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It was hot, so hot that sweat was trickling down the back of Chu Wanning’s neck. He dabbed at it absentmindedly, cursing the summer heat, along with what felt like the beginning of his heat. He was in the midst of trying to meditate when someone called from outside his door.
“Shizun.”
Chu Wanning’s brows knitted together. The voice was husky, and he felt irritation and affection surging upwards at the same time. This was a bad time. He was tempted to ignore the boy outside, and no actually, not really a boy. For Mo Ran was a man now, he’s grown so much in the past five years, both mentally and physically. Tawny skin stretched over well defined muscles, the previously youthful face taken over by a familiar stranger. He’s comfortable in his own skin, self-assured only in the way that age and experience can bring. To be completely frank, Chu Wanning was proud of him, heartened and secretly brought to tears after reading through Mo Ran’s escapades in the past years. Which was why he felt so thoroughly shamed by the thoughts that engulfed him. For while Mo Ran has grown, Chu Wanning felt like he has regressed. Regressed back into the omega that he was, for only thinking about being loved, being claimed, starting a family, and he hated that out of an entire week, at least six nights were consumed with dreams about Mo Ran. Mo Ran has squirmed his way into Chu Wanning’s life all those years ago, and ever since, rooted himself so firmly in his heart it was hard to pluck him out. It was entirely horrifying, having to wake up with his bottom soaked, empty and aching.
The current Mo Ran has got his own place in Chu Wanning’s dreams, most often in the same bathing pond as when he first reunited with the twenty-two year old. He served as the star of Chu Wanning’s lewd dreams, and coupled with the silly magazine about Mo Ran’s girth, there really was no end to the possible scenarios that Chu Wanning’s mind has conjured up. Some involved Chu Wanning prostrating himself in front Mo Ran, some involved Chu Wanning crying and begging Mo Ran to mess him up, for moremoremore. His dreams often involved Mo Ran claiming him as his own, biting down onto his neck and entwining their souls together forevermore. The alpha in his dream would always be willing, so rough, gentle and good that it shakes Chu Wanning down to his core. And whenever Chu Wanning wakes up, he’d sweep the bed sleepily with his hands, to look for a warm body to curl up to, but quickly startles awake as if he’s been poured with cold water, for what was he thinking? It was shameful to project his own desires onto his disciple. Liking Mo Ran has always been a dirty secret that Chu Wanning had hoped would never see the light of the day. But lately, the quiet hum of attraction has begun to build itself into a fire, as if fed with dry wood everyday, until it felt like a roaring blaze each time he sees Mo Ran across Sisheng Peak. It burned so bright, akin to the dazzle of Mo Ran’s smile, and Chu Wanning fears that one day he may actually end up humiliating himself in front of his disciple. He found it increasingly hard to meet Mo Ran’s eyes, and like a silly little omega, he runs from him like a cat with its tail in between, unwilling to bear the stark difference in dreams and reality. He really was, the worst master in the world.
“Shizun?” Mo Ran called again, this time sounding a little less sure of himself.
Chu Wanning debated between pretending that he’s not in, and asking Mo Ran to get the hell out, but then he stared at the empty plate on his desk, previously piled high with sweets and delicacies, and he sighed. Mo Ran had left his handmade desserts outside his door earlier on, with a written note saying that he’d be back to collect the dishes after his sparring practice. His disciple had good intentions, so very sweet and pure with his desire to make it up to him, and Chu Wanning loathed to send the younger one away.
“Come in.”
Chu Wanning regretted his decision immediately as soon as he caught sight of Mo Ran. Post sparring Mo Ran was sweaty, his hair tied lopsidedly with his robes disheveled around his neck. It revealed an expanse of sun-kissed skin, and Chu Wanning felt like one of his dream had come to life. Chu Wanning wasn’t sure if he wanted to press Mo Ran down and sit on him, or to claw his eyes out and return to the underworld. And so, in typical embarrassed fashion, Chu Wanning lashed out at Mo Ran.
“Why are you so messy? It is unsightly.”
The bright smile on Mo Ran's face faded ever so slightly, and Chu Wanning felt the familiar sense of regret burgeoning in his chest. Chu Wanning bit his lips.
"I'm sorry, Shizun, I should have cleaned up before I came." Mo Ran answered.
Chu Wanning made a vague sound of agreement, and watched as Mo Ran's eyes trailed over the mess in his room, before they lit up when they landed on the empty plate.
Honestly, Chu Wanning's preference for sweets wasn't really a secret, it was just that nobody ever took notice of his habits. Nobody except for Mo Ran, who has now taken it upon himself to ensure that Chu Wanning would be laden with cavities.
“Were they good?” Mo Ran asked, face bright.
It was good, the honey cakes were the best, Chu Wanning wanted to say, but he had to restrain himself. His mouth twitched.
Mo Ran seemed to take it as disapproval, for he hurriedly added on, “If you don’t like it, I can go to town and buy other things for you. I guess I’m still used to normal dishes rather than desserts. Would you like osmanthus cake?”
