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It’s cold. Without a spiritual core, everything is colder. Shen Jiu is wearing nothing but a flimsy white under-robe, stained and ripped in several places. The material is slimy and it sticks to his bone-white skin, leaving faint red marks behind. This is his blood, the mulish fluid flowing through his veins that stubbornly keeps him alive. His blood rises to the surface underneath his flesh, trying in vain to keep him warm.
Damn. Shen Jiu is freezing.
He doesn’t know how long he’s been in the water prison. Hidden away from the sun, he cannot tell the passage of time. He can feel every second as it passes though. He is riddled with a million pains that strike him in all types of ways. The moist air rising from the waterfalls is acidic and it burns him. Furthermore, he is missing an eye. The beast plucked it out. It was the first thing Luo Binghe took from him. Quick and casual as if batting away a fly, he ripped Shen Jiu’s left eye from his head. Leaving a bloody hole behind. The wound has yet to fully heal. It likely never will.
In fact, Shen Jiu knows his eye will not be the last piece of him Luo Binghe will take. The pound of flesh his former disciple wishes to extract in the name of retribution. Payment for his long list of grievances.
Shen Jiu sighs. He’s used to the pain by now. The torment. He’s been used to be pain his whole life.
Pain is nothing. Of course Shen Jiu will scream. He’ll wail and humiliate himself under Luo Binghe’s cruel hand. That’s unavoidable. But when all is said and done, Shen Jiu knows, the thing he will be left with is nothing but pain. A familiar friend. A reliable constant. Residing in his bones like an old houseguest here to stay for good.
So he’ll live like this, Shen Jiu supposes. For however long.
Even though Shen Jiu knows he deserves what’s happening to him now (the torture, the brutality, the imprisonment), he has no one to blame but himself, he still can’t help feeling that thick, sour lump. Grapefruit-sized. Sitting heavily in his heart.
Regret. Shen Jiu clenches his teeth and fights the overwhelming regret. Regret for his own actions, for the miserable roll of the dice that is his fate. The things he couldn’t change. The things he wishes other people could see. The truth. His truth. Which he was never able to adequately communicate to the world.
It doesn’t matter now. But still. Shen Jiu has so many regrets.
The things the world knows about him now are truths Shen Jiu would have liked to keep to himself. Shameful truths. For example, the manner in which he left the Qiu household. What he studied under his old master. What he did during that time. Somehow Luo Binghe found out all of it, and he aired every last bit to the world. The prick.
Humiliating. Ruinous. The flimsy veneer of the untouchable immortal master Shen Jiu polished for years evaporated like dust after only a few minutes of explanation.
Even worse, once Luo Binghe destroyed his golden core, the spiritual seal Shen Jiu placed on his natural pheromones disappeared. His true dynamic was exposed, along with all the shaky, weak-kneed repercussions of his second gender.
Before that, no one knew he was an omega. Not even Wu Yanzi, not even Yue Qingyuan. The moment Shen Jiu presented as an omega, back when he was fifteen, was the moment he chose to slaughter everyone he could in the Qiu household (all the people who had tormented him over the years) and make his escape. It was the moment he knew he could no longer wait for Qi-ge. Because in that moment, as soon as his body assumed the mold of the most submissive dynamic, Shen Jiu knew he needed to fight. Every second of his life from then on would be fighting. He had fought a hell of a lot in his youth, but even that wasn’t nearly enough. As an omega, Shen Jiu would need to fight harder than ever before, tooth and nail, with every ounce of strength he had. He would fight like hell to stay alive. To deserve a place in this miserable world.
To exist.
As soon as Shen Jiu cultivated a decent amount of spiritual energy, he performed the necessary incantations to repress his scent at will. He stuffed his omegahood down to the very depths of his soul, into his most secret, intimate places, and pretended to be a beta. With no scent and no heat, it was an easy enough lie.
Shen Jiu has been a beta for the last twenty years. In the eyes of the world at least. He could never forget the feeling of helplessness from his first heat. Hands shaking, insides itching in torment. He suffered it all in front of Qiu Jianluo. The way Qiu Jianluo looked at him—the wide-eyed understanding and the evil thoughts already beginning to bloom behind his eyes. Shen Jiu could never forget that either.
It was why he had to kill Qiu Jianluo. Immediately. No hesitation. He transmuted the chaotic desperation of his first heat into a blind thirst to kill. With that energy, he was able to destroy the household. Burn it all to the ground.
Actually, his first heat served him well in that regard.
By the time Wu Yanzi found him, there was so much blood and smoke in the air that he could not smell the omega-ness on Shen Jiu. And by the time Shen Jiu finally washed, almost a whole day later, his heat had already subsided. He was so malnourished back then that his body simply was not strong enough to maintain a heat for very long. His omega scent itself was so frail, barely even there. This bought Shen Jiu some time. Enough to practice his cultivation until he could seal his dynamic away forever.
Which he did.
And now…
Now everything is over. Shen Jiu is facing an eternity in the water prison. Torture and cruelty on Luo Binghe’s whim. Shen Jiu is a broken man. A mortal. Slim, weak, and cold. An omega. His unmasked scent has gotten much stronger with age. It runs wild in every direction. He has a citrus and green tea scent. Similar to yuzu, but more bitter. Slices of bittersweet fruit laid out on a bed of tea leaves. Sour to the last.
Of course Luo Binghe mocked him when he realized his former shizun was an omega. He called Shen Jiu all kinds of names and made all kinds of threats. He spoke wistfully of the past. How he should have been fucking Shen Jiu on his alpha cock back then, bent him over the logs in the woodshed and claimed him like the slut he was inside. (Luo Binghe has a dirty mouth and he likes to let it run.)
Although there is nothing stopping Luo Binghe from making good on his threats, Shen Jiu cannot bring himself to feel fear. He always knew it would come to this as soon as his dynamic presented itself. There is only one thing people do to omegas, and that is defile them. Force them to submit. Use them. Like objects, worth even less than tissue paper. The world cannot wait to treat omegas this way. Shen Jiu has known that his whole life.
So he was not surprised by Luo Binghe’s threats. Not in the least. He expects everything Luo Binghe said will come true. And then some. Shen Jiu is really powerless to stop it.
Thus, in that moment, when Luo Binghe ridiculed him and spoke of what he should have done, Shen Jiu could only laugh.
