Work Text
Shen Wei is the Black Cloak Envoy and he most determinedly has not ever, nor will he now, pass out from exhaustion. The last few days had been a nightmare with back to back cases with the SID, a graduate student that wanted to graduate finally, and five faculty meetings (all unavoidable because Shen Wei was on all those committees some how).But at least Zhao Yun Lan (who had been away dutifully attending a police conference of all things) had finally returned and Shen Wei was determined to enjoy this evening out with him. Whether or not he had worked himself into this state because he missed the other man was inconsequential. Yun Lan appeared at the door and Shen Wei stood up to greet him, smile in place, before he felt the world tilt and go dark.“Geez Xiao Wei, what do you do to yourself when I’m not here?”Shen Wei awoke to Yun Lan sprawled out on his side of the bed, changed into comfortable clothes, checking his phone. “What are you doing? We have reservations, we need to-”“Xiao Wei… You fainted, straight into my arms,” Yun Lan said as he pushed Shen Wei back into the mattress with a sly smile. “You know, if you wanted my attention, you didn’t have to go to such extremes.” Shen Wei feels the tips of his ears burn. “I. Do. Not. Faint.”“Oh, of course not Brother Envoy,” Yun Lan said while snickering. “You just swooned because you find me so manly, don’t you?” Shen Wei gave Yun Lan his most pointed disappointment look. “You ran yourself crazy taking care of everyone but yourself while I was gone, didn’t you? Just rest, Xiao Wei, you’ll need your strength for me tomorrow.”“And what do you honestly think is going to happen tomorrow when you talk to me like that?”Yun Lan flutters his lashes. “One was hoping daddy would take him for a whole day out tomorrow.”Shen Wei’s only response was to pull up the blankets and roll over.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Back when they had started dating, Zhao Yun Lan had asked Shen Wei when his birthday was. “Yun Lan, my birth was before the concept of time. I’m not sure where that falls on the calendar.”Suffice to say, Yun Lan was satisfied with the date specified on Shen Wei’s formal identity paperwork and said nothing more about it. Shen Wei usually ignored his birthday anyway, what is another year when you’ve lived for 10 millennia and counting.Still, Shen Wei was surprised when he returned home to find a home cooked dinner that wasn’t several different kinds of ramen, a cake with candles (only 30 of them), and a beautiful bouquet of roses being thrust into his face.“Happy birthday, Xiao Wei, my lovely wife!”Shen Wei took the flowers out of Yun Lan’s hands, and stared in awe at the terrible paper decorations stuck on the walls, birthday balloons, tacky and bright, and breathed out a sigh. “You did all of this for me?”“Of course! It’s not every day your wife turns 10,357. I mean 31!”Shen Wei’s eyes narrow in that way that tells Yun Lan that he’s contemplating if he loves him enough to not walk out the door, but the kiss he receives tells him everything went according to plan after all.Even if he did have to pay Xiao Guo to make all the food.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Lin Jing had decided to be nice and brought in steamed bao for breakfast for everyone (”With my dwindling pay, Lao Zhao!”). Naturally everyone in the SID with a stomach took advantage. Lao Chu stomped in as everyone had started eating, looking unconcerned, but with a particular energy in his gaze that nobody could place, although Zhao Yun Lan did raise an eyebrow as did Shen Wei. Following behind, Xiao Guo looked similarly bright, but in pain. Xiao Guo sat and in a move that surprised everyone, snatched the bun Lao Chu was raising to his mouth. Lao Chu further surprised everyone by not yelling immediately, instead giving an amused look.“Hey, I was going to eat that.”Xiao Guo took a massive bite out of the bao before turning to Lao Chu and saying in a deadpan voice, “Thanks to you, I’m pregnant. Take responsibility.”Yun Lan pointed and yelled, “I KNEW IT! I WIN THE BET!” He put his hand out to collect his winnings. Before he could rejoice too much and cause a scene (Xiao Guo was clearly tired and reaching the limit of his patience, even if his face was turning red with embarrassment and things might happen if Lao Chu evidently felt strong enough about it), Shen Wei pulled Yun Lan down by his ear lobe to chastise him.“Be respectful. Or should I tell everyone what you said about being pregnant last time?”“Why Xiao Wei, are you being diabolical?” Yun Lan fluttered his lashes. “One didn’t think that daddy would behave that way in front of the children. It’s doing things for me.”Shen Wei only replied by twisting Yun Lan’s ear as a punishment before congratulating Xiao Guo and Lao Chu on getting together.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Everything hurt. And for someone who had lived ten thousand years, that was a surprising statement to make. Shen Wei could feel every cut, every bruise, every muscle screaming in over exertion, but he would not relent. The rogue batch of hell beasts would be stopped here. Yunlan would get away. Yunlan would be safe.That was all that mattered.The hell beasts tried to circle Shen Wei, but he stood defiant in the opening of the cave, bodies already piling up in front of him. Gunshots rang out in the absence of growling and Shen Wei felt what he hoped was not a migraine developing between his eyes.“Yunlan! You idiot! Why did you come back?” Shen Wei said as he pulled Yunlan in, covering his back. “How could I leave you here? Even if only for a moment, Xiao Wei, I’d never allow that.” Another three beasts went down from Yunlan’s gunfire. “Besides, I did the next best thing after running.”“What could that possibly be?” Shen Wei cut through the next beast that jumped at him. “Deciding to die with your lover?”“Don’t be ridiculous. I got help.”Blue energy strings shot out from behind them, throwing two beasts aside. A spark of electricity, just missing Shen Wei, struck another, Xiao Guo’s yelp following it. At least they had good company.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
When he was young, when Shen Wei had been birthed from nothing but Chaos, Darkness, and the Void, it was easy to believe in the concept of forever. The darkness would never lighten. His hunger would never be sated. The gaping maw in his chest that yearned to be filled would be echoing forever.And then there was Kunlun. And then forever had a different meaning.Shen Wei desired to sit beside the god of ten thousand mountains and rivers and hear him talk on all manner of things for as long as there could be breath in their bodies. And Kunlun was a god! He would live forever. And Shen Wei was born of chaos and darkness that would never fade. Forever could be theirs. And then Shen Wei learned that with time, even gods may die. Forever became a game of waiting. Forever became torture. To wait forever, through countless lifetimes, watching from a distance, until Kunlun and Shen Wei could cross paths again.Ten thousand years became another sort of forever. A waiting period that stretched from their last goodbye into infinity. But Shen Wei found him again, in Zhao Yunlan.But this body was mortal. There could be no forever for them.Not truly.But Shen Wei knew the loneliness of ten thousand years now. Shen Wei had learned that all things begin and end. He had shed his naivete like trees shed their leaves. And with this in mind Shen Wei vowed to savor what time he had left between him and Yunlan.Their story would only be contained from the first “Hello” to the last “Goodbye,” but at least it would be their story. And perhaps that could live forever for them.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
In the infinite darkness, trapped and bound as he was, Shen Wei knew he could only do so much to free himself. Knew that even if Zhao Yunlan could find his way down to Dixing, find him, the odds of escape were limited still.But if Shen Wei knew one thing, out of all the things he had learned over ten thousand years, it was that Zhao Yunlan would come. He was already coming the minute he got Shen Wei’s letter.That thought alone gave Shen Wei strength.There would be no end to their story. The universe could try as hard as it wanted. Demons, hungry ghosts, and stupid humans were nothing but minor obstacles. Nothing would separate them anymore. Nothing would stop them anymore.Not if either one of them still had a say. And so when Yunlan stepped up to the pillar that bound Shen Wei, perhaps a little battle worn but with a smile that could light the infinite darkness, Shen Wei knew their time was not over.Not by a long shot.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Guo Chang Cheng watched as Zhao Yun Lan kept putting food on Shen Wei’s plate. He noticed the touches to Shen Wei’s shoulder, to his waist. He even noticed the looks Chief Zhao kept giving Professor Shen. It wasn’t all one sided either. Professor Shen had a look of longing on his face the entire evening. He always seemed to know where Chief Zhao was at any point in time.They reminded him of his peers from school, young and in love. Even his aunt and uncle still acted this way, kind and doting on one another. But had Chief Zhao and Professor Shen actually gotten together? When had this happened? The questions swirled in Chang Cheng’s head until Chief Zhao looked over and demanded he spit out what he was thinking so hard about.“Chi-C-Chief Zhao… Y-You and Pr-Professor Shen… You two are a couple?”Professor Shen’s pale face turned pink immediately before he quickly said, “We are not a couple.”“Yet!” Everyone turned to look at Chief Zhao after his interjection. “We are not a couple yet.”Professor Shen got a dreamy look on his face before he came back to himself. “Wait, what?”“Xiao Wei…” Chief Zhao snatched up several skewers like a bouquet and bowed while presenting them to Professor Shen. “Please do me the honor of being my boyfriend.”“I…”“Oh d-do say yes, Pr-Professor Shen!” Chang Cheng immediately slapped a hand over his mouth after his outburst. Lao Chu also hit Chang Cheng, calling him an idiot under his breath. “I-I mean…”Professor Shen sighed and accepted the skewer bouquet. Although Professor Shen sounded burdened, his eyes seemed to be shining. “I accept, Ah Lan,” Professor Shen said with a teasing lilt to his voice. Chief Zhao immediately stood up, a beaming smile on his face. “As your first duty as my boyfriend, I want some tea.”“As you wish!” Chief Zhao then kissed Professor Shen’s knuckles and ran off to the staff kitchen. Everyone stared dumbly at what had just happened. Da Qing was suddenly the first to speak up. “So who else are you going to end up matching together, Xiao Guo? Or has your taste for matchmaking been satisfied?”Chang Cheng made a face which made everyone else but Professor Shen laugh. (Later that night, Professor Shen pulled Chang Cheng aside. “Thank you, Xiao Guo. Your words gave Yun Lan and I courage today. I hope you also find a similar happiness.” Chang Cheng took the blessing to heart and thanked Professor Shen in return.)
