Lost Dignity

Unfathomable Heat

Still running on his fight or flight response, Shen Qingqiu's heart was striking the insides of his chest. Thank god his back was facing the Stallion Binghe, or he would rather kill himself ten times over. His lower half still pulsating, and even harder than before, as if it knew it had relevance to the person near it. Even slow, deep breaths were futile against the throbbing of his body.

*Thump thump*

How sensitive to his surroundings, Shen Qingqiu didn't know- but the Luo Binghe behind him let out a very obvious chuckle, feeling prideful in the way he made his former Shizun feel. He felt a need to play like a cat about to kill a mouse.

Rotating Shen Qingqiu around like a spinning top, like a human stick in a pickle jar, the original Luo Binghe was now facing the tarnished Peak Lord. Shen Qingqiu was on a roll for the number of times he tripped so far in this dreamscape, yet he was not proud of that at all. By the second he regained his balance, the tall figure bent down and put his mouth right next to Shen Qingqiu's ear. "Ah, how honoured I am to make the lord Peak master of Qing Jing's heart race," Luo Binghe whispered, and a genuine smile grew with his amusement. Shen Qingqiu only stiffened with each breath, and the shiver from his tickled ear flowed to his aching heart and throughout his body. He didn't move a muscle, and even holding his breath, for fear of the worst if he were to do anything. He swallowed in place of his words.

The original Luo Binghe's spiteful grin faltered. His once handsome smile eventually disappearing not too long after as if it was an unnatural thing to bring his lips into anything other than a hostile sneer towards Shen Qingqiu.

This blackened Luo Binghe was disgusted. Hatred derived from the needless pain- disgust hiding the years of suffering Shen Jiu afflicted onto his childhood. Even though Shen Yuan as Shen Qingqiu treated him better, he still felt a need to take accountability for this Binghe's suffering.

This sentimental mentality didn't last long as the Luo Binghe in front of him examined downwards, eyes scanning the burnt raggedness and the amount of reveal of Shen Qingqiu's robe.

No matter what kind of Binghe he was, he was still Luo Binghe- and any stare Shen Qingqiu received from him was deafening to his ego. What about the original Binghe's suffering? What accountability? Pride? I have no idea what that is, he thought. Please, Airplane bro, god- someone take me away from this hell.

"Hm? And I thought your heart was beating because you were too eager to face your death. Hah..." Disgust was even more apparent than before as the vengeful Luo Binghe cruelly took hold of Shen Qingqiu's neck, slowly hoisting him above so his tiptoes could barely touch the ground. Only faint whines escaped through Shen Qingqiu's throat, and he tightly shut his eyes to avoid the shame coming from a minute away. His hands endlessly grasping at the claws surrounding his neck as the arson-filled environment around them intensified.

"Even an immaculate figure as you have done such sinful acts." Luo Binghe clicked his teeth and leaned in, the other hand slowly reaching down to a vulnerable area Shen Qingqiu could still barely believe was achievable. The claws deepened into his skin as if they were parched fangs drinking blood for the first time in two lifetimes. Shen Qingqiu couldn't help but yelp in a reluctant and lewd tone. Luo Binghe's expression violated all rights to his heart, so vile yet so able. "I wonder who made you-"

Just then, there was a nearby sound of crunched-up, burnt leaves. And a ghastly appearance emerged through the raging flames of fire, looking like a hero by the way the figure appeared backlit by the glowing blaze.

"... Shizun?"

Shen Qingqiu used all his energy and strained to open his eyes just a slit. Was that god? He thought. Oh god, I'm seeing a bright light! This must be it! Savior, please take me!

Shen Qingqiu managed to let out a short and weak smile, in hopes for this misery to end sooner than he thought. The blackened Luo Binghe only tilted and slightly angled his head to the right to glance at the other version of himself. "You're finally here," he muttered to himself, and slight anticipation grew in his darkened eyes. He tightened the grip around Shen Qingqiu's neck, making him squeam in distress.

The Luo Binghe from the current world, standing some distance away, seemed oddly nervous- as if he didn't realize the urgency of the situation his Shizun was in. He kept his eyes down, almost ready to likely kotow sometime soon. He even took pauses as he spoke, eventually rambling on like he had written a script pre-performance. "Shizun! I... This disciple is so sorry for banging you against the bamboo tree and-"

Shen Qingqiu had a burst of energy out of nowhere, his eyes bulging out of his head and his face changing from purple to red in surprising fury. Binghe was only halfway through his speech when Shen Qingqiu yelled hoarsely, almost spitting out blood to force the sound out of his choking throat.

"L- LUO BINGHE!"

The Luo Binghe that just recently entered in the most protagonist way possible abruptly looked up at the shout of his name, and Shen Qingqiu wasn't the only one having his eyes bulging out of his head.

The blackened Luo Binghe lowered Shen Qingqiu a bit. Shen Qingqiu could now have the balls of his feet supporting himself, and the claws around his neck loosened, yet nonetheless still tight. Shen Qingqiu regained his composure due to the increase of blood flow to his brain. Thank fucking god, he couldn't help but think.

The heat and fire caused the far away Binghe to blink every second, so he didn't immediately notice the danger from far away. But how could he not even realize the urgent matter his Shizun was currently in?! What an ill-bred disciple! Shen Qingqiu needed to smack him silly, wanting to teach a lesson of respect. And how did he think this certain Binghe was his saviour? He would be less disappointed if this disciple were to not show up at all. Now he knew the real meaning of "Be careful what you wish for."

The Luo Binghe holding Shen Qingqiu fiend ignorance at the stupidity of the other version of himself, not accepting that he could ever become this foolish, and an obvious cut-sleeve at that. "Why not we have some fun, Shen Qingqiu?" He glanced back at his former teacher with a venomous expression, looking like a snake ready to devour prey. A smile hinted behind his ostentatious display. At least that was what both Binghe's had in common, Shen Qingqiu noted- attempting to repress his panic behind purposeless thoughts.

The fire was inching closer and closer, to the point where it was getting too hot for him to handle. Shen Qingqiu now noticed the way his disgusting sweat stuck to his thin clothing, making his look seem so unpleasing to the eye. Well, from his perspective, at least.

Just as the blackened Luo Binghe was about to part his lips to say a few more provoking words, a flash blasted past Shen Qingqiu's ears, making it ring all around. The next second, Shen Qingqiu felt his trachea open, allowing more air to flow into his lungs, but he was somehow suddenly plastered on the ground- his stomach facing the dirt and his vision a blur. A low, nearly undistinguishable growl fueled the blazing dreamscape and rumbled Shen Qingqiu's eardrums.

"Don't touch my Shizun, bastard."

Who are you calling bastard Binghe? That's you too you know! Shen Qingqiu never wanted to slap and hug Binghe so hard in his life.