Work Text:
Shen Jiu flipped the pages of the newest book Tianlang-Jun had put into his hands. It was… less ridiculous than some of the others and he had to admit, to his chagrin, he’d gotten a little involved. Beside him sat his husband leaning against the table looking out at one of the few above ground gardens in the palace. He strummed the strings of the pipa, occasionally humming along. Shen Jiu rolled his eyes, even as his heart fluttered.
They had been married almost a year, long enough for the seasons to change and return to crisp fall. His husband had wanted to take him somewhere to celebrate, but his husband always wanted to avoid his duties to go galavanting and Shen Jiu had patently refused. Tianlang-Jun had sighed and pouted and whined, but Shen Jiu only reminded him of his duties as emperor and Tianlang-Jun at last admitted defeat.
Shen Jiu sighed and turned another page. It wasn’t that Shen Jiu hadn’t wanted to celebrate, hadn’t wanted his husband to sweep him away somewhere where they’d play sightseers, walking through gardens and listening to fine music. Tianlang-Jun would spend every silver he had within the first two days and then spend the rest of the days begging Shen Jiu to buy him things with increasing degrees of shamelessness. Ridiculous. Shen Jiu's lips quirked up and he smoothed away the expression before the man in question could see it.
Shen Jiu’s eyes traced the page, his good mood evaporating. It was the final scene, the culmination hinted at for the entire book. The two lovers had overcome every obstacle and were now drinking wine together, dressed in red. He felt his gut twist as the author laid out in delicate language how they undressed each other and sank with perfect ease into their wedding night activities.
His face flushed as his flipped through each page. It was as shameless as Tianlang-Jun’s books always were, full of flowery descriptions and allusions. But something about this one was different. The author was skilled. Shen Jiu could admit that. And because it had taken the whole book to get to this point, Shen Jiu couldn’t help but anticipate it. The characters were passionate of course, but also, he could feel how much they loved each other, how far they had come to get here.
It was so easy for them.
He thought of how far he had come. And still, when had it ever been that easy? Even now, a year since his first night with Tianlang-Jun as his husband, he sometimes couldn’t bear for Tianlang-Jun to touch him. His husband was good at reading every gentle twitch of Shen Jiu’s body, good at reading the expressions on his face when Shen Jiu was so overcome trying to fight off panic that he could no longer speak.
Shen Jiu’s gut twisted, something sick and cloying clawing up through his chest. He wanted it to be easy. He hated that it couldn’t be, that it hadn't been.
The pipa stopped and Tianlang-Jun shifted, rising to come sit next to Shen Jiu, his back leaned against Shen Jiu’s side. He started a new tune, this one light and slow, one knee raised. He was the perfect image of a lazy young master, if it wasn’t for the silvery streaks in his dark curls and the lines by his eyes. Shen Jiu's cheeks grew hot. Tianlang-Jun was too beautiful. No one should have that much power and also be lovely. The world was unfair.
“A-Jiu,” Tianlang-Jun hummed, letting his head tip back against Shen Jiu’s shoulder. “Did you like Found Again Under the Spring Moon. I would love to meet the author. What a talent!”
Shen Jiu huffed, closing the book. “It was adequate.”
Tianlang-Jun’s eyes crinkled, his clever fingers running up the strings of his pipa. “Ah! High praise indeed from my A-Jiu. Now I want to meet the author even more. What did you like best? Please tell this husband all your thoughts.”
Shen Jiu snorted. “It was dumb. Contrived plot, paper thin characters. Drama left and right.”
Tianlang-Jun’s lips curled and Shen Jiu averted his gaze as something warm climbed through his chest. He thought he’d very much like to kiss the smile from Tianlang-Jun’s mouth.
“But?” Tianlang-Jun asked.
“But,” Shen Jiu sighed. “The wedding was… nice.”
“Yes, it was,” Tianlang-Jun’s gaze softened. “I had hoped A-Jiu would enjoy that part. It reminded me of him.”
Shen Jiu’s chest ached, he whipped a glare at Tianlang-Jun but there was no mockery in his husband’s gaze. Only that sweet adoring look that he got when he was in an especially sappy mood. Shen Jiu’s ears went hot.
“My husband truly is foolish if he found any similarities between myself and that particular part.”
“Oh? And why is that, beloved?”
“Is it not obvious?” Shen Jiu rolled his eyes. “They were disgustingly happy together. There was not even a little hesitation before they were throwing themselves at each other.”
“Is A-Jiu not happy with this husband?” Tianlang-Jun mock gasped.
“You know that’s not what I meant.”
“I know,” Tianlang-Jun said. “That was the culmination of their whole journey. Does it not make sense that it would be that way?”
Shen Jiu huffed. A tremor ran through his muscles and he thought of jerking to his feet. All of a sudden he no longer wanted to be part of this conversation. But Tianlang-Jun’s weight against him was solid, his fingers strumming the strings of his pipa were steady.
“It’s not though,” he said, hating how soft his voice came out. “It’s not like that.” He didn’t have to add anything else. The silent not for me rang in the air anyway.
Tianlang-Jun’s hands stilled the pipa strings. Shen Jiu felt him take a deep breath in, then set the instrument aside before turning to pull Shen Jiu into his arms.
“A-Jiu.” Tianlang-Jun’s brows were drawn, his lips turned down, his zuiyin pulsing softly. Shen Jiu grit his teeth. His heart kicked faster and he again thought of getting to his feet and just leaving.
“I know you’d prefer it,” he snapped, watching Tianlang-Jun’s face for the inevitable flinch. “I know you’d prefer it to be like in your stupid books.” His throat tightened. “Easy.”
“A-Jiu, that’s not–”
Shen Jiu felt sick. Why was he always so angry? They had been fine a few minutes ago, relaxing in the soft breeze and the sound of Tianlang-Jun, his husband, playing music. Why was he like this? Always too eager to fight. He tried to pull away but Tianlang-Jun held him fast.
“No, no, A-Jiu don’t run off.” His hands came up to curl around Shen Jiu’s face, turning him so Shen Jiu couldn’t look away. “Listen to me? I don’t wish it was different. I think of our wedding fondly every day. The only thing I prefer is for you to be happy, A-Jiu. That is the least I owe you.”
Shen Jiu’s eyes stung, his lips wobbled and he grit his teeth against his swiftly tightening throat. He would not sit here and cry like a child.
“What was I even doing before I met you? Wandering around without purpose.” Tianlang-Jun continued. “How much happier I am now. So, my wish for our wedding was only that it was easier for you. Because I want whatever A-Jiu wants.” His thumb stroked along Shen Jiu’s cheek. “And I know it hurts you, to feel like you aren’t good enough.”
Shen Jiu shuddered. Tianlang-Jun had a way of cutting to the heart of things, uncaring of the effect his words had. He was always saying whatever it was that came into his mind. Tianlang-Jun released his hold to pull Shen Jiu into his arms. Tucked in the warm soft curve of Tianlang-Jun's shoulder, Shen Jiu thought he could believe him.
Still, he couldn’t help but wonder, what would it be like for him to allow that sort of intimacy so easily.
…
Shen Jiu had just poured his tea when Tianlang-Jun strode into Shen Jiu’s sitting room. He had that smirk that always made Shen Jiu wonder what his husband had been like in his youth. Getting up to some mischief, no doubt.
Tianlang-Jun slid into his favorite position: directly behind Shen Jiu. He shifted close enough to tuck his chin over Shen Jiu’s shoulder, then produced a box which he set on the table.
“For you, beloved.”
Shen Jiu tried to twist to get a look at his face. There was something strange in his tone. If Shen Jiu didn’t know better, he’d say his husband was…hesitant. But Tianlang-Jun had wrapped his arms around Shen Jiu’s waist, tugging him backwards so he couldn’t turn around. Tianlang-Jun was solid and warm against his back. Shen Jiu shivered, flushing at Tianlang-Juan’s proximity. The thought came to him again. What if it was easy? What if he could let his head tip back against Tianlang-Jun’s shoulder, let his husband wind hands into his robes, allow him to push them aside and stroke clever fingers along Shen Jiu’s bared skin.
“What is it?” Shen Jiu asked. He ran a hand along the wood of the lid. Like all of the things Tianlang-Jun presented him with, this one was beautiful, crafted by an expert hand with plum blossoms inlaid into the wood in luminescent stones. He already had a few thoughts of what to put in it, after he took out whatever it was Tianlang-Jun had gifted him this time. And wasn’t that a thought? To have things to put into boxes, things that didn’t really matter any more than the fact that he liked something and wanted it. He still couldn’t quite believe his life here wouldn’t just evaporate like so much smoke.
“Open it and find out,” Tianlang-Jun purred into his ear, sending a shivering warmth down Shen Jiu’s spine. He huffed, glad that Tianlang-Jun couldn’t see his full flushed face from where he’d buried his head into Shen Jiu’s hair.