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
“Yun Lan!” Shen Wei walked into Zhao Yun Lan’s office and Yun Lan immediately sat up straight. “Of all the irresponsible things you could have done-”“Xiao Wei, I am responsible!” Yun Lan gestured to all the completed work on his desk. “See! I’m an adult! I know what I’m doing!”Shen Wei crossed his arms, his eyes were still stern, but the corners of his lips were twitching. Yun Lan knew he just had to push a little harder and Shen Wei would give up the disciplinarian act. “You literally set Da Qing on fire.” Yun Lan paused for a moment at Shen Wei’s raised eyebrow. “Your cat. On fire.”It was a little more difficult when put like that, but Yun Lan mustered his most charming smile. “Yes, but I take responsibility for it!” Yun Lan pulled out the papers from the vet. “See, I got him treated and we put him out very quickly. He didn’t even get proper burns.” Shen Wei heaved a great sigh, but Yun Lan knew he had won. “But still…”“Is he still whining out there? The fat cat?” Yun Lan pulled Shen Wei close, sealing the deal with a hug. “Yun Lan is sorry, Xiao Wei. But it won’t happen again. Besides, he’s being pampered so well by Xiao Guo out there. He’ll get over it.”“But…”“No. No more buts or cat butts,” Yun Lan said with a smirk on his face. “Just talk about my butt.”Shen Wei wrinkled his nose, but there was a hint of a smile on his lips and Yun Lan knew he’d just gotten away with his little mistake. And when Shen Wei pinched Yun Lan’s butt, Yun Lan knew he was still going to get punished, but he’d enjoy it.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Zhao Yun Lan crept back into the apartment. When he stepped over the threshold, the lights immediately flickered on and off before an ominous wind blew and Shen Wei, still in his pajamas, appeared out of a rift in reality. “Xiao Wei! There’s no need to be so dramatic!” Shen Wei stomped over, a piece of paper clenched in his fist. “You were sleeping and I didn’t want to wake you. I left you a note before I stepped out for a bit!”“A NOTE?!” And despite how his lover looked every inch the murderous demon eating, soul hunter he was born to be, Yun Lan couldn’t help the twitch of his dick at the sight of Shen Wei storming forward. “You left me a note? You went out and left me a note?!”“Well… yeah? It’s better than to ask permission,” Yun Lan said as Shen Wei pushed him against the wall. It took only one hand and a piercing gaze to pin Yun Lan there.“It’s not even a good note!” Shen Wei unfurled the paper in his other hand and furiously waved it in Yun Lan’s face. “It says, ‘If you’re reading this, I’m already dead.’ What sort of note is that?!” Shen Wei stuffed the note into his pocket before resting his forehead against Yun Lan’s. “I literally spent the last 15 minutes searching all of creation and hell for you because of this note.”“Xiao Wei, baby, you didn’t have to-”“YOU LITERALLY LEFT ME A NOTE THAT SAID YOU WERE DEAD.”“Okay…” Yun Lan cupped Shen Wei’s face in his hands. “But I’m okay. I’m sorry, I thought you’d find it funny.” “It’s not funny.” “Okay, Xiao Wei, I get that now. I’m sorry.” Yun Lan pressed an apologetic kiss to Shen Wei’s cheek. The effect was immediate. Shen Wei turned from furious god-like entity to a doe-eyed, blushing lover in the blink of an eye. “How about I show you just how okay and still alive I am?”“Huh?”Yun Lan stepped out of the cage formed by Shen Wei’s body and slowly dragged him to the bedroom. “You’ll see, come on.”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
It had been a while now since Sang Zan had come to join the SID as resident librarian. Not that he could read all the characters in the books, but he was good at matching them and Wang Zheng was happy to teach her love slowly. It was a process and Sang Zan had been a committed student. Recently Wang Zheng had covered conversation topics with Sang Zan and he was exceptionally happy to practice with everyone that stepped into the library. This mostly consisted of Da Qing and Zhao Yun Lan. Da Qing, however, was not one for conversation with Sang Zan. It was more like bullying a child that didn’t know he was being bullied, but Sang Zan happily chatted away regardless in his stuttering Mandarin and Da Qing would preen (cat or human form) over the things he got Sang Zan to say.Zhao Yun Lan was often too distracted to chat properly. “Ch-C-Chief Zhao, what’s yo-yo-your favorite color?” Sang Zan asked.“Shen Wei,” Yun Lan had replied dismissively. He then immediately pulled his head out of the book he’d been reading before asking, “Wait, what was the question again?”Sang Zan only smiled with good humor and nodded before going back to sorting books and Yun Lan didn’t think anything else of it. Later, Sang Zan pulled Wang Zheng aside and asked her what Chief Zhao’s answer meant.Wang Zheng rolled her eyes. A strange expression that Sang Zan was still getting used to. “It doesn’t exactly mean anything. ‘Shen Wei’ is not a color,” Wang Zheng explained patiently. “That Chief Zhao is so in love with Shen Wei that he heard you say, ‘favorite,’ and said the first thing that came to mind.”Sang Zan was still confused, but he could understand love. And if Chief Zhao loved Shen Wei, then he supposed that made Shen Wei Chief Zhao’s favorite in a lot of things, even if they didn’t make sense.(Shen Wei would later come into the library, curious to see how Sang Zan was doing. Sang Zan would relate this story with his vague understanding. Shen Wei was amused, and also did not correct the assumption. “Chief Zhao is my favorite color too,” he would say instead. Sang Zan decided that this must be some sort of idiom or saying that Wang Zheng hadn’t taught him yet.)
