#I can imagine the conversation between mo and Tian

[bigtrashkidstudent]

Recently, I have been imagining some scenarios that could happen between Tian and Mo that could push their relationship forward, increase its strength, and restore trust to Mo who had lost it due to the tragic events that he was exposed to.

Tian after taking revenge on that vicious snake

will Preparing a little party for Mo before he goes away

And to take place on the beach, for example, at sunset

And to call all his friends

His gang, his mother, Jian Yi and xixi all people who really care about Mo

Although I'm sure Mo doesn't like that kind of thing, he doesn't like to be under the spotlight at all

But a gentle move like this will have a positive affect on mo , especially if they all thanked him and assured him

They are grateful to have him in thier life

For buz cut to tell him, for example, that he owes him and he is grateful for the sacrifice that he made for him, not because mo is waiting for thanks

I'm sure he would have done it anyway even if he hadn't received any thanks

Mo that kind of person who don't expect anything in return for what they do for the people they love (just imagining Tian becoming one of them makes me cry)

But just to remind him that his presence was very valuable to many, he must have begun to question the importance of his existence after what happened.

Likewise the rest of his gang, although old Xian never focused on their relationship with Mo, I'm almost sure that each one of them has a good reason to follow Mo as the boss. I really want to see a scene where all of them encourages Mo in their own way.

And by planting his passion for life again

Of course, Jian Yi assures him that he will stick to him

Forever and now they are best friends and of course to tell him directly that he finally learned from his lesson Jian Yi has always been a very smart character in understanding the people around him despite his idiocy I really like him so much 😂❤️

And xixi, who will be his friend when both Jian Yi and Tian leave, I imagine he will tell him that he is happy seeing him fine.

I will be glad if mo apologie for what he did before

I really want these scenes..

And certainly the dearest person to mo heart his mother

I think her support for him would be more important than anyone else out there

Mo was willing to work all that time without even complaining about a life like this, all for her sake and because he wanted to be a competent person like his father able to take responsibility for his mother and protect her

And she was making all that effort just for Mo too

What a wonderful relationship between a mother and her son

I can't imagine that there could be a better relationship than this

But the sad thing is that both of them were too busy working

Without assure each other the ardent love they had for each other.

His mother could not make him feel the real security that he needed, that he was perfect in her eyes, and she did not need a reason to love him as he was, even if he was not diligent in his school, and if he disappointed her from time to time, even if he was a delinquent.

She is his mother and she will never need a reason to see him an angel descending from heaven

This would be the perfect opportunity to show him all this and that there is no reason for him to feel less than anyone else when he has his mother who will stand by him and be his back from everything that's going on.

Finally, He Tian who has already done a lot of things that will remain engraved in Mo's heart

The last of which is such a beautiful party. I'm sure something like this will give Mo strength enough to bear Tian's separation in the future.

Realizing that there are so many people who care about him with all their heart and love him is an impetus to move on

[3lji]

i’m so sorry for missing this message! it was on my main blog so i didn’t notice ♥️ apologies for making you wait so long for my reply!

okay SO - you’re absolutely right that He Tian has the utmost respect for Mo Guan Shan’s father. he would have listened as Mo with stumbling words and tears quickly brushed aside tells him of the long years he went without his father. the utter injustice of it all. he knows that even after that absence Mo idolises him - wants to be someone who ‘holds up the sky’ like his father right?

depending on when they get together He Tian might even accompany Mo on one or two visits while his dad is still in prison. but i do imagine Tian will have a hand in having him released (maybe this is something he’s getting He Cheng involved in now?) he bows low, he is incredibly respectful with his tone. Mo doesn’t think he’s ever seen Tian so quiet. there’s no smirk, there’s no teasing and jokes. Tian is quite the gentlemen the entire time.

this is partly because he respects all Mo’s father has done for him - listened to endless stories about him during Mo’s childhood - but it’s also because he knows how important this is to Mo. how tender this wound is for him. he knows that Mo is allowing something of him that not many others - if any - have ever been allowed in meeting his father.

i think once he comes home - because Tian will ensure that happens, sooner rather than later - that’s a joyous thing too. it’s making sure Mo is always able to visit when he wants, even when it means driving back from work early to take him over rather than making him get the subway. it’s bringing home strange ingredients and picking up extra things from the market as soon as he’s asked because Mo wants to make his dad something special, anything. because it’s been a long time since he had the chance to eat something good, and it’s been a long time since Mo has been able to give his dad something like that.

also just to finish off - my brain won’t let me post this until i say that ABSOLUTELY there will be a ‘if you hurt my son i will kill you’ ‘yessir i would expect no less’ conversation between them and Mo’s dad crushing Tian’s hand and Tian will LAP. THAT. SHIT. UP. he loves to be recognised by Papa Mo as his BEAU lmaooooooooo like ‘can i call you dad?’ ‘no’

[notthatiwilleverwriteit]

Hey had a question about the latest chapter where he tian is kissing the phone do you think he was just doing that to be funny or was he being genuine and another thing when he tian asked mo if there is something he would like to ask him do you think he wanted him to ask a serious question or was he just joking and by question I mean ask him his feelings tords him

Hello!

Both of your asks had some similar topics, so I decided to put them together. I hope you won’t mind. I picked up two main things in your asks: distance (knowing more about each other) and HT being or not being serious and I have touched upon those topics a couple of times before:

HT’s words in ch. 297 and Tianshan’s development

Distance in Tianshan

Will there ever be a Tianshan confession?

My Tianshan “timeline”

I will probably repeat some things. Also, it should be mentioned that the translations of ch. 323 for this answer are the courtesy of @hm-translation-group​Thank you for your speedy work!

“he tian is kissing the phone do you think he was just doing that to be funny or was he being genuine”

Before we get to the new chapter, I would like to take a second to talk about this side of HT in general. I think it’s difficult to tell when HT is being serious and when he’s just trying to mess with MGS when he’s like that. I wouldn’t say the new chapter was the first time (ch. 202, 263, 290, 297, 305):

Some of those instances were perhaps more obvious cases of him teasing MGS but I think all of those times had some “fuzziness” about them. I doubt HT’s leg was really cramping but did he want to just get on top of MGS or was he actually enjoying a little moment of physical contact? Is he actually scared of the dark or was he just joking in his usual “I don’t really care” way? When he wanted to share a bed with MGS how did he picture them ending up? I’m not saying he would have forced MGS to do anything but how different the situation would have been from how it actually went down? To us readers, HT asking MGS to not abandon him sounded like it came from somewhere deep but how did those words come across to MGS? Did he take them seriously? Sadly, we didn’t see his reaction to HT’s confession of sorts. Or when HT gave MGS the studs he seemingly jokingly asked MGS to marry him but how much of that was also about him asking MGS not to leave him? Accept him and not give up on him? Especially with a soft facial expression like that?

This kind of ambiguity I think is rather typical to HT. Despite his pushiness and confidence, it’s not easy for him to be open about his true feelings. It’s clear he’s interested in MGS - I don’t think that’s unclear even to MGS anymore - but instead of saying his feelings out loud, he tends to tease, bully, and flirt. Of course, that’s a part of his character in general, but I think hiding behind jokes and pushiness makes it easier for him to express his feelings for MGS. Both the teasing and MGS’s angry-flustered reactions allow HT to hide his serious, vulnerable feelings.

I think HT’s kisses in the new chapter fit in this behavior (ch. 323):

You asked if I think he was just trying to be funny (and to rile up MGS) or was he being genuine, and I would say it was both. Again, fuzziness and ambiguity. His facial expression suggests to me that the affection was real; relaxed face, no devil smirks or horns. But at the same time, the way went about it - sneakily asking MGS to move closer and joking about how MGS cares so much about him - gives the chus the usual pushiness and teasing tone.

“do you think he wanted him to ask a serious question or was he just joking and by question I mean ask him his feelings tords him” // “Do you think he's trying to level the playing field/make Mo feel less exposed by offeing to divulge his own dark secrets, or just being soppy and testing the waters for Mo's interest in him?”

In my head, I see these questions under one umbrella term: distance. Tianshan has worked on both physical and emotional distance, and both of them have been linked to the growing trust between them. Both HT and MGS are quite guarded characters, and they both protect their physical and emotional perimeters in different ways.

HT has always been touchy about MGS bring up HT’s family or what kind of a world HT comes from (ch. 170, 274, 287):

In the beginning, HT was at his most guarded about himself in general. He was a strange mix of being lonely but also keeping people at a distance and isolating himself. It seems his family’s connections to some potentially shady things wasn’t that big of a secret, but HT didn’t want it to be brought up and he most certainly didn’t want anyone walking in on him interacting with that shady world.

There has been a lot of development since then, but in general, HT has always wanted MGS to see him as himself - not as a part of the world he has grown up in. He doesn’t want MGS to think of him as one of those people because he is not one of them. He’s working very hard not to be something else but he is also ashamed of being a part of that world of cheating, lying, and oppressing others.

That being said, HT has kind of let MGS discover things on his own. MGS knows HC is his brother, where his family lives, and what kind of people are around there. It seems MGS has always known HT is connected to shady and dangerous people, but a lot of that has also been based on rumors and assumptions. Now, he has seen some of the things by himself.

However, I think this was the first time HT offered to answer MGS’s questions on his own (ch. 323):

HT has given some details about his life in passing (for example, that he went to the aquarium as a kid) but I think this was the first time he’s offered to answer any question and basically given MGS a pass to ask whatever. He’s taking it even further by almost asking the questions himself by prompting a question about his past.

First of all, I think HT was being serious. I don’t think he would have offered if he wasn’t fully prepared to at least hear MGS’s questions. There might have been some things he wasn’t ready to talk about (his mother? his nightmares?) but MGS was allowed to ask.

Secondly, I think it was because he had pushed MGS to reveal something deep and vulnerable about himself, and HT wanted them to be on equal grounds. HT has worked hard to gain MGS’s trust, and this feels like him both “rewarding” MGS for opening up and also showing that he trusts MGS as well. HT offering to tell things about himself also most probably has to do with making them closer in general by making MGS know him better.

Personally, I don’t think HT expected MGS to ask about HT’s feelings towards him. I don’t think MGS would have asked about that either. That is just not the kind of conversation I could picture them having. At least brought up by MGS.

“Do you think Mo will ask or just hang up next chptr? Ask him at school next day? And what is Mo most curious about - He Tian's family, their jobs, if Tian's done something bad? Ex-Girls? THE SHARKS?!”

I’m doubtful that MGS will actually ask about anything. I think there are things he’s curious about HT (how come they’re so rich? aren’t there really bombs at his brother’s place? who’s the pale giant and would he let MGS ride on the bike? has HT seen real fights? HOW BIG ARE THE SHARKS AND CAN HE FEED THEM?!) but him asking would imply he is actually interested. And god forbid, that ever happens! Overall, I could see MGS ask about somewhat immature things, not to prompt a heart-to-heart about relationships and feelings.

That being said, though, I think if something “deeper” than that came up, MGS would let HT talk. He could be quiet, seemingly reluctant to listen, and even grumble about it but I think he would at least let HT talk. He would probably even listen to him. Perhaps even offer a comment or two, especially if HT said something that rubbed MGS the wrong way. Like, imagine HT implying that he feels guilty and MGS - in his usual frank way - tells him that he’s a fucking idiot for thinking like that and if he’s going to waste MGS’s time spewing nonsense, MGS might as well go do something else.

I have to admit I was a bit taken aback by HT suddenly volunteering to answer MGS’s questions like that. It felt a bit weird 180 on his part but given that MGS had told him his deepest and darkest secret, I suppose it makes sense. After the initial reaction, I have started to get quite excited about this because MGS learning more about HT’s vulnerable side is one of my favorite things in their development. I don’t know if MGS will ask anything but at least the “issue” of HT opening up has been brought up.

Thank you for your questions!

[jokertrap-ran]

(未定事件簿) EVENT! 「消失的黄金」 [Tears of Themis] EVENT: The Lost Gold Translations (Chapter 1-06: Beach Zone)

*Tears of Themis Masterlist is under construction. *Spoiler free: Translations will remain under cut *The tracking tag for ALL Event Stories will go under: #Tears of an Event *(y/n) is your name when in direct referral; otherwise referred to as MC.

Location: Beach

Everyone was already waiting there by the time I rushed to our pre-agreed meeting place. Xia Yan ran over as soon as he saw me, reaching out and taking my backpack from me.

Xia Yan: Pass it to me. You must've been walking for a long time; tired?

MC: I'm fine. I've only made all of you wait longer for me, sorry for that.

MC: Have you confirmed the Identity of Wang Xian's assistant?

Xia Yan: Yeah. I managed to get his fingerprints earlier this morning and sent them back to the Ministry.

Xia Yan: My colleague helped me compare the fingerprints. Turns out, that man's Dong Hechuan.

Xia Yan handed me a bottle of water after having helped me unscrew the cap.

Mo Yi: Don't be so anxious to leave. Rest a little.

Mo Yi: The Terminals have all been rigged to be "destroyed" an hour later.

Mo Yi: Only then will the Operation begin.

MC: Right.

Everything was proceeding as planned so far.

☆⋅⋆…⋅─────────── ⋆⋅✾⋅⋆ ───────────⋅…⋆⋅☆

Location: Cruise Guest Room

Last night… We formulated an "Operation Plan" after discovering the "Faulty Terminals".

Lu Jinghe: I will hand out the Terminals as per usual tomorrow, so as to not alert our suspect.

Fortunately, he had already been fully-prepared for this event and had brought along a sufficient amount of Spare Terminals. Otherwise, I doubt we would even be able to proceed with our plans.

Lu Jinghe: I've instructed the staff to play an Emergency Notice, to create an illusion that the Terminals have been damaged.

Mo Yi: The person harboring evil international will then be prompted to act, thinking that his plans are all proceeding accordingly.

