiet doors and walking in without opening his mouth to say "Shen Qingqiu fight me!"

A few heads popped up from where they were studying or reading before going back to what they were doing. It was abnormal to see a Bai Zhan disciple here, but it was none of their business. Scanning the room, Liu Qingge easily located his target sitting under one of the big windows, his hand moving with a brush in it.

The light shinning on his face made him look softer. Still beautiful.

Liu Qingge gripped his robes before making his way over as quietly as he could. Well, he was stomping over, so the others had to look up again to glare at him. This definitely got Shen Jiu's attention as he looked up with a frown. He hadn't realized he was doing so until he came up to Shen Jiu's table.

Shen Jiu pulled out a fan and flicked it open, covering his face as he looked up at Liu Qingge, "Do you not know how to walk?"

Liu Qingge tilted his head, a little caught off with the low tone of his voice, "Uh, how else would I get here?"

Shen Jiu raised an eyebrow and set down his brush, "You'll wake the dead with all of your stomping. This is a library. Not a bar."

Liu Qingge blinked and looked down, unaware of how much noise he had truly made, "Ah?"

Shen Jiu sighed before getting up and bowing to Liu Qingge, "Shixiong needs to be mindful of his weight. What does this shidi owe the pleasure of this visit for?"

"I just wanted to see you." Liu Qingge blurted out and Shen Qingqiu visibly tensed and his eyes trailed over him confused.

"See... me?"

Liu Qingge felt his face flush slightly, but nodded anyways, "Yes. To see how... shidi was faring since I last saw him."

Shen Jiu glanced away for a moment before looking back at him, "This... one is just fine. Thanking shixiong for taking the time to check on this one..."

Liu Qingge nodded before looking down at the papers Shen Jiu was working on, "Practicing?"

"Yes. This one's calligraphy needed work." Shen Jiu sat down and eyed Liu Qingge as he sat across from the other. "This is the peak where the four arts are practiced. Anything less is unacceptable."

In their previous lives, Liu Qingge didn't appreciate the arts at all. He thought it was a waste of time when all they needed was their swords and fists for the threats they faced. Shen Qingqiu seemed to hate him for this.

"Young Master Liu seems to disregard the beauty of the four arts. I would expect nothing less from a brash man like you." Shen Qingqiu hissed, holding up a ruined painting during one of their many spats. "You're an ungrateful and spoiled young man! Get off of my peak or I'll throw you off!"

The arts were the most important thing to Shen Qingqiu. That much should have been obvious. Liu Qingge should have realized this sooner to avoid the many times he ruined Shen Qingqiu's things coming onto his peak to yell at him and challenge him for fights.

"It looks good to me." Liu Qingge tried, clenching his fists.

The ingrained need to insult the other and try to bring him down was hard. That was just the way there were to each other. But this time, he was trying to promote kinder words between them. It was awkward. It was dumb. Liu Qingge wasn't sure how to interact with Shen Jiu when they weren't fighting, all he knew was that the words always hurt when directed to him.

Shen Jiu set down his fan, a frown on his face as he picked up his brush, eyeing Liu Qingge with barely contained suspicion, "It needs to be better."

Liu Qingge bit the inside of his cheek as he asked, "Aren't you being too hard on yourself?"

Shen Jiu blinked and looked at Liu Qingge, confused, "... I... want to be the best. So no, I'm not being too hard on myself."

Liu Qingge nodded and went quiet. That made sense. He wanted to be the best in fighting because that's what he lived for. He never considered that Shen Jiu truly felt that way about the arts. Liu Qingge never took the time to know this. He always thought Shen Qingqiu was just an arrogant, uptight nobleman.

He would need to un-ingrain the habits and thoughts he pushed onto Shen Jiu in order to foster a better relationship with him.

While he watched Shen Jiu's dainty looking hand move on the paper, he missed the stare Shen Jiu was sending him.
__________

"Did you hear? That Shen Jiu, he already received his spiritual sword!"

"I heard Xu shibo is going to make him his succeeding disciple!"

"What about An Cheng?"

"Yeah, wasn't he the head disciple for the longest time?"