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Zhao Yunlan strolls into Shen Wei’s apartment and throws himself onto the sofa, putting his feet up on the table. His grin is flirty, his hair is messy, and despite his rising annoyance, Shen Wei is charmed. He curses his weak heart.Yunlan unwraps a lollipop and gives it a brief lick before putting it in his mouth without breaking eye contact. The tips of Shen Wei’s ears turn pink, but he continues to keep his face carefully blank.Yunlan rolls the lollipop around his mouth for a moment before pulling it out with a pop. He gives Shen Wei a flirty wink and smile before saying, “I heard you like bad boys Professor Shen.”Shen Wei’s heart is a traitor that skips a beat. But his mind wants to correct Yunlan’s manners.“Not really,” Shen Wei says primly. “Oh thank god,” Yunlan says as he lets his head fall back. “That was a nightmare to keep up in front of you. Did I scuff your table? I’m so sorry.”Shen Wei smiles softly to himself. Out of so many lifetimes, iterations, masks, and faces, this soft Yunlan, kind and caring, is the one Shen Wei loves the most.But just maybe they can explore the bad boy later. Just for science.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
“So Professor Shen,” the documentary interviewer says, “Do you pick favorites? As a representative of the Dixing, do you have a favorite human? Outside the obvious.”Shen Wei laughs. “Actually…”“Oh so there is a favorite!”“No no, not at all!” Shen Wei says with a bashful smile. “You just reminded me that Da Qing accused me of the same thing not too long ago.”“So your favorite is Sir Zhao?”Shen Wei laughs this time, soft, polite, and pleasant. The entire crew is charmed immediately. “That’s not true. I love Yunlan and Not-Yunlans equally.”At his admission, the entire crew halts to blink. Before they can react, Yunlan pulls Shen Wei out of frame, mumbling something about how ridiculous he is and how is he expected to control himself when his husband this this cute.“Did this just turn into an expose instead of a documentary,” the interviewer asks.The director just sighs and cries into his coffee cup some more.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
“I like so many things about you, Xiao Wei,” Zhao Yun Lan said as he traced the features of Shen Wei’s face. Yun Lan was sappy even during the day, but at night, post coital, he was particularly verbal about it. “So many things.”“Like what?” Shen Wei asked.“I like that smile you’re making right now, the one you make when you humor me.” Yun Lan kissed the smile. “I like your ears and your eyelashes.” Another kiss was laid upon each. “And I even like your personality.”“Wait… You like me for my personality?” Shen Wei blinked. “I did not expect that.”“Yeah, I know. I was surprised too!” Yun Lan laughed and Shen Wei scrunched up his nose. “I know you’re a little old fashioned…”“I am literally ten thousand years old.”“Yeah, old fashioned!” Shen Wei rolled his eyes before rolling over to turn away from Yun Lan. “But…” Yun Lan traced the curve of Shen Wei’s shoulder with his fingertips. “I love how earnest and observant you are. I even love your inability to understand technology.”“Yun Lan!” Shen Wei reached behind to smack Yun Lan’s chest. “Now you’re just mocking me!”“Oof! No no! Not at all my dear Xiao Wei!” Despite Shen Wei’s cold shoulder, Yun Lan pulled himself closer, draping himself over Shen Wei’s cooler body. “Every part of you is so endearing. Even the parts I don’t understand.” Shen Wei only huffed in reply. “This unworthy one loves you for you, Xiao Wei.”Yun Lan knew he had struck the right nerve when Shen Wei’s shoulders stopped being so tense. “Stop talking and go to sleep.”“I’ll sleep better if you let me hold you properly.” Shen Wei said nothing, but his body relaxed and Yun Lan pulled him closer still. “My sweet Xiao Wei. Perfect in everything, even in personality and temperament.”Shen Wei sighed. There were some things not worth fighting. But it did warm him in a deep part of his heart, to know that just as he loved all of Yun Lan, Yun Lan loved all of him.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Chu Shuzhi glared at the report in his his hands. It was one of many, a large stack Zhao Yunlan had forced him and Guo Changcheng to take home and look through for assigning to other departments or keeping for SID. Changcheng looked over from setting the rice in the rice cooker. If Shuzhi glared any harder, the poor report would be set on fire. A devious little thought crossed Changcheng’s mind and he wondered if Lao Zhao was being a bad influence before he walked over and nudged his way onto Shuzhi’s lap.“Changcheng?” Shuzhi’s hands immediately were on his waist as Changcheng settled in pressing many light kisses against Shuzhi’s lips.Shuzhi dropped the case file and his line of questioning to chase after each kiss that failed to satisfy, growling as Changcheng refused to let him deepen any of them. Changcheng only smiled and tutted at Shuzhi with every attempt. When Shuzhi was well and truly frustrated, he tossed Changcheng onto the couch before pouncing on him. Changcheng squeaked in surprise before his lips were captured and Shuzhi satisfied his urge to devour the younger man whole.Fortunately, the case file was spared any wrinkles or being lit on fire.Unfortunately, none of the files were read that night.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Chu Shuzhi was normally the kind of person who snapped awake. The need to be instantly awake and aware had been ingrained into his mind from the earliest age. And yet this morning, Shuzhi felt himself come to awareness slowly. The sheets were cooling, the space next to him was empty when he knew last night it was not, and the air smelled of coffee and smoke. All of the above were things that Shuzhi did not classify as normal in the morning and his brain snapped to high alert. Before Shuzhi could begin investigating, Changcheng wobbled into view with an overladen tray, filled to the brim with breakfast and coffee. The borrowed sweatpants sat low on his hips and covered his bare feet, only one or two toes peeking out, and Shuzhi wondered why he was fighting the urge to point out Changcheng’s bare chest. Then the bruising love bites came into focus and Shuzhi felt smug satisfaction and possessiveness overtake his concerns.Changcheng carefully set the tray down on the nightstand next to the bed and beamed at Shuzhi. “Good morning! I made you breakfast!”While nothing looked horrible or hopelessly under cooked, one or two things were burnt which explained the smell of smoke. Shuzhi raised an eyebrow just to tease.“Is it poisoned?”“Chu ge! What kind of question is that?!” Changcheng pouted. “I worked really hard, Chu ge!”Mindful of the tray, Shuzhi pulled Changcheng down into his blanket covered lap, nosing up the slender column of his neck, rubbing the stubble on his face against the sensitive skin in a way that he knew Changcheng liked but never said. “Thank you, Changcheng. I’ll eat well.”“C-Chu ge… I-If you don’t eat soon, w-we’ll be late.”“Lao Zhao can wait. I’ve got something else I want to eat first.”“Huh what are you- Eep!”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
It was with only a small amount of trepidation that Chu Shuzhi slid the last puzzle piece into place. A small click and the door to the final chamber of the dungeon opened. Shuzhi readied a hand on his sword and stepped into the chamber to be hit with a dazzling light. In direct contrast to the dusty and decrepit ruins he had seen outside, the final room was a beautiful paradise. Lush plants, clear water, soft earth, and sleeping in a patch of brilliant sunlight was a scrawny and pale young man. Around his neck was the necklace Shuzhi had been sent to find. Aware that appearances did not always give away strength, Shuzhi cautiously approached. A few steps in and the younger man seemed to stir. The moment Shuzhi’s eyes made contact with his, time seemed to stand still. The younger man offered him a soft and sleepy smile, and if Shuzhi were a lesser man, he would have felt immediately charmed.Instead he was only slightly charmed. But as the younger man sat up and took in the entirety of Shuzhi, his expression turned to joy.“You… You finally came back!”“What are you talking about?” Shuzhi continued to advance slowly, hand still on the pommel of his sword. “I just came here for the necklace.”The man’s expression fell immediately as he played with it. But at the sound of drum beats in the distance, he nearly ripped it off his neck before thrusting it at him. “Take it and run!”“What?”“Take it and run, before they find out you’re here! Oh no… This is all wrong…” The younger man bit his lip and Shuzhi felt himself stare for a beat too long before the younger man noticed. “Why are you still here?!”“I just thought I’d have to, you know, fight you for it.”“I was never going to fight you.”“What?”