Work Text:
Meng Yao is three fingers deep in his ass when someone frantically knocks at his door.
“Senior Yao Sect Leader Nie has urgently requested your presence,” calls Huang Cho, a young messenger servant.
He bites back multiple curses as he carelessly pulls his fingers out and hurriedly puts his robes on, not bothering to wash himself in his rush. “A-Cho can you tell me why the Sect Leader is asking for me so late in the evening,” he enquires, raising his voice to be heard through the still blessedly closed door. He hopes the boy can’t hear the thread of frustration in his voice as Meng Yao struggles to regain his normal pleasant mask after almost being caught in an indecent position.
“He received some bad news about the fighting in the north-east.”
Of course it’s about war. He knew this brief respite wouldn’t last. It had taken all his conversational skills to convince Nie Mingjue to leave the battle field and return to the Nie Sect to check on how Nie Huaisang is handling running things in his brother’s place. Unfortunately, Nie Mingjue hasn’t taken the chance to rest, instead the man has been in a constant bad mood as he worries about the state of the Campaign. And now Huang Cho is reporting bad news as well.
As he checks in the mirror to ensure he doesn’t look as debauched as he feels Meng Yao wonders again if he should have taken the chance to leave behind this sect and become a spy when he had the chance instead of remaining under a man who’s constantly, unintentionally or not, leaving him sexually frustrated.
Surprisingly Huang Cho ends up directing Meng Yao to Nie Mingjue’s personal chambers instead of his office. One good sign that Nie Mingjue had been resting when he received the news.
As soon as they arrive Nie Mingjue halts his pacing and dismisses Huang Cho. Now alone Meng Yao asks, “Sect Leader Nie what’s wrong?” When Nie Mingjue is like this it’s best to ignore pleasantries and get straight to the point.
Nie Mingjue begins pacing again. “Those Wen Dogs have taken the Huai River fortress.”
Ah. Okay then. Meng Yao doesn’t bother pointing out the obvious; that losing that fortress means a loss of an important trading port. If they don’t recover the fortress it’s guaranteed that supplies will quickly dry up for their soldiers in that area.
“Who was in charge?” Meng Yao asks, even though he already knows, as he sits down on Nie Mingjue’s uncomfortable couch. He motions at Nie Mingjue to sit as well. “Please stop pacing, you’re making me nauseous.”
It shows how far their relationship has come that Nie Mingjue actually does as instructed despite his dark mood. Meng Yao tries not to notice the warmth of Nie Mingjue’s thigh as he sprawls onto the flat cushion beside him.
“One of Jin Guanshan’s useless generals, Jin Zedong,” Nie Mingjue answers.
Meng Yao carefully doesn’t react to his father's name. He’s unsurprised his father is once again causing trouble for the Campaign given his pathetic attempts to remain neutral. At the pressure of the other SunShot sects Jin Guanshan had generously offered the help of two of his strongest cultivators. Meng Yao wishes they had rejected the offer since he is absolutely sure his father had purposely given them two of the most incompetent high-ranking individuals Meng Yao had ever met.
“Is he still alive?”
Nie Mingjue snorts. “No. Friendly fire.”
“Oh dear, how unfortunate.” He will have to send a trusted messenger up to the north to pay the underling that managed to take out the massive burden.
His dry reply makes Nie Mingjue mouth twitch before it transforms back into a frown. His focus is completely on Meng Yao when he asks, “who should I replace him with?”
The show of trust makes Meng Yao’s heart tighten in his chest. It’s hard to believe a man in Sect Leader Nie’s position would give so much power to a low born servant like Meng Yao. But Nie Mingjue is not so prideful to ignore the fact Meng Yao has an ever-growing network of pawns in this violent game of war.
“Lei Bai.” When Nie Mingjue doesn’t recognize the name Meng Yao continues, “he is the third son of a minor sect.”
“A nobody,” Nie Mingjue interjects.
“Yes, and he’s gained a leadership position despite that,” Meng Yao points out. “Moral will be low with the remaining soldiers who were under Jin Zedong’s command, who was known for being a typical Jin – egotistic, haughty, and arrogant. In contrast Lei Bai is quite charismatic and easily wins over the loyalty of his soldiers.”