Mo Yi: If Wang Xian's assistant is really Dong Hechuan in disguise, then they'll be our number one suspect.

Mo Yi: The enemy is in the dark, so I can tail them first and maybe even help the Police find the missing gold in question.

Mo Yi: That being said, however, I don't think they'll always be working together at all times.

Mo Yi: Their alliance of interest is way too fragile for that to happen.

MC: Dr. Mo won't be able to split himself into two if they decide to act separately.

Xia Yan: I'll tail Dong Hechuan.

Xia Yan: He might have only been a small fry back then, but he was still part of a game of robbers. So, it'll be difficult for normal people to deal with him.

Xia Yan was certainly the most equipped to deal with Dong Hechuan among us all.

MC: I believe in your abilities, Xia Yan. I do, but you have to be careful not to get yourself hurt.

Xia Yan: Rest assured!

Zuo Ran: As for Lin Dahai, he's only someone who has a tendency to seek revenge while here on this Island, so Crime Prevention is the main focus here.

Zuo Ran: I shall watch him and make sure that he doesn't go astray.

MC: But he might be carrying a Murder Weapon on him if he really intends to sell revenge, and Lawyer Zuo, you...

Zuo Ran: Don't worry.

He looked towards Lu Jinghe as he said this.

Zuo Ran: Lu Jinghe, I saw a Gun Room on this Ship. Did you apply for a Gun Permit?

Lu Jinghe: I hear that you've got some impressive marksmanship; maybe you should go find something suitable and bring it with you.

Zhuo Ran: You have my thanks.

MC: (Why do I feel like this isn't quite... legal?)

I turned to look at the "Public Officer", Xia Yan, who was standing to the side... He seemed completely oblivious to the conversation going on between Zuo Ran and Lu Jinghe, completely focused on checking his own equipment.

MC: (In the case of an emergency, his safety is of utmost importance here.)

MC: (And he can't be held to our Domestic Regulations now that we're on Country A's Territory either.)

Lu Jinghe: You should all still take your own cellphones with you to ensure that our communications are smooth, safe and confidential. 

Lu Jinghe: Should anything happen, we'll be communicating through NXX's encrypted line.

MC: I see that you've thought everything through.

Lu Jinghe: Of course I have to make every effort to prepare for every possible situation since I'm coming out with you.

Xia Yan: Lu Jinghe, it's still way too early for you to be relaxing now.

Xia Yan: There's still another suspect who’s unaccounted for.

Lu Jinghe: You mean…

Xia Yan: You said earlier that your Uncle was the real Organizer of the Event. Which means that he was also the one who sent Wang Xian his Invitation, correct?

Lu Jinghe: ...It's just a single Invitation. It might just be a touch-and-go situation for all we know.

Lu Jinghe: Uncle Tian had a clear background and has absolutely nothing to do with the Case of Lost Gold.

Lu Jinghe: Plus, his wealth is plenty abundant. Not to mention that this Event's reward is also being funded by him.

Lu Jinghe: Finding some gold might mean a huge sum of money for the Treasure Hunters, but he probably wouldn't even bat an eye to it, in his case.

Xia Yan: It might be just as you said, if it was just gold.

MC: If it was just gold…? What do you mean by that?

Xia Yan: All of you had reasons to come to this Island; of course, I'm not here just for a Vacation.

Xia Yan: I'm not eligible to be disclosing the details of my task here, but I wouldn't have to come down personally if it was just to track down a pile of gold.

Xia Yan: Besides, Tian Yu is not only under suspicion of being attracted to the stolen gold, but also of being involved in the modification of the Surveillance Tapes.

Xia Yan: Lu Jinghe, if you can confirm that all the Staff in the Warehouse and the Monitoring Room are innocent, then…

Xia Yan: That only leaves you and Tian Yu, who can enter and leave those areas without cause for suspicion, don't you think?

The room fell silent for a long while. Eventually, Lu Jinghe was the one to break the silence.

Lu Jinghe: Since the "adult" from the Ministry suspects my Uncle, I guess I'll be the one to watch over him.

Lu Jinghe: I won't let him go scot-free if he's really planning something.

Lu Jinghe: The heir of PAX Company won't be taken advantage of this easily!

☆⋅⋆…⋅─────────── ⋆⋅✾⋅⋆ ───────────⋅…⋆⋅☆

Although there was a plan now, I still couldn't help but to feel a little nervous when I thought of all the doubts and mystery that still surrounded Nosta Island.

I looked at Lu Jinghe, who was as relaxed as always, his usual smile on his face. It was probably only now, I realized with a start, that he was truly the heir of one of the largest families in the Country. 

His shrewdness was far beyond anything that I had ever imagined.

MC: (Lu Jinghe…)

Zuo Ran: Have you given it some thought? Who will you go with later?

I hadn't yet decided on my own course of action last night. But I've got an idea of what to do now.

MC: Of course, I plan on…

I hadn't finished speaking when a cry for help suddenly came from a distance.

???: HELP ME——! HELP——!

MC: !?

MC: No way, did the suspect already make his move!?

The five of us shared a look before we all rushed towards the direction of the cry for help.

☆⋅⋆…⋅─────────── ⋆⋅✾⋅⋆ ───────────⋅…⋆⋅☆

Previous Part: (Chapter 1-05: Cruise Guest Room) | Next Part: (Chapter 1-07: Beach Zone)

[rainiedeforest]

Attempt the impossible

Fandom: Mo Dao Zu Shi (The Untamed) Pair: Madame Yu | Yu Ziyuan & Madame Jin Link to AO3: [here] Resume: Seemingly vain conversations with much deeper meanings between Yu Ziyuan and Madame Jin Words: 1917

Madame Yu Birth name: 虞夜花 – Yú Yèhuā

虞 yú – to worry 夜 yè – night 花 huā – flower

Courtesy name: 虞紫鸢 – Yú Zǐyuān

虞 yú – to worry 紫 zǐ – purple 鸢 yuān – kite (bird)

Madame Jin Birth name: 星笑甜– Xīng Xiàotián

星xīng – star 笑Xiào – laugh 甜tián - sweet

Courtesy name: 星紫星– Xīng Shèjì

星xīng – star 紫星 shèjì - wish

“Why not?”

Xiaotian's question, now Xing Sheji after her naming ceremony, made her roll her eyes. Was she really asking her something like that? Was it a joke?

“Because not and that’s all,” replied Yehua, lifting her legs to the bed in the small room they had reserved for the night. “I have enough with having met him again. Is there no more inns in the entire city?”

Xiaotian took off the delicate golden crown that decorated her long black hair and looked at her best friend, raising an eyebrow and clearly amused.

“It was more than obvious that we were going to meet him. Only you thought it wasn’t going to happen something like this.” Xiaotian's words fell like a bucket of cold water on her. “He is guarding the new disciples of his sect towards Cloud Recesses. It is what is expected of a cultivator like him.”

Yehua growled and dropped back onto the bed, covering her face with the pillow so that her best friend wasn’t able to see the frustration that paint each one of her features. Even though she hadn't had too many encounters with Jiang Fengmian since she was given her courtesy name three years ago in that pseudo-ceremony (which she was grateful for, because the kind smile ha gave her, though she thought he was just teasing her because of the sparkle in his eyes when he saw her in the room, had embarrassed her enough to almost annoy her), the few encounters that had happened between them were enough proof that the uncontrollable rapid beat of her heart was something she didn't like too much.

Because that implied that she wasn’t able to keep herself under the rigorous control that she appreciated so much and that filled her with calm.

Her hands absently caressed Zidian's silver ring that remained cold against her skin and she snorted, getting up to remove the outer layers of clothing.

“I don't want to keep talking about it.”

“Someday we'll have to talk about it,” Xiaotian reminded her with a certain sardonic tone, smiling mockingly before continuing to undress. They would soon get into bed to sleep, since tomorrow they still had a long way to go until they reached the GusuLan sect.

“I don’t see why we have to.”

Xiaotian turned, looking at her incredulously, before throwing her own pillow at her.

“I don’t know? Perhaps because you've been completely and hopelessly in love with him since you was twelve.” And there it was the reminder that she couldn't control something as simple as her own feelings. “Look, I don’t want to put the finger in the sore but the boy is handsome, I won’t deny that, and he is very nice, but he doesn’t look like a god. I wouldn't turn to look at him twice. And we have to think that he doesn’t particularly stands out especially by his cultivation skills,” she replied with a laugh, without a single pause, glancing at Yehua and adjusting the tie of her underwear. She expected a great reaction from her friend. “He is good with the sword, that’s true and I cannot denied it. But…”

“And here comes the but…”

“He doesn't have a gold core as strong as yours and that makes him a rather unsuitable candidate for you.”

“Xing Sheji!”

“Yu Ziyuan!”

“Agh! You are impossible!” Yehua exclaimed angrily, almost getting into bed with her shoes. “Let's see. Who, in your wise and valid opinion, is better than Jiang Fengmian?”

Her friend smiled before going to the other girl's bed, climbing on it and getting too close to Yehua. A shiver ran up and down when she felt her so close, staring her into her eyes.

“Jin Guangshan, for example,” Yehua tried to hold back the dry, scornful laugh she doesn’t wanted to share, but failed miserably, causing Xiaotian to look at her with pursed lips. “What?”

Yehua continued laughing, shaking her head before pulling back, at the risk of hitting herself with the wall.

“Tell me you're kidding.  Yes, you have to be joking because you would never name him.”

“Yu Ziyuan! I don’t get why you are laughing at me. What’s so funny?”

“Gods ...” Yehua managed to say when she calmed down a little, seeing how her best friend was not only getting angrier, but was looking at her waiting for a response with her arms crossed. She wasn’t kidding. “No way, you mean it… You really mean it… It can't be true, Sheji.” But one last look made her snort. “He spends more time thinking about his appearance and which maiden is better to seduce, than in his cultivation skills! Which are quite mediocre, if we compare them with your measuring stick.”

“That's not true. Liar”

Yehua raised both eyebrows and shook her head.

“Liar? Come on, A-Tian. He wasn’t able to beat that yao from the forest. And my little sister would have finished it in a single blink!” Yehua replied, pushing the opponent's pillow against her chest to push her away. “Though, he was very good at crying. I think I will sympathize with the poor woman who has to marry him.”

“At least she will be really happy at night,” Xiaotian commented as if talking about the weather, being hit with the pillow. “Ouch!”

“You are shameless,” Yehua chuckled, feeling her cheeks flush, and was soon accompanied by Xiaotian.

It wasn’t that the affairs of lovers were strange to them. When they reached an age, the maids were more than willing to tell them all kinds of details. The married maids, of course, the others were too suspicious to tell anything, not even for a small price. And, fortunately for them, not only the maids, but they could easily see it in the cities.

In fact, Yehua still remembered one of the first nights they met on a hunt... It was in a brothel, not because both girls went to that place consciously, and they both saw things that they would rather not have seen.

“I think one of the two had the wrong gender at birth,” Xiaotian replied once they calmed down.

“What do you mean?”

“Neither of us is too feminine.” Yehua stared at her incredulously and pointed to her clothes. “Just because I like to take care of my image doesn’t mean that I behave like a lady.”

“At least you do it more than I do. Haven't you listened to my mother?” She asked, snorting. “She says that she doesn’t make a career with me, that I should be married or with a view to be, and that she hasn’t educated me to be a little savage. I don't know what she expects from me, really.”

“Do we ever know?” She asked, letting out a big sigh.

Yehua looked at her before beginning to fiddle with the delicate necklace around his neck.

“Exactly. Sometimes I think it would have been easier to be born as a man. They can do whatever they want, go to a lot of places, improve their cultivation and they don't have to get married so soon as we. If they don't want us to behave as one… Why do they teach us cultivation then, if our only goal is to get married and have children?”

“Mm… Yes? Because we have to be able to bear strong children who can inherit, be it a sect or some kind of legacy.”

“If I ever marry...”

“Something that you will do in the end...”

“I wouldn't be so sure, A-Tian,” she replied, trying not to think about it. She didn't know if there was really anyone in the world willing to spend the rest of his life with her. “But if I marry, I will make sure that my husband doesn’t prohibit me from remaining the way I am right now.”

Xiaotian looked down and smiled bitterly, even giggling, silenced by the movement of her sleeve.

“Good luck. We both know that it’s impossible.”

“Then... I'll attempt the impossible,” she replied before laughing. Because even she knew how complicated that would be.

Xiaotian helped her get rid of the ornaments in her hair in silence, neither of them speaking since neither of them knew what else to say. The topic of marriage was something that had been weighing them down since they first bled. And as they approached a suitable age, their families put more and more pressure on them to put aside everything they enjoyed and had known since childhood to become the women they wanted.

“In the next life, one of the two will have to born as a man,” Xiaotian commented casually, setting the decorations on the small table.

“So that we can marry each other?” Yehua asked amused. “You know? I would be a great husband.”

Both girls shared a knowing look before laughing, but their laughter was soon silenced by a high-pitched moan.

“Oh, Young Master Jin!” They heard a woman exclaim through the thin doors of the room they shared.

Xiaotian and Yehua shared a surprised look. Young Master Jin? They only knew one young master, the heir of the LanlingJin sect, but he didn’t stay at that same inn as they. What's more, they had no record of them going to share lessons in the Cloud Recesses with him. However, both girls couldn't help but laugh, covering their mouths so they won’t be too scandalous and attract the attention of both lovers. This was such a coincidence.

“At least someone is going to enjoy the night,” Xiaotian replied before getting out of bed. Although they hadn’t seen him at the inn, because they knew that the Jin clan always reserved the best inn of all for themselves, even if they didn’t fill all the rooms, they imagined that he would also be escorting more disciples or that he would go to attend himself to the readings, the latter somewhat improbable given that he was older than them.

“Yes... I just hope that their enjoyment will let us get enough sleep. Or I will have to visit him with Zidian,” Yehua replied, closing his eyes. “Seriously, couldn't he have gone to his own inn?”

