Due to the continuous shower of rain in the past few days, the river has swollen past the high marks of previous years and the children are giddy with excitement while they play by the river-side. They sense the tension in the adults and convert it into adrenaline. After so many months of no rain this was a blessing for all who live in the city.

A child no older than eight didn't join the other children playing around and splashing water at each other, instead he sat on the corner taking advantage of the shade provided by the tall reeds. He stared at the water as if there was something interesting in its depth. A small portion of the water followed his hands movement without him touching the water, a strange and interesting phenomena.

He was born with this strange power but unfortunately he had no idea how to utilize it.

"A-Jiu!" One of the children walked towards him "Aren't you going to join the others?"

The child jumped in surprise, making him let go of the invisible force that held the water, causing some to splash on his feet but he did not pay any attention to it but warily look at the newcomer. His whole body tense as if he was preparing to pounce that person.

"It's just you Qi-Ge." He only relaxed when he saw a familiar face.

"It's okay A-Jiu. No one saw anything." The boy just smiled knowingly at him and sat next to him. "I'll make sure to watch out for you."

Shen Jiu didn't say anything and went back on playing with water using his spiritual energy. It was only Yue Qi, who sat next to him, and his brother who he is comfortable enough to show these things. He was the only one he could trust enough to let his guard down. Even for Shen Jiu, this is an unusual sense of security. Even if the heavens were to fall he knew he would not panic because he knew there was someone beside him who would help him block it.

Soon enough, Yue Qi had gotten tired of sitting still beside him and copied what Shen Jiu was doing. Placing his palm on top of the water and letting it move according to his will. "I heard from cultivators that visited this town recently that this has something to do with spiritual energy."

"Hmm." Shen Jiu just hummed non-committedly. This was not a new information.

"A-Jiu, Do you want to join a sect in the future? Yue Qi asked.

"No." He answered with a disgusted scowl "I heard they only cared about those sissy young masters and young miss from noble lineage and rich families. I doubt any sect would accept slaves like us."

"You don't have any interest in cultivating?"

"Not that I don't. If I can become a cultivator then I could protect A-Yuan better. We could also lead a better life than this." Shen Jiu sighed "How about Qi-ge, what do you want to do?"

"I-"

Shen Qingqiu woke up with a start. He's having a headache just as soon as he starts the day. What a hateful memory. An annoying dream that kept reminding him of promises that would never be fulfilled.

Instead of pondering over it and worsen his already bad mood he decided to stop thinking about it and start preparing for the day. He looked at the bed across of his and saw a neatly folded and made bed. Shen Yuan had been waking up to early recently.

There was a steam coming up from behind the dividing screen in the room. His lips curled up into a small smile. Looks like his brother had prepared a bath for him, he had missed the little things that his sweet brother does for him and now that he's back he could only endlessly appreciate it. By now A-Yuan should be getting breakfast from the kitchen. Shen Qingqiu took this time to take a bath and make himself presentable for the day.

"Gege!" Shen Yuan called from outside, just when he was putting on his robes, his hair that was still a bit wet and left it untied to dry naturally. Since Shen Yuan had come back a week ago after his seclusion, his brother had been restless with an energy that could rival that of a child. So, even though he was still a bit far from their room Shen Qingqiu opened the door for him.

"Yue-shixiong! He's back!" Shen Yuan panted; wide eyes and wider smile almost blinding Shen Qingqiu. Next to a man with noble like appearance donning the elegant black robes of Qiong Ding.

Shen Qingqiu's expression was frozen. Despite the smiling figures before him, he only felt an unpleasantness encompass him.

Yue QingYuan is back. Yue QingYuan is here in front of him.

Like a child, Shen Qingqiu clenched at the handle of the door and slam it shut in their faces. The two was taken aback by his action. That was new.

"Don't be like that Jiu-ge," Shen Yuan whined as he prodded the door open.

"I'm still a little tired didi," Shen Qingqiu lied not letting go of the door. "I'll go greet him later."

