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Hua Cheng had barely let go of Xie Lian since being reunited with him. It was a delight to be able to touch Xie Lian once again, but even more of a delight was that Xie Lian also seemed unable to move more than two steps away from Hua Cheng.
Hua Cheng was allowed to keep his arms wrapped around Xie Lian's midsection as Xie Lian made them dinner, his cheek against the side of Xie Lian's head. They had spent one day and a half now doing nothing but hugging and kissing and making idle conversation. It was a bliss beyond anything Hua Cheng would have ever dared to dream for.
Hua Cheng took a unneeded deep breath. The scent of Xie Lian's cooking filled the air, but this close Hua Cheng could smell Xie Lian just as easily. His alpha scent tickled Hua Cheng's nose. It wasn't overpowering or distasteful, no suffocating cloud surrounding him. No, His Highness was perfect down to his scent. Alpha scent was always strong and musky, but Xie Lian's had something floral about it, as befitting of the Flower Crowned Martial God. And with that undertone of divine power that gods had, but better than any other god's, sweeter.
Hua Cheng would never stop breathing in that scent.
Xie Lian tasted the stew. "It will take a little longer to be ready," he declared.
"May I taste as well?" Hua Cheng asked.
Xie Lian spooned up a little more, and held it up above his shoulder. Hua Cheng leaned it. The taste was quite complex. Somewhat hard to describe.
"Is it good?"
Hua Cheng hummed. "Gege's cooking is better than ever. Maybe a little less onion next time."
"I'll try."
Hua Cheng turned, and nuzzled Xie Lian's hair. So beautiful, so soft. He would never get his fill of Xie Lian, but he may attempt at making up for this wasted year at least. Sooner or later Hua Cheng would have to leave to check on Ghost City, but it could survive without him for one more week. Maybe one more month. Hua Cheng never wanted to leave this house, he wished to spend the rest of eternity here, kissing, caressing, maybe even–
He was getting carried away. Hua Cheng was well aware of what Xie Lian's cultivation entailed, and would keep his deeper desires under control. Xie Lian should be the one to say if they should take that step, and Hua Cheng would wait patiently.
"San Lang, there is something I wished to ask," Xie Lian said, stirring their meal.
"Anything."
"I've been curious... I didn't mean to pry before, but I do wish to know all about San Lang. And since we are close, I thought it wouldn't be too inappropriate to ask."
"No question of yours can upset me."
Xie Lian hummed. "I was wondering what San Lang was, before death."
Hua Cheng blinked. "A man?"
"Ah, sorry, I wasn't clear. I wanted to know whether you used to be an alpha, a beta or an omega."
Ah. Hua Cheng understood the question now. There were no alphas or omegas among ghosts. Nor true betas, for that matter. Such things stopped mattering in death. A ghost's scent could carry information on how powerful they were, but not on how their bodies used to work. Some ghosts liked to put on fake scents, especially those who dealt with sexual matters, but Hua Cheng had always found that tacky.
"Not that it matters much," Xie Lian continued. "I'm curious about it, but there's no need to answer if you don't want to. I love San Lang regardless of such things."
Hua Cheng left a kiss to Xie Lian's hair. "I don't mind saying. I was, or am, an omega."
Even if Hua Cheng's heats and original scent had been lost to time and death, something of omega remained in him. Like the way smelling Xie Lian made his cold body warm. His scent was... safety. Hua Cheng, rationally, knew he would protect Xie Lian from any minor inconvenience if he could. As omega, he felt that this was the alpha who could protect him from any evil.
"Oh. Oh, really?"
"Is it surprising?"
Xie Lian shook his head. "Ah, I was silly. San Lang is so tall, I couldn't help but wonder if he were an alpha."
"It's an easy mistake." Hua Cheng knew that that was the most common assumption regarding him. Omegas his height were rare.
"Still. I have seen alphas and betas and omegas of all shapes and sizes, and I shouldn't have made that guess."
Hua Cheng nuzzled Xie Lian's hair a little more. "I don't mind if gege doesn't mind being wrong."
"I just told you, didn't I? It doesn't change anything."
Ah, Xie Lian was so enlightened. So many put such ridiculous expectations on what an omega could or could not do. For that matter, many male alphas would have pushed away someone they thought was another male alpha making advances on them. How wise Xie Lian was.
***
"San Lang, I have to get out of bed," Xie Lian said, laughing.
Hua Cheng wrapped his arms tighter around him. "Must you?"
"We cannot sleep in all day!"
"Why not?"
The bed was not the most comfortable, but Xie Lian's presence made it the best in the world. Hua Cheng had gotten to spend the night curled next to him, and he wanted the rest of the day to go on that way as well. With Xie Lian's warm body and wonderful scent. It surely had to be clinging to Hua Cheng by now, proof of their closeness.
Xie Lian ran a hand through Hua Cheng's hair. "Sloth is no good, San Lang."
"What about well deserved rest?"
"We've done nothing for a whole week. Why do you need to rest?"
"It was a very long year, gege."
That made Xie Lian stop trying to free himself from Hua Cheng's grasping hands. "But we cannot stay here forever."
Hua Cheng took the opportunity to half roll on top of him. He put his cheek on Xie Lian's chest, and looked up at him. "Why not?"
"Heaven is already asking where I ended up," Xie Lian said.
"Just ignore them."
"They need my help."
"They're various centuries old, they don't need their hands held like children."
Xie Lian laughed. "I suppose they can handle themselves for a couple more days."
Or forever. Now that Hua Cheng was back, he'd have to make sure those idiots remembered who was in charge. They shouldn't demand too much of Xie Lian's time.
Xie Lian's fingers slipped between Hua Cheng's hair, scratching so softly against his scalp. Hua Cheng's eye fluttered shut. He could write poems about those hands. The beautiful fingers with all the strength of eight centuries of cultivation, yet so gentle on Hua Cheng's skin. Rubbing a breath away from Hua Cheng's scent glands.
"What if we went on a walk in the woods?" Xie Lian asked.
An acceptable proposal. Hua Cheng pushed himself up enough to deliver a soft kiss to Xie Lian's cheekbone. "We could do that."
Xie Lian's cheeks were tinged with the softest hint of red. A sight so beautiful that Hua Cheng's single eye didn't seem enough to take it in. Not a hundred eyes looking at Xie Lian from every possible direction would be enough.
Xie Lian sat up. Before leaving the bed, he cupped Hua Cheng's face. Hua Cheng expected another kiss when Xie Lian leaned in, but instead what he did was rub their faces together. Hua Cheng's long stilled heart came back to life just to choke him as Xie Lian scented him. Scented him.
He only did it once before drawing away. Hua Cheng's emotions were too much for him to return the gesture, the shock leaving him frozen in place. Now there were no doubts Xie Lian's scent would linger on him.
Hua Cheng wanted more. He wanted Xie Lian to push him into the mattress and rub on him until Hua Cheng's ghost scent was washed away and only Xie Lian remained. Hua Cheng liked his scent on Xie Lian, showing both ghosts and god that he was allowed to get that close. But oh, picturing himself walking through the streets Ghost City, Xie Lian's scent wrapped around him like a mantle so that everyone may know this wonderful, beautiful, strong alpha had picked him...
Songs should be written on the self control Hua Cheng displayed, refraining from throwing himself down in bed with his neck bared.
***
Hua Cheng treasured the small itches in Xie Lian's breath as he kissed the line of his throat. They were sprawled out on Hua Cheng's bed in Paradise Manor, Hua Cheng lavishing Xie Lian with attentions. Their robes were mussed, enough for some additional slivers of Xie Lian's skin to be exposed, and Hua Cheng didn't hesitate to nose along them.