Xiaotian ignored the latter and smiled as she moved provocatively by the room.

“Mm... You better not give him too many ideas. Maybe he will even like it.”

The look of horror on Yehua's face was enough to make her friend laugh again before running to her bed. She loved to make Yehua rage, because she blushed very easily despite the fact that she believed she gave an image of a hard and impassive woman, but she wasn’t so stupid as to stay close to her, especially when she had Zidian in her hand.

“As I have said before, poor of the woman that has to marry him. She is going to have to carry it straighter than a stick.”

“Mm... It can be an interesting challenge,” Xiaotian murmured more to herself than to Yehua, covering with the sheets.

Yehua looked at her confused, frowning slightly. She hoped she had misheard, but when she received no signal from her best friend, she snorted.

“Xing Sheji! You cannot be serious!”

Xiaotian was silent for a few minutes, as if she was really thinking it up, before smiling.

“Mm... why not?”

And after a few seconds in silence, Xiaotian asked, talking again:

“Do you think they will do the postures of the book that we took from your brother?”

“Xing Sheji!”

[k-i-s-m-e-t]

Skate Date

TianShan Xmas Event: Ice-Skating (Day 3) Fandom: 19 days Rating: Mature Status: Complete Warnings: None Pairing: TianShan Words: 1,932

Summary: To Mo’s surprise He Tian is not good at everything.

A date. That’s what He Tian had called it. The offer had been presented in passing, as if he’d just asked if Mo did last night’s math assignment. No way he’d heard correctly, not over the chattering of the busy hallway, other students hurrying to class. However when the question was repeated he felt his throat dry up, mind working frantically, reaching for some smart reply. “What nonsense are you talking now?” He busied himself at his locker shuffling stray papers, stacking his books. He refused to turn and face He Tian because he knew his composure would fail. It always did, evident in the flush of his cheeks, the press of his eyebrows, twist of his lips.

It meant facing those feelings that made his stomach drop, his heart flutter, feelings he stamped down and tried unsuccessfully to ignore. He Tian pushed his locker door closed so they were face to face, crowded him against it. “I said, let’s go ice-skating this weekend.” “Why?” “It doesn’t need to be that complicated Guan Shan, it’s either yes or no.” Complicated tended to work in his favor so he hadn’t answered, didn’t have a chance to. The bell had rung like a saving grace giving him an excuse to slip off to class, bide his time. By that afternoon he’d forgotten the matter entirely. Yet Saturday had easily come around, announcing itself with a soft rapping at his bedroom door. “What?” he’d called irritated, pressing his cheek further into the pillowcase, body burrowing deeper into the warm cavern of his sheets. He’d left his balcony door open last night and the cold that drifted in settled over him in waves.  An answer still hadn’t come and Mo could feel himself drifting, if it was important he was sure his mom would have let herself in. Shifting to his side he let himself slip back into the gentle confines of sleep.

Around noon, hunger forced him to brace the cold path to the kitchen, rubbing at the sleep gathered in the corners of his eyes.

He grunted in response to his Mother too drowsy to comprehend, yanking open the fridge to scan its contents. Retrieving some juice from the top shelf he uncapped it and took a long drink directly from the cartoon. Something in his peripheral caught his eye and he turned, curious, only to spit the mouthful of juice, spraying his immediate area. “Guan Shan,” his mother said sharply, shaking her head before tossing him a kitchen towel. He caught it loosely, had to grab at it twice, still coughing up the liquid lodged in his windpipe. Bracing himself on the counter he pointed, convinced it was too early to be trusting his own eyesight. “What is he doing here?” he gestured wildly at their kitchen table where He Tian sat. “He’s been waiting for you,” she said moving to clear He Tian’s plate from the table. “I’ve got it,” He Tian insisted, rising and carrying the plate to the sink to wash. Smug smile on his face. Guan Shan watched him in disbelief, before crossing his arms in annoyance. ‘Look at this bastard strutting through his house like he owned the place, touching their sponge, using their dish soap!’ He mentally racked up the offenses. “I’m surprised you even know how to wash dishes, I always have to do it at your house.” Mo seethed. “I’ve learned a thing or two from observation,” he winked. Mo clenched his fists, talking himself off the ledge. His mom was here, He Tian had a good reputation, be cool. He whispered it harshly as He Tian and his mom laughed at a joke. “You never answered my question,” Mo interrupted “What are you doing here?” He Tian pressed a hand to his chest in mock offense. “You wound me Mo, you can’t have forgotten that we agreed to go ice-skating today, remember?” “No, we didn’t,” Mo said through his teeth, bending to mop up the spilt juice. Fuck he’d forgotten that conversation. “We didn’t agree to do anything. I never said yes.” “So, you do remember then.” “So, what?” “So, let’s go.” “I’m not going anywhere with you!” “Yes, you are,” his Mom cut in. “You didn’t just have him wait here for two hours so you can change your mind.” “Two hours!? What have you been doing for two hours? Why didn’t you wake me up?!” “I tried but you didn’t answer, then we got caught up looking at your baby pictures…” “I’m surprised you weren’t actually born with that scowl on your face.” He Tian chuckled. “Mom whyyyy?” Mo moaned. “Because you were adorable and I like to show off what I made.” “Please stop,” he dragged a hand down his heat flushed face.

The tips of his ears were still aflame when the reach the skating rink but they cooled instantly as they enter the building. The rink thankfully wasn’t too crowded when they arrived, less chances of someone from school seeing them. Though in all honestly given his close proximity to He Tian lately even if someone saw it’d be nothing new. He Tian hanging off his shoulder had become a common scene throughout the day at school. He was painstakingly difficult to shake, seemed to cling tighter around Mo the more he struggled. With these cold weather months, he would admit the extra body heat was nice and He Tian tended to be warm like a furnace. They stowed their trainers in a shared locker and changed into their skates. Mo ignored He Tian’s emphasis of “Our locker.” Out on the ice Mo is a natural. He has skated this rink multiple times, usually with his mother. First being guided as a kid, later supporting her as she grabbed onto him for stability when he set a fast pace. They were memories he was fond of and put him at ease, a nice reprieve.

“What are you smiling about?” He Tian teased when Mo had lapped the rink back to their starting point “Thinking about me?” Mo looked at him blankly, wondering why he hadn’t gotten out on the ice yet, just lingered in the entranceway. “What’s with you? You’re the one that wanted to come here to begin with.” He Tian shuffled awkwardly, gripping the rinks wall tightly as his feet slid back and forth trying to find his balance. “I haven’t done this in awhile,” he admitted. “So, you’re telling me you invited me out here but you can’t event skate,” Mo scoffed. He Tian shrugged, pushed off the wall, over calculated momentum making him bend back at the waist then snap forward, overcompensating.   “Shit!” Mo said, instinct overtaking him, diving forward, tucking an arm under He Tian’s, wrapping it around his back to steady him. A tense moment passed where it seemed like they’d both fall before Mo rights them. “Be careful!” Mo panted, wiping at the sweat beading at his brow in spite of the cold. “Are you saying,” He Tian stumbled, snatching at Mo for purchase “you care about me?” He grinned up at him, a hand wrapped tight in his jacket, dragging out the ‘me’. Mo contemplated dropping him but they’d signed a safety waiver before being allowed access to the rink. The minute shifting of their bodies carried them toward the center of the rink, stuck in a continuous revolution as He Tian still struggled to gain his footing. Mo used the side of his blade, nicking into the ice to bring them to a halt, breath heavy with exertion. “Look,” Mo said formulating a plan, we have to get you off to the side or you’re gonna make both of us fall. “No I’m not,” words barely off his lips before he slid heavily to his knees, legs splayed beneath him. Mo prays for strength. With some sketchy maneuvering he was able to get He Tian back on his feet to attempt a beeline towards the nearest wall. It’s not just the distance itself that has to be considered but maneuvering around oncoming patrons.

Taking a deep breath he addressed He Tian, refusing to make eye contact.

“Put your hands on my waist,” he instructed.

He Tian looked taken aback. “What?”

“If we’re going to get both of us ‘safely’ to that wall” he pointed, “I need you to listen to me.”

“Okay.”

As they adjusted position, Mo couldn’t ignore the lingering touches of He Tian’s hands as they moved down his shoulder to his waist, which of course he gripped beneath Mo’s coat. They lit up his skin even through his sweater.

“You fit perfectly in my hands,” He Tian mused in his ear.

Mo couldn’t answer if he wanted to. He felt a flush creeping up the back of his neck that He Tian confirms.

“Are you warm?” He Tian whispered, breath tickling his ear “Even though it’s so cold in here?”

Mo shivered.

He shook his head trying to focus. “You ready?” he called over his shoulder.

“Ready.”

Mo dug in a skate and pushed off lightly, easing them into the movement. It took a second for He Tian’s body to catch up, delayed momentum docking him against the curve of Mo’s ass. That in itself was incentive enough to get Mo moving, embarrassed at how well they fit. He tried to keep his brain from considering other angles in which that position worked. He pushed off again, a smoother transition as he shifted his weight to his other foot, now easily towing the other boy behind him. He could imagine how ridiculous they looked, and if He Tian wasn’t so clearly awful at skating he’d think it had been a set up. They slowed to dodge a patron zipping by then aimed for an opening in the rink to step off the ice.

Everything ran smoothly until they reached the opening. Mo stepped easily over the lip of the rink, but He Tian collided with it unaware.

A sharp intake of breath behind him was the only warning he got before time slowed. A moment in which everything seemed magnified, but he could do nothing to stop it.

He Tian crashed headlong into him, hands grabbing wildly to avoid the inevitable. They grappled for a bit, Mo trying to support both their weights, but he went down and it would’ve been comical, if his hands weren’t full of Mo’s jacket.

He Tian hit first, yanking Mo down on top of him, legs tangled.

When Mo opened his eyes they were a hair’s breadth apart. He immediately propped himself up on his elbows to put distance between them, but an arm curled around his waist anchoring him in place.

“I knew I could get you to fall for me,” He Tan said, looking winded but otherwise okay.

“Did you hit your head on that fall, you nutcase, let go!”

“Why? Let’s stay like this for a bit, I’m kind of dizzy. And you’re warm…” He at least had the decency to look sheepish despite their indecent position, tangled up in each other arms. The corridor they’d fallen in looked like it was rarely used, sports equipment and boxes lined the walls. They probably wouldn’t be disturbed.

“Fine, but only for a few minutes.” Mo conceded.

“Thanks…” He dropped his head back and Mo could see the quick rise and fall if his chest. They were quiet for a bit, the silence comfortable, but then there was a nudge between his legs as He Tian bent his knee upward sliding him forward so their hips aligned.

“Hey!” Mo sputtered, struggling. “What the hell!”

“This position is better,” He Tian laughed.

Shows up for day 3 late af with Starbucks. Thank you for reading! x

[agapaic]

[mini fic] rising upside down: beginning [1/3]

he tian x mo guan shan

tags/notes: angst, swearing, allusions to sex, inspired by this song, artwork i commissioned by robnemmon, and a recent conversation with @19daysruinedmylife.

synopsis: jian yi disappears on the second day of high school. how does he tian tell guan shan that he’s going too? on ao3.

‘Let’s stop a second,’ He Tian says.

They stop.

Guan Shan pulls his hand from He Tian’s back pocket, stands still and silent as He Tian perches on the ledge of a shop window front. Signs glow neon around them, muted in the early autumn chill. There’s a glimmer of pink dawn beyond, stars shining frail and pallid above. The city will be rising around them soon, but for now it’s them.

Just the two of them.

He Tian’s hair is mussed. He put his glasses on after they fucked, contacts left in the bathroom. They make him seem older, more serious, heavy brows and dark eyes framed by neat rims. Guan Shan is wringing the neck of an empty water bottle between his hands, plastic crackling.

There was something different about that night—something slower about the way their hips had joined; something softer about the way He Tian pressed his lips to Guan Shan’s throat; something careful about He Tian’s after-touches when he came behind him in the shower, stood against his back, held him.

‘If you’ve got something to say then say it,’ Guan Shan says. It’s too cold to stop for long. There’s a lump in his throat he can’t explain. He has the same feeling on his skin as when he’d followed She Li from his home and down the street. Months ago, now.

‘Right,’ says He Tian. ‘Sure.’ He lights a cigarette.

‘Spit it,’ says Guan Shan, ‘the fuck out.’

A bloom of cigarette smoke. ‘Tomorrow. I won’t be coming into school.’

‘Is that all?’ Guan Shan snorts. ‘Second day of high school and you’re already skipping. Typical.’

‘Yeah?’ says He Tian. ‘What’s that supposed to mean.’

‘Means that of course you’d get a free pass to skip. You’re… you’re fucking you. I’d get detention and cleaning duty for three weeks.’

He Tian’s lips quirk; Guan Shan’s fist tightens around the bottle. He folds his arms.

He Tian’s giving him a look like he’s waiting, and Guan Shan’s mind is racing to catch up. He isn’t that smart—isn’t that clever. He Tian always leaves too many gaps for him to try to fill.

Guan Shan should be charmed, maybe. It means that He Tian overestimates him, expects more from Guan Shan than he’s able to give. With most, they tend to expect the opposite.

‘You’re not coming into school tomorrow,’ Guan Shan says carefully, watching him. ‘And what about the day after that?’

He Tian looks at the ground where his legs are stretched out in front of him, crossed at the ankles. He makes a sound like a sigh, flicks ash onto the tarmac. His shoulders rise—fall.

It happens in a number of seconds. It’s all carefully cultivated, carried out with a sense of grace. Choreographed, almost. Guan Shan watches it happen in a distant sort of haze, like he’s beyond himself—above. Like he’s the pinkish dawn or the pallid stars.

When he realises, he wishes he were that distant. He wishes he were detached. Not standing in front of He Tian with a mess of plastic in his hands and his body shaking like it’s ready to tear itself apart with a nudge.