"I don't believe you for a second," Shen Yuan said gently. Shen Qingqiu could hear the other smiling. "He's going to report to sect leader right now, but he'll be done in a few minutes," he added in an even softer tone. "Let's have breakfast together, the three of us!"

"I," Shen Qingqiu mumbled. He didn't want to start his day with that man. Not after he had another nightmare of his foolishness in the past.

"I really missed Qi-ge. He had to leave that day as soon as I got out of seclusion." Shen Yuan mentioned. "And I miss you too, you know. Can we sit together? Please?"

Shen Qingqiu felt his heart squeeze at the other's question. He was being a horrible older brother. He could endure Yue QingYuan's presence well enough, especially with Shen Yuan as their mediator.

"It's alright Xiao Yuan." Yue QingYuad said with a placating voice. "I'm sure that you two are busy with An-shishu becoming more and more inactive with the sect affairs. We can all go out together next time."

Shen Qingqiu hissed. Just when he just made his resolve to bear with it, Yue QingYuan had gone and ruin. Not that he wasn't thankful for it. But still, for a second he also wanted that. Now he's procrastinating over it.

Shen Qingqiu didn't need to see how Shen Yuan is very much pouting right now as he nods his head with great reluctance. Nor did he have to watch that retreating figure to know that Yue QingYuan kept looking back as he walks away, hoping to see Shen Qingqiu.

Shen Qingqiu leaned his back against the door with a heavy sigh. Why must he be constantly reminded about those childish dreams of his and promises all the time?

/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

"You look happy Xioa Yuan." Yue QingYuan mused as he gave a glance to the omega walking next to him. Shen Yuan had been in a good mood when they left earlier but after they parted with Liu Qingge after they run into each other his shidi had been beaming.

"I didn't expect Liu-shidi to be so interesting." Shen Yuan nodded. "He's really completely different from what my brother tell me about him. Also I heard from QingWei that he had been out hunting different sorts of demons....

Shen Yuan kept on chattering about Liu Qingge. Yue QingYuan kept his smile while he listened, contributing once in a while in their almost one-sided conversation. This was the first time that he was talkative about something other than his interests. Looks like their Xiao Yuan had a little crush on their shidi and he probably didn't realize it.

Looking back on it, Yue Qing Yuan should have realized sooner that it was a bit obvious that Shen Yuan had something of a crush on Liu Qingge. Since Shen Yuan came out of seclusion, he's been insistent of wanting to know what happened those past five years and he only attentive when the topic had something to do with their Shidi.

It makes him feel conflicted. He's happy for Shen Yuan but he's worried that he might get hurt. While Shen Yuan is not completely clueless he was still naive when it comes to the matters of the hearts. Shen Yuan isn't even aware that there's a mountain load of letters with an intent to court him. Shen Qingqiu had made sure to keep him away from it.

Outside of those Shen Yuan considers family, even if he is quite friendly with others he always kept his distance from them, treating them all equally the same. And now there is someone whom he saw as special. While he's not worried about what other people had to say about this, Yue QingYuan fears that he might do something rash.

Also, there's no way that Shen Qingqiu would be pleased to hear about this, even more so to learn of whom his little brother's affection is directed to.

It's best to keep quiet for now and just observe the situation.

They were walking through a street with wide variety of shops lined in the sides: antique and art stalls, jewelry and accessory shops, luxury boutiques, souvenir kiosks and stores selling leather goods, all showcasing an array of the finest Italian wares. A small store caught Yue QingYuan's eyes making him stop walking.

Shen Yuan is still busy talking that he didn't realize immediately that Yue QingYuan had been left behind. The younger male frowned when he saw him standing there, he followed where his Shixiong was looking and it was a small store.

"Is there something that caught your attention, Yue-shixiong?"

Yue QingYuan nodded and walked towards the little shop with Shen Yuan following behind him. The omega regarded him in silence not knowing why the older male was suddenly acting so weird. Then he picked up one of the displayed items; a hairpin made out of gold with a carved ruby that was shaped into a bird.

