The spacious room was bathed in dim candlelight, yellow and soft against the darkness of the forbidden city. The warm light glowed from the windows of the Marquis's residence, alluring and cozy. Nights were chilly as the first leaves of autumn fell, and the days were filled with gentle sunlight and the last fragrances of spring.
Lu Cang was casually propped up on his bed, reading a fighting manual he had procured from a bribed royal book keeper. He barely passed as literate, but such manuals were written by martial arts masters, not scholars, so the words were simple and easy to understand. He absorbed as much as he could so he could put the techniques to practice as soon as possible. Finding a manual that taught such techniques was truly god sent - even after spending his entire life as a fighter, a very skilled one at that, he had never come across techniques as useful as these. His only regret was that he did not find this earlier -
"...Defense techniques against sexual assault...? What nonsense is this?"
He ignored the vaguely offended voice and kept his eyes glued to the long stanzas of hand written words.
"Why do you even need this? I'll kill anyone who dares...."
Lu Cang gave the white robed hungry ghost a pointed glare before going back to scrutinizing the text. Slightly irritated at Lu Cang ignoring him, Jing moved to get onto the bed -
"You! Don't come up!"
"Xiao Cang, don't be angry...", Jing pleaded sheepishly, showing no signs of complying with Lu Cang's command.
"Quickly go down!"
Lu Cang smacked Jing's approaching head with the scroll in his hands, fully intent on keeping his body to himself this night.
"Ah~~ why do you always assume the worst of my intentions?" Unfazed by the attack on his head, Jing continued moving towards Lu Cang, greatly amused when the bandit started to back away from him towards the other end of the wide bed.
"That- that's because your intentions are always the worst!"
"I can't help it, even without your long hair you're still so cute.."
Indeed, Lu Cang's waist length hair had been cut off by Lu Cang himself when he tried to make Jing let him go. But the Emperor was even more stubborn than he was, and the previous month had seen him carted right back into the gates of the palace and the clutches if that devil. Neck length hair was totally new to him, and he spent the first few weeks unable to sleep because of the lack of his usual long, warm hair surrounding his body. Even now, he had to do a double take whenever he saw a reflection of himself, short locks framing his face instead of flowing down his back. His head was perpetually light and airy, and while it would've been nice in the summer, the hair left on his head did little against the chill creeping into the air as autumn faded in. And then there was that scoundrel Jing. Who was coming at him at lightning speed.
"Don't come any closer! Three chi is the optimal striking distance!"
Note: chi= ancient unit of measurement. 1 chi is a third of a metre.
Lu Cang attempted to kick Jing away, his hands positioned in an attacking stance. The scroll rolled to the side, forgotten.
"Ha, Xiaocang, you big idiot. You think three chi can stop my *sword*?"
"You--! DIE!"
Flustered by Jing's words, Lu Cang grabbed a pillow and hit Jing's face with it as hard as he could, causing the Emperor's head to snap to the side. His long hair fell from behind his shoulders, casting an ominous shadow over his half hidden face. At Jing's sudden silence, a disconcerting feeling crept into Lu Cang's heart. He approached Jing apprehensively, somehow afraid he'd fine a face full of blood despite the irrationality of that scenario.
"Your Majesty..."
A dramatically deep sigh,
"Ah, you spurn me once again."
Lu Cang immediately rolled his eyes and sat back on the mattress. Jing was a regal emperor, graceful like water and fierce like fire in ruling the empire, but the nonsense that came out of his mouth never ceased to amaze Lu Cang. Jing plopped onto the mattress and stared up at Lu Cang with bright eyes, obviously hoping for something to happen.
"You disgusting bastard." Lu Cang stared back dryly, intent of keeping Jing at bay at all costs.
"Bastard? I'm from a long line of royalty. And I'm not the one with hair as short as cow's hay."
Note: long hair was a sign of filial piety and righteousness. Short hair was seen as unlawful and disgraceful.
Jing shot up from his languid position and slid his hands onto Lu Cang's head, roughly tousling the short dark hair, lightly laughing as his victim irritably swiped at his hands.
"Hmm, what is this uncivilized outlaw doing in my palace? Don't tell me....there's a bandit in the Forbidden City?"
Lu Cang stared blankly at Jing's stupid talk, face completely stoic as as his hair was messed up over and over.
"Ah! Lord Lu! There is an emergency!"
Jing suddenly put his hand on his chest dramatically, leaving Lu Cang's hair sticking out in all directions.
"....What."
"His Majesty's heart is missing! It as been stolen! How can this be...."
