Chapter Text
All three brothers left the feast separately, eager to return home after the grand festivities of the Outworld's festival.
They had been invited to attend, but none of them were particularly thrilled about spending too much time away from their duties.
Bi-Han had recently been appointed as the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei clan. As such, he couldn't afford to be away from the palace for too long, lest important matters be neglected. So he was the first to step through the portal that would return him to the familiar surroundings of the Lin Kuei headquarters.
An hour later, Kuai Liang followed suit, leaving the boisterous crowds and vibrant colours of the Outworld behind. He could already feel the exhaustion creeping in after a long day of mingling and making polite conversation.
Tomas, the youngest of the three, lingered a bit longer, indulging in one too many cups of the potent Outworld wine. As he stumbled towards the portal, he nearly tripped and fell headfirst into the swirling vortex. He caught himself just in time, cursing under his breath as he steadied his wobbly steps. Tomas was quite certain that his brothers were in a similar state, the festivities having taken their toll on all of them.
He saw Kuai Liang almost passed out on the table, the long strands of his raven-black hair cascading out of his usually neatly-tied bun and covering his face. Smoke felt a pang of concern wash over him as he gently touched the Pyromancer's broad shoulder.
"Brother? Brother, are you alright?”
Kuai Liang slowly turned his head, his deep brown eyes locking onto Tomas' gaze. A sly smile tugged at the corners of his full, sensual lips.
“Yes...” Kuai replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm just... Very tired.”
Without another word, he pushed himself up from the table and made his way towards the portal, his movements slightly unsteady. Smoke followed him ten or fifteen minutes later.
~~~
The sound of soft whimpering made Tomas' face blush. He was heading to his own room, but passing by his brother's chambers, he was suddenly greeted with undeniably suspicious sounds. It obviously didn't help that for a long while already, Kuai Liang was the man he was dreaming about. Sometimes he managed to catch a glimpse of his perfect, muscular, but graceful body in the baths or hot springs, but it was just a brief moment before he had to look away, feeling how his face flushed with desire. The younger brother always hesitated, torn between his curiosity and his shyness. He longed to see more of Kuai Liang, to admire his toned physique and the way water would glisten on his beautiful golden skin. But he was too shy, too afraid of being caught staring. Still, the temptation was almost overwhelming, and he tried to see as much as possible without getting too obvious.
He wasn't sure exactly when these feelings started, or maybe if they had always been there, but he was pretty damn sure that he had never wanted anyone as much as he wanted Kuai. And now, as he overheard those intimate sounds, he couldn't help but feel a wave of arousal wash over him. Even though he had witnessed Kuai Liang making out with someone a few times, heard heavy breathing and the moist sounds of passionate kisses from the neighbouring room, still, every time was making him feel not just aroused but also slightly jealous.
He remembered that one particular day a few years ago, when he and Bi-Han had stumbled upon their brother in a compromising position with one of the Lin Kuei warriors. They had been walking down the dimly lit hallway of their palace when they came across the kissing couple. The Pyromancer was pressed against the wall, his back arched as the other man supported him, hands gripping firmly onto Kuai's thighs. Scorpion's own arms were wrapped tightly around the warrior's neck, their bodies flush against each other, and his legs were wrapped around the man's waist, pulling him in closer. Soft moans and gasps of pleasure escaped Kuai's lips as the warrior trailed kisses along his neck. It was something that the brothers hadn't expected to witness. That image was forever burnt into their minds - a side of Kuai Liang they had never seen before.
The other man held their brother like he weighed nothing, as if Kuai were a fragile, delicate flower. Tomas felt a pang of jealousy, wishing he could be the one to hold him so tenderly. He wanted to find out how Kuai Liang's weight felt in his own arms, to feel the warmth of his body pressed against his own.
Bi-Han, standing nearby, clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. With a loud yell, he startled the couple, causing them to quickly separate. Bi-Han then grabbed Kuai's hand and dragged him back to his chambers. The sound of the Cryomancer scolding his brother echoed through the corridors, and it was likely that everyone in the clan could hear the elder sibling's displeasure.
It was a good thing that their parents were out on a mission, so they didn't find out about that accident. Even though Scorpion was already of age, such behaviour was not acceptable. And when their mother asked Kuai Liang why he was so upset, he casually said that it was nothing.
As for the man who was kissing his brother… Tomas had never seen him again.
After that, Smoke had heard Kuai making out with someone else a few times, but it always happened when Bi-Han wasn't around. Every time he felt that sting of jealousy, and every time he found himself releasing the tension with the ministrations of his own hands, or losing himself in the warm embrace of someone else for an hour or so. Tomas felt guilty for that, but he couldn't help it. The mere thought of the Pyromancer in such an intimate position made him ache with desire.