"A red canary?" Shen Yuan blinked over at him.

They suddenly heard the wind chime from the front door of the shop. The curtain lifted and lowered as the merchant came out. Yue QingYuan had completely disregarded Shen Yuan's question. He smiled as he held out the hairpin and asked, "How much is this?"

The lady that came out stared blankly at them as if she was stunned. She blinked rapidly unable to recover from their beautiful appearance. She'd seen a lot of people but it was rare to see such stunning people stopping by her small and humble shop.

"Miss?"

"Yes, yes! What can I do for you?"

"Young Master has good eyesight. These pendants are made from top-grade spirit stones from blood dragons, carved by the craftsmen from Kunlun. Although, the material isn't expensive, the material itself is very special. Young Master should know the effects of spirit stones" The merchant laughed. "Since Young Master has taken a liking to it, I presume that this is for your cultivation partner, correct?"

She gave a meaningful look at Shen Yuan which the omega returned with a polite smile. He didn't bother to correct her. When people see an Alpha and Omega walking together they would immediately assume that they're together, it's a waste of time explaining. They are already used to this.

Yue QingYuan coughed lightly "Please wrap it for me." he didn't bother to say anything either and paid for the item.

"Qi-ge is that for my brother?" Shen Yuan finally asked when they were back in Cang Qiong Sect. The lady looked quite disappointed earlier when they just left after buying the hairpin. She was probably looking forward to some romantic scene or something.

"Yes."

"But he's not fond of red."

"I know." Yue QingYuan smiled.

Shen Yuan frowned. Since when did Yue QingYuan gifted his brother something that he didn't like? Did he finally decide a different approach and want to annoy Shen Qingqiu instead?

/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

"THIS SHITTY BOOK!" Shen Yuan raged, ripping the book on hand into little pieces. He didn't care that he borrowed it from Shang QingHua.

"A-yuan, please keep your voice down." Shen Qingqiu demanded in a stern voice, not looking up from his never-ending task.

For anyone else his expression must have looked serious and hard, the embodiment of the strict older brother prudent for parenting his little brother into a well-behaved young man - but Shen Yuan had very well seen the little snort, he had barely managed to suppress in the last second.

Noticing his brother's amused grin, Shen Yuan frowned at him even more.

"You're cleaning that mess." Shen Qingqiu directed without batting an eye. Ever since Shang QingHua of An Ding Peak lent those nonintellectual novels to his brother, Shen Yuan would have bouts of rage after reading their contents.

Not that he couldn't sympathize, any scholar of Qing Jing Peak would probably rage if they read a sorry of an excuse of a book. Judging from his brother's reaction alone Shen Qingqiu didn't bother to find out the contents and immediately blacklisted the tittles of the books, he doesn't want to unnecessarily torture himself to read that nor do they need that in their great library.

"Don't read those things if you're going to end up ripping them to pieces every single time." Shen Qingqiu sighed. The five years of seclusion did not help for his brother to stop acting spoiled. "Instead of wasting your time, you should help me with these matters."

"Okay." Shen Yuan nodded obediently, taking half portion of the work from him after he cleaned up the mess that he made.

There was a comfortable silence as they go through their workload.

"Hey Jiu-ge what do you think of our martial siblings?" Shen Yuan asked. It's not surprising that he asked at this point of time. Most of the Peak Lords are starting to let their succeeding disciples handle most of the sect affairs, one of the signs that their generation would be taking the helm of Cang Qiong Peaks very soon.

Shen Qingqiu gave his honest options about all their martial siblings. Since they would be all working together in the future much more extensively he deemed this discussion important.

"Then what do you think of Yue-shixiong?"

"What about him?"

"I just want to know." Shen Yuan hummed. "These past five years you two had stayed the same yet changed at the same time."

"He does his responsibilities efficiently and among all of us he's the only who had the most advanced cultivation lever and has the strength that could back up his position. As the future leader of Cang Ciong there's nothing I could say about him in terms of position."