He says, ‘You’re leaving.’

‘I can’t tell you anything.’

‘But you’re leaving, yeah?’

He Tian runs a hand through his hair, shifts. Resignation runs along his shoulders, curves them rounded and hunched. Guan Shan wants to cry.

‘What,’ Guan Shan says, hates how thick his voice sounds. The scorn, that white-hot fury, is missing. He’s an animal de-fanged; an almost-adult reduced to a child. ‘You lost interest? I bored you already? A couple months. A few fucks. That was fast.’

He Tian’s already shaking his head. He grinds the cigarette beneath his shoe. ‘You don’t understand. It’s nothing to do with you.’

‘Yeah, sure,’ Guan Shan says. He swallows. ‘When’re you back? Days? Weeks?’

Months?

‘I don’t know,’ says He Tian. ‘It’s not my choice.’

Years.

‘That’s bullshit,’ Guan Shan spits. He stumbles over the rest of it: ‘It’s not my—Are you kidding—That’s bullshit.’

In the silence, He Tian just shrugs. The autumn air is chill; their muted breaths curl out like fog from their mouths. He Tian lights another cigarette, hand in his pocket, the small orange glow like a traffic light of amber warning.

Slow down. You’re going too fast. If you don’t stop now you’ll hit something and ruin—

‘The others,’ Guan Shan says. ‘They know? Was I a fucking afterthought?’

He Tian looks at him through a haze of smoke. It’s a wonder his eyes aren’t red-rimmed and watering. Guan Shan brushes the back of his hand across his face. His mom told him his dad used to cry easy too. A grown man sobbing. Natural reaction. Something from the inside that leaks out when it can’t help itself. A bottle overflowing, spilling on asphalt.

He Tian won’t see it like that. He tastes salt tracks like weakness. But he says nothing as Guan Shan swallows, ignores the stinging, the lump, the building nausea.  

‘Zhengxi doesn’t know,’ He Tian says eventually. ‘Jian Yi…’

He leaves it hanging, looks at Guan Shan like he should understand the silence. Like he should know how to figure out what the nothingness means. How can he tell He Tian that they’re not all like him? That he isn’t like him, never has been, doesn’t want to be?

‘I want honesty,’ Guan Shan says. ‘That’s all I want. I want you to tell me what the fuck is going on for once.’

‘I can’t, it’s not—’

‘Just try—’

He Tian pushes to his feet in a blur. ‘It’s not my choice, Guan Shan! It’s not my decision. It’s been made for me. It always has been.’

‘Since when!’ Guan Shan shouts back. ‘Since when the fuck have you ever not done what you wanted? You’re such a fucking liar!’

In a second, someone’s going to slide open their window, lean out one of the balconies above the shop fronts. Shout down to them to be quiet. That people are sleeping. And Guan Shan knows He Tian will stick a middle finger up at them, and Guan Shan will tell them to piss off back to bed and not stick their noses in other people’s business.

Guan Shan imagines it. Sees it so clearly. Because that’s how they worked, the two of them, in their little unit of volatile predictability. Their imperfect duo of anger and bitterness and two broken pieces trying to fit together.

But it was perfect because they could, in the least, ignore that they were imperfect—when they could look at each other and know that neither of them were anything more. Alone, there was a mirror, and a reflection, and a single fragment staring itself in the fucking face. Broken edges and chipped surfaces, scars and bruises all on show. 

Guan Shan doesn’t want to have to look at himself again. He doesn’t want that lonely ruin again, amber traffic light ignored. Scarred where he’s hurtled through red at break-neck speed.

He Tian has his hands on Guan Shan’s shoulders. ‘This isn’t what I wanted,’ He Tian tells him. He has to stoop slightly to look him in the eyes, and Guan Shan can hardly bear to look back at him. ‘What I wanted was you. That’s all I wanted. I wanted tonight and you, and just that for a thousand nights, alright? You’re the only choice I’ve ever made and I can’t keep it. I don’t get to make my own decisions. People like me—we don’t get that.’

Guan Shan turns his face away. ‘People like—’ He breaks off. Mutters, ‘What the fuck are you—’

‘You know what I’m saying,’ He Tian cuts in. ‘You’ve seen where I live. You’ve seen my brother. What kind of shit he does. You know, Guan Shan. You think you’re not smart, but you see things—’

‘Bullshit—’

‘You saw through me, didn’t you?’ His smile is indescribable, and doesn’t reach his eyes. ‘Always saw everything about me that I wanted to hide.’

‘Because you didn’t try to.’

Guan Shan remembers the last few weeks of middle school. The basketball court outside his apartment block, He Tian’s hot breath on his neck, the heavy weight of him that didn’t hurt. It was grounding. He’d hated it for only three seconds.

‘Because I…’ He Tian steps away, resigned. His hands fall limp to his sides. ‘Because I couldn’t, and because if I wanted to let my barriers down with anyone it was you. I wanted you to know me. And I couldn’t—didn’t have the strength around you. You drove me fucking insane.’

‘You felt weak,’ Guan Shan guesses, sounding hollow. The punches, the throwaway hits in the beginning. How many of those had been because He Tian wanted Guan Shan to see him strong? To know what that strength felt like when it grew bruises on his skin like a bed of violets.

He Tian has his lighter in his hands. It spins, a blur of lighter fluid and the flash of metal. There are no more stars now, and the air is warmer. Guan Shan can hear cars sputtering to life and the electric hum of shop signs and outdoor restaurant generators whirring. It’s better than the silence, he supposes. Better than the static in his head that says this is it. This is as good as it gets. This is all.

‘I should’ve fucking known this was a goodbye.’

‘Guan Shan…’

‘You said I saw things.’ He laughs, a bark of sound. ‘Should’ve seen this. Would’ve saved you the trouble of tonight.’

He Tian’s frowning. ‘It wasn’t a pity fuck.’

‘Sure feels like one now.’

‘Guan Shan—’

‘Is this it then?’ Guan Shan asks. ‘We just… You were gonna walk me home. Clap me on the back. Give me a kiss on the mouth.’

‘What else do you want?’

Another laugh, this one hollower than the last. It almost hurts. Almost feels like the burning graze of a cough, of lungs filled with smoke. It takes an effort to push it out, to revert to the instinct that says he’s not afraid.

He’s terrified.

‘What else?’ Guan Shan echoes. ‘Well, I dunno. A call might be nice. Once in a while.’

‘I can’t. No contact. That’s part of the rules.’

‘The rules. Right, ‘course. You can’t. Sure.’

He Tian rubs his fingertips into his eye sockets, glasses shifting over his face. When he drops them, his eyes are red-rimmed, and his lip has been bitten to swollenness between his teeth. Guan Shan hadn’t even seen.

I didn’t have the strength around you, he’d said. Guan Shan doesn’t remember thinking for a single moment that he was weak. Arrogant, sometimes. Angry in a cold way. Cruel in a stupid, thoughtless way. Ignorant to others. To Guan Shan, often. Didn’t talk enough. Didn’t just say enough. Didn’t let himself be weak enough.

‘And we’ll see each other again?’ Guan Shan says. ‘When you’re back.’

When? he thinks to himself a second later. Too hopeful. Too presumptuous.

‘Maybe we will. Maybe we won’t.’

‘No,’ says Guan Shan. ‘That’s not fair. You can’t give me a—a false hope like that. It’s all or nothing. That’s how it’s always been with us. That’s all I want. Don’t leave me hanging.’ He says, ‘Don’t leave me waiting.’

He Tian tries to make himself look cruel. He narrows his eyes, twists his lips into a mockery of a smile. It’s the kind of look he would have given Guan Shan in the beginning, before the interest had been piqued. Before he cared and before Guan Shan mattered. Before the insanity had started to set in. Before he asked for just a moment.

‘We both know,’ he says, wry, ‘that you’ll be waiting whether I tell you to or not.’

‘You’re a cunt,’ Guan Shan tells him.

But there’s barely any anger there—it’s a throwaway insult, bubbles from him almost hysterically. The self-fashioned cruelty in He Tian is false, a fake. It’s not a blessing now that Guan Shan has come to tell the difference.

He would have preferred the whole thing to hurt for real. Would’ve preferred to know that He Tian’s indomitable and invincible and stronger than Guan Shan. To know that only one of them hurts. That only one of them is going to be looking in the mirror and seeing a broken thing. To know that he has a standard by which to set himself against.

He Tian says, ‘Yeah, I know.’

Guan Shan laughs for real this time. What else is he supposed to do? He doesn’t want to be like his dad, sobbing; he doesn’t want to follow in failed footsteps.

He Tian’s wary as Guan Shan slips his hand back into He Tian’s back pocket, and something small and unnameable passes Guan Shan’s lips when He Tian’s arm hooks around his shoulder, heavy and warm and familiar. He smells of his body wash, dark and woodsy, menthol cigarettes on his breath, and Guan Shan breathes in like he can commit the smell to synapses.

He breathes slow, and takes in everything: the sound of their footsteps in the middle of the road, the muted creak of the water bottle, birdsong rising in a waking city, purring telephone wires along the streets. The nervous blink of neon billboards and OPEN signs.

And He Tian’s smile—quiet, slow, regretful—like he’s trying to remember everything too.    

next > 

[mestizo-efp]

Ten Minutes, Omegaverse

Last chapter! Thank you for everything! I’m finally finished! Please tell me what you think about it! After this i’m finally free to work on new project for tianshan!

19 Days, Omegaverse AU

Chapter 4 [NSWF]

He Tian x Mo GuanShan

I’ll be fine

Human's adaptability is something that is often underestimated; We believe that we are a demanding, fragile race, with our needs and rhythms. The truth is that we can get used to everything and the worst thing is that the process is so slow that we sometimes don't even realize it. It's inexorable, inevitable as the evolution of animal species.

GuanShan would never have expected to get used to He Tian's constant ambush, every morning before he went to school. Of his way of hugging him, resting an arm on his shoulders, or his voice on the phone, while talking to him, locked inside his room during the heat, because He Tian wanted to "keep him company." Of the smell of smoke emanating from his skin, so familiar that it had slowly disappeared.

Of his particular way of moving, silent and with a rather austere way, like silk on silk. Or how, before eating,he would always take a moment to taste the scent and the view of his meal.

Everything had become so familiar that GuanShan never knew exactly when he stopped complaining of his attentions, pushing him away. To insult him no, he would never have forgotten that... or fight; However, the latter, too, as time keep passing, had became everyday's routine. Somehow He Tian had forced himself into part of his everyday life.

That was how the days, then weeks, then months began to pass.

Like that, summer passed away, then autumn and finally came winter. A particularly frosty one, of those where you can't get out of the pleasant warmth of the blankets when the first lights of the sun shines over the city, forcing the inhabitants to get out of their beds to start everyday habits; It was just one of those mornings when GuanShan's alarm clock rang.

He stretched out his legs, cracking them nicely with his neck and shoulders.

It had been a long time since he skipped a day of school, almost certainly he had established a new personal record.

He pressed his forehead on the pillow, sighing.

No, he just couldn't get up; Peering through the folds of the curtains, he saw the sky and his plumbean color foreshadowed a bad weather.

"One more reason to not get up" he thought, pulling the sheets over his head.

Then, a thought came to his mind and somehow the idea of going to school didn't seem so bad: his mother. Hiding his heat had become more and more difficult over the months, until it was no longer possible. Too many absences from school and too many excuses to justify them. So one afternoon, after a dozen of deep breathing and encouragement, GuanShan had taken his mother away and told her that the heat had, unfortunately, manifested. The calm and composure that his mother showed in learning the news surprised him a lot. Instead, she had gently smiled at him by taking his hand.

"You're not... angry?" GuanShan asked her, not sure if that was the right word. Disgusted, maybe? Or disappointed?

"I am!" she replied "But not for what you think, I would gladly spend all the money for medicines rather than throwing away all those lessons! But I am your mother, I knew you were an Omega even before you were born, I didn't care. My only fear was how hard it would be for you"

“Mom I-”

"But you were strong, far more than me. Just remember, I'm here”

GuanShan nodded slowly, feeling a deep sense of remorse. Finding out that his son had been forced to suffer in silence, without the possibility of providing as a parent should have ... she must have felt terribly useless and helpless. GuanShan realized only then that he had hurt her mother far more than he could have imagined. Why did he have waited so long to talk to her?

"Oh, right" he had thought "money"

From that day a strange veil had risen between him and his mother. At the slightest symptom, at the slightest sign of fever or stomach ache, that hateful and revolting question hung heavily on their heads like Damocle's sword, sinking both into a pit of hesitation and clumsy gestures.

"Do you want me to take the medicine?"

She had asked him once, seeing him lying on the couch.

"What? No I- mom it's just a cold it's not-"

“Oh, ok. I’m sorry”

As far as he tried, he could no longer say the word "heat" in front of his mother and, to put it all, he probably wouldn't have done it anymore.

So, terrified by the idea of facing another embarrassing conversation, GuanShan forced himself to stand up, shaking off the warm blankets.

He yawned, slipping his hands over his eyes and opening the curtains. It was a gray day and almost certainly rainy. He washed himself, wore the uniform, drinked a cup of boiling tea and, before going to school, made sure he had the suppressants in his backpack. After the last adventure he made sure he always had two pills in case of an emergency. When He Tian had gone to his house a few months earlier during his heat, the last thing he remembered was his voice on the other side of the phone. When he recovered a few hours later he found himself wearing only his boxer on his bed and with the front door broken. His mother, who a few hours later had come back from her weekend in Honk Kong, had gone crazy, believing that thieves had come in. No matter how many questions GuanShan had ask to him, He Tian was always vague about what really happened

He nuzzled his nose, disgusted, seeing the medicine under his books and notebooks. Putting on his coat and scarf he went out. In the previous days it has been snowing, and here and there he could see snow piles piled on the corners of the sidewalks or the streets, compact and muddy.