They wouldn't yet move on to other steps. Xie Lian had said he was still nervous, with the most endearing stammering imaginable. Hua Cheng wanted, but he knew how to satisfy himself with what he had.
And how much he had.
He licked across Xie Lian's scent gland. Xie Lian whimpered, gripping Hua Cheng's hair. The slight pull on his scalp made Hua Cheng shiver. He found himself torn between his wish to pull His Highness apart, introducing him to all sorts of pleasure, and wanting this alpha to hold him down and have his way with him.
Hua Cheng didn't consider himself the submissive sort of omega, hadn't considered himself much of an omega for a few centuries, but he could be with Xie Lian. He'd love it, in fact. The strong grip of Xie Lian's hand could hold him down with barely any effort. To be pushed down and claimed as Xie Lian's mate... what a forbidden thought.
Xie Lian rolled them around. He kissed Hua Cheng's jaw, his weight on Hua Cheng's body. There was a hint of arousal in his scent, enough to make Hua Cheng's head spin. He would wait for Xie Lian to take things further, but it would be a trial of endurance.
Those soft lips moved to Hua Cheng's neck. Hua Cheng eagerly tilted his head up, welcoming those attentions. His chest began to shake without Hua Cheng's permission. The purring almost startled him, because Hua Cheng hadn't had any reason to purr in... He didn't quite remember how long. But if there ever was a moment to remember how, it was this.
"San Lang," Xie Lian breathed.
Hua Cheng purred louder. It must have pleased Xie Lian, and that in turn was reason for Hua Cheng do purr more. The vibrations were unfamiliar, foreign, but Hua Cheng thought he may get used to it. No doubt he would have many reasons to do it. Funny, how smoothly the omega in him resurfaced under Xie Lian's attentions.
There was the barest hint of teeth against his throat. Hua Cheng's eye rolled into the back of his head. Would Xie Lian bite him? He had a purring omega underneath him, his neck fully exposed. Hua Cheng's scent may not be quite right, but he knew what the position and sounds alone could do to an alpha.
He didn't even need a bond bite. Just a nip would be alright. Hua Cheng didn't know why he hadn't spent eight hundred of years fantasizing about those teeth in his skin, because now it seemed like a necessity. The juncture of neck and shoulder was exposed by his robes in disarray. That soft flesh was perfect for Xie Lian to bite, to leave his mark on Hua Cheng.
Except Xie Lian didn't. His kissed remained light, all lips and no teeth. It was a little frustrating, but what right did Hua Cheng have to complain about anything when in this position? He kept purring, encouraging Xie Lian to do whatever he wanted.
Xie Lian was kind, with endless restraint and all the education of a Crown Prince. He was not one of those rancid smelling alphas who'd bite anything that moved. Of course he wouldn't maul Hua Cheng just because Hua Cheng was in a somewhat submissive position. Preposterous to think it would be enough to even tempt him.
***
"And why is he here anyways?" Mu Qing sneered.
Hua Cheng didn't even bother to sneer back. He tolerated this god's existence for no other reason that Xie Lian's incomprehensible affection for him. It was said betas were double faced, jealous of both the strength of the alphas and the desirability of the omegas. Stereotypes were something Hua Cheng didn't concern himself with. However, with time he had grown to wonder if they were all based on Mu Qing himself.
Xie Lian cleared his throat. "Now, now, San Lang has been very generous in his offer to help us."
Hua Cheng turned to Xie Lian, and smiled at him. "It's my pleasure, Your Highness."
Xie Lian had said that now that Hua Cheng was back and Heaven was getting on its feet again they should discuss about the future. The previous balance between gods and ghosts had been upset with Jun Wu's betrayal. A new balance had to be found, and wouldn't it be best if they all came to agreements regarding each party's territories and responsibilities?
A wonderful idea, as expected from His Highness. Unfortunate that it meant Hua Cheng would be forced to attend these tedious meetings with the gods. He would have made He Xuan go in his place, had Xie Lian not asked for Hua Cheng specifically to come. Something about He Xuan's position with Heaven being too fraught.
"Isn't it for the best that Crimson Rain is willing to discuss with us in peace?," Pei Ming said. "It will save us a lot of trouble if every party agrees to the same terms."
The General's stench was, as always, a pain to Hua Cheng's nose. Pei Ming's constant need to reaffirm his own virility by spreading pheromones everywhere made Hua Cheng wonder how could anyone stand to be at less than ten paces from him. Had all of Pei Ming's amorous conquests been tragically deprived of their sense of smell? Or was it just that by flirting with everything that moved Pei Ming was bound to eventually find someone whose taste was bad enough to want him?
Pei Ming's knot ruled his mind to the point that, were he to find out Hua Cheng was an omega, he would no doubt flirt with him too. The possibility made Hua Cheng shudder in disgust.
Feng Xin snorted. "None of us would try to move against Ghost City, agreements or not. What else is there to say?"
Now, if Feng Xin were to find out Hua Cheng was an omega, he would be horrified beyond words. He existed on the opposite end as Pei Ming on the pathetic alpha scale. Omegas were only second to women in the list of things that scared Feng Xin. Omega women? One would think they existed only to torture him. However had this man fathered a son, Hua Cheng would never understand.
As usual, after Feng Xin spoke, Mu Qing butted in to call him an idiot, and things spiraled out of control from there. Various gods began bickering between themselves. On the other side of the room, Hua Cheng saw Ling Wen close her eyes, and begin massaging the bridge of her nose.
As for himself, Hua Cheng wouldn't mind plugging his own nose shut. Pheromones rose as the various alphas present tried to assert their dominance. A few beta and omega gods pulled faces at the scents, but of course the mostly alpha martial gods weren't considerate enough to put themselves under control.
"Can we talk one at a time?" Xie Lian asked.
No one listened to him. Feng Xin growled at Mu Qing. Hua Cheng wondered if it would be such a bad thing if someone started taking out weapons. How he'd love to see a good stabbing.
Xie Lian cleared his throat. "We should all calm down. Please."
"Give it up, gege," Hua Cheng said. "There's no point in expecting these people to act in a civil way."
Xie Lian sighed.
"Crimson Rain Chengzhu?"
Hua Cheng turned, finding Quan Yizhen had approached him. Why was Quan Yizhen even here? Shouldn't he be beating up his own worshipers or something?
"Is shixiong still at your palace?" Quan Yizhen asked, eyes wide.
Hua Cheng gave him a frosty glare. The last thing he needed was this idiot running through Paradise Manor looking for Yin Yu.
Before Hua Cheng could say anything, he was startled by a snarl coming from his left. A deep, fearsome growl, that seemed to echo in Hua Cheng's own ribcage. Hua Cheng whipped his head around. Xie Lian was letting out that snarl, his upper lip curled to show his teeth and his eyes darting around the room.
The other gods fell silent.
Once they were behaving, Xie Lian stopped growling, and his expression morphed into a pacific smile. "Now, how about we all start raising our hands before speaking?"
Hua Cheng barely noticed who Xie Lian called to speak, or what they said. There was a whimper lodged somewhere into his throat.
When was the last time he had heard Xie Lian snarl? During battle, maybe. A snarl of fury and frustration, not one of dominance like this one. Xie Lian wasn't one of those arrogant alphas with no manners that bared his teeth at every occasion. That base instinct was kept under control, as befitting of his cultivation path.
But now that he had snarled, no one dared go against him. Xie Lian's growl had been loud enough to be heard over any other alpha's. His humble nature made others forget that he was technically the most powerful of all martial gods. The strength behind his growling had reminded them of his authority.