"Is that really all there is to it?"

"What do you mean?" He knew what Shen Yuan was thinking when he pursed his lips in a smile. He had been observing the two of them for some time. How does Shen Qingqiu act around everyone compared to Yue QingYuan. Even if he denies it constantly he himself knew his reactions towards him were a complete 180 from what they normally were.

"Nothing." he hummed "By the way did what do you think of the hairpin that Yue-shixiong got for you?"

Shen Qingqiu gave his brother a dry look that says 'which one of the hundreds that he's already given?'

"The one with the red canary."

Shen Qingqiu froze, he looked at his brother with wide eyes. Shen Yuan didn't see how startled his brother looked because his eyes were focused on the scrolls in front of him, he only looked up when he heard a brush falling.

A red canary!

"He didn't give me anything like that." Fortunately Shen Qingqiu was quick to school his expression back to indifference, not showing any signs of panic, as he picked up the brush but his trembling hand betrays him.

Shit, shit, shit, shit! That Yue QingYuan still remembered that! Fuck!

/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/

Yue QingYuan was not even surprise when he found out that Liu Qingge followed after them. Instead, it earn the younger alpha some points in his books.

Since the day he found out that Shen Yuan held special attention towards the Bai Zan Peak's disciple. He's been paying close attention towards Liu Qingge. Yue QingYuan had been over-protective towards the omega for the past months and he'd always make sure to accompany Shen Yuan whenever he wants to see Liu Qingge, even though his Shidi wanted to go alone.

It wasn't hard to guess that Liu Qingge had a thing for Shen Yuan since they'd first met when he mistook him for Shen Qingqiu five years ago, always getting flustered when Shen Yuan was around. That had eased one of Yue QingYuan's worries to know that Liu Qingge reciprocates Shen Yuan's feelings. He couldn't help but be happy for them and he'd give his full support, if only they weren't constantly stalking each other secretly and actually talk like normal people.

Yue QingYuan didn't know whether he wanted to laugh or cry from their awkwardness. But he really wasn't one to talk. Not when he and Shen Qingqiu is just dancing around each other for the past year.

He took out the hairpin with a red canary, he smiled softly as he remembered what sort of promise it symbolized for him. The memory of that day still so vivid even though it had been so long ago.

After so many months of no rain it is barely a stream moving listlessly over the stones it usually disregards in its swift passage to the ocean. People couldn't help the lively atmosphere after the long storm and the river had overflowed.

The many rustic hues of the submerged pebbles looked more priceless than any jewel. But what was precious to Yue Qi at that time was the boy who was sitting by the edge of the river bank under the shade of the tree. He joined him and talk to him about the possibility of their futures.

"How about you Qi-ge?" Shen Jiu asked.

"I want to go wherever with Xiao Jiu wants to go." He answered.

"Don't you have a goal of your own?" Shen Jiu snorted. "You're already old enough, surely, you don't want to stay as a slave for the rest of your life." Shen Jiu began berating him again. That made Yue Qi scratch the back of his head bashfully, A-Jiu acts more like an adult compared to him who was the older one.

Yue Qi had just smiled sheepishly when a red bird perched on a tree branch just across from where they were sitting at. "A-Jiu, look isn't that bird pretty."

Shen Jiu frowned and looked at the bird to see what was so interesting about it. "It's just a canary." He said dryly

"I know but this is the first time I've seen that color on a bird!" Yue Qi beamed.

"Maybe some sly merchant must've painted the poor bird to scam some naïve young masters." He huffed. "Stop changing the subject Qi-ge!"

"But I already told A-Jiu what I want to do." He whined.

"That's not a goal! You're just gonna follow me and A-Yuan around."

"And that's really what I want to do! I really want to be with A-Jiu forever..." Yue Qi's words trailed off, a blush suddenly blooming on his cheeks. "...in that sense..." he couldn't look at the other in the eyes.