In all likelihood, Luo Binghe will not kill him. He can’t. Because getting rid of Shen Jiu will mean taking away his favorite punching bag. The relationship Luo Binghe regrets the most, which he always wished could be different. His precious shizun who hated him so much. Who needs to suffer, endlessly, for what he did.
Shen Jiu has accepted this too.
So, that being the case, he’d better get comfortable in the water prison. He must get used to the constant suffering. Let it become as banal and expected as breathing.
He’s done that before. Luo Binghe is more imaginative than the Qius and less rational than Wu Yanzi. But in the end, there is very little difference between any of them.
People are all the same. Sadistic, cruel. Always waiting for a chance to strike. And among people, alphas are the best examples of this. The truth that always bears itself out.
Whether human or demon, all alphas are monsters.
_____________________
The door to Shen Jiu’s cell opens after an infinite stretch of time. He knows with one glance who has come today.
This annoying little kid.
For some reason, after Luo Binghe took over the world he decided to leave Huan Hua Palace sect more or less intact. He spared the lives of many people within the sect, including the old palace master. The fact that he left men alive is strange; normally Luo Binghe would kill all except for the women, whom he would promptly bed and wed (which he did with the palace master’s daughter). Shen Jiu doesn’t know the real reason. Perhaps the master’s daughter had something to do with it (did she beg her husband to spare their lives? Was this act of mercy part of his wedding gift? That’s a laughable idea!).
Anyway. Luo Binghe has kept alive a few lackeys from Huan Hua sect who know their way around the water prison. There are not many people who can navigate the labyrinthine tunnels. This pathetic, naive-minded child who just arrived is of them. Like everyone else, he has bent the knee to Luo Binghe and does whatever the demon lord bids. With his sect in such a good position, he probably wants to cast Huan Hua in a useful light.
He’s an idiot. A useful one, perhaps, for Luo Binghe. But ultimately he serves no purpose.
Gongyi Xiao is his name. Shen Jiu remembers him from the Immortal Alliance conference. The Huan Hua favorite. Born to an affluent upperclass family, Gongyi Xiao advanced naturally to the upper echelons of the jianghu on the basis of name, skill, and good temperament.
Part of Shen Jiu will always hate him for that. The easy life he’s been unselfconsciously living. How very fortunate he is and how very worthy . Skill and success rained down upon Gongyi Xiao from the boughs of a limitless stockpile. He would have succeeded no matter what.
Ugh. Why couldn’t Luo Binghe have killed this breed of person in his rampage? Why is Gongyi Xiao still so well-protected?
“Elder Shen, it’s time for your meal.”
Even though Shen Jiu is hardly an elder anymore, no longer a peak lord, Gongyi Xiao insists on calling him this. He’s a conservative lad with a careful eye for what’s proper and filial. Even in these apocalyptic times.
Like Shen Jiu said, an idiot.
Grunting, rubbing his bound wrists together (there is a cursory set of shackles around his wrists, just plain metal), Shen Jiu sits up on his knees. Despite all his rage and bitterness, Shen Jiu is human after all. He still needs to eat. He wants to see what Gongyi Xiao has brought him.
This highly capable disciple was tasked with bringing food to a lowly, worthless prisoner like Shen Jiu for one reason: He knows the water prison. That’s it. How humiliating it must be! Reduced to nothing more than a prison guard! For someone as filthy and degenerate as Shen Jiu! Hardly even a person in the eyes of the world. Akin to the grit and dirt underneath their feet. And an omega to boot!
Gongyi Xiao is the consummate alpha. Of course he is. His lily and honeycomb musk is overbearing. Thick glaze on pork shoulder. Crystallized honey crunching under a knife that cuts open a hot, too-sweet slab of meat. Laying on a bed of garden lilies. That’s what Gongyi Xiao smells like.
His scent eclipses everything else in the prison. Naturally. The worst part is, he smells like the meal Shen Jiu wishes he could have. The best New Year’s dinner ever. In the body of a boy whose two feet know only how to follow the leader in front of him. The old palace master or Luo Binghe. Whomever it may be.
Shen Jiu is so tired of it. He would hate Gongyi Xiao more if only he could muster the energy. As it is, he’s really hungry. It must be at least three days since he’s last eaten.
Gongyi Xiao traverses the water traps and kneels down on the pedestal next to Shen Jiu. He’s not afraid to come close. Why would he be? Shen Jiu has no power anymore!
Besides, they’ve done this before. As the weeks and months pass, they’ve come to a kind of bemused, uncomfortable understanding. They don’t speak much to each other. If at all. Gongyi Xiao delivers the food, says a few unnecessary things, and then departs without a second glance.
He must be resentful of his task. How could he not be! Although, the tight line of his shoulders, his un-sneering face, and his passively succinct demeanor don’t give Shen Jiu the impression of hatred.
Which is strange.
“White rice and fish, and of course your water,” Gongyi Xiao explains pointlessly as he lays out two bowls and a gourd.
Shen Jiu greedily sucks down the water. He brings the bowl of rice to his face so he can shovel the food straight into his mouth.
The rice is not warm. Nor is it clean. But it’ll do.
“Elder Shen…”
Truthfully, Shen Jiu has no desire to speak with Gongyi Xiao. Even though this boy is the only other person besides Luo Binghe who ever comes down here, Shen Jiu feels no gratitude towards him. It is clear that Gongyi Xiao will not do anything he has not been ordered to do. Thus he will not help Shen Jiu in any way. He will not help him escape. He will not make sure the food is clean. He will not even give Shen Jiu a blanket to stop him from freezing to death in this frigid place.
“Bandages for my eye.” Shen Jiu has been asking for this repeatedly since the beast ripped out the damn thing. Gongyi Xiao always shakes his head and turns away. But that won’t stop Shen Jiu from asking. His wounds need to be treated, or else his body will rot away.
This is the only thing Shen Jiu has to say to Gongyi Xiao.
Once again, the star pupil is conspicuously silent. Speechless, in an awkward way. Is he made uncomfortable by the horrific picture Shen Jiu paints? Does the Qing Jing peak lord’s degradation disturb him?
Good. It should. Let him be disturbed.
