Chapter Text
This time, when they say good night, it goes a little differently . Mu Yuan feels emboldened by Shen Qingqiu’s declaration earlier that he would wed him today if Mu Yuan was agreeable. So when they both rise from the table, Mu Yuan doesn’t hesitate, but wraps his arms around Shen Qingqiu and holds him tightly.
Shen Qingqiu sighs, and Mu Yuan feels the tension fall away from the other man. Carefully, Shen Qingqiu hugs back like Mu Yuan is made of spun sugar. It feels incredibly good to have Shen Qingqiu safe in his arms, and Mu Yuan wishes he didn’t have to let go.
Time passes and neither man makes any move to disengage.
“I wish I could-” Mu Yuan starts, and Shen Qingqiu's chest hums under his ear.
Stay . Hold you tonight .
“I know,” Shen Qingqiu says softly. “I don’t want-” To let you go. To say good night .
The unspoken words linger heavy in the air. To Mu Yuan, the idea of parting feels… painful . His fingers dig into Shen Qingqiu’s shoulders. They both know he can’t stay overnight. Not when his father is well aware of his location. Not when Shen Qingqiu has worked so hard to repair his relationships with his martial siblings.
Shen Qingqiu’s arms tighten around Mu Yuan’s back. He leans down, nuzzling his face against Mu Yuan’s. Eagerly, Mu Yuan lifts his face and Shen Qingqiu catches his mouth, licking into it demandingly. Fuck , but that feels good, he thinks, sliding their tongues together.
Mu Yuan loses all track of time, loses coherent thought . There’s only the feel of Shen Qingqiu’s mouth on his and the feel of his body under Mu Yuan’s hands. He plunges his hands into Shen Qingqiu’s silky hair, scratching his blunt nails against his scalp.
Shen Qingqiu hums into his mouth, and Mu Yuan holds him tighter. He’s never felt like this before--suffered the urge to bite and suck on someone’s neck, or the desire to lick into someone’s ear, drawing all kinds of pleasured sounds from them.
Eventually though, reality sets in: Mu Yuan can’t spend the night with Shen Qingqiu no matter how much he wants to. He can’t . His father…he won’t bring such dishonor to him.
Slowly, he gentles his kisses. Loosens his arms, just a bit. And slowly, Shen Qingqiu moves his mouth from Mu Yuan’s, burying his face in the young healer’s neck.
“I don’t want you to go,” Shen Qingqiu’s voice is muffled in Mu Yuan’s neck. “But I know you must .” He sounds as wrecked as Mu Yuan feels.
I would wed with you tonight . The earlier words echo in Mu Yuan’s head, making him bold. He draws his thumbs across Shen Qingqiu’s cheeks. “More than anything, I want to stay with you tonight.”
Without lifting his head, Shen Qingqiu murmurs, “When can I see you again?” He presses his hands into the small of Mu Yuan’s back, holding their bodies together.
Mu Yuan has clinic tomorrow. “After clinic,” he says. “After dinner sometime.”
“Send me a message,” Shen Qingqiu says, finally lifting his head so he can meet Mu Yuan’s eyes. “I will come to you.” He leans forward pressing their foreheads together. “Let me walk you home.”
Smiling, Mu Yuan says, “It’s a very short walk. Are you sure you want to?”
“ Very sure,” Shen Qingqiu says. “You will be tired.” The smile is evident in his voice. “I will make sure you get home safely. And….if Peak Lord Mu is available…so much the better.”
Happiness bubbles in Mu Yuan’s chest. “You- Really ?”
“Yes,” Shen Qingqiu says firmly. “Yes.”
*
It’s difficult to get through the next day, primarily because Mu Yuan has things he would much rather be doing. It’s unusual for him, and one of the senior healers noticies, to his chagrin. Mu Yuan ends up apologizing to Xie Shijie for his distraction and promising to do better.