Chu Wanning stared at Mo Ran, who was looking quite anxious, and he mumbled out, “No, I liked them.”
There was a moment of surprise on Mo Ran’s face, before it morphed into a blinding smile, and Chu Wanning had to suck in a breath when Mo Ran abruptly knelt down, much too close to him. Mo Ran grabbed at Chu Wanning’s hand, and instantly Chu Wanning felt electricity zap its way up his spine, felt the fire in him burn even brighter. Chu Wanning wrenched his hand out of Mo Ran’s grip, as if scalded, but Mo Ran’s still got a dopey smile on his face, not unlike a sweet canine wanting to bask in its master’s affection. This close, Chu Wanning could smell the musk of Mo Ran’s skin, and it made him dizzy, made him want to bury his face into Mo Ran’s chest and just breathe.
“Really? If Shizun likes it, I’ll make them everyday for the rest of my life.”
Mo Ran looked so earnest, so genuine in his promise. Chu Wanning felt the corners of his lips reluctantly tug themselves upwards, and Mo Ran, sharp as ever, does not miss that slight smile.
“Anything for the best Shizun in the world.”
Chu Wanning felt like he was in a daze, a little drunk off Mo Ran’s scent, but also feeling incredibly aware of the warm body next to him. Mo Ran has begun talking, moving onto another topic; regaling Chu Wanning with stories about his sparring practice, occasionally mentioning Xue Meng and Shi Mei. In between Mo Ran’s stories, Chu Wanning was thinking of something else. He wanted Mo Ran to press him down, to dot his face and body with kisses, to feel bites all across his shoulders, want to feel so full and- Chu Wanning stiffened. What was he thinking?
“Why are you telling me about all these inane things? If you have nothing proper to convey, please leave. You should not be slacking off on your tasks.”
Mo Ran merely grinned, “But my task is to bring Shizun up to date on recent happenings!”
Chu Wanning fisted his hands into his robes, felt his iron control snap, and for a second, he sees into the future: him, jumping on Mo Ran, him, kissing and nuzzling Mo Ran. A trickle of wetness leaked from him, and he felt so helpless in the wake of his desire for Mo Ran. It does not do, he wanted to die from shame. Drag him back into the underworld for all he care, he couldn’t stand to be around Mo Ran when he was feeling like so.
“Get out.” Chu Wanning slapped his hand onto the table.
“But-”
“Get. Out.”
“Shizun-”
A gold light poured from his palm, and Mo Ran finally, finally backed off. Of course, Chu Wanning wouldn’t use Tianwen on Mo Ran, but it was enough to tell Mo Ran that he wasn’t in the best of mood. Chu Wanning averted his gaze as Mo Ran picked up the dirty dish, he could feel disappointment emanating all the way from where Mo Ran stood. Chu Wanning held his breath all the way until he hears the soft closing of the doors, and then lets out a sigh of relief. He stood up, inhaled a deep breath, only to be accosted by the lingering scent of the young alpha. It was almost a conditioned response for Chu Wanning to feel weak in the knees, and he pinched his own skin, reminding himself to come back to reality.
Chu Wanning busied himself with fixing some of the trinkets around his bed, and tried to ignore the growing heat curling in his body, tried to ignore his sudden intense craving for osmanthus cake. He continued to tinker around with the instruments, only stopping at times whenever he felt like the heat was getting to him. On normal days, he would open the windows and pray for a breeze, but during this period, he’d much rather keep the windows and doors shut. And so he sat in a swamp-like environment, perspiration dripping off his brows and the scent of Mo Ran lingering behind.
Soon it was night time, closer to midnight. Chu Wanning has an inkling that perhaps his heat may come on faster than expected, with the way his skin was feeling more sensitized than usual. He stood up, and decided that he would take a dip in the pond, wash himself up before he was to be locked in the room for the next few days.
--
Mo Ran wasn’t as stupid as he’d have others to believe, especially when it comes to matters pertaining Chu Wanning.
He knew that scent, knew it the moment he stepped into the Red Lotus Pavillon, the scent of begonias and caramelised honey; lush, rich, and decadent. He’s been driven to madness by the scent multiple times in his previous life, lips and teeth always seeking and chasing where they were strongest. His train of thought brought him back to a distant memory.
“Wanning, look at you,” Taxian-jun had said, angling Chu Wanning’s head to look at where they were joined, “You’re taking me so well aren’t you, whore?”
Beneath him, Chu Wanning was panting, soft moans escaping unbridled. His hair was the colour of midnight; spread in a curtain behind him, curling over his shoulders and all the way down to his waist, it contrasted so wildly with his pale skin. And his skin was marred only by the marks left behind by Taxian-jun, in blooming reds and purples, all over his body. Chu Wanning’s eyes were dazed in his heat, his intoxicating scent spiking each time Taxian-jun thrusted in.