And, once again, it was always nothing more than sounds of kisses, probably because Kuai Liang didn't allow anything more than that if they could have been heard by someone’s curious ear. But that time, though... Soft sighs and moans were heard from Kuai's room. Tomas felt his heart racing as he strained to make out the muffled sounds. He knew he shouldn't be eavesdropping, but he couldn't resist the temptation.
He wanted so badly to be the one giving his brother that kind of pleasure. To feel Kuai's body writhing beneath his own, to hear those beautiful sounds escape his lips. But Tomas knew he could never have that. Kuai was his brother, and their love could never be anything more than what it was - a forbidden desire that haunted him.
The younger man leaned against the door and listened. What caught his attention was the fact that he could only hear Kuai Liang's voice emanating from the room without any other response. Maybe he was there alone? Maybe he was touching himself?
"What are you doing?” Bi-Han whispered suddenly from behind, making his brother wince in surprise.
Smoke felt his cheeks flush an even deeper shade of red. He wasn't sure which would be more embarrassing - being caught by Kuai Liang or being caught by the Grandmaster himself.
“I... Uh...” He stammered, trying to come up with an excuse.
Tomas swallowed hard, his heart racing. He knew he had been caught red-handed, and there was no way to talk his way out of this one. He opened his mouth to respond, hoping to somehow salvage the situation, but the words caught in his throat.
"Stop mumbling, Tomas!" Bi-Han interrupted, his brow furrowed in annoyance. Even though he was clearly angry, he kept his voice down, likely so as not to wake anyone. "I asked you a question. What are you doing here?"
"I heard something from Kuai Liang's room, so I tried to figure out what it was…" Tomas explained, his voice wavering slightly. He knew his older brother would not approve of his behaviour.
"And what did you find out?" The Cryomancer pressed, his arms crossed over his broad chest.
The silver-haired man shrugged, unable to look his brother in the eyes.
"Get out of the way." Bi-Han brushed him off with a wave of his hand and leaned on the wooden surface of the door, listening intently.
Even though it was really dark in there, Tomas still saw the slight blush on his brother's face as he realised what was going on.
"Who-" Bi-Han began, but Tomas quickly pressed his finger to his lips.
"Shhh!" The younger man hushed. "I think he's alone in there."
"You're sure?"
"Yes. I'm standing here for a while now.” Tomas admitted, blushing heavily. He felt mortified by his brother's intense gaze.
Bi-Han snorted.
"And why exactly are you standing here for a while?"
Smoke felt his face burn with embarrassment.
"I was investigating." He mumbled awkwardly.
"Ah!" A soft moan made both men turn their heads to the door again.
Tomas squatted down and leaned closer to the wooden surface, pressing his ear against it to try and hear better.
“What are you doing?" Bi-Han frowned, watching the younger man's actions curiously.
"And what are you doing?" Smoke retorted, glancing up at the Cryomancer with a questioning gaze.
The elder man sighed angrily and didn't reply, instead focussing his attention back on the door.
"B-brother! Ah!"
It made both Bi-Han and Tomas look at each other in pure shock. Dark brown met light grey as they silently stared at each other, unable to say anything.
"What..." Tomas whispered as Bi-Han gently twisted the doorknob, allowing the door to open ever so slightly.
Now it was the elder man's turn to bring a finger to his lips, signalling for his brother to be quiet. They peered through the gap, trying to catch a glimpse of what was happening inside without drawing any unwanted attention.
As Tomas looked inside, he caught sight of Kuai Liang, sprawled out on his bed, his face contorted in an expression of ecstasy. The younger man felt his breath catch in his throat, his mouth going dry at the sight. Kuai's long, elegant fingers were caressing his own body, eliciting those soft, needy whimpers that had drawn both brothers in. Tomas knew he should leave, knew that he was intruding on a private moment... But he couldn't tear his eyes away, mesmerised by the beautiful, sensual display before him. He ached to reach out, to touch Kuai Liang, to feel the heat of his skin under his fingertips. But he remained rooted to the spot, his desire warring with his sense of propriety.
The Pyromancer was completely alone in the room. He lay on the bed absolutely naked; the sheets and his clothing were strewn haphazardly across the floor, as if hastily removed; only one thin silken blanket partially covered his lower body. Kuai’s long raven hair was down, and a delicate blush painted his cheeks and the exposed skin of his chest, giving him an even more alluring look. His lips were red from biting them as he vainly tried to muffle his moans.