Wei Xiuying, another senior healer, shares a few minutes of rest with Mu Yuan after lunch. Walking back up the street from the food vendor, Mu Yuan munches his meat skewer while Wei Shijie chats. She’s long since finished her own lunch. A victim of her years as a healer, she said, when he remarked on the speed of her ingestion. When they’ve nearly reached the tent, Wei Shijie says, “Yuan-er, I’ve been meaning to ask. How are things with Shen Shibo going?”
A little unsure where this conversation is headed, Mu Yuan says, “Shen Shibo is feeling much better these days.” It’s not very specific, he’s not giving anything up, and it should satisfy her.
To his consternation, Wei Shijie grins. “Yuan-er, you should know that if something is supposed to be a secret, that naturally everyone on Qian Cao knows.” Her hair, pulled into a high ponytail and braided down to the ends, sways behind her back. After a few minutes she adds, “The reason I ask is I’ve got a few taels on your betrothal date. Maybe I should have one of the juniors ask Peak Lord Shen.”
“Shijie!” Mu Yuan squawks, thinking what a horrible idea that is. “Definitely do not do that!” He shudders, thinking of how angry Shen Qingqiu would be. He excuses himself and returns to seeing patients.
Deliberately, he puts everything else aside until he’s finished with all his patients. As usual, the street kids come to them for things like unhealed wounds, or the issues associated with malnutrition. He feeds most of them meat buns and does his best for them. He’s good with children, always has been, and so he volunteers to treat them. It makes for a long day, but it’s good work, he thinks.
At the end of the clinic, Mu Yuan steps onto his sword. He pauses to send a qi message to Shen Qingqiu. “I’m on the way back to the sect now,” he says, smiling into the array. “I’ll see you soon.”
“Ah,” Xie Yanmei says, walking up next to him, sword in hand. “So that’s why Yuan-er was so distracted this morning.”
The worst thing is that he can’t even deny it. He rises into the air and says nothing. Xie Shijie steps onto her sword and drifts up next to him.
“Does Peak Lord Mu know about your-?”
“Friend,” Mu Yuan says firmly, but his cheeks heat incriminatingly. He glances over, catching the amusement on her face. Growing up on the Peak meant that all of Baba’s senior disciples and hall masters also watched him grow up. Some of them, like Wu Shijie and Xie Shijie, actually babysat for him a few times. To them, he will be Yuan-er even when he’s a hundred years old! “He knows,” Mu Yuan finally says.
“This must be a very special person, to have caught Yuan-er’s eye,” Xie Yanmei calls over, still delighted to tease him. “After so many broken hearts you’ve left in your wake.”
“What broken hearts!?” Mu Yuan scoffs, scowling. “I haven’t even had any private outings with anyone.” The very idea is ridiculous!
“That’s why their hearts are broken, Yuan-er,” Xie Yanmei laughs. “Because you refused to give them the time of day.”
“Yeah, well,” He grouses. “I don’t recall anyone asking me out.” He’s pretty sure he would remember something like that!
“How long have you been having these memory issues?” Xie Yanmei asks, grinning. “Did it start suddenly? Do you have any associated symptoms? Have you forgotten all the times Qin Shidi asked you to help him study? Or Zhou shidi? He practically got eaten by one of your pet plants and was still sniffing around you for months. And that’s not even mentioning all the girls offering to help Mu Shixiong with his dual cultivation studies.”
Wrinkling his nose, Mu Yuan deploys a last ditch weapon. “Shijie,” he whines. “Stop being mean to me.”
She flies closer, but her smile fades a little. “Okay, Shijie will stop teasing Yuan-di. But whoever has your heart better know that they need to treat you right.”
I would wed with you today , Shen Qingqiu had said. Mu Yuan’s cheeks go hot again. “He does,” he says in a mutter.
“ He does,” Xie Yanmei echoes. “Interesting.” She swoops closer, close enough to pat him on the shoulder. “That’s good,” she says, smiling. “You looked really happy today.”
Is he ever going to stop blushing? This is terrible. Still- “Thanks Shijie,” he says finally, meaning it.