"He's only been here for a year. I can't believe he's gotten his sword so soon!"

"There's no way, Da shijie on the peak says he's a snake!"

Liu Qingge broke his cup, startling the others around him. This was the same as last time.

For the last few months, Liu Qingge has awkwardly been trying to get close to Shen Jiu. While before, he stayed away, now he was trying his best to be sticky and accommodating. Even if Shen Jiu was still the same bitchy, arrogant jerk he was before. It took almost half a year before Shen Jiu relaxed enough around him before they really started getting to know each other unlike before.

Some things had changed. But it certainly took a long period of trial and error.

Shen Jiu was far more receptive if Liu Qingge did the typical gentleman gestures. Opening doors, offering to hold his items, giving him a good few feet of space, talking when spoken to, and geniunely all the lessons his mother tried to drill into him before he left for Cang Qiong. Do to this, Shen Jiu always thanked him. He never did this before.

Shen Jiu liked calling him "brute." At first he had been entirely too over-offended. He had hoped that with his efforts, Shen Jiu might call him by his name or even "Liu shixiong" until he became succeeding disciple and would start to call him "Liu shidi." However, that time he spent drilling into himself to be patient had paid off. Instead of snapping, he watched Shen Jiu's mannerisms and when he called him brute. It was always when Liu Qingge couldn't help but destroy and manhandle things in his way. The first few times was because Liu Qingge got frustrated, pent up from not being able to challenge Shen Jiu to a fight because it was clear the other wanted to be left alone in that matter. He was caught punching trees in half to get rid of the frustrations and energy that would usually end whenever he fought Shen Qingqiu in their previous life.

"Well, well. A beast in human skin, brute. What is wrong with you?"

He hadn't registered that Shen Jiu had come to seek him out then. On Bai Zhan Peak. Shen Qingqiu never set foot on the peak, not even to deliver messages from Xu shibo to his own Shizun. He did later that night and promptly ran fifty laps that night.

Anyways—!

The point was, being called "brute" had irritated him.

If not for the fact Shen Jiu's eyes crinkled behind his fan. There was amusement in those green eyes, not murth or disgust. Shen Jiu was teasing him with the name. There was no hostility like before.

"I—"

"Look at your hands, brute. You really have no sense of self-preservation if this is how you treat your body."

Shen Jiu had come close, on his own violation. He took one of Liu Qingge's hands into his own and pulled out an embroidered handkerchief, wiping away at the blood that covered his knuckles. Liu Qingge stood there shell shocked. In their previous lives, Shen Qingqiu never, never treated another's wounds. Not even his own disciples. Yet here he was, doing it for Liu Qingge.

"I expected bold headedness from a Bai Zhan disciple. But not this kind of self harm. Does the brute not value himself? Hm?"

There was no bite or real judgement there. Liu Qingge had spent the whole night thinking about it.

Shen Jiu was worried for him.

Liu Qingge got up from his seat and walked out, ignoring the looks from his fellow disciples. He would not listen to their gossip like before. It didn't stop him from feeling suspicious of Shen Jiu like before and he hated it. He wanted to believe in Shen Jiu, wanted to trust him. Because of his confused feelings before and how he acted, he drove Shen Jiu away. He was not willing to let the other slip through his fingers again.

"What is it called?"

"Xiu Ya." Shen Jiu was marveling at the swore that chose him, touching the blade in a reverent way.

Liu Qingge watched him do it. He had never congratulated Shen Jiu for getting his spiritual sword before. He doubts anyone besides Xu shibo and maybe Yue Qingyuan did. He found himself feeling sorry for Shen Jiu at how little support or friends around before.

"Hey, spar with me." Shen Jiu demanded, getting up and pointing his sword at Liu Qingge.

Liu Qingge stood there for a moment before a rush of adrenaline overtook him and he pulled out Cheng Luan, "Yes."

There was something different about this fight. Their first fight before the Annual Sparring Tournament. Instead of beating at him like a deranged man, Shen Jiu attacked with just the sword forms taught on Qing Jing. There was a light in his eyes as Liu Qingge parried back and increased his attacks, but not in a way meant to make Shen Jiu submit like before. Of course, this didn't mean Liu Qingge would go easy on him, he used his full-strength to combat the other.