Seeing that Nie Mingjue is still listening closely Meng Yao carefully words his next argument, “his war tactics are also extremely different from Jin Zedong, who was old fashioned and expected his enemies to follow the rules of ‘fair fighting’ by attacking one on one, as if they are competing in a friendly competition between sects.”
Nie Mingjue raises an eyebrow as if to say he follows a similar philosophy in his fighting, except he’s the one fighting fair no matter how underhanded his enemies are.
“Not everyone has your strength to follow through with that type of fighting,” Meng Yao says, not even bothering to back this statement up by pointing out how very dead Jin Zedong is. “Lei Bai cares about the lives of every single person under his command and won’t sacrifice them because of pride. His strategies may seem dishonest because they rely on stealth but it will win us back the Huai River Fortress since the Wen’s will be completely unprepared for this complete turnabout in tactics.”
Meng Yao can tell Nie Mingjue is still reluctant as he sighs in disappointment, “he uses sneak attacks. You would sacrifice morals for the sake of winning.” It's not a question.
Normally Meng Yao would brush aside this taunt however right now his normal serene mask is fragile, it’s well past midnight, and he hasn’t had the opportunity to come in over a month. “This is war,” he snaps, “there is no place for morals in a conflict that prospers with death.”
“That is all the more reason to uphold morals, or else we become slaves who kill without reason. Like those Wen Dogs. We need to be better than them!” Nie Mingjue grabs Meng Yao’s sholders and looks as if he wants to shake him until he sees sense.
Ignoring the twinge in his groin at the feeling of Nie Mingjue massive hands engulfing him Meng Yao tries to unsuccessfully shrug him off. “You would have us all die honorably than let us defeat the Wen’s at their own game.”
Nie Mingjue’s grip tightens. Meng Yao wonders if he will leave bruises in the shape of his fingers.
“This is not a game. Stop relying on deceit and treachery to achieve all your victories. I will not let either of us turn into another Wen Ruohan on our path to destroying him.” Nie Mingjue’s eyes simmer with anger as he stares Meng Yao down.
He pushes at Nie Mingjue’s solid chest with a burst of spiritual energy and uses the chance to stand and put a bit of distance between them. “Fine,” he throws up his hands dramatically, “don’t give up your righteous morals. But stop trying to make the rest of us live up to your impossible standards. I may not be Wen Ruohan but I’m not a good person like you. It’s already too late for me. Even if this servant has to turn into someone you despise, I will do anything to ensure we survive this war.”
Nie Mingjue moves incredibly fast for someone his size as he cages Meng Yao against the wall. “You think I want to watch you turn yourself into a monster to keep us alive? You will find that surviving is not the same as living well,” Nie Mingjue growls. His face is so close that Meng Yao’s eyesight momentarily blurs as he struggles to pick which feature to focus on. His eyes dart from Nie Mingjue’s snarling lips, to his lightly freckled cheekbones, the sharp slope of his clenched jaw, his slightly crooked nose, and finally to his unearthly glowing eyes.
Shit. The inevitable has happened. Qi deviation. His brain scrambles for a solution.
“Sect Leader Nie you need to calm down,” he blurts.
“Don’t change the subject!” Nie Mingjue roars, “listen to me for once. I refuse to let you destroy your soul.”
Meng Yao feels overheated as Nie Mingjue holds his wrists down and presses closer. His massive body a heath of fire and passion as he smothers Meng Yao’s much smaller figure. Now is the worst possible moment to be remembering the fantasy he was imagining during his interrupted masturbation session, of Nie Mingjue taking advantage of their size different to use Meng Yao’s body to chase his own pleasure.
Stupid with lust and unable to use his hands Meng Yao panics, biting Nie Mingjue’s closest peck. Nie Mingjue doesn’t even finch, his robes made from special qi infused silk tough enough to act as armor against spiritual swords let alone a man’s teeth. It only serves to fuel his wrath. Delving further into his qi deviation Nie Mingjue no longer attempts to talk as he pushes his chest forward so that Meng Yao’s head bounces off the wall, his mouth falling open in pain. He doesn’t get the chance to regret his impulsive actions as Nie Mingjue leans down to give a retaliatory bite on Meng Yao’s exposed neck.