The rest of the trip is spent in relative silence. When they land on Qian Cao near the Healing Pavilion, Xie Yanmei leans close. “Tell Shen Shibo I said hello.” Looking pleased with herself, she grins and strides off toward the back entrance.
Mu Yuan scowls. He never asked for all these big sisters! He shoves that thought aside and goes inside to finish up his charting. It doesn’t take that long, mostly because he was jotting things down throughout the day so he’s not left relying on memory alone. Finally, after he’s finished, he stands up. He leans back, stretching his lumbar spine, then leaning forward, rolling his shoulders. After a furtive glance to make sure he’s alone, he calls the message array. “Shen Qingqiu,” he says. “I’m leaving the pavilion now and going home.”
He walks through the corridors, exiting through the back doors. There, waiting at the bottom of the stair case, is Shen Qingqiu. The peak lord’s eyes meet Mu Yuan’s, as he descends. Mu Yuan’s stomach swoops when he gets to the bottom.
“Hi.” Mu Yuan greets. He can’t help giving the Peak Lord a once over. He looks so good like this-dressed in fine robes, flawless hair. But more than that, he looks healthy .And then, when his eyes meet Mu Yuan’s, he looks happy .
Shen Qingqiu’s green eyes are warm and they crinkle as he smiles. “Mu Yuan,” he says simply, moving closer. He leans in, murmuring, “You have been in my thoughts all day.”
Unable to keep from smiling, Mu Yuan squeezes Shen Qingqiu’s forearms. “Yes,” he agrees, meeting the other man’s eyes. “It’s been a struggle.” He sways closer.
The sound of voices approaches from one of the nearby garden pathways, and Mu Yuan hastily steps back. He recognizes those voices! Sure enough, a few moments later Zhou Shidi and Dai Yaozu emerge from the garden, engrossed in their conversation.
Zhou Xing blinks when he spies Shen Qingqiu and hastily grabs Dai Yaozu. Both men stop and hastily salute. “Greeting Shen Shibo.” Belatedly, they notice Mu Yuan. Zhou Xing says, “Mu Shixiong? Is Shen Shibo injured?”
Before he says anything Shen Qingqiu says dryly, “If Shen Shibo was injured, he would not be standing around in the dark. Mu Yuan, let us go.”
The two Qian Cao disciples look like they want to rescue Mu Yuan from the clutches of Peak Lord Shen. Mu Yuan wants to yell that he is very happy where he is, thanks! But instead he nods. “Good night, Zhou Shidi, Dai shidi. Shen Qingqiu, come with me.” He takes spiteful pleasure in using Shen Qingqiu’s name , and he’s pretty sure he feels the man in question giving off distinct smugness about it
Once they’ve left the disciples behind, Shen Qingqiu murmurs, “Is that the Shidi that nearly got eaten by your plant?”
Mu Yuan snorts, keeping step next to Shen Qingqiu. The sleeves of their robes brush. “Yes. It’s so odd, because there was no reason for him to be in my private garden.”
At that comment, Shen Qingqiu stops in his tracks, giving Mu Yuan a long, even look. However, he says nothing and resumes walking.
“Hey! What was that look?”
Shen Qingqiu’s lips pull to the side. “Absolutely nothing.”
“Hm,” Mu Yuan glares. The other man ignores it, and continues forward, smirk in place.
The walkway from the rear entrance of the Healing Pavilion pretty much leads directly to the Peak Lord’s residence, and they arrive at Mu Yuan’s home after just a few minutes. They ascend the few stairs to the door.
Before they enter, Shen Qingqiu turns to Mu Yuan. “A moment.” When Mu Yuan gives him his full attention, the other man leans in for a quick kiss.
Mu Yuan squeaks in surprise, but lifts his face to respond. He closes his eyes, breathing in the scent of Shen Qingqiu’s hair oil and soap. Kissing him feels like coming home. After a few minutes of this. Shen Qingqiu draws back, brushing a thumb over Mu Yuan’s cheekbone. “Let's go in and speak to your father.”