Sliding the lid open revealed a piece of fruit. It was perfectly round, so dark purple it was almost black with a soft shine from the lantern light that caused the colors to shift as Shen Jiu tilted his head. He reached out a finger to stroke along the skin and found it smooth with just a little give. The scent was the most distinctive though as it wafted up from where it had been settled on a piece of silk inside the box. It was sweet, carrying some combination of bright acidic sourness and a soft floral smell like a garden of roses.
“What is it?” He asked. While he didn’t think his husband wouldn’t put on some elaborate ploy just to have Shen Jiu try some new fruit he picked up, this had been handed to him with a sort of solemnity that made Shen Jiu suspicious.
“Something I went looking for specifically for my dear A-Jiu,” Tianlang-Jun said. “This foolish husband only wishes to grant his wife’s every wish. I had hoped that I might be able to grant at least one.”
He pressed a kiss to Shen Jiu’s hair, then scooped him up into his arms so they could face each other. Shen Jiu scowled to hide the startled burst of affection that rushed through him as Tianlang-Jun turned the full force of that adoring smile onto him. Tianlang-Jun bent his head to press their foreheads together, whispering into the space between them.
“This is Lover’s Fleeting Oblivion. If you eat it, it will temporarily erase all memories of any sexual experience you have had.”
Shen Jiu let out a shuddering breath, but Tianlang-Jun continued before he could speak.
“A-Jiu wished our wedding night had been easier for him. I only wished to give him that option. If he never used it, I would still be as happy as anyone alive or dead could be.”
“Stupid,” Shen Jiu grumbled. His heart was racing. He had indeed thought of that ridiculous book for many days now and in his heart he couldn’t help but feel a sinking twist of regret whenever his mind replayed the scene of the two lovers’ wedding. How they had so easily given themselves to each other. The most perfect wedding night any two people could ask for.
Tianlang-Jun smiled, stroking a hand through Shen Jiu’s hair. “Perhaps this husband is too selfish, but I love my A-Jiu as he is. I would never be so arrogant as to take anything from you that made you who you are. But, perhaps, just for a little while, this husband could find a way for A-Jiu to pretend.”
Shen Jiu’s eyes tracked back to the box. The round fruit sat in its bed of silk, innocuous. He thought of what it would be like. To sink his teeth into the taut flesh, to taste the sweet floral juice. To, for once in his life, allow something to be easy.
“It is only temporary? Just for one night?” Shen Jiu found himself asking.
“Just for one night, beloved,” Tianlang-Jun said.
“I won’t remember anything? Even the times Qiu–” His jaw tensed and he swallowed. He spent so much time trying to forget the years spent with Qiu Jianluo, that he no longer knew how to speak of them.
The zuiyin on Tianlang-Jun’s forehead pulsed. “Oh how I’d love to bring that man back so I could pluck each of his extremities from his body one by one,” he said, smiling wide, the points of his eye-teeth pressing into his bottom lip. “But yes, A-Jiu, it will erase them all.”
Shen Jiu took a shuddering breath. “And my time with you as well?”
Tianlang-Jun blinked. His zuiyin had started to snake small tendrils towards his brows. They halted, slipping back like they had never been there at all.
“Even those,” Tianlang-Jun said, running a hand down Shen Jiu’s back.
Shen Jiu cut his gaze away. His face was too thin for this. He could spend a thousand years with Tianlang-Jun and not adopt even an ounce of the man’s shamelessness. Still, he was no coward.
“So we could,” he paused. His ears were burning, but he forced his jaw to unclench, the rest of the words slipping free. “So we can have our wedding night again?”
Tianlang-Jun’s smile was soft, a light pink dusting over his cheeks near the crinkles by his eyes. “A-Jiu wished for a wedding night like the one in the book, so this husband would be pleased and honored to grant him such a thing.”
Shen Jiu stared up into Tianlang-Jun’s ink dark eyes. His gut was twisting, muscles tensing, readying to fight or to flee. But, under the weight of Tianlang-Jun’s all-consuming gaze, he realized the same thing he had every day since he had agreed to marry this man. Against all reason, he trusted Tianlang-Jun.
“Alright,” Shen Jiu said.
Tianlang-Jun’s smile broadened until he looked as giddy as a little boy being given some spectacular gift.
“Allow this husband to make all the preparations,” he laughed, pulling Shen Jiu closer into his arms. “I cannot wait to see my A-Jiu in red again.”
…
The rooms Shen Jiu shared with Tianlang-Jun were decorated in red and gold. As always, his husband was fond of theatrics and so had done more than strictly necessary for what essentially amounted to role-playing their own wedding night. Shen Jiu flushed. He couldn’t believe he’d allowed this.
He’d sat for hours having his servants apply his makeup and style his hair, affixing the golden guan he’d worn for his actual wedding into place. The guan was an almost ridiculously elaborate piece, Tianlang-Jun had spared no expense for his empress. It sat heavy on his head, gold and red coral beads clinked together whenever he moved, sending a delicate chiming through the air like tiny bells. Over the top was the sheer red veil, embroidered in golden thread with the image of magpies and plum blossoms fluttering up the delicate fabric.
Shen Jiu felt a little ridiculous sitting at the table he drank tea at everyday, in the heavy red and gold silk robes, like he’d actually just come from his wedding. Tianlang-Jun looked perfectly at ease from the other side of the table. Shen Jiu was almost glad for the veil, it at least hid his flushed cheeks.
His husband looked just as lovely as he had on the day that had married. His red and gold robes cut across his broad shoulders and the curve of his waist, accentuating every line. His long and curling hair had been pulled back to spill down his back in ink black coils threaded with silver. He’d even put on his mianguan, its long beads, hanging past his crinkled eyes. Like this, he truly did look like an emperor, but Shen Jiu did not feel like his empress. He felt like he was a child playing dress up.
“Moon Goddess, are you not sorry you stole our immortal potion.” Tianlang-Jun smiled, his elegant voice lilting over the words. “Over the blue sea and sky — seeing my lonely heart every night.”
Shen Jiu cut his gaze away, heart fluttering. “What are you even saying? Where have I gone?”
“Every moment A-Jiu isn’t in my gaze, feels like we’ve been parted for a thousand lifetimes.”
“Foolish.” Shen Jiu’s cheeks felt like they were on fire. How could his husband say such things with a straight face? Really, had no one taught this man even a little self-restraint in his entire life. “Doesn’t this say more about you? Would you cast yourself as the tyrant?”
“If A-Jiu wished it, I would let the suns burn all the land. I would make every city bow to his whims.”
“Enough,” Shen Jiu said. “As if my foolish husband would do such a thing. You are a spoiled lord playing the wandering artist. You are better off with your poetry and music.”
“My wife is very wise and knows this husband too well.” Tianlang-Jun’s smile softened. “I know if any of my enemies needed to be slain, that this lord could rely on his empress to see it done. Who could stand against my lovely A-Jiu in his fury?”
Shen Jiu crossed his arms, hugging his chest. The beads on his guan chimed together and he was dragged back into the full reality of the situation. Tianlang-Jun had done the same on their actual wedding night. He’d recited poetry and played music, pouring Shen Jiu wine until everything was hazy and warm. Still, that first time had not been as easy as Shen Jiu had wished it to be. Even with Tianlang-Jun’s careful gentle movements, he’d still felt like he was one moment away from lashing out in a panic. His actions not wholly his own.
He glanced up at Tianlang-Jun, enraptured for a moment by the way the lantern light glinted off his robes and the silver in his hair. How his eyes met Shen Jiu’s, dark as ink, gleaming with some inner mischief. He felt shivery with the weight of that gaze, felt, as he sometimes did, that he was on the precipice of something, that one step would find him tumbling down into a place he could never escape from.
Or perhaps he was already there.
If Tianlang-Jun ever changed his mind, if he ever looked at Shen Jiu without the full force of that affection, perhaps Shen Jiu really would burn cities down to have it returned to him.
Tianlang-Jun poured him a cup of wine, passing it across the table before pouring his own. He waited for Shen Jiu to bring the cup to his lips before speaking.
“Beloved A-Jiu,” he said, sliding the inlaid box he’d gifted Shen Jiu a week ago closer to him. “You know I don't think there is a single thing wrong with you?”
Shen Jiu swallowed, fingers tightening around the cup. The wine slid sweet down his throat as he forced himself to take a measured sip. He felt his cheeks flush at his husband’s words. Always cutting to the heart of things.
“How did you know I was nervous?” He asked. His chest tightened with each word. A trembling panic was trying to creep into his thoughts, telling him to show no weakness, even to this man, one of only two people in the entire world that he trusted.
Tianlang-Jun’s smile fell, his dark eyes pinning Shen Jiu in place.
“This lord made many mistakes when he met you. I have endeavored to be the most diligent student so I can try not to make more.”