Taxian-jun grabbed Chu Wanning’s jaw, gave him a wet, messy kiss, exactly the kind of depravity he knew would disturb the esteemed Yuheng Elder. He nipped at his lips, felt the skin give way and a burst of blood exploded in his mouth. He kissed him ruthlessly, kiss as noisy as the squelching sounds that his omega was making. Chu Wanning tightened around him, and came just as Taxian-jun pressed an uncharacteristically soft kiss against the side of his neck.
“You’re so dirty, Wanning. You act like you don’t want it, but you still come when you get fucked on my cock.” Taxian-jun drawled, fucking Chu Wanning through his orgasm. His eyes zeroed in on the bite mark on Chu Wanning’s neck, and a perverse sense of pleasure shoots through him. “Should I give you a child? Knock you up til you’re stuffed full?”
Chu Wanning threw an arm over his eyes, shuddering, over sensitised. He said hoarsely, “Please stop, Mo Ran.”
Taxian-jun stared at the person beneath him, suddenly incensed. He gripped harshly at Chu Wanning’s hips, and snapped his hips upwards, “Why? Is the Venerable One not good enough for you? You’d rather be fucking someone else, is that it? Rather have someone else’s kid? Degrading for Yuheng Elder? Ha. Let me tell you, Chu Wanning, you’re mine. Now and forever, nobody’s going to come and save you.”
Taxian-jun continued ranting, slurred debasing words against Chu Wanning’s neck, uncaring of the way he was shying away from him. In between all that, Taxian-jun felt wetness against his face, and he got up, surprised. Chu Wanning turned his face into the pillows, averting his face from Taxian-jun. Taxian-jun pulled at his jaw, forcing Chu Wanning to look at him. Chu Wanning’s eyes were wet, lashes sticky with moisture.
“Why are you crying?”
There was an unfamiliar look in Chu Wanning’s eyes, and vaguely Taxian-jun understood it as regret, sorrow. Taxian-jun frowned, leaned down and swiped his tongue over where the tear tracked down Chu Wanning’s cheek.
“Regretting taking me on as a disciple? It’s too late for that. You should have saved Shimei instead of turning your back on him.” Taxian-jun’s voice was brittle, too filled with hate and god knows what else. He leaned down and whispered, “I told you, if I’m going to hell, I’m dragging you along with me.”
Mo Ran came back abruptly to himself when he accidentally tripped over a step. He sat down on a nearby rock, immersed in thoughts. Back when he was Taxian-jun, feared by all, only Chu Wanning stood up to him. Even with his spiritual core gone, Chu Wanning fought him every step of the way. Taxian-jun saw it as a nuisance, proof that Chu Wanning had no love lost for his disciple. In hindsight, Mo Ran saw it as love, devotion, and Chu Wanning’s desire to bring him back from the brink of destruction. If he were to guess why exactly Chu Wanning cried that night, Mo Ran was willing to chalk it up to regret. Chu Wanning felt that he’s always had a part to play in Mo Ran’s road to madness, he regretted that he did not show his concern for him, he regretted that he was unable to save Shimei, he regretted that he was unable to release Mo Ran from his pain. Chu Wanning had then decided to bestow Taxian-jun with one last saving grace, a world without Chu Wanning, so that Taxian-jun would be appeased at last. Except, not really, for who was Taxian-jun without Chu Wanning?
It was I who wronged you. I will not blame you, neither in life, nor death. So please, forgive yourself, let yourself go.
Mo Ran swallowed the lump in his throat, and sighed. If he could go back in time, he would punch his own lights out. He was just a weary thirty seven year old in the body of a twenty two year old. Too much has happened over the span of two lifetimes, and losing Chu Wanning, not once, but twice, has been excruciating.
Mo Ran has since vowed to stay by his side, unwilling to lose even one precious second away from him. He wanted, no, needed Chu Wanning to be happy. As long as he could stay by his side, wagging his tail like a loyal dog to its master, Mo Ran was truly contented. If Chu Wanning wanted him, good. If Chu Wanning ends up being stolen away by another alpha, well… he’d cross that bridge when he gets to it.
Mo Ran got up then, hearing the distant voice of the other disciples gathering. He shook the intrusive thoughts out of his head, and made his way to Meng Po Hall, deciding to busy himself with helping out at the kitchen.
The day passed in a blur, and Mo Ran registered that he had yet to see Chu Wanning come down for dinner. Of course he wouldn’t, Mo Ran thought. He ended up packing a few of Chu Wanning’s favourites, but was only able to leave sometime near midnight due to how shorthanded they were.
Half-running, mostly tripping, Mo Ran made his way back towards the Red Lotus Pavilion. The food was almost cold by the time he reached the entrance of Chu Wanning’s abode.
“Shizun?” Mo Ran knocked on the door softly. “I know you’ve not eaten, I’ve brought food over for you.”
Silence.