Jing squinted dangerously and slowly turned his head to land his suspicious gaze on Lu Cang, who was squinting right back while secretly trying to keep the brightest of smiles from tearing his face into two. He silently wondered if this man was the same person who was the backbone of the empire, the ruler of thousands of loyal subjects and the brains behind the flourishing kingdom. Warmth filled his heart at Jing's ridiculous but sweet words and the corners of his lips twitched dangerously, about to give way any moment.
"I will not let the culprit get away with it..."
Jing hissed and tackled a stunned Lu Cang, grabbing both his arms and pushing his back onto the bed. The quick motion broke Lu Cang's concentration on keeping his facial expression in check and he couldn't help but beam widely at Jing.
"Mm..."
Jing pressed his lips tightly to Lu Cang's forehead, holding it there as the rascal squirmed beneath him. The kiss was sweet and firm, and held not a hint of lascivity.
His hands, however, betrayed another intention --
"Xuan.Yuan.JING!!!"
Lu Cang, unsure if he should laugh or cry, used his newly acquired techniques to throw Jing right out of the wide bed.
Note: the beds then were huge. Like minI rooms.
"You turtle egg!"
Lu Cang's voice was loud and accusatory but the smile had not slipped off his face.
Note: turtle egg = the equivalent of son of a bitch. Yes, yes, turtle. Sigh.
"Ah, I need to have the book keeper throw out all of those kind of useless manuals..."
Jing bitterly picked himself up and approached the bed again. The attack was nothing he couldn't counter, but he couldn't deny that Lu Cang looked absolutely adorable in this partially furious and partially delighted state.
"Stay right there!"
Lu Cang glued his suspicious eyes on the Jing who stood innocently as he made his way across the room, walking towards the corner where he kept all his weapons. He picked up two long swords and a training staff and made his way back to the bed.
"You-- do not--"
He arranged the weapons in a line, dividing the bed into two halves.
"-- go past this line! I want to sleep now, it's your problem if you want to stay or not. But if you come past here..."
He drew the dagger he kept under his pillow and made stabbing gestures at a mildly amused Jing. Satisfied with his threat, he stripped down to his white inner robes and lay on the bed, disregarding the Jing who had moved to lounge calmly on the other side.
"Why did you cut your hair off?"
Instead of letting him drift off to his dream world, Jing just had to ask some very thought provoking questions.
"It's your fault! Who asked you to take such drastic measures ..."
Lu Cang shuffled right to the end of the bed and pressed his body to the wall, facing away from Jing like a sulking child, trying to will the wall into swallowing him whole.
"...Did you mean it?"
Jing's voice was soft and held the faintest trace of hurt. That time in Hangzhou, he was so intent on getting Lu Cang back that he had completely blocked out the implications of Lu Cang's actions. The only thought in his mind was to be with Lu Cang again.
Lu Cang didn't know what to say. He had sincerely wanted to go as far away as he could from the Emperor and never see him ever again and bury his feelings deep in his heart. Put the suffering in the past and end their bizarre affair at whatever the cost.
But he couldn't help but wonder how his life would be like right now if he had managed to escape Jing's grasp. Playing in the mountains and running around and stealing from the greedy. But he knew no matter how carefree he would have been, he could never erase the impact Jing had had on his life. He knew he'd lie alone in his bed alone after a day of robbing and running, and as the adrenaline faded from his systems he'd recede into the deepest parts of his heart where all his emotions ha been buried, open the chest and then drown in the melancholy of his reminiscence. Jing had slammed into his life with so much impetus he almost shattered, and no matter how far he ran, the cracks would never heal themselves.
"...What choice did I have? In the end, I still end up here."
"Cang--"
"I'm tired."
Lu Cang signalled the end of the conversation. He pressed his face into a pillow and closed his eyes, more than ready to let sleep claim him. Jing reclined silently across the bed, consumed by thoughts.
The oil in the lantern slowly burned dry as Jing sat awake in the silently dimming room, listening as his lover's breathing gradually became soft and even.
Quiet as a shadow, he slowly removed the line of weaponry separating them.
......
The sheets rustled softly as Jing pried the sleeping Lu Cang away from the wall and laid him flat on the bed. He leaned over and held his face above Lu Cang's, letting his hair fall over his shoulder, curtaining both of them from the dim moonlight. His face was so serene and unguarded, vulnerable but ever so trusting.
Jing pushed a stray strand of hair from his sleeping face and tucked it behind his ear.
An strange emotion surged through his chest, painfully tugging at his heartstrings and jarring his breathing. After all that had happened, he still found it miraculous that Lu Cang could fall asleep so peacefully by his side.