Hua Cheng, for his part, never forgot the strength Xie Lian carried. Hearing his alpha growl like that made heat surge in his chest. He wanted to fall to his knees in submission, as Xie Lian's omega and most devoted follower both, or maybe throw his clothes to the other side of the room and present.
But he couldn't do that in a room full of gods. All he could do for now was swelling in pride as he watched them all accept Xie Lian's authority. Let them know their place. No alpha could compete with Xie Lian.
Hua Cheng wondered if he could get Xie Lian to growl at him like that one day. How he wanted to hear the possessive snarl of his alpha demanding Hua Cheng's submission. What wouldn't Hua Cheng do to be feel Xie Lian's desire being growled right against his throat.
But better not to think about it now. Hua Cheng didn't care what Heaven thought of him, but he probably shouldn't grow hard right in front of them.
***
The ceremony was just for the two of them. Any other day, Hua Cheng loved to show the world that Xie Lian had chosen him, but this was for them alone. Xie Lian looked radiant in his marriage robes. Red was good on him.
Their wedding was so simple one might call it eloping. But neither of them had any family left, and that alone would make a proper and traditional marriage hard to get.
They paid their respects to the graves of Xie Lian's parents, and knelt there. And then they returned to Xie Lian's cottage, as husbands. Husbands. Hua Cheng could not stop himself from grinning like a fool the whole time.
Husbands, and soon to be mates now. They stumbled towards the bed, Xie Lian on his tip toes to kiss Hua Cheng. Hua Cheng was so full of love he might burst. He pushed at Xie Lian's robes, trying to bare his skin.
Xie Lian gasped against his mouth when Hua Cheng's fingers brushed against his scent gland. "San Lang..."
"What can your husband do for you?" Hua Cheng asked, pressing down slightly.
Xie Lian arched his neck. "Be also my mate?"
Hua Cheng shivered at the words, his eye closing in bliss. "There is nothing, Your Highness, that I want more than that."
Xie Lian's hands caressed his neck, finding the two glands on either side of Hua Cheng's neck. Hua Cheng vaguely remembered how they would swell during the few heats he had had time to have in life. It had been centuries since they had last reacted to anything. Now they felt so sensitive.
"Does... Does San Lang want to bite first, or shall I?" Xie Lian asked.
Honestly, Hua Cheng would have melted in a puddle of pure delight either way, but doing so would prevent any biting from happening. "Whatever gege wishes."
Xie Lian's cheeks had been tinged with red all day, but they darkened more as he spoke. "May I?"
Hua Cheng very nearly ripped his robes, so eager he was to get them off. He knelt in bed, ridding himself of clothes so that he was naked from the waist up.
"I only need to see your neck," Xie Lian whispered, eyes wide.
Hua Cheng grinned. His body was nothing special, really. If he had to describe himself, he would say he was too ugly to call himself plain. But Xie Lian, for some reason, flushed in the most beautiful way when seeing him, and so Hua Cheng would ignore his shame to bask in Xie Lian's desire.
He licked his lips. "But won't we undress regardless?"
The spike of arousal in Xie Lian's scent was strong enough to feel like a punch to Hua Cheng's face.
"You're always so shameless," Xie Lian whimpered, covering his face.
"What better time to be shameless than on my own wedding night?"
Besides, they had agreed. Xie Lian had said he was ready to lay with Hua Cheng, and the thought had been so distracting in the days before the wedding that Hua Cheng had started thinking he should tie his cock down to keep it in check.
Xie Lian knelt close to Hua Cheng. Closer, until his knees were on either side of Hua Cheng's thighs, almost in his lap. He tilted Hua Cheng's head to the right, baring his neck. Hua Cheng closed his eye, feeling the rare urge to breathe to calm down.
The tip of Xie Lian's nose brushed against his skin. "San Lang smells so good here."
"It's only a ghost's scent."
"But it's not just any ghost's."
Hua Cheng was used to being lavished in praise, but only Xie Lian's small compliments were enough to make his stomach flip. His husband's voice dripped sincerity and genuine awe. Almost enough to make Hua Cheng himself believe in the words.
Xie Lian kissed Hua Cheng's gland. His skin couldn't heat, and so Hua Cheng shouldn't feel as if his body was on fire there were his husband's lips rested. Xie Lian sucked, and Hua Cheng groaned.
"Your Highness, please."
Xie Lian's mouth left his skin. Hua Cheng had a few beats of his still heart to prepare himself, before teeth sunk in.
The sound Hua Cheng made was caught between a moan and a scream. It hurt, of course. But euphoria overcame Hua Cheng as soon as his body caught up with what was happening. A pleasure unlike any he had ever felt washed through him.
Xie Lian had bonded him. His husband, his god, his reason to exist, he had marked Hua Cheng as his. Hua Cheng shook, hands digging into Xie Lian's robes. He moaned again. Every star of the sky danced in front of his vision.
Oh. No, those were his butterflies. When had he summoned them?
Xie Lian's grip shifted, and he released Hua Cheng. A drop of blood ran from the bite down Hua Cheng's shoulder.
"San Lang," Xie Lian said, reverently, as if Hua Cheng was the god here.
Xie Lian bent closer again, and licked the wound. His tongue chased the blood. He soothed the bite, each lick making Hua Cheng shiver again.
Hua Cheng had grown hard in his pants. More than that, he was beginning to feel himself grow wet. Xie Lian had to smell his arousal, he had to be tasting it in his blood. Never had Hua Cheng been this aroused before, not the times he had kissed Xie Lian before, not even when he had seen him caught by the Land of the Tender, an image he had never been able to forget.
Xie Lian trailed kisses from the bite to a spot below Hua Cheng's ear, lips wet. "San Lang's taste is so good."
"Gege!"
Hua Cheng would drop dead again.
"My San Lang now."
Hua Cheng groaned at the hint of possession in Xie Lian's voice. "Always yours, Your Highness. I always was."
"And will you mark me as yours in turn?"
What sort of question was that? As if Hua Cheng would ever be able to refuse.
Hua Cheng tugged at Xie Lian's robes, his hands strangely clumsy. Xie Lian straightened up, helping Hua Cheng rid him of his clothes, until he too knelt half naked, his body on display.
Hua Cheng traced his fingers along the line of Xie Lian's neck. He felt the way Xie Lian's muscles tensed as he tilted his head to the side, exposing flushed skin to him. Xie Lian's blush was so intense, it traveled from his cheeks all the way down to collar bones. All marriage red for Hua Cheng.
Xie Lian's scent gland was there, so lightly swollen. Hua Cheng licked his lips. Should he get rid of his pointed teeth to avoid hurting Xie Lian too much? Or would his sharp canines make the process faster, cleaner?
How could he be worth this? How was Hua Cheng allowed to be there, caressing skin, breathing in Xie Lian's scent, about to bond him? He would wonder if this was a dream, if not for the way his neck throbbed.
Slowly, he opened his mouth wide, and placed his fangs on the gland, resting them there. He closed his eye, letting himself have this moment. Xie Lian's scent. Unbonded, and about to change.
Hua Cheng bit down. Blood filled his mouth, the one and only occasion in which Hua Cheng would willingly wound Xie Lian. It was blood, yet it also carried so much of Xie Lian's own taste. It tasted sweet.
Xie Lian let out a startled half growl. Hua Cheng moaned in response.
He let go, turning to admire his work. More red, lucky wedding red, in the shape of Hua Cheng's teeth. Blood pooled from the open wound, and Hua Cheng eagerly lapped it up. He was surrounded in his husband's taste and scent, and he wished to never leave this moment.
"Your Highness tastes exquisite," Hua Cheng groaned. "He is perfect in all ways."