Mo Ran knocked on the door again after counting to ten, but this time, he pushed the door open a little, peering into Chu Wanning’s bedroom. His eyes casted over the multiple instruments and books strewn all over the place, and the smell of Chu Wanning’s heat hits him full force. Mo Ran bit his lips, and willed himself not to run in and roll around in his scent.
“Shizun?” Mo Ran called again, this time holding the door wider. He stepped in, fairly sure that Chu Wanning was not in the bedroom.
Terror seized Mo Ran for one moment, thoughts about omega kidnapping, or that he had imagined Chu Wanning’s rebirth; perhaps he’d wake up a few moments later, convinced that he had dreamed everything up. Mo Ran took a steadying breath, pinched himself hard enough to cause pain, willing himself to stop overthinking. He placed the tray of food on the small unoccupied space on Chu Wanning’s table.
That’s when he saw the white robes that were carelessly left on the floor. He was wearing it earlier, Mo Ran thought, as he picked them up, with the intention to fold them properly. The scent of begonia and caramelized honey floated towards his nose, and in a split second, Mo Ran made the decision to hold them up to his nose, taking a big whiff. Mo Ran would be ashamed to say that he behaved like a man dying of hunger, scrunching Chu Wanning’s clothes within his hands, inhaling the scent like it’s his last meal on earth. So engrossed he was that he hardly heard the soft padding of foot across the floor, and the slight creak of the door as it opened.
“What are you doing?” A disbelieving voice sounded out.
Startled, Mo Ran dropped the incriminating item on the floor. He turned slowly, unwilling to meet what he believed would be an incredibly pair of angry eyes. Mo Ran directed his gaze to somewhere on the left of Chu Wanning’s head, ready to be whipped by Tianwen ten times over, and that’s when he noticed how dripping wet Chu Wanning was.
It was evident that Chu Wanning had gone for a bath in between the sticky humidity of the night. Chu Wanning’s hair was down, weighted heavily by how wet it was. He was wearing a thin robe since he wasn’t expecting any visitors this late into the night. It was turning translucent in areas where water was trickling. Moran’s eyes travelled over the collar bones that were peeking out from underneath the robes, his curves and ridges emphasised by the damp robes that were plastered to his body.
Mo Ran’s mouth felt dry, and he had to restrain himself from his wandering thoughts. His body began moving on autopilot towards Chu Wanning, more like a reflex than anything else, and Mo Ran soon found himself disrobing himself of his outer layer before wrapping it loosely around Chu Wanning.
“Shizun, you’d catch a cold like this. Please dry yourself after your bath.”
Belatedly, Mo Ran realised that he shouldn’t be wrapping his clothes like this around Chu Wanning, because it made absolutely no sense. It was Chu Wanning’s room, and he has his own clothing. Why on earth was he covering his master with his own robes? Honestly, it bordered on rude, for it was presumptuous for an alpha to drench an unmated omega in their own scent when permission wasn’t explicitly given. Mo Ran breathed out slowly, eventually coming to the conclusion that yes, he did so because he’d rather receive lashings from Tianwen than to watch Chu Wanning in this state. Mo Ran was unable to promise that he’d be able to restrain himself.
It seemed like Chu Wanning was offering himself up as prey, like a helpless rabbit with its neck up in between the fangs of a wolf. Chu Wanning was the world’s most prized delicacy, and Mo Ran was only mortal; a starving man waiting for his next meal.
“It’s summer. What cold can I catch?” Chu Wanning mumbled somewhere around chest level.
Mo Ran felt more than saw Chu Wanning’s gaze on him, and Mo Ran was determined not to look down, feeling like he may just bite down and never let go. He could feel light puffs of air on him, and almost hear the droplets of water hitting the ground. His eyes inadvertently found its way down.
Chu Wanning’s face was flushed from the bath, a pink that radiated all the way down to his neck. If Mo Ran was to unwrap Chu Wanning’s clothes, he was sure that the flush would extend themselves all the way down his chest. His master’s skin had always been susceptible to colouring, turning into different shades of pink, red and purple when exposed to the lightest of touch. All these little facts about him, Mo Ran only knew too well. He knew where Chu Wanning was sensitive, he knew where the colours bloomed most beautifully.
Mo Ran made a damning decision to look right into Chu Wanning’s eyes, but quickly averted his gaze after. In that split second of connection, Mo Ran could have sworn he caught the slightest hint of desire in his obsidian eyes.
Mo Ran swallowed.
“Sorry, that was rude of me, I shouldn’t have-” Mo Ran moved to tug his robes off Chu Wanning, but was stopped by a hand.
There was a suspended moment of silence where both of them just stood, hardly daring to move. Mo Ran’s arm hung in midair, before his fingers twitched and his arm went slack, back into a fist by his side. His nails dug into the flesh of his palms.
Half a beat later, “Smells nice.”