“How could I ever fight you?” The sound of war drums echoed through the room. “Go now! They’ve noticed you’ve come!”Shuzhi grasped the necklace tightly in his hand and turned to leave, but another thought came to mind. “But what happens to you?”The young man looked away. “The goblin king moved here shortly after I came. I lied to the goblins so that they would spare me. I said I was the guardian of the necklace. It is the only reason I’ve been kept alive. The necklace protects me from them.”“You idiot! Then why give it to me!?”“You don’t remember me, do you, Chu-ge.” Shuzhi felt his confusion grow. “You’ve been here before, Chu-ge.” A flash of memory, a bright smile, the glimmer of a ruby, the ruby in the necklace. “You gave it to me, told me to wait for you here. I have been waiting a long time for you, Chu-ge. I think my time is over now.” Another flash, the feeling of messy hair running through his fingers. Indignant cries and laughter in equal measure. The feeling of kisses on bruised knuckles. Tears running down his eyes as Shuzhi slipped the necklace over his neck. A kiss, a promise to find a cure.“Changcheng…” Shuzhi whispered. The young man smiled sadly. “I-”The drums were at their loudest. “I have no more time left, Chu-ge.” Changcheng pulled Shuzhi into a kiss, soft, like an evening breeze. “Goodbye.” Another flash, a price paid to a man in a black cloak and mask. The words whispered in his ear as he lay on the floor, reeling from the memories sliced out of his mind. Shuzhi pulled Changcheng close and whispered into his ear. “The words unspoken, I speak to you. These chains will break in your light. My love for you eternal, will release you from enchanted blight. I love you, Guo Changcheng.”Changcheng let out a soft cry as a black miasma poured out from him, turning the earth around them black with decay. With a shuddering gasp, Changcheng collapsed, but there was no time to breathe easy again. Shuzhi knew they would have a lot to talk about, many things to say about prices paid and promises kept, but for now, they would run.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
“Steady Da Qing, steady!” Yunlan watched from below by the safety net as Da Qing began his aerial routine, swinging from silks dangling from the ceiling. The younger male moved with grace from position to position.
As Yunlan shouted encouragements, he didn’t notice his husband sneak up behind him until he felt cool arms encircle his waist.
“You’re going to give him a complex,” Shen Wei murmured into Yunlan’s ear as he watched Da Qing and now Zhu Hong twirl amidst the silks.
“Xiao Wei! I thought the marketing meeting was going to take longer.” Yunlan turned from the practice to kiss his husband. The sound of Da Qing gagging was loud and obvious. Yunlan only stuck up his middle finger. “Did it go well?”
Shen Wei smiled and shrugged. “You’ll have your promotions starting on time for the next tour, that’s for sure.”
“What would I do without you, my lovely Xiao Wei?” Yunlan nuzzled Shen Wei’s cheek.
“Hire someone who actually works in marketing,” Shen Wei said with a deadpan expression. “They’re all wolves trying to eat me alive every time.”
“Good thing my lovely consort is a wolf hunter, huh?” Shen Wei grumbled, but allowed Yunlan to continue sweet talking him. “So lovely, so kind, so wonderful and humble, even though you could give Da Qing and Zhu Hong up there a run for their money.”
Shen Wei raised an eye brow. “You remember?”
“Of course I do! That night when I first saw you perform while my father ran this circus… I was enraptured.” Shen Wei blushed. “But now I’m the only one who gets to see you perform, hmm?”
Shen Wei’s face turned a darker shade of pink before he pushed Yunlan off and headed back to the offices. “I’m going first.”
“Wait for me Xiao Wei!”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
“Right. So since rooms are limited, we’ve assigned you all to share,” Zhao Yunlan said as he handed out keys. “Lin Jing, Da Qing, you two share.” Lin Jing took the key but frowned as Da Qing only cleaned his paws. “I swear to god, if I wake up with you sleeping on my face…”“Zhu Hong, you get a room to yourself.”“Why does she get a room to herself!” Lin Jing complained. “A woman deserves her privacy,” Yunlan chided. “Anyway, Lao Chu, Xiao Guo, you both are sharing.”“I object!” Shuzhi stomped his foot and Changcheng skittered away. “I spent all day watching after him and now I have to share a room?”“Lao Chu, wouldn’t you be watching after him anyway?” Shen Wei asked from his seat.“Yeah, I thought you were both dating since a while back…” Lin Jing said while scratching the back of his head. “I mean you were both pretty weird after that one case with the ghosts of those lovers…”Changcheng felt his face burn. “I-It wasn’t l-li-like that!”Before Changcheng could retort, Shuzhi snatched the key out of Yunlan’s hand and stormed off to the room. Changcheng stuttered out his thanks before following after. “Chu-ge… Chu-ge wait…” Changcheng felt himself trip over the rug but was pulled up by Shuzhi before he fell. “Chu-ge, is it really so bad to share a room with me?”Shuzhi frowned. “That’s not-”“Because… I can sleep on the sofa or on the floor! I don’t mind Chu-ge! Just… don’t be mad, okay?”Shuzhi growled before pulling Changcheng into their shared room and throwing him onto the bed. Changcheng shivered for a multitude of reasons.“I’m not mad because I have to share a room with you, Xiao Guo.” Shuzhi walked in and locked the door behind him. “I’m mad because I’ve been obvious to everyone but you!”“Huh?”Shuzhi grabbed Changcheng’s chin and pulled his face closer. “I like you, dumbass. Sharing a room with you is far from a trial except you’re oblivious.”“Oh…” Changcheng did nothing to pull away from Shuzhi’s grip, but he did bite on his lip. And when Shuzhi finally felt as though it was hopeless, Changcheng finally spoke up. “I like you too, Chu-ge.”Sharing a bed was awfully easy after that.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Chu Shuzhi regretted a few things in life. He regretted allowing that bastard Zhao Yunlan to persuade him for trying out for the damn show (Even if Mel and Sue were an absolute DELIGHT, not that Shuzhi would tell anyone he thought that even though the two comedians knew and they knew he knew they knew). He regretted trying that six-strand plait for bread week (Of course Paul Hollywood wouldn’t be impressed by a six-strand plait for bread week). He also regretted helping the nervous wreck, Guo Changcheng, as he desperately tried to put the dowels into his cake for Week 6.From Week 1 Changcheng had been a fit of nerves for every challenge and some how he had come out with something beautiful for every showstopper. Of course, everyone was happy that Changcheng had survived this long. The producers were lapping it up and Merry Berry had all but adopted the younger man as another grandchild. Changcheng’s face when she told him how glad she was that his pie didn’t have a soggy bottom and that the rum taste wasn’t too strong… It was a face of absolute wonder and bliss.Shuzhi refused to tell anyone about any other faces Changcheng might be making and how he felt about them. But it was harder and harder to feel any regrets when Changcheng would always turn to him before every challenge and say, “Good luck, Shuzhi!” As they started their Week 7 signature bakes (Patisserie Week, Milfeulle), Changcheng tugged on Shuzhi’s apron and said, “I’m glad I made it this far, with you, Shuzhi.”The producers made sure to zoom in on Shuzhi’s blush and Sue had a particularly fun time asking about if it was the heat or something else getting to him. -----Everyone had been rooting for the both of them to make it to the finale. But in the semi-finals, Changcheng’s luck ran out. His volunteering activities along with his job made him unable to practice his bakes perfectly to time for French week. Shuzhi sat, silent as stone, as Changcheng hugged everyone but him. And when at last Changcheng did come up to him, there were far too many words unspoken between them.“Shuzhi… I’m sorry…”“Why are you apologizing to me, dumbass?! I was the one who told you to try changing your recipe on the fly!”Changcheng bit his lip. “But I…” He shook his head. “Never mind… Good luck, Shuzhi. I hope you’ll win the finals.” Changcheng reached out, as if to hug Shuzhi but lost courage and pat him on the shoulder instead.—–It wasn’t as if Shuzhi would never see Changcheng again, but when he walked into the tent for the final, the mood was surprisingly sad. Even the other two contestants were in a snit without Changcheng’s energy buoying them all. It was grueling and hard and Shuzhi baked with the fury and passion of himself and Changcheng. “If I can get my shortcrust pastry okay then… If I can get through this challenge then… If I can get this cake in the oven then…” It was almost a litany of tests that Shuzhi repeated to himself over and over. Building up the courage for something more.And when finally Mel declared Shuzhi the winner? No one’s smile was bigger than Changcheng’s. He ran up to Shuzhi first before even Yunlan or Shen Wei could get there. Shuzhi, in his haste to catch Changcheng, almost threw the damn trophy aside. But the whoops and hollers when their lips met in front of the cameras were worth it.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
> Xiao Wei, help me!