His Highness. They belonged to each other now.
Suddenly, Hua Cheng found himself lying on his back. He blinked in surprise. His confusion was interrupted by Xie Lian's mouth on his, kissing him deeply. Hua Cheng recovered fast, and chased Xie Lian's tongue with his. Both of their mouths were smeared in blood, and Hua Cheng was able to make out the differences between Xie Lian's and his own.
He spread his legs wide. His slick wet the fabric of his pants. Hua Cheng wanted- He wanted so many things it would take him a century to speak them all, but some were at the forefront of his mind. Those omega instincts telling him to submit were louder than ever. The freshly bitten scent gland filled Hua Cheng with desire to be a good omega, to let his alpha have his way with him.
Xie Lian broke the kiss. He panted, propped up above Hua Cheng.
"I– San Lang, fuck–"
Xie Lian's swearing, short of breath and with blood all over his face, was something Hua Cheng wouldn't have ever dared imagine.
Xie Lian looked down at him, making a noise like a choked off growl. "Mate."
"Mate," Hua Cheng echoed, rocking his hips up.
There was a definite hardness in Xie Lian's pants. He made that noise again when Hua Cheng brushed again it. "I don't want to hurt you."
"You could never," Hua Cheng said, truthfully. Why would Xie Lian even worry about it?
"It would be uncomfortable."
Hua Cheng groaned when he realized just what may be uncomfortable. "Don't worry."
"I don't know how to do it," Xie Lian said, not caring that each word made Hua Cheng's trapped erection ache. "I thought– I thought maybe San Lang could show me how. The first time. You could be the one on top."
Hua Cheng blinked. Xie Lian should be as bonding drunk as Hua Cheng was. The scent of aroused alpha was so powerful Hua Cheng didn't doubt Xie Lian's mind was not at its clearest. He should want to put Hua Cheng on his hands and knees, rip the remaining clothes off and knot him for a day straight.
Instead, Xie Lian was telling Hua Cheng to be the one to lead. Xie Lian, male alpha, the group taught they ought to always be on top, dripping so many pheromones that all of Mount Taicang had to smell of him, offered to have Hua Cheng be the one to take him. Because he didn't want to hurt him.
Hua Cheng's body screamed at him to be knotted already. But Xie Lian's proposal was a blow to his dizzy mind. Alphas didn't just tell omegas to take them. Omegas were built for being fucked, alphas were not. Hua Cheng had never doubted that Xie Lian would be a generous lover, but he had always on some level assumed he would be the one to take. Not the reverse.
All in all, he had eternity to bend over and let Xie Lian fuck him over any flat surface available. But the thought of Xie Lian spread out under him, allowing Hua Cheng to open his tight alpha body up, knot swelling up in the air while Hua Cheng took him...
Hua Cheng flipped them over. "Your Highness," he gasped, his voice so rough it might almost pass for an alpha's growl, "you truly will kill me some day."
***
"Thank you so much again for inviting me!"
"But of course," Xie Lian said with a smile.
Hua Cheng watched as Shi Qingxuan talked with half a steamed bun in his mouth. He vaguely remembered how the Wind Master used to scold the so called Earth Master for his terrible table manners. Funny, how now Shi Qingxuan himself ate that way. Those two were matched in that as well.
Well, Shi Qingxuan could eat his fill. The wedding banquet Hua Cheng had organized was enough to feed all of Ghost City and then some. He and Xie Lian were holding it a few days after their marriage. They had taken some time to thoroughly enjoy each other, but now Hua Cheng felt it was time to brag. He had organized a feast worthy of Xie Lian. All of Ghost City was partying, half of Heaven was there (unfortunately), and even He Xuan had crawled out of his hole (maybe even more unfortunately).
Shi Qingxuan gesticulated wildly as he spoke. "But is it true you married in private? No bridal procession or anything?"
"We wanted for it to be just us."
"That's very romantic and all, don't get me wrong," Shi Qingxuan said. "But you could have at least had Crimson Rain duel a few people to get to you!"
"Me and San Lang already had to endure so many trials to marry, why would we want to add even more?"
"But it's tradition!"
Hua Cheng smiled at his husband. "Well, gege, it might have been proper to do it before the marriage itself, but I'm willing to fight a few heavenly officials to prove my worth if you wish."
Out of the corner of his eye, Hua Cheng saw a few nearby gods scram.
"No dueling without good reason," Xie Lian said, raising a finger.
"What better reason than my husband?"
Xie Lian blushed slightly. "And besides, why are we assuming San Lang should be the one to pass the trials to get to me, and not the reverse?"
If one wanted to be true to tradition, that role should indeed fall to Xie Lian. He was the alpha, after all. Had they had a proper wedding, Hua Cheng should have been veiled and carried in the bridal sedan, and Xie Lian should have passed through obstacles to get to him.
But Shi Qingxuan didn't know Hua Cheng was an omega. He and most others seemed under the impression that Xie Lian and Hua Cheng had an alpha-alpha marriage. Unorthodox, but they were also a god and a Supreme. That was even more unheard of than two male alphas.
Shi Qingxuan sighed. "Well, it was your wedding and not mine. But you look radiant, Your Highness, and that's what matters."
"Thank you, Qingxuan."
"How I wish to get a marriage like yours, one day," Shi Qingxuan said, and shoved another steamed bun in his mouth.
Xie Lian offered him a smile. "I'm sure you can find someone, too."
Shi Qingxuan gestured to his broken arm. "That's kind to say, but I don't have a lot of suitors anymore."
"Qingxuan. You are brave and kind. Even if your limbs don't all work anymore, you have many good qualities," Xie Lian said.
Wise, although few alphas were as wise as Xie Lian was. An omega in Shi Qingxuan's state wasn't considered desirable anymore, and in fact Hua Cheng would not trust any alpha interested in a homeless omega unable to fight back.
"Besides," Xie Lian added, "you look better than you did the last time I met you."
"Ah, yes, the robe is nice enough, isn't it? Someone left it at the temple I was staying at with a note that said it was for me. Weird, right?"
Hua Cheng's attention drifted to a couple of the many butterflies he had sent through Ghost City, making sure the guests wouldn't cause trouble. He found He Xuan quickly enough. As if noticing he was being watched, He Xuan swatted at the butterfly, all the while shoving an entire roasted chicken in his mouth. Gross.
He returned his attention to better things, namely his husband. The bond mark peeked from his robes. That, and a few other love bites Hua Cheng had left as decoration.
Hua Cheng's neck, by comparison, was quite bare. Only his bond bite. He had expected Xie Lian would have mauled him the last few nights, but he had been so gentle. A little nibbling here and there, nothing more. Xie Lian's self control had cracked and shaken as Hua Cheng had his way with him, but he had never ended up biting and snarling.
Again, his dignity was beyond words. Even in the throes of passion Xie Lian did not let himself sink into alpha desperation. It was commendable. But there was also a right time and place for everything. An alpha always ready to bite was distasteful, but an alpha biting his mate while making love was acceptable. Good, even.
In the same way, Hua Cheng wasn't one of those shameless omegas, like... Well, he figured Shi Qingxuan was the kind of omega who would present for any alpha he was interested in. Whatever qualities Shi Qingxuan may have, it was undeniable he could be quite vapid.
But with Xie Lian, Hua Cheng would be willing to be shameless. Show himself off a little. He would like to submit to Xie Lian, and in turn he would love for Xie Lian to, say, toss him over his shoulder, carry him to the bedroom, and chain him to the bedpost.
However, Xie Lian was so controlled. Could it be some lingering shyness? Or was it just the effects of his many centuries on a cultivation path that preached restraint?