*
Shen Qingqiu is unsurprised to find Mu Qingfang already kneeling at the low tea table. Mu Shidi’s crown is missing, and his hair is pulled back into a loose braid. He’s still wearing an outer robe, but it’s in the style of a senior disciple. The dark blue has faded and is nearly worn through at the elbows. This is probably something the other man wears at home, only.
“Ah, Shen Shixiong, Yuan-er. I made fresh tea after I received your message, Shixiong. Come join me.” Mu Qingfang says, gesturing at the cushions across from him.
Mu Yuan shoots Shen Qingqiu a surprised glance, and Shen Qingqiu arches an eyebrow. Did Mu Yuan think he was going to leave anything to chance ? Hardly. “Thank you for seeing us,” Shen Qingqiu says to Mu Qingfang.
“I should hope Baba could see his own son, at least,” Mu Yuan mutters, sinking onto his cushion.
Mu Qingfang’s smile widens. “Naturally I would make time to see both my son and my Shixiong,” says mildly, while Mu Yuan pours for them.
“Mu Shidi, I am sure you know that Mu Yuan and I have been spending time together.” Shen Qingqiu waits for Mu Qingfang to meet his eyes. He moistens his lips. “I- Mu Yuan is- deeply important to me. And.” He squares his shoulders. “I have prepared a courting gift for him and I would like your approval.”
Pulling a scroll from his sleeve, Shen Qingqiu presents it to Mu Qingfang. Unfortunately, Shang Qinghua needed time to produce a suitable plant. Therefore, Shen Qingqiu spent much of the day working on this.
Mu Qingfang meets his eyes and takes the scroll. He opens it slowly, revealing calligraphy which is perfect and flowing. Historically, any work like this from the Lord of Qing Jing Peak could sell for a great deal of money, or else be hung in the Palace of the Emperor. It’s not just words on paper. It’s infused with qi, creating a feeling .
Shen Qingqiu’s feeling.
Lifting my head, I gaze at the moon. Bowing my head, thinking of home*.
After reading it, Mu Qingfang smiles. He hands it across the table to Mu Yuan. “Shixiong, forgive me. This should go to Yuan-er.”
Very well. Shen Qingqiu lays a hand on Mu Yuan’s arm. “Mu Yuan. This last half year…without you, I would be nothing. And it becomes increasingly obvious that the only home I have is where you are.”
Helplessly, Mu Yuan reads the verse he transcribed. Slowly, he raises his eyes to meet Shen Qingqiu’s. Those warm brown eyes are glassy with tears, and Mu Yuan bites his lower lip.
He holds Mu Yuan’s gaze. “Please accept this gift as a symbol of my intention to court you with the goal of marriage.”
Mu Yuan blinks. Glances down at the open scroll then back up, locking eyes with Shen Qingqiu. “Yes,” he says softly, and reaches out to wrap his arms around the other man’s neck.
“Yuan-er.” Mu Qingfang says, rubbing his forehead as he stares down at the table. He makes no mention of the almost-kiss. “You have to court for several months before you accept a proposal.” He leans on his elbow, looking at Shen Qingqiu. “Shixiong, there’s something you need to know about my son.”
Mu Yuan’s eyes widen. “Baba-”
“He is completely incapable of understanding when people care about him.” Mu Qingfang’s face is entirely serious. “You will need to be very clear about your feelings, or Yuan-er will find some way to rationalize them.”
“Baba,” Mu Yuan says tightly, “Thank you for helping. You can stop now, please and thank you. ”
Shen Qingqiu laughs, smile widening until he’s outright grinning. To Mu Shidi he says, “Yes, I know.” He reaches out and takes Mu Yuan’s hand. “I want to know everything about him.”
“Baba,” Mu Yuan says warningly. “Not another word.”
“Forgiveness, Yuan-er,” Mu Qingfang says, clearly still amused. He folds his hands on the table. “Has Yuan-er ever told you how he came to be in my care?”
