Chapter Text
Lin Qingyu dipped into the warm bath, the petals swaying across the surface of the water as it makes way for him. His inner robe immediately soaks up, becoming translucent. Jiang Xing watches him, confused, but pushes his thoughts aside for a moment. He follows Lin Qingyu and took off his robes one by one until he too had only the thin inner robe left. Lin Qingyu doesn't seem to mind the emperor make his way near him as he cups his hands and splashes water to his face - droplets falling and meeting down on his chin.
"Qingyu, look at me," Jiang Xing took a deep breath and dipped himself to the warm water. Lin Qingyu looks at the other's hair as it peeks through the surface. "Jiang Xing?"
A moment passes; bubbles start to blow in the water before Jiang Xing resurfaces. Eyes closed, mouth open in a gasp as he sucks in air. Then he smiles, "I just wanted to see how long I could hold my breath underwater." He wipes his face then continues. "I could hold it in for longer before."
Lin Qingyu turns away, a serene smile on his lips. "You must be quite boring back then," he utters. "Yeah, yeah. I used to be so boring." Their words were neither spiteful nor hateful as onlookers may think. Rather, Jiang Xing adored it. The way that Doctor Lin would often tease him like no other could. They will always find a way to form a rebuttal. It makes him excited - to always be kept on his toes, smiling like a love-stricken teen. That – well, he was that in some ways.
"Thank you for letting me find something I enjoy."
Lin Qingyu stops splashing water to his arms. "What do you even enjoy?" He straightens his back, eyes watching as water drips from Jiang Xing's hair. "When it comes to making love, you say you like it but still complain about how tiring it is."
A soft chuckle escapes Jiang Xing's lips in agreement. Despite the scheming nature of his wife, Lin Qingyu still talks with such air of elegance and grace, referring to such things in an old-fashioned way. He might just be shy, Jiang Xing would think. But still, he finds it cute. His Lin Qingyu is very cute. "Liking you will never be tiring."
"Oh, but I also like sleeping." He adds, to which Lin Qingyu shoots daggers at him. "You and sleeping. No matter how many times I do it in my lifetimes, I will never tire of it."
With a roll of his eyes, Lin Qingyu sarcastically commented on Jiang Xing's words. "Why, thank you, your highness."
Soft laughter echoed in the bath until silence befell the two. Lin Qingyu simply closed his eyes, basking in the warmth of water. For a while, the couple remained still. Then comes the sound of water rippling. "Qingyu," Jiang Xing called. The other looks at him, waiting for an explanation for the rather sentimental tone of speaking. "I'm an adult again."
"Congratulations."
Jiang Xing turned towards the other and saw how delicate Lin Qingyu looked. His long lashes holding on to droplets, long hair cascading down his slender figure, and the slight upturn of his lips. Jiang Xing tilted his head slightly, unable to keep his eyes off the beauty before him. "Earlier during the dance, the Empress Dowager had brought in a pretty handmaiden to lead. Aren't you jealous?" Jiang Xing's starts again. Despite his teasing, Lin Qingyu remains unbothered. "Who do you think looks better?" Lin Qingyu threw a question back at the other.
"Of course it's you."
“That’s right.”
Without missing a beat, Lin Qingyu spoke. "If you sleep with me and still ogle others, I would think you need a medication or two for your eyesight, your highness." Jiang Xing smiles even wider. All walls taken down between the two of them and words become sharp yet soft all at once. Jiang Xing couldn't help but stare. He could see the effects of the booze slowly dissipate from the doctor's eyes and the way that his skin flushes from the heat. The view was simply stunning. Normally, looking at Lin Qingyu alone was a cause for temptation. With the droplets of water down his sculpted face all the way to his neck and the wet, clinging robes that left nothing to the imagination – oh, it was borderline driving him insane.
Jiang Xing couldn't tear his gaze away. Even if someone would make him do so, he'd never want to. His desires lay bare in front of him in the form of the sultry doctor. After a deep breath, he manages to speak. "I love it when you're so confident." Jiang Xing moves through the bath and finally in front of Lin Qingyu. With one swoop motion, he lifts the other in his arms and lead them both to the side of the bath.
