These Golden Days
Chapter 1- How it began
Tonight had been special as three of the Peak lords from Cang Qiong mountain had dinner with the young hero from Huan Hua Palace. Yue Qingyuan had to leave earlier in the evening, then Shen Qingqiu followed their guest outside when it was his turn to leave.
Liu Qingge sat at the table and poured himself another glass of wine as he waited for the Qing Jing peak lord to return.
Shen Qingqiu's fair skin was flushed as he returned from saying goodbye to his dinner guest and came back inside the Bamboo house with a smile that lit up his face.
These facts were observed by Liu Qingge who sat there and impatiently drummed his fingers against the table. His brow was furrowed and he had a slight frown on his handsome face. His eyes were fixed on Shen Qingqiu for a moment.
"You were out there quite awhile." the Bai Zhan Peak lord remarked.
"I apologize if I caused you to sit here and wait for me. You should have come outside with us then." Shen Qingqiu responded lightly. He was in a good mood and was not going to let it be spoiled.
"You really are spending a lot of time with him lately." Liu Qingge remarked and continued to observe his shixiong suspiciously.
Shen Qingqiu fought the urge to roll his eyes. Instead, he let out a small sigh and sat down next to his martial brother.
"I enjoy his company, Liu-shidi. He looks forward to these dinners at Qing Jing Peak. Did you not enjoy dining with him tonight?" he asked carefully, while his heart raced so fast that it felt like it would burst out of his chest.
Damn, Liu Qingge had already picked up the on the tension between him and the Huan Hua Palace hero- the good-natured, intelligent and handsome Gongyi Xiao.
"Well, I see you found yourself an admirer." Liu Qingge shrugged; his expression unreadable.
He reached out and put his hand on his friend's shoulder and asked, "Why are you upset? Gongxi Xiao is always a gracious guest and well mannered. He is my friend."
Liu Qingge shrugged off the hand he had put on his shoulder and turned to look at him critically.
"Are you sure he's only a friend? I have seen the way both of you look at each other when you think no one is watching. I am curious why you seem to be attracted to younger men."
Shen Qingqiu tried to ignore the comment, then finally said "I do not have to explain myself to you, Liu-shidi. I will not dignify your comments with an answer." and he snapped his folding fan open and began to fan himself.
"You had been mourning for Luo Binghe, like you had lost a wife. Now only a year later- you and Gongyi Xiao have become inseparable." Liu Qingge retorted, as he picked up his glass of wine and took a drink.
He looked over at him with a pointed look and replied "Liu-shidi, if I did not know you so well, I would say that you are jealous."
"Why the hell would I be jealous? I am only making observations." Liu Qingge snapped. He pushed his chair back, stood up and began to walk to the door.
"Just forget I said anything. Goodnight." he said, then turned and left the room, slamming the door behind him.
Shen Qingqiu leaned against the wall and sighed. Liu-shidi definitely was observant.
'Fuck, nothing seems to get by him.' he thought.
Shen Qingqiu's thoughts used to be consumed with guilt and pain over what the system required him to do to his white lotus disciple. He had missed him very much and felt a huge hole in his life without him.
Then he had met the Huan Hua Palace hero, Gongyi Xiao with Shang Qinghua as they searched for the Moon Dew Seed Flower that fateful day. The young man had reminded him so much of Luo Binghe. He had impressed him with his kindness, knowledge and skills.
In addition, Shen Yuan had also liked Gongyi's original character from 'Proud Immortal Demon Way'.
Shen Qingqiu told him that day "Though this trip was made in a hurry, young gentleman Gongyi must visit our Cang Qiong Mountain. Qing Jing Peak will be waiting."
Shang Qinghua had chimed in that "Elder Shen will definitely take care of you."
Gongyi Xiao had seemed very happy at the offer. With a huge smile, he replied. "Elder Shen, I will remember these words. I'll be bothering you in the future."
Days later, the young man had accepted his first dinner invitation at Cang Qiong Mountain. Shen Qingqiu had found Gongxi Xiao to be charming and was totally at ease in his company, and it seemed that the Huan Hua Palace hero had felt the same way.
It became the start of regular visits and as they spent more time together, he began to feel an undeniable fondness and attraction for Gongyi.
Shen Qingqiu knew he was treading on dangerous ground for he knew that one day his disciple would return with a huge grudge to bear, but that was still years away. There was no system to order him about since it went offline either.
