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Chapter Text

Shen Yuan sat in his small room, watching the sky darken outside of his window. The sounds of the bustling street below floated up to his ears and he could tell it was more male voices than usual. Every woman was being hidden away by her family or masters right now. The nights were not safe for them anymore.

Shen Yuan was not a woman and thus was taking on the workload of his peers. He sighed and turned back to his tiny bronze mirror and finished applying his face paint.

His arrival on the main floor of the brothel house caused a stir. Men who had never glanced at him twice before now looked at him hungrily. He kept his face mostly hidden by his fan and gracefully approached the madam. She was standing at the back of the main room, talking in hushed tones with another girl who scampered off as Shen Yuan came closer.

“Another girl was killed last night,” the madam said in lieu of a greeting. “That makes two of Old Master Chen’s concubines that have died. Only Die-er is left.”

It was a well hidden secret that Die-er had been trained by the madam in the womanly arts, to increase her ability to please Old Master Chen. The two women were close and the madam was visibly distressed.

Shen Yuan nodded to convey his sympathy and the madam pulled herself together enough to inform him that one of his regulars was due to arrive soon. Shen Yuan swallowed a groan and turned to see the man entering the front door. Damn. He didn’t get even a moment to collect himself after that horrible news. He might not be at risk himself but several of the victims had worked with him at one point. He grieved their loss, though none of them had been friends of his.

His client brightened when he saw Shen Yuan and gestured towards him as he approached. Two other men were with him and they looked at Shen Yuan in a way that used to make his stomach turn. Now, it barely bothered him.

As a high ranking member of the brothel, Shen Yuan had some say in who he took to bed. Only those who could afford his rate and additional gifts were allowed to spend time in his company, and among those only the richest and most powerful were allowed to touch him.

Shen Yuan invited the three men into one of the communal rooms on the second floor. His personal chambers were too small for so many to properly sit in, especially if he was to play the guqin. It was his specialty and negated the need to make small talk. He could play for hours, the small calluses on his fingers the only flaw on his skin.

This was not the life he had imagined when he transmigrated.

He had expected to be some mob character, or some low level NPC that assisted the hero on his journey. Instead he was a prostitute that the book never bothered to name, working hard for his keep and never getting to see any of the interesting parts of the world.

He knew he was in Proud Immortal Demon Way. He recognized several magical plants and pest level monsters, and once the horrid Shen Qingqiu had visited the brothel. He never showed interest in men so Shen Yuan had escaped that particular nastiness but Shen Yuan was always keeping an eye out for him. One of these days he might start talking about a little Luo Binghe and that’s when Shen Yuan would really need to start paying attention to the world around him.

Luo Binghe, the protagonist of the story, was going to grow up to rule the world from lavish palaces, surrounded by his hundreds of wives. It was not a smooth process to reach that position though. Shen Yuan had spent many weeks figuring out his plan for when Luo Binghe begins to invade the human realm. Luo Binghe would start with Cang Qiong, the cultivation sect whose mountains Shen Yuan lived at the base of. It would not be smart to be here when Luo Binghe arrived.

Shen Yuan was planning on working as hard as he could, saving up as much money as possible, and escaping the village once Luo Binghe went to the Immortal Alliance Conference. It would require money and careful decisions to avoid getting caught up in the mess of the human and demon realms coming under Luo Binghe’s reign.

Shen Yuan needed to be ready, if he was to survive it.

*****

Shen Yuan was sitting at a table on the main floor of the brothel, working on a piece of calligraphy. Several of his peers crowded around him to watch and learn. He explained his actions as he moved his hand above the paper, brush held at the perfect angle for beautiful, clean strokes.

“It’s so lovely,” one of them sighed and Shen Yuan hid a small smile. He enjoyed this aspect of his job, the training of others. He never thought of himself as a teacher but he was rather good at it. He’d had to teach himself all these skills quickly when he first transmigrated, but all his hard studies had paid off.

It was the middle of the morning, too early for customers to be arriving, though the front door was propped open to allow in a breeze. The heat was brutal this summer, and Shen Yuan was enjoying the warm air before the sweltering heat of midday arrived.

The breeze slowed for a moment as a shadow crossed the threshold. Shen Yuan looked up between his characters and saw Shen Qingqiu and several disciples. He gently put down his brush as the ladies hurried over to Shen Qingqiu, cooing over his good looks and his cute little students.

Shen Yuan cleared the table of his calligraphy supplies so that the ladies could seat Shen Qingqiu in a chair and circle around him.

“I’m here on business today,” Shen Qingqiu said and they all knew what that meant. Even Shen Yuan, who usually tried to avoid Shen Qingqiu, stopped and listened. “What do you know about the murders?”

A grave atmosphere fell over the brothel.

“It began two months ago, with a young girl traveling to the city. I don’t know her name,” a lady in green said. There had been so much turn over lately with women fleeing the city that Shen Yuan didn’t know the names of all the ladies any more. “Then it was the silk merchant’s daughter, then us. Master Cultivator, five of us have died. Then whoever it was went after Old Master Chen’s concubines. Die-er is the only one left.”

Shen Qingqiu clearly noticed the familiar address but did not speak up.

“She and the madam are close,” the lady continued. “Madam is very worried for her safety.”

Then she leaned in closer and spoke in a hushed voice. “I’ve heard that when they examine the corpses, the skin just lifts away as though someone had skinned them, then redressed them in their own flesh.

Shen Yuan wants to gag.

Shen Qingqiu’s disciples don’t look much better off, their faces ranging from stark white to a rather worrying shade of green. Only one of them looked around the room with clear eyes and seemed to be able to absorb all that was being said without visibly reacting. He was a teenager, Shen Yuan guessed though he was bad at judging ages. He had long curly hair that desperately needed attention. It looked to have been cared for with finger combing and a knife to clean the ends. Despite the mess on his head, his face was cherubic, so cute that Shen Yuan wanted to pinch his cheeks.

Oh dear.

This must be the protagonist, Luo Binghe.

Shen Yuan watched him from the corner of his eye, noticing how he stood ever so slightly apart from the other disciples. Luo Binghe holds himself perfectly still even as the other disciples shift from foot to foot, uncomfortable to be in such an establishment. At one point, the tallest disciple turned and whispered something to the disciple closest to Luo Binghe, who stepped closer to Luo Binghe. Before Luo Binghe could escape, his foot was stomped down on. Luo Binghe didn’t make a sound, his expressive eyes looking down at the floor now, his head bowed.

Bullies.

Shen Qingqiu finished up with the women and departed with an aloof expression on his perfect face.

The disciples turned and hurried after their shizun, though the tallest one took this as an opportunity to slam his shoulder against Luo Binghe’s and knocking him back.

The bump pushed up Luo Binghe’s sleeve. revealing a dark bruise on his wrist.

That was right. He was under Shen Qingqiu’s tutelage right now and Shen Qingqiu encouraged the bullies to harass and harm Luo Binghe, frequently joining in himself. A deep hatred curled in Shen Yuan’s gut. What a scum villain.

As the ladies fought over the baubles Shen Qingqiu had brought as gifts, Shen Yuan went up to his room for his coin purse and slipped a plain robe over his bright clothes. He didn’t have time to change fully but it was crass to go outside in the clothes he worked in.

Shen Yuan slipped out the front door of the brothel without anyone noticing.

At this time of day the streets were full to bursting with peddlers and their merchandise. Shen Yuan hurried through them, looking for a specific stand.

Thankfully he found it on the second street he searched. It was a small cart, carried to and fro by the owner each day from the top of Qian Cao Peak to the town. There were no better healers in the region than Mu Qingfang and his disciples so surely the ointments prepared by them would be the strongest. Shen Yuan never bought such a thing for himself because it was too expensive but Luo Binghe deserved nothing short of the best.

It cost him almost a month’s savings to purchase a small medicine jar.

He stashed it and his nearly empty coin purse in the sleeve of his robes and began searching once again. Thankfully, cultivators always stood out from the normal folk in their fancier robes and jewels. Even the disciples wore nicer clothes than Shen Yuan could afford.

Shen Yuan found Shen Qingqiu first, talking with a few of his older disciples. The others were scattered through the streets, looking on their own for clues to bring back to their shizun.

Luo Binghe was the farthest from them all, being led about by a pretty girl that could only be Ning Yingying.

Hmm. How to give Luo Binghe the ointment without alerting Ning Yingying to his injuries. It would be no good to make the hero appear weak in front of his future first wife.

Shen Yuan stopped at the first food booth he saw. He purchased medium sized sugar sculptures with the last of his coin.

Shen Yuan approached the young cultivators cautiously, not wanting to startle them. The girl noticed him first.

“Oh! You’re the man from the brothel,” she said as he stepped in front of them. Her voice was cheerful and nonjudgmental. Shen Yuan liked her instantly. This was the type of person Luo Binghe should be surrounded with, not all those cruel people.

Shen Yuan bowed. “My name is Shen Yuan.”

“Why are you here, Shen Yuan?” Ning Yingying asked. Shen Yuan glanced at Luo Binghe and was caught by the youngster’s gaze. His eyes were pitch black and framed with the longest lashes.

“I wished to apologize for our lack of hospitality earlier. We did not offer you refreshments as we should have. Please accept these to make up for our error,” Shen Yuan said. He held out the two sugar sculptures, one in each hand.

Ning Yingying was delighted and took hers instantly. Luo Binghe was more reserved, staring at him with those dark eyes.

“You did not need to do that,” he said. “We are only disciples.”

“For now,” Shen Yuan agreed. Please take the damn sculpture he wanted to say but he waited for Luo Binghe to cautiously accept the gift, his brow furrowed slightly as though he was unused to small kindnesses. He probably was. As he accepted the bait, Shen Yuan moved to avoid a group of people moving by them. In the confusion of the crowd and the disciple’s delight at such a sudden treat, Shen Yuan used the slight of hand he’d learned early on after his transmigration and dropped the medicine jar into the pouch tied to Luo Binghe’s belt.

Usually he would be sneaking coins out to ensure he was paid for his services but the skill worked just fine for this too.

“Again, please forgive our earlier impoliteness,” Shen Yuan said before stepping back and trying to rejoin the crowd. A hand wraps around his wrist, surprisingly strong. Shen Yuan looked at it, then at Luo Binghe, ready to tell him off for grabbing him.

“It’s not safe out there,” Luo Binghe cautioned. He was still much shorter than Shen Yuan but he spoke with the gravity of an adult. “You shouldn’t be alone.”

“I‘ll be fine, I’m just heading straight back home,” Shen Yuan promised.