Meng Yao’s moan echoes though the room as he bucks his hips up against Nie Mingjue. Shocked at his loss of control Meng Yao tries to stutter out an apology but cuts himself off with a needy whine when Nie Mingjue’s teeth clenches tight enough to draw blood.
The left-over panic from Nie Mingjue’s qi deviation is lifted from his head the same moment Nie Mingjue shifts his leg snug between Meng Yao’s thighs, giving him the perfect leverage to ride it. Meng Yao struggles to stay balanced on his tiptoes as he rocks back and forth, giving up all pretense of shame in favour of sating his own desires. He can feel himself soaking his under robes with pre-come and the lubricant he failed to wipe off before he left his room. The silk teasingly slides along his balls and perineum. The friction driving him higher into euphoria. Meng Yao feels his still stretched hole clench open and shut with each movement of his hips.
Suddenly his world is rearranged as Nie Mingjue efficiently sweeps Meng Yao off his feet, his hands grappling at his back and hip as he’s thrown down onto the mat at the foot of Nie Mingjue’s short legged table. Meng Yao’s breath whooshes out of him at the impact leaving him gasping and weak. Mie Mingjue uses the advantage to imprison Meng Yao’s hands above his head in a single palm. His other hand makes quick work tearing open Meng Yao’s clothing, leaving his heaving chest exposed.
Meng Yao jolts as he watches Nie Mingjue’s hazed eyes track the spreading blush from his neck down to his nipples. Guilt chokes him. He forgot that Nie Mingjue wasn’t doing this willingly. He’s out of control and only reacting to Meng Yao’s insatiable lust.
This doesn’t stop him from automatically wrapping his legs around Nie Mingjue’s waist when he latches onto Meng Yao’s nipple, all teeth and hot breath.
“Mn,” Meng Yao hitches trying, and failing, to hide his reactions to the brutal sucking and nipping. His attempt to be quiet makes Nie Mingjue’s grunt in annoyance and redouble his effort to disrobe Meng Yao.
Hope sprouts in Meng Yao’s chest. There is still enough of Nie Mingjue’s consciousness to get pettily annoyed at Meng Yao, so the qi deviation isn’t deadly serious yet. If he can just free his hands he can transfer his own soothing spiritual energy into Nie Mingjue to calm him. Hopefully before Nie Mingjue gets bored with wrecking Meng Yao with pleasure and decides to kill him instead.
His building plan get derailed as Nie Mingjue rips through Meng Yao’s pants and palms his erection. White creeps over Meng Yao’s vision. Nie Mingjue easily wraps his hand around Meng Yao, rubbing his callouses along his length. Meng Yao chokes as the rough movements makes the musky scent of his arousal stir around the room. Nie Mingjue isn’t in the right mind so do much else so he swiftly fondles further down, pressing on his perineum, before cupping his ass. Embarrassment and lust unlike anything shoots up Meng Yao spine as his entire ass sits comfortably within Nie Mingjue’s spread hand.
He has never felt so small.
Knowing where this is heading Meng Yao debates whether to attempt an escape. On one hand Sect Leader Nie will be furious when he recovers enough to remember that he defiled Meng Yao. However if he tries to run away the present Nie Mingjue may see this as an attack and decide he wants to fight instead of fuck. And after he’s killed Meng Yao it’s likely his qi deviation would only get worse and lead to the Sect Leader’s own death.
His decision is made for him as Nie Mingjue presses his thumb into Meng Yao’s wet hole. Meng Yao cries out and pushes back onto into the intrusion. At least he’s already stretched enough to take Nie Mingjue. In a way it’s fate that he chose this moment to go insane and fuck Meng Yao. And while Nie Mingjue’s distracted Meng Yao can take back control of the situation by freeing his wrists to start transferring qi.
When Nie Mingjue pauses at how easily Meng Yao is taking him he uses the opportunity to provoke the Sect Leader. “Don’t stop. I’m ready for you,” he rasps. Surprised at how needy he sounds Meng Yao swallows the saliva in his mouth to sooth his sore throat. It doesn't work because his next demand sounds just as wanton, “fuck me Sect Leader Nie. This servant is ready to receive all of you.”