“No, I can’t, but…”
To Shen Jiu’s immense surprise, a warm fingertip touches his right temple. A soft golden light emanates from his right side, in the corner he can no longer see. Golden qi is evidence of Huan Hua palace techniques. And the saccharine honey scent belongs entirely to Gongyi Xiao.
Gentle warmth rushes through Shen Jiu’s eye socket, chasing away the nagging pain. The suddenness of that sensation makes him audibly gasp. His body has been in constant pain for so long! The last thing he expected to feel was warmth.
“Is that better? That should stop the wound from festering at least.” A wrinkle has appeared between Gongyi Xiao’s eyebrows.
“….” Now Shen Jiu has been rendered speechless. His quick eye darts all over Gongyi Xiao’s face, trying to read whatever he can about this boy. Who is suddenly closer than they’ve ever come.
“That’s all I can do for now,” Gongyi Xiao says. “But maybe next time the palace lord will allow me to…”
At that, Shen Jiu snorts in disgust. “Save your breath, boy,” he spits venomously. “We both know what you’ll do.”
Gongyi Xiao’s eyes flash. His temperature flares, alpha outrage at being spoken to like that by an omega. (Or at least, that’s probably what it is.) Shen Jiu can feel it from where he kneels.
He is quiet for a moment, getting his temperature back under control. Then he says, “And what will I do, Elder Shen? Please enlighten me.”
“You will do whatever your master tells you to do. That’s the kind of man you are.” Shen Jiu spares no disgust from those words. He is certain of what he says.
Gongyi Xiao’s temperature is set to a slow boil. His smell pulsates with heat from his alpha body. Throbbing. Shen Jiu can’t help noticing…
There’s something different about this kid today.
Very different.
“Hmph.” Gongyi Xiao shakes his head. Harder than necessary. He opens his mouth to say something, but then he stops. Words visibly catch in his throat. Nothing comes out.
His eyes are glued to Shen Jiu’s chest. Where his flimsy robe has fallen open.
The heat in the air intensifies. Significantly.
Shen Jiu rears his head back, surprised yet again! Now his eye is reading everything correctly! The way Gongyi Xiao’s muscles bulge underneath his robe, as if the clothes are suddenly too small for him. The anxious way he stands. The temperature that fluctuates wildly, barely under control…!
Oh. Well. This is a problem.
Just as Shen Jiu is running through a list of possible ways to handle this (there are ultimately very few options available to him), Gongyi Xiao turns away. He gives his back to Shen Jiu and steps to the edge of the pedestal, beginning to make his exit.
Thank the heavens. Shen Jiu breathes a small sigh of relief.
“At any rate, there are many cuts and bruises on your body that should be looked at. Please take this time to rest well, Elder Shen.”
What a stupid thing to say! How on earth is Shen Jiu supposed to rest, here of all places—!
But Gongyi Xiao has already departed. Swift as his light-step will carry him.
Good. That’s one less problem to worry about. That boy should do himself a favor and visit a brothel later today. There will be plenty of omegas there who know just what to do with an alpha like him. Gongyi Xiao has money, doesn’t he? Might as well put it to good use! Unless he’s too upright to even consider associating with people who make their living through sex…who knows. At least he had enough control over himself to leave in that moment, before it got to the point of no return.
Shen Jiu has known many alphas in his life. He knows what they’re like. He knows what it means when an alpha looks at him like that. He knows how to read their bodies.
He touches his temple where Gongyi Xiao healed him. The tingling sensation still lingers, in the marrow of Shen Jiu’s bones where the pain has subsided.
That kid is a strange one, though.
No matter. When Luo Binghe sees that Shen Jiu’s wound has been healed, he will undoubtedly take it upon himself to simply make another. And another, and another. So there’s that to look forward to.
___________________________
Except, Luo Binghe never comes. He hasn’t been to the water prison in ages and he seems content to keep it that way.
Instead, Gongyi Xiao arrives again. Very soon after he left (possibly even the same day).
“Elder Shen, I’ve returned to take a look at your wounds.”
Lo and behold, Gongyi Xiao has brought a number of new things with him this time. Cloths, vials, bandages, a blanket, and a small bushel of…apples.
As soon as Shen Jiu sees the fruit, he lunges for it. Past the point of dignity. Fresh apples! His hands shake as he takes a bite. It feels like pure decadence. Since he’s been down here, he hasn’t had anything fresh—and certainly not anything sweet.
He moans outright. Juice drips down his chin. He wipes it off then licks his hand to chase the taste, not wanting to waste a drop.
Gongyi Xiao is watching him closely. His eyes are smoldering hot. But he is smiling, as if he doesn’t even notice how hot it’s gotten in here.
Apparently very pleased, Gongyi Xiao carefully rolls up Shen Jiu’s sleeves and begins wiping down his abused skin with a hot towel. Removing the lingering traces of acid, wiping away smears of blood left over from Luo Binghe’s abuses. Gongyi Xiao cleans him. His arms, his neck, even his face. He cleans everything that is not covered by the robe.
The hot towel feels…wonderful. Shen Jiu’s lips tremble with relief. He cannot remember the last time his skin felt clean, as if it wasn’t trying to crawl away from him and his filthy soul…
Sniffing, trying to collect himself, Shen Jiu cautiously eats his apple. Ignoring the way his eyes have filled with tears and how red his nose has gotten. He can’t control that. His body is weak. He thought he was in a place where no amount of comfort would ever come to him again. But this stupid Gongyi Xiao decided to drag out a secret longing inside of him. The desire to be soothed.
“I’m glad you like the apple,” Gongyi Xiao says with a smirk. He is applying salve to various cuts and deep bruises. His strong alpha fingers work swiftly and efficiently. “There’s more for you.”
Shen Jiu’s greedy eye flicks over to the bushel. He grabs two more apples and eats them both at the same time.
While Shen Jiu eats, Gongyi Xiao places two fingertips on his sternum. Pulses of gentle qi flow through him. Shen Jiu can’t breathe for a moment as his body sings, warm from the inside out. When it’s done he is left panting.
What is this boy doing…?
Gongyi Xiao holds up the thick, furry blanket he brought. He wraps it around Shen Jiu’s shoulders to trap the bodyheat he just generated from his core.
Tears brim in Shen Jiu’s eye. He automatically burrows under the blanket and pulls it tight across his chest. Feeling as if he has some kind of shield from the cruelty of this place. The fur tickles his chin and Shen Jiu finally lets the tears fall.