There was no answer. Yue Qi couldn't help but become nervous from the lack of response. He mustered the courage only to see that Shen Jiu was looking at him with an unreadable expression. When the younger male seem to realize that they were looking at each other's eyes, he tore his gaze away from him.

"That damned brat is bothering A-Yuan again!" Shen Jiu cursed and abruptly stood up.

Yue Qi can't help but be disappointed when Shen Jiu began walking away. Maybe A-Jiu didn't understand what he meant? Well, that was better than rejected, he could just try again. He leaned by the tree watching his retreating back when Shen Jiu abruptly stop.

"In the future give me a token or anything with that kind of bird, then I'll consider it." Shen Jiu said with a flustered expression before running towards where Shen Yuan is playing with other children, clearly no one was bothering the youngest twin and having the time of his life playing.

Yue Qi was left sitting there in daze, his mouth hanging open like an idiot. He clearly didn't heard that wrong, right?

"Shixiong, I'll be heading off to finish my own task now." Yue QingYuan snapped out of his reminiscence when Liu Qingge finally spoke.

"I understand Liu-shidi. Please meet with us at the inn on Naye village after your mission." Yue QingYuan said. Liu Qingge looked as if he want to decline but Yue QingYuan didn't give him a chance to escape "It would be best fot all of us to return together."

The Bai Zan Peak disciple could only give up and nodded before stepping on his sword and fly away.

Yue QingYuan looked at the open field that was now filled with corpses of demonic beast. Looks like they've been done with it for a while. Only Shen Yuan was left in that field, collecting the things he had promised their martial siblings.

Examining the area carefully. He made sure that Shen Qingqiu had really left before moving away from the spot he was hiding in and do his job. Only Shen Yuan knew that he followed after them and ask him to find some blood hound cub in his stead for their shidi. And then tomorrow, they would meet up in the inn.

/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/

Shen Qingqiu was angry at himself for being bothered by something that should have been long forgotten. Worst of it their Shizun found the need to address it, meaning that it was affecting his performance. That was unacceptable!

A time away from the sect and that person was a really good thing to calm himself. The adrenaline and excitement from hunting down monsters was a great help to clear his mind. He was just being anxious for nothing, because it no longer means anything to him.

It had been a while since he had been this relaxed and he wished to enjoy it until they have to go back.

"Jiu-ge, guess who came!" Shen Yuan peeked at the door happily. Shen Qingqiu had a bad premonition about it and he was damn right! Yue QingYuan appeared with his usual sheepish smile.

"What are you doing here?" Shen Qingqiu's expression darkens as quickly and heavily as a shower of monsoon rain.

"I just happen to be in the area. Since Shen Yuan said you two are done with your task, I was wondering if you'd allow this shixiong to accompany you back."

"Go back by yourself!"

"I'm not going back unless we travel with Qi-Ge!" Shen Yuan persisted.

"A-yuan!" Why is his brother acting so spoiled all of the sudden? He didn't want to deal with it when his mind is still muddled. "Stop being stubborn didn't I tell you that I don't want anything to do with this liar!"

Shen Yuan had gasped at his accusation "You know that Qi-ge didn't lie."

"Shen Yuan!" Shen Qingqiu finally snapped.

Yue QingYuan patted Shen Yuan comfortingly when he saw him waver, he knew that the omega never take it too well when Shen Qingqiu is angry at him. "It's alright A-yuan. It's true that I didn't keep my words." He spoke with a sad smile "You should obey your brother, I can go back ahead of you two."

Shen Yuan looked at Yue QingYuan forlornly before looking at his brother with pleading eyes.

"...That's how it is." Shen Qingqiu gave his ultimatum that he won't agree no matter what.

Shen Yuan hung his head low, both of his hands clenched tightly into a fist. Just when they thought he would concede he suddenly shouted "JIU-GE YOU'RE SUCH A BIG IDIOT!"

Shen Qingqiu and Yue QingYuan were both startled. This was the first time Shen Yuan shouted at them in a fit of anger.