He thought about the times when Lu Cang would scream and flinch at every touch, terrified but powerless at the same time, cowering in the corner of the Emperor's bed like an injured animal that had been caught in a trap. He thought about the house by Yuelong Bridge and the time he spent there, indulging himself in Lu Cang's body as if he was some kind of secret lover, kept like a hidden treasure away from the prying eyes of the palace. Jing would never say it aloud, but in a way, that was exactly what Lu Cang was to him. The long hours he spent visiting Lu Cang brought out emotions he had never felt before -- greed, yearning, joy, and jealously intense like the roiling pits of hell that day he saw Lu Cang in the pleasure house, his arm slung affectionately over some girl.
It was only after the extravagance of the Heroes' Assembly that he finally realized the lengths to which he had gone to ensnare that little bandit. He was the emperor, he could've dragged Lu Cang into the palace and used him like a cheap whore from the start, yet he had an elaborate tournament meticulously planned out just to land Lu Cang in the middle of his palm by a stroke of predetermined luck. Only then did he realise he wanted much more from Lu Cang than just his body.
But he was perfect. How could he let such a filthy little outlaw sway his heart? Blinded by his pride, he tried to convince himself of his delusional feelings for Yongyi, breaking Lu Cang in the process and tearing apart everything last shred of fight he had left.
But that did nothing to undo the feelings he had developed for the mountain bandit.
After the fog in his head had cleared, he went after Lu Cang and poured all his emotions out in the only way he knew how to - violent and painful. For all his beauty and intelligence and nobility, Jing was still a vicious man by nature. And he had fallen into the temptation that was Lu Cang, the unfortunate receptacle for Jing's greed.
Despite all the mistakes he had made, Lu Cang was still there, comfortably asleep as though he had never been the victim of some ruthless Emperor's destruction. Jing didn't know how to say he was sorry, he didn't know how to face Lu Cang. So he never talked about it, he just loved Lu Cang the best he could, in the only way he knew how to.
Jing trembled as emotions flooded his system. Such moments of weakness were once completely unheard of to him, blame that stupid bandit. He slowly lowered his head and kissed Lu Cang, soft and ever so gentle, but for the first time in his life, unsure.
"Mm..?"
Lu Cang opened his eyes halfway to see that demon Jing hovering right above him, their bodies connected at the lips. His eyebrows immediately furrowed in irritation, but Jing was warm and tender and just a little bit sad, so he wordlessly closed his eyes again and sighed into the kiss. Their lips were connected by a strand of saliva when they finally parted, and Lu Cang's eyes were now bright and alert. Jing laughed softly at his sleep mussed hair and flushed cheeks, his confused but slightly annoyed face.
"Hmmm, why do your wear so much clothes to sleep?"
Snapping out of his nostalgic mood, Jing instead playfully flicked open Lu Cang's white under robes with his slender fingers, exposing a nipple. Suddenly realizing Jing's intentions, Lu Cang quickly pulled the robe over his chest again and glared up at Jing, his face a frightening shade of red.
"B-because I want to sleep! Not sleep with you!"
"You can go to sleep, I'll just mind my own business over here..."
Having said that in the most casual tone possible, he leaned down and placed his face in the crook of Lu Cang's neck, breathing in his skin and lifting open his robes again, exposing his upper body to the cold air. Lu Cang could only splutter at Jing, at a loss of what to say but at the same time unable to push away Jing's sensual touches. He laid there frozen in annoyance as Jing brushed his lips across the contours of his chest. His hands, too, wandered lower and lower -
"... your own business?! You're minding my business!"
Jing immediately lifted his head and stared Lu Cang right in the eye, their faces a mere breath apart. He unleashed his most seductive gaze on the disgruntled Lu Cang, taking great pleasure in the mixed emotions that flitted across his face.
"Ah, but Xiaocang, between a married couple, your business is my business..."
Before Lu Cang could start his swearing, Jing caught his lips in another kiss, trapping his insults in his throat and leaving him no choice but to growl lowly in protest. Jing held the kiss until Lu Cang almost became breathless before finally lifting away.
"Better not bite me this time," Jing articulated quickly and immediately swooped down to claim his mouth again, this time skillfully deepening the kiss until Lu Cang moaned helplessly into his mouth. The corner of his lips turned upwards and this time, his hands, a little more daring, slowly fondled the protrusions on Lu Cang's chest until they became pert.
"Ah...You stupid bastard egg..."