Hua Cheng didn't feel allowed to complain. The time he had spent in bed with Xie Lian so far had been wonderful. Hua Cheng had lost himself in Xie Lian's body, so deep in bliss he had been certain that heavenly bell would start ringing for him. Yet he found himself wanting... a little more.
Well, there would be time. Now they were only just married, and Hua Cheng should focus on what was wonderful, rather than what could be improved.
***
People rarely visited the cottage on Mount Taicang. Usually, it was one god or the other coming to annoy Xie Lian. Hearing the knock on the door, Hua Cheng put on his best freezing cold smile, ready to terrify whoever it was into leaving.
"Rain Master," Hua Cheng said, surprised, when he saw who had come.
Yushi Huang nodded to him. "Crimson Rain Sought Flower. Is His Highness here?"
"He went on a stroll. Is something the matter?"
"I wished to thank him for helping me with a small situation the other day."
Yushi Huang's way of thanking others involved produce, inevitably. She carried a large basket on her shoulders, likely full of fresh crops.
"Come in," Hua Cheng said. He could accept the offering in Xie Lian's stead. It could come in handy for tonight's dinner.
When it came to gods, Yushi Huang was one of the most tolerable. She minded her own business, helped when needed, and didn't demand other people's time and attention uselessly. She had never done anything for Hua Cheng to resent her. And she was polite, which was far more than Hua Cheng could say about the average General.
Her alpha scent tickled Hua Cheng's nose as he led her in. She kept it close to her person, another quality Hua Cheng could appreciate.
"I brought a few fresh cabbages," she said, showing him the contents of her basket. "The harvest has been good this year."
Yushi Huang's main problem was that she could be so boring. Conversation with her always revolved around crops, and plants, and more crops, and occasionally how to care for farm animals. Important knowledge, Hua Cheng was sure, but his interest in it was close to non-existent.
Without Hua Cheng's input, she began to tell him all about the care of her fields. Hua Cheng liked her enough not to kick her out on the spot, but decided to give her the chance of leaving on her own.
Although. It occurred to Hua Cheng that he was an omega alone at home in the presence of an unbonded alpha. It was quite unproper. Even if Hua Cheng was married, some would frown upon this situation.
He was sure Yushi Huang would never so much as look at him as a potential partner, whatever she thought he was. To his knowledge, she had never showed interest in anyone. He doubted she would ever consider a married man in such a way.
Many alphas would be enraged regardless to see her being on her own with their omega. Xie Lian wasn't most alphas, he would never see her as a threat. But no alpha could ever truly surpass their own instincts entirely. This scene might push something in Xie Lian, make him want to reassert his claim on his omega.
It was in a certain way immature to consider that possibility. Still, Hua Cheng was curious. Could something make those well-buried instincts resurface?
Hua Cheng had to admit, he was getting the tiniest bit frustrated. So far, the alpha side of Xie Lian had peeked through his self control, but never anything more. The more they laid together, the harder it was for him to slip. Which was a pity, Hua Cheng liked it. Wanted it. Desired it, really desired it.
He wasn't sure why Xie Lian was denying him. There must be reasons – being a proper, controlled alpha, for instance – but Hua Cheng wasn't appreciating it so much anymore. It had been a half struggle to even get Xie Lian to knot him. Truly, every omega in Hua Cheng's place would start to wonder about it.
Despite his boredom, Hua Cheng put on a pleasant smile, and let Yushi Huang talk to him about crops. She had high hopes for the next radish harvest. He should tell Xie Lian that, in case he wanted to try some new recipes. Possibly after he had chased Yushi Huang out, thrown Hua Cheng on their bed, and established his territory.
The conversation was about to make him fall asleep by the time the door opened. Hua Cheng resisted the temptation of rushing to his husband. If he showed himself to be more interested in Yushi Huang's company than him, then maybe...
"San Lang, I'm back! Oh, Lord Rain Master. I didn't expect you here."
Xie Lian's voice was friendly, relaxed. As if unbothered by her presence. Then again, he was quite good at suppressing his own discomfort. Who knew what he may be feeling deep down.
"Your Highness," she said. "I have a gift for you."
"A gift? Is it some of your fabled produce?"
She nodded. "Mere fruits of hard labor."
"We could make some cabbage rolls, gege," Hua Cheng said, smiling at him.
"Oh, that's an excellent idea!"
No, not even Xie Lian was that good an actor. His friendly demeanor was genuine. It didn't bother him at all to see his husband near another alpha.
And while his trust was heart-warming, and Hua Cheng always strived to see him pleased, he was mildly disappointed. He had been counting on a hint of jealousy. Even the barest suggestion of a snarl.
"I am glad my gift was appreciated," Yushi Huang said.
"How could I not appreciate food that has been given to me?"
Maybe because it had been given by another alpha, left alone with Xie Lian's omega, unsupervised.
Ah, but in the end, it was just Yushi Huang. Xie Lian must recognize that she was not a threat, to the point of being unable to be jealous of her. Maybe Hua Cheng could organize something... No. Xie Lian knew well how much Hua Cheng detested most gods. By this logic, he would not feel jealous of any of them, knowing Hua Cheng had no interest in them.
Yushi Huang took her leave, and Hua Cheng was left to ponder his problem.
***
"How much of my debt will this erase?"
Hua Cheng paced the dreadful halls of He Xuan's dreadful palace. "You should feel honored that I should choose to come to you to discuss my private life."
"Has that ex-god servant of yours decided to seek better employment?" He Xuan asked. He sat inelegantly on his throne, fingers toying with a long fish bone. Did he ever get tired of his entire personality revolving around revenge, food, and the sea?
"This has nothing to do with Yin Yu," Hua Cheng said. "In fact, while I doubt both your tastes and intelligence, I suspect you may understand this better than he does."
"Oh? And how so?"
Because Yin Yu was a beta, and He Xuan had once been an omega like Hua Cheng.
He didn't say that. His legs kept carrying him back and forth in front of the throne. "I cannot understand why His Highness would act like this."
"You're the expert in his behavior, not me."
"He does not act like an alpha," Hua Cheng continued, ignoring He Xuan. "He does not growl nor spread his scent. Which is not a negative thing, not at all, but there is a time and context for everything. I am his husband and mate. Yet he refrains so much, he does not even spend his ruts with me!"
Last time, Xie Lian had insisted he spend the rut alone. It was what he had done his whole life, and an excellent exercise in self control, he claimed. No doubts on that, but he was married now. Hua Cheng was willing to help – more than that even.
But Xie Lian had been firm. Hua Cheng no longer had heats, and so Xie Lian would see involving him in ruts an imposition. Fair, just, noble even. It was torture.
"You are coming to me to complain that your husband does push you around like some lowlife alpha mistreating a poor omega prostitute?"
"Yes!"
He Xuan looked at him with a face of utmost disgust. "You are a shame."
Hua Cheng scoffed. "I am certainly not bending over for the first alpha I come across. However, my husband is the most exquisite example of–"
"If I tell you where my ashes are, will you free me of this conversation?"
"You are not dying until you have repaired your debt," Hua Cheng snapped.
"Why don't you learn from your exquisite husband and stop being so obsessed by material possessions?"
Oh, He Xuan wished Hua Cheng had a tenth of Xie Lian's nobility.
But what would He Xuan understand anyways? If ghosts could have heats, He Xuan would be too sour and repressed to have them. Hua Cheng couldn't expect any instinct to still be in him.
Besides, there was no saying it was alphas who appealed to He Xuan. Deny it as he will, his attachment to Shi Qingxuan could not be justified as some kind of continued bloodlust. Omega-omega pairs were as rare as alpha-alpha ones. If anything, He Xuan may be the one who wanted to do the biting and snarling at a mate.