Gongyi Xiao says nothing. He simply drags a wet comb through Shen Jiu’s hair and continuously sends treacherous, heavenly pulses of qi through Shen Jiu’s head and neck.
Now that honeycomb lily scent is stronger than it’s ever been. Pervasive. Relentless. Gongyi Xiao’s presence is dominating everything inside this prison…and it feels as natural as anything could.
The omegahood inside Shen Jiu, a thing he has not quite reckoned with yet, mewls in satisfaction. There is a soft spot in his belly made of nothing but cream and abject neediness. That place is squirming with happiness. Chanting to itself: Yes, alpha .
“So the palace lord…” Shen Jiu begins, clearing his throat and fighting that voice with all his might, “…I suppose he decided to let you do this after all. Is that what happened?”
Shockingly, Gongyi Xiao shakes his head no. His scent twinges with a cinnamon swirl of pride. “No,” he says. “Not at all. I didn’t speak to him today.”
He makes devastating eye contact with Shen Jiu. “I don’t need his permission to do this for you.”
Shen Jiu’s mouth parts in surprise! This boy did this all on his own? He is disobeying Luo Binghe, and probably his own master as well, to be down here tending to him? He’ll be throttled if they find out! Why on earth would he do something so stupid? For what?! For—
“I guess I’m not the man you thought I was.” The pride in Gongyi Xiao’s smile turns into pure alpha-like arrogance.
This kid…!
It’s not often Shen Jiu’s estimation of a person is wrong. But it seems that perhaps…maybe this one time…he might have been too quick to judge Gongyi Xiao.
Because apparently the golden Huan Hua sect disciple is not the sycophantic fool Shen Jiu thought he was. At least not entirely. Because here he is. Treating Shen Jiu with a kindness that could land him in prison right alongside him.
Humming contentedly, Gongyi Xiao leans forward and buries his nose in Shen Jiu’s hair. He inhales deeply. Making the tiny hairs on Shen Jiu’s body stand at attention.
“You…!”
All at once, the picture comes into focus.
It’s obvious now why Gongyi Xiao has returned. Why he’s being so reckless. Why he’s going above and beyond—
Oh, no.
Hissing, Shen Jiu scrambles backwards. Away from Gongyi Xiao. He puts the entire length of the pedestal between them. Not nearly enough distance, but it’s as far as he can get.
The haze of smugness and feline satisfaction vanishes from Gongyi Xiao’s face. As he realizes what he’s just done, his face dissolves into horror.
“Oh my—my apologies, Elder Shen!” A quick blush rises to his cheeks and the air gets slightly cooler. “I’m so sorry! I-I don’t know what came over me, I was…” He lifts a hand to his forehead to check his own temperature. He gasps when his hand comes away wet with sweat.
Does he realize what’s happening to him?
Abruptly, knocking over the bushel of apples, Gongyi Xiao jolts to his feet. He glances around the water prison as if he doesn’t remember coming here. “How…how long has it been since I last came here…? It felt like forever but now I think maybe I was mistaken…”
Oh, for the love of…! This boy—this naive alpha cub!—doesn’t even understand what’s happening to his own body!
Shen Jiu takes a deep breath. In a firm voice, he gives a command. “You should leave now.”
Gongyi Xiao nods absentmindedly, turning around to follow Shen Jiu’s order. But something stops him dead in his tracks. Like there’s a hook buried in his middle section. He comes to a halt.
The air crackles with dynamic tension. Alpha and omega scents mingling. When these two differentiations come into close contact while one of them is in such a state—
Growling low in his throat, Gongyi Xiao digs his fingers into his own thighs. Hard enough to rip the fabric. He clenches his jaw tightly and forces himself, with a considerable amount of strength, to descend the pedestal and head towards the exit.
His head tries to back in Shen Jiu’s direction, but he won’t allow it. He adamantly does not look at the omega while he leaves. Instead, he walks out on stiff legs and unsteady feet.
After he’s gone, Shen Jiu exhales a breath of relief. He narrowly escaped fate for the second time, it seems.
But most likely…
He wraps the blanket tighter around his shoulders, feeling more exposed than ever.
Most likely that alpha cub will be back. If Shen Jiu’s suspicions are correct.
______________________
And of course, they are. Shen Jiu will never be wrong twice in a row.
Only a few hours later (even shorter than the last span of time), Gongyi Xiao is back. He brings a torrential onslaught of his alpha scent with him. The walls of the prison are dripping with honey. The water around Gongyi Xiao’s body evaporates into steam as he walks; his body temperature is hot enough to boil water.
His eyes are consumed with the viscous, swaggering lust inherent to all alphas. He is smirking again. He climbs the pedestal and jumps on top of Shen Jiu without a moment’s hesitation.
Ah, yes. Shen Jiu knew this would happen. He fully expected it. For fuck’s sake! This idiot has…
This stupid brat has gone and imprinted on him.
“Mmm…” Gongyi Xiao runs his nose up and down Shen Jiu’s neck. Sniffing and sniffing. “Ah…you smell so good, baobei. Sweet, sweet, sweet. So bitter and so sour, but so sweet at the same time. Like a ripe grapefruit. Oh, oh, yes, so good…”
Even bolder, Gongyi Xiao licks Shen Jiu’s exposed collarbone. Moaning with an open mouth as his burning hot tongue makes contact with Shen Jiu’s skin. And even though Shen Jiu harbors no attraction to this kid (of course he doesn’t), he can’t hold back a gasp. That tongue is so hot! And Gongyi Xiao smells so damn good! A succulent bite of pork waiting to be eaten! That meat would make his body feel so full…
His soft belly mewls again.
Okay, time to take control of the situation.
Carefully, Shen Jiu places both hands on Gongyi Xiao’s shoulders. He slides them up Gongyi Xiao’s neck. Words won’t reach this kid now, he’s too far gone in his rut. The only thing he’ll respond to now is touch. So Shen Jiu caresses his neck, purring softly, and drags his hands up to his face. He massages Gongyi Xiao’s cheekbones and the smooth skin around his nose, where alphas love to be stroked. He rubs small circles into the younger man’s cheeks with his thumbs. Watching in idle fascination as Gongyi Xiao’s eyes roll back in his head.