“We’ll accompany you back,” Luo Binghe said, stubbornly. Shen Yuan pursed his lips. He didn’t mean to interfere this much but he did want to spend time with the protagonist. He just didn’t want to ruin Luo Binghe’s reputation!

Shen Yuan turned to Ning Yingying for support but she was no longer at Luo Binghe’s elbow. Shen Yuan glanced around.

“Where did the young mistress go?”

Luo Binghe finally looked away from him and tensed when he realized he couldn’t see Ning Yingying either.

Fuck.

“You have to find her,” Shen Yuan said.

Luo Binghe looked conflicted but finally he turned back to Shen Yuan.

“Go straight back, don’t take any shortcuts,” Luo Binghe said. “I’ll find shizun.”

Then he dashed off through the crowd, leaving Shen Yuan alone.

Shen Yuan watched until he disappeared then turned to begin his journey home.

There was a woman standing right behind him. He startled when he saw her, taking a quick step back but she gripped his wrist tight. He was going to bruise if this kept happening.

It took Shen Yuan a long moment to recognize Die-er. She was not as perky as usual. Her long black hair was tied up perfectly, her clothes arranged artfully, and her jewelry was so heavy as to look like it was weighing her down but nothing could hide how sallow and gaunt she looked.

“Die-er?” Shen Yuan said. “What are you doing here?”

He didn’t see any of her attendants or guards with her. It was early in the day but Shen Yuan had thought that Old Master Chen would be too worried to allow her out alone like this.

She didn’t say anything, just looked up at him with those big sad eyes. Then her mouth widened in an approximation of a smile.

“I haven’t found a man with such gorgeous skin in so long.”

What. The. Fuck.

Shen Yuan tried to pull his hand back but she held with more force than a little concubine should be able to muster.

“Die-er—“ he started but she lifted her free hand and her palm was full of what looked like sand, or ground up spices. He tried to cover his nose and mouth but she was faster, so much faster than she should be. She blew the spices right into his face.

*****

Shen Yuan woke up shivering. He could feel the warmth of his clothes wrapped around his legs but his torso was bare except for a thick cord that wrapped around his waist and his wrists, tying the two together.

He was lying prone on a compacted dirt floor, trying to figure out what had happened besides the obvious. He had been kidnapped by Die-er, who was likely actually the Skinner, and was about to become her next victim. Why did he ever believe that he would have a fun experience transmigrating? His luck was horrible. He didn’t even remember this arc in the books but here he was, about to die after completing his job of encountering the protagonist one time. He was going to be a throwaway line, a character who didn’t even have a name and didn’t warrant a description.

Fuck. Fuck!

Shen Yuan cracked his eyes open and looked around what appeared to be the ground floor of an abandoned house. Rafters stretched across the ceiling above him, supporting a ceiling full of holes. Glancing to the side, he could see a figure moving about. Their back was to him, so he chanced opening his eyes fully.

Die-er was still dressed in her robes, the soft greens and pinks pleasant on the eye despite the horror he now knew lurked beneath. She was working at a small table, going through what appeared to be Shen Yuan’s coin purse. But sitting on the edge of the table, sorted out from the rest, was the little container of ointment.

Shen Yuan looked to his other side then and noticed Luo Binghe and Ning Yingying, trussed up much like Shen Yuan was but with a red silk cord that he instantly recognized as Immortal Binding Cable. That was very much overkill for a little disciple but was an unintentionally smart decision on Dier-er’s part. Shen Yuan too would use Immortal Binding Cable if he had kidnapped the protagonist, which he would not do, because he didn’t have a fucking death wish! Also he wouldn’t do it because Luo Binghe was and forever would be his favorite character. In any conflict that could arise, Shen Yuan would always be on Luo Binghe’s side.

Luo Binghe propped up against the wall, his hands tied tightly together. He looked like a starving stray dog that had given up. His eyes were open but he seemed lost and exhausted. His robes were a mess, covered in dirty and what looked like dried blood, and rumpled in a way that exposed the bruises on his wrist. They continued further up his arm than Shen Yuan had realized and an unfamiliar sensation swelled in his chest, white hot and sharp.

Fury, Shen Yuan realized. He was furious.

Luo Binghe looked over at him and tried to gather his facial expression into something more hopeful and heroic. It didn’t work.

“Shizun will save us,” Luo Binghe said and it sounded far more like a lie than a promise. “He won’t let Ning Yingying die.”

That part, at least, was true. If someone knew to look for them, Shen Qingqiu would certainly try to save the young girl he was always creeping on in the original text. Shen Yuan and Luo Binghe, though, meant little to nothing to him and they would be lucky if his rescue of Ning Yingying included the two of them. It would be just like Shen Qingqiu to find a way to ditch his least favorite disciple while saving his favorite.

Until Shen Qingqiu arrived, and maybe after, Luo Binghe and Shen Yuan were on their own.

Ning Yingying was still unconscious in the corner, unresponsive to Luo Binghe’s attempts to whisper to her.

Shen Yuan bit his lower lip, thinking hard. There had to be something he could leverage to get them out of this, something that would keep them alive. He just had to be smart about it.

“Die-er thought she would have your full attention,” Die-er crooned and grabbed Shen Yuan’s chin, wrenching his head around to look at her. She’d gotten close very suddenly, moving with preternatural speed. “Such a pretty boy. You’re wasted in that brothel, you know. I would have expected someone to have snatched you up long before now. Maybe you’re not very good in bed though, to still be stuck working there as a whore.”

Shen Yuan held her gaze steadily, though his mind was racing. He tried to get his hands free subtly, but Die-er must know her knots because he wasn’t going to get out this short of breaking his hands. They were bound so tight his fingers were starting to tingle. He tried moving his toes and found his legs were unbound. Slowly, awkwardly, he began to maneuver his legs under himself. He couldn’t do anything prone, but at least he would have one good dodge possible before he was struck down.

He’d been in equally dangerous situations with clients before but he’d never needed to keep others alive as well.

Maybe he didn’t need to keep others alive. Shen Yuan glanced over at Luo Binghe and Ning Yingying. The protagonist’s halo would of course protect Luo Binghe but maybe it included Ning Yingying too until she fulfilled her role in the plo. The plot line had not diverged with Shen Yuan’s introduction to the world. Surely both Luo Binghe and Ning Yingying would make it out alive.

The only expendable people here were Die-er, who didn’t even make it into the final draft of the story, and Shen Yuan himself.

Shen Yuan did not like the plan that he was formulating, he did not like the way it was going to make Luo Binghe look at him but he didn’t want to die and this was his only way out. He was going to weaponize the Protagonist’s Halo.

Shen Yuan looked up at Die-er and gave his best honey-sweet smile.

“I’m surely not as good as Die-er, married to a man three times her age,” Shen Yuan said. “What a catch Old Master Chen is.”

Die-er laughed.

“That fossil didn’t even notice when Die-er died,” said Die-er. “He tried to bed me while I wore her skin and her corpse rotted beneath the floorboards.”

So this Die-er was not the real Die-er. This Die-er was some type of monster, more than just a killer. Interesting.

“You’re a collector,” Shen Yuan said. “I know your type.”

“You’ve never met someone like me,” Die-er laughed.

“I’ve met so many people like you,” Shen Yuan said. “People who hurt others, people who luxuriate in their pain. Sadists. I can tell you right now that you won’t get that kind of a response from me.”

“I think I can inspire a reaction,” Die-er said and leaned in close. “I think it’ll be fun, to see what that takes.”

“That’s nice but I’m rather old and stringy, aren’t you interested in someone younger?”

“Sacrificing others to save yourself? What a noble soul,” Die-er laughed.

“I only have your best interests at heart,” Shen Yuan said. He could see Ning Yingying and Luo Binghe shrink back out of the corner of his eye.

“Let me see,” Die-er said, stepping back. She grabbed Luo Binghe and dragged him over by his hair, dropping him next to Shen Yuan. “Between the two of you, who has the nicer skin? It’s been so long since I’ve been a man. Men usually have such terrible skin.”

Die-ear surveyed them, then went back to her workbench, picking up a long, wickedly curved knife.

“Now which one of you should I start with?” She twirled the knife lazily in her hand then rounded on Luo Binghe.

“I think the whore is right. It is more fun when I can smell the fear and you reek of it.”

Luo Binghe’s face went stark white. He was staring death in the eye for the first time in his fourteen years.

I’m sorry. Shen Yuan thought, I’m so sorry. Even with the impossibility of his death, he knew this would wound Luo Binghe just as much as the bruises on his arms.

His legs were awkwardly tucked up under him now, with enough leverage to hurl himself to the side if Die-er turned on him.

Die-er approached and with each step Shen Yuan begged the protagonist’s halo to kick in, for Shen Qingqiu arrive and kill her.

She got closer and closer, until she was within arms reach of Luo Binghe. Then she raised the knife above her head and still nothing happened.

Come on, come on.

Die-er stabbed the knife down.

Shen Yuan lunged to the side.

The knife cut Shen Yuan’s back and dragged across his ribs with searing pain.

Luo Binghe was the one who cried out.

Shen Yuan was kneeling between him and Die-er, bringing them eye to eye. Shen Yuan watched as emotions raced over Luo Binghe’s face: relief, shock, panic.

“It’s going to be okay,” Shen Yuan promised. For Luo Binghe, it would be. Maybe not for Shen Yuan though.

Die-er kicked him hard in the shoulder, sending him sprawling to the side and out of her way.

“Whore!” She screamed. “I’ll fucking kill you when I’m done.”

Shen Yuan did not find this very frightening, because he did not think he was going to survive the time it took her to finish.

She raised her hand back to stab Luo Binghe again. And then a ceiling beam broke and collapsed on her, crushing her under its weight.

For fucks sake. Why couldn’t that have happened twenty seconds earlier?

Shen Yuan’s vision was getting hazy but he could see Luo Binghe, bound but uninjured, on the other side of the ceiling beam. He was staring at Shen Yuan.

“You’re a good kid,” Shen Yuan rasped and blacked out for the second time that day.

*****

Die-er didn’t sound like any of the demons Shen Yuan remembered from the book. There was so much more to learn from not for the last time, Shen Yuan wished he could go explore the world. Just another few years and he’d be able to buy out his contract and explore the world. Hopefully. As long as he didn’t keep buying expensive ointments for a protagonist who probably didn’t need them.

He mused this over while he stared up at the walls of his small room at the brothel. His back ached horribly and he was forced to lay face down on the bed, with his head turned to the side for air. It was not comfortable, and his debt to the brothel was skyrocketing while he was unable to work.

All this trouble for a kid he should have never involved himself with anyway. Who did he think he was, going up to the protagonist and trying to interfere with the plot? It was just that the plot was so bad and Luo Binghe was so good.