"Talk like a brute. Act like a brute. You even fight like a brute." Shen Jiu commented, the beginnings of a smirk on his face.

"I don't want to hear that from a prissy scholar." Liu Qingge shot back, a crooked smile on his face, making it clear he wasn't one that smiled often.

For once, Shen Jiu laughed. It was a quick thing. And it was enough to disarm Liu Qingge enough to where the other kicked him down and pinned him with his sword.

They were both panting with the exertion, staring at one another.

Shen Jiu smiled, "Liu shixiong shouldn't get so distracted. It could cause him his life."

Liu Qingge flushed at the sight, but nodded, "Shen shidi should stop being so distracting then."

Xiu Ya moved away from his neck and Shen Jiu offered a hand to him. Liu Qingge gulped and took it, getting up with ease before going and grabbing Cheng Luan.

"Shixiong fights well."

"This one is a physical cultivator. This one has to fight well."
_________

How dare he?

He thought they were close enough now. Yet here he was, watching from the roof tops, staring down at the figure of Shen Jiu entering a brothel from the back entrance.

He thought he was doing everything right. He was being attentive. He was adjusting his ways to cater to Shen Jiu. He was doing the complete opposite of what he did in their previous lives despite the urges to fight and bring him the best beasts for cultivation!

So why?

Why was Shen Jiu coming back to this place when Liu Qingge was here?

In their last life, he watched the other for a few weeks before going to Qi Qingqi and Mu Qingfang. And after the confrontation, Shen Jiu pulled further away and became far more hostile, especially when Qi Qingqi fanned the flames of his letcherous behavior and Liu Qingge couldn't help but shame the other for doing so.

Was it all for nothing?

Am I not enough?

He was going to leave. His chest hurt. He felt like a failure.

But in his last life, he only confronted Shen Jiu after he went in and only sometimes when he went out.

Righteous anger surged through him as he dropped down from the roof and waited.

This time, he would confront the other in the act! And shame him! Then offer his companionship instead!

A solid plan.

He took off his outer robe and shoved it into his pouch. He shouldn't waltz into an establishment like this and risk the sect's reputation. He wasn't that stupid.

So after waiting for what seemed like forever, he went to the back door and listened in. Thanks to his cultivation, he could tell he was in the clear to quietly break the handle and quickly made his way inside. He slipped in through the kitchen and found a dark corner to subtly send out his qi and searched for Shen Jiu. It didn't take him very long to find the traces of him and he made his way upstairs. He was almost caught slipping to the back where he could sense Shen Jiu.

His blood was pumping.

If Shen Jiu does do what Qi Qingqi said he did in their previous lives...

He's not sure his heart could take it.

He came upon the door and pushed it open just a bit before pausing.

"Oh, it's lovely, A-Jiu!"

He heard a small grunt and some rustling, "You're just saying that. It's ugly. I can't give this to him!"

"You're overthinking it! This is the twentieth piece you've shown us! And it's the loveliest one!"

Liu Qingge blinked before pushing the door open a bit more to peak inside.

Shen Jiu was sitting at the head of a table surrounded by mountains of pillows. Behind him, a girl was brushing and playing with his hair. There were a few girls around him passing around what looked to be a tassel with a beautiful jade token on it. He could see a few more girls playing music in a corner.

"Mmh... no, the carving is wrong. I need to do it again."

A girl slapped his shoulder, "A-Jiu! That tournament you've been telling us about is next week! Just give him this one!"

"It really is amazing. Look, it really is beautiful." The other girl beside him said, handing him back the tassel. "You always say he's a big, dumb, and naive gentleman. He'll love it."

Shen Jiu pursed his lips, glaring at the tassel, "... he'll think it's dumb..."

Another girl piped up, "A-Jiu! No he won't!"

Shen Jiu scoffed and dropped the tassel into a box, "He's a second generation rich boy. His family can afford him so much better. Whatever, I won't give it to him."