“Gongyi Xiao,” Shen Jiu whispers softly. “Are you aware of what’s happening to you right now?”
“Mmm…baobei…hands soft…” Oblivious, Gongyi Xiao’s lips tremble as he bears his teeth. Clearly longing to bite. He’s lost all coherency.
And who the fuck is he calling that ?
Clicking his teeth (look at the state of this alpha cub), Shen Jiu snakes his hands downward. He palms Gongyi Xiao’s toned chest, fondling the decently sized pectorals. He chuckles in faint amusement as Gongyi Xiao flexes his muscles underneath Shen Jiu’s palms. An alpha cannot help showing off.
Especially for the omega he has imprinted on.
“Alright, alright, take it easy,” Shen Jiu tuts as Gongyi Xiao nuzzles the side of his neck. Nibbling on him with a faint whisper of aggression; the writhing need to claim .
Gongyi Xiao is leaving very little to the imagination. His hips meet Shen Jiu’s thigh and he immediately begins to thrust, pressing his obvious hardness into supple skin. His golden robes look obscene stretched around the bulge between his legs. His knees are stained with muck from this prison floor. Teeth bared, on all fours, Gongyi Xiao looks like a degenerate, rut-sick alpha.
Shen Jiu pets his head. He sort of feels bad for the kid. Clearly Gongyi Xiao is out of his mind. He didn’t seem to understand what was happening to him earlier. Maybe he’s not even aware that he imprinted on Shen Jiu. So then his instincts are entirely in control right now.
It’s understandable. Alphas don’t like to talk about the possibility of imprinting. It makes them feel weak. To be fair, it doesn’t happen often.
Basically, when an alpha is attracted to an omega (for whatever reason, they like their scent, they feel a chemistry) and they are near their rut cycle, sometimes a primal switch flips in their brains and they are overpowered by the urge to mate with that specific omega. They might haphazardly court the omega first, as Gongyi Xiao tried to do when he tended Shen Jiu’s wounds, but ultimately they cannot rest until they mate. No other omega will satisfy them once the imprinting has occurred. They are locked in. Their ruts are stronger than usual and they must mate with the omega who triggered them until they are well and truly done.
It’s inconvenient. To say the least. Most alphas talk big and deny that imprinting even exists. But Shen Jiu has seen it before. He knows the signs.
The real victims in this situation, of course, are the omegas. The connection does not run both ways. Just because the alphas have imprinted does not mean the omegas feel any special attraction of their own. They simply see an alpha in rut—which can be a potent aphrodisiac for an omega, to be sure. So in the end, the omega will be swept up in the alpha’s pheromones and go along with the mating process. In some cases this will lead to bonding, but not always. The pair might simply recover from the wild sex and go their separate ways, writing the whole thing off as a weird happenstance.
Shen Jiu doesn’t know what will happen in Gongyi Xiao’s case. But he knows, unequivocally, that he is about to get fucked.
At first when he realized what was happening, he was frightened. He hissed and backed away. He thought he would have to fight Gongyi Xiao, as he’s always fought. But now that some time has passed and Shen Jiu’s had a moment or two to think about it…
Well, Gongyi Xiao is young. He’s un-bonded. In fact, he smells like a virgin. So he is inexperienced with the cruel ways of alphas.
Besides, he…
His qi is very warm. He touched Shen Jiu so gently before. He could have pushed him down and had his way with Shen Jiu right then and there! But he tried to stop himself…he even apologized…
Shen Jiu tucks a strand of hair behind Gongyi Xiao’s ear. His ponytail is coming loose because he’s thrusting so hard. Might as well get rid of it. He pulls away the fancy hair crown and Gongyi Xiao’s hair falls down in a wild bush. What a feral boy! Smirking, Shen Jiu buries a hand in his hair and affectionately scratches his scalp.
“Mmm…” Gongyi Xiao’s moan turns into a croon. A mating call. He wraps his arms around Shen Jiu’s frail body. He is humping and licking him haphazardly. Crooning in between licks.
He has no idea what he’s doing.
Shen Jiu pushes open his thin robe, baring himself. He knows what he’s submitting to. He’s alright with it. When the seals on his dynamic disappeared, Shen Jiu knew he was never going to be able to keep himself free of the alphas’ demands. He suspected Luo Binghe would be the first, but apparently that right is going to Gongyi Xiao. Shen Jiu will admit to being surprised. But…he could do worse.
Gongyi Xiao is a decent alpha. Kind. Obedient. And grateful!
“Beautiful, beautiful…beautiful…” Gongyi Xiao chants as he licks and kisses Shen Jiu’s bare torso. “Thank you, thank you…oh, baobei, you’re so beautiful. Can I have you? Can I?”
Shen Jiu likes the way this kid asks. Not many alphas (none that Shen Jiu has ever met) would even think to ask. Especially not in the throes of their rut!
Nodding his head, smiling on one side of his face with as much warmth as he possesses (which is admittedly very, very little), Shen Jiu spreads his legs. “You may,” he says. “But be gentle.”
A tremor passes through Gongyi Xiao and he falls forward, collapsing on top of Shen Jiu. For a moment Shen Jiu thinks this alpha cub might have climaxed already—just from the promise of consent!—but then Gongyi Xiao swivels his hips and Shen Jiu can feel that he is still hard. No knot yet, although this kid’s rod is pulsating in desperation. He really needs to be touched.
Shen Jiu will help him out. Because Gongyi Xiao helped him before. The blanket and the warm towels. The healing qi. That counts for a lot.
Shen Jiu can be kind too. When he finds someone worthy of it.
He wraps his hand around Gongyi Xiao’s clothed member. He fondles it for a bit, appreciating the way Gongyi Xiao throws his head back and growls. His hips thrust to meet Shen Jiu’s hand in a mad frenzy. Needing more, not sure how to get it.
Watching Gongyi Xiao come undone is fun, Shen Jiu decides. He’ll do this slowly. To make sure that Gongyi Xiao doesn’t lose control and concede to his natural aggression. And because it’s satisfying to see an alpha so helpless.
When he hears Gongyi Xiao begin to whimper, frustrated with his inability to get off, Shen Jiu knows this kid has reached a limit with teasing. So he sticks his hand inside Gongyi Xiao’s pants and pulls out his starving manhood. It is scorching hot and very heavy. Proud, but not ridiculously large. Just the right size.