"Don't you know I always over hear you back then when you whispered to yourself 'I'm lonely being alone, I miss Qi-ge.' Even though it was you who desperately wanted to be reunited with Qi-ge back then, why do you always push him away!"

Yue QingYuan was taken aback. He looked back and forth between the twins. He never knew that was how Shen Qingqiu felt when he disappeared back then.

"Wh-what are you talking about!?" Shen Qingqiu feigned ignorance as best as he could, this is not something that he wants to be known. Rather, he wants to forget it forever.

"It's true!" Shen Yuan insisted "I know that if it wasn't for my sake you would have waited for Qi-ge to come back for us at the Qiu estate, always bearing with their beating and humiliation. Even when we were finally freed you never stopped searching for him even though you knew it was already hopeless." Shen Yuan pointed out, he's have enough of these two dancing around each other for years. "Why can't you just be happy that we are all here? Is everything you said you'd do a lie? Jiu-ge you're a big liar!"

Shen Yuan trembled and Shen Qingqiu looked gutted.

That was a huge blow to Shen Qingqiu, never once he had ever thought that his brother would not take his side and accuse him like that, it had left him stunned with complicated feelings. "A... a liar, you say."

"It's true that Qi-ge was unable to rescue us from the Qiu household but he never lied nor broke any of his words, you knew for a long time why he couldn't make it!" Shen Yuan bit his lip, looking so shattered to talk like this towards his brother. "But then... you're the one who's lying now."

"LIAR! I hate you Jiu-ge!" Shen Yuan ran off before Shen Qingqiu could recover and stop him.

Shen Qingqiu slumped on the ground in disbelief and depression, rather than being ashamed that Shen Yuan had blatantly revealed all the things he kept close to him, he was too shocked to hear that his brother talked back to him and even announced that he hated him. "A-Yuan... He hates me? Even though I'm his brother." It was too much for his heart!

"Qingqiu" A hand reached out to him "You'll end up getting dirty like that. Please don't worry too much about what Xiao Yuan said. Just let him cool down for a while and he'll be back before you know it."

"This is all your fault." Shen Qingqiu gritted his teeth in anger and slapped his hand away. "Hurry up and bring Shen Yuan here!! What if something happens to him?"

"Nothing is going to happen" Yue QingYuan assured "You're being too overprotective."

"Over protective you say!" he sneered "What the hell do you know. When A-Yuan was being bullied by the other kids back then you just stood there."

"We were weak children back then and I was busy coming to rescue you for the other people trying to beat you to death!" Yue QingYuan miraculously retorted, still, his tone still remaining soft and placating.

"Whatever! I'm going to drag back Shen Yuan here. You should just go back by yourself." Shen Qingqiu tried to walk pass him but Yue QingYuan blocked him.

The people who was drawn in by the commotion thought that they were watching an old married couple fighting over the custody rights of their child. Knowing they attracted quite a number of people there's no way they were thick skinned enough to continue with this charade.

In the end Shen Qingqiu slammed the door on his face.

"Shen-shidi, please open the door." Yue QingYuan pleaded "We need to talk."

"Who would want to?" he sneered

"I know that no matter how much I apologize you would never forgive me. It's alright even if you hate me." Yue QingYuan sighed in defeat "I know it's too late at this point. But, I think it's necessary for us to sort the thing between us."

There was no answer

"Still, you two are really similar."

Shen Qingqiu somehow got curious, of course he and his brother were similar.

"What A-yuan told you earlier... I remember you saying the exact same words."

Shen Qingqiu didn't need to ask Yue QingYuan what he meant with those words. He remembered saying it himself towards Yue QingYuan long ago.

'You liar!'

"...I-" From behind the door Shen Qingqiu clenched the edge of his sleeves, blush appearing on his face, he clearly remembered that incident "I remember nothing of it."

"That's not surprising. It happened a long time ago and you were quite drunk."

"Of course!"