"A-Jiu!" A girl whined, hugging him. "You're so smart and talented! Why are you hesitating?"

Liu Qingge held his breath. Who was he giving that tassel to? Who was he talking about?

Shen Jiu glared at his hands and sighed, "... Liu shixiong... is my first friend... if he doesn't like what I make I... I don't think I can handle it."

An older woman got up from her instrument and walked over with a gentle smile, "A-Jiu, you always tell us about this boy. From what you say, he's very sincere, don't you think? You should know that you're your own worst enemy? If this Liu boy rejects your gift, then he's not the person you thought he was. All the better. You deserve someone who can appreciate what you can offer."

Shen Jiu blinked and nodded slowly as she hugged him close, "... jiejie is always very smart... thank you..."

The woman nodded and waved to the other girls, "Do you want a lullaby?"

"Yes, please."

Liu Qingge watched as Shen Jiu laid down, his head snuggled in her lap and closing his eyes. The other girls began to clean up as gentle music began to play and the woman began to sing in a soothing voice. Shen Jiu visibly relaxed and Liu Qingge could see the other very quickly fell asleep. As a girl came close to the door Liu Qingge was lurking at, he bolted quickly and jumped out of a window instead of going out the door.
_____________

Shen Jiu was as graceful as always.

While he never won against Liu Qingge, Shen Jiu was still strong. He beat Qi Qingqi and Ye Qingjiu. Just like in their last life. Liu Qingge felt the adrenaline beating throughout his body.

He was looking forward to their fight.

He made his way through the stands to where the Qing Jing disciples are. Shen Jiu glanced at him as he stepped up beside him quietly watching Wei Qingwei and Jun Qingsu fight. Controm versus strength. Just like Liu Qingge and Shen Jiu.

"Hello, shixiong."

Liu Qingge nodded beside him and got a little closer, "We're going to fight in two rounds."

Shen Jiu hummed, "Don't go easy on me."

"When do I ever?"

From the side, he could see Shen Jiu smile a bit, "That's how I prefer it."

Liu Qingge clenches his fists and decides to chance it.

"Want to make a bet?"

Shen Jiu turns to look at him, "A bet?"

Liu Qingge nods, "Well, more like an exchange. If I win, you give me something. If you win, I give you something."

Shen Jiu looks at him and then snorts, "How is that fair? I'm not as strong as you."

"Think of it as incentive to beat me."

Shen Jiu hummed, but nodded, "I suppose... but that still doesn't seem fair... how about... if I can last in a fight with you for thirty minutes?"

Liu Qingge nodded and looked at him, "That would be a lot more fair. So, do we have a bet?"

Shen Jiu smiled and nodded, "Liu shixiong should know this one will make good on that ask then."

Liu Qingge nods, "This one looks forward to it."

They got to the platform after another round before theirs. Liu Qingge wondered if Shen Jiu would resort to his cheap tricks like he did before. Since they became friends, Shen Jiu didn't use them. But with this bet, Liu Qingge realized he was basically asking for the other to pull a fast one on him.

If he remembered right, Shen Jiu didn't rely on them until the end of their match.

Huo Minglain introduced them before telling them to begin. Just like before, Shen Jiu lunged for him first. Liu Qingge kept to his own, easily parrying and attacking back. Shen Jiu smirked at him and continued to fight viciously with him.

The crowd was cheering them both on, which was a little different. Back then, only Liu Qingge was cheered for.

"Liu shixiong is really something else." Shen Jiu commented, they were at a standstill, Cheng Luan and Xiu Ya were pressed up against each other, Liu Qingge's face was close to Shen Jiu.

"Shen shidi is also something else. You've gotten stronger." He grit out as Shen Jiu knocked him back and put some space between them.

Shen Jiu took a breath before charging at him again, the forms of Qing Jing were aggressive here when they were usually graceful. Liu Qingge dodged and swiped Shen Jiu's legs from under him. Shen Jiu managed to catch himself before trying to go for Liu Qingge again. Liu Qingge sidestepped, but flinched back when a handful of dirt hit his eyes.