“My, my, my,” Shen Jiu purrs. “Look at you, xiao gongzi. Your little brother is impressive, I’ll admit. Not bad.”
Gongyi Xiao preens in satisfaction and pulls his pants down to his knees. He shoves his cock into Shen Jiu’s fist, holding his omega’s hand in place so he can appreciate the full glory.
“Do you like it?” he asks. Smug but earnest. “Does baobei like the sight of my cock? Does it turn him on?”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself,” Shen Jiu barks, although he is blushing at Gongyi Xiao’s crude language. (Such coarse words from such a proper mouth…it’s arousing, there’s no doubt about it.) “And what happened to ‘Elder Shen’?”
“Elder…Shen…?” Gongyi Xiao’s vague expression darkens somewhat. His hips don’t stop moving, but he frowns as he stares into Shen Jiu’s face.
Then all at once he comes back into himself. Light dawns on his face and the haze of rut vanishes from his eyes—
“Elder Shen! Holy—oh, no, what on earth am I doing!”
Aghast, Gongyi Xiao scrambles backwards. He hastily pulls up his pants to cover himself. Seeing the state of Shen Jiu’s clothes, he tries to close the flimsy robe…but not before stealing a peek at Shen Jiu’s bare body underneath. The tiny omega cock and the promising hole beneath.
“Ah!” Screaming in horror, Gongyi Xiao pulls his hands away as if burned. He squeezes his eyes shut and holds his head in his hands. “What have I done! I’m so sorry, I completely lost control! I’m sorry, I’m sorry…I don’t understand…what the fuck did I just do!”
“Shh, shh, it’s alright.” Shen Jiu crawls towards him and puts a hand on his shaking shoulders. “Gongyi Xiao. I said it’s alright.”
Gongyi Xiao squirms away from him. “D-don’t touch me, please,” he begs. “I can’t control myself right now and I…don’t know what I’ll do…”
“Yes, I know. You’re in full rut. And you’ve imprinted on me.” Shen Jiu states the facts calmly. Speaking in a low voice.
“I…what?” Gongyi Xiao lifts his head, clearly confused.
As expected, he doesn’t know what’s happening to him.
“I’ll explain later,” Shen Jiu says. He opens his robes again and spreads his legs (he would open his arms too but his hands are bound). “For now just come over here and take me. Or you’ll make yourself sick.”
Gongyi Xiao shakes his head. “I can’t possibly do that. It’s not right…you…”
It is very, very surprising to see Gongyi Xiao holding back so much. An alpha faced with an omega throwing themselves at their feet…what sort of alpha would turn that down? What alpha could even try?
Shen Jiu scoffs. “Why don’t you just do it? What’s stopping you?”
Gongyi Xiao stares back at him. Agonized. The tortured crunch of his eyebrows, the tight curve of his mouth, and the sweat on his forehead all show that this is not an easy answer to give.
“Because I can’t,” he says. Just that.
As if that’s an answer.
The rut-heavy air around them is rife with tension and unsatisfied sexual desire. Gongyi Xiao is shivering, trying to hold himself back with all his might. His face has gone pale and his teeth are chattering. His knees rub together; his poor alpha cock must be in a lot of pain. If he keeps this up he really will make himself sick.
The sight this alpha cub is at once the most pathetic and the most endearing thing Shen Jiu has ever seen. He really underestimated this kid. Gongyi Xiao has the most self-control out of any alpha Shen Jiu has ever met. His willingness to do good, to do the right thing…is actually quite touching.
Enough is enough.
Shen Jiu uses what remains of his strength to struggle to his feet. He walks over to Gongyi Xiao, who sits there captivated, unable to take his eyes away, and plops himself right down in Gongyi Xiao’s lap.
“Oh…” Gongyi Xiao’s eyelids flutter in pleasure. His hips rise to meet Shen Jiu’s body again. His head lolls backwards. “Elder Shen…”
“That propriety of yours is pretty tenacious, isn’t it?” Shen Jiu rubs the heel of his hand against Gongyi Xiao’s painfully hard cock.
Growling, gnashing his teeth, Gongyi Xiao continues to shake his head. But he doesn’t have the strength to pull away anymore. “But Elder Shen, you’re a prisoner…and I’m the one guarding the prison…it’s not right…it’s cruel to make you—oh! Ah!”
Shen Jiu squeezes his cock with relish. Although this boy is talking nonsense, Shen Jiu likes to hear it. The unflappable kindness that seems to be an innate part of who Gongyi Xiao is.
“You’re not forcing me to do anything,” Shen Jiu explains. “I already agreed to do it. And you could always untie me, if it bothers you so much.”
Gongyi Xiao’s eyes are actually filling with tears! This silly boy! “That’s not it, I…Shen-zongzhu, you’re a peak lord and I’m just a disciple—!”
“I’m not a peak lord anymore.”
Shen Jiu lays himself down on top of Gongyi Xiao. They both sigh when their bodies touch.
The atmosphere around them has become very hot indeed. Shen Jiu is feeling it too. A pulse of slick drips out of him, wetting the thin cloth of the robe. Gongyi Xiao will be able to smell it soon.
Shen Jiu wants Gongyi Xiao to smell it. To know his scent, which he seems to love so much.
There. Finally, Gongyi Xiao’s hands come up to fondle Shen Jiu’s waist. His grip is light, very hesitant. As if he’s afraid he’ll touch something he isn’t supposed to.
Huffing, Shen Jiu grabs Gongyi Xiao’s wrist and places his hand lower. Right on the meat of his backside.
The boy moans when he feels it. Right away, he’s starts massaging the soft flesh to his heart’s content. His other hand comes down to join in, and before Shen Jiu knows it, this kid is fondling the slick parting of his cheeks.
He can feel himself getting wetter. Gongyi Xiao’s fingers must be wet too by now.
“Oh, Elder Shen…” Moaning in delight, the kid stuffs his wet fingers in his mouth, tasting Shen Jiu’s slick. He croons and sighs as he licks his own fingers clean. Instantly addicted to the taste.
A damp, warm mist falls over Shen Jiu’s vision. He loves watching his alpha helping himself to his slick!
“Do you like the taste?” he asks with a giggle. He shifts his weight backwards and plants his feet firmly on the ground. Legs open wide, giving Gongyi Xiao a clear view of his wet hole. “There’s more down below. If you want. Right here.” He reaches between his legs to pull his cheeks apart.