"Weren't you tired? Are you sure you can still hold me?" Lin Qingyu asks, his limbs lazily wrapping around Jiang Xing. A short pause. "A bit." He was tired. Dead tired from all that socializing during the banquet. "But if it's for Doctor Lin, I'm willing to work hard."
Jiang Xing starts his work, placing light kisses at Lin Qingyu’s shoulders to his collarbones. Gods, how was he so beautiful. Even after all the years they had spent with one another, Jiang Xing could never have enough of the doctor. “Qingyu…” he whispers lowly, so full of adoration and lust. He hears a soft “hmm,” from Lin Qingyu before letting the other settle down at the edge of the bath to sit. As soon as he had done so, Lin Qingyu pulls him with his legs still loosely wrapped around Jiang Xing.
“You said… you can hold me,” Lin Qingyu whispers in between chaste kisses. “I am holding you.” With that reminder, Jiang Xing runs his hands all over Lin Qingyu’s waist, feeling the warm skin underneath the dripping robes. He’d rather it be gone now but wouldn’t risk making Lin Qingyu cold. "Else... where does the Prime Minister want to be touched, hmm?" Soon, Jiang Xing lets his hands wander to Lin Qingyu’s thighs, massaging them as he lets the other lead him in deep kisses. By now, the two had already sobered up yet everything was still too hot and dizzying.
They pull away, a string of saliva connecting their lips. Lin Qingyu sighs softly as he let the other place kisses along his neck. After a soft bite came the nibbling of skin, then Jiang Xing licks the bothered area, coaxing it to not leave too obvious of a trace. Lin Qingyu pulls at Jiang Xing's hair lightly. It's been a while since the young man had cut his hair. But it was enough for him to manuever Jiang Xing away from his neck and back for another kiss. "You look like you're enjoying yourself, madam." Jiang Xing teased. He was given a smirk in return. The doctor seemed more daring. "Only because the emperor is very good."
Pleased with his answer, Jiang Xing moved his focus to a different area. He pulled away from Lin Qingyu's thighs and settled instead on his chest. He sucked one of the nipples through the wet robe and teased the other with his thumb in slow circular motions. Every sharp gasp fell straight to his ears and dick. He shifts slightly, using his free hand to let his erection slip past the robes. "Spread your legs a little more for me, baby." Lin Qingyu shifts in his seat to give room for Jiang Xing to squeeze in.
Jiang Xing takes both of their cocks and pumps it through one hand. “Qingyu, watch.” Lin Qingyu does as he’s told, slowly opening his tightly shut eyes. It was quite a sight. He hadn't any memory to compare it against Lu Wancheng. Afterall, he was too focused on his grudges to let himself fall for the sickly young master. Though in Jiang Xing's second incarnation, Gu Fuzhou, his dick would easily disappear in those large, calloused hands and it sent more shocks to his body.
But this- seeing his and Jiang Xing’s cock weep and twitch side by side was a different rush. A moan slips past his lips and he closes his eyes again as Jiang Xing speeds up his movement. He'd already sobered up but the heat never leaves his body.
“Jiang… Jiang…” Lin Qingyu continues to call Jiang Xing’s name, unafraid of whether Xiao Songzi or anyone else could hear them from outside the room. It was quite easy. Just the slight swing of the door and they'd be exposed. A widow bedding the emperor. That alone was scandalous. And both of them were still men. Even more chilling. Yet the thought only makes him moan louder.
So long as Jiang, his Jiang, was here, Lin Qingyu wouldn't bother anymore. As long as they were together. As long as he would never have to part with Jiang... All is well if Jiang would no longer have to suffer.
“Qingyu, does it feel good? You feel so good baby...” Lin Qingyu quietly agrees with whatever nonsense Jiang Xing muttered. A litany of 'Baby' and 'Wife' slipping through Jiang Xing's soft lips. Lin Qingyu could only nod as he felt himself get closer and closer to his climax. Jiang Xing stops rubbing at Lin Qingyu's nipple, instead moving his other hand to cup his face and pull him to a kiss. "Fuck. Qingyu, you're so beautiful... my Qingyu."