"You should come to my house" has told him He Tian at the first fall of snowflakes, a few days earlier "And why the fuck should I do it?" "I want to savor something hot~" "I told you I'm not your fucking personal cook!" He Tian had taken him under his arm, leaning his cheek on his head "Who said I was talking about food?" "Disgusting"

Had answered GuanShan, turning his face.

He was no longer surprised by He Tian's innuendos, with time he even abandoned the only idea of taking them seriously. Why should he? What had happened was his heat fault. And it was thanks to the suppressants that things were back to normal, as they should have been and would always have been.

He breathed out a cloud of steam, sinking his hands in his pockets, he was almost at school.

"Uh" he thought, "I'm almost at school and nothing has happened yet ..."

"Ahhh!! Fuck! It burns!!!" Somebody cried out the next corner "XiXi!! Sorry!" "I told you not to push me!!" "Wait, I have an idea!"

Turning around the corner GuanShan saw a scene that was... unusual.

In the middle of the street there were Zhang Zheng Xi, holding in his right hand an envelope of hot croquettes and Jian Yi ... holding the index of Zheng Xi's left hand inside his mouth. The three boys stared at eachother, silent for a few seconds.

"Ignore" thought GuanShan, walking past them as they were invisible.

"Let go of me, idiot!" shouted Zheng Zheng Xi behind him "Ouch" cried Jian Yi. "What idiots" thought GuanShan  "What's wrong with them?" "Red head !!" called him Jian Yi, reaching him and then walking beside him "Hey where is He Tian?" GuanShan widened his eyes, then grunted his teeth. "Why the fuck are you asking me?!" "You always walk together in the morning, it's because you live close to each other right? Am I right XiXi? >> Zheng Xi shrugged, indifferent, eating his breakfast. GuanShan wrinkled his forehead "We don't go the school together everyday" "Yes you do, every morning" "I told you we are not!" "Didn't you notice? What are you stupid?" "SAY THAT AGAIN BASTARD!!"

Before Jian Yi could say more, Zheng Xi grabbed him for the collet, pushing him slowly "We'll be late, let's go" Pouting in a weird way and letting Zheng Xi drag him, Jian Yi showed his middle finger “See you, dickhead”

“Go fuck yourself!” said GuanShan, more than happy to return the favor.

Just because He Tian had practically stalked him, on more than one occasion, it didn't mean that he was doing the same road with him because he wanted to. In short there was no choice! How many times had he told him to leave him alone? In the end he had stopped complaining about it because…

“Because…?”

He stopped, thinking about it, without finding an answer.

He scratched his head, nervous, going away.Zheng Xi and Jian Yi were far away and all the silence surrounding him was strange. He usually spent those minutes walking and shouting against He Tian or refusing his absurd proposals. He looked back and somehow, no matter how much he struggled, he didn't remember when it was the last time that He Tian had not walked beside him.

"Bullshits" he sighed, pulling his scarf over his nose "Who cares anyway".

He forced himself to keep walking, but somehow his steps were slowing down.

There was no trace of He Tian for the rest of the morning; GuanShan was expecting to see him at the his class's door, or from the entrance gate that he could see through the windows of the hallways. Instead, nothing. The bell rang, announcing the beginning of the recreation, GuanShan forced himself to think about something else, no matter what. Some of his classmates seemed to be particularly exited by some news that was spreading through the net. He approached the group, eavesdroping from afar.

"Look at this" they were saying "And they caught him in the middle of the street" "Who?" asked one of them. "One person felt bad yesterday" The guy snorted, shrugging "Then what?" The classmate grinned, pointing his finger on the screen "It was an Omega!" The blood crawled in GuanShan's veins. "Apparently he had entered for the first time in heat and he started a fuss" "A fuss?" though GuanShan, felling sick.

"Can you imagine? Disgusting! Can't they just stay at their home if they know they have a problem? They have those medicines, right?" "Yeah, they just want to attract attention, perverted loser"

They laughed, but GuanShan's ears heard a weird whistle, deafening and loud. As if he could feel his blood flowing quickly, intensely up to his brain.

"If it's such a big burden, they may be castrated, just like dogs! Zac! Problem solved"

A black wall fell on his eyelids. He didn't know how, but when he reopened his eyes he was facing a vending machine of the exterior courtyard, staring at the colorful writing of drinks and snacks. The laughter of his classmates resounded in his head like a thousand plates thrown to the ground. He wasn't angry, he felt... empty. But of course, that was the way they would have seen him, how did he not notice it? That person, the guy from he news, could have been him. Laughed at, humiliated in the middle of the day, among the disgusted looks of passersby. Immersed in prejudices, in ignorance, treated... like a beast. The world was just like that, and like a stupid he had almost forgotten that, used to his mother and... to He Tian, that from the very first moment ... from the beginning his being was what he was, his being an Omega! He had almost made it a natural thing, even... even appreciated. He Tian was not like them and-

“Hey”

GuanShan came back to his senses, interrupting his train of thoughts. He looked up and, leaning on the vending machine, there was He Tian staring at him with his arms crossed. He was wearing a heavy black coat, long up to his hips. No scarf, hat or gloves. Looking at him, GuanShan realized he was practically freezing.

"Where do you come from?" asked GuanShan, taking a step back. "From my class, and this is the third time I call you. What about you? Were you lost inside your empty head?" Pissed off, GuanShan cliched his tongue and bumped his shoulder against He Tian. "I was thinking about how good it is without having you around" At that point GuanShan would have expected a response likm "So you were thinking about me mnh~". Instead, unexpectedly, He Tian smiled. He put his hand on his neck and pushed it gently, without using the any force. "Good for you" he added, looking around.

It was an unusual answer, far from the typical "character" that He Tian had created. The black haired man touched his pockets; GuanShan knew those movements very well, He Tian would have pulled out a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket, would have pulled one out, held it between his lips, and, tilting his head, would approach the lighter, lighting it up. He Tian closed his eyes when he looked at the flame to consume the paper to make it ashes.

GuanShan tore his lips, annoyed by something he could not grasp. He went back to the vending machine and rummaged in his pockets, looking for money; However, before he could even stretch out a hand, He Tian preceded him, inserting the coins before him.

"What the hell are you doing?!" He Tian picked up a drink, giving it to GuanShan "Take it" "Ah?! I don't want it! Why- >> He Tian tugged the bottle on his chest, letting it go and GuanShan grabbed it fast, avoiding to let it fall down. "You should take advantage as long as you can, Don't close mountain" GuanShan looked at the bottle first, then again He Tian, who winked at him. "Are you going somewhere?" hissed GuanShan. "Oh~ Do you really care?" "Here it is" thought GuanShan "Here's the usual He Tian" without realizing it, he felt a strange sense of relief. "Fuck you"

He Tian chuckled, tapping on his cigarette, squeezing it between the index and the middle finger. "Soon there will be winter holidays, then exams, then we will change school. Then college or work and you know... etc etc"

The redhead frowned, confused "What are you trying to say?" He Tian shrugged "Nothing" he put his hand in his pocket, pulling out his cell phone "It's just that... things goes that way, right?"

He looked down at the screen, lowering his eyes "Well, well" he added "It's so late already" he put his cell phone in its place and threw the cigarette to the ground, rubbing it with the tip of the shoe. "This cold is so annoying, I'm going back to class. Be a good boy, ok?"

He Tian turned around, walking away. GuanShan stared at him, perplexed. Something was wrong, something was so much out of place. He took a step, opening his lips wide open.

"H-hey!" He shouted, swallowing as He Tian slowly turned at him. The boy looked into his eyes, waiting for him to continue. "Is-" "Is everything all right?" he wanted to ask him, but something in his throat silented him. "It's... it's going to rain" he said instead. He Tian looked up to the cloudy sky, returning to GuanShan with a raised eyebrow "You don't say, genius". They separated without adding anything else. GuanShan, even more pissed, grabbed the bottle and taked a long sip. He shifted his gaze to the cigarette thrown to the ground, noting that, oddly enough, half of it had not been consumed.

The rest of the lessons passed on quickly, and, as GuanShan had said, rain came down to the whole city. Thunders, far away, announced a bad worsening and that's why, as soon as the bell rang, GuanShan did not miss a second, hurrying toward the exit. Many others, unlike him, had carried the umbrella and they were gatered towards the entrance and the streets filling the air with colors and chatter.

Without minding the rain, GuanShan threw himself under it, looking around.

"No!" he thought, shaking his head "Don't think about it! Don't think about it damnit! " Two girls, a few feet away from him, began to laugh, clinging to the umbrella they shared "Today He Tian didn't show himself" sighed one of the two. GuanShan opened his eyes, incredulous. Had he dreamed of it? He looked at the girls, vaguely recognizing them as two of He Tian's classmates. He grabbed his backpack and pulled out the drink He Tian had bought him, still half full. "Yes," said the other girl, "maybe he is ill." GuanShan stopped in the middle of the street and then turned to the school, between the river of tired and cold boys that were giung home. He tightened his fists and lips, angrily. "Who cares!" he thought, "I don't give a fuck about him!"

He turned and walked without looking back. When he came home he was completely wet; His mother came up to him. She put her hands on her hips, shaking her head. "Go take a nice hot shower" she told him "Before you froze to death" GuanShan nodded, without speaking a word. His head was in complete chaos, and a bad feeling kept on tormenting him, painfully in the back of his head. The more he tried to ignore it, and the more this insisted, hurting him. He left the shower and walked into his room to get dressed. He grabbed his phone: no call, no message. He moved his fingers to He Tian's number, but before he could press it he threw the phone on the bed.

"Fuck!" he hissed, opening the closet. He threw himself into it, to find some clean clothes. So, tossing away old jackets and summer t-shirts, he found in his hands the clothes he had completely forgotten to have for all that time: those He Tian had lent to him during the summer, in that absurd night. He lowered to his knees and observed them for a long time, silent. He felt the rough cloth of the pants and the softer one of the shirt under his fingertips; The smell of He Tian's apartment. He looked out: the days had shortened and despite being only 5pm, the sky was dark as in the middle of the night. Storming and occasionally lightning when thunder broke the sky, illuminating it to daylight. He lowered his eyes, closing them.

"AARGH!" he growled, dressed up and slipped He Tian's clothes into a plastic bag. "I'm a pathetic idiot," he thought as he greeted his mother, closing the door behind him. He knew how things would go: he would knock on He Tian's door, throw on him his stupid clothes, take off that annoying feeling, and then come back to his home, to play some video games. "That's it" he said, satisfied as he crossed the street, wiping the raindrops from his forehead. The cars flipped beside him, the city under the rain turned into something different and the lights glittered strangely, as covered by a layer of tissue paper creating nuances and contrasts. Reflecting on the black asphalt, they gave him the impression of walking between two distinct, suspended worlds. The air was cold, burning in his lungs.

GuanShan ran, now a few steps away to He Tian place.

He turned the corner and, just in front of the entrance, he saw a truck. He breathed heavily, regaining some air. Men in blue uniforms were storing on the truck boxes and furniture... that were strangely familiar. After finishing their job, those men closed the truck's ramp, climbing inside of it and moving away. There was a black car, parked just ahead, a very expensive one. GuanShan took a few steps and in that moment, the sliding doors of the palace slipped and three men dressed in black suit came out. They were all dress the same and tall at least two heads over GuanShan.

Behind them, a man was following them. Tall, with dark hair, austere and cold, like an ice statue. GuanShan had to blink a couple of times before realizing that that other guy was He Tian.

“Hey, kid”

A voice behind GuanShan made him shudder: a fourth man in black was looking at him from the top. The redhead, stunned, didn't speak, the increasingly intense rain had impregnated him to the bones.

"What are you looking at? Get lost"

GuanShan swallowed and turned to focus on He Tian, who, as he saw, finally seemed to notice him. Immediately he felt relieved, or at least at first. Where was he going with those people? That was the reason he intruded at school? Were they taking him away and had come to say goodbye to him? He Tian, after seeing him, exchanged some words with his companions who, after nodding, let him approach him. GuanShan stepped forward, the plastic bag with He Tian's clothes swung slowly, hitting him on the knee.

"Xiansheng He" said the gorilla behind him "Do you know this person?" He Tian slowly looked down at GuanShan. There was something... scary in his eyes. A moody veil of contempt, hatred, frost. "Of course. The Omega scum" blew He Tian, with a grin. For a moment GuanShan thought he didn't heard well. "What do you want, mn? You come her to get payed for a service?" GuanShan stared at He Tian, but it was as if he was looking through an empty glass shell, with no soul. Those words ... were He Tian's lips to say them, but it wasn't the true He Tian to say them.

Grinning and with his hands in his pocket, He Tian lowered his head, looking at him disgusted "Too late" he whispered, before nodding towards the man. "Let's go." The man nodded and along with him He Tian began to walk towards the car.

Anyone would think that GuanShan was feeling pure hatred or anger toward He Tian at that moment, but the reality was that never, in all his life, he found himself calm as at that moment. He wouldn't be crying like a fucking little girl, he wouldn't ask him to not leave, he wouldn't ask for explanations or reasons. He didn't care.

The situation was simple: he had to turn away, play along, walk home, go to sleep and continue his life as if nothing had happened until that moment.

But,dammit, how much he didn't want to do it.

He dropped the plastic bag, started to run and shouted, with all the breath in his throat

“HEY! YOU SON OF A BITCH!!”

Before he could only notice it, He Tian was hit in his face by GuanShan's punch. The five men, like hunting hounds, tackled down the boy, immobilizing him and throwing him on the asphalt, pushing him on the ground him like a criminal. They grabbed him by the nape, crushing him into a puddle. He Tian, with his face bent, smiled and told the men to let him go.

GuanShan, spitting on the ground, approached him, pointing his finger against him.

"You know" he began to say, calmly "I, tomorrow, will be fine. Even the next day and the next day, and the day after that. What about you?"