What’s…wrong with him? Why is he acting this way? Shen Jiu isn’t like this! He just wanted to help Gongyi Xiao through his rut and now he’s….!
Oh, no. It can’t be, he’s—
“I’m sorry, I have to...!” Before he can even finish talking, Gongyi Xiao yanks Shen Jiu’s body closer. Pulling him by the hips. He sits Shen Jiu on top of his face, directly over his mouth so he can shove his tongue inside and suck out all the slick. Licking with abandon.
Deep pleasure rolls through Shen Jiu’s body. He shivers and moans. Gongyi Xiao’s tongue feels so good! Oh, his alpha has a nice strong tongue! Very astute! He licks Shen Jiu’s hole clean, without wasting a drop! Even though more and more slick is flowing out of Shen Jiu like a river, Gongyi Xiao does his best to lap up everything he can.
“Good boy,” Shen Jiu purrs, rocking his hips, fucking himself on Gongyi Xiao’s tongue. “Very good. Take as much as you like. No need to be shy…oh, yes, good…”
Shen Jiu is gone too, now. The scent of alpha rut is too strong, too arousing. He can feel the prickly itchiness inside that means his heat is coming on…
This fucking brat. Triggering Shen Jiu’s heat with his sloppy courtship! And that devilishly thorough tongue! Oh, and his hands…and his too-sweet honey smell…and his ample muscles. Strong alpha. Good! Perfect for Shen Jiu! He’ll make a good mate…
That soft spot in Shen Jiu’s belly has spread to his whole body. He feels like a fluid bowl of cream in Gongyi Xiao’s hands. Splashing against the sides. Spilling over. He’s wet everywhere and it won’t stop…he’s become a hot, itchy puddle of slick. Quivering from how much he needs his alpha !
“Elder Shen, I have to tell you…” Gongyi Xiao’s head pops up between Shen Jiu’s spread thighs. His mouth is shiny from slick. “You should know that I’ve always, always admired you. Since the first time I saw you at the Immortal Alliance conference. I thought you looked…ethereal. Otherworldly. Like a god sent from heaven.”
Praise like this—which Shen Jiu has never heard before in his life, and which he would find utterly ridiculous if he were in his right mind—makes Shen Jiu moan and throw his head back. He presses his twitching hole against Gongyi Xiao’s mouth, wanting more.
So Gongyi Xiao gets back to work. He is quite a dutiful lad. But he manages to speak in between licks.
“I wanted you even when I thought you were a beta. I knew we could never…because we were worlds apart…but that didn’t stop me from wanting you. I wanted you so bad…”
You should have had me, Shen Jiu thinks, nonsensically. You should have taken me then, fucked me raw in that lonely bamboo house where I spent so many years stewing in regret. You should have fucking done it—
He’s not able to say any of this because he’s lost the ability to speak. He can only moan and shake his hips. Like a good omega.
“I always knew you were good…” Gongyi Xiao continues. His fingers join his tongue and he spreads Shen Jiu’s hole open. Preparing him. “I don’t believe any of the lies…I don’t care where you’re from, who your master was…I know you’re not that person! There’s no way it’s true!”
Suddenly Shen Jiu’s eye fills with tears. Tears of desire, of desperation, of repressed longing. An ancient urge to be seen, which apparently Gongyi Xiao was doing all along. This kid doesn’t know the first thing about Shen Jiu (other than all those ugly truths Luo Binghe uncovered), but even so…his earnest words touch Shen Jiu in an intimate place he has not yet shared with the world. Not even with himself. A place he tried to seal off. Forever.
A needy, yearning place. Deep, deep inside him.
“When Luo Binghe asked for a palace servant to guard your cell, I jumped at the chance. Everyone was shocked that I volunteered for a job meant for the servants, but I wouldn’t take no for an answer. I had to do it.”
Seeing that his mate is responsive, Gongyi Xiao switches their positions. He gently lays Shen Jiu on his back and fits himself between those thighs that hold themselves open for him. He kisses Shen Jiu’s wet face, mixing tears with slick. Making a huge mess. Shen Jiu is putty in his hands at this point, so he searches for those lips. Finagling him into a kiss.
Their very first.
Gongyi Xiao’s kind alpha hands stroke Shen Jiu’s face. Their kiss is nosy and artless, but it lights a special spark inside both of them. A wordless understanding that they are both wanted. That the desire is mutual.
“I had to see you, Elder Shen.” Gongyi Xiao’s story is not done. “I had to make sure you were alright. To tend to you myself. I didn’t trust anyone else to…do it right.”
He hoists Shen Jiu’s leg over his shoulder, lining up his thick cockhead with Shen Jiu’s stretched, drenched hole. The head kisses Shen Jiu there, where he’s trembling, and he wails a throaty mating call. He needs to be fucked now!
This stupid, greenhorn kid. This beautiful alpha. No wonder he imprinted on Shen Jiu! He’s wanted him all along!
“Elder Shen, may I…?” Somehow, Gongyi Xiao is still asking! “May I have you now? Is it really alright?”
Shen Jiu nods hastily. He holds Gongyi Xiao’s face in his bound hands. “Do it. I’m telling you to do it. I…I demand it!”
Not needing any more than that, Gongyi Xiao plunges himself to the hilt inside Shen Jiu. Stuffing himself as deep as he can, taking everything. Every inch of his omega.
The moment Shen Jiu is full, he reaches a sudden, very intense climax. He cums on Gongyi Xiao’s cock, squirting slick and semen in a wet, wild rush. He feels that climax in the very core of his being. In his…oh, heaven above, in his womb .
His womb aches as it reverberates from his orgasm. It knows what it wants. It wants to be warm , it wants to be filled, it wants to milk Gongyi Xiao’s cock dry so it will empty itself inside. And then Shen Jiu will be full to bursting! As he should be!
He clenches around his alpha’s cock. Encouraging him to unload. “Alpha! Fill me, alpha! Please!” His mewling cries turn into screams as Gongyi Xiao begins to fuck him in earnest. Thrusting in and out with commanding snaps of his hips.