Shen Jiu grit his teeth, closing his eyes to try and stop the sudden thrumming that rose up from his heart. Who had ever cared so much for him? Had Qi-ge ever felt so deeply?
Shen Jiu couldn’t have answered if he wanted to. But he had always been one to act first. He reached for the box but Tianlang-Jun caught his hand. His smirk was back in place, eyes crinkling.
“Allow this lord. His wife should not lift a finger on our wedding night.”
Tianlang-Jun slid closer, pressing the heat of his body directly against Shen Jiu. Even through the layers of silk Shen Jiu could still feel every inch of their legs pressed together. Tianlang-Jun lifted the veil, his eyes going half-lidded and his lips parting. The zuiyin on his forehead flared and some inner light sparked in his eyes.
“A-Jiu.” He breathed. “So beautiful.” He leaned in and Shen Jiu whipped his hand up, Tianlang-Jun’s lips landing on his open palm instead. Tianlang-Jun whined. “A-Jiu! So cruel. You won't even kiss your husband?”
Shen Jiu scowled, eyes cutting away. “You’ve forgotten something.”
Tianlang-Jun blinked, his smile curling.
“Ah, of course. Apologies to my A-Jiu. I’ve kept you waiting.” He turned and plucked the round fruit from the box, holding it delicately in his long fingers. His lashes fluttered against his cheek as he reached up to curl his other hand along Shen Jiu’s jaw. ”Here, beloved.” He pressed the fruit against Shen Jiu’s lips, gaze dark and full of promise.
Shen Jiu swallowed, then opened his mouth to take a bite. The skin of the fruit broke beneath his teeth, juice flowing into his mouth as Tianlang-Jun pressed the rest of it between his lips. It was sweet with a musky flavor, the juice carrying a floral aftertaste that reminded him of late spring when the flowers were all in bloom. He chewed the lightly textured flesh, Tianlang-Jun’s eyes never leaving him the entire time. A flush spread up his cheeks as he swallowed.
For a moment he felt nothing and wondered if his husband had been mistaken about the fruit’s effects. Then he felt it, a slow slide through his thoughts like being wrapped in cool silk. He shuddered out a sigh, eyes slipping closed as the feeling enveloped him, whispering through his whole body like a cool breeze.
When he opened his eyes again it took a moment to focus. What had he been doing?
His husband was watching him closely, a little divot between his brows. Oh, yes. He remembered now. They were redoing their wedding night since they hadn’t consummated it on the actual day. He frowned as he tried to remember why they hadn’t but nothing came.
“A-Jiu?” Tianlang-Jun asked, pulling him from his thoughts. “How do you feel?”
His eyes traced along Tianlang-Jun’s face and warmth curled low in his belly. How handsome this man was. He wanted to thread his fingers through the curls of Tianlang-Jun’s hair, to press his lips to the crinkles by his eyes, the sharp curve of his jaw. Shen Jiu felt hot under his robes and ducked his head. Then he remembered. This was his husband. If anyone should look at him, shouldn’t it be him?
“This–” His lips pursed but he pushed forward. “This wife was wondering why you had not refilled his cup.”
A grin spread across Tianlang-Jun’s face, deepening the lines by his mouth.
“Apologies, beloved. This husband is often foolish and has to be reminded. Please forgive him.” He took the jar of wine and poured more into Shen Jiu’s empty cup then did the same to his own.
“I’ll consider it,” Shen Jiu said, taking a sip. He felt his lip twitch. Sweet plum wine, his favorite.
“This husband thanks his A-Jiu for his understanding,” Tianlang-Jun said. Shen Jiu watched the press of the cup against Tianlang-Jun’s lips, watched an escaped drop run from the corner of his mouth. Shen Jiu swallowed hard. He wanted to lick the wine from Tianlang-Jun’s skin.
“Let me make it up to you,” Tianlang-Jun said. “I learned a new song I think you’ll enjoy. I can play it for you.”
Despite his husband’s clear talent in any instrument he picked up, the last thing Shen Jiu wanted at that moment was to sit and listen to a song. The light flickered over the curve of Tianlang-Jun’s flushed cheeks, and Shen Jiu was sure he’d never wanted anything more in his life. His heart was racing but there was a simmering heat pulsing through his blood, overtaking any nervousness. With a deep breath, he rose to his knees and slid into Tianlang-Jun’s lap, legs wrapping around his waist. With only a slight tremor in his hands he wrapped his fingers around his husband’s wrists, placing them on the curve of his hips.
“Husband.” Shen Jiu bent to whisper into Tianlang-Jun’s ear, trying ignoring the burning rush of warmth through his cheeks. “Is this not our wedding night? I would much prefer to learn the feel of my husband’s cock inside me than listen to his music this evening.”
Tianlang-Jun’s eyes widened, his cheeks coloring a deep red. Emboldened, Shen Jiu took his cup of wine and downed the rest, then ground his hips down into Tianlang-Jun’s lap.
Tianlang-Jun sucked in a breath, his whole body shuddering. His eyes squeezed shut, hips twitching as he whimpered out an, “Oh gods.”
Tianlang-Jun shivered again, his hips jerking. Shen Jiu blinked, brow furrowed. Certainly his husband hadn’t just– But he couldn’t come up with any other explanation for the way Tianlang-Jun was panting, or the way his fingers tightened on his waist.
“Did you just–”
Tianlang-Jun’s flush deepened. Slowly, he nodded. He looked at Shen Jiu, expression contrite.
“Ah- Beloved. What was I supposed to do? When you were curled in my lap like that. I wasn’t prepared!”
Shen Jiu stared at him. Trying to make sense of Tianlang-Jun, his brazen and confident husband, coming in his pants when Shen Jiu had barely touched him. They hadn’t even kissed! Through the confusion, something swirled through his belly, purring in satisfaction. Tianlang-Jun had surely bedded many a beauty, but how many could have done what Shen Jiu did?
“Don’t worry, A-Jiu,” Tianlang-Jun said. “Nothing could stop me from satisfying my wife in every way he wished. Just looking at your lovely face, well.” He pressed up with his hips as he pulled Shen Jiu down by the waist, grinding the apparently still-hard length of his cock against Shen Jiu through his robes. Shen Jiu shivered, forcing his scowl to stay in place.
“Stupid and foolish,” Shen Jiu said. He gripped Tianlang-Jun’s jaw, then leaned in till their noses almost brushed. “You better not be lying to me. I fully expect you to follow through.”
“I would never deprive my A-Jiu of anything he wanted if I could help it.” Tianlang-Jun said. He reached up, threading hands into Shen Jiu’s hair to pull him down for a kiss. Tianlang-Jun wasted no time licking into his mouth, tongue curling along the back of his teeth in a way that made Shen Jiu’s toes curl. The beads on his guan clacked together as his husband pressed forward. Shen Jiu was already burning, his mind going hazy from just kissing.
His hands reached up to start pulling the pins from his hair blindly, unwilling to break the kiss. He threw each pin onto the table, uncaring of where it landed. Tianlang-Jun’s hands found their way into his robes as he broke away to start running his lips down Shen Jiu’s throat, pulling his many robes aside to continue the journey where his neck met his shoulder.
Shen Jiu shivered, finally freeing the guan from his hair. He set it on the table then shook out his long hair. Hands free he went to working on the sash wrapped tight around his waist. He was so hot, burning under all his layers and he wanted nothing more than for Tianlang-Jun to put his mouth on every bared piece of skin Shen Jiu revealed to him. He got the first layer of the sash undone when Tianlang-Jun broke away. His dark eyes were wide as they traced along Shen Jiu’s hands then back to his face.
“What?” Shen Jiu asked, voice breathy.
“I always undress you, beloved.” Tianlang-Jun’s eyes looked surprisingly glassy. Shen Jiu’s brow furrowed.
“What are you talking about? You’ve never undressed me.”
Tianlang-Jun’s head cocked, his mouth wobbling. “Ah, yes,” he said. “What I mean is, I always imagined that I’d be the one to undress you. Why should my A-Jiu lift a finger when this husband would beg for the chance to touch you even in front of his whole court.”
Shen Jiu’s face went hot. The image of Tianlang-Jun kneeling before Shen Jiu sitting on his throne, begging in front of everyone. It was too much. How was this man so shameless?
“Th-then,” he cleared his throat. “Then do so! Stop making me wait.”
“A-Jiu is in such a hurry when this husband wanted to take his time,” Tianlang-Jun pouted. He reached up to unpin his hair from the mianguan and Shen Jiu huffed. He went to his knees and slid his hands into Tianlang-Jun’s curls, freeing it from the many pins holding the elaborate style and the mianguan in place.