Lu Cang glared at Jing with bright angry eyes, but combined with his flushed face and plump freshly kissed lips, the glare had the complete opposite effect of what he had intended. Jing could see the embers of desire slowly burning behind the facade of anger, slowly growing brighter and warmer with every touch, even if Lu Cang himself didn't know it yet.
He kept this face directly above Lu Cang and stared him right in the eye, silently challenging him to tear his eyes away first. Lu Cang met his gaze head on, his nature disallowing him from backing down. He could only clench his teeth and stare back at Jing, enduring the extremely sensual touches of Jing's wandering hands.
His breathing grew shaky as he felt a nimble hand tracing the hem of his pants, making the skin of his abdomen tickle. Cold air suddenly hit his most sensitive area as Jing ripped his pants down with a sudden movement, making his eyes widen considerably as he fought to keep his glare on Jing's stupid face.
The hand touched the limp thing between his legs and Jing suddenly smirked --
"What's do be done about this useless brother here?"
He gave Lu Cang's genitals a calculated squeeze and watched as his face scrunched up, evidently trying to control his desire while still hanging on to the eye contact between them even as Jing slid down his body and placed his face right at that shameful area.
"Jing -- wait--"
Lu Cang clamped a hand over his mouth to silence the wanton moan that threatened to spill from his lips as Jing's skillful lips made contact with his manhood, his eyes still directly trained at Lu Cang's flushed face.
Much to Lu Cang's embarrassment, his body reacted to Jing's ministrations as if it was some kind of base instinct, his member slowly growing erect as Jing's mouth slid all over it. Jing's smug face staring back at him did nothing to help him hide the arousal.
A firm tongue made its way to the tip as Lu Cang panted in anticipation, his eyes already hazed over with need. Knowing exactly the reaction he would get, Jing swirled his tongue around the head and watched closely as Lu Cang let loose his voice and flung his head back at the sensation, finally admitting defeat. His whole body writhed on the bed and Jing took the opportunity to push open his legs and slide between them. He pressed his palms on the inside of Lu Cang's thighs, holding his legs down as he calmed down from that jolt of pleasure. Looking at Jing looking back at him irked Lu Cang and he couldn't help but shamefully buck his hips, the sight pleasing Jing to no end.
Lu Cang was aroused to the point of having tears in his eyes, and while Jing did nothing but stare at his pitiful state, his pride disallowed him from touching himself in front of that bastard. But Jing was also approaching the limits of his self control.
He hastily inserted a finger into the Lu Cang who shook in discomfort, quivering around the intrusion. His entire body grew awkward and stiff, breaking out in cold sweat as Jing inserted another finger to loosen his passage.
"Nnghh...," the dry friction added tension to his already overloaded senses, causing him to unconsciously clamp down on Jing's fingers.
"Good Lu Cang... Just a bit more. You'll get hurt if we don't do this first..."
Jing tried to calm the Lu Cang whose face was contorted in discomfort. His arousal was slowly giving way to the ugly feeling in his back entrance and he started thrashing on the bed, desperate for something to happen.
Much to his relief, Jing finally retracted his fingers and tore open his belt.
Jing's hot flesh pushed his narrow entrance apart, stretching his body to the limit. The invasion was slow and gradual and Jing took care not to put too much stress on his lover's body, but it still hurt nonetheless. Lu Cang's mind was in a state of chaos as the obtrusive rod pierced him, almost killing the excitement that Jing had worked to build.
With a final push, Jing completely sheathed himself in the squirming little bandit, brushing Lu Cang's most sensitive spot in the process.
"Nnghh-- ah!"
Lu Cang immediately jolted and pushed his penetrated body against Jing, his arousal back at full force. Slowly, Jing began to move, gyrating sensually inside Lu Cang, repeatedly hitting that spot. Lu cang grasped at the long hair that fell next to his head as he rode on the crest of Jing's uncongealed movements, completely drowned in the pleasure Jing delivered.
Their lips met in a sweet touch and deepened into a hot mix of fluids, leaving Lu Cang gasping for breath as Jing invaded his mouth. The two moved in unison, wrapped around each other as if they were the only things on earth.
Jing's white outer robe fanned out behind him, shielding his lover from the touch of the moonlight, keeping him reserved only for the Emperor's eyes.
............
A warm substance flowed down Lu Cang's thigh and onto the sheets as they finished copulating for the third time.
"Jing... Where is my sword?" Lu Cang questioned, suddenly aware of the fact that they were the only two things on the bed.
A ridiculously guilty grin made its way onto Jing's face and for the second time that night, he found himself getting tossed out of bed by an utterly exhausted but disgruntled Lu Cang.
- End -
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