The Pyromancer gently rolled onto his side; his hair fell across his face as he moved, the silky strands drifting down to cover his eyes. Now Smoke could see how Kuai’s long fingers caressed his dick. His other hand was behind his back, and he was… Oh… Oh!
“Please…” Scorpion moaned softly. “Please, brother…”
Neither Bi-Han nor Tomas realised that they were watching Kuai Liang without even blinking. They both held their breaths, staring at him shamelessly. Both men wished to be that special "brother" Kuai Liang was thinking about in such an intimate way. Neither of them could pick up the courage to step forward and make their presence known, afraid of rejection. So they remained hidden in the shadows, simply looking on as Kuai continued pleasuring himself.
Bi-Han and Tomas stole glances at each other, each silently acknowledging the other's desire. The two assassins could only imagine what it would be like to make Kuai Liang tremble and moan because of their own touch.
“Aaah…” The Pyromancer arched his back and lowered his head.
His hair cascaded down like a gorgeous black waterfall, stark contrast with the white bedsheets. Tomas knew those strands were silky and smooth; he had helped Kuai Liang brush and style his hair before. Tomas remembered how Kuai's eyes would flutter closed as he gently ran the comb through those shiny dark waves, the repetitive motion calming down them both.
The teeth of the comb would glide effortlessly through Kuai's thick, luxurious hair, not catching on any tangles. Smoke took his time, being careful not to pull or tug, brushing from root to tip, smoothing out any flyaways. Watching the locks fall back into place, perfectly straight and gleaming, filled the younger brother with love and affection. Kuai always looked so serene and at peace when Tomas tended to his hair. Those moments were intimate and meaningful - a ritual they had shared for a long while.
They stopped doing that since Kuai Liang had that one heated argument with his elder brother about kissing someone in public. Blinded by his anger, Bi-Han made a scathing comment about Kuai Liang's long, flowing hair.
“You shouldn't wear it like that all the time! Who are you trying to seduce?"
“I'm not trying to seduce anyone. I just like wearing my hair down!” The young Pyromancer clenched his teeth, trying to maintain his composure.
Bi-Han narrowed his dark eyes, and his tone grew even more accusatory.
"Lies! Do you want someone to grab your hair and fuck you like the slut you are? Then you should untie it in the bedroom with your partner, and not just walk around like that!"
Kuai Liang's eyes widened, and he opened his mouth to retort, but the words caught in his throat. He stood there, clenching and unclenching his fists, trying to find the right words to express the hurt and anger he felt.
"So I'm a slut now?" The younger brother asked, his voice wavering slightly.
"If I remember correctly, twenty minutes ago you were kissing someone in the hallway."
“How dare y-“
“You act like a whore, and I treat you like one. It’s that simple.”
The blade of the kunai glistened in the sunlight as it sliced through the younger man's gorgeous raven-black strands. Countless locks fell to the ground, creating a dark pool around his feet.
"Is it better now?" Kuai's voice was dripping with a poisonous mix of anger and hurt. His hair, which only a mere minute ago had cascaded down past his waist, now reached only to his collarbones.
Bi-Han stood there with his mouth slightly agape, struggling to find the right words. He had not anticipated such a drastic reaction from Kuai Liang. The elder Lin Kuei warrior knew he had overstepped a boundary, but the damage was already done.
The youngest brother stepped in to assist the Pyromancer. With a steady hand, he helped Kuai carefully trim the uneven lengths, making the cut as neat and straight as possible.
Scorpion grew out his hair eventually, but he almost never wore it down in public anymore. And Tomas… Tomas remembered perfectly those Bi-Han’s words. Since then, he has dreamed of holding Kuai Liang’s hair in his fist while fucking him like a slut. And judging by the eldest brother’s expression as he watched Kuai pleasuring himself, he was definitely thinking about something like that too.
“I- I…” Kuai’s whole body trembled. “Aaah! Brother!”
He arched his back as he came, graceful and elegant, a truly feline beauty, and threw his head back, exposing the long line of his neck. Neither Tomas nor Bi-Han could stop themselves from gasping "Elder Gods!" in unison at the mesmerising display before them.
Even though Kuai Liang was still in his blissful state, he managed to push himself up onto his elbow, the silk blanket pooling around his waist. He brushed his hair away from his flushed face, looking directly at the door with a lazy, half-lidded gaze.
"You like what you see?" The Pyromancer whispered softly, his voice low and slurred ever-so-slightly.
Tomas slowly got up to his feet and looked at Bi-Han. Both men stood there, staring helplessly at each other. They were unsure of what was happening or who Kuai Liang was addressing.
After a moment of silence, the Pyromancer spoke again.
"You can come in if you want it as much as I do. If not, please forget about that."