A vein in Mo Ran’s temple throbbed. He stared, transfixed on Chu Wanning as the latter brushed his nose against the lapels of Mo Ran’s outerwear instinctually. A soft, sated scent wafted out between them, and Mo Ran felt like his gut had been punched. Mo Ran was stunned. He felt like somebody had physically reached into his brain and whisked it to mush. His pulse jumped, and he took a breath in, inhaling the intoxicating blend of begonias and caramelized honey, and he felt all his prior inhibitions melt away like a hot knife to butter.
Mo Ran’s fingers moved on their own accord, settling under Chu Wanning’s chin. He tilted it upwards gently, and was met with a pair of clear, bright eyes. There was no hint of a heat addled gaze, only clarity. In Chu Wanning’s eyes, Mo Ran found apprehension, and Mo Ran wanted to recoil, but he spied adoration, masterfully hidden deep within. Ah, if only Mo Ran knew how to look, and where to look in his previous lifetime.
“Wannin- Shizun.” Mo Ran croaked out. “Can I?”
Mo Ran wasn’t sure exactly what he was asking for, wasn’t sure if Chu Wanning would say yes, daren’t hope that he would. The fingers beneath Chu Wanning’s chin trembled. Mo Ran watched him, ready to leave, or to just run, at the first sign of displeasure. He waited.
And then, Chu Wanning’s eyes turned liquid, like an unfurling of a lunar flower, petal by petal in the waxing light. His emotions laid bare for Mo Ran to see. There was a short nod, barely noticeable, but to Mo Ran, it was a gift, one he would treasure so very dearly.
The first press of their lips was chaste, really just a brush of skin against skin. Chu Wanning’s lips were warm in this lifetime, plush and full, a siren’s call to nip at. Mo Ran leaned his forehead against his, felt the fanning of Chu Wanning’s lashes against his cheeks. A soft sigh escaped Chu Wanning’s lips, shrugging off the robes that Mo Ran draped over him, almost as if throwing his reservations away as well. This close, Mo Ran could feel the dampness of Chu Wanning’s robes, the heat that emanated from his skin.
A fire snaked itself into Mo Ran’s chest, fierce and unforgiving, and the next press of lips had Mo Ran selfishly plunging his tongue into Chu Wanning’s mouth. Chu Wanning made a surprised sound at that, naive towards the notion of coupling, but allowed his lips to be completely plundered and consumed. Mo Ran wrapped an arm around Chu Wanning’s waist, and another hand behind his head, caging him in with a rough sort of tenderness.
Chu Wanning felt his bones turn liquid, like he can hardly stand without Mo Ran supporting him like so. A warmth that had been simmering in his belly since the start of the day began to grow, spreading its touch into every crevice, lighting his entire body with heat. The sounds that their lips were making was obscene, but Chu Wanning could only think about how much more he wanted. His body pressed itself insistently forward, wanting to feel more of Mo Ran, wanting God knows what. His hands found themselves reciprocating Mo Ran’s touch, and he ran them down the slope of Mo Ran’s shoulders, gripping his arm with one hand as he tried to steady himself. Wetness pooled in between his legs, something that Chu Wanning usually ignored, favouring meditation over self-indulgence, but this time round he wanted more. Wanted Mo Ran to quench the thirst within him, wanted to surrender and relinquish control, and for Mo Ran to pin him down and rut like animals. There was a needy noise, and Chu Wanning realised that it was from him, on usual days he would feel shamed, but something in him danced in joy when he received a guttural sound in return.
Mo Ran broke the kiss, and Chu Wanning stares at his wine-coloured eyes, hardly daring to breathe. Mo Ran was panting, looking more animal than human at this point, but Chu Wanning felt safe, felt like if he wanted to stop at any time, Mo Ran would immediately lift his hands and do so.
“More.” Chu Wanning whispered.
“Tell me if you want me to stop.” Mo Ran answered in return, and then abruptly hooked his arm underneath Chu Wanning’s knee and neck, lifting him up in a bridal carry.
Chu Wanning spluttered, embarrassed, he wasn’t some weak person that needed to be carried this way but something about Mo Ran lifting him so effortlessly made his knees weak. Mo Ran deposited him at the edge of the bed, seemingly wanting to press him in, but he stood up once again, and let out a helpless laugh.
“What?” A sense of uneasiness pricked at Chu Wanning.
He waved at Chu Wanning’s bed, and Chu Wanning frowned, retort at the tip of his tongue, but that’s also when he noticed the number of things that were scattered around the bed.
“Shizun, you really are…” Mo Ran doubled over then, shaking with mirth.
Helpless? Chu Wanning felt his cheeks redden. He swiped at the items carelessly, dropping some of them over the edge of the bed.
“Endearing.” Mo Ran finished, straightening himself. He’s got tears in his eyes, and his mouth was twitching with the effort to not smile.
Chu Wanning felt warmth erupt in his chest, all-consuming, trickling through his body like hot tea on a cold day. Chu Wanning was known to be many things; beautiful, smart, skillful, fierce, cold, but never once has someone termed him as endearing. Mo Ran was sweet, so free with his affection and words. Chu Wanning swallowed, fighting the urge to smile as well.