"Hey!"

"He's cheating!"

Liu Qingge, even though he had been meditating more than he ever did in his last life, did feel a bit of indignation. Liu Qingge rubbed at his eyes quickly, putting distance and trying to dodge as Shen Jiu continued to attack him.

"Go down already!" Shen Jiu complained, managing to get close and roundabout kicked him in the arm.

"Fat chance!" Liu Qingge bit back, grabbing his — thin — ankle.

Liu Qingge shoved his leg further up, causing Shen Jiu to lose his balance and grab onto Liu Qingge's front robes. Liu Qingge blinked his eyes before they stopped being blurry to come face to face with the scarlet-red face of Shen Jiu. They were both panting from exertion and it was only then that Liu Qingge realized it had gotten... deadly silent.

He looked away from Shen Jiu to the stands to see everyone staring at them... with very scandalized expressions.

Jiang Mingzhong, his Shizun, and Huo Minglain were holding back an exranged looking Xu Mingyu. Liu Qingge tilted his head at that before looking back at Shen Jiu.

"L-Liu shixiong," Shen Jiu trembled and Liu Qingge found himself drawn to how soft Shen Jiu sounded, "let... let go of this one's leg. Please."

It was then that Liu Qingge realized a couple things.

One: Shen Jiu was very flexable.

Two: Liu Qingge was pressed up close to the other because of the way he was holding onto Shen Jiu's ankle.

Three: In another other situation... it would look like Liu Qingge and Shen Jiu were... participating in some frottage in front of the twelve peaks...

Liu Qingge's whole face went red as finally realized what he had just done.  He moved back quickly and dropped Shen Jiu's leg. Shen Jiu almost dropped onto his knees, but only stumbled back and covered his face with his sleeve.

"... oh, my god..." Qi Qingqi gasped, her eyes wide with interest.

"Jiang shidi, what have you been teaching your perverted disciple?" Xu Mingyu shrieked, breaking free of his martial brothers to run over to Shen Jiu and practically covered the other with his body and glaring at Liu Qingge with a sneer so fowl.

Jiang Mingzhong scoffed and got onto the platform, walking over and smacking Liu Qingge's head, "My disciple? What about yours? How dare he seduce my disciple!"

Xu Mingyu sputtered at this and pointed a finger at him, "Your disciple is the one that comes to this master's peak to seduce my disciple! That's it! Banned! You're both banned!"

While the two masters bickered, Liu Qingge looked to the side to catch Shen Jiu's eyes. The other was still blushing so hard and he looked like a bullied maiden.

"How long was the fight?" He asked, stopping Jiang Mingzhong from throwing another insult at Xu Mingyu.

"Eh? It was about fifteen minutes to an hour. This was the longest fight of the tournament, brat."

Liu Qingge huffed at that before looking over at Shen Jiu, "Looks like you won!"

Xu Mingyu bristled before leading Shen Jiu away, "Don't speak to my disciple, you tempter!"

The results of the tournament ended the same. Yue Qingyuan as the undefeated champion, Liu Qingge in second place, and Wu Qingtai in third. However, Liu Qingge wasn't allowed near Shen Jiu for the rest of the day.

So, later that night. He snuck onto Qing Jing and knocked on the window panels on Shen Jiu's room by the bamboo house.

It only took a few moments before it opened up, revealing a pouting Shen Jiu. Liu Qingge managed a small wave.

"Can this one come in?" He asked quietly.

Shen Jiu glared at him before moving back, opening the window pane, "Stay quiet... or Shizun will hear you..."

Liu Qingge hopped in quietly and took in the scene before him. It seemed as though Shen Jiu was doing some late night studying.

"Are you alright?"

Shen Jiu sniffed and walked over to his bed, grabbing a robe to add onto his nightwear, covering himself up like he had been caught doing something naughty. It left a lot to the imagination.

"This one is fine." Shen Jiu bit out and Liu Qingge could see him blushing again.

Liu Qingge clenched his fists before walking over slowly, getting into Shen Jiu's space, "This one did something unsightly to shidi today. This one didn't mean to."