Destruction followed the protagonist everywhere though. It would be safer to keep his distance now. Shen Yuan nodded to himself. On the off chance that he ever saw Luo Binghe again, he would stay away. He didn’t need more excitement in his life if it meant he was going to almost die.

The door slid open. Shen Yuan glanced over and wow that was Luo Binghe standing in the doorway, holding a steaming pot of soup.

“Hello,” Luo Binghe said shyly. He stepped inside and closed the door behind him. He settled down on the ground by Shen Yuan’s bed and Shen Yuan could smell the soup as he approached. His mouth watered. He’d always wanted to be able to taste the protagonist's famous cooking but never did he think he would get the opportunity.

Shen Yuan looked at Luo Binghe and found the protagonist was looking much better now, dressed in clean robes.

“I brought soup to help with your healing,” Luo Binghe said. He began to ladle the soup into a small bowl for Shen Yuan. Shen Yuan was in no condition to contort his body up right to consume soup but he didn’t turn down Luo Binghe’s kind gesture.

Under the scent of the soup, Shen Yuan could smell the bitter ointment that he’d given Luo Binghe. He must have spread it on his bruises. Shen Yuan can’t help the smile that spreads across his face. He’s so glad that Luo Binghe could experience a little bit of kindness in the horror that was his childhood.

Luo Binghe stared at him, eyes wide and shining. Then he wrenched his gaze away and held the soup out to him. The poor kid must be nervous, because he kept looking at the soup then at Shen Yuan, then forcing his gaze away again.

Shen Yuan reached out his near hand for the soup and lifted his head as much as he couple off the pillow to swallow a little bit of it.

Bliss. It tasted like pure bliss, perfectly hot and savory with a bite of ginger. Shen Yuan moaned slightly, the only honest sound that anyone had ever made him make in this room.

“Thank you, Luo Binghe,” he said.

Luo Binghe hastily bowed. Shen Yuan nearly spilled his soup in his urgency to get Luo Binghe to rise. A disciple of the Cang Qiong Mountain, bowing to a common whore? Only Luo Binghe would do such a thing.

“Thank you for saving my life, Master Shen,” Luo Binghe said as he raised his head. Ah. So someone had told Luo Binghe his name.

“I’m not a master,” Shen Yuan said with a small, hoarse laugh. He sipped on the soup again.

“You saved my life,” Luo Binghe said stubbornly.

Luo Binghe’s life had never truly been in danger. Still, Shen Yuan couldn’t help but be moved by those big, black eyes.

“And you saved mine. Without you, Shen Qingqiu never would have showed up and ordered for a doctor to attend to me,” Shen Yuan said.

Luo Binghe shook his head and stared down at his clasped hands.

“It’s not enough,” Luo Binghe said. “I will pay you back, somehow.”

“There is no debt owed,” Shen Yuan tried to explain but Luo Binghe looked up at him again and Shen Yuan found he had no words left to speak.

“I will pay you back,” Luo Binghe repeated and that was that.

Luo Binghe became a regular thereafter, sneaking down the mountain whenever he could find time to visit Shen Yuan. Worried about his reputation, Shen Yuan tried to discourage him at first but Luo Binghe was a remarkably slippery kid and would evade detection until he found Shen Yuan.

In the brothel, Luo Binghe was cared for in a way he had not experienced since his mother died. The ladies doted on him, the chef gave him access to the kitchen for cooking whenever he wished, even the madam pitched in to provide medicine for him on the occasion that he showed up visibly injured.

Shen Yuan’s income was greatly decreased due to all the time he spent with Luo Binghe instead of working but he kept stowing away what he could. On occasion, Luo Binghe would arrive at the brothel when Shen Yuan was already busy with a client. He would hide himself from view until Shen Yuan was finished. He seemed perfectly fine being around Shen Yuan despite knowing very well what his profession was. He seemed to have more respect for Shen Yuan than Shen Yuan frequently had for himself.

Truly the protagonist was made to be loved and Shen Yuan wasn’t so great a man as to be able to resist that pull, even though he knew his heart was going to break as Luo Binghe grew into himself and turned into a darkened demon lord.

*****
Luo Binghe’s visits became the highlight of Shen Yuan’s months. There were sometimes when he came down the mountain multiple days in a row, and other times when they would go weeks apart, depending on Luo Binghe’s responsibilities.

His studies were important to Shen Yuan, maybe more than to Luo Binghe himself, and he found himself frequently scolding Luo Binghe to pay more attention in class. Instead of staying on the mountain to study, Luo Binghe began bringing down his textbooks and going over them with Shen Yuan. Shen Yuan was fairly certain that he was not supposed to have access to such things but he was far too curious not to peer over Luo Binghe’s shoulder and read along.

Shen Yuan might be too old to become a cultivator but he found he was rather good at coaching Luo Binghe and got to watch him improve in leaps and bounds. They spent many late nights burning their candles down to nubbins. With Shen Yuan’s teachings and the care of the ladies and cook, Luo Binghe had finally hit a growth spurt and was almost taller than Shen Yuan now. He was a handsome kid, barely having an awkward phase as he progressed through his teen years. Shen Yuan was rather jealous. He had been horribly awkward and pimpled for years. He’d barely gotten to enjoy being an adult when he died. RIP.

It was just turning into spring when word spread that there had been a demon attack on the mountain.

Shen Yuan didn’t work that day, too nervous to put on his customary charming face and fake his way through his job. The madam was not happy. As twilight stretched into dark, he waited in his dark room, heart pounding in his chest. He knew, logically, that Luo Binghe would be physically fine but still he worried.

It was only when the moon rose, a waning crescent, that he heard a familiar patter of feet outside his room. He lurched up right and managed to make himself presentable just as Luo Binghe burst through the door.

They stared at each other for a moment, then Luo Binghe lunged forward and wrapped his arms around Shen Yuan’s waist. He pressed his head against Shen Yuan’s chest and breathed deeply, if a little shakily. Shen Yuan wrapped one arm around him and used his free hand to pet his fluffy hair. He held on tight until they were both breathing easy, then he took Luo Binghe by the shoulders and pushed him back so he could take a look at him.

The boy was filthy and bruised.

“A bath,” Shen Yuan ordered and Luo Binghe looked down at his toes, dejected.

“I don’t want to leave,” he said stubbornly.

Shen Yuan didn’t want him to leave either.

“A bath here then,” he said and they worked together to haul a wooden tub into his room and carry up water from the well. Normally he could ask for assistance in this task but the madam was still angry at him and he didn’t dare.

It took them a while to fill the bath, and Luo Binghe told him all about the attack. Sha Hualing had been the leader, there to test the power of the Cang Qiong Mountain sect. Shen Qingqiu had been there but lacked the power to push back the entire force of demons so they’d resorted to one on one battles instead.

It was Shen Yuan’s first time hearing about other future wives of Luo Binghe’s, though he didn’t seem particularly interested in either Sha Hualing or the disciple who fought her, Liu Mingyan. Shen Yuan felt bad for these women, to be so ignored by their future husband.

Lou Binghe had been nominated for battle by his horrible shizun. Shen Yuan could only imagine that Shen Qingqiu had been trying to rid himself of Luo Binghe. Unfortunately for him, Luo Binghe defeated his opponent with ease. He had been struck with a poison in a sneak attack after the battle, but Yue Qingyuan had arrived and the demons had fled before they could get an answer about what type of poison it was.

Shen Qingqiu had looked Luo Binghe over afterwards and decided not to send him to Mu Qingfang. Which was how Luo Binghe ended up so dirty and hurt when he finally arrived in Shen Yuan’s rooms.

The bath helped, though Luo Binghe hissed from behind the privacy screen when he lowered himself into the water.

Shen Yuan sat on his bed and tried not to fret himself into an early grave. An unknown demonic poison? That could be anything. There were limited poisons that could hurt Luo Binghe but they were all of demon make. None would kill him but extreme pain was a possibility. Luo Binghe appeared unaffected but Shen Yuan still worried.

He could hear Luo Binghe opening all of Shen Yuan’s bathing and hair oils and sniffing each one. He seemed to settle on one he liked and began to work on his hair while he told Shen Yuan about how powerful Yue Qingyuan had been and how the demons had fled before him.

One day Luo Binghe would be that strong and Shen Yuan held a small flame of hope in his heart that he’d be able to see Luo Binghe at the height of his powers. That said, Shen Yuan wasn’t a pretty woman and the likelihood that he would survive an encounter with adult Luo Binghe was small. It would be best to avoid adult Luo Binghe at all costs.

For now though, he would enjoy hearing Luo Binghe talk about his day.

When Luo Binghe came back out of the bath he was wearing Shen Yuan’s clothes and Shen Yuan stifled a giggle. The clothes engulfed his smaller body and made him look like a child playing dress up. Luo Binghe smiled when he saw Shen Yuan laugh.

Luo Binghe stayed with him for the first time that night, curled up in a nest of Shen Yuan’s spare blankets. Shen Yuan woke up several times that night but Luo Binghe was there each time, sleeping peacefully with no sign of the poison impacting him. When there were no signs of the poison the next morning, Shen Yuan finally let himself relax. Whatever poison was used yesterday could not affect Heavenly Demons.

Shen Yuan wanted to keep them both in the safety of his little room forever but they both had obligations they could not avoid. Luo Binghe insisted on helping Shen Yuan get ready for the day, picking out his clothes and jewelry. Even as a teenager, the protagonist had good taste and knew what would go together. He lingered over Shen Yuan’s jewelry box and finally pulled out a jade pendant, a gift from a previous client.

“I used to have one similar to this,” he said. He blinked hard and Shen Yuan panicked to see his eyes shining with tears. “My mom gave it to me.”

Shen Yuan pet Luo Binghe’s soft hair.

“What happened to it?” He asked gently.

“It was thrown into the woods,” Luo Binghe said. Grief ladened his voice. Shen Yuan remembered this scene. The older disciples had bullied Luo Binghe viciously. “I looked for ages afterwards but I couldn’t find it.”

Shen Yuan sighed and pulled Luo Binghe into a fierce hug.

“I’m so sorry, Binghe,” he said. Luo Binghe buried his face in Shen Yuan’s chest.

Shen Yuan looked down at the pendant that had caused such a strong reaction and knew it to be a fake, just like the one Luo Binghe’s mother had given him. All its value was sentimental and nothing could be done to replace it.

He held Luo Binghe until the boy calmed down. He wiped Luo Binghe’s face with a cloth and saw him out the door to run back up the mountain for his morning duties. When he returned to his room, the little signs that Luo Binghe had been there were everywhere. His jewelry box was organized and put away, as were the blankets that had been used for Luo Binghe’s temporary bed. Luo Binghe had even made Shen Yuan’s bed.