He wonders if Nie Mingjue can hear the honesty in his demands as he huffs like he’s been punched in the stomach by a fierce corpse. Or maybe he can tell Meng Yao is scheming because he flips Meng Yao onto his stomach. Meng Yao gives an undignified yelp at the sudden movement and struggles onto his hands and knees. Giving Nie Mingjue the perfect few of his arched back and pert ass. Nie Mingjue wraps his hands either side of Meng Yao’s hips, aligning his thumbs onto the dimples above his ass. He must have removed his own pants while Meng Yao was distracted because he feels Nie Mingjue’s cock smearing pre-come along his cheeks. Frustrated Meng Yao spreads his legs further apart, allowing the head to push at the entrance of his fluttering hole.
Meng Yao face hits the floor as his arms collapse underneath him.
“Nie-ge!” The informal name is muffled by the floor as Nie Mingjue inches himself inside Meng Yao with a satisfied grunt.
Meng Yao automatically relaxes at the painful stretch, used to the rushed pace he adopts when fucking himself with his fingers. Unfortunately, they are is nowhere near as huge as Nie Mingjue and thus he’s unprepared for the sensation of being filled to the brim. Pain radiates at the base of his spine at the intrusion, pulsing outwards though his body like a war drum.
Overwhelmed Meng Yao braces himself for Nie Mingjue to unleash all his fury.
Just to be contradictory Nie Mingjue sighs deeply like he’s entering a hot bath after a long day of battling and slowly but steadily pulls almost all the way out before moving back in at a glacial pace.
Meng Yao tries not to weep bitter tears. He doesn’t understand. Nie Mingjue is in the middle of qi deviation, he should be fucking Meng Yao like a beast, violently and out of control. Instead he’s moving in leisurely manner, as if he has all the time in world. Each stroke forward pushing a bit further into Meng Yao until he can taste Nie Mingjue at the back of his throat.
Nie Mingjue leans down over him and grazes his warm mouth over the bite mark he gave Meng Yao, as if he wishes to kiss it. He hums as he grinds his hips down in the next stoke, pushing at Meng Yao’s clenching walls until they soften under his ministrations.
Meng Yao can’t take it anymore. Heat radiates from his chest like his own golden core is going to burst. He was prepared for brutality not this gentle love making. His breathing hitches with a sob and tears prick at the corners of his eyes. “Please,” he whimpers.
The next thrust goes off course, pushing in halfway at an angle that makes lightning burst through his veins.
Meng Yao screams. “Please! Please Nie-ge. Harder, harder.”
Thankfully Nie Mingjue understands his plea. He straightens as he lifts Meng Yao up so his legs hang limply towards the ground, the only things keeping him from slumping to the floor is Nie Mingjue’s hands on his hips and his buried cock. Nie Mingjue doesn’t need any more encouragement as he gives a hard warning thrust and goes wild.
He fucks into Meng Yao like he fights the Wens, unstoppable, without mercy, and with unwavering bloodlust. Fear and arousal twist inside of Meng Yao making him feel both numb and electrified with pleasure. Tears finally fall as he hears the wet slapping sounds of Nie Mingjue’s balls hitting he ass with every punishing thrust.
He’s a fool for thinking he could maintain a clear head while Nie Mingjue lost control. Meng Yao can’t even feel his arms let alone manage the precise process of soothing qi deviation.
Nie Mingjue doesn’t leave any more room for thought as he heaves one of Meng Yao’s legs underneath his arm so he is fucking into him at an angle and shortens his thrusts so they scrape along the most sensitive part inside him. Meng Yao fails to hear the victorious sound Nie Mingjue makes over his own humiliatingly loud moans. Despite the lack of leverage Meng Yao makes an effort to pierce himself back onto Nie Mingjue, trying to meet his hips halfway. The suffocating shame of acting so whorish makes him cringe even as his cock dribbles pre-come onto the mat.
His pathetic struggles must appeal to Nie Mingjue’s smothered empathy as he lowers Meng Yao back down so his knees hit the ground.
“Wha-” Meng Yao begins to ask before he cuts off into a shout as Nie Mingjue mirrors his previous position looming over Meng Yao, except instead of merely brushing his lips over the bite mark he clamps down tightly like a rapid dog.
The pain sharpens Meng Yao’s senses before everything is washed away as he comes harder than he’s ever experienced.