His thoughts of Luo Binghe lessened and had been replaced with the anticipation and excitement of looking forward to the next time he was with Gongyi Xiao.
XX
Back at Huan Hua Palace, Gongyi Xiao prepared to go to sleep but found he couldn't stop thinking about Shen Qingqiu.
'What is happening to me? Why can I not stop thinking about him in that inappropriate way?' the young man thought, as he tossed and turned in his bed. "I have responsibilities here at Huan Hua Palace, but I am more concerned about the next time I see Elder Shen."
Gongyi Xiao had dinner with him, Yue Qingyuan and Liu Qingge tonight. He had been to the bamboo house on Qing Jing Peak many times, but usually just to visit with Shen Qingqiu. Tonight, was the first time he had dinner with Liu Qingge present.
"Gongyi, there is no need to be so formal with me. You may call me Qingqiu, you do not have to call me Elder Shen." he had told him quietly at dinner. Liu Qingge, who was sitting next to Shen Qingqiu, overheard the conversation and an annoyed look crossed over his face.
"He looks like your favorite disciple... why not just tell him he can call you 'Shizun?" Liu Qingge had quipped.
Shen QIngqiu had flinched, then shot him a warning look and said coldly "Liu-shidi, please remember your manners and watch your words."
Elder Shen then glanced across the table at Gongyi, and their eyes met. The younger man smiled slightly to let him know that Liu Qingge's words had not offended him.
Luckily, the rest of the dinner was without incident.
xx
As Gongyi Xiao left the bamboo house to head back to Huan Hua Palace, Elder Shen had followed him outside into the darkness of the evening.
"Gongyi, I apologize for what Liu-shidi said. He can be harsh at times. Please do not pay any attention to him." the older man said, as his hand reached out towards him as if to stroke his face, but then he pulled back it back quickly.
Gongyi felt disappointed, but he understood. They both had to be careful. They had a special friendship for over a year...at first a casual friendship that had blossomed into something they hadn't expected.
"You are forgiven, Elder Shen. Liu Qingge was right. I do look a bit like Luo Binghe...but I will not call you 'Shizun' if you promise not to call me Young Hero." Gongyi replied playfully, a shy smile on his face. He cupped his hands towards him in respect.
Shen Qingqiu smiled back at him, his dark eyes shining. "May I be so bold to ask you if you would be available for us to see each other, Sunday? We could go fishing or exploring if you would like."
"I would be very honored, Elder Shen. What if I bring a picnic lunch and perhaps a bottle of wine for us to indulge in?" Gongyi responded with a smile. He blushed when he realized how bold he had been to suggest this. Elder Shen had that kind of effect on him.
"It is a date then." Shen Qingqiu said enthusiastically, then as he realized what he said, changed his reply to "I mean, I look forward to our next meeting, Gongyi."
"As do I, Elder Shen." he replied, as he took the older man's offered hand to shake as their eyes met and lingered on each other.
It was a minute or so later when they both realized that they were still holding on to each other's hands.
Quickly, out of fear of being seen, they both let go. Elder Shen watched him climb up onto his horse.
Neither of them wanted to say goodbye. Gongyi longed to be inside the bamboo house with Shen Qingqiu and have one of their discussions about all the things they were interested in.
"I cannot wait to see you on Sunday, Gongyi. Please be careful on your journey back to Huan Hua Palace."
"I will be counting the days till then, Elder Shen. Goodnight."
xx
It was because of these feelings he had towards Shen Oingqiu which was why Gongyi Xiao could not fall asleep.
However, he was twenty-two and an adult. He was old enough to feel the pressures of his duties, the stress of his estranged relationship with his ex-girlfriend- the Huan Hua Palace Mistress, and the overwhelming attraction he felt towards a man like Elder Shen. He was old enough that he knew feelings like this were supposed to be forbidden.
For some reason, he decided he was going to throw caution to the wind for once.
Gongyi had always concentrated on doing the right things and making sure others around him were happy. So, for the first time in his life, he felt selfish for wanting to follow his heart.
He wondered where this path would take him. Would he would regret it or find the greatest joy?
He wanted with all his heart to find out.
Chapter 2-
A/N- This is a plot bunny that would not leave me alone. I always liked Gongyi Xiao and I personally am excited to see how their story plays out. I hope someone finds this enjoyable. Thank you for reading. Feedback is always appreciated!