Hua Cheng repressed a shiver of disgust. How horrid, to imagine He Xuan in any situation requiring a lack of clothes.
"Now that you have vented your frustrations, will you leave?" He Xuan asked.
"I might as well, I shouldn't have expected you to have advice."
"Advice," He Xuan repeated, the word dripping revulsion. "Do I look like someone who begs alphas to disrespect them?"
Hua Cheng looked at him up and down. "No need, you do not inspire respect."
"And maybe you do not inspire the desire to disrespect you."
Why wouldn't he? Certainly Hua Cheng was tall and broad. He was strong and not in need of an alpha's protection. His scent was eight centuries gone, and so was heat. Never had he considered himself attractive.
That being said, had he not always showed his appreciation of Xie Lian's strength? Had he not been quick to submit if the occasion presented itself? Had he not shown again and again that his body worked as well as any omega's, maybe even better? That should make up for it.
"Or," He Xuan continued, "have you considered you may have found the one alpha in the world with no such desires?"
...possible. Unlikely, but possible. If one could eradicate their own instincts entirely, it would be Xie Lian. However, he still experienced rut.
He Xuan raised an eyebrow. "Have you tried talking to him about it?"
"Talk to him?"
"Since you are talking to me, I would assume you capable to talking to him."
"I could never imply he has been less than utterly satisfying in bed."
He Xuan threw his hands up. "You are hopeless!"
It just wouldn't do to confront Xie Lian about it. Making him feel inadequate was the last thing Hua Cheng wanted. Nor would he ask something Xie Lian was unwilling to give. If it was Xie Lian's desire to keep Hua Cheng knotted for hours in a frenzied whirlwind of sex, he would just do it.
Then again. At this point. There may be something missing in communication.
"I am adding interest to your debt," Hua Cheng said.
"I listen to you, and this is how you repay me?"
***
Mirrors were a bothersome thing. Hua Cheng had avoided them his whole life and death both. There was nothing to see there.
However, today he stood in front of one, studying himself. The same face he had always seen. Nose too strong, lips too thin, the eyepatch that was almost a part of him by now. He had known exactly what he would find.
Not the picture of a desirable omega. Quite the opposite from petite and delicate beauty ideals connected to his sex. But Xie Lian said he liked it. Hua Cheng wouldn't dare to insinuate Xie Lian was a liar. If he said he found Hua Cheng's body pleasing, then Hua Cheng would accept it.
However, maybe not in the way most alphas were attracted to omegas. It could be that Hua Cheng's appearance wasn't triggering those alpha instincts. Xie Lian might like him more as... As an alpha liked another alpha. Not like it was hard to ignore that Hua Cheng was an omega. No scent, no heat, tall and broad. He only missed a knot.
Although he could try making himself one. Shapeshifting into an alpha shouldn't be all too hard.
A knock on the door.
"Who is it?" Hua Cheng asked.
"Yin Yu. May I speak with you, Chengzhu?"
"Come in."
He didn't turn to look at his servant. There was himself to glare at in the mirror.
"Excuse me, but I was informed of some Wrath level ghosts causing some problems. A group of three, referring to themselves as brothers."
"I have heard," Hua Cheng said. "It's not a concern. If they don't tire of this ruckus soon, I will deal with them."
"They are organizing an underground gambling ring, Chengzhu. They have apparently been able to hide it for a few weeks now."
That got Hua Cheng's attention. A few rowdy ghosts were a minor problem. However, everyone knew the gambling scene in Ghost City was under Hua Cheng's control alone. He was permissive with his rules, but they existed. To go behind his back meant to challenge his authority.
"Have you investigated yourself?" he asked.
Yin Yu shook his head. "I was planning on heading there after informing you."
Good. Hua Cheng would wait for a report before making his move. Most times, he would tell He Xuan to go spy on them, but Yin Yu could do that job well enough too. His forgettable face could be quite the asset.
"By your leave, then," Yin Yu said, bowing.
"One thing."
"Yes, Chengzhu?"
"You have never been married, have you?" Hua Cheng asked. He was fairly sure of the answer, but to be fair he had never been that invested in Yin Yu's personal life.
Yin Yu took a moment to answer. "I have not."
"Would you say, in your experience, that gods have different tastes than mortals?"
"They do not."
Hua Cheng had suspected, but confirmation was good. Therefore, Xie Lian should possess the exact same instincts as any other alpha in the world. Yet, there seemed to be no way to get him to act on them. Hua Cheng had tried everything he could to push him, and yet Xie Lian remained so gentle. Respectful. Barely even bit Hua Cheng at all.
He wasn't growing unsatisfied. That could never happen, not when he had Xie Lian. More like not fully satisfied.
"Is there anything else, Chengzhu?" Yin Yu asked.
Not like Yin Yu would know much either way. He was a beta. If alpha gods experienced some changes in their instincts, he wouldn't know for sure.
"No. Report back to me later."
Despite Yin Yu not saying anything, Hua Cheng sensed a certain disapproval coming from him. Just what he needed, his servant having opinions.
***
"Your Highness?"
Xie Lian hummed. He laid in bed with his head on Hua Cheng's chest, one finger drawing circles on Hua Cheng's bare skin. They were both naked, resting after a very pleasant time. How Hua Cheng adored Xie Lian's godly stamina.
He hated to ruin this small moment with his requests. The temptation of keeping silent was strong. But what better time to approach the matter than when they both were so relaxed? Besides, they hadn't tried anything new in bed in a while. Hua Cheng's wishes might be better received if presented isolated from other desires.
"There is something I would like to ask you," Hua Cheng said.
"Go on."
"Your Highness is a wonderful husband," he started. "Beautiful and strong."
Xie Lian shifted so that his face would press into Hua Cheng's chest. "So is San Lang."
And as usual, how considerate Xie Lian was. Always praising Hua Cheng, as if he could ever even compare to Xie Lian. "And you are also such a wonderful alpha, and so good to me, you leave almost no desire unsated."
"Almost?" Xie Lian replied. His tone was light, with the barest hint of wariness.
Hua Cheng hummed. Good thing his heart didn't beat, Xie Lian wouldn't notice his nervousness that way. "There is something that has made me curious."
"Which is?"
"Has Your Highness ever wished to growl at me?"
There was a long moment of silence.
"Growl at you?" Xie Lian said, quizzically. "Why would I do that? San Lang hasn't done anything to make me angry. Even when I am angry, I rarely want to do that, you know it takes a lot to get it out of me."
"Not in anger. In bed."
"In bed? Is this the same kind of things as," Xie Lian raised a hand and waived it, as if hoping Hua Cheng would understand without him speaking, "the martial god hunting down the ghost king thing?"
That had been a very good idea on Hua Cheng's part. Running through the woods, hiding and chasing Xie Lian in turn, until Xie Lian had caught him... Delightful. The thrill of the hunt had increased their fun tenfolds. It had fueled this barest hint of a predatory glint in Xie Lian's eyes, one that had made Hua Cheng weak at the knees.
As if it was rare for his husband to make him feel that way.
"Somewhat, but not quite," Hua Cheng said. "What I meant is, Your Highness is an alpha. Is it not normal for alphas to be that way with their omegas? Snarling to make them submit, pushing them around, biting... I'm sure gege knows all about that."
Xie Lian made a flustered noise. He shifted, and pushed himself up. Hua Cheng mourned his warmth on his body.
"San Lang," Xie Lian said. His cheeks were red, but his voice serious. "I know what you are talking about, yes. But I wouldn't treat you as if you were a... a low rank concubine, or anything of the sort. You deserve to be treated with all the respect I can show you–"
"I would like that," Hua Cheng said.
