In the Lamp's Soft Glow

Story

"Wouldya look at that? The brutish hog is actually reading for once." Shen Jiu said as he walked up to Liu Qingge sitting on a bench at the table outside the bamboo pavilion. This comment was of course followed up with one of his iconic sneers.

Liu Qingge grumbled and said "Yes. What about it?" It was hard to miss but his ears looked ever so slightly more pink. Most people might not notice but Shen Jiu did.

"Awww, shidi's so cute, blushing whenever this one talks! Is he in loveeeee?~" Shen Jiu spoke teasingly, yet his voice still carried his condescending tone.

"Well yes, we've been together three months now, almost four."

Now it was Shen Jiu's turn to blush, just how did that no-brain Bai Zhan freak always talk this openly? Admitting things that Shen Jiu would take to the grave?

Shen Jiu coughed a little, then pulled out his fan and started fanning himself in an attempt to cool down as he sat down on the bench. He dusted off the bamboo leaves that had fallen on it.

"S- so, what is Liu-Shidi reading now anyways?" Shen Jiu scooted closer to Liu Qingge to read the words on the page.

Liu Qingge told him the title, and it turned out it was a book from Shen Jiu's personal library. And it was one that Shen Jiu had read several times. It had caught Liu Qingge's eyes when he saw it and so he'd picked it up when he stopped by the bamboo pavilion today.

Shen Jiuwas the only one allowed to touch his personal library.... Well, one of two people. But Liu Qingge wasn't included in the list, and Shen Qingqiu would definitely murder him for it later, but now he was going to be happy that Liu Qingge was reading a book that Shen Qingqiu liked. It was nice to see him care about his literacy and not beating people (or demons) up.

"Well? Is shidi going to continue glaring at the book or read out loud for you shixiong to hear?"

"Hmm? Do you want me to?" Liu Qingge asked.

"What do you think?" Shen Jiu asked back.

"I'm not sure, I'm afraid that Shixiong will need to voice his thoughts aloud for his little shidi to hear."

Bullshit. Little shidi? Liu Qingge was a few years older than him!! If it wasn't for the peak hierarchy Shen Jiu would be the one calling Liu Qingge shidi. He was glad that he didn't have to do that but, oh god. Liu Qingge was teasing him back. And Shen Jiu never knew how to deal with it.

"Y- yes. Yes, I want you to."

"Why does Shixiong want that?" Liu Qingge asked, he wasn't smiling but hints of a smile danced in his eyes.

"Read out loud or don't. I don't care either way and I will leave you and not waste my time." Shen Jiu said, looking quite flustered.

"I'll read it out loud, for shixiong." Liu Qingge did, and started doing just that.

Now Shen Jiu would never admit it but he loved Liu Qingge's voice he he loved hearing it. And he loved hearing how soft it was whenever he was reciting a book or poetry. It was rare for Liu Qingge to do so, which was all the more reason to enjoy it when it did happen. Liu Qingge read until the sun began to set and the sky started to get dark. Luckily, Shen Qingqiu had automated all the lamps at the bamboo pavilion to light up whenever it got dark so that he wouldn't have to go through the trouble of doing it manually anymore.

Shen Jiu was beginning to drift off while listening to Liu Qingge's soothing voice. He noticed the dangling star earring on Liu Qingge's ear and flicked it before kissing the part of Liu Qingge's jaw next to the earring.