He Tian shook his head, giving him his shoulders and getting in the car. The car went away silently, losing itself in the city. GuanShan stayed in his place, the rain was cold, incessant, dense. It was knocking on his skin like ice needles. Falling on the plastic bag behind him. They wrapped him like a gray veil, hiding him. He didn't move. Not yet, not so soon... not now.

-------------------

He Tian looked out the car window. His cheek was pulsating, his lower gum was bleeding. The next day there would be a livid. A week. With just that little amount of time, his father was able to packed his life, before making him notice that his "escape" had made his time and that he was more than patient. He had had enough time, now it was time to take life seriously, as was his duty to do. A rejection simply was not contemplated. He didn't regret his choice, it was nice to live like a "normal" person, though only for three years, he knew that day would come sooner or later.

The bad thing was... to losing it so fast. He was giving up so many things. GuanShan, who had come from nothing, had remembered all of them, it was enough to look him in the eye. Like a river full of past and future memories, for a second his head was imploded in a thousand fragments. What a bad timing! And he had done all that effort to sneak away from his apartment, to see him one last time. Getting that way in front of his home, showing himself to his father's men, he had no choice but to make him believe there was no connection. To distance him as brutally as possible, using those words, had been the only solution that he had been able to process at the moment. Yeah, not exactly as he would have liked GuanShan to remember him, but it was better this way.

"I'll be fine" GuanShan said. And He Tian believed that he had overestimated himself, after all.

It was right, GuanShan's priorities were different as well as those that would have been. GuanShan would go ahead, with time he would simply forgotten about him; Seen in the perspective of twenty, thirty years, those few months would become so insignificant, so passers-by. Perhaps GuanShan would have recalled it, associating him with those gestures that had somehow linked them, comparing them to new ones lived in different places, with different people who were not him. And then? That's it, it would be over there, with a shrug GuanShan would have slipped away that reminiscence from his mind, putting it in its place, in the corner of his mind, to dust. Nothing more.

“What about you?”

No ... he would have thought about it for the rest of his life, until the end of his days he would be thinking of himself as a crazy, coward, worm, for not getting out of that running car, standing like a jerk looking at his hands as if someone was holding him back. As if an invisible enemy carried him away, from his home, from his life that had been able to get piece by piece... from GuanShan.

"What did you do?!?" He would shout at himself, frowning with anger "How? How could you?!"

The rage he would have felt ... he could feel it run alive throughout his skin. He Tian opened his eyes. He looked around. He was still in the car, stopped at a red light. Inexorable and dense the rain fell on the car's roof. Thirty years had not passed,he wasn't on the other side of the world! And GuanShan was still there, a few blocks away! Alive in his mind as if he was breathing right in front of his eyes. He had reminded him by punching his face and making him realize that this was the present, this was the time!

"What the hell am I doing?!?!"

He opened the door and shortly before closing it he looked at the man in front of him.

“Tell my old man…Go fuck yourself!”

"Xiansheng He!!" Shouted the man, before the car's door crashed into his face.

He Tian ran fast, with all the strength he had in his body, bathing in the cold rain from head to toe. Blinking as the large rain drops were slipping from his forehead to his eyebrows, grasping his eyelids. He continued tirelessly without ever having felt better throughout his life. He started to laugh loudly, opening his mouth wide open! He felt a pressure in his chest, as if he was about to explode. He jumped off, almost peering off between sidewalks and hedges. Happy... that's, that's how it felt to be really happy.

He reached his place and... GuanShan was not there. The road was deserted, with no trace. He searched for his phone, remembering that he had left him in the car.

"Fuck" he hissed, running toward the entrance. He could still use the phone in the apartment, the telephone line wouldn’t be off until the next day.

He reached the elevator and pressed the button, passing a hand through his hair. He coughed, looked at the corridors and… And there he is, GuanShan, bent on his knees with a plastic bag in his hands, staring at him.

He Tian came close to him: he was drenched. He must have been under the rain for all that time, thinking about it made his heart skip a beat. At first there were only silence and even harder looks. GuanShan looked at him as if he was waiting for him to say something; As if he had something to say. As if it were his turn to talk.

"Forgot something?" asked GuanShan, suddenly, tired of the silence and expectations "Like your balls? Not like you've ever had them"

He Tian smiled, lowering himself to his height. GuanShan must have guessed his lie right away, that's why he was still there. He Tian had definitely overestimated himself

“You know me so well, don’t you?” GuanShan turned his gaze, frawning "More than I need".

GuanShan got up and He Tian did the same. The redhead stretched out a hand, handing the plastic bag

“I’m leaving” He Tian ignored the bag, keeping his eyes fixed on GuanShan's eyes

"It's raining too hard" said He Tian "Don't care" "You'll catch a cold" "Who cares?" "Stay with me, there should be some dress upstairs and maybe even an umbrella"

There was a moment of silence, broken only by the "ding" of the elevator that had finally descended to the ground floor, and its doors that opened, leaving a glimpse of a dull, soft light. He Tian turned, coming in and knowing that GuanShan had followed him.

He had not locked up the door before going away. The next day, the latest packaging was planned for transport, so he didn't worry about it. There was nothing left in the apartment. Except for kitchen's furniture and some boxes stacked and closed with the tape.

"Wait here," said He Tian, before disappearing into the bathroom.

GuanShan sneezed vigorously. He Tian was undoubtedly planning to leave the apartment without saying anything to anyone. If he didn't had arrive in time, he would certainly disappear into nothingness...  he didn't like the idea

He Tian came back with a pair of towels in his hand. He brought one on GuanShan's head, starting to rub vigorously.

"That hurt, asshole!" GuanShan cursed, trying in vain to escape.

He Tian stopped, holding the towel pressed on his red hair.

"You came to pick me up" he whispered.

GuanShan didn't move, he remained motionless to watch the drops of rain from his clothes, his hair, his hands, falling slowly on the parquet.

"You're the one who came back" he replied. GuanShan knew, knew what would happen if he had looked up at that moment. He Tian was too close to him, just a breath away; Raising his eyes would had mean meeting those of He Tian and he knew what he would have done. He knew. But he didn't care. He glanced up, and He Tian slipped his hand from the towel to his cheek and from his cheek to the nape of his neck. He approached, breathing on his lips.

"You're going to punch me after this, right?" whispered He Tian "And tell me that you hate me"  he kissed him, slowly "Please" GuanShan didn't close his eyes, not even once "No" he answered.

He Tian grabbed him by the nape, kissing him hard and leaving the towel slipping away from GuanShan's short hair . He pushed it with his warm tongue, savoring him, biting his lips until they bleed. Not giving him a single moment, he would take everything and give him everything. He licked him on his neck, biting it, caressing him with his hands all over his back, and lower, lower until he reached his butt.

“Come”

He drove him to the bed, pulling him by his arm. All that it was left of bed was the mattress; left uncovered without sheets or pillows. He Tian sat down, leaving GuanShan in front of him.

"Strip" he ordered. GuanShan wrinkled his lips, turning away "No"

He Tian smiled, tugging him by the elastic of his sweatpants and bringing him closer “You want me to do it?”

A hint of redness appeared on GuanShan's cheeks, which with an abrupt gesture, and biting his lips, undressed himself of the sweatshirt and the shirt under it. His white skin seemed to light up in the light of the city. He Tian tasted the sight for a few moments before looking at GuanShan's pants.

“Don’t even think about it”

He Tian chuckled, grabbing him by the wrist and throwing him on the bed, placing himself over him. GuanShan looked at him badly, grinding his teeth and hissing like a cat. Without waiting He Tian kissed him, pushing him, on his lips. Spreading his mouth with his thumb and grabbing his tongue, licking him on his chin, his neck. As the rain stormed out. GuanShan raised his back unconsciously, while He Tian's lips slid slowly over his collarbone, his stomach... his swollen pants. GuanShan opened his eyes, shifting them to those of He Tian.

He Tian's long fingers lowered the pants of the redhead, but didn't touch the boxers, on which he began to pass his tongue, following the profile of the hardened cock beneath them.

GuanShan breathed heavily from his nose, panicking, he didn't feel ready for that. His heart was pounding so strong that he was certain that from moment to moment it would have exploded in his chest. He reached out and struggled against the pleasure that He Tian was giving him, grabbing him by the fringe, forcing him to look up.

“No...” he whispered. He Tian smiled at him. "You had your chance, now shut up" He pulled away GuanShan's hand, opening his mouth and picking up where he had left, licking the cloth, biting it slowly, with slow movements.

He Tian’s tongue was warm, soft. He Tian pulled down his boxers, just a little bit, so that the head of GuanShan's cock was visible. He started liking it, slowly, and GuanShan had to bit hard on his lips to restrain a moan. "Fuck" he thought. He Tian lift his head, only to suddenly lower it, taking his cock in all his lenght, deep. GuanShan almost choked himself, raising his hips, pushing He Tian's head unconsciously. He closed his eyes, and for a moment his mind went completely blank. And then, He Tian's mouth disappeared; It took a few second to GuanShan before he could ask himself where he could have gone. He opened his eyes, and lowered them. He Tian was smiling with satisfaction, his lips wet and swollen, as soon as GuanShan’s eyes meet his, He Tian took out his tongue, trailing GuanShan’s dick shape from its base. Seeing GuanShan’s reaction was the best part. “You...asshole” He Tian grinned, sucking harder, and harder.

GuanShan's chest, tense, rose and lowered quickly. The heat of He Tian's tongue, his movements... they were making him crazy. “Shit, I’m...I’m going to-” “Not yet” He Tian whispered, stopping “We’re not done yet”

GuanShan hissed, he wanted to shout not to stop, but somehow he didn't, not knowing how he did. He carried the back of his right hand to his lips, biting it slowly. He Tian rose up over him, kissed him, settling between his legs and pushing himself on him.

“Look at me”

Out of breath, GuanShan tilt his head, noticing He Tian's erection pushing on his. The sound of the rain overwhelmed every sound. And the lighting, blinding, illuminated the room reflecting on He Tian's face: His eyes were like coal pits, bottomless and dark. The idea of losing forever the possibility of getting lost in that gaze, forced him to tighten his knees, bringing them closer to He Tian's hip. His skin, still wet by rain, seeked warmt and for touch, and He Tian’s skin burned, in every inch, as fire. He Tian, still pushing himself on GuanShan's, lifted his torso and pulling away his shirt. GuanShan stared inadvertently for a few seconds, He Tian grinned, dropping on him and whispering to his ear.

“Like what you see?” He bit his ear, licking it greedily.

“Mnm..c-close your mouth” hissed GuanShan He Tian chuckled, moving on his neck "Poor choice of words"

He bit him, forcefully, sucking and marking every inch of skin. From the shoulders to the chest, where he stopped, taking his time into sucking on his right nipple, biting it slowly, licking it all over again.  Bringing GuanShan more and more to the limit. He slid his right hand into his white boxers, wet with rain, damp like GuanShan's cock, erect and trembling. He rubbed it slowly, massaging it with slow and long movements, dwelling on the points where GuanShan kept his breath, suffocating the groans of pleasure. Pressing the tip with his thumb, swelling and wet with precum. How many times, how long had he dreamed that moment. GuanShan scratched the mattress, biting his free hand. He was near. He Tian speeded up the movements, laying his forehead on his.

"Open your eyes, I want to see you cumming"

GuanShan shook his head, tightening his eyes. Then He Tian, smiling malignantly, stopped completely, loosening the grip. Astonished, GuanShan opened his eyes, staring at He Tian incredulously. He grunted his teeth as soon as he saw his pleasing expression, he tried to stretch out a hand, to give the pleasure he deserved but He Tian, faster, grabbed him by his wrists with his left hand, planting them and immobilizing them over the red's head.

"You're a bastard" said GuanShan, struggling "I am" said He Tian, biting his chin "Tell me to continue" "Over my dead body!"

He tightened his wrists, teasing the GuanShan's dick with his free hand. The redhead breath was unstable, trembling.

"I have all night" he whispered, keeping to masturbate him, only to stop again, preventing GuanShan from coming. He continued with this torture twice, and GuanShan, on the brink of madness, soon began to lose the sense of direction. He was hot, his cock implored pity, and his eyes were blurred; A slit of saliva slipped out of his lips and his arms, numb, remained anchored over his head

"S-stop" he murmured, bending his back. He Tian licked him on his lower lip "Say it" whispered, at his ear, "Mo GuanShan", his tone of voice was firm, unmovable.

Tired, GuanShan swallowed, bowing cheek to cheek cheek with He Tian. He breathed his smell, he felt the heat and sweat on his temples. He sighed and faintly whispered:

“I want...to cum”

Then He Tian go of his wrists, grabbing GuanShan's member with both hands, and with GuanShan's nails pressed on his forearms, led him to orgasm. GuanShan did not cry, did not break, on the contrary he choked every sound, throwing his head backwards. A little resumed between a spasm and the other, his eyes blinked slightly, looking at He Tian as he licked his palm with a slow gesture as he stared at him. He licked his lips, moistening them before getting up.

"Wait here," ordered He Tian, before disappearing into another room.

"Where the fuck should I go?" thought GuanShan, taking advantage of the moment to catch his breath. The storm had not yet settled, the wind blew out of the windows, beating on the glass wall, with violence. He closed his eyes, savoring the sound, sure it wouldn't be so reassuring if he didn't know he was not the only one to hear it at that moment, in that cold and empty apartment.

He Tian came back, taking his place on the bed. GuanShan tried to ask where he had gone, but before he could open his mouth, he found it trapped by He Tian's and his hands, which slowly stroked him on his hips, then on his back to the butt cheeks. GuanShan felt his fingers slide lower and lower toward the entrance.