Sighing, Shen Yuan closed the door to his room and went back downstairs to work.

Time slipped by too fast after that. Luo Binghe continued visiting whenever he had a chance and cooking Shen Yuan the best snacks and meals he had ever tasted. They would spend hours studying together and sometimes Luo Binghe would sneak texts down from the mountain about the beasts of the world. Those were Shen Yuan’s favorite things to study. He’d loved the monsters of the Proud Immortal Demon Way. These texts contained monsters that hadn’t been in the original text and Shen Yuan was eager to learn as much about them as he could.

It was ridiculous that all of Shen Yuan’s knowledge of this world came from a shitty stallion novel that functioned as an even worse textbook. Still, Shen Yuan’s memory of stories he hated was legendary. So when he encountered his next demon, he knew who it was almost immediately.

Shen Yuan went to sleep by counting all the different types of monsters he could remember but when he opened his eyes again it was not morning. He was standing already, so he knew he must be dreaming. That, and the endless expanse of gray landscape.

There was a familiar tap tap tap of running footsteps behind him and Shen Yuan braced himself just in time for Luo Binghe to crash into him and wrap his arms around Shen Yuan’s waist. Luo Binghe was getting far too big to be hugging him like this, though his cute disciple would always be little in his mind. Shen Yuan patted Luo Binghe’s hands, then pulled Luo Binghe around in front of him to look him over. He looked normal, no adjustments to his age or any other dream abnormalities visible.

“What’s happening?” Luo Binghe asked. “Where are we?”

“We’re in a dream,” Shen Yuan said. “Your dream.”

It would only make sense that it was Luo Binghe’s dream. Only a high level demon could bring another person into their own dream realm.

“My dream?” said Luo Binghe and the world around them warped and bulged, rearranging itself into a city. There was an alley next to him and Shen Yuan heard a familiar voice cry out. They turned to look and there was a much younger Luo Binghe, curled up on the ground as five older kids kicked him. Luo Binghe tensed. Shen Yuan put his hands on Luo Binghe’s shoulders.

“Try to control it, Luo Binghe,” he said. “A demon is at work here, pulling up strong memories from your subconsciousness. This is still your dream though, try to regain control of it.”

That wouldn’t work for anyone else but as the protagonist, Luo Binghe was an anomaly. If any one could free themselves from this by sheer willpower it would be Luo Binghe.

The world changed again, putting them in a small hut. A woman was curled on the mat in the corner and an even smaller Luo Binghe was crouched next to her, trying to keep her from sitting up.

The real Luo Binghe’s head turned to stare at the woman, intense emotion in his dark black eyes.

“Binghe,” Shen Yuan said. “Try to focus, I know it's hard. If you regain control of the dream you won’t have to see these things again, fight back.”

Luo Binghe’s gaze snapped back to Shen Yuan, a slight blush on his cheeks. Had he just referred to Luo Binghe as Binghe? Oops. Shen Yuan kept talking though, he would deal with his rudeness later if Luo Binghe was mad.

The world changed again, and this time they were in a familiar space, the Skinner Demon stepping forward with a knife. The real Luo Binghe refused to look away as dream Shen Yuan lunged forward and took the knife to his back to save dream Luo Binghe.

Something about this dream caused even more emotional turmoil for Luo Binghe and the world around them warped and warped, settling on other moments too briefly for Shen Yuan to make them out. It was making his head ache.

“Focus,” he said again and the world resolved itself into his little room at the brothel. The room was empty except for them, their dream versions were somewhere else.

Shen Yuan stepped forward and grabbed down one of the textbooks they had been studying together, a log of different known demons. He flipped to the page where the entry on dream demons should be but, damn it, they were in a dream and the pages were just a blur of lines instead of actual text.

“Do you remember us talking about Meng Mo?” Shen Yuan asked. Surely no one less than Meng Mo himself would be able to influence Luo Binghe’s dreams like this. A lesser dream demon would have been pushed out without Luo Binghe even noticing.

“Yes,” Luo Binghe said. “He--”

A glazed look overcame Luo Binghe, as if he was staring at something Shen Yuan couldn’t see. Luo Binghe’s lips moved but no sounds came out. It was really rather creepy.

Shen Yuan stepped back, giving Luo Binghe space to deal with what must be Meng Mo.

Drowsiness overcame him suddenly and Shen Yuan stumbled with the weight of it. His bed looked so inviting. He managed to make it there before he was dragged into a deeper dream, somewhere Luo Binghe couldn’t follow.

*****

When Shen Yuan awoke, he was alone in his rooms. It was dawn and Luo Binghe wouldn’t be able to visit until the evening at the earliest. He cleaned up himself and his rooms and went to work. The end of their time together was approaching and he needed to have enough money to flee the city before things went wrong.

The appearance of Meng Mo meant that Luo Binghe was finally being tutored in the demonic arts.

They fell into an easy routine, Luo Binghe visiting every eight days. He needed to focus on his training and Shen Yuan needed to focus on making money. His own stockpile was not nearly enough for what he needed and the end was coming so soon.

It seemed like barely any time at all passed after that before Luo Binghe told him excitedly about the Immortals Alliance Conference.

Shen Yuan saw Luo Binghe off that night, watching him disappear down the road from the back door of the brothel. Then he went up stairs and cried himself to sleep.

He took the time to reassess his plan the next day, checking and rechecking the money he had saved up. It was just enough to pay off his debt to the madam with a little left over for his travels. Shen Yuan had originally planned to wait a couple years, then leave, but he found he couldn’t stay in this city without Luo Binghe to bring him some semblance of happiness.

He saw Luo Binghe less as the Conference approached. The protagonist was focused on his training and getting prepared so he could represent Cang Qiong mountain well.

On the last day before the Cang Qiong representatives would leave for the conference, Luo Binghe came to visit.

His arrival surprised Shen Yuan, who was not quite ready for him yet. When Luo Binghe opened the door to his room Shen Yuan was applying a cheap ointment to the bruises on his forearms. He couldn’t afford something as nice as what he’d given Luo Binghe when they’d first met, but the madam had sold him a nice smelling ointment that Shen Yuan suspected was just a floral cream. The bruises on his arms were bad and would make working difficult until they healed. He had his sleeves pushed up to his elbows as he applied the “medicine”.

The creak of the door opening had him turning towards it in surprise. He dropped his sleeves down his arms as fast as he could but the fabric caught on the tacky ointment.

Luo Binghe’s smile dropped from his face. For the first time ever, Shen Yuan saw a bit of the demon lord he would become. He flinched back as Luo Binghe stepped forward. Luo Binghe froze.

They stood there, unmoving, staring at each other.

“Binghe!” Shen Yuan said, forcing his voice to sound cheerful. He yanked his sleeves down to his wrists. “I wasn’t expecting you so soon.”

“You’re injured,” Luo Binghe said. He reached out from Shen Yuan’s wrist and Shen Yuan didn’t flinch back this time, hoping not to see that expression on his white lotus’s face again. But that meant that Luo Binghe was free to delicately take his hand and raise his sleeve to expose the bruises.

They weren’t pretty but they were nothing compared to the worst that Shen Yuan had gotten during his time here. He always kept them carefully hidden from Luo Binghe, covering the scent of blood with incense and keeping his clothing perfectly in place.

Somehow, the way Luo Binghe was looking at his bruises made them hurt worse. Maybe he was being forced out of the safe corner of his mind where he hid from the pain, maybe because Luo Binghe looked like he was the one that was injured, not Shen Yuan.

Luo Binghe pulled a small jar of ointment from his sleeve and Shen Yuan recognized it as the jar he’d given Luo Binghe on the first day that they’d met.

The medicine inside smelled bitter and potent, better than what Shen Yuan had purchased. It must have been refilled with medicine from Cang Qiong’s stores.

Luo Binghe gently wiped the fake medicine from Shen Yuan’s arm with the spare but clean cloth Shen Yuan had been planning on wrapping his bruises with. Then he began to apply the real medicine. His touch was burning hot against Shen Yuan’s skin and even when Shen Yuan looked away, he could feel each fingertip as it smeared the ointment over his bruises.

Some of them were so deep they’d almost been lacerations but thankfully there had been no blood to clean up. The bruises were a deep purple in color, almost black. Luo Binghe’s touch was feather light as he wrapped his arm and pulled his sleeve down. Then Luo Binghe pulled up Shen Yuan’s other sleeve and repeated the whole process. Shen Yuan tried to keep his breathing steady. There was something unbearably intimate about this, and Luo Binghe’s face was so close to his own, brows furrowed slightly and his eyes carefully only looking at Shen Yuan’s bruised skin.

Shen Yuan turned his head away and cleared his throat.

“Isn’t Binghe supposed to be leaving soon? He should save this medicine for the conference,” Shen Yuan said, though it was far too late to bring up this objection. Luo Binghe just made a low humming sound and finished up with Shen Yuan’s arm. Shen Yuan felt much more like himself when Luo Binghe adjusted both of his sleeves to hide the bruises.

“This medicine was always meant for Shen Yuan’s use,” Luo Binghe said, which was ridiculous. Luo Binghe would have had to be refreshing the ointment every month for years, waiting for the moment Shen Yuan might need it.

“Binghe needs to return home and finish preparing,” Shen Yuan said, not letting himself think about the implications of the medicine.

“I’m already finished preparing,” Luo Binghe said. “I’m here to say goodbye to you before I leave.”

“You’re leaving,” Shen Yuan said softly. He wanted to keep Luo Binghe here forever, his white lotus and his friend. But the plot was going to move forward and this was a cruel world that Airplane had written, especially for Luo Binghe.

“I’m not leaving,” Luo Binghe said and that’s what Shen Yuan was afraid of.

“Binghe, there is no reason for you to stay,” Shen Yuan said. “This conference is an important chance for you to improve yourself and represent your sect. You cannot miss it.”

The laws of this world would not allow it. Shen Yuan was too minor of a character to prevent such a major plot moment.

“I’m staying,” Luo Binghe insisted and Shen Yuan knew that look on his face. It was going to be very difficult to convince Luo Binghe to go.

He didn’t want them to part like this.

The door to Shen Yuan’s room opened again and this time it was Shen Qingqiu in the doorway. Of course the master would know where to find his disciple, especially since Shen Qingqiu frequented the brothel himself.

“Luo Binghe,” Shen Qingqiu said, his face pinched as he glanced at Shen Yuan. “You’re delaying our departure.”

“I’m not going,” said Luo Binghe and Shen Qingqiu rolled his eyes. He grabbed Luo Binghe by the collar and dragged him from the room, easily overpowering Luo Binghe’s attempts to plant his feet. “I’m staying!”

