Chapter Text
Life continued on as it had before Binghe’s descent into the Endless Abyss. At least that’s what he tried to tell himself. Sure, before he could imagine a version of himself who could at least say “It’s fine” and not openly cry.
But now, after Binghe told him he-
“-love you Shizun. I’ve always admired your grace, your wisdom….perhaps I have never understood everything about you, why you punish when you do. But truly, I have always trusted you-“ He shouldn’t trust him, he’s nothing but a scum liar, “-And been awed by your trust in me. You need not accept my affection; I just do not want to regret keeping this from you before this battle”.
They were before the Endless Abyss, staring into each others eyes before coordinating to attack Mobei-Jun.
At least, that’s what Shen Yuan thought. But then the protagonist says this! What happened, did he look too long at him? He knew this Luo Binghe was different then the original goods, this was a realization he came to recently, but. What? Is? Happening?
It is at this moment that Shang Qinqhua takes a very careful look at what his son is saying to his villain son
What the fuck, he never wrote that! What the fuck, the story changed? WHAT HAS HE DONE THIS TIME?
So, he runs past the two, jumping and being swiftly caught by Mobei Jun, and yells loudly, “YOUR HIGHNESS WE HAVE TO LEAVE! PLEASE TAKE ME AWAY TO THE PALACE AND PROTECT ME, ILL DO ANYTHING!” Mobei-Jun without hesitation opens up a portal right to his chambers. Finally, its only taken literal decades.
This dramatic action is not paid much attention by others, as the only ones nearby are two people who can’t seem to stop looking at each other. One in desperation, giving a silent plea to accept his love. And the other, well.
The other is trying to figure out how to tell the system he now can’t throw Binghe off the cliff.
“AHHH NO PLEASE, PLEASE DON’T LEAVE, BINGHE BINGHE!” He knows he’s awoken Liu Qinghe again, who has taken to sleeping on Shen Qingiu’s spare bed for the third time this week (He can’t sleep in the side room for obvious reasons).
But he can’t help it! He keeps having nightmares of the System punishing Binghe while he’s in the Abyss. It’s been oddly silent since the jump.
Funny, he always thought that would be a blessing.
His door has been opened by Liu Qingge, who rushes to hold him. He has begun a tendency to thrash around when he gets startled by him nightmares, and it’s the only thing Liu Qingge has found to work.
“He’s….I’m sorry but I think he’s gone Shixiong” Shen Yuan glares at him. It somehow feels emptier then any other glare he’s given him.
“No. No your wrong, he’ll survive. He…he promised” At this Liu Qinghe’s face contorts into something so…sad. He didn’t think such a look was possible on his face, he was usually so angry.
This continues on long after this night. For months and years, he does this. Liu Qinghe eventually asks other peak lords for help, and they switch off. Each has their own way of comforting Shen Qingqiu.
Liu Qinghe continues to hold him during his nightly wails. That’s all he can do, words always seem to hurt when they leave his mouth. He hopes its enough.
Qi Qingqi gossips with him. She tells him all of the terrible stories she can think of, in hopes he’ll argue back about propriety, or just simply smile. Sometimes she’ll yell, at least in hopes he can react. He doesn’t.
Ming Fan and Ning Yingying come at the same time. They have taken over much of his work since the incident. Though he still tries to help, they always push him to rest. He thinks they’re just trying to spend more time together, they have been since maturing to adulthood. Why does he feel so jealous that their able to enjoy each others company, but he can’t enjoy-
Mu Qingfang changes his strategies depending on the day. He’s typically called in for more emergency situations related to Shen Qingqiu’s outbursts. When he falls off the bed in terror, he needs to check for bruises before getting him to sit and talk. Other times, Shen Qingqiu will have sat himself outside at Binghe’s grave, staring into a void he can’t see. On those days he has to bring tea to him before coaxing him inside.
Yue Qingyuan chooses to keep his distance. He tried to sit by his side, even hug him like Liu Qinghe, but each time Shen Qingqiu shrugs him off. He’s apologetic after, but it’s obvious he can’t handle his presence. This is no surprise to Yue Qingyuan, though it hurts. Instead, he’s been secretly cooking him food. He hopes that he won’t hate him if he finds out.
All of this continues, without a break out of his apparent depression in sight. But then, the kitten shows up at his front door.