Meng Yao is rudely shoved back into awareness by Nie Mingjue’s continued harsh movements, not slowing down for a second despite Meng Yao’s whines of pain at the oversensitivity that pricks and burns at his lower half. The frustrating feeling does make Meng Yao arrive to the sad conclusion that Nie Mingjue is not allowed to come since the sudden expulsion of Yang energy would only drive him further towards unstoppable qi deviation. Meng Yao wishes he was in a position to check Nie Mingjue’s eyes to see if his own orgasm helped steady Nie Mingjue’s qi like in normal duel cultivation.
This gives Meng Yao an idea as he carefully builds up spiritual energy in preparation, trying to ignore the distracting quiet groans of pleasure that Nie Mingjue makes every time he pushes in especially deep. At least these vocal responses show some regained awareness.
When Nie Mingjue pulls away in preparation for a particularly hard thrust Meng Yao kicks out and hits his target with a satisfying thud. Nie Mingjue slams backwards with an offended yell. Meng Yao’s sure he would be cursing him with banishment to the Burial Mound if he had completely recovered consciousness.
Not allowing Nie Mingjue the chance to get angry Meng Yao shakily leavers himself up and straddles Nie Mingjue’s waist.
“It’s alright,” he says softly, infusing calmness into his voice even as he internally panics at Nie Mingjue’s eyes still slightly shining with unstable qi. Meng Yao moves his arms backwards as Nie Mingjue reaches to grab them again. “Wait! Wait, I want to touch you. Don’t you want me to touch you Nie-ge?” Meng Yao asks rocking back onto Nie Mingjue’s cock before taking it in hand.
Fuck. It’s so big he can’t even encircle it with his fingers. Meng Yao has no idea how this monstrous object managed to fit inside him. Thankfully this stalls Nie Mingjue’s grabby tendencies long enough for Meng Yao to push himself up on his still weak knees and sink down onto his cock.
“Oh,” Meng Yao says, somehow still shocked at how easily he manages to take Nie Mingjue into himself. As he were made for this purpose - to take Nie Mingjue’s cock whenever he wanted. Perhaps he should rethink his derision towards his mother’s profession after all.
While he’s pondering over his new ambition to be a full-time cock-warmer Nie Mingjue snatches his hands like a viper, entwining their fingers. The romantic gesture throws Meng Yao off as he unwittingly gives a thrilled laugh at how cute Nie Mingjue is acting despite their positions.
This is fine. He can work with this.
“Nie-ge,” Meng Yao says, letting affection bleed into his voice, “can you please let go of my hands? I need them to touch you. I want to make you feel good.” Meng Yao backs up his request by clenching around Nie Mingjue’s cock, making him spasm like he’s been shocked.
He pulls his hands from Nie Mingjue’s slack grip and directs them to his bruised hips. “I like it when you hold me tight. Use me however you like Nie-ge, I want it so bad. Fuck me. Hurt me. Come in me. Please just move,” he rambles as he uses his draining strength to bounce on Nie Mingjue’s cock.
Nie Mingjue performs beautifully. Molding his hands firmly on Meng Yao’s hips he starts guiding Meng Yao up and down in the same mind-numbingly slow pace he had at the beginning.
This time Meng Yao resolves to keep his head. Completely ignoring the fact he’s once again achingly hard Meng Yao glides his hands along Nie Mingjue’s shifting abs up to his firm pecks. The soft tan skin is marked with many scars, only adding to Nie Mingjue’s appeal. He traces a few he knows the story of. Training accident, knife wound from rouge cultivator, kitchen mishap, sword wounds from Wen Ru (deceased), Wen Hanying (deceased), Wen Moa (dismembered).
As he explores, he presses his spiritual energy inwards, moving it along Nie Mingjue’s cultivation channels and towards his unstable golden core. He’s getting close to finishing the same time Nie Mingjue starts losing his rhythm as he approaches orgasm.
Worried Meng Yao pulls away to grip at the base of Nie Mingjue’s cock, containing the building yang energy. Nie Mingjue bucks up in protest, forcing Meng Yao to stifle a needy moan.
“I’m sorry I lied Sect Leader Nie. Only I’m allowed to come,” Meng Yao says meanly and refuses to pull away as he grinds down onto Nie Mingjue and furiously jerks at his own cock.