"Wait, wait" said GuanShan. "What- what are you-?" He Tian smiled, spreading his legs "Trust me"

He Tian's finger, cold and wet, slipped inside GuanShan, which blushed up to his ears, assuming the same shade of his hair

“Fuck! No, no, no, no! S-stop! Ah!” He Tian laughs, shaking his head "Calm down! It's just my index"

GuanShan wanted to shout. That's where he was gone, to get the lube. "Stop!" "If I don't do this, you'll get hurt!" "No I won't!" "I'm telling you, you will!" When he felt what was supposed to be the middle finger, GuanShan exploded, throwing a punch on his head "OMEGAS DON'T NEED IT!!!" He shouted with all his breath.

He regretted his gesture as soon as he saw He Tian's eyes wide open for surprise. "AARGH!!" he yelled, pushing him away and shuffling on one side, taking his forearm on his eyes. How did he end up in that situation? He wanted to throw himself under a car and disappear into nothing. There was a few seconds of silence before he could feel He Tian over him with his arms on the sides of his head and his lips pressed behind his ear

"Don’t close mountain" he whispered "Mo GuanShaaan" "What the fuck do you want?" "I'm at my limit" GuanShan shrugged his arm slightly, ready to shout at him, but he kept looking at He Tian, red in his face above him, his eyes narrow, serious. He watched him take a condom from his pocket (the other reason he had just left before) and tear it with his teeth; Sliding a hand on his pants, lowering them and discovering his cock on which the condom slip. GuanShan's body softened all at once, and mild, he let He Tian slowly rolling him face down.

Shaking, GuanShan fisted his hands at the sides of his face. Confused, excited, scared, impatient. He felt He Tian's chest on his back, and his cock, touching him and rubbing on him.

"GuanShan ..." he whispered. "It's what you want, isn't it >> he slipped, rubbing on him, pressing his hard cock on the entrance, pushing slightly "This" GuanShan swallowed hard, pushing his forehead on the mattress. He could still stop, could get away, He Tian would understand. He could do it.

He wanted to do it ...? He breathed, then exhaled. He slipped backward, raising his hips. He Tian grinned and leaned over in GuanShan's ears. He stroked him on the back of the neck, slipping on his back, between his shoulder blades and then on his chest, lying on his hips. He bent over, talking through his hair.

"Remember to breathe" The first sensation of GuanShan, in perceiving He Tian slipping inside him, was similar to that of drinking a big sip of boiling water. He felt, so full. He lifted his head, grumbling and cursing. "Ah!" he shouted, digging his nails on his palms. He Tian clenched his jaw, keeping to slip inside, slowly, savoring every inch. He snatched it tightly on his hips, waiting for him to adapt to him, to his shape, to his warmth. He licked him on his back and talking to his ear, calling him. GuanShan reached out and He Tian grabbed him, tying their fingers. He forced him to turn back, not enduring for a more second the idea of ​​not being able to look at him in the face. GuanShan insulted him, covering his face with his arms. He Tian began to move, with light pushes, slightly lifting his left leg, which he touched with his lips. GuanShan panted at every push, every word. Grumbling. The thrusts increased intensity, He Tian bent over to GuanShan kissing him with force.

"GuanShan" said He Tian, on his lips, without stopping "If feel good, here?" With a stronger thrust, he struck that sweet point that made GuanShan grumble, forcing him to grab He Tian's shoulders, scratching them. Another push, in the same spot, "Here?" GuanShan nodded quickly, shaking his eyes and trying to not spill tears. With his thumb He Tian touched his lower lip, taking that mouth over his. He kept thrusting, over and over. Reaching deep inside, GuanShan squeezing hard all over him. "I can't... Ah! Mmmn!" "Coming?" said He Tian, licking his chin, talking to his lips "Me too" GuanShan turned his head, showing his neck. He Tian stared at it, approaching. "Let's form a Bond GuanShan... become mine"

GuanShan opened his eyes. He looked at him intensely, for a long time, with his breath broken. His burning body and the drops of sweat that cover it in every inch; His thighs, his wrinkled forehead, his black, wet hair scattered across his forehead like ebony cobwebs. The redhead realized at that time that he could stare at him for hours. He grabbed He Tian on his neck, touching the hair of his neck, approaching him and talking to his ear. "You do not need a Bond, stupid". He Tian, ​​after the first moment of surprise, smiled, shaking his head. And to think he was about to give up all this. What a crazy one. Striking him hard, He Tian kept moving, losing in that moment with GuanShan. Rain raged, this time its sound was overwhelmed by the sound of pleasure of both. More and more lost, getting closer and closer to the point of becoming indistinguishable. GuanShan tightened his legs on He Tian's hip and opened his lips, unable to hold his voice any longer. But He Tian interrupted him, forcing his mouth around his lips so that they were pressed on his tongue and his mouth just like the first time; And this time GuanShan let him do so because he could hear his tongue move, his lips wanting those of He Tian, ​​who were looking for something, they wanted something. Taking something from He Tian, ​​while He Tian took it from him.

“He-He Tian” “Uum... I know, I’m here”

It was a long night. Lost one in the other's body they continued to complete each other losing the sense of time. Even after the thunderstorm had finally disappeared, even after the early lights of dawn. None of the two, the next day, would have remembered the moment when, exhausted, they fell asleep next to each other. He Tian slowly opened his eyes, staring at the landscape in front of him. The sky was clear. He didn't know exactly what time it was, but from the sun in the sky he knew that it had been past noon for at least an hour or two. He stretched out his arms and sighed. Smiling he turned around and... he found himself flanked by a pile of blankets. More like a cocoon than a person, he saw GuanShan's hair peering from the top of that shell. He didn't even know where he get all those sheets. He stretched out his right arm, brushing his hair with the back of his hand. He grabbed them between the index and the thumb, frowning. He continued for a few minutes, until he laughed, turning to one side "You're not good at pretending to sleep" GuanShan's ears blushed, and the redhead moved imperceptibly. "And how the hell did you figure it out?" "You restrained your breath when I touched you" "Tze" said GuanShan, pulling the blanket over his head "Bullshits" He Tian stood up, leaning his forehead on his back. "Would you have been really fine without me?" Silence. "All right" thought He Tian, moving away "It doesn't matter anymore" He opened his lips to change the subject, but GuanShan preceded him. "Sure" he said, "I would have been fine today, tomorrow,an the day after tomorrow" He Tian smiled. "yeah?" "Of course," replied GuanShan. "Ouch," thought He Tian, ​​moving away a little "But then..." whispered GuanShan "... without any real reason, I would have begun to ask: What the hell did that idiot do? I he ok? Will he ever come back? And ... and without having an answer ... I would not have been so good." He Tian said anything nothing, he only looked at GuanShan sinking more and more into his cocoon until he disappeared. If he had looked at himself in the mirror at that moment, he would be smiling like a child. With a leap, he jumped over GuanShan, crushing him with all his weight. "Ahhrgh! Fuck!" shouted GuanShan, struggling "You're hurting me, asshole! Get up!" He Tian laughed, stretching even more, rolling over him "Oof!" breathed bad GuanShan "You're a bastard!" Tugging it, He Tian pulled the sheets off, revealing GuanShan's face, red and blushed for all the time he was hiding under the blankets. He held him tight, so that no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't escape it. "And you are mine," said He Tian, ​​kissing him slowly on his lips GuanShan closed his lips, trapped under his own shelter "You are a presumptuous son of a bitch" "Mnn~? Yet yesterday you were the one telling me-... " “ AHHHHHH SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP!!!!” "What? That while I was pound-" “WAAAAA !!! STOP IT ASSHOLE!!” "Hey, think about when we'll do it during the heat” “I’LL KILL YOU HE TIAN!!” Hard to say when GuanShan finally got rid of him. On the other hand, He Tian was so happy at that moment, on that bed in his apartment, so happy that he could be barely think of letting him go.

read it on AO3

[fandomfanficsgalore]

A is for Assassins: Part 6

assassins au

Pairings: ZhanYi, TianShan

Warnings: Mention of drugs and suggestion of attempted rape (NOTHING EXPLICIT!)

             Jian Yi shifted from where he sat on the bed, his eyes flickering between the other men in the room. Ever since He Tian and Mo Guan Shan came back last night, He Tian had just announced that they hadn’t had any success. Zhan Zheng Xi, even now, was trying to pry more detail, but Mo barely looked up from his shoes, and He Tian was more evasive than ever.

           Finally, Zhan Zheng Xi sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. Jian Yi loved when he did that. It let him imagine what Zhan would look like with slicked back hair, since the other man refused to style his hair in any way.

           Zhan caught his eye, and Jian Yi stiffened, wondering if Zhan would scold him for staring. Instead, he found himself being talked to, and snapped into focus.

           “…you and I will have to go.”

           Jian Yi blinked owlishly.

           “Us?” he asked, “Undercover?”

           Zhan Zheng Xi nodded, his lips pressed into a grim line.

           “We’re running out of time, and these two have already been seen asking for information. We’ll go in tonight. If we still don’t get him, we’ll have to wait and send He Tian and Mo again. But tonight, maybe we’ll have better luck.”

           No one objected, and Jian Yi’s eyes once again drifted to the other two in the room. It seemed like He Tian and Mo Guan Shan were determined not to look at each other, and Jian Yi couldn’t help but wonder what had happened last night. A million ideas swarmed in his head, but then Zhan said something about dinner and getting ready to go, and all other thoughts were swept from his mind. 

           That night, Jian Yi dressed in a fit of nerves and excitement. He slipped on a tight black shirt and hip-hugging jeans, and even slicked the sides of his hair back a little. He stared in the mirror, contemplating this evening. It had been forever since Jian Yi did any undercover work. Usually it was too dangerous, and Zhan knew that. But maybe they were far enough away that no one would recognize him…

           Around midnight, he and Zhan left together, ditching a very disgruntled-looking Mo stuck in their room with a silent He Tian.

           As they left, Jian Yi frowned.

           “Wonder what’s up with those two,” he mused.

           Zhan shrugged. Tonight the man wore dark jeans and a blue shirt, his hair messy as always. Jian Yi both admired and grew jealous of his easy attractiveness. Still, once they were out in the open air and walking away from the hotel, even Jian Yi forced himself to sober up a little. The two walked in tense silence, both wondering how the night would go. 

              For the millionth time, Mo glanced after He Tian from the computer. Zhan had showed Mo the basics of how to track his and Jian Yi’s locations. Their green dots were moving slowly away from the hotel, and Mo Guan Shan had soon grown bored of watching them.

           As soon as they had left, He Tian had moved to the balcony, and hadn’t emerged, but Mo Guan Shan could smell the stench of a cigarette wafting in through the cracked door.

           He nibbled his lip.

           He Tian hadn’t talked to him at all since last night. Hell, he hadn’t even looked at him.

           Mo Guan Shan had fucked up. But was He Tian really that pissed…?

              Panic overtook Jian Yi as soon as he stepped into the club. The dark room, the stench of sweat and weed and the loud music all threw him back years ago. To glares and smirks and grabbing hands and indignant shouts—his father’s face, and the terror—

           A hand touched his shoulder, and Jian Yi leapt back to present. His head whipped to Zhan Zheng Xi, who stood inches away with his brows furrowed. Jian Yi could feel the man’s breath on his cheeks.

           “Are you okay?” Zhan Zheng Xi asked, his eyes gleaning with a knowing shine.

           Jian Yi swallowed hard and nodded, forcing a smile.

           “Er, yeah! Yeah, of course. It just stinks in here, that’s all…”

           Zhan gazed at him for a long, disbelieving moment. Then he turned away, and Jian Yi sagged in relief.

           Then he turned to the rest of the room, his focus returning. They had a job to do.

           Zhan drifted off to his left, and Jian Yi forced himself not to follow, instead approaching the bar. An older man with peppered black hair and dark eyes smiled at him from over a glass of what Jian Yi could only guess was whiskey or rum. Jian Yi returned it politely and turned away, his cheeks flushing when the man chuckled.

              Zhan milled around, pretending to be searching for something. All the while, he kept an eye on Jian Yi, making sure the other man was in sight.

           Not even He Tian knew all of Jian Yi’s past. He thought he did, but he didn’t. Only Zhan Zheng Xi had been granted that information, and some days, he wondered if he was grateful or not.

           Knowing Jian Yi’s past helped Zhan care for him and look after him, but at the same time, it made everything more difficult. More dangerous, for both of them.

           Zhan Zheng Xi continued to mill about. Luckily, most of the writhing bodies were too preoccupied to pay much mind, and most of the sober men and women were busy trying to become otherwise. Zhan hated places like this. Used to them as he was, Zhan felt disgusting and dirty just stepping inside.

            A girl appeared at his shoulder, no older than twenty, with her shirt cut low and lips painted red. Zhan Zheng Xi easily waved her off. Once she was gone with a roll of her eyes, Zhan Zheng Xi’s gaze found Jian Yi again. Surprise rang through him to find Jian Yi already standing, and the other man quickly turned away.

           A pang his Zhan Zheng Xi’s chest as he, too, turned away, minutely shaking his head at himself.

             Jian Yi hadn’t meant to drink. It just… happened.

           One moment he was watching Zhan Zheng Xi talk to a girl, the next Zhan was staring at him… Staring at him with that knowing look.

           Pitying.

           And now Jian Yi had downed a glass of rum—disgusting, but useful—and debated on whether to order another when a new one slid into his hand, as if by magic. Jian Yi blinked and looked up. The same pepper-haired guy from before grinned at him, raising his own glass. Jian Yi bit his lip, smiled, and raised his in return.

 Zhan Zheng Xi was growing irritated. Their target had yet to show up, and Jian Yi was chatting with some guy at the bar without a care in the world. It didn’t bother Zhan Zheng Xi, exactly. He only wished…

Well. He wished a lot of things.

But at the moment, he only wished that Jian Yi would take their mission more seriously.

It was about the time Zhan was thinking of leaving and calling it another defeat when he caught a glimpse of a familiar face and blonde hair. Zhan straightened from where he’d leaned against the wall, an untouched bottle of beer in his hand. He shifted, peering conspicuously through the crowd.