As soon as it was safely on the table, Tianlang-Jun’s arms wrapped around him and he was being scooped into his husband’s arms. He pressed his face into the join of Shen Jiu’s neck, hands sliding into Shen Jiu’s robes and pulling them apart. Tianlang-Jun tossed Shen Jiu’s sash to the side. Then slid the heavy silk outer layer away. Shen Jiu shivered, warmth sliding through his veins as his husband removed another robe. Shen Jiu had been dressed in layer after layer and he didn’t know why he’d agreed to so many. Not when it took so long to get him out of them. It wasn’t like they really had just gotten married and he needed to wear the entire ensemble. But Tianlang-Jun seemed pleased, humming after each one and sucking a bruise along every part of Shen Jiu’s collarbones and chest he revealed.
“A-Jiu is so lovely,” Tianlang-Jun sighed against Shen Jiu’s heated chest. “Even from that first moment. Who could hide your beauty even under cheap robes?” He pulled Shen Jiu’s last inner robe away and Shen Jiu shivered in the cool air of the room. Tianlang-Jun leaned back to survey his work, his smile curling high. “But A-Jiu is just as stunning in nothing at all. I would love to keep you just like this so I was never deprived of the sight.”
Shen Jiu huffed, cheeks growing hot. “Oh? Husband would want his servants and court to look at me naked? I thought you’d rather reserve that sight for yourself.”
“Would I deprive my people from looking on the most lovely of artworks? Of listening to the most talented musicians?” Tianlang-Jun asked, he leaned in, hands sliding around Shen Jiu’s bare back. “I would fuck you on my throne just to show my court what you do to me. I would go to my knees to suck your cock in front of everyone so they know how fortunate this lord truly is.”
Shen Jiu hissed out a breath, a lightning bolt current lighting him up. Tianlang-Jun’s hands were searing hot. He pressed his lips to Shen Jiu’s and Shen Jiu’s thoughts fizzled out in a rush. He tangled his fingers in Tianlang-Jun’s robes. His brows furrowed and he broke away.
“Why did you undress me and did not do the same to yourself?” Shen Jiu cocked a brow. “Did you not tell me that I would not have to lift a single finger”
Tianlang-Jun pressed kisses along the curve of Shen Jiu’s cheek, dipping to drag his mouth along his jaw.
“Is my A-Jiu in a hurry again?”
“How could I not be?” Shen Jiu hissed. “When you look like– like–” He ducked his head to bury it in Tianlang-Jun’s shoulder.
”Oh? Does A-Jiu find this husband handsome?” Tianlang-Jun asked. “Then my apologies. I shouldn’t keep you waiting.”
“Who’s handsome?” Shen Jiu huffed. He sat back as Tianlang-Jun made quick work of his sash, then let his many robes pool along the floor beneath him, heedless of stains or wrinkles. When he was left in only the last one hanging open, Shen Jiu couldn’t help but stare. His pulse quickened and his cock twitched.
His husband truly was handsome. His chest was dusted with fine dark curls, threaded with silver that caught the lantern light. Shen Jiu’s gaze traveled down the line of Tianlang-Jun’s stomach and curling hair. He was not surprised at the strength that seemed contained in his husband’s muscles, he’d been lifted easily by this man more than once after all. But his fingers itched to trace along the soft curve low on his belly, the line cut by his hips and that continuing trail of silver and black hair that wound straight down towards–
Shen Jiu swallowed, suppressing a shiver. Tianlang-Jun’s cock was a large and curving thing, already slicked from when he came earlier. The flushed red head of it glistened in the light. Shen Jiu could almost understand his husband’s reaction when he had slid into Tianlang-Jun’s lap. Had Shen Jiu ever wanted anyone as much as this? Ever craved someone’s hands on him like this? Sweat slicked down his back, his heart rate quickening as he met Tianlang-Jun’s gaze. He’d already been teased for being hasty but all of a sudden it felt like he had taken too long.
“If my lord doesn’t do something now this wife will get himself off,” Shen Jiu huffed even as his cheeks heated at his words.
Tianlang-Jun groaned, eyes squeezing shut. “Oh A-Jiu. Gods, you’re too much.”
Shen Jiu cocked a brow, crossing his arms over his bare chest. He was conspicuously aware of how different they were. Shen Jiu’s body was lithe and wiry. He was still thin from a childhood of inconsistent meals, even after living as first Tianlang-Jun’s betrothed and then wife for nearing two years now. Any hair he had on his body was thin and scattered, only the scars left by Qiu Jianluo interrupted the soft plains of his skin. Something twisted in his thoughts, a deep sureness that there was no way that someone like Tianlang-Jun really wanted him. But when he lifted his gaze back to his husband’s face, all he saw was the soft smile Tianlang-Jun reserved only for him and a deep and hungry gaze.
Shen Jiu lifted his chin to stare down his nose at Tianlang-Jun, forcing his voice to curve cool and detached. “Take me to bed. What are you waiting for?”
Tianlang-Jun, tipped his head, gaze falling away like he was considering an especially intriguing question. His hand slid across the table top, then he raised his brow.
“And what if this lord wanted to take you right here, on this table?”
A warmth rushed through Shen Jiu so fast he shivered, keeping his expression in place by a hair.
“Why? So my lord can think of me everytime we sit and eat breakfast together?”
Tianlang-Jun’s zuiyin pulsed, a dark red light shining in his eyes. His lips curled revealing the points of his eye-teeth.
“A-Jiu, I would like nothing more than to be reminded of fucking you everytime I have breakfast.”
Shen Jiu’s eyes widened, heart beating hard. His cock twitched, aching. He knew he’d been unable to hide the interest in his expression as he watched the light in Tianlang-Jun’s eyes grow, the lines along his brow crinkling. But if Shen Jiu had learned anything in his life, it was how to fake a look. He tipped his head to the side as he dragged his gaze down then back up his husband’s body. He cut his gaze away, sighing out his most bored sound.
“Hmm, then husband should prepare me so he can.”
Tianlang-Jun visibly shook, his cock drippled out a spurt of precome. Then he shot forward, dragging Shen Jiu up with one hand, and sweeping everything off the table with the other. Shen Jiu heard the last of their wine spill, the inlaid box clatter against the floors and their cups shatter.
“Tianlang-Jun!” He hissed as he was tossed onto the table, back against the smooth wood.
“Don’t be mad, my love,” Tianlang-Jun said. “I didn’t use the set of cups from our wedding. This one doesn’t matter.”
Shen Jiu gaped at him. This man! He opened his mouth to chastise him but his words were cut off. There was a slithering feeling winding in his gut. It spread a strange aching warmth through him like being wrapped in many ribbons of silk. His legs quivered, muscles fluttering then relaxing as the feeling wound lower. A deep pleasure suffused through his body, filtering into his bones and curling through his meridians like smoke.
He panted, managing to shoot a glare at Tianlang-Jun. “What are you doing?”
“Ah, sorry A-Jiu. This foolish husband was too eager.” Tianlang-Jun winced and the feeling of sliding hazy pleasure ceased. “I only thought to make it easier for you. With my blood.” Shen Jiu shivered, a groan slipping from his lips. He ached with the sudden lack of feeling.
“Husband truly is foolish.” He grit his teeth. “I did not tell him to stop.”
Tianlang-Jun’s mouth fell open. Shen Jiu watched the bob of his throat as he swallowed. “A-Jiu,” he sighed.
The feeling returned, creeping up Shen Jiu’s spine and twining through his thoughts. He was so hot, his heart racing. His legs felt like they were made of jelly. He traced his gaze along the clean white cut of Tianlang-Jun’s inner robe hanging open over his flushed skin, the soft lines of his hair, down to his curving cock, now hard enough to arc back towards his belly.
“Husband,” he said, face flushed. He didn’t think he could say anything else. Tianlang-Jun smiled. His teeth caught along his lip as his hand scrambled along the floor. He fished a jar from the mess he’d made, uncorking it and pouring out a thick shimmering salve onto his fingers. He slicked up the line of his cock until it was dripping, glistening in the lantern light.
“Do you want me to–” Tianlang-Jun started.
“Didn’t you say you would make it easier,” Shen Jiu huffed. He already felt on edge. He didn’t want to wait even if this was the first time he’d ever– He trembled as shivery anticipation wound through him. “Just– Just get on with it.” Then in a smaller voice. “I know you won’t hurt me.”
Tianlang-Jun’s eyes crinkled, his smile softening, the expression at odds with that massive flushed thing between his legs. With a fluttering heart Shen Jiu held out a hand. Tianlang-Jun’s fingers curled around his and Shen Jiu pulled him down. The wood of the table creaked under their combined weight but held steady. Shen Jiu lifted his legs and wrapped them around Tianlang-Jun’s waist. His eyes flicked up to Tianlang-Jun then skittered away. There was no way he could watch his husband like this.
Tianlang-Jun’s hands traced along his waist, up along his thighs, sending sparking pleasure up Shen Jiu’s spine. One hand curled around his hip, long fingers pressing into the line of his bone. Tianlang-Jun’s other hand dipped below Shen Jiu’s legs to grasp his own cock. Shen Jiu swallowed hard as the blunt head pushed against his entrance. The hand on his hip held him steady as Tianlang-Jun pressed forward. He felt the silky curl of Tianlang-Jun’s blood relax his muscles, soothing through his veins as Tianlang-Jun pressed in and in and in.