Chu Wanning cleared his throat and sniped icily, “Are you just going to stand there? Or do you want to leave?”
Mo Ran came closer, bending down and caging Chu Wanning in against the bedframe. He stared at Chu Wanning, whose ears were turning red under the intensity of his gaze. Mo Ran huffed out a soft laugh, “I’ll stay here for as long as Shizun likes.”
And then he kissed Chu Wanning on the forehead, lips firm as it travelled over the entirety of his master’s face, over the brows, eyes, cheeks, jaw, and finally on Chu Wanning’s lips. Mo Ran got onto the bed then, kneeling over Chu Wanning. He pulled Chu Wanning to lie on the mattress comfortably, trailing kisses down the expanse of his neck. Chu Wanning made soft sounds of appreciation, particularly when he felt the hot swathes of Mo Ran’s tongue. Mo Ran pulled at the sash that was holding his master’s robes together, and like unraveling a gift, the robes parted, splaying all of Chu Wanning’s body for him to see. It was almost too much to bear, as Chu Wanning’s body was still damp from his robes, glistening.
Mo Ran’s eyes travelled down the swan like curve of Chu Wanning’s neck, to his chest, flushed and pink. His eyes continued down the path of Chu Wanning’s body, and in embarrassment, Chu Wanning squeezed his thighs close, hands covering the most intimate part of himself.
Mo Ran had an abrupt sense of deja vu in this moment. Chu Wanning’s reaction was exactly the same in the past lifetime, except not really, for previously there was too much discomfort, too drug addled, and genuine apprehension in Chu Wanning’s eyes. This time round it was better; softer, sweeter, consensual. Mo Ran bit his own lips, regret coursing through him. He must have paused for quite some time, for Chu Wanning was sending him a questioning look, concerned if this was what Mo Ran really wanted.
Mo Ran shook the intruding thoughts away, and instead focused on the scent that was wafting through the room. He leaned down, pressed his nose up against Chu Wanning’s neck, and inhaled long and deep. His body was so warm, Mo Ran thought, as he nipped at Chu Wanning’s ear, tongue tracing the mole there. This earned a gasp from Chu Wanning, whose neck and ears were so sensitive. Mo Ran continued to pepper kisses over the span of Chu Wanning’s neck and chest, enjoying how the skin was gradually turning red under his ministrations. Mo Ran’s fingers snaked its way down, all the way past Chu Wanning’s navel, and down to his member. It was fully hard, and weeping, and Mo Ran wrapped his hand around it, tugging as he swallowed Chu Wanning’s moan with a kiss.
“Mo Ran.” Chu Wanning gasped, feeling dazed as the pleasure in him build up.
There was no answer from Mo Ran, only a continued steady pace as he jerked Chu Wanning, as he plundered Chu Wanning’s mouth with his tongue. Too soon, Chu Wanning went rigid underneath him, body arching as he cried into Mo Ran’s mouth, spilling all over his stomach and Mo Ran’s hand.
Mo Ran held him through the aftershock, his lips curved in a satisfied grin. Moments later, Chu Wanning came back to himself, only to find that the fire in him was less than sated, and instead, was scorching through his veins, burning away his ability to think, such that his vision was only tunnelled down to the alpha in front of him.
So this was what a coupling with an alpha would feel like, Chu Wanning thought as his nose was assaulted with the scent of Mo Ran. Woody, musky, perfect . Chu Wanning wanted more, and does not hesitate to hook his leg around Mo Ran to bring him closer. Startled, Mo Ran almost fell on him, but he held himself up with his hands. The sheet was soaked with Chu Wanning’s release, and Chu Wanning would usually be disgusted, but he couldn’t care less this time.
All he wanted was more of their combined scent, he wanted the smell to permeate his entire bedroom, Red Lotus Pavillon, Sisheng peak. He wanted so many things, wants to grow old with Mo Ran, wants to spend every single day with him, wants to have a family. His body however, couldn’t catch up to the speed of his brain, and the omega in him settled for the next best available thing in this current moment. He wanted Mo Ran to rut into him, brand him, press him down into the sheets and make him take his knot. At that thought, Chu Wanning’s lower body jerked itself upwards, rolling against the covered length of Mo Ran.
The shameless magazine was right, Chu Wanning abruptly thought to himself, incredulous laughter threatening to bubble up his throat. How was it going to fit?
As he pondered, Chu Wanning was entirely oblivious to the iron control that Mo Ran was presenting above him. Mo Ran was shocked, surprised that Chu Wanning would roll his hips up against him like that. He had intended to just take it slow, but Chu Wanning was tearing down his control piece by piece, and it took all the energy Mo Ran had to not just flip him over and fuck him into the bed.
Mo Ran divested himself of his clothing, feeling entirely too hot in the stifling heat. He felt a warm hand rest on his chest, curiously touching the various scars that covered his skin.