“Goodbye, Binghe,” Shen Yuan said but his words were lost in the tussling between Luo Binghe and Shen Qingqiu. It was clear who was going to prevail and soon enough Shen Qingqiu used some sort of skill that Shen Yuan would never have to make Luo Binghe go limp. Then Shen Qingqiu unceremoniously dragged Luo Binghe down the hallway and out of Shen Yuan’s sight.

Luo Binghe wasn’t going to return. Not until he was much older and filled with hatred and fury, his heart blackened by the betrayal of his master.

*****

Shen Yuan left the brothel that same night. He paid off his debt to the madam with most of his savings so that she wouldn’t send people after him. He packed up his meager belongings and found his way to the road out of town.

It was surprisingly easy to walk away. Even with all his memories of Luo Binghe here, he spent most of his time in anxious survival mode. Leaving felt good. He puts one foot in front of the other and goes off to explore the world of Proud Immortal Demon Way.

This was always his dream, even when he was in his original body and chose to stay inside all the time. He’d thought then that maybe he would go outside if outside was as good as Proud Immortal Demon Way made it seem. The human realm alone was full of strange plants and beasts but the demon realm was what really fascinated him.

He spends a large chunk of his remaining money on a crude map that was more a log of myths than a cartography tool. The rest he spent on supplies and rations.

Shen Yuan looked at his map and found where all the symbols said to stay away because of demonic activity in the area. The symbols made a fairly neat line denoting the border of the Demon Realm.

The next few weeks were spent in various states of poverty and joy as he traveled by foot towards the demon realm. He knew it was dangerous but it had the coolest monsters and he had to see it, no matter the risk.

He wasn’t some cultivator who could traverse long distances by sword or a demon to teleport between locations. He walked slowly, careful of his feet. At first they blistered and bled but eventually they became accustomed to such long distances.

When his food finally ran out, he stopped in at the closest inn. It was a roadside inn, no town in sight, but he traded some herbs and plants he had recognized and collected along the way for a night under a roof and more rations.

That quickly became a pattern for him. He could harvest what he could identify on his travels, asking locals about those that he couldn’t. Shen Yuan couldn’t afford paper and ink but he had a very good memory for the things he was interested in so he rarely forgot a plant once he’d been introduced to it. With each leg of travel he learned more and harvested more, bringing in more money when he reconnected with civilization.

He traveled from Cang Qiong Mountain to the Eastern Deserts, where he walked under arches of stone and collected Sunbreak Peppers. He made a (very bad) stew with them and found that the heat of the desert no longer affected him, as long as he continued to consume it every few hours. Eating raw peppers was also effective but not quite as potent as when they were boiled under the rays of the sun.

Shen Yuan traveled through the desert and made a fair bit of money selling his remaining Sunbreak Peppers to a town on the far side. He stayed in that town for a while, getting used to the different culture and terrain. It was noticeably wilder here, small monsters and the occasional demon living within the town itself. He encountered a bird that would sing songs for scraps of bread, a little frog with the skin of a cactus, and a scraggly cat with six legs. The cat took an instant liking to him.

Shen Yuan crouched down as the cat approached him the first time, and petted it as it got closer. The cat purred easily and had a bad case of elevator butt when Shen Yuan petted its hips. The cat’s hind legs lifted clear off the ground in an attempt to get deeper pets, leaving the cat balancing easily on its first four legs.

The cat became a constant in Shen Yuan’s life and he called her Mimi.

Petting Mimi made Shen Yuan miss Luo Binghe. To be truthful, he always missed Luo Binghe but petting the cat’s rough hair reminded him of petting Luo Binghe’s soft curls. But his little Binghe was deep in the abyss, betrayed by Shen Qingqiu and suffering for it.

Shen Yuan tried not to dwell on it and when he set out on the road again, this time traveling towards a series of mountains, Mimi followed behind him.

He spent six months getting to and living in the mountains. There he found dozens of new plants and creatures. At the peak of a mountain he found a murder of massive crows, easily twice his height. They speak to him, just as fascinated to see him as he is to see them. They interrogate him about what he has in his pack and he has to lay out all of his possessions on the off chance that one of them would be shiny enough to interest the crows. They take a piece of costume jewelry he’d been given in exchange for a pack of herbs. The crows know it has no value to humans, but they like it regardless.

For the costume jewelry, they tell him about plants that Shen Yuan has never heard of, from far off places he could never get to on his own. The Thousand Year Blue Lotus is the one he was most interested in. This one he does know about, because it came up in the book. It was the only cure for poisons that affect heavenly demons. Shen Yuan tried to convince them to take him to it, but they point away from the mountains and tell him the plant is across a volcanic plain so hot that it would boil the blood of a human flying over it, no matter how high they flew. Even cultivators struggle to cross such a place and Shen Yuan is no cultivator.

Descending from the mountain, Mimi in tow, Shen Yuan encountered a forest. He saw plants that snapped and lunged at him like beasts, though he knew a little silver dust would stop them. He couldn't afford silver dust so he stayed well clear of them, taking a roundabout way through the forest. On the way, he came across a place where the trees are so big that a team of ten men would be hard pressed to wrap their arms all the way around it. Adorning the trees were equally massive butterflies in shades of purple and blue. Shen Yuan didn’t bother them and they didn’t bother him, but he wished he knew how to draw so that he could preserve the beautiful sight.

At the edge of the forest he finds the ocean. There is a small town there, a fishing village with docks that reach out into the tempestuous waters.

He was not sure how long it's been since he last saw Luo Binghe. Years, certainly. But word of his little white lotus reached his ears again in this town. Word of the new Demon Lord spread quickly, even out in the wilds.

Shen Yuan hid his emotions well, and nodded along as the townspeople speculated on Luo Binghe’s reign. When he could, he excused himself and went down to the longest dock he could find. There, he sat down and cried for what he had already lost and what he would never have again.

A storm comes in as he sobbed, whisking his noises away into the howling winds. In the far distance, he can just barely make out something rising up from the waters, a long, thick tentacle that reached high over a fishing vessel and crashed down, obliterating the boat.

Shen Yuan’s tears dried up a little as the rain began to pour down. He barely noticed it though, too focused on his first sighting of a major demonic beast: a kraken.

He watched until he couldn’t feel his face and then a little bit more until the wind threatened to knock him off the dock. Hands grabbed him as he swayed and pulled him back to land. Shen Yuan stumbled along, emotions too mixed up with grief and joy to really pay attention to what’s happening to him.

There was an inn at the start of the dock and he’s pushed inside and set down by the fire to warm up. Shen Yuan blinked in surprise as a hot cup of tea was placed in his hands. He looked up to see a humanoid demon sitting down next to him.

“You’re crazy, human,” the demon said. “Don’t you know that krakens are bad luck?”

“It was beautiful,” Shen Yuan said, still a little dazed.

“Crazy,” the demon nods. Then he takes a long look at Shen Yuan. “Beautiful though.”

Shen Yuan tensed just a little.

“What’s a beauty like you doing all the way out here?” Asked the demon.

“Traveling,” Shen Yuan said. “I’m on my way to see my father. He’s expecting me soon.”

“What town? We can give you a ride there.”

Shen Yuan bites his lip. He doesn’t have a map of the area, doesn’t know the name of any town that would be within a three months walk from here.

The demon smiles. “Or are you all on your own, with no one to notice your absence?”

Shen Yuan stands up abruptly, the old scar on his back complaining at the sudden movement after being in the cold for so long. He steps back and bumps into another demon, who leers down at him when he looks up.

“You don’t want to do this,” Shen Yuan tried.

“I really think we do,” the demon said and he shoved a sack over Shen Yuan’s head.

Shen Yuan screamed but if anyone heard him, no one came to his aid. He was carried out of the building and thrown in the back of what must be a cart. He could hear the wheels creak as they rolled out of town and back into dense forest.

Fuck.

*****

They don’t seem interested in him. This comes as a surprise to Shen Yuan, after what they’d said by the fire.

They’re crude to him, saying the most explicit things to try and make him scared but they don’t touch him other than to punch him after his numerous escape attempts. They, like the madam and his bad clients, avoid touching his face and hands, but his torso is bruised purple.

The demons seem to be taking him somewhere. They won’t say where but with each day they seem increasingly anxious and more careful of hitting him where someone might see. On the seventh day of whatever this is, he hears a familiar meow in the darkness and looks up to see Mimi’s eyes glinting from under a bush. He cries that night, silently, his heart full of love for a little creature that was too weak to save him but followed him into danger regardless. He doesn’t say anything or even look in her direction after he realizes who it is, worried that the demons will notice her.

On the eighth day, they drag him to a river and force him to bathe and change clothes. They have a set of nicer clothes for him, women’s clothes that fit a little to snug in the shoulders and short on his legs but still are better than the rags he had been wearing when they found him.

Shen Yuan stroked the soft fabric and yearned just a little for the comforts of his time before his travels.

After he’s clean and wearing the new clothes, they put the hood back on him like they did on the first few days of his capture. Shen Yuan ground his teeth with worry as he listened for any change in their surroundings.

He noticed the light first, to his surprise. The dark forest they’d been in ended abruptly, and full sunlight cascaded down onto him for the first time in ages.

Then he heard the voices. There were a lot of people nearby, and the cart was moving closer to them. It was a city, he realized as they entered it and traveled for ages without it ever falling quiet. There were vendors selling all sorts of things and children running around and adults bartering for goods. Surely he could make an escape here but he would need to get the hood off of his head first. He inched his hands upward but the demons noticed and bound them together behind his back. The twist hurt his scar and bruised ribs.

When he tried to wiggle free of the new bonds, he fell off the cart. The impact hurt, but not nearly as much as the kick to his chest that followed. Shen Yuan was dragged up into the cart. The pain was so bad his ears wouldn’t work, all he could hear was his thundering heartbeat as he struggled to breath around the sharp sting of his ribs.

He was not sure how much time passed before he was dragged off the cart and set on his feet. He spent about ten seconds swaying before he fell to his knees. Whatever these bastards wanted, he was not going to make it easy for them.

Cursing, the two demons lifted him up between them so it appeared as though he was walking despite the way his feet dragged behind him.

There’s still the sound of people, he realized. Wherever they were going involved a great deal of people, since the sound only grew louder the farther they went. He clenched his hands into firsts, jerking his arms to try and get free.

The grip on him tightened to the point of pain but then he was pulled into somewhere bright and still. He could hear people breathing, hear the rustle of fabrics, and the clink of porcelain. There were people all around him, though they were quiet.

“We of the Southern Horned Demons present a gift to the Demon Lord,” one of his captors said. Oh fuck. Oh fuck oh fuck oh fuck.