Shen Jiu tensed when he got close, but didn't move away or push him back, "... you shouldn't call this one shidi anymore."

"Why not?" A hand went out slowly, touching the other's lower back.

"... Shizun has decided this one will be his succeeding disciple..." Shen Jiu shivered slightly, crossing his arms as Liu Qingge pressed against him.

"Then... Shen shixiong?"

Shen Jiu looked up at him and his face went red, "Don't say it like that, brute!"

Liu Qingge cocked his head and Shen Jiu looked away, "Apologies. This shidi can't help it if it sounds right on the tongue."

Shen Jiu turned slightly which allowed Liu Qingge to wrap his arm around his — surprisingly — narrow waist, "Whatever... why are you here? If anyone catches you coming to this... shixiong's room at night, people will talk..."

"This shidi doesn't mind. Besides, Shen shixiong still has yet to claim his favor." Liu Qingge hummed, pulling Shen Jiu against him.

Shen Jiu tensed against him for a moment before relaxing, "... this one hasn't... well..."

Liu Qingge watched as Shen Jiu pulled away for a moment before going over to his drawers and pulling out a familiar box. Liu Qingge's blood rushed to his ears as Shen Jiu walked back, almost shyly.

"... my favor... just... don't laugh or make fun of me..." he said quietly before holding up the box to Liu Qingge.

Gently, almost in a reverent manner, Liu Qingge took the box and opened it up.

Up close, the sword tassel was beautiful. Strands of purple and green strings were tied together and attached to a hand carved jade token. The pattern was delicate, but presented a picture of resilience. A White Winged Hawk was carved on the top, small but distinct. On the back, the character's for "Jiu" and "Li-jie" were carved on the back, in the corner. The jade itself was polished and almost see through in the light.

"This is for me?"

Shen Jiu reddened more and looked away, "If you don't like it, you can toss it out after you leave. Just don't... don't tell anyone about it..."

"Why? It's beautiful." Liu Qingge dropped the box and grabbed Cheng Luan, quickly tying the tassel to the handle of his sword. "Thank you, shixiong."

Shen Jiu watched Liu Qingge with wide eyes, "... you... you like it?"

"Of course. Shen shixiong is by far the most talented. This shidi is honored to accept the gift."

Shen Jiu stared at him for a long moment before turning away. Liu Qingge smiled then, almost brightly as he got close again.

"Thank you."

"Mh..."

Liu Qingge's heart raced, "... Shen shixiong... can this shidi kiss you?"

Shen Jiu whirled around to look at him with wide eyes, "What?"

"Can this shidi kiss you?"

Liu Qingge took Shen Jiu's hand and leaned down slightly. Shen Jiu didn't flinch or push away, but Liu Qingge had enough sense not to push before being granted permission.

Shen Jiu pursed his lips and looked away for a moment.

"... this... shixiong... wouldn't... wouldn't mind..." he whispered hesitantly, tilting his head up slightly when he felt Liu Qingge press against him.

"Then please pardon this shidi..."

Liu Qingge had never kissed anyone before. But he'd heard his shimeis and shijies talk about kissing. They always complained if the kiss was too rough or wet. They went into some detail how they liked to build up to the more intimate kisses. It was embarrassing to hear before, but Liu Qingge found himself feeling grateful for eavesdropping on them.

So, he pressed his lips against Shen Jiu's lips softly. The other gasped, but pressed back shyly.

Liu Qingge moved back, licking his lips slightly, before caving and kissing Shen Jiu again. Shen Jiu trembled slightly, but kissed back with small sounds escaping the back of his throat each time Liu Qingge gave little pecks to his lips.

Finally. Finally!

Liu Qingge regretted going without this in their last life.

He would never want for anything else except for this.

"Mmh... Li-jie..." Shen Jiu murmured in between kisses.

Before Liu Qingge could hold the other, the door was suddenly kicked in.

"Get away from my disciple, you Bai Zhan monkey!"

It would go down as the sect's biggest scandal that Xu Mingyu chased and intended to murder Liu Qingge for trying to steal Shen Jiu's innocence.