Obviously unhappy with the deceit Nie Mingjue growls and goes to remove Meng Yao’s offending hand. In a last panic driven attempt to subdue the Sect Leader Meng Yao reaches forward, gently cupping Nie Mingjue’s cheek in his hand and guides him close enough to kiss.
The moment their lips touch the fight drains from Nie Mingjue as he wraps his arms around Meng Yao in a hug. His mouth opens at the probing of Meng Yao’s tongue, allowing him to trace the shape of Nie Mingjue’s teeth, uncaring about the drool pooling at the sides of their mouths.
Meng Yao goal of releasing the final burst of yang energy to stabilize Nie Mingjue’s cultivation rushes closer as he moans into Nie Mingjue’s mouth at the increased intimacy. Thumbing at the head of his cock Meng Yao gives one last bite to Nie Mingjue’s lip as his vision once again wavers under the force of his orgasm. He distantly hears himself mumble, “thank-you. Thank-you Nie-ge. I love you.”
Luckily Meng Yao recovers before Nie Mingjue. Ignoring his aching lower back he half carries half drags the unconscious man onto his nearby bed. He feels more out of breath from the heavy lifting then when he was having rigorous sex.
Nie Mingjue remains unresponsive as Meng Yao limps around the room, cleaning them both up with a wet cloth, scrubbing at the come stains on the mat, fetching fresh clothes and redressing them both. As he keeps himself busy he makes sure to regularly check Nie Mingjue’s spiritual energy for any irregularities. Fortunately it’s back to its normal state that vividly reminds Meng Yao of a bonfire instead of the all-consuming forest fire of qi deviation.
When he finally runs out of tasks he drags one of Nie Mingjue’s ugly chairs over to his bedside to wait, dismissing all plans of running away, no matter how tempting. Guilt acts as a lead weight sticking him to his chair - a pesky emotion that he can normally bury which now refuses to leave him in peace.
“This is all my fault...” Meng Yao whispers. He was the one to drive Nie Mingjue to anger in the first place despite knowing the risks. And than to make it worse he decided to use his qi deviation as a chance to seduce Nie Mingjue. There were times when he could have escaped or transferred his spiritual energy when he was pinned against the wall, before they went too far. But Meng Yao is too greedy. He wanted every violent act inflicted upon himself no matter what excuses he told himself at the time. Even with the aching bruises littered all over his body and his sore lower half he hasn’t felt this content and sated in years.
But knowing Nie Mingjue he wouldn’t see it like that.
Nie Mingjue’s eyelids flutter open stalling Meng Yao’s pathetic inner monologue. Neither of them speaks. The quiet room only disturbed by their soft breathing.
The suspense leaves Meng Yao floundering. Why was he just lying there staring at the roof? Was he mad? Disappointed?... Disgusted? Did he even remember?
Unable to stand the tension any longer Meng Yao opens his mouth to say something, anything, but stops when Nie Mingjue moves to leave his bed.
“S-Sect Leader Nie you shouldn’t get up,” Meng Yao uncharacteristically stutters and waves his hands uselessly, unsure how the man would react if he pushed him back down. “You’ve need to rest.”
Meng Yao almost passes out again when Nie Mingjue kneels at his feet, head bowed.
What the fuck.
Maybe Meng Yao is having his own turn at qi deviating. That’s the only explanation of the sight before him. There is no way the proudest man he knows is kneeling at the feet of a servant.
“I’m sorry Meng Yao. What I’ve done-,” Nie Mingjue’s words hitch with unrestrained emotion, “what I’ve done is unforgivable. I took my anger out on you in the worst way possible.” He looks up. Meng Yao distantly notices that his eyes are now their usual deep brown. “I’m willing to be put on trial and receive whatever punishment is decreed for me. Even if it means death. It’s the least I deserve.”
Stupefied Meng Yao says the first thing that comes to mind, “at least now you’ve worked out your anger you can take a proper rest before you go back to war.” Death? There was no time for death when you’re leading a war.
And Okay. Maybe he still hasn’t completely recovered from getting his brains fucked out.
“This isn’t funny,” Nie Mingjue says, deadly serious. “I’ve forced myself on you.”