If Shen Jiu had wanted to hold on to any thought, he wouldn’t have been able to. Everything in him narrowed to focus on Tianlang-Jun, spearing him open on his cock with aching slowness. It was easier with Tianlang-Jun's blood relaxing his muscles as he pushed in but still, it was just on the other side of too much. His legs shook, hands trembling as they wound into Tianlang-Jun’s inner robe, needing to hold on to something. He hissed out a breath and Tianlang-Jun bent to kiss him, long and thorough as he continued to push into the tight heat of Shen Jiu’s body.
Shen Jiu gasped, sucking in breaths as Tianlang-Jun’s hips finally met the curve of his ass. He was so full, his muscles fluttering around the length of Tianlang-Jun’s cock. He didn’t know how he could be this stretched. Pleasure burned through him along with the nearly painful feeling of being forced to accommodate the length of that ridiculously large cock. His husband leaned away to trail his lips along Shen Jiu’s jaw and up to his ear.
“Are you alright, beloved?” Tianlang-Jun whispered. He swallowed but no words would form. He could feel every minute twitch of Tianlang-Jun inside him. His legs tightened around Tianlang-Jun’s waist. He swore he could feel Tianlang-Jun all the way up to his throat, sure if he looked down between them, he’d able to see the outline of him pressing against Shen Jiu’s narrow stomach. He sucked in a few more breaths, trying to calm his racing heart. At last Shen Jiu nodded.
“A-Jiu is so tight. He feels so good for this husband.” Tianlang-Jun kissed him behind his ear and he whimpered, the feeling shivering down his spine. “Are you ready?”
Shen Jiu grit his teeth. Was he ready? What kind of question was that? He felt a warmth rush to the tips of his toes, his stomach coiling and his cock aching.
“Did my husband not promise to take care of me? To not make me lift a finger? Then why are you asking for direction?” He cut his gaze back to Tianlang-Jun. His lips curled as his hand traced the flushed line of Tianlang-Jun’s cheek. “Are you going to fuck me or aren’t you?”
Tianlang-Jun groaned, his cock twitching inside of Shen Jiu. His hands whipped down to grasp Shen Jiu’s waist. He took a moment to grind into Shen Jiu’s body, sending little shocks of pleasure straight to Shen Jiu’s cock. Then he pulled out with aching slowness. His eyes met Shen Jiu’s with a smirk.
“A-Jiu really is so beautiful,” he said, just the tip of his cock still inside. “Will he watch me as I fuck him?”
Shen Jiu glared but whatever retort he was forming, trembled into a shaking gasp as Tianlang-Jun held him steady and thrust back into his body. Shen Jiu’s toes curled. His eyes rolled back as he keened. It was too much. His pleasure overtook him, cresting like a wave as he was dragged into sharp pulsing sensation. Tianlang-Jun angled his hips, fucking him like he knew exactly the best way to take Shen Jiu apart. Shen Jiu’s fingers scrambled at Tianlang-Jun’s chest, tangling in the silvery curls as Tianlang-Jun drove into his body with swift movements.
Each thrust of his cock made Shen Jiu’s vision swim, stars shattering against the back of his eyes. He was spiraling, falling, so quickly undone he couldn’t trace how he’d gotten here so fast. Tianlang-Jun seemed to have the perfect sense of what would draw every noise from Shen Jiu’s lips, playing him like an expert musician. He ground in and Shen Jiu whimpered at the deep aching pleasure. He held Shen Jiu steady as he thrust in hard, the feeling so intense and so good it was nearly painful.
He was vaguely aware of how loud he’d gotten, moans and gasps ripped from his throat by Tianlang-Jun’s expert hand. But he couldn’t remember even a little why he should care. His pleasure was coiled so tight he hung off the edge of it, desperate for it to crest and take him under and just as desperate for it to never end, to hang in the moment of his husband driving into him with focused intensity.
“A-Jiu,” Tianlang-Jun panted against the skin of his neck. “A-Jiu, you’re perfect, the way you sound,” he groaned. “I’m not going to last.”
Shen Jiu’s hands tangled in Tianlang-Jun’s curls, dragging him up to kiss him. His mouth was hot and slick, spit slipping from their joined lips. His teeth grazed against Tianlang-Jun’s lips and Tianlang-Jun groaned, hips jerking. His sharp eye-teeth caught Shen Jiu’s skin sending a streak of pain down his spine. Shen Jiu whimpered, tightening the grip of his legs around Tianlang-Jun’s waist.
He was winding tight as a bow string. He broke away from the kiss to gasp against Tianlang-Jun’s mouth.
“Husband, I–”
“I know,” Tianlang-Jun panted back. His hand wove in between their bodies, grasping Shen Jiu’s hard and aching cock. “Come for me, A-Jiu.”
Shen Jiu gasped, mind whiting out as the pleasure snapped and he spilled hot and wet between their bellies. Tianlang-Jun didn’t slow his pace, his hand continuing to stroke Shen Jiu as his cock thrust hard into Shen Jiu’s body. Pushed into oversensitivity, Shen Jiu fell back against the table, whole body twitching with each thrust. But Tianlang-Jun’s rhythm had grown erratic. He ducked his head to pant against Shen Jiu’s neck, pressing Shen Jiu’s name against the sensitive skin of his throat until at last his husband thrust deep and stilled. Tianlang-Jun groaned as Shen Jiu felt the heat of Tianlang-Jun's come fill him, coating his insides. It went on longer than he expected until he could feel it dripping out from where they were still joined.
“A-Jiu, A-Jiu,” Tianlang-Jun moved to pant into his hair. Shen Jiu shivered, sensation sparking at random through his whole body.
“Is that all you can say?” Shen Jiu rasped out.
Tianlang-Jun breathed out a soft laugh. “What else is there to say? What words could encompass my feelings for you?”
“Ridiculous.” Shen Jiu rolled his eyes. “Be serious.” Leave it to his husband to spout off absurd lines even after they’d just– Shen Jiu flushed, he couldn’t even form the word in his head.
Tianlang-Jun leaned away just enough to meet Shen Jiu’s gaze. “I am serious. I wonder what it is I did in a past life to be so fortunate in this one.”
Heat flooded Shen Jiu’s face up to the tips of his ears.
“Don’t be so sappy when you’re still inside me,” he snapped. He shifted and hissed at the drag of Tianlang-Jun’s still hard cock. His eyes widened. “You really were telling the truth earlier.”
“Mmhmm,” Tianlang-Jun’s lips spread into a smirk. “Nothing could stop me from satisfying you, A-Jiu. Even if you wished to go the entire night and the next day, I would find a way.”
“Shameless!” Shen Jiu’s hands whipped up to cover his face. “Who asked for that?” Tianlang-Jun’s laugh was warm and rich. A familiar silky slithering feeling curled through Shen Jiu’s belly and he shivered, his cock twitching in interest. He peaked between his fingers. “Stop that, will you not let me rest for a moment?”
Tianlang-Jun cocked a brow, his smirk softening as the lines beside his eyes crinkled. “A-Jiu can rest. This husband does not need to continue.”
Shen Jiu’s lips turned down. Even as the shivery silky feeling of Tianlang-Jun’s blood moving within him slipped away, heat was still curled in his gut. He let his hands fall away from his face and lifted his leg to stroke his foot along Tianlang-Jun’s thigh.
“Who told you that you need not continue?” He huffed. He settled back to look down his nose at Tianlang-Jun to hide the racing of his heart. “Carry me to bed.”
Tianlang-Jun stroked a thumb along Shen Jiu’s cheek before slipping free. Shen Jiu sighed, his body tightening against the sudden emptiness. Before his mind could catch up, Tianlang-Jun was scooping Shen Jiu into his arms. Shen Jiu buried his head against Tianlang-Jun’s plush chest, rubbing his cheek against the soft hairs and breathing in his sweat-slicked scent. He felt looser, body sated and content to let Tianlang-Jun carry him through the rooms they shared and down the hall to their bedroom that he’d had meticulously decorated as if it really had been their wedding night.
He set Shen Jiu down in a nest of silk and pillows, all draped in varying shades of red and gold. His eyes traced Shen Jiu over until Shen Jiu had to look away, knees coming together as the weight of Tianlang-Jun’s gaze settled on him fully.
“What?” He snapped.
“A-Jiu, I want to be with you always.” Tianlang-Jun recited in the soft musical voice he reserved for poetry. “When the hills are all flat, the rivers are all dry, when it thunders in winter.”
Shen Jiu scoffed but soon found himself silenced. Tianlang-Jun shrugged out of his robe, and Shen Jiu was helpless to stop himself from tracing his gaze up the defined lines of Tianlang-Jun’s thighs, the soft curve of his waist, and the silver-threaded dark curls framing his still hard cock.