"I guess you also don't know what happened afterwards"

'Afterwards' Shen Qingqiu wonders, when he had come to the next morning he was already back at Qing Jing Peak and he didn't have much time to dwell on it because Shen Yuan was suddenly ordered to go into seclusion.

"You don't know?"

Of course Shen Qingqiu had no idea. But where the hell is Yue QingYuan going with this?

"After that..." Shen Qingqiu didn't need to see Yue QingYuan's face to know that he was wearing a fond expression "You fell asleep in my arms, exhausted from crying."

That made Shen Qingqiu pause. Him crying until he fell asleep? That was impossible!

"You're making this up!" Shen Qingqiu angrily opened the door and glared at the older male.

Yue QingYuan didn't bother answering and just entered the room without permission. He's not normally this brave to try Shen Qingqiu's patience but they really shouldn't be talking about this with a door separating them.

"But Shen-shidi couldn't remember right?"

"What you said must be a lie." Shen Qingqiu denied. He won't accept it.

"I'm not lying and you know it." Yue QingYuan insisted, and he was damned convincing "You were so enraged yet you still fell asleep."

Shen Qingqiu is determined that no such thing happened and he didn't remember anything. Not the warmth of his embrace that makes his body scream that it felt wrong, because Yue QingYuan's built was no longer that of a child who starved for days end, yet it was so comforting.

He doesn't remember that relaxing scent that felt like home.

And definitely not the lingering warmth on his cheeks as he wipes the tears away.

No, he clearly remembers everything!

Like a gaping fish out of water. Shen Qingqiu opened and closed his lips, not knowing what to say.

"Xiao Jiu" Yue QingYuan tried reaching out to him once more.

"Don't touch me." Shen Qingqiu slapped his hand away once more, but this time without force, nor his voice contained any heat. "Never call me by that name again, you lost the right to be so overly familiar with me."

There was a pregnant silence in the room but neither of them was in a rush to talk. Yue QingYuan gave Shen Qingqiu the time he needed to think.

Shen Qingqiu grabbed him by the collar and pinned him by the wall to not let him escape. Yue QingYuan winced from being caught off guard, but other than that he didn't move.

"...Is it true..." Shen Qingqiu mumbled. "What Mu QingFang said about what happened to you and Xuan Su."

"It is." Yue QingYuan confirmed, "All those time, the only thing in my mind was to quickly become strong so I could take you away." his breath was shaky as he remembered the day he suffered Qi deviation. How the dark and cold the cave felt, his screams and pleading was left unheard. How painful it was for his soul to be merged with his sword, Xuan Su. "You used to always berate me for being too impulsive." Yue QingYuan recalled "You were right, I became over confident with my own achievements and didn't even bother to think of the consequences when I tried to bond with Xuan Su."

He felt Shen Qingqiu's grip tightened but did not say anything, sucking in shaky breaths and turning to press his face into Yue QingYuan's shoulder.

"When I could finally manage to come out the first thing I did was to look for you but the Qiu's residence was already burned to the ground." Yue QingYuan breath hitched. "I was too late... I thought that I will never have the chance to see you again."

Shen Qingqiu's eyes widened when he looked up to see Yue QingYuan's face stained with tears. He didn't know what to do... It was the first time in a while that he's seen the man crying.

"I could only regret everything. Leaving you there had been the hardest choice I made yet it wasn't worth it. I ended up making you suffer instead."

"If you really regret it! Then why didn't you say sooner!?"

"Because I was a coward." Yue QingYuan rasped "Xiao Jiu had already become someone so amazing without my help. I didn't want to look weak in front of you."

"Pride is unsuited for someone like you! I know I may have not listened but why did you have to wait this long to tell me! Why must you cling to your non-existent pride?"

"If I had thrown that little pride away, then what would have you done?"

"I would have mocked you and look down on you for such stupidity." Shen Qingqiu answered with a scoff. Yue QingYuan could only close his eyes in defeat, he never expect Shen Qingqiu to be sympathetic but that still hurt.