> My mother won’t stop talking about men she’s trying to set me up with.
> If there is any mercy in your soul, you’ll kill me
< You should be paying attention to Madam Zhao!
< True mercy would be to let her marry you off.
< Then you’d stop texting me inappropriately!
> So cruel, Xiao Wei!
“What
are
you doing, Xiao Lan!” Yunlan’s head snapped up from his phone as his mother rounded upon him. “Is your mother too boring for you to spare an hour of your time?!”
“Ma, of course not,” Yunlan protested before his phone pinged again and his hand twitched to answer it. “It’s just… This is my…” Another ping. A grasp for an excuse. “Boyfriend!”
“Excuse me?”
“This shouldn’t be a surprise! Your son is quite handsome and charming, you know!”
Yunlan watched his mother sit back in her chair, teacup held perfectly level. “So you’ve met someone.”
“He’s wonderful! He’s a scholar! Very polite and well-mannered, Ma. I… I love him very much.” The reasoning and complements came easy. The lie was the relationship. The feelings for Shen Wei in Yunlan’s chest were, unfortunately, incredibly real.
In that single moment that Yunlan had seen Shen Wei walk down the hall, eyes sharp but smile gentle, he knew he’d found the one. Yunlan could feel it in the marrow of his bones. He knew it like the stars and earth had finally whispered their secrets to him.
Yunlan promptly followed Shen Wei to his office and made a nuisance of himself until they were friends and fell in love for real after that first conversation.
He was well and truly fucked now.
“Well, this won’t do at all,” Yunlan’s mom said, breaking him from his thoughts.
“What.”
“You must introduce him to me immediately, Xiao Lan! I must know the man who has tamed my wild son.”
“What.”
“Bring him to dinner next week. Your father will be home as well.”
“What.”
-----
“So Xiao Wei…” Yunlan leaned against Shen Wei’s desk for a moment before Shen Wei shooed him away.
“No.”
“I didn’t even ask yet.”
“The answer is still no.”
“Oh Xiao Wei, please?” Yunlan tipped Shen Wei’s face towards him and enjoyed the pinkening of the tips of the professor’s ears. “What’s another favor between friends?”
“Well…” Shen Wei’s tongue darted out to wet his lips. His eyes looked everywhere but Yunlan’s face. And Yunlan knew he had won and Shen Wei hadn’t even put up a proper fight. “What did you need?”
“So my mother caught me texting you. You’ll have to take responsibility.”
Shen Wei felt his heart stop. “Excuse me?”
Yunlan looked to the side and scratched his nose. “I told her you were my boyfriend and now she wants to meet you over dinner.”
“Excuse me?!”
“Surprise!”
-----
Shen Wei was a stranger to the Zhao family home but not unaware of those who lived in it. He’d heard of Madam Zhao and Officer Zhao before, back when Yunlan had started out his tenure as a professor of criminology and psychology. Yunlan visited often, smiled his charming smile, and Shen Wei was lost. Yunlan could have been reciting his shopping list and Shen Wei would have smiled and nodded all the same. Unfortunately, Yunlan was fond of complaining about his parents.
Shen Wei had faced down countless committees (grant committees were the
worst
), graduate students, deans, chairs, and the proverbial demonic helicopter mother of an undergraduate.
None of those things sounded like they’d compare to facing down Yunlan’s highly respected parents.
Madam Zhao was a scholar of literature at a higher ranking university with several manuscripts to her name. Shen Wei had read all of them, could recite most of them backwards with his eyes closed. Her analysis of Song Dynasty poetry was Shen Wei’s usual evening light reading.
Officer Zhao was an honorable member of the police force for more than twenty years. Awards for duty, for charity, for valor, Officer Zhao had received them all and expected the same level of duty and commitment of his son. Their relationship had never been the same after Yunlan quit the force to focus on criminology.
And now Shen Wei found himself called upon to act as their only son’s doting boyfriend of several months.
His only regret was that if Yunlan’s parents killed him, he hadn’t had the chance to confess and be Yunlan’s boyfriend for real.
The feelings had always been there, Yunlan had always been Shen Wei’s soft spot. They circled each other, a timeless dance of casual friendship between two very different people, teetering on the edge of more.
Shen Wei often found himself unable to take that next step, afraid of what could be. Yunlan was casual and friendly with many people, but with anyone other than Shen Wei, there was an edge, a glimmer of something Shen Wei couldn’t catch. But when it was just the two of them alone, the edge was gone, replaced with a fondness that Shen Wei wanted to wrap around himself and never let go of.
They stood before the door, Yunlan had already rung the bell, and Shen Wei resisted the urge to run.
“Are you ready,” Yunlan asked. He turned and flashed Shen Wei one of his dazzling smiles and Shen Wei felt his heart skip a beat. “It’s just for tonight.” To complete the illusion, Yunlan took Shen Wei’s hand in his own, rubbing the knuckles gently. It was comfort more than propriety, the look in Yunlan’s eyes told Shen Wei that.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be ready.” The thumb rubbing Shen Wei’s knuckles stilled. “But I’m going to try.” Yunlan smiled again, something softer, less showy, more real than Shen Wei had ever seen.
He wondered if this was what it would be like. If this was the way that Yunlan would always smile at him if one of them could be brave enough to take the step.
The lock clicked and the door slowly opened. Shen Wei put on his most earnest smile. It was time to enter the breach. And if they survived the night, Shen Wei considered confessing.