Shen Yuan tried to struggle again, tried to escape, but they pushed him to his knees and pulled the hood off of his face.

Shen Yuan blinked at the sudden brightness and looked up to see the extremely attractive person. He was even more gorgeous than Shen Yuan had pictured when he was reading Proud Immortal Demon Way.

“Hello, Binghe,” Shen Yuan said.

Chapter Text

Shen Yuan’s next thought was that he should have addressed Luo Binghe more formally. This was the new emperor of all demonkind after all, not the awkward teenager that he’d been close friends with.

But Luo Binghe doesn’t look upset. His expression is surprised, like he hasn’t been in this role long enough to learn to control his face yet. On the center of his forehead, his demon mark flickered and flared. It looked like a bright red stylized flame.

“Shen Yuan?” Luo Binghe said and he stood up off of an opulent chair. Shen Yuan didn’t dare to look away and glance around the room but he must be in the throne room. Which would have been extremely cool if he didn’t have to confront the fact that his soft friend had become someone capable of ruling demonkind.

“Yes,” Shen Yuan said. “How have you been?”

Luo Binghe stepped forward and knelt with him on the cold stone floor. His gaze stayed locked on Shen Yuan as he spoke.

“Did these two hurt you, when they brought you here?” Luo Binghe said, ignoring the two captors even as he talked about them.

Shen Yuan knew he should say no, like a good person, because he had a strong suspicion what Luo Binghe was going to do to these demons if he answered yes. Shen Yuan had never claimed to be a good person.

He nodded.

Luo Binghe’s face contorted into an expression of rage that Shen Yuan had never seen before and it makes his heart ache that Luo Binghe had learned such emotions.

Shen Yuan didn’t see what happened to the two demons. He’s distracted by the way Luo Binghe reached for him, arms open to offer comfort like Shen Yuan hasn’t known since the day they parted. Shen Yuan leaned forward and allowed Luo Binghe to pull him into his arms.

He felt a flood of something rush past him, something that made his stomach twist. There were two thuds behind him. Shen Yuan brought his hands up to clench Luo Binghe’s robes as he breathed in deeply. Luo Binghe smelled different now, he must wear different oils in his hair and different soap on his clothes, but he immediately smelled like home to Shen Yuan.

He had missed Luo Binghe so much. He knew that this Luo Binghe was different and darkened and shouldn’t care about some person he knew for a few years as a teenager but Luo Binghe held him like he did care and that was all Shen Yuan could process right now. All the fear and stress of the last week crashed into him and he found his throat was closing up.

Luo Binghe shifted and Shen Yuan prepared to pull back but Luo Binghe didn’t let him go, just adjusted his grip on Shen Yuan so he could hoist him into the air. Shen Yuan’s face was still pressed against Luo Binghe’s robes and he didn’t look around as Luo Binghe swept from the throne room. Wherever Luo Binghe was taking him, hopefully it was someplace he could cry in peace.

It was a matter of minutes for Luo Binghe to walk through the palace and find his destination. Shen Yuan took a deep, shaky breath and looked around as Luo Binghe opened a door and swept inside.

They were in an incredibly opulent set of rooms, adorned in black, red, and gold. It was a very familiar set of rooms, though he’d never seen them in person. Luo Binghe set Shen Yuan down on bed, covered with a familiar comforter embroidered with the pattern of Luo Binghe’s demonic seal.

“Binghe!” Shen Yuan said, mildly scandalized. “Did you bring me to your personal rooms?”

He owned the whole palace, surely he had other private areas they could have gone to. This room was for romance and conquest, not childhood friends.

“I would not bring Shen Yuan anywhere lesser,” Luo Binghe said and Shen Yuan sputtered and flushed. What a providing person Luo Binghe had grown into.

“Well I hope Binghe is more discerning about who he brings here in the future,” Shen Yuan said. Luo Binghe might be eventually married to over seven hundred women eventually but not a single one was a washed up sex worker wearing clothes that didn’t fit and in desperate need of a real bath.

Shen Yuan would have screamed bloody murder if that hack Airplane had tried to get Luo Binghe to sleep with a character like that. Such a person could never be worthy of Luo Binghe.

“I am always discerning about who I bring here,” Luo Binghe said, as though he hadn’t just brought Shen Yuan into his rooms. He knelt down on a pillow on the floor by Shen Yuan’s feet. “Where has Shen Yuan been? I have been looking.”

“Traveling,” Shen Yuan said. “I was traveling.”

“I heard you left the same day that I was taken to the Conference,” Luo Binghe said. He seemed saddened by this. “Were you so angry at me that you didn’t wait for me to return?”

“Oh, Binghe, no,” Shen Yuan said. “I left because it was time.”

“Why didn’t you wait for me?”

“How long was I to wait? I thought you died at the Conference, until I heard word of a new demon lord with your name,” Shen Yuan said.

“You left before you knew that I was ‘dead’,” Luo Binghe said, undeterred.

“I meant to come back to see you,” Shen Yuan said and it was true. He had left with the intent of never going back but if he’d heard Luo Binghe was back, could he truly have stayed away? “But then I heard of your death. I have grieved, Luo Binghe, over your loss.”

Luo Binghe inhaled sharply. He took both of Shen Yuan’s hands and pressed his forehead against them. Shen Yuan flushed and glanced aside. Adult Luo Binghe really was too attractive. His hands tingled in Luo Binghe’s grasp.

“I tried to find you when I first escaped the Abyss,” Luo Binghe said. “I searched the brothel and the town and the entire surrounding area. I couldn’t find you anywhere.”

“I have been traveling all over,” Shen Yuan said. He squeezed Luo Binghe’s hands. “I wanted to see the world as I couldn’t from the brothel.”

“I want to hear about all of it,” Luo Binghe said. “Tell me everything.”

“I would be happy to,” Shen Yuan said. “But perhaps I could bathe first?” He really did smell terribly and Luo Binghe was so close to him, he was afraid to offend his poor nose.

Luo Binghe nodded instantly and went to the door. He slid it open just a finger’s width and spoke quietly with whoever was standing guard outside.

“A bath is on the way,” Luo Binghe said, returning to his cushion at Shen Yuan’s feet.

“On the way?” Shen Yuan said, confused. Surely he didn’t mean that— “Binghe, I cannot bathe in your chambers!”

“Why not?” Luo Binghe said, jaw set stubbornly. “This is the only room worthy of Shen Yuan’s presence, I will not have him insulted with a lesser space.”

Honestly, this man.

Shen Yuan glanced around and saw a privacy screen blocking off part of the room for changing clothes. It would be enough space for a private bath. Shen Yuan caved and didn’t fight the issue further.

“Tell me where Luo Binghe has been these long years,” Shen Yuan said.

What a pair they made, uncaring of their own past but eager to hear each other’s.

“When the bath arrives,” Luo Binghe promised.

They didn’t have to wait long. Luo Binghe seemed like he had something else to say but there was a sound from the door and when Luo Binghe opened it, the servants were ready with the bath.

Shen Yuan directed them to set it up behind the privacy screen to Luo Binghe’s befuddling dismay.

It took a while for Shen Yuan to struggle out of his ill fitting clothes and into the demon sized bath. It was extravagantly large and Shen Yuan took the opportunity to stretch his sore legs. His whole body ached and it was a pleasure to sink into the hot water. He slid down until his hair floated across the surface and the water was warm against his lips.

He closed his eyes for a moment and allowed himself to just exist. There was no danger here, except for maybe Luo Binghe but the longer they talked the less it seemed like Luo Binghe didn’t care. Shen Yuan had survived any potential attack on Cang Qiong Mountain, maybe they could be friends again. Maybe he would get to see Luo Binghe at the height of his power, just like in the novel. He blushed a little at the thought of seeing Luo Binghe like that. He had had what he could admit was an obsession with the book version of Luo Binghe, and this real, adult Luo Binghe was shockingly hot. Way too hot for him to be single. Women must be throwing themselves at him. The question was why Luo Binghe hadn’t reciprocated any of their affections. There was no hint of a woman in his rooms, no discarded accessories or robes or even a hint of perfume. Luo Binghe lacked a harem.

Shen Yuan looked over the edge of his bath to find a small bronze tray that offered up all matter of oils and soaps. He didn’t know how to use or identify most of these, they were so far beyond the quality of what he used on a day to day basis.

He found what he was certain was a soap and managed to scrub himself down but he was at a loss for figuring out what oils he should use on his hair.

“Binghe?” He called out tentatively.

“Yes?” Luo Binghe said and Shen Yuan jumped at how close he sounded. He must be standing right on the other side of the privacy screen.

“This is a little embarrassing but could you pick one of these for my hair?”

“Of course,” Luo Binghe said, his voice a little deeper than normal. He stepped around the screen as Shen Yuan shrank down into the water again, his floating hair hiding most of his body.

He selected an oil with such confidence that Shen Yuan felt like a plebeian for not knowing his way around such fine things.

“May I help?” Luo Binghe asked, already pouring some of the oil into his palm. It smelled of some of the herbaceous plants that he’d encountered that were unique to this world.

Shen Yuan hesitated for a moment then nodded. He wasn’t sure he could lift his arms enough to wash his own hair. His ribs ached every time he shifted.

Luo Binghe’s hands were soft on Shen Yuan’s neck as he swept his hair up and out of the bath, guiding Shen Yuan to rest his head on the side of the tub. The loss of his privacy had Shen Yuan contorting subtly to hide the worst of his bruises from sight. They were ugly, and with his looks he was already unworthy of being in these rooms.

To his credit, Luo Binghe didn’t seem to be peeking at Shen Yuan’s body as he drizzled oil over Shen Yuan’s hair and began to work it to his scalp with his hands.

Shen Yuan made a small noise of bliss and Luo Binghe’s hands stuttered before moving slower, with more intent. Shen Yuan melted into his bath, bruises and aches forgotten. Luo Binghe worked the oil through his hair then combed it out, removing the majority of the oil.

Shen Yuan got warmer and warmer as Luo Binghe worked, the warmth of the bath making the heat inescapable. He lifted his hands up to grip the edge of the tub, rivulets of water dripping down his fingers.

Lou Binghe cleared his throat and had Shen Yuan dunk his head in the bath, then pulled his hair back again and started all over with a second oil. This he worked into the ends of Shen Yuan’s hair, rubbing the fine strands between his fingers to ensure they were evenly coated.

He brushed through Shen Yuan’s hair again, the teeth of the jade comb scratching deliciously across Shen Yuan’s scalp. Starting from the middle, he worked his way to each side. Shen Yuan tilted his head as Luo Binghe’s strokes approached his ear, making space for him.