"...pardon?"
"I would like that," Hua Cheng repeated, watching Xie Lian blink down at him. "To be made to submit to my alpha. And to walk outside covered in marks, knowing everyone around me will know that Your Highness has had his wicked way with me."
"San Lang!"
There was a lot of red on Xie Lian's face now. How wonderful, that months after having begun to have sex it was still so easy to rile him up with so little.
Xie Lian took a deep breath. "Why would San Lang want me to be so disrespectful towards him?"
"You do a lot of disrespectful things to me already, gege," Hua Cheng pointed out.
"That's not...! San Lang. I know how to be a proper and respectful alpha. To act as if your omega like a toy for your pleasure is crass, tasteless, and all around unacceptable. Why would I do that to my beloved husband?"
"How is that any different from any other thing we do together?" Hua Cheng asked.
Xie Lian shook his head. "I mean, if San Lang wishes, we can try something? But I certainly cannot assume that just because San Lang is an omega he would want me to act in such a way."
Oh, always so proper. By now he should have understood that Hua Cheng was quite far from respectable. In many ways.
"But may I presume gege does have some of those instincts?"
That had Xie Lian look away uncomfortably. "Well I... I have learnt to ignore all more shameful things. We are supposed to elevate ourselves past such things."
Now that was close to what Hua Cheng had been hoping to hear. "Of course, but what is marriage for if not allowing ourselves to indulge?"
Xie Lian looked uncomfortable, chewing on his bottom lip.
"Gege," Hua Cheng said, "you know if most alphas attempted to show me their teeth I would rip them out and shove them all down their throats. But you are my mate, and losing my heats hasn't made me lose all of my instincts."
"And your instincts tell you to let me toss you around like a plaything?" Xie Lian asked, sounding dubious.
"Oh, I don't need instincts to understand how wonderful being gege's plaything is."
Xie Lian made a sound somewhere between a whine and a scream. "Now don't be shameless, we're having a serious conversation! Do omegas... Do you really feel that way? Instinctually?"
"I cannot speak for most omegas, but I assume it's widespread," Hua Cheng said. Of course, many didn't admit to it. Besides personal shame, it was wiser to downplay it with most alphas. "It may be less pronounced for ghosts, but I can say I was not surprised when gege awakened those desires in me."
"Really?"
"Yes. Is it so surprising?"
"I... Well, I had thought that was a big exaggeration," Xie Lian said. "Something alphas made up to have an excuse to act in untoward ways."
"It's certainly exaggerated, but it is true."
Hua Cheng could see Xie Lian rapidly assessing the situation, and so was he. He had assumed Xie Lian would be aware of this. Smart alphas knew not to trust people who said omegas were all constantly desperate for a knot, but heats were proof the impulse existed.
But now Xie Lian acted as if this was news to him. As if he had been under the impression that submission was wholly unnatural to omegas. A far better worldview than seeing omegas as sex dolls.
Xie Lian had to know alpha instincts were not a reflection of one's personality and morals. They were as uncontrollable as a nightly erection. Even one as noble as Xie Lian may, by his own admission, want to rough up their mate. That should have let him guess the reverse was true for omegas. No matter how domineering Hua Cheng was as a person, he couldn't help his response in some situations.
How unbelievable. Hua Cheng had been so worried about being undesired, and Xie Lian thought he was doing what Hua Cheng wanted.
"If San Lang has such desires, then I suppose I could make an effort?" Xie Lian said.
Hua Cheng perked up. "Truly?"
"Ah, but I don't know if I can. I've been suppressing all of it for so long, I would feel so silly growling at you now."
Understandable. All sex acts had required Xie Lian to go past his cultivation path. However, to this there was a simple solution. "What about during a rut?"
"I would find it easier, but... San Lang. I told you, ruts are a pain. The only reason I haven't stopped them entirely is that they're a good cultivation opportunity. I would feel bad forcing San Lang to endure me in that state."
"Nothing involving you and sex can ever be merely endured, gege," Hua Cheng purred. "Enjoyed, relished, savored."
Xie Lian gave Hua Cheng a slight slap on his shoulder. "Stop it."
"It is nothing but the most profound of blessing to be bound by Your Highness's–"
A hand covered Hua Cheng's mouth. Hua Cheng licked it.
"Stop," Xie Lian repeated.
But how could Hua Cheng, now that mirth was dancing in his chest? There wasn't any real problem. Xie Lian was just too respectful. And a little too ignorant of the matters of sex. So many things Hua Cheng had to teach him, and how delightful to do it.
Xie Lian took a deep breath. "Do you really, really want to join me in rut?"
"Yes," Hua Cheng said as soon as the hand came off his mouth.
"I suppose we can think about it."
That was a yes. Hua Cheng knew it was a yes. There mere thought had him wrap his arms around Xie Lian's neck, and drag him down to continue where they had left off.
***
The room was filled with Xie Lian's scent. Deeper, richer than usual. A sour tang colored it, turning it heavier, making it spread like a physical thing. Hua Cheng could swear it was sticking to his skin.
"How do you feel, gege?" he asked. He laid in bed, half disrobed, playing with a strand of his own hair. From the outside, he may look at ease, but inside he was brimming with restless energy.
Xie Lian paced the room, twisting his hands together. "Warm."
Hua Cheng could see it in the sweat building on Xie Lian's face. The rut was building into him fast, and Hua Cheng wondered how he could stand to still wear clothes.
He was getting impatient. Xie Lian had said that he would need some time. A lifetime of using his ruts as an opportunity to practice his self control meant he no longer remembered how to simply follow his desires during it. He had to let the need increase until he could no longer hold it down.
Hua Cheng understood. However, waiting in bed for him was making him lose his mind. The pheromones rolling off of Xie Lian had Hua Cheng hard and leaking in his pants. He knew Xie Lian had to smell the arousal on him. Yet, it wasn't enough to make him snap. All he did was pace fast enough to almost be running, licking his lips and occasionally grimacing.
Maybe Hua Cheng should help him. He had agreed to wait, but the wait was becoming too long. Pushing may be for the best.
"Can I do something for you?" Hua Cheng asked.
"No."
Xie Lian's words were spoken harshly. In a different occasion, it would make Hua Cheng wonder what had he done to displease him. Now, they had him shiver.
Even though Xie Lian wasn't looking at him, he spread his legs further. His pants were so restrictive now. No doubt his own slick was making a puddle in them. The scent of it had to be slamming into Xie Lian's nose like a real punch.
"Gege smells so good right now," he sighed.
Xie Lian replied with a grunt.
Hua Cheng's fingers brushed against his own neck, feeling the shape of his mating bite. Were his glands swelling in response to Xie Lian's rut? No, that was impossible. The area felt more sensitive than usual, as he brushed it, but nothing more. That didn't mean a bite wouldn't leave him screaming.
His hand trailed lower. The innermost layer of his robes still hung around his shoulders, but it had been left open over his chest. Maybe he should take it off entirely. His own body was warmer than it had in a long time. Even if he couldn't slip into a true heat in response to Xie Lian's rut, he was getting as close as he could.
Watching Xie Lian fight with himself, Hua Cheng fingers reached down to them hem of his pants. He hesitated, lingering on his lower stomach for a moment. Part of him said to wait until his alpha took the lead. However, his cock was begging to be freed. Even if he came now, he would grow hard again in no time.
He pushed his hand inside his clothes, and was unable to stifle a groan. This way, he couldn't properly stroke himself, just awkwardly squeeze, and that was already close to enough to what he needed. Now if he could reach behind himself too. The pressure on his cock made him feel all the more empty.