Gongyi Xiao has no technique. No special skills, no tremendous cock to write books about. But even so. He fucks Shen Jiu. He fucks the life out of him. He fucks him like crazy, merciless and hard, with the singleminded determination of a star pupil aimed to please. Sights set on a goal that will undoubtedly be achieved.
He fucks Shen Jiu into several more orgasms. Before Shen Jiu knows what’s happening, he’s coming apart at the seams! It feels like he’s cumming nonstop! He can’t even get a full breath in before Gongyi Xiao is fucking him into another earth shattering peak. This kid is hammering away at him like a mindless brute. Ridiculously strong! Staving off his own orgasm with some divine strength that Shen Jiu doesn’t even understand!
He’s never been more wrong about a person in his whole life. Gongyi Xiao is remarkable! He’s insanely good at pleasuring Shen Jiu. He’s fucking his brains out at this point, and Shen Jiu has absolutely nothing to say.
Except, of course, to beg. “Please! Please, please, ah! Please! I need, I need, I need…fill me, alpha! I need it! Be good and fill me up! I want it all the way inside! Oh right there, please !” The walls of the water prison echo with Shen Jiu’s screams.
This alpha cub has completely dominated him. Inside and out.
When at last Gongyi Xiao cannot hold off any longer, he nuzzles Shen Jiu’s neck. The bulging scent gland that’s just begging to be marked.
“My baobei is so good at cumming on my cock,” he remarks absentmindedly. He’s slipped back into the smug confidence inherent to his dynamic. “I want you to keep cumming forever. Would you like that? You want to be mine? All mine? Mine, mine, mine, mine…”
Shen Jiu knows what this kid is about to do. In his heart of hearts, he wants it. He wants Gongyi Xiao to bite him, claim him, bind them together as mates for life. He wants to make it so that Gongyi Xiao will never be able to get hard for any other omega. He wants to be the one to carry all of Gongyi Xiao’s pups. He wants to make a pack with this man. This endearing, loving man who does whatever Shen Jiu asks. Who treats him like a lord even when he’s nothing but a worthless prisoner locked far away from the light…
But. They can’t.
What will the beast do if another alpha claims his former shizun? He’s possessive and mercurial. He’ll probably kill them both. Or else he’ll use it to torture them endlessly in some previously unimaginable way…
No. Shen Jiu cannot allow that. He’ll take all manner of punishment for himself, but for Gongyi Xiao…no. He cannot let it happen.
He stops Gongyi Xiao’s head, pushing him away as he tries to bite him. When his teeth meet the air, Gongyi Xiao whimpers pathetically. He feels the rejection quite strongly.
“Not yet, my love. Not yet…” Shen Jiu purrs and hums. Soothing him. “Just cum inside me for now. That’s it, there you go…be a good boy and cum—”
Helpless against his omega’s demands, Gongyi Xiao finally allows himself to climax. He pumps his elder full of virile, voluminous semen. Right where Shen Jiu wants it, right inside his womb.
Shen Jiu cums one more time from the feeling of Gongyi Xiao’s release. He can feel himself being filled all the way up to his eye, which bulges in overwhelmed shock. He is orgasming inside his womb, which is an entirely new feeling that takes him out of his mind.
Gongyi Xiao is still hard. His knot formed promptly, right on time. He rocks his cock back and forth slightly, chasing the tail end of his own release. Teasing Shen Jiu’s overwhelmed, sensitive body.
“No…no more…” Shen Jiu manages to say, speaking around a mouth full of cotton. He’s laying in his own drool and he can barely keep his eye open. “Can’t cum anymore…I’ll go insane!”
Gongyi Xiao croons contentedly. He seems pleased with that potential outcome.
“If you go insane, baobei, then I’ll be here to take care of you. That’s a promise.”
And so, he fucks Shen Jiu for another several rounds. Until the madness has passed.
________________________________
An indeterminable amount of time later, when Gongyi Xiao’s rut has ended and Shen Jiu is freed from the brain fog of his heat, they lay in the cold reality of the water prison. As amazing as all that sex was, it didn’t change much for them. Not even the most heartfelt declarations could do anything to alter the hard facts of this broken world.
But Gongyi Xiao’s spirits have not flagged in the slightest. He is rubbing Shen Jiu’s abdomen, where it bulges with his seed. He croons and hums with satisfied alpha pride.
“I think you might be pregnant,” he announces cheerily. As if that solves anything.
“Doubt it,” Shen Jiu hisses. “My heats were never strong to begin with. And now…I highly doubt I’d be able to sustain a life in this sorry excuse for a body.”
“Mm?” Gongyi Xiao inhales deeply, taking the full measure of Shen Jiu’s scent. “I don’t know about that. You smell perfectly fertile to me. Mm…yes.” He takes his time sniffing and rubbing Shen Jiu as he pleases.
It’s annoying. Gongyi Xiao is just fooling himself! Nothing could ever come of their union. They were just mating to get off, that’s all this was. How naive.
Although, this kid’s arms are very warm. Wrapped in the furry blanket, Shen Jiu is almost able to pretend he’s somewhere else. Anywhere else. Like a warm bed. With Gongyi Xiao at his back…
Damn. Damn, damn, damn.
Now he has desires again.
He was trying to make himself numb to everything! Past the point of pain, so that Luo Binghe couldn’t hurt him anymore! And now… this .
All his hard work detaching himself from his body’s needs has gone to waste. He’s back to square one.
“Don’t cry.” Gongyi Xiao kisses Shen Jiu’s face. Crooning deeply in his ear to get him to calm down. “Don’t worry about a thing, Elder Shen. I’ll take care of you. I’ll get you out of here. I know the way. I’ll take you somewhere no one will ever find you. So we can start a family…”
The words wash over Shen Jiu like water. He wants to believe them. He wants that so, so badly. In the pit of his stomach he wants that! But could it be true? Can Gongyi Xiao make good on these promises? Or is he just running his mouth like the alpha cub he is?
“I’ll never leave you, Shen Qingqiu. I promise.”
And of course, those words hit Shen Jiu in the heart.
Crying harder, Shen Jiu buries his face against Gongyi Xiao chest. He has no defense against a promise like that. A solid body in his arms. A boy twenty years his junior with all the vigor in the world. A soul that has not yet lost hope.
Shen Jiu clings to him with everything he has left.
“Okay,” he whispers. Almost too soft to hear. “Then take me.”
～～完～～