“What?” Tianlang-Jun asked, voice curling amused. Shen Jiu’s heart fluttered. He was sure his husband had been born in the wrong life. He should have been a wandering artist instead of an emperor. This poem in particular, he’d read to Shen Jiu on their wedding night, as his long and elegant fingers unraveled Shen Jiu’s hair. To his great embarrassment and with a soft curling warmth in his chest, Shen Jiu knew it by heart.
“When it snows in summer,” Shen Jiu recited back, flushing. “When heaven and earth mingle, Not till then will I part from you.”
Tianlang-Jun’s eyes squeezed shut as he sighed. Then he was closing the last distance between them to press their lips together again. He licked into Shen Jiu’s mouth slowly like was trying to map out the space. He continued, not breaking away once until Shen Jiu was hazy and out of breath. Still, even when he pulled away he didn’t go far, trailing his lips down Shen Jiu’s jaw, tongue flicking out along the curve of his shoulder, before sliding down further.
Shen Jiu squirmed under Tianlang-Jun’s mouth, panting into the air, fingers tangling in Tianlang-Jun’s curls. His husband groaned, then dipped further to drag his tongue hard across one nipple then the other, repeating the movement as Shen Jiu wiggled, twitching beneath him. Heat stirred low in Shen Jiu’s belly, a shivery pleasure flitting through his body. The desperation from earlier had faded but the ache was no less insistent. By the time Tianlang-Jun got to his hipbones he was already hard again.
Tianlang-Jun glanced over at the curve of Shen Jiu’s cock arching back up towards his belly, then grinned. His husband rested his head on Shen Jiu’s stomach, fluttering his long lashes as he stared up at Shen Jiu.
“Well A-Jiu, how would my beloved like me this time? I am his most willing servant.”
Shen Jiu hummed. He ran his fingers through Tianlang-Jun’s hair, as he considered, relishing in the way his husband’s gaze went a little hazy at the attention, zuiyin glowing softly. His heart fluttered as an idea came to his mind. But even as his cheeks burned, he thought about how this man had already stripped him bare and taken him apart on their table. Even if Shen Jiu had a thin face, he could manage this much. He pushed up, knocking Tianlang-Jun back, legs coming up to sit astride Tianlang-Jun’s waist.
”Lay back and your A-Jiu will show you.”
Tianlang-Jun’s whole body shuddered, hips jerking up against Shen Jiu’s ass. He groaned eyes squeezing shut, then Shen Jiu felt a rush of hot sticky wetness slide long the curve of his ass and thighs. He stared down at Tianlang-Jun. Tianlang-Jun stared back, cheeks flushed, watching Shen Jiu like he’d hung the moon and stars.
Shen Jiu rolled his eyes even as warmth shivered through him. “I can’t believe you. How are you like this?”
Tianlang-Jun’s gaze burned, his lips curling up into a lazy smile. “This foolish husband has disappointed A-Jiu. Perhaps he should be punished.”
“Oh?” Shen Jiu scoffed. He thought of his husband’s too large collection of books, the ones that Shen Jiu had read a few too many of. He ducked down to bury his face in Tianlang-Jun’s hair to hide the evidence of his burning cheeks. Then whispered. “I can’t believe what a whore you are.”
Tianlang-Jun groaned, twitching underneath him.
“But,” Shen Jiu sighed, breath ghosting along Tianlang-Jun’s pointed ear. “I suppose you’re my responsibility now. I’ll have to do something about it. Husband is so easy he might be led astray.”
“A-Jiu, beloved.” Tianlang-Jun’s hands scrambled along his hips. “Forgive your foolish husband. I shouldn’t have made fun of you for being so hasty earlier. Darling A-Jiu, perfect A-Jiu, you wouldn’t keep me waiting would you?”
Shen Jiu leaned back to look over his husband’s flushed cheeks, his heaving chest. It sent heat stirring in his gut, boiling through his thoughts. He swallowed. He thought about making his husband wait just because he’d pleaded not to, but Shen Jiu didn’t want to wait either. He went to his knees, grasping the slicked line of his Tianlang-Jun’s cock, now freshly coated in his own spend. At least that should make it easier to take the monstrously large thing.
“How are you this desperate?” Shen Jiu swallowed, a tremble crawling through his chest as he got himself into position. Tianlang-Jun’s eyes were wide, lips parted as his gaze tracked over Shen Jiu’s face. His fingers were digging in, bruising tight along Shen Jiu’s hips, holding him steady as Shen Jiu slowly sank down. It was a little easier than the first time. He’d already been thoroughly stretched and so the slide was not as piercing. Still he felt like his body was being reshaped just to accommodate the full length of Tianlang-Jun’s cock. Shen Jiu felt as if he were sinking forever, inner walls twitching around Tianlang-Jun until at last he sank around the last of it and his ass was pressed flush against Tianlang-Jun’s thighs.
Tianlang-Jun’s head tipped back, teeth scraping his lip. “Gods, you’re so tight.” He hissed, giving a little aborted thrust of his hips. Shen Jiu’s toes curled as pleasure rushed up his spine. His fingers pressed against Tianlang-Jun’s chest, tangling in the soft hairs as Tianlang-Jun’s own hands rubbed slowly up and down the curve of Shen Jiu’s waist.
He knew his husband would keep him here, allow him to sit on his lap and adjust for as long as he wanted. But even as his muscles ached around the intrusion, there was a simmering desire curling through him, tension building, until at last it finally snapped and he could no longer wait.
He pushed up with his knees then sank back down in a quick slide. Pleasure shot through him, slicing through his control. He swore he could feel Tianlang-Jun’s cock in his gut as he repeated the motion, a staticky wave of pleasure crashing through him. It was good, easy to sink into his desire and let his body take over. He set a quick pace, practically bouncing on the hard length of Tianlang-Jun inside him, body strung tight as he tipped his head back and panted. His sighs and keening moans filled the room along with the slap of flesh as he increased the pace.
“A-Jiu,” Tianlang-Jun panted. “Please, gods, you feel so good, you’re so perfect for this husband. Please, fuck, A-Jiu.”
“What are you even begging for?” Shen Jiu hissed as Tianlang-Jun's cock dragged across a spot that made his eyes roll back in his head. “What aren’t you getting? I'm doing all the work.”
“A-Jiu,” Tianlang-Jun sighed as Shen Jiu sank down around him again. “Ah, you’re doing so well.”
“You really are a whore,” Shen Jiu rolled his eyes and scoffed. He was panting, chest heaving as he chased the pleasure wrapping through him down to the marrow of his bones. Tianlang-Jun groaned, his hands slid down to rest high on Shen Jiu’s thighs. He lifted his legs to plant his feet on the bed, knees pushing against Shen Jiu’s back.
“I am. So allow this husband to assist you, beloved A-Jiu,” Tianlang-Jun said. Shen Jiu had a moment to furrow his brow, then Tianlang-Jun was using his leverage to thrust up into Shen Jiu’s body. Shen Jiu’s head tipped back as he cried out. Tianlang-Jun’s cock dragged through him, sending sparks through his whole body. Tianlang-Jun didn’t wait for Shen Jiu to adjust, setting a brutal pace as he thrust hard into the tight warmth of Shen Jiu’s body. His hands curled underneath Shen Jiu’s thighs to lift him after each thrust, before Tianlang-Jun’s cock speared through him again.
Shen Jiu’s mind was fizzling out, he had no control left over the sounds that slipped from his mouth. He was burning hot, muscles tense as wave after wave of pleasure coursed through him. He cracked his eyes open to watch Tianlang-Jun’s face as he continued to thrust hard. Sweat was slicked along his husband’s brow. His black and silver hair tangled underneath him in a mass of curls that haloed his head. The zuiyin on his forehead pulsed bright red everytime he buried himself to the hilt in Shen Jiu’s body.
Tianlang-Jun’s eyes opened, glowing a soft red, his eye teeth poking over the plush skin of his lips as he smiled up at Shen Jiu. Shen Jiu shivered, fingers scrambling along Tianlang-Jun’s chest. He felt the roll of Tianlang-Jun’s blood through him, relaxing muscles and stoking the fire of his pleasure in sweeping pulses. The feeling curled down through his gut before sweeping through his cock like his husband had circled his fingers around it. Tianlang-Jun angled his hips, pulling at the blood in Shen Jiu’s body and Shen Jiu cried out, head tipped back as he came over Tianlang-Jun’s stomach.
Tianlang-Jun’s eyes rolled back when Shen Jiu squeezed around him. He jolted up, arms wrapping around Shen Jiu’s back. He pressed his mouth to the join of Shen Jiu’s shoulder, thrusting up as he opened his mouth and bit down. Shen Jiu gasped as Tianlang-Jun's teeth sank into his shoulder. Pleasure-pain streaked through his body and he trembled as Tianlang-Jun came, spilling again deep inside him.