"Even so, I would have understood why." Shen Qingqiu continued. All the animosity in him finally drying up. "I wouldn't have entertain thoughts that I was betrayed and abandoned."

Yue QingYuan was about to go through more lines of apologies when Shen Qingqiu placed as hand on his cheek and caress it gently. "I could have helped you find a way to deal with your condition." Shen Qingqiu mumbled, his usual cold glare was now filled with unreadable warmth.

Like an overflowing dam that finally broke, Yue QingYuan couldn't hold back his emotions. He placed a trembling hand on top of Shen Qingqiu's, not wanting to let go of it ever again, he nuzzled against his touch. There wasn't a time where he never longed for this gentle touch that he thought he'd never feel again. How much he missed that warmth Shen Jiu had reserved only for him.

"Can we still start over?"

Shen Qingqiu did not answer but the small nod he made was enough for Yue QingYuan to ascend to the heavens.

Yue QingYuan cupped Shen Qingqiu's chin as he leaned down and pressed a kiss on his lips gently. The kiss was still uncertain, just like the first time when they were still young. Shen Qingqiu didn't push him away, instead he took the initiative to kiss him again.

They pecked on each other's lips slowly and softly as Yue QingYuan's hands trailed from his shoulder to the back of his head, and lightly clenching on his hair and the other wrapping around his waist pulling the younger male closer to him. It became more intense and hungrier as Shen Qingqiu submissively opened his lips apart letting their tongue dance around in each other's mouth, making wet slick sounds. Making a moan escape from both.

The two of them were kissing passionately, breathing hot and fast. So thirsty. They were both people who had yearned for each other for a long time. The way they kissed was frenzy and impatient. They were even a little crazy. Their throats bobbed as they swallowed, their lips and teeth clattered so fast that they even bled a little, but neither could feel it, nor could they stop.

That was why they reacted a little bit late when Shen Yuan opened the door without even knocking. "Gege! Qi-Ge!" Shen Yuan chirped happily, opening the door without even knocking "Have you two finally made up with each other!"

Shen Qingqiu immediately pushed Yue QingYuan away and that was the fastest he ran away towards the corner room, if ever there is a record for that.

"W-we did Xiao Yuan" Yue QingYuan coughed awkwardly.

"I'm glad." Shen Yuan said happily. The two couldn't help but sigh in relief that Shen Yuan didn't know or he simply didn't bring it up. "Then we could all go back together! Liu-shidi is here as well!"

The last words immediately made Shen Qingqiu flip and pulled Shen Yuan towards him protectively and sneered at Liu Qingge. "What are you doing here?"

"Obviously, I was sent out for a mission." Liu Qingge said in a mocking tone.

"Why the hell does everyone have something to do in this remote village?" Shen Qingqiu complained dragging Shen Yuan out of the room with him. "A-yuan make sure to stay away from that brute the whole way back."

"I understand Jiu-ge, please let go of me~" Shen Yuan whined while he was being carried like a child as they stepped on Shen Qingqiu's Xiu Ya to fly. It was so embarrassing for him and Shen Qingqiu had to do this in front of Liu Qingge! He could only hide his face behind his fan.

Yue QingYuan can't help but chuckle as he followed after the twins. Shen Yuan looked absolutely mortified while Shen Qingqiu's expression remained indifferent his ears were bright red. The alpha didn't pay attention to the weird look that Liu Qingge was giving him.

"Qingqi." Yue QingYuan called when he finally caught up with the two. Shen Yuan gave him a pleading look but Yue QingYuan could only return it with an apologetic one. There's no way he could save him from Shen Qingqiu's grasp so had no choice Shen Yuan but to bear with it.

"What?" Shen Qingqiu gave him a side glance.

"Will you still accept that red canary?"

Shen Qingqiu's eyes widened as blush tinted his pale cheeks. He looked at him like he had grown another head before looking away. "I'll think about it." With that answer he sped away leaving the other two behind their back.