“Did it hurt?” Chu Wanning’s voice was low as his fingers trailed the edge of Mo Ran’s waist.
“No, it healed quickly.” Mo Ran shook his head, thinking of the nights spent missing Chu Wanning. He’d rather take a thousand more demons at the bridge than to feel the way he did for the past five years.
Chu Wanning’s eyes held just the barest sheen of wetness, unseen by Mo Ran. He leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to the raised scar, feeling too out of his depth.
Mo Ran stilled, surprised by the sudden tenderness. “Shizun.”
“You have really grown.” Chu Wanning’s voice was thick.
Not degenerate, not beyond remedy. Mo Ran felt dazed. There was an indescribable feeling in his chest, somewhere in between fierce joy and sorrow. Mo Ran leaned down, unable to bear this feeling any longer, kissing Chu Wanning hard.
Mo Ran’s fingers trailed itself down the curve of Chu Wanning’s member, to the hole behind. It was already wet, leaking lubrication that coated the mattress beneath. He broke the kiss just as his finger circled the entrance, prodding at the nerves surrounding it. Chu Wanning took a sharp breath in just as one finger penetrated him, exploring his insides.
Mo Ran stares, enraptured as Chu Wanning’s mouth fell open, watched the myriad of expressions that flitted across his face. There were certain spots that Chu Wanning enjoyed, and out of muscle memory, Mo Ran swiped across the area, earning a sharp keening from him. Mo Ran fingered him open, almost slow and torturous as he slowly inserted more fingers, too focused on ensuring that Chu Wanning felt good. It felt like years later when Chu Wanning stopped him, overly sensitive and close to coming.
“Please.”
Chu Wanning was a complete mess under him, his inner thighs sticky and wet. There was come drying on his stomach, and his lashes were coated with the beginnings of tears. His body was flushed pink, all the way from his cheeks, tip of his years, down to his chest and thighs. Mo Ran wanted desperately to consume him, to eat him whole. He wanted to tear into Chu Wanning and break him apart piece by piece, only to rebuild him again.
“Please.” Chu Wanning intoned again, this time gripping Mo Ran’s wrist. “I want more.”
Mo Ran’s heart was thundering so hard he feared he would die from overdrive before he saw Chu Wanning’s heat to completion. He removed his fingers slowly, wiped the excessive liquid onto his thighs, and kissed Chu Wanning on the forehead.
“Are you sure?” Mo Ran has been painfully hard since after Chu Wanning entered the room, but if Chu Wanning wanted something else, he’d be happy to comply.
A flash of irritation crossed Chu Wanning’s face. “Do I need to spell it out for you?”
Mo Ran huffed out a laugh. “Alright. I understand.”
Mo Ran settled himself in between Chu Wanning’s thighs, already feeling the exquisite heat on his cock. He leaned forward, swallowing hard as he breached Chu Wanning’s entrance, inch by inch. Chu Wanning felt like he couldn’t breathe, not with the way Mo Ran was pressing into him, hot and velvety, already feeling like he’s too full and ready to burst at the seams. Chu Wanning made a small noise, somewhere between a moan and a whimper, and Mo Ran stilled, only to feel the grip of Chu Wanning’s hand on his back, encouraging him to move. To Mo Ran, it was torture, having to control himself and to slide in slowly. Chu Wanning was so incredibly tight, so wet and so hot around him he was about to lose his mind. It took superhuman skills for Mo Ran to endure until he’s sheathed in fully, feeling Chu Wanning’s walls throb around his cock.
Mo Ran rolled his hips slowly, experimentally, and Chu Wanning shudders, fingers fisted into the sheets underneath. Mo Ran was all too concentrated on the tight heat around him, and his slow methodical fucking eventually builds up to a brutal pace, lost in the moment’s passion.
Chu Wanning was a garbled mess of noises, so very unlike his usual prim and proper self. He made encouraging noises, sweet, egging Mo Ran on by wrapping his legs around Mo Ran’s back, unwilling to have even the slightest distance between them. Mo Ran’s chest was plastered to Chu Wanning’s chest, and at this point it was more of rutting and grinding than fucking. Mo Ran kissed Chu Wanning fervently, the wet sounds of their kiss and coupling infinitely louder in the quiet of the night. His lips travelled to Chu Wanning’s ears, tracing, nipping, earning whimpers. His teeth raked across the sensitive skin at the junction of Chu Wanning’s neck, and right there was where his scent was most overwhelming. Mo Ran buried his nose there, drinking in all that Chu Wanning has to offer. Half drunk, half dazed, Mo Ran found himself almost biting down onto his master’s neck. He startled, lifting his teeth and only to graze the edge of Chu Wanning’s shoulders instead. It left behind a trail of teeth marks, and Mo Ran kissed the tender area apologetically.