There!

On the other side, near the cushioned sofas, a man in a golden chain and black shirt greeted a few men eagerly, immediately accepting a blunt and plopping down next to a busty young woman.

Giori Morretti.

Zhan turned and lifted a finger to his ear.

“Jian Yi. He’s here.”

No answer.

Zhan frowned.

“Jian Yi? Can you hear me?”

Nothing but static.

Zhan whipped toward the bar, and balked to find both Jian Yi’s and the stranger’s spots empty.

   The door slid open quietly, and soft, hesitant footsteps followed.

He Tian didn’t turn, taking another long drag of your cigarette.

“They’re taking a long time.”

He Tian was mildly surprised, but shrugged.

“They’ll be fine,” he answered.

           Mo Guan Shan sighed in frustration.

           There was another beat of awkward silence.

           “Look,” Guan Shan started, glaring off into the dark night to avoid looking at He Tian, “I didn’t mean to fuck it up last night, okay? I was just… I didn’t know…”

           “You don’t trust me,” He Tian surmised, and continued before Mo Guan Shan could protest, “It makes sense.”

           Mo Guan Shan finally looked at him to frown.

           He Tian takes another drag, letting the smoke fill his lungs, lingering in a swirling haze before breathing it out. The smoke curled up towards the sky.

           Finally He Tian turned, dropping his cigarette and snuffing it with the tip of his shoe. He met Mo Guan Shan’s eyes, and the latter found no malice, but something almost worse.

           Anger? Disappointment? Both?

           “I guess we’re even then,” He Tian stated with a quick, hollow smile.

           Mo Guan Shan’s fists balled and his cheeks flushed at the reminder of He Tian’s lips on his own and the man’s tongue against his mouth.

           “It’s not…” Mo Guan Shan cursed, running his fingers through his hair. He turned to the balcony, and He Tian watched curiously as his face grew red. “It’s not like that.”

           “Not like what?” He Tian asked.

Mo Guan Shan only shook his head, scowling.

He Tian paused before stepping forward. The other man’s light eyes found his, almost like a warning. He Tian ignored it and stopped only a foot away.

“Not like what?” He Tian repeated.

Mo Guan Shan’s face flushed. He swore softly and faced away again. At length, he replied,

“I’m done being… being used by people like you.”

“People like me,” He Tian said slowly.

Mo Guan Shan sent him a withering glare. It was so much more than that, though. Behind his anger, He Tian saw a glimmer of something he hadn’t seen yet; vulnerability. Fear.

“You know what I mean,” Mo muttered, his eyes dropping to his hands, which gripped the railing in front of him.

He Tian watched him.

“I don’t want to use you,” he stated.

Mo Guan Shan scoffed.

“That’s what they all say. What else could you want?”

Before He Tian could answer, Mo Guan Shan turned on him, eyes full of fire—anger, and fear, and—was that hope? Or just He Tian’s imagination?

 “What do you want, He Tian?” he demanded, “Or do you even know?”

Before He Tian could answer, both of their earpieces crackled.

“Emergency! We’re coming back!”

He Tian’s hand flew up to his earpiece. He gave Mo a meaningful look. This conversation is not over.

“What happened?” he asked.

“Jian Yi,” Zhan Zheng Xi breathed.

He Tian cursed.

  One moment, Jian Yi was chatting with the guy with peppered hair. The next, his stomach began to turn, his vision swimming. His first thought was, Whoa, I’ve had too much to drink.

But he’d only had a glass and a half, and he wasn’t that much of a lightweight.

Then his limbs felt heavy, and suddenly the guy was helping him out of his seat, promising the bartender to help him get home safe.

Through the haze and confusion, realization of what was happening struck through Jian Yi, and panic soon followed. He lifted his arms to try to push the guy off, but only managed to pat his chest before Jian’s limbs once again failed him. Consciousness was a struggle. He only felt them moving, and every time he opened his eyes, Jian Yi couldn’t remember when he’d closed them.

Soon they were out in open air, and the man still had a strong grip around his waist—possessive. If only he could reach his earpiece…

Jian raised an arm, but the man pushed it down, tugging Jian Yi closer to his side and muttering something about taking good care of him. It sounded almost reassuring. Jian Yi wanted to spit in his face.

They’d left out a back door, and Jian Yi’s vision spotted black, the shadows of the parking lot behind all blurring together.

Just then he heard a familiar voice, and their motion stopped. Jian Yi’s vision swirled, but he spotted familiar brown hair and hard eyes, and his heart gave a small, pitiful jump.

“Zhan Xi…” he said, or maybe he only thought it, before everything went black.

[k-i-s-m-e-t]

The Fox, The Wolf

Fandom: 19 days Rating: Mature Status: In Progress 1/? Warnings: None Pairing: TianShan Words: 1,792

Summary: Sometimes you find success, sometimes it comes for you.

“Aaaannnd cut! That’s a wrap! Thank you everyone!” 

Clapping and cheers rang out as the overhead lights brightened. “Finally,” Mo thought rising from the couch, yanking at the too tight tie he wore. Not even bothering to say goodbye to the interviewer, he headed for the studio’s exit. She’d been too intrusive anyways, focusing only on personal questions rather than about his restaurant. Despite having sat through several of these exclusive-style interviews he still wasn’t used to it. Didn’t want to be. 

At this point though, he didn’t have much of a choice. A few months ago a celebrity chef had dined at his establishment unbeknownst to him. The chef had been incredibly impressed with the food, calling it a culinary experience to die for. He’d name dropped the restaurant, The Fox, on his show & posted a lavish review on his website, photo of Mo included. Since then it’d been nonstop television appearances & interviews. Mo’s phone rang constantly - to the point he’d had to hire a PR rep. The Fox was booked for reservations months in advance and the waiting list extended into next year. He was appreciative of course, the bills were guaranteed to be paid. Fame be damned though, he was tired of it. 

He nodded politely as he passed crew members on his way to the elevator. Leaning heavily on the call button it dinged promptly, doors sliding open. He pressed the button for lobby, silently hoping for a solo ride. He sighed in relief as the doors closed, only to scowl immediately in distaste when a flurry of blond hair managed to slide through at the last second making them snap open harshly at the obstruction. 

“Jeez would it kill you to wait for me for once? You didn’t hear me calling you?” Jian Yi huffed, leaning against the wall to catch his breath. 

“You probably weren’t loud enough,” Mo responded, pulling out his cell phone to check his email. 

“Yea well we came together how did you think I’d get back?” 

“I didn’t think anything to be honest.” 

Jian Yi rolled his eyes in annoyance. 

“Anyways, the interview went well, it’ll appear between prime time shows on the Food Network.”

“Fascinating,” Mo offered. Checking his messages, he saw his head chef had sent photos of tonight’s entrees for his approval. Squinting at the screen he approved three of them, rejecting the fourth and suggesting an alternative. 

“I’m sure everyone will be eager to hear about who I’m not dating and my skin care routine.” 

“She was trying to be friendly.” 

“She was being nosey as fuck.” 

“Guan Shan, everyone knows you’re an excellent restauranteur, they want to know more about the man behind the business.” 

“Yea well I’m not interested in them,” Mo said, stepping out of the elevator into the lobby. 

“I suggest you spend more time focusing on doing your job as well. You’re supposed to be representing the restaurant not setting me up on dates.” 

Jian Yi smiled shaking his head tiredly. 

“Whatever you say man.” 

In the lobby they rendezvoused at the front desk, the cheerful attendant retrieving their coats from check. Outside the air was brisk, mid-day sunlight filtered through the clouds. Horns honked as the city bustled around them, streets crowded with the lunch rush headed back to work, retreating from the cold. Mo pulled his coat tighter around him, hands shoved firmly in his pockets. He huffed out a breath, slight fog briefly materializing before him then vanishing. 

Despite his sour exterior this time of year always made him feel lively. There would be parties to cater for, new recipes to try. He’d be having the annual staff meeting with his kitchen team soon to discuss seasonal meals and get their suggestions. The team was a slapdash mix of talented individuals from all walks of life and he fed off their energy, fond of each and every one of them. They’d all been considered carefully before being invited to work for him. Concern tilted toward their talent & compatibility with each other rather than their appearance or background. 

“Hey!” Jian Yi called, snapping him out of his reverie. 

“Let’s get going. We have a meeting at two.” He’d already hailed a taxi and it was idling at the curb. 

“M’ coming,” Mo mumbled, shifting back into work mode and sliding into the car. Jian Yi rattled off directions as the taxi merged into traffic, then pulled out his planner, discussing talking points for their next meeting. Mo only half listened, mind drifting to his kitchen, hands twitching in his pockets. 

An hour later they sat restlessly around a conference table waiting for their remaining meeting attendees, an investor and his financial advisor that wanted to partner with The Fox. Mo was silently fuming that the men were late. Jian Yi curiously had nothing to say for once, but his eyes would dart to the door every time there was a noise in the hall. Despite the lack of conversation, he was still driving Mo crazy. Consumed by a tic he kept alternating between clicking his pen and jiggling his foot until his chair squeaked. Gathering himself to thoroughly cuss him out, Mo’s interrupted when finally they heard muted conversation and made out shapes beyond the frosted glass of the walls. 

“Be sociable,” Jian Yi whispered harshly, rolling his eyes at Mo’s blank stare. 

The door opened to reveal a serious but attractive man with brown hair and grey-blue eyes. 

“My apologies,” he said stepping into the room, voice warm but carrying authority. He bowed respectfully. “Mr. He and I were caught in traffic.” 

“My name is Zhan Zheng Xi,” he said politely extending a hand. “You must be Guan-“ 

“He’s Guan Shan,” Jian Yi cut in jumping from his seat to grasp the extended hand. “I’m Jian Yi, it’s great to meet you,” he gushed winking. 

Zhan nodded, eyeing the extended hand that Jian Yi was still holding. 

“Uh,” Jian hastily retracted his hand. “This is Guan Shan, he’s the owner of The Fox.” 

Mo rose in greeting, side-eyeing Jian Yi. 

“Thank you for taking the time to meet with us. Does Mr. He plan on joining us this year.” He looked pointedly at the ajar door. He could see the back of the other man as he finished a cheeky conversation with the building secretary. 

The man perked at his name, finally ending the conversation. He strode into the room with purpose, shutting the door neatly behind him, like he hadn’t just made them wait an extra five minutes. 

“I apologize gentleman, she was an old friend, wanted to catch up.” 

“Fast friends? It’s almost like you met her today,” Mo remarked. 

As soon as he’d walked in the room Mo had firmly decided he didn’t like him. Shaking his hand only confirmed his distaste. 

“Please call me He Tian,” he’d said, managing to caress Mo’s palm with his fingertips, eyes sparkling in amusement. The bastard was charismatic and handsome as fuck. Fit, his slacks tight in all the right places, Mo could see the flex of his biceps beneath his dress shirt as he shook Jian Yi’s hand. Did he mention that he was handsome? Dark hair and grey eyes that looked sharp but playful yet seductive. Mo could already imagine him fucking him over the conference table. It fueled his loathing. 

Pleasantries exchanged, Zhan joined the table as He Tian set up his presentation. Midway through, Mo had to admit the man was well spoken & intelligent. His plan for investing in The Fox was intuitive and forward thinking. He Tian had an extensive resume of businesses in which he’d spear-headed their development and expansion - all prestigious in their respective industries. He was lateral, with dealings that weren’t centered in one industry: finance, manufacturing, healthcare and media were all areas he had his hands in. Retail was a route he was eager to get into. 

Mo couldn’t understand why he would be interested in The Fox. It wasn’t a restaurant chain, nor was it exactly in the Michelin star exclusiveness of someone of He Tian’s status. Though honestly a Michelin star was something Mo yearned for. With He Tian heading the business direction of The Fox, it seemed a possibility. According to He Tian, The Fox had serious potential and he could see a bright future ahead of it. Pondering deeply on that note Mo’s jolted when something brushed up his leg and into his lap. Jerking his head up, he saw Jian Yi gazing dreamily off to his left. Following his line of sight, he landed on Zhan who was diligently taking meeting notes, eyes focused on He Tian. 

He looked down into his lap, a yellow dress sock clad foot ground against his balls making him choke. Mo glared at Jian Yi across the table, whipping out his cell phone. 

[sent 2:29 PM] 

To: Jian Yi 

Can you get your fucking foot off my goddamn dick!!!! 

Jian Yi’s phone buzzed lightly on the table. Glancing at it in irritation, he stole another look at Zhan before snatching it up. He swiped the screen, checking the message. Mo watched in satisfaction as he read the text, eyes widening before he snatched his foot back like he’d been burned. Face turning tomato red, he pulled out his planner avoiding eye contact for the rest of the meeting. 

Once He Tian concluded they discussed for a bit. Mo offered every ‘what if’ he could muster, but He Tian countered him at every turn, sound and confident in his business plan. Mo briefly acquiesced, asking for a few days to think before he made a final decision. He wanted to discuss the possibilities with his team and his mother as he valued their input. Wrapping up, He Tian held him in a smoldering gaze thanking him for his time, and that he looked forward to their next meeting. 

The over-confident bastard. 

His mind was still whirling by the time they made it down to the curb. Jian Yi hailed a cab for him but beat a hasty retreat, calling over his shoulder that he’d stop by the restaurant tomorrow, cheeks still a vivid pink. Mo let him go, appreciating the solo ride home. The cabbie thankfully made no effort to talk to him and he got comfortable in the back seat. His weight rested against the door, warm air from the heater made him drowsy. He gazed out the window deep in thought, watching the city speed by, cars and buildings tinted with gold from the late afternoon sun. He turned He Tian’s words over in his head. This would be a big step for The Fox, the payoff insurmountable… but, he wondered, can The Fox trust this newfound wolf? 

Hi :) I do have a plan to continue & I’m working on Ch. 2!

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