Luo Binghe’s breaths sounded a little ragged, like he’d been struck with something.

“Binghe?” Shen Yuan asked. His eyes were closed and he kept them that way, just enjoying the sensations.

Warm lips, hotter even than the bath, brushed the shell of his ear.

Shen Yuan’s eyes flew open.

Was he being seduced? By the most infamous seductor of Proud Immortal Demon Way? Him? A man? An ex-sex worker with scars and bruises? Truly Luo Binghe deserved better.

But Shen Yuan found himself unable to pull away as Luo Binghe pressed a kiss just behind his ear and began to work his way down Shen Yuan’s neck, leaving a trail of delicious sparks.

Shen Yuan tilted his head to expose his neck further and Luo Binghe gasped quietly. Luo Binghe shifted and gripped Shen Yuan’s chin, guiding him to turn his head to meet Luo Binghe’s kiss.

Shen Yuan had been kissed a few times before in his previous life and a great many times as a sex worker. None of those kisses had been good and this? This was worse.

Luo Binghe had no idea what he was doing. He bit at Shen Yuan’s lips, too hard and overeager. Shen Yuan brought his hand up to cup Luo Binghe’s cheek and tilt his head to a better angle, subtly trying to guide him into something that would actually feel good. Luo Binghe had never been a slow learner but he was also a stubborn man and seemed dead set on biting Shen Yuan’s lips until they bruised.

Shen Yuan pulled back when Luo Binghe stopped to breathe and prevented Luo Binghe from kissing him again with a hand on his chest.

Luo Binghe should be able to pull someone so much better than Shen Yuan but maybe this current Luo Binghe didn’t know that yet. Maybe this Luo Binghe hadn’t fully grown into his role as a demon lord yet, maybe he didn’t know he could do so much better than Shen Yuan. Maybe he was just a twenty-something year old person who had spent much of his life focused on training and not wooing women. Maybe he needed someone to practice on. No wonder he didn’t have a harem yet if this was his skill level. He needed a teacher.

“Binghe,” Shen Yuan said. Luo Binghe was hyper focused on him. “Have you done this before?”

Binghe flushed a furious red but was honest and shook his head.

“Okay,” Shen Yuan said and he should have taken a moment to think this over but instead— “I have experience. I can teach you, so that next time you seduce someone it goes better.”

“Next time?” Luo Binghe said, looking confused. “Better?”

“Like any skill, this one takes time to hone,” Shen Yuan said. “And it's faster to learn with an experienced teacher.”

There must be a million better people to teach the future sex god how to papapa but Shen Yuan is here and honestly he would bite anyone who tried to steal this opportunity away from him.

“And Shen Yuan will train me? To be better?” Luo Binghe said. He seemed less confused now, and hungrier.

“Yes,” Shen Yuan said, like he hadn’t just proposed a wild plan.

“So should I call Shen Yuan ‘Shizun’?” Luo Binghe said with a wicked smile.

Shen Yuan flushed even hotter.

“That won’t be necessary,” he said stiffly but Luo Binghe laughed a little as he leaned in again. “Teach me, shizun.”

The next kiss was better. Luo Binghe copied Shen Yuan’s movements and the kiss became slower, soft lips meeting eagerly.

Shen Yuan hummed a little. Luo Binghe took this as an invitation and pressed closer, deepening the kiss. It was very nice but he was getting a crick in his neck and Shen Yuan no longer had to keep quiet about such pains. He cupped Luo Binghe’s jaw and guided him back far enough that Shen Yuan could turn around in the bath so they were facing each other.

He’d meant to keep kissing but Luo Binghe’s gaze was all over his wet, heat flushed chest and dipping further south. Shen Yuan blushed and leaned over to pick up the towel placed next to the bath. He stood and bundled himself up at the same time, preventing Luo Binghe from getting a good look.

Shen Yuan felt shy for the first time in years. Luo Binghe was the most gorgeous person in existence and Shen Yuan keenly felt every one of his own imperfections. For a moment he was lost in his own inadequacy but before he could get overwhelmed, Luo Binghe picked him up out of the bath and placed him gently on the stone floor. It was cold and his toes curled against the chill.

They dried Shen Yuan off together. Shen Yuan worked briskly, toweling his body dry while Luo Binghe took his time in combing out Shen Yuan’s damp hair and drying it with a cloth and gentle pressure. The sensation of the towel against his skin and the soft tugs on his hair distracted him enough that when he was fully dry he had regained most of his confidence. It helped that there was a little bit of awe in Luo Binghe’s expression every time he looked at him.

“So,” Shen Yuan said and cleared his throat. “Next we—“

Luo Binghe kissed him, deep and slow, and all of Shen Yuan’s inhibitions flew out of the room as Luo Binghe pressed closer and closer until Shen Yuan fell back on the bed and Luo Binghe followed him down.

Luo Binghe was slender but heavy and his weight made Shen Yuan’s mind slow down to a blue moonlight snail’s pace.

Shen Yuan was naked except for his towel, which Luo Binghe quickly disposed of. Luo Binghe himself was fully dressed and the slide of expensive silk against Shen Yuan’s bare skin was delicious. Still, he knew what would feel better.

Shen Yuan grasped at Luo Binghe’s belt, undoing it with deft fingers. Luo Binghe made a noise of approval and leaned back just enough for Shen Yuan to toss aside the belt and pull open his robes.

He was just as gorgeous as Shen Yuan had known he would be, his soft, smooth skin covering powerful muscle. He was so much hotter than anyone Shen Yuan had slept with and a little corner of Shen Yuan’s mind relaxed when he realized he didn’t have to fake anything this time. He could just enjoy himself, and guide Luo Binghe so that they both had a good time instead of prioritizing Luo Binghe’s pleasure over his own. They could have good sex in a way he’d never had before.

They were too close for him to be able to see the legendary heavenly pillar but he could feel the press of something hot and far larger than he’d ever experience before.

“Binghe,” he gasped and Luo Binghe moved down to kiss his neck. “Binghe, I need oil.”

A small shudder ran through Luo Binghe and he looked up at Shen Yuan with an expression of wonder. Ah. So he knew what that was for, at least.

The calming weight of his body lifted and disappeared for a moment before Luo Binghe returned holding a nondescript jar of oil. As he stepped away, Shen Yuan sat up on his elbows to get a look at what he would be working with.

His brain turned to static for a moment when he saw it. He had thought that surely Airplane was exaggerating a bit when he waxed poetic about Luo Binghe’s size but no, Airplane had been giving a very thorough and accurate description. He said a small prayer for his hips and back.

Luo Binghe put the oil next to them on the bed and climbed back on, kissing Shen Yuan eagerly.

Shen Yuan’s throat closed up a little and he pressed closer to Luo Binghe, hugging him tight until Luo Binghe was distracted enough that he could flip them over and he gained the upper hand.

Luo Binghe looked up at him, dazed. Shen Yuan put a warning hand on his chest to keep him pinned and reached for the jar with his other.

“Stay there,” Shen Yuan ordered and that was a thrill. He’d almost never been able to take charge during sex before. Luo Binghe liked it too, judging by the twitch he felt under his ass.

Shen Yuan ignored Luo Binghe’s cock and focused on himself. He balanced his weight with one hand on Luo Binghe’s stomach while he reached behind himself with the other and began to gently rub at his entrance.

He always preferred to go slow when possible, to romance himself a bit so that the stretch actually felt good instead of just overwhelming.

Luo Binghe gripped Shen Yuan’s thighs and stared at him with a wild expression, as though he was barely able to hold himself back. It did extremely good things for Shen Yuan’s ego. He rose up on his knees and still Luo Binghe’s cock nudged at his ass. Shen Yuan closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breathe.

Before he could do anything more, Luo Binghe hoisted him up and spun him around in a show of strength that had Shen Yuan’s cock aching.

“I want to see,” Luo Binghe said with all the entitlement of a demon lord. Shen Yuan balanced himself on Luo Binghe’s thighs, then reached back behind himself. Luo Binghe gripped his ass, spreading his cheeks so he could watch Shen Yuan work. Shen Yuan’s face burned.

When he looked down he could see the full glory of the heavenly pillar next to his own and the size comparison was almost humiliating. He looked so small next to Luo Binghe’s length.

It was slow work to open himself up. He hadn’t done this since he left the brothel and it took a while for him to relax into it. Still, he didn’t rush and Luo Binghe didn’t hurry him. They just breathed together as Shen Yuan slowly pressed first one finger, then two completely inside of himself.

When he went for a third, Luo Binghe stopped him with a hand on his wrist. He could hear Luo Binghe open the jar of oil and then a thick finger was sliding in along side Shen Yuan’s two. Shen Yuan squeezed his eyes shut and took deep breathes as Luo Binghe slowly worked his way inside of him. His fingers were thicker than Shen Yuan’s, long and blunt. It felt fucking incredible and his thighs started to shake with the strain of holding himself still.

“I’m ready,” he said finally, staring down at Luo Binghe’s cock. He wanted it inside of himself. He wanted to feel that burning stretch.

Luo Binghe gripped his hips and flipped them back over. It took a moment of rearranging but Shen Yuan ended up on his back with Luo Binghe leaning over him, their cocks pressed together. Pleasure sparked up his spine as Luo Binghe ducked down to kiss him slowly.

Truly the protagonist learned things too quickly. This was the easily the best sex Shen Yuan had ever had.

Shen Yuan spread his thighs and reached down to guide Luo Binghe’s cock into place.

His breath hitched in his throat.

“Slowly,” Shen Yuan warned Luo Binghe and he obeyed like a good student.

The pressure was intense against his entrance, almost bordering on pain before he slipped inside and, holy fuck, Shen Yuan was not prepared for how good this would feel. Three fingers was barely enough for this but Shen Yuan was finding pleasure in the burn that he’d never encountered before. He swore and gripped the sheets to ground himself.

His breath was coming fast and he had to close his eyes against the expression of awe on Luo Binghe’s face. If he kept looking he was going to come embarrassingly soon.

Shen Yuan placed a hand on Luo Binghe’s hips and gently guided him back, then forward again. They went entirely at Shen Yuan’s pace, even though he could feel Luo Binghe trembling with the effort to keep himself in check.

When Luo Binghe was pressed fully inside and the burn had subsided, Shen Yuan reached up and cupped Luo Binghe’s jaw. He guided him down into a kiss then whispered against his lips.

“Okay, Binghe. You can move now.”

Luo Binghe didn’t move with finesse or rhythm but he had more power and enthusiasm than anyone Shen Yuan had been with.

Shen Yuan was reduced to a mess in mere minutes and Luo Binghe showed no sign of slowing as he ducked his head to pant against Shen Yuan’s neck.