Lin Qingyu looks at Jiang Xing, watching him fall apart bit by bit. He lifts a hand off Jiang Xing's hair and wipes the sweat off his forehead. Their eyes meet and Jiang Xing gives him a smile. "Jiang," he calls, never breaking eye contact. "Jiang Xing."
"I'm here. I'm here Qingyu, not going anywhere." He gulps. The deaths of Gu Fuzhou definitely hit Lin Qingyu harder than that of Lu Wancheng's. Jiang Xing can feel the man shaking under him. He looks back up to watch Lin Qingyu - brows knitted together and mouth slightly agape as small huffs of air escapes him.
A few more pumps and Lin Qingyu's breath became shallow and fast. His hands were back in those short hair, pulling Jiang Xing closer with his legs. He moans through the kiss and feels the other humm back as he comes. Jiang Xing follows through, their cocks both covered in their own fluids that slowly dripped to mix with the bath water.
Slowly, Lin Qingyu loosens his grip against Jiang Xing and takes a deep breath. "Well?" Jiang Xing breaks the silence. He dips his hand to the water before splashing to clean Lin Qingyu's crotch. Said man remained quietly catching up to his breath.
At a last heavy sigh, Jiang Xing finished up and gave Lin Qingyu's lips a quick peck before moving away. "Where are you going?" Lin Qingyu asked, voice trembling a little as he remembered how he woke during that one hazy dream. "I'll just get you a robe. Stay here."
Jiang Xing stepped out of the bath and grabbed at a neatly folded robe left by the servant. Whatever it is that happened, Xiao Songzi would keep his mouth shut. The servant was loyal to the young Emperor, he wouldn't turn on him so easily and tell the Empress Dowager of the filthy things that takes place between the Emperor and the Prime Minister.
Lin Qingyu pulls himself up to stand as a lightly robed Jiang Xing approaches him. The emperor's robe was placed on his shoulder instead, wrapping him in a deep, rich colored clothing. "Hmm?!" Jiang Xing lifts him up and walks to the door. Luckily, Xiao Songzi had not waited on them in the bedroom. Not that that matters. "Put me down. I can walk by myself." Lin Qingyu asks to no avail. Jiang Xing simply looked at him, eyes dark and wanting. He sees this and immediately, Lin Qingyu knew that they weren't done yet no matter how much this man had complained about being tired. Lu Wancheng was weak and Gu Fuzhou was intimidating and... well, Gu Fuzhou's body spelled trouble for Lin Qingyu, but he didn't mind. But having Jiang Xing's actual body in Dayu was a million times better.
Before he could be put down, Lin Qingyu grabbed at Jiang Xing's shoulders and hoisted himself up slighty. He bit at Jiang Xing's neck, making a mark for himself where a mole resided on the visible skin. He'd loathe himself if he couldn't show Jiang Xing how much he felt for him - of how much grief and despair he had gone through, and that despite it all, he'd marry this man again and again. Many times over.
Lin Qingyu felt his back bump lightly at a partition screen. With his body trapped and immobile once more, Jiang Xing litters him with kisses and bites, this time below and around his collar bones. "Ahh... Jiang," Lin Qingyu moans loud. This time for sure, someone could hear them. But that too, also doesn't matter. "Jiang Xing, put me down first," he pleaded.
At his lover's request, Jiang Xing lowered Lin Qingyu down carefully. He grabbed both of Lin Qingyu's hand and placed a kiss on each knuckles, making sure to look back up to watch his reactions. Jiang Xing smiled at him. The strange all-knowing aura of Lu Wancheng and the off-putting youthfulness of Gu Fuzhou made sense when it was Jiang Xing that looked at him. Lin Qingyu felt overwhelmed with so much emotion that he felt like bursting. Much more deep than any resentment, even more exciting than any revenge.
The man before him continued on his kisses, slowly trailing up to Lin Qingyu's forearms. "Alright, that's enough," Lin Qingyu says, but the smile on his face indicates how much he enjoyed the sweet gesture. "Right. It's so hard to coax the Prime Minister. Ahh, such hard work." Lin Qingyu chuckles at this. He holds Jiang Xing's hands, intertwining their fingers, as he leads him behind the partition screen and unto the large bed. "Come here," he ushers the young Emperor as they finally began to settle down.