And if Yunlan’s parents approved? Well that was just a bonus.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
While formally, Shen Wei and Zhao Yun Lan knew they shouldn’t ignore the other families in the area, it also didn’t mean that they couldn’t afford to. Still, invitations had been sent out for a large, formal, yet tasteful gathering as was proper protocol (”No, Yun Lan. We cannot send cards that say ‘Fuck off, you’re not invited,’ even if they did try to assassinate you at the end of the Shanghai deal that one time.”). However, Shen Wei’s real family was just Ye Zun, and Yun Lan had only a small personal cohort that he really wanted to celebrate with. The compromise was a small, informal gathering at a restaurant that was a front for one of Yun Lan’s businesses since it was easier to clear the restaurant out.This did not explain why when Shen Wei and Ye Zun arrived, they found Yun Lan yelling at several tables to shut up, and why there was so much alcohol floating around. “So word about our tiny shindig got out to a few of my uncles,” Yun Lan said casually, his fingers twitching for the gun at his hip. “Naturally, they didn’t want to miss a chance to celebrate twice. I’m sorry Xiao Wei.” Yun Lan’s natural state was usually unrepentant, but the kiss swept across Shen Wei’s cheekbone felt unnaturally apologetic. “But, if you and honorable brother Ye Zun,” Ye Zun’s eye twitched when he was mentioned, “could follow me this way…”Yun Lan led them deeper in to a much more formal dining space. The noise was quieter, the lighting much nicer, and there was only a table set for eight or so. Finer china and wine glasses were used to set the table, and Shen Wei noticed they were the last to arrive. “My most lovely husband, allow me to welcome you to my family,” Yun Lan said while offering his hand.Ye Zun looked ready to say something snarky. Although it was a marriage between their families, the Dixing family was far larger and older. It was more that the Zhaos were becoming a partner instead of a merger. Shen Wei shot his brother a glance, hold your tongue, and then took Yun Lan’s hand.“No take backs,” Yun Lan murmured in his ear after pulling out Shen Wei’s seat.“Never,” Shen Wei replied, patting Yun Lan on the cheek. “You’ll be dead on the ground before you take your first step running.”Everyone at the table observed the exchange and said nothing, torn between horrified and amused.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
It was difficult, at the best of times, for two different personalities to be in a relationship. Guo Changcheng was always so kind, naive, and self-sacrificing. Chu Shuzhi was gruff with a tough exterior that was tough to penetrate.Adding in the pressure of being a superhero duo did not help matters.The constant worry. The fear of not being enough, fast enough, strong enough, capable enough, to protect each other. After the adrenaline wore off, after the bruises and hurts had been tended to, there was a 30/70 chance of a shouting match or “Yay we lived another day” sex.The sex was a much better relief of tension and won out often for a reason.For one thing, Changcheng actually talked to Shuzhi afterwards instead of wandering their shared apartment and hidden armory like a ghost. Shuzhi was not consumed by guilt for his actions afterwards either, instead he had to fight the urge to look smug whenever he caught a glance at the marks he left on Changcheng’s skin.But no matter the stress relief, sometimes concerns, worries, fears, hopes, and dreams, they all build up inside of a person’s heart. And in a moment of weakness, they may reveal themselves.This was exactly the excuse Shuzhi used after the words he had been saving left his mouth while they stopped a villain who called himself Mister Meowsir as he robbed the entire fishmarket of fish.Changcheng had managed to sneak behind him as Shuzhi distracted him. In a flash of Changcheng’s power, Mister Meowsir had been bound in bands of light and subdued. As Changcheng stood over the villain, a glowing smile on his face, the words escaped Shuzhi’s mouth before he’d realized he said them.“Marry me.”“What?!”Mister Meowsir gagged at the sight of both of their expressions.“I mean it. Marry me.”“Puppet Master… Now is really not the time…” Changcheng’s use of Shuzhi’s superhero name was pointed.“But you haven’t replied, Lightweaver.” Shuzhi smirked. “What do you say?”Changcheng blushed before he huffed. “You don’t even have a ring!”“God, you two are awful, please arrest me before this continues any further. I can’t take this anymore.”“But you’re going to say yes anyway, aren’t you?”Changcheng laughed and jumped over Mister Meowsir into Shuzhi’s arms. “Yes yes yes yes…”“Fantastic. Congrats. Will you arrest me already?!”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Despite appearances, Yunlan was an excellent conversationalist, stemming from his shrewd intuition, cunning, and shamelessness. But when Shen Wei was around, all of that flew out the window and was replaced with endearments and attempts at cute charm.
And Shen Wei, despite his stern reprimanding about discussing things in public, was often swept into Yunlan’s enthusiasm.
(”Swept into his enthusiasm?” Da Qing gagged. “You’re just as bad as he is Professor Shen!”)
“Gosh, you’ll be going away for a week for a conference? I think I’ll die of loneliness, Xiao Wei!” Yunlan groaned and sighed. “Come back quickly.”
“It’s only a week,” Shen Wei chastised, but he put another piece of beef into Yunlan’s bowl. “If a week will kill you of loneliness, if I died, how much would you miss me?”
Yunlan dropped his chopsticks before grabbing Shen Wei’s hands. He looked into Shen Wei’s eyes and smiled. “It’s cute how you think death can get you out of this relationship.” And like a the opera actors who changed masks with a shake of their head, Yunlan’s face turned from cheerful to deadly serious. “I’d scour the depths of hell and bring you back, Xiao Wei.”
Shen Wei protested and flicked Yunlan in the forehead. “So dramatic,” he huffed, turning away, but the tips of his ears were pink.
Yunlan, well versed in speaking Shen Wei sat back in his seat, pleased as punch. “I’m glad you’re satisfied by my answer, Xiao Wei.”
It was beneath him to pout, but Shen Wei did it anyway.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Everyone knew about the new vigilante hero, The Black Cloak. He was dark, mysterious, talented, intelligent, strong, fierce, and Zhao Yunlan had taken a particular liking to him after he saved his life the other night. Of course, as a police chief, it was a purely professional interest. And even if Zhu Hong raised her pretty eyebrows, Yunlan would never admit to any promiscuous thoughts about The Black Cloak.But Yunlan thought it would be a shame if he didn’t tell his team, for the tenth time, about the marvelous Professor Shen Wei. Yunlan had met Shen Wei during a trip to the university for a consultation. Shen Wei had only walked across the courtyard and Yunlan was smitten with his long lashes, clear eyes, and soft smile. He didn’t drink coffee, only tea, and his memory for poetry was a steel trap.And in the deepest and darkest parts of Yunlan’s perverted mind, he imagined a situation where he could have both his dark cloaked savior and charming scholar. His most favorite fantasy would be a night where The Black Cloak would save his life. Pulse pounding in his ears, he would remove his hero’s mask and see the softness of Shen Wei’s face before his lips were devoured in a ferocious kiss. —–Tonight should have been just a routine patrol, but as Yunlan found himself cornered, he wondered if he’d let himself slip too much just in the hopes that The Black Cloak would save him. It was to his fortune that his prayers were answered.In a swirl of familiar black fabric, a shadow dropped down and Yunlan’s assailants were beaten to within an inch of their lives. More than once, Yunlan swore he heard the sound of bone breaking. “Are you hurt?” The Black Cloak rushed over and Yunlan could have sworn he knew that voice. “Zhao Yunlan, are you hurt?”“When did you… I didn’t tell you my name?” Yunlan’s eyes adjusted to the darkness to see earnest eyes behind The Black Cloak’s mask and a finely tailored suit under the cloak. “Shen Wei?”