“Binghe feels so good,” Shen Yuan moaned and Luo Binghe’s hips jerked. “Binghe is so good.”

Luo Binghe made low, wet sound and Shen Yuan realized that tears were running down his neck.

“Binghe?” Shen Yuan said, surprised. He pushed Luo Binghe back by the shoulders so he could see his face.

“Shen Yuan feels incredible,” Luo Binghe said, tears slipping down his face. “I didn’t think I would ever get Shen Yuan like this.”

Luo Binghe was going to bed so many better people than Shen Yuan but still the praise made him flush and push back a little to meet Luo Binghe’s thrusts.

“You have me,” Shen Yuan promised and cursed as his body tightened and spilled between them. “You’ve always had me.”

Luo Binghe came with a teary gasp and kissed Shen Yuan until he could taste the salt of his tears.

For a long while they laid curled up together, kissing and catching their breath. When they pulled apart hesitantly, Luo Binghe was the one to go get a cloth and basin to clean themselves up. Shen Yuan reached for the stuff but Luo Binghe insisted on cleaning them both himself and Shen Yuan allowed himself to be pampered like he’s never been before.

Once they were both clean, Luo Binghe climbed back into bed and got them both under the soft sheets.

The sun had gone down outside and Shen Yuan was thankful because he was exhausted.

He was half asleep when he remembered something very important.

Shen Yuan sat up suddenly, the sheet sliding down his body.

“Mimi!”

“Mimi?”

“My cat, she’s still outside.”

“Mrrrow,” Mimi said and both Shen Yuan and Luo Binghe flew out of bed. The little six legged cat was sitting just inside the door to the bedroom, staring at them both. Shen Yuan wasn’t sure how long she'd been there.

“How did she get in here?” Luo Binghe asked, bewildered. “There are arrays and wards against entrance.”

“Mimi,” Shen Yuan called and the cat raced across the room to him. Six sets of claws dig into his leg as Mimi scrambled up into his arms. Shen Yuan sat down on the side of the bed and kissed the furry top of her head.

“Hexapod felines are remarkably adept at sneaking past barriers, both physical and otherwise,” Shen Yuan said, quoting a book he’d encountered on his travels.

Luo Binghe sat down next to him, eyeing Mimi warily.

He held a hand out to Mimi, who glanced at him and turned her head away.

“Ah,” Shen Yuan said. “They can be a little shy at first.”

Luo Binghe must have been jealous of Mimi’s affection for him because he was staring with a bit too much intensity at the hand stroking Mimi’s head.

Maybe one day the two of them would be friends. Shen Yuan deposited Mimi at the bottom of their bed and slid back under the covers. Mimi curled up against his feet and Luo Binghe wrapped his arms about Shen Yuan and for the first time since he transmigrated, Shen Yuan felt truly safe and cared for.

*****

Life was strange after that. Not bad at all, just very different from anything that Shen Yuan had ever experienced. His days were spent following Luo Binghe to most of his obligations, learning together how to run a kingdom of demons. It wasn’t befitting of Shen Yuan’s rank to be allowed in such meetings but Luo Binghe insisted that he be there and Shen Yuan found he was loath to say no to anything Luo Binghe wanted. He imagined wistfully that Luo Binghe would stay as he was forever, not quite his white lotus but not quite darkened either, so long as he continued to be happy. Surely no one darkened like the original protagonist when they were happy.

At Shen Yuan’s request he was assigned chambers in the wing housing visitors, so that he could have space of his own. He put the meager belongings he had there and set it up for Mimi to enjoy as well. She didn’t spend much time there though. Wherever Luo Binghe went, Shen Yuan brought along and wherever Shen Yuan went, Mimi followed.

Shen Yuan quickly found himself to be useful. Luo Binghe listened to him carefully when he spoke at meetings, because Luo Binghe listened closely whenever he spoke, but the other advisors learned to listen as well. Shen Yuan’s knowledge of the original text and his travels made him surprisingly useful at diplomatic and mercantile meetings. He knew who could be trusted enough to do which tasks and who to keep at a wary distance.

Nights were spent in Luo Binghe’s chambers. Shen Yuan had assumed he would sleep in his own space and Luo Binghe would call on him occasionally but he was relentless. When Shen Yuan made any motion to go back to his room, Luo Binghe would initiate another round. It didn’t matter if Shen Yuan was already a sweaty mess, Luo Binghe would ensure that Shen Yuan fell deeply asleep and stayed that way until well into the morning. He slept so soundly that Luo Binghe frequently managed to rise and make breakfast before he awoke.

Luo Binghe was just as fast of a study as Shen Yuan remembered, if not faster since his focus was impossible to interrupt. Shen Yuan was definitely benefitting. Luo Binghe was already better than the vast majority of his clients and only getting better.

Luo Binghe seemed determined to shower Shen Yuan with more gifts than he could possibly ever use. The first ones had been necessary, new clothes and personal grooming tools, even if the quality had been far beyond anything Shen Yuan deserved. Still, he lingered over the pretty things. The clothes were soft and smooth against his fingers and he felt incredible wearing them. Gone were the days of rough woven robes and undergarments from his travels. Now he slept in silk and finely woven cotton, which felt glorious on his back when Luo Binghe tumbled him over and pinned him to the bed before having his way with him.

After a month of this, Luo Binghe was buried in a meeting that Shen Yuan had gotten bored of after the third hour. Shen Yuan had slipped out and wandered through the castle to the big central library. Demons avoided him in the hallway, not out of politeness but out of caution. Lou Binghe had made a very public example of the first few demons to try bothering Shen Yuan.

The central library was a massive room, the middle of which opened up into a three story atrium, surrounded on all sides by rows and rows of books. It was Shen Yuan’s favorite place in the palace. Luo Binghe had granted him total access to every collection it contained and the librarian, a dragon type demon with three sets of horns spiraling in different directions and a very small pair of spectacles balanced on it's long nose, was one of the few demons here to treat Shen Yuan with warmth.

It was a nice place to be, even when it quickly emptied out at his arrival.

Shen Yuan walked straight to the librarian and asked for a map of the demon realm. He was beginning to feel that itch to travel again and he wondered where he could convince Luo Binghe to take him. It wasn’t super safe to go on his own but there wasn’t anywhere that would really be dangerous with Luo Binghe at his side. During the extremely boring meeting, someone had mentioned that it was the season of glowing water along the western coast.

The librarian returned with a large map and helped Shen Yuan unroll it on one of the many large tables on the library’s main floor. They pinned down the corners with paperweights made of amber, small demons captured within.

Luo Binghe found him there a long while later, back starting to ache from leaning over to read the tiny writing on the map. Shen Yuan barely started when familiar hands wrapped around his hips and Luo Binghe’s chest pressed against his back.

“I want to travel with you,” Shen Yuan said. His head was full of the names of all the places he wanted to visit. “I want to see the demon realm.”

Luo Binghe caught one of Shen Yuan’s hands and lifted it so that he could brush his lips across the back.

“Anything you want,” Luo Binghe said and Shen Yuan knew that tone of voice. Sure enough the hand that remained on his hip pulled him back and, yep, there was the heavenly pillar.

“I want to see the glowing water,” Shen Yuan said, trying to speak quickly before he was focused on other things. The librarian slipped from the room and closed the door behind himself.

“We’ll go tomorrow,” Luo Binghe promised and Shen Yuan let himself be distracted.

*****

As promised, they left for the beach the very next day. Shen Yuan had expected them to travel by foot though he realized quickly that was a ridiculous notion. Luo Binghe simply cut open a portal with his sword, Xin Mo. Shen Yuan squealed just a little bit when he’d drawn the sword, excited to see the famous blade.

The western coast was a gorgeous place. The beach was a long expanse of sand that descended slowly into the water. Because of that, the waves were rather warm even at night. Shen Yuan ran across the damp sand down to the water.

It was nearly pitch black except for the little glowing stone that Luo Binghe pulled from a waist pouch and placed near the top of the beach. It was just enough to guide them back to safety while barely interrupting the blackness of the night.

The waves broke across the sand and the core of each wave was a gorgeous glowing blue. The water that raced highest on the beach also had a brightness to it, making it easy to see the edge of the water even in the darkness.

Shen Yuan stepped forward and let the water crash across his feet, lighting up his pale skin. He laughed, free and happy in a way he had not been for so long.

“Binghe!” He called, turned to see Luo Binghe just a few steps behind him. Even with all the beauty around them, Luo Binghe’s gaze was focused on Shen Yuan’s face. “Look at it, Binghe, isn’t it glorious?”

“It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” Luo Binghe said, stepping closer. He caught Shen Yuan by the waist and pulled him in such that his back was against Luo Binghe’s chest. Shen Yuan could see the ocean but what little cold rushed off the water was minimized by Luo Binghe’s warmth.

“I want to try something,” Luo Binghe said and by now Shen Yuan knew that tone.

He let himself be guided down onto the sand. The spot Luo Binghe had chosen was wet from the occasional stray wave from the rising tide. It was a little firmer than the dry sand and contoured around Shen Yuan’s body as he laid back. Luo Binghe stripped them both and put their clothes higher on the beach where the water wouldn’t reach them.

Then he proceeded to kiss his way down Shen Yuan’s bare body.

Shen Yuan let himself relax into the experience of waves crashing over his feet while Luo Binghe pressed kisses against his soft stomach and moved further south until he was kneeling between Shen Yuan’s legs. The water must be stapping at him but he didn’t seem to notice it because he was so focused on Shen Yuan’s smaller, slender cock.

Luo Binghe pressed the gentlest of kisses to the tip. Shen Yuan jerks. He grips Luo Binghe’s hair and holds him in place even though Luo Binghe doesn’t seem inclined to move anywhere.

It’s so dark that Shen Yuan can’t even see Luo Binghe as anything more than a shadow breaking up the glow from the waves but he can feel the heat of him, feel his breath against his sensitive cock.

Shen Yuan has given Luo Binghe a single blow job so far and to say that Luo Binghe enjoyed it would be an understatement. He’d come almost as fast as the first time they fucked, which Shen Yuan had come to realize was an outlier. In general, Luo Binhge was inclined to keep fucking long after Shen Yuan was drained off all his strength and wanting a nap.

The protagonist might be new to sex but his legendary stamina was something that he was apparently born with.

Luo Binghe didn’t seem interested in getting himself off at the moment though.

Warm lips wrapped around Shen Yuan’s cock and Shen Yuan’s legs flew up to clamp around Luo Binghe’s head.

Fuck. Fuck! This was so much better than he’d ever imagined. In all his time as a sex worker, not once had he gotten a blow job and Luo