Shen Jiu panted, trying to catch his breath. Tianlang-Jun’s qi rippled through him, soothing the aches of the bruises he'd left and healing the skin he'd broken with his teeth. Shen Jiu could feel himself leaking from where Tianlang-Jun was still buried inside him, and he shivered, sweat cooling on his skin. Tianlang-Jun pressed a kiss to the remnants of the bite mark then lifted Shen Jiu to lay him down on his back among the cushions and silks. Shen Jiu sighed, feeling his limbs wobble as he sank back, the rush of sudden emptiness making his chest hurt.
Tianlang-Jun knelt above him, the long curls of his hair falling over one shoulder to drape along the bed. He smiled.
“Let your husband clean you up, alright?”
Shen Jiu shivered at the heat still simmering in Tianlang-Jun’s gaze. He already felt spent, weak-limbed and hazy minded. But the thought of Tianlang-Jun pulling away was too much. He nodded, unable to form the words.
Tianlang-Jun bent to press a chaste kiss to his lips, then moved down. He hitched Shen Jiu’s knees over his shoulders, pushing Shen Jiu onto his shoulder blades. Tianlang-Jun shot a wink at him then buried his face in the curve of Shen Jiu’s ass.
Shen Jiu yelped as Tianlang-Jun’s tongue dragged along the sensitive skin of his entrance, lapping up the mess he’d made. He took his time, each sweep of his tongue, slow and purposeful, Shen Jiu pressed his hands to his face, trying to breathe as liquid syrupy pleasure slid through him, sticky and cloying. He panted, toes curling and heart fluttering. When Tianlang-Jun was done with the skin around his entrance, he pressed his tongue inside Shen Jiu, curling the length of it against his inner walls. He swore it felt longer than usual and he had the passing thought about what kind of new and ridiculous demonic thing this was, before he was swept down into hazy pleasure. His body shook under Tianlang-Jun’s mouth, the slick wet sounds of his husband’s tongue inside Shen Jiu had Shen Jiu’s face flushing. He swore he couldn’t get off again, but he could feel the pleasure building anyway, his cock, sticky from his own spend, filling slowly.
Tianlang-Jun pulled away with a wet pop. He grinned down at Shen Jiu, his mouth and chin shiny with spit. Shen Jiu groaned, shivering. Tianlang-Jun gently lifted his legs and placed them back onto the bed. Then he settled himself on his stomach, hands curling around Shen Jiu’s ribs. His gaze traced along Shen Jiu like he was a feast. With one last glance up, Tianlang-Jun bent and swallowed down around Shen Jiu’s half-hard cock, not stopping until it hit the back of his throat.
Shen Jiu jerked against Tianlang-Jun’s hands, holding him down. Tianlang-Jun hummed, his throat contracting, vibrations shooting through Shen Jiu’s whole body. Where Tianlang-Jun’s tongue inside him had been soft, the pleasure a syrupy haze, Tianlang-Jun’s mouth on his cock was sharp, insistent. Shen Jiu’s whole focus narrowed to the burning hot feeling of Tianlang-Jun hollowing his cheeks and sucking around him, of the drag of his tongue along Shen Jiu’s heated sensitive skin.
He was gasping, punched-out noises dragged from his lips, strung as tight as the string on his guqin. His thoughts boiled in his head. Pleasure arching and arching until it felt never-ending. When he finally came it felt like he was being pulled from his body, head tipping back and toes curling as he cried out, body immediately shaking into oversensitivity.
He collapsed back as Tianlang-Jun pulled off of him. His limbs felt like they were made of jelly even, like his mind was about to float away. Tianlang-Jun ran his hands gently along Shen Jiu’s waist before he slid up the bed to pull Shen Jiu into his arms. Shen Jiu used what little energy he had to turn and press his face into the plush skin of Tianlang-Jun's chest. The soft hairs tickled over his cheeks as he breathed in the familiar scent of his husband.
His husband.
Shen Jiu felt his lips curl up in the quiet space pressed against Tianlang-Jun where he could not be seen. This was his husband. His husband.
Tianlang-Jun shifted and Shen Jiu felt the sticky slide of his husband’s still hard cock against him. He scoffed. He couldn’t believe this man was still hard. Demons. Really. This seemed a little excessive. Still, his gaze drifted up to Tianlang-Jun’s face. His husband’s eyes were closed, a soft smile curling his lips. A fluttery warmth settled in Shen Jiu’s chest. Tianlang Jun’s eyes slid open and he cocked a brow.
“Is my A-Jiu doing alright?”
“Alright is one way to put it,” Shen Jiu huffed. “I think I might pass out.” He lifted his knee to press along Tianlang-Jun’s cock, watching his husband’s lips wobble. “But if my husband isn’t satisfied then who am I to stop him?” Heat filtered through his face, ears flushing. “If he wants, he should continue anyway.”
A deep line cut in between Tianlang-Jun’s brow. His hands came up to curl around Shen Jiu’s jaw, as delicate as if he were holding a little bird cupped in his palms.
“What?” Shen Jiu frowned, muscles tensing.
“I’m just happy that my A-Jiu is having a good time,” Tianlang-Jun smiled, gentle and so soft it made Shen Jiu’s chest ache. “But I would never take advantage of him, not like that.”
A lightness pulled at Shen Jiu’s chest, he could feel his cheeks heating up as his heart fluttered. He cut his gaze away, no longer able to look at Tianlang-Jun’s perfect soft expression. How had anyone ever decided to turn such a look on him?
He crossed his arms. Want curled sticky through his gut along with something else. Too large and warm and all-consuming to name.
“Fine,” he said. “Then I will stay awake to allow my husband to take his fill. As long as he does not make me do any more work.” From the corner of his eyes, Shen Jiu watched Tianlang-Jun’s lips curl into a smirk.
“Of course. Who am I to deny A-Jiu anything?” His hands wound under Shen Jiu, turning him until he was resting on his stomach. Tianlang-Jun took a moment to stroke through the long fall of Shen Jiu’s hair, leaning in to press a kiss to the back of his neck. The bed dipped as he pulled away, then again as he settled himself between Shen Jiu’s legs. He wrapped one hand around Shen Jiu’s hip, lifting him enough to slide a few large silk cushions underneath.
Shen Jiu turned his head back. “You’ll ruin these.”
“A-Jiu’s comfort is worth more than a thousand cushions.”
Shen Jiu huffed. Ridiculous spoiled demon lords without knowledge or concern for the cost of anything. He let his head fall back against the soft silk sheets. They were cool against his face and he sighed. With his hands interlaced above his head, and his legs spread to accommodate Tianlang-Jun, Shen Jiu thought he should feel more uncomfortable. But his body was heavy, muscles loose as a tiredness settled in. He felt sated, more relaxed than he thought maybe he had ever felt.
Tianlang-Jun leaned over him, pressing a kiss high on his shoulder blade where the burn Qiu Jianluo left raised from his skin. Shen Jiu shivered, but Tianlang-Jun pulled away before Shen Jiu could think too hard about how he’d received that burn. Tianlang-Jun traced his fingers and lips down Shen Jiu’s back running over the raised line of scars and the bumps of his spine until Shen Jiu’s breath started to come faster, heat sliding syrupy slow through his belly. He waited for panic to set in as it always did when any attention was paid to those marks. But only a bone-deep satisfaction wound through him. He sank further against the bed, sure he could barely move even if he had wanted to.
When Tianlang-Jun came to the curve of Shen Jiu’s ass, he ghosted his fingers over the soft skin, dragging just a hint of sharpened nails high on Shen Jiu’s thigh before Shen Jiu felt the tips blunt. Shen Jiu sighed, a soft tremor running down his spine as his eyes fluttered shut.
He was already stretched well enough considering their earlier activities. When Tianlang-Jun moved to place a hand next to his head, Shen Jiu expected him to push in right away. But instead the soft silk feeling of Tianlang-Jun’s blood slid through him and Tianlang-Jun pressed two of his fingers inside Shen Jiu, slowly dragging along his inner walls. Shen Jiu’s breath hitched, fingers curling against the sheets.
Tianlang-Jun’s hand curled around one of Shen Jiu’s, inter-lacing their fingers. A soft warm energy curled up through him, sliding through his meridians in soothing waves. His body trembled, eyes falling shut as his mind went fuzzy. Tianlang-Jun pressed a kiss into his hair as he continued to circulate their qi, healing whatever small aches he’d left. He pumped his fingers into Shen Jiu a few times, curling his fingertips whenever Shen Jiu let out a sigh or a soft shudder. He took his time before withdrawing them to wrap around Shen Jiu’s waist.
Tianlang-Jun’s cock slid in easily as he continued to circulate qi through Shen Jiu’s body. Shen Jiu shivered, soft gasps escaping his lips as his husband pressed in and in, the slide long and slow. He could feel himself drooling against the sheets and couldn’t quite remember why he should care. He felt like he’d slipped into a warm bath, everything far away except the press of Tianlang-Jun inside him and the slow filtering of qi through his body.