“Did they hurt you?” The Black Cloak/Shen Wei turned to face the men writhing on the ground in pain. “If I find you’ve laid a finger on him-”“Oh my god, this is so hot.” Yunlan felt his world tilt off kilter before he leaned against the walls behind him, possibly from all the blood rushing from his brain to his dick. “Shen Wei is The Black Cloak. I mean… I always hoped but god…”“Yunlan, we need to go.” Shen Wei pulled on Yunlan’s arm and he went willingly. Shen Wei could lead him off a cliff dressed like this and Yunlan would follow him. “Shen Wei, it is you isn’t it?” Once in his car, Yunlan reached for the mask. Shen Wei did not move. Yunlan traced the revealed skin and reveled in his fantasy come to life. “Oh my god it is you.”“Is the magic gone now?” Shen Wei’s voice was almost bitter. “You have to arrest me, don’t you?”“The only one who’s getting handcuffed tonight is me. To my bed. Because you’ll be fucking me,” Yunlan blurted out.“What?”“What?”“Zhao Yunlan! Now is not the time for joking!”“I’m not joking!” Yunlan scrambled to hold Shen Wei’s hands. “I like you, I really do Shen Wei. And I really like The Black Cloak.” Yunlan moved closer still. “And I really really like the fact that they’re one and the same.”Shen Wei licked his lips as his eyes darkened. “Yunlan.”“I want all of you, Shen Wei.” Yunlan put his arms around Shen Wei’s neck. “So take all of me.” Shen Wei growled before pushing forward to devour Yunlan’s mouth.They almost didn’t make it back to Yunlan’s place, but they did use the handcuffs after all.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
They were supposed to be undercover. A Dixingian had been prowling gay night clubs, seducing people and draining their life force. Xiao Guo was too innocent and Lao Chu would probably kill anyone that looked at him (or Xiao Guo) funny. Da Qing pointedly kept himself in cat form when it was suggested he work with Lin Jing. Sang Zan was entirely lost and incorporeal. The only remaining people left for the job were Chief Zhao and Professor Shen. And so there they were, in the too loud music and too dizzying strobe lights. Yunlan danced in the center of the room, one hundred eyes watching his figure dance. Shen Wei sat at the bar, looking everywhere else despite how he wanted to gouge out the eyes of everyone staring at Yunlan. Wanted to cut off the hands of those dancing with Yunlan. And then finally, when Shen Wei thought he was going to reach his limit, there was movement. With a deep breath, Shen Wei pushed through to crowd to reach Yunlan first. It was a merry chase, Yunlan looking over his shoulder, providing come hither looks at anyone that might be following while Shen Wei parted the sea of bodies, his grip on Yunlan’s wrist bruising tight. “There’s a problem,” Yunlan whispered as Shen Wei pulled them down a hallway. “He’s got a partner too.” The growl out of Shen Wei’s throat was nearly feral. “We need a new plan.”There was another hallway and suddenly Yunlan found himself pressed against the wall. The coolness of Shen Wei’s body was evident even despite the layers of his suit. Shen Wei pressed himself closer still while Yunlan listened for the sound of footsteps. “Yunlan…” “Shh… One more minute…” Yunlan turned his head only to find Shen Wei’s intense gaze fixed on his lips. “Xiao Wei…”Shen Wei licked his lips and Yunlan could only mirror him, caught under his gaze. Another second passed and Shen Wei’s lips approached. Yunlan could feel an ache growing and the only cure was Shen Wei’s lips.But the footsteps returned and Shen Wei disappeared in a puff of smoke and void. Yunlan pulled his gun. Shen Wei would flush the two Dixing out and they could finally get this case over with.And Yunlan fully intended to reward himself with that kiss later.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The Black Cloak Envoy, caretaker of the borders between life and death, the immortal terror that demons had nightmares about, hardly had a reason to have a job. Shen Wei, however, insisted on keeping his teaching position. There was something cathartic and relaxing about academia. At least when he wasn’t requesting funding or dealing with inter-office politics. There were plenty of things to enjoy. After thousands of years of life, Shen Wei had accumulated plenty of actual knowledge. There was nothing wrong with sharing some of it. Furthermore, it felt good to shape and mold young minds into something more. But there was always one tiny problem involved. Or rather, one tiny interruption. (Work as the Black Cloak Envoy was never an interruption.)Shen Wei sighed as his cell phone went off for the third time this day. The caller ID indicated who was causing the problem. Shen Wei sighed and picked up the phone. “What did Zhao Yunlan do this time?”“No no, Shen Wei, it’s me!”“What did you do this time?”“Ah Wei… It hurts me so when you think that I cause problems left and right… You should have more faith in your hubby!”Shen Wei let Yunlan sweat it out for a moment before saying, “So what did you do this time?”Yunlan’s pout as evident as he said, “I accidentally got Lao Chu and Xiao Guo’s personalities swapped. Again.”Shen Wei sighed and moved to pack his things. “Give me five minutes.”“Take ten. You’re worth it, baby.”“Zhao. Yun. Lan.”“See you in ten! Bye bye!”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
“Kunlun!”Zhao Yunlan fought the urge to continue walking, remembering that during this time, he had to respond to a different name. He turned around and smiled. “If it isn’t the young Shen Wei. And again, without your mask today. Has our talk last time had an effect on you?”Shen Wei bowed and Yunlan moved to stop him. “I will continue to consider the wisdom Lord Kunlun has imparted upon me.”“Eh… heh… It’s nothing so serious,” Yunlan said as he waved his hand. “What can I do for you?”“Lord Kunlun… Do you… Would you happen to have more of the sweet that you gave me the other night?” Shen Wei held out the lollipop stick, cleaned of all candy. “I found I enjoyed the sweetness very much. I’d like to taste it again.”Yunlan unconsciously licked his lips. “Of course I do.” He dug around in pouches and pockets until he produced the desired candy. “For you.”Shen Wei reached out for it as if it were a precious artifact. “Lord Kunlun is too kind.”“But when will you give me something sweet in return?” Yunlan mumbled.“Huh? Realizing he’d been caught, Yunlan slapped his mouth. “Nothing, nothing! Here, take this and go. I have a meeting to attend.” Yunlan shoved the lollipop into Shen Wei’s hands and ran off.“So gracious, to take the time to talk to me during all this trouble and to give me such a thing…” Shen Wei smiled at the lollipop before slipping it into his robes. He’d find the time to enjoy it slowly, as Kunlun had told him to, later.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
“Lao Chu, it’s just one date!” Zhao Yunlan followed directly behind Chu Shuzhi’s heels as the other man tried to block out the sound of his comrade in arms. “What could the harm be?”“I’m 24 years old. I don’t need your help finding a date.”“But you’ll want to meet this one!”Shuzhi finally rounded upon Yunlan, still with his casual smile on his face. “And what makes you say that?”“All your life, so many men and women have come and gone from your bed, and how many of them have stayed?” Yunlan stepped closer. “You’re looking for something. You haven’t found it yet.”“Not all of us are so lucky to have a Shen Wei in our lives.”“That’s true!” Yunlan exclaimed. “My Xiao Wei is truly the best, none can compare to his beauty and modesty! Truly my husband is at the pinnacle of all things!”“Yes, so leave me be.”“No, no, no. You see, you have yet to find the one you will think is perfect. And I think… I’ve found him.”The refusal was there, on the tip of Shuzhi’s tongue. It would be so easy to refuse once more. And yet… The temptation was strong, fueled by a feeling in Shuzhi’s gut. Yunlan wasn’t wrong. There was something that Shuzhi had been looking for. A longing that no amount of company could satisfy. But it was a bold promise from Yunlan, perhaps too bold. to claim to have the one thing that could finally satisfy Shuzhi. But what was there to lose? One afternoon? Shuzhi sighed.“One date. Tomorrow afternoon. Then you promise you’ll stop interfering.”“Of course I’ll stop! Because you won’t need any other dates!”