*
“A-Yuan,” a smooth voice says, and Mu Yuan looks up, frowning. He’s sitting at a desk in the Qian Cao library, but there’s nobody else around. Not the Library Master, not the disciple that sits at the front desk, no one studying in the little cubicles around the perimeter of the stacks.
Mu Yuan ignores the voice, and returns his attention to the book on the table. He’s apparently been reading it. He flips it shut and looks at the cover.
Proud Immortal Demon-
“I’ll take that.” A large hand swipes the book and Mu Yuan glares up at the offending person, outraged.
“Hey! Don’t take my book ! What’s wrong with you?” Mu Yuan frowns at the stranger, a young looking man dressed in Qing Jing robes.
The man is tall and quite handsome, if you liked that type. He kind of looks like he should be wearing Bai Zhan robes, though. The man looks a little rough to be a scholar.
“Tell me, A-Yuan, how things have been since Shizun’s…illness.” The man gracefully kneels down across from Mu Yuan, without even a cushion.
“I’m not at liberty to discuss the care of a patient,” Mu Yuan says stiffly. “Forgive me, I don’t recall your name.”
“We haven’t met before today, so you wouldn’t have,” the handsome man says, smiling creepily.
Mu Yuan huffs quietly. “Okay, well, I’d like my book back. I haven’t read that one, yet.”
Strangely, the man’s expression softens. Without the weird smile he looks much more approachable, and Mu Yuan actually relaxes a little. “You remind me very much of my special person,” the man says. “Although you have much worse taste in men.”
“I have needles in my sleeve,” Mu Yuan warns pleasantly. “And I’m very good with them.”
The man throws his head back and laughs. “I see. Healer Mu is a credit to his peak.” Brown eyes so deep they’re nearly mahogany, meet Mu Yuan’s. “I just wanted to check on…Healer Mu, and make sure all was well.”
“Well,” Mu Yuan says, thinking of Shen Qingqiu. “I am happy.”
“Amazing,” the man murmurs quietly. He turns the book over in his hands. Mu Yuan feels a whisper of qi and then the man lays the book face up on the table. “Read it if you want. This is a much nicer story and you look like someone who enjoys a happy ending.” Rising to his feet, the man bows. “Wishing you longevity and happiness.”
With that the man disappears into the stacks, and Mu Yuan forgets about him immediately. He looks down at the book on the table.
Crossing Worlds to Love You
*
The bench is familiar, Shen Qingqiu thinks, and sure enough, a man sits down next to him. It’s not Mu Yuan, though he looks very similar.
“Well?” Not Mu Yuan asks, crossing his legs and leaning back against the bench. “Did he accept your gift?”
“He did,” Shen Qingqiu says. “I have another one, which I am waiting to arrive.”
“Damn, you work fast,” Not Mu Yuan laughs. “Reminds me of my boyfriend, a little.” He watches Shen Qingqiu carefully. “What do you think, short engagement?”
Shen Qingqiu thinks about kissing Mu Yuan on Mu Shidi’s front porch and all the other times. He thinks about how he can’t wait to wake up next to Mu Yuan, and see him much more frequently. He looks down and smiles. “As soon as can be arranged.”
“Mn,” Not Mu Yuan sounds pleased. “You love him?”
For the first time in his life, Shen Qingqiu knows the answer. “I do.” He meets the other man’s eyes, so similar to Mu Yuan’s. “What is your name?”
“You won’t remember,” the man says, “But it’s Shen Yuan.” Grinning, he adds, “No clue if there’s a relation and maybe we shouldn’t find out.” Shen Yuan looks over at something only he can see. “Oh! You’re back!” Giving Shen Qingqiu one last glance, Shen Yuan says, “Good luck, Peak Lord Shen. I’m really proud of you.” He reaches out, patting Shen Qingqiu’s head.
*
Shen Qingqiu startles awake, the dream slipping away. He misses Mu Yuan, and wonders if the other man is still asleep. Yawning, Shen Qingqiu turns over, and closes his eyes, making a mental note to contact Shang Shidi and see how he’s doing with Mu Yuan’s next courting gift.
He’d like to be married by Spring.