Tianlang-Jun was in no more of a hurry than he’d been with his fingers. He pulled out achingly slow, then rocked back in. He leaned down to press his forehead against Shen Jiu’s sweat slicked back, grinding his hips and sending little jolts of pleasure through Shen Jiu’s whole body. With every slow thrust, Tianlang-Jun would press a kiss to a new area of Shen Jiu’s back, tightening the grip of their fingers together.
“A-Jiu is so lovely,” Tianlang-Jun pressed the words soft against Shen Jiu’s spine. “So perfect for this lord.”
His cock dragged out and Shen Jiu gasped, shivering as heat swirled in his gut. He was slowly growing hard again, leaking against the pillows. A silky slithering pressure twisted through him and he groaned, toes curling. Tianlang-Jun pulled at his blood as he ground his cock into Shen Jiu’s body again.
Shen Jiu’s free hand tangled in the sheets, hips pressing back against Tianlang-Jun. Pleasure thrummed through him in waves like he was standing in the ocean. Each push brought the tide in stronger, until it was rising in an insistent crash. He was dragged over so fast he hadn’t even realized he was close before he was spilling against the pillows with soft keening cries, body shaking and hyper-sensitive to every drag of Tianlang-Jun inside him.
“A-Jiu,” Tianlang-Jun gasped. “A-Jiu, I love to feel you come around me.” He stroked a hand down Shen Jiu’s back and Shen Jiu whined, eyes burning as the sensation shot right through him. Tianlang-Jun let out a soft sigh. “I think maybe that’s enough, beloved.” He started to pull out and Shen Jiu tensed, fingers gripping hard around Tianlang-Jun’s hand.
“No,’ Shen Jiu said. He felt like his body had been struck by lighting. The sleepy haziness falling away as the oversensitive wash of pleasure rushed through him with each minute movement of Tianlang-Jun’s hips. But it didn’t matter. The thought of Tianlang pulling out, of no longer being connected, was too much.
“No,” he gasped. “No, don’t stop.” He didn’t care if every small twitch of Tianlang-Jun’s cock inside him made him shake, it would be worse to be empty. He wanted Tianlang-Jun, wanted his husband to come inside him again.
“A-Jiu,” Tianlang-Jun groaned. “You’ll kill me, I swear.”
“Husband,” Shen Jiu hissed. “Stop making me wait.”
Tianlang-Jun shivered. He pulled out in another long aching slide, then he thrust back in, hard enough to push Shen Jiu up the bed. Stars burst across Shen Jiu’s vision as the breath was pushed from his lungs. Pleasure fractured up his spine, cracking through him like lightning. His body felt like it was on fire as Tianlang-Jun dropped the lazy pace, thrusting in with a brutal rhythm. Tianlang-Jun’s fingers wrapped around Shen Jiu’s hips, digging bruises into his skin as he drove in hard on every thrust. As Tianlang-Jun pressed him down, Shen Jiu was forced to arch, his hips held up by the cushions beneath him.
He was left gasping, punched out noises driven out of him with each sharp thrust of Tianlang-Jun’s cock. His body trembled, too sensitive and still not enough. His fingers tangled in the sheets, pulling hard to try to steady himself.
“Ah–” he hissed as Tianlang-Jun nailed a spot that had his eyes rolling back in his head. “Ah, husband, I–” He whimpered as the breath was knocked out of him again. It was too good, all consuming, his mouth would barely form words around the sharp pulsing pleasure that radiated through his whole body. He felt like he had turned to liquid as Tianlang-Jun fucked him into incoherence.
His pleasure twisted and twisted, winding tighter and tighter until he was near desperate with it. He could feel his husband’s energy tremble through his meridians, feel his husband’s blood curl through him in a silky slide, dragging him back into impossible hardness, then releasing him again. When he came it was not so much a sudden burst but a long fall from a great height. He squeezed his eyes shut as every thought inside him was silenced. He was falling and falling, drifting into hazy darkness as Tianlang-Jun pulled him close and spilled once more inside him in a rush of flooding heat.
He keened, soft and plaintive as Tianlang-Jun pulled out of him, adrift with only the aching emptiness and the feel of slick spend flowing out of him. But Tianlang-Jun was settling on the bed and pulling Shen Jiu into his arms with a soft hum. Shen Jiu curled against him, arms wrapped together, pressed so close he could hardly differentiate his limbs from Tianlang-Jun’s. He breathed in the familiar scent of his husband and sighed. He thought if he never moved again, it would be too soon.
“A-Jiu?” Tianlang-Jun’s voice was little more than a rasp, the words pressed against the crown of Shen Jiu’s head.
“Don’t move. Just let me lay here,” he grumbled, pressing his face into the soft curls on Tianlang-Jun’s chest. He felt the vibration of Tianlang-Jun’s laugh then a hum of acknowledgement.
“Rest then, beloved. We can worry about cleaning up later.” Tianlang-Jun’s voice had the slurry quality of someone close to sleep. Shen Jiu snorted.
“Perhaps it is my husband who needs rest,” Shen Jiu sniffed, his words muffled by Tianlang-Jun’s chest. “This wife supposes he will allow it for this evening.”
“How generous.” Tianlang-Jun pressed a kiss to Shen Jiu’s head. “Truly, who could be more fortunate than me?”
“No one,” Shen Jiu huffed. But as he drifted off into the easy darkness of sleep, he had another thought. Really the question was, who could be more fortunate than himself?
…
Shen Jiu woke slowly. He was warm, body pleasantly achy. He shifted to find Tianlang-Jun’s arms still around him. He stiffened. He had drifted off completely naked, a disgusting mess. His heart started to race. He hated that feeling. No matter how he felt during the act, he hated the feeling of waking up with all the evidence too apparent on his skin.
He stopped, brow furrowing. He was in a soft clean robe and his skin lacked any of the sticky feeling he’d fallen asleep with. His mouth wobbled, a sudden tightness in his throat. Tianlang-Jun must have cleaned him up while Shen Jiu slept.
He glanced up to find his husband was awake, his dark eyes soft as they tracked over Shen Jiu’s face.
“How is my A-Jiu this morning?” He asked, voice rough from sleep.
Shen Jiu’s gaze cut away as he remembered the extensive night they’d had. He waited for the panic to set in, the embarrassment, but his body was still too tired. All that came was a soft fluttering feeling as he looked at the curve of his husband’s smile in the morning light filtering through the window.
“I hope my husband was happy,” Shen Jiu said, ducking his head down to bury his face in Tianlang-Jun’s chest. “On his wedding night.”
“The happiest.” Tianlang-Jun sighed like one of the maidens in his silly books. “This foolish husband does not deserve his A-Jiu. But I hope I made you just as happy.” There was something in his tone, a hesitance that was uncommon for Shen Jiu’s always shameless husband. Shen Jiu considered the previous night. How easy it had been without the weight of so many bad memories to hold him back.
He thought he might regret it, now that the effect of the fruit had dispersed and he was left in the morning light with only his memories and his still aching body. A small part of him whispered that Tianlang-Jun would be happier if it was always that way, but with Tianlang-Jun’s arms wrapped around him, dressed in the new robes Tianlang-Jun had dressed him in, he thought for once something could be easy.
Even when he couldn’t trust himself. He could trust Tianlang-Jun.
“Your A-Jiu was happy,” he said. He glanced up, ears growing hot as his mind spun down the road of possibilities. He wondered about a lot of things as they turned in his mind. “Did you have any more of that fruit?”
Tianlang-Jun cocked a brow. “I could get more.”
Shen Jiu’s heart thrummed hard. He swallowed then forced himself to sit up. Tianlang-Jun turned easily, as Shen Jiu leaned over him, his long hair falling across one shoulder to drape along Tianlang-jun’s chest. He watched the slow curious smile slide onto his husband’s handsome face, crinkling the lines beside his eyes. Shen Jiu felt the familiar twist of dread pull at him, but something deep and warm had taken root in his chest and he was able to breathe past it. He bent to whisper into Tianlang-Jun’s ear.
“My husband is so shameless. I know how much he wanted me when we met.” He felt Tianlang-Jun shiver as he spoke. “Maybe if you are good, I’ll give you the chance.”
Tianlang-Jun groaned, hands coming to slide along Shen Jiu’s waist. Shen Jiu sighed, pleasure shifting through him as his husband’s fingers dragged along the bruises he’d left the night before.
”This husband can be so good for his A-Jiu,” Tianlang-Jun said. “Say the word and he will do whatever you ask.”
Shen Jiu leaned away to meet Tianlang-Jun’s gaze. He watched his husband’s pupils widen, the zuiyin pulsing softly on his forehead. Shen Jiu’s lips curved up on their own. He thought that perhaps he liked Tianlang-Jun very much.
”We’ll see won’t we.”