——And so Shuzhi found himself waiting at the coffee shop on the corner in his civilian clothes, waiting for Yunlan’s blind date. He checked his watch again. Who ever it was, was already fifteen minutes late. Refusing to waste anymore time, Shuzhi got up to leave but heard the ring of the bell over the door. A young man, still dressed in a high school uniform had run in, gasping for breath. His eyes scanned the room and they landed on Shuzhi’s.It felt like a jolt had just run down Shuzhi’s spine. The boy’s lips curved into a smile, making Shuzhi’s heart skip a beat, before he ran over. But in his enthusiasm, he had tripped and spilled his books and bag all over the floor. Shuzhi ran over to help him up.“Clumsy boy, what good is it to run if you can’t manage your own feet?” Shuzhi muttered under his breath.“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!” The boy kept his head down, messy black hair falling just short of covering his eyes. “I was just… I…” He accepted the books Shuzhi handed to him. “Please let me start over!” He got up and bowed a perfect 90 degrees. “Hello, I am Guo Changcheng. I think… Lao Zhao asked you to meet with me?” Shuzhi found himself stunned into silence. “You? Yunlan wants me to meet you? You’re a child!”Changcheng pouted. “Officer Chu! I’m 18 years old! I graduate high school this year! I’m not a child.” Changcheng picked up his bag and put his books back inside. “But… If Officer Chu does not want to meet with me, then I will go. I’m very sorry to have wasted your time.”Shuzhi found himself sighing before he could stop himself. “You just ran here. Surely you can have a coffee before you go.”The change in Changcheng’s posture and demeanor was immediate. “Eh?! Really? Can I have a coffee with you Officer Chu?!”“D-Don’t call me Officer Chu.” Shuzhi waved his hand. “You can call me Chu Ge instead.”“Ch-C-Chu Ge! Yes! Of course!” And there was that bright smile, sending another wave of tingles down Shuzhi’s spine into his heart. And the worst part of all was how much Shuzhi enjoyed it. “I’m going to hell,” Shuzhi muttered to himself as he got in line with Changcheng to order coffee. “I’m definitely going to hell even if he’s an adult.”“Did you say something, Chu Ge?” Changcheng looked up at him expectantly, eyes wide and bright. “I heard the mocha is very good here! We should try it!”Shuzhi coughed at the way his name sounded with Changcheng’s naive enthusiasm. “Sure. Let’s.” I’m definitely going to hell…
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
It was only supposed to be a kiss. Chu Shuzhi knew that was his only goal. Confess, kiss, get in, get out, and maybe treat him to dinner or something sweet. The adorably naive Guo Changcheng had some how wormed his way into Shuzhi’s heart. Now that he’d taken root, there was no way of digging him out.But as the kiss went on, his sweet Xiao Guo’s hands scrambling for a place to rest, looking for something to cling to, Shuzhi knew that the one thing that might displace him was if every part of him was burned to ash. And with the heat running through his body as Shuzhi angled his lips to kiss Changcheng deeper, that was a very likely possibility.Changcheng caved easily enough, gave in to everything so easily. And yet the tremors in his hands were a sign that he was still there, still present. Still that same Xiao Guo. Still his Xiao Guo.“Chu-ge…” Changcheng gasped as they broke apart. His hands, however, continued to cling firmly to Shuzhi’s shirt. “Chu-ge… I…”“Tell me you want this.” Shuzhi growled into the sensitive skin of Changcheng’s slender neck. “Tell me you want me.”“I…”“But if you don’t, I won’t touch you again.”“I want…” Changcheng stuttered. “I want this…. I want Chu-ge… I just… I never…” Shuzhi pushed Changcheng back against the wall just as his legs started to wobble. An arm around his waist kept him steady. “Tell me what you want.”“A-anything Chu-ge gives me, I’ll take. I didn’t think…”Shuzhi sighed. “You never think you’re worth a lot, do you?” His hand moved up to cradle Changcheng’s cheek in a manner so drastically different from the way he’d been kissing him a moment ago. “Ask for the things you want.”“I want…”“Tell me,” Shuzhi said as he bit Changcheng’s earlobe.“I want everything,” Changcheng said in a breathy and high voice. “Everything you can give me, I want it. And you can take everything I can give.”“That’s more like it.”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Chu Shuzhi frowned at the smell of smoke and liquor as he pushed his way into the cheap bar. The only reason Chu Shuzhi had gone was because Shen Wei had given him a gentle nudge in the bar’s direction as he was leaving for the night. And Chu Shuzhi had figured it would be foolish to ignore a hint from the Black Cloak Envoy.
“I think you should take a look,” Shen Wei had said. “You might find something gone astray.”
“Gone astray,” Chu Shuzhi scoffed as he saw who was drinking at the bar. “I’m not his babysitter.” But gruff words could not cover up the relief at finding where the young man had run off to after ending his work day.At the bar, Guo Changcheng waved his hand around, glass held tenuously, while the bartender made sympathetic faces. Whether it was sympathy for Guo Changcheng or for the poor drink sloshing about, Chu Shuzhi couldn’t say.“It’s just so haaaaard!” Guo Changcheng wailed as he collapsed onto the bar top. “I don’t understand!”“You idiot, why are you making a fool of yourself here?” Chu Shuzhi pulled Guo Changcheng up. “And why are you making a mess in public? This isn’t like you at all.”“Chu-ge? Chu-ge!” Guo Changcheng’s glass slipped from his fingers as he moved to hug the older man and was only just barely saved by the bartender. Chu Shuzhi shot him an almost sympathetic look. Almost. It was only a shade difficult because Guo Changcheng had started nuzzling into Chu Shuzhi’s shoulder. “Chu-ge, Chu-ge, it’s so hard! It’s too difficult! I can’t understand it at all!”“Brat, how was drinking supposed to fix you not understanding something?” Chu Shuzhi admonished while handing over a few bills. The bartender moved to hand him some change, but Chu Shuzhi waved him off.“Really sir,” the bartender said softly. “He only had a few sips of that one drink. This is far too much.”Chu Shuzhi sighed and continued to wave him off. “A large tip for not calling the cops on him. I’ll get him out of your hair.” The bartender bowed deeply while Chu Shuzhi manhandled Guo Changcheng into standing. “Come on you, if I don’t get you home, your uncle will be coming after us at the SID in the morning.”“CHUUUU-GEEEEEEEE! WHY MEEEEEE?!”Chu Shuzhi winced and allowed himself to be a little rougher in pulling the young man out of the bar and into the street. “Stop your wailing! We’re out in public!”Guo Changcheng’s mouth clicked shut and he rested his head against Chu Shuzhi’s shoulder again. Chu Shuzhi refused to acknowledge the tightening in his chest.“I thought drinking would make it go away,” Guo Changcheng said at last after several minutes of difficult walking to Chu Shuzhi’s car. “I thought… If I drank enough, I wouldn’t think about it anymore.”“Idiot,” Chu Shuzhi muttered. “You only took two sips and were wasted and you still can’t forget what upset you?”Guo Changcheng turned his mournful eyes on Chu Shuzhi. “I can’t because he’s right here next to me.” Chu Shuzhi’s body froze and Guo Changcheng nearly tripped over himself from the sudden halt. “Chu-ge?”Chu Shuzhi’s grip around Guo Changcheng’s waist tightened. “I’m bothering you?”Guo Changcheng blinked. “Bothering? Chu-ge could never bother me!” Guo Changcheng resumed his nuzzling. “Chu-ge… Chu-ge is good… Really good… That’s why I…”Chu Shuzhi had not felt his heart beat the way human hearts beat for a long time. The nature of his being made him different. But those words made his heart thump painfully to the tune of a melody older than him. “Why you…?”“I like Chu-ge. I like Chu-ge so much,” Guo Changcheng said softly. “I want to tell Chu-ge, but I can’t…” Suddenly, Guo Changcheng’s head snapped up. “I TOLD CHU-GE! OH NO!”Guo Changcheng flailed about in Chu Shuzhi’s hold, but Chu Shuzhi held firm before pulling Guo Changcheng into his chest to stop him from flailing. “Idiot, hold still.”Guo Changcheng’s face turned bright red. “C-Chu-ge?” Chu Shuzhi sighed before tilting Guo Changcheng’s head down and kissing the crown of his head. “Chu-ge? I don’t-”Chu Shuzhi coughed. “Later. When you’re not drunk and when your uncle won’t kill us all.”“Huh?”“We’re discussing this later.” Chu Shuzhi turned his head to hide the reddening of his face. “Now get in the car you idiot.”