Mo Ran could feel the taut way Chu Wanning was holding himself, and knew from memory that he must be close. To be honest, Mo Ran was no better off himself, he could feel his knot forming at the base of his cock, and in this position, he was sure that it would be uncomfortable for Chu Wanning later. He pulled out abruptly, and Chu Wanning snapped his eyes open, legs instinctually tightening around Mo Ran’s hips to keep him in.
“Shizun, turn around, alright? Or else it’d be uncomfortable for you later.” Mo Ran croaked out, feeling at his wits’ end. He wanted Chu Wanning to feel good, but he didn’t want to hurt him too.
Chu Wanning’s eyes were unfocused, looking like he has difficulty parsing Mo Ran’s speech. Eventually Chu Wanning released his legs from around Mo Ran’s hips, and Mo Ran pressed a kiss to his brow.
“So good, Wanning.” Mo Ran said, mostly out of old habit, pulling him so that he would turn.
Mo Ran abruptly realised what he just called his master, knowing that he had a stickler for maintaining distance between master and disciple. Calling Chu Wanning by his given name really was just a way for Taxian-jun to mock him, since it was reserved only for the closest of kin. Off the top of his head, Mo Ran had no idea who would dare to address the Yuheng Elder in such a manner, except for himself.
But the current Chu Wanning didn’t seem to mind, and instead seemed to welcome the address. Chu Wanning made a soft noise under him, and Mo Ran felt gutted. Chu Wanning was on his hands and knees, the lush roundness of his bottom presented for him to see. Chu Wanning readjusted himself such that he was on his elbows instead of on shaky hands, and Mo Ran felt like the air had been punched out of him. Chu Wanning was peering at Mo Ran from over his shoulders, damp hair coating most of his back, some strands falling in front of his face. He had an air of innocence and naivety around him, despite the lewd position he was in.
Chu Wanning, you have absolutely no idea what you do to me.
Mo Ran breathed out slowly, and realigned himself to thrust into Chu Wanning’s entrance. Chu Wanning cried out, feeling stuffed to the extreme. In this position, Chu Wanning could feel every movement acutely, every slide and grind was somehow magnified. He shuddered as Mo Ran rutted into him, felt the beginnings of a knot form, catching at the rim of his hole. It felt enormous, and Chu Wanning should be scared, but he wasn’t, his body was adapting to Mo Ran’s girth, and it was opening up under its insistent thrusts. Chu Wanning felt the heat in his belly explode just as the knot caught, and his body drew taut as his vision went white, blinding pleasure shooting up his spine. He trembled, unable to hold himself up any longer, collapsing straight into the mattress, his release leaking between. Above him, Mo Ran groaned as Chu Wanning tightened around him, and he could no longer stave off his orgasm as well, lifting Chu Wanning’s jaw to kiss him sloppily, as he hurtled towards his release.
“Wanning. Wanning.” Mo Ran’s voice was guttural, more animalistic than human, spilling into Chu Wanning.
They laid there for what felt like hours, absolutely spent, but was really just a matter of minutes. Chu Wanning came to himself when he felt Mo Ran readjust them so that he was spooning him. The member in him was still spurting weakly, and to Chu Wanning’s embarrassment, he felt a sort of distention in his abdomen, but he was so sated, so sleepy, so he couldn’t be too bothered.
Mo Ran rained a flurry of kisses over the areas he could reach, over Chu Wanning’s ears, jaw, sides of his cheek. He’s got his arm wrapped around Chu Wanning’s waist, and he was plastered as close to him as possible, wanting more and nothing at the same time. To be able to be with Chu Wanning like this, was something that Mo Ran daren’t dream of in this lifetime. He wanted to treasure this moment, much like a child that has been given his first sliver of attention.
He vaguely recalled the first time he met Chu Wanning; under the shade of the giant tree, with its branches and leaves swaying in the breeze. He saw Chu Wanning in that moment, brows slightly furrowed as he concentrated on the contraption between his hands, the graceful slide of his fingers. He was clothed in all white, and his hair fell to his waist. There was an air of refined elegance around him, and he looked so soft and gentle in that moment. Mo Ran couldn’t think of anyone else on earth that was more beautiful than this person. The child had wanted to bask in the shine of Chu Wanning’s smile, quite sure that it would warm him from the inside out.
Xianjun, xianjun, please look at me.
And look he did. At times Mo Ran wondered if he’d doomed Chu Wanning to death by choosing him, but Mo Ran would shake that thought away as soon as it came, for he was sure he would spend multiple sleepless nights wrecked with guilt. He knew that his time as Taxian-jun was perhaps the worst period of Chu Wanning’s life, and he never forgave himself for that. But now, understanding the reasons behind their misunderstandings, Mo Ran swore to himself that he’d never let Chu Wanning taste another day of pain in his life. That was all he could do.
Mo Ran sighed softly, his hands trailing along Chu Wanning’s shoulders. He felt the bloom of adoration settle deep within his bones, consuming his insides. It made him feel soft and sated, warm in the light of Chu Wanning’s devotion.
Whatever it takes, I’ll make you happy.
“Sweet dreams, Wanning.”