Meng Yao sighs. “Please get off the floor, it’s impossible to think when you’re in that position.” He gently reaches out and grabs his bicep. Ignoring Nie Mingjue’s flinch he hauls him back onto the bed. “Lie down. I know you’re in pain,” Meng Yao says, easily catching the normally well-hidden tells of Nie Mingjue’s tremoring hands and the twitch in his right eye when he moves too quickly.
Seeing his Sect Leader so vulnerable gives Meng Yao the courage to answer him honestly. “Sect Leader Nie if you insist on being punished then I should be as well.” He shakes his head when Nie Mingjue’s attempts to interrupt, “no. Please listen. Let me talk.
“This servant was the one who pressured you into sex. Rather than fighting you like anyone else would I used your vulnerable mental state to manipulate you into something you never wanted. This was just another case of me using the situation to my advantage. You have nothing to apologize for. This one humbly asks you to please make sure you recover first before you deal out my punishment.”
Nie Mingjue scoffs, “but you didn’t want it either. You only chose the option that was less likely to end in your death. I’m at fault for allowing myself to reach this tipping point, I should know better than to let anger overwhelm me. I can’t control myself around you, it would be better if you got as far away from me as possible.”
“But I did want it,” Meng Yao shouts, no longer able to keep calm, “I wanted it so bad, don’t you remember me begging for it.” His lips tremble as he hears the last sentence. “Is that my punishment? You’re so disgusted that I love you that you want to banish me? You truely hate me that much?” He stands, causing his chair to go crashing down behind him.
Nie Mingjue lashes out, capturing his wrist in a familiar hold. Meng Yao reluctantly traces the arm up to the shoulder and then a bit higher to finally see Nie Mingjue’s reaction.
Nie Mingjue’s mouth hangs open unattractively. He is completely baffled.
…
Did he not remember Meng Yao’s confession?
Meng Yao would give anything for a transportation talisman right now.
“You love me,” Nie Mingjue breaths like a prayer, his cheeks colouring.
He’s not mad... If anything Meng Yao would say Nie Mingjue is actually... Receptive. And really? This is what makes him blush? Not filthy hot sex but an embarrassing love confession from his glorified secretary.
Maybe this doesn’t have to end badly.
For the first time this night his brain is on board and Meng Yao lays his hand on top of the one restraining him. “Yes. Take responsibility.”
“What?” Nie Mingjue asks flustered.
Meng Yao goes in for the kill. “You want to be punished? Take responsibility. Marry me.”
“That’s not a punishment,” Nie Mingjue argues, trying to sit up and regain some semblance of control over the conversation.
But Meng Yao barges on, “of course it’s a punishment to marry me. I’m a bastard, the son of a cheating man-whore and a prostitute. I have little money. No title. I’m a mere servant. You don’t even like me, let along love me. You will fulfil your wish of being punished with a fate worse than death: having to live with me forever.”
“Of course I love you,” Nie Mingjue shouts, offended by the very idea he isn’t.
“You love me?” Meng Yao squeaks. He only thought Nie Mingjue was at least attracted to him. It never crossed his mind that he could love him as well. “Wait. Why are we even arguing right now?” Meng Yao scowls. “If it’s mutual why the hell are you denying me?”
“I’m your superior. I have no right to take advantage of you like this,” he shakes his head and relaxes his hand on Meng Yao’s wrist to trace along the blooming bruise from his earlier rough treatment, “I hurt you.”
“Didn’t you hear me? I liked it,” Meng Yao huffs deciding to throw all propriety out the window, “I came when you bit my neck until it bled. It’s better when it hurts, why do you think I avoid sparing with you.”
Nie Mingjue’s throat bobs as he swallows, unable to think of a reply.
“In fact I expect you to give it to me just like that when we’re married,” Meng Yao says, “but only in bed, I want you to respect me when we’re in public.”
This gets Nie Mingjue’s attention. “Of course I’d respect you. Even when we’re making love. As my husband I would treat you as my equal.”
Meng Yao wants nothing more. “Swear it to me. On your honor,” he demands. “Accept this as your punishment and all will be forgiven.”
“I swear,” Nie Mingjue vows, threading their fingers together.
Bursting with happiness Meng Yao leans in close to whisper, “it’s a deal.” And seals it with a kiss.