"What are you doing?"
Hua Cheng's eye snapped to Xie Lian. He had stopped pacing, and now glared at Hua Cheng as if offended.
"I need some relief, gege," Hua Cheng said, mouth dry.
"Didn't we say you would wait?"
"Yes, but..."
Xie Lian strode towards the bed. His face was scarlet, a couple strands of hair sticking to his skin. He grabbed Hua Cheng's wrist, his grip firm.
"We take care of you when I say we do," Xie Lian said.
Rarely did Xie Lian order him around in such a way. Hua Cheng's cock twitched, but he could do nothing but obey, wrenching his hand away.
"Gege," he said, "the things you are doing to me."
Xie Lian stared at him, his body still as if frozen. He swallowed once, hard.
Hua Cheng rolled his hips towards him. "Are you not going to take care of me?"
A growl. Low, slowly crawling out of Xie Lian's throat. His lips weren't even pulled back, as if the sound was coming out of nowhere.
Hua Cheng's fingers clenched around the bedsheets. He couldn't be expected to hold on like this much longer. If Xie Lian could hurry up. But if he didn't, Hua Cheng would be more than happy of jumping him. Being dominated was what he had wanted, but it didn't mean he couldn't take the lead too.
Xie Lian's eyes narrowed. "Wasn't San Lang pushing for me to be in charge?"
"Yes," Hua Cheng replied.
"Then why are you protesting against my orders?"
Because Hua Cheng was about to burst out of his skin. But now that Xie Lian had given him explicit orders, had growled at him, Hua Cheng couldn't not obey. His alpha wanted something, Hua Cheng would submit to it. Even if he wanted to shove his hands into Xie Lian's clothes himself and he wanted it now.
Xie Lian breathed in deep. Despite not having done anything physically strenuous, his breathing was fast and irregular. "Get naked."
Hua Cheng made his remaining clothes vanish. The relief of no longer being constricted by his pants was short lived.
"San Lang," Xie Lian hissed, eyes traveling up and down Hua Cheng's body.
"Yes, gege?"
Xie Lian kissed him. He grabbed Hua Cheng's face, thumb digging into his cheek, turning his face how he wanted. It felt as if he was trying to devour him. A whine rose in Hua Cheng's throat, before getting swallowed by Xie Lian.
The kiss was over too son. Xie Lian broke it with a gasp, as if those few heartbeats had been enough to take the air out of his lungs.
His hand left Hua Cheng's face, wrapping around his neck instead. Hua Cheng tried to bare it more than it already was. Were he alive, Xie Lian would need the smallest hint of his strength to cut off his airflow. His divine power tickled Hua Cheng's skin.
"My San Lang," Xie Lian said. His eyes, bright as if feverish, were fixed on Hua Cheng's neck. It didn't sound like he was speaking to anyone but himself.
Two fingers pressed on Hua Cheng's gland, across his mating bite. Hua Cheng saw stars. That possessiveness in Xie Lian's motions was new and delightful. Beyond anything else, being so desired by his god was everything Hua Cheng could have ever wished for. His existence was to please Xie Lian, and how he wanted to.
"Your Highness," Hua Cheng whispered, "have some pity on this believer."
Xie Lian snarled, and suddenly flipped Hua Cheng around. In a blink Hua Cheng found himself on his belly, hearing the sound of clothes moving, and then tearing. As if Xie Lian was ripping it all off.
Barely thinking about it, Hua Cheng pushed himself on his hands and knees. Presenting. Ready for whatever his mate wanted to do.
"Are you ready?" Xie Lian asked, voice strained.
Hua Cheng pushed his ass out. "Have been for a while."
Xie Lian had to see how slick he was. So painfully considerate, forcing himself to ask if Hua Cheng could take him. As if there was any doubt on that.
His head spun as Xie Lian got on top of him. Hua Cheng's hair was pushed aside, allowing for easy reach. Should he have made himself shorter? Xie Lian would struggle to reach his neck if he was inside of him.
Every thought left him as teeth sunk into his neck. Hard, firm, the kind of bite that was meant to bruise and injure. Hua Cheng hadn't received one like that since their wedding night. He shouted in ecstasy. This was what he had been waiting for, longing for, being claimed and marked.
His arms almost gave out from underneath him when Xie Lian let him go. And then his hair was pushed away once again, and a similar, equally hard bite was delivered to the other side of his neck.
"Your Highness," Hua Cheng keened.
Xie Lian's jaws unclasped from him. He licked the bite, and Hua Cheng was definitely bleeding, it wouldn't sting so much otherwise. His body covered Hua Cheng's, burning hot with rut. Hua Cheng could feel Xie Lian's hard cock bumping against his back. More slick dripped from Xie Lian's hole, the need to be filled overpowering.
"Fuck me, Your Highness," he asked. His arousal was blinding. He had been marked, that knot was all that was missing.
Xie Lian nipped his shoulder. "Didn't you want me to bite you all this time? Be patient."
Getting told to be patient by an alpha in rut. It would be funny if Hua Cheng wasn't so desperate. "Wouldn't you like that?"
Hua Cheng let out a choked sound as Xie Lian delivered another hard bite.
"I decide how fast we go," Xie Lian growled after it.
However, it seemed he could no longer hold himself back. He straightened up, shifting so that he was behind Hua Cheng.
Xie Lian pushed in in one, smooth thrust. Being filled alone very nearly had Hua Cheng come right there and then. It had never felt so intense before, except maybe the first time Xie Lian had taken him. Those bites, that overpowering scent, they had barely started the real event and Hua Cheng was already more than overwhelmed.
The rhythm Xie Lian set was immediately punishing. Whatever self control he had had vanished at last, leaving him at the mercy of his rut. He growled and grunted, hands gripping Hua Cheng's waist painfully hard.
No one else got to see Xie Lian like this. Just Hua Cheng. He had the privilege, the honor, of being the only person to ever help Xe Lian through a rut. The only omega Xie Lian wanted. Hua Cheng would be the most perfect mate, omega, husband, believer, anything he could.
The swell of Xie Lian's knot began to drag against Hua Cheng's rim. It was a wonderful knot. Hua Cheng had never taken anyone else's knot, but he knew that it was the exact right size for him.
He was very close to coming already, but he had to hold on until Xie Lian did. While knotted, he wanted to come while he was knotted. His back arched, encouraging Xie Lian's thrusts. Not all of them managed to hit quite right, but most did, and that was more than enough.
The wait wasn't long. Xie Lian must be hanging on the edge, his knot swelling fast. His thrusts became irregular. The noises he made were confused, somewhere between words and moans.
Xie Lian's knot locked. Hua Cheng saw white as he gave in to his orgasm. A litany of Your Highness fell from his lips, or at least it felt like it was. No telling whether his words made any sense, or whether his shout was only inside his own head.
But the beastly snarl as Xie Lian's came was definitely real.
The two of them ended up crashing down on the bed together. Hua Cheng face down in the pillow, Xie Lian weighing on his back, stuck until Xie Lian's knot deflated. Proven that the rut wouldn't make Xie Lian hard again before that.
A low purr shook Hua Cheng's chest. He floated in a haze, barely grounded by the distant pain in his neck.
"San Lang," Xie Lian sighed after a moment.
Hua Cheng purred louder.
Xie Lian nuzzled the space between Hua Cheng's shoulder blades. "So good for me."
"Anything for you," Hua Cheng said, his tongue heavy in his mouth.
"Mm, hold on to that." Xie Lian nipped Hua Cheng's skin. "I think... I'll have to keep my dear omega busy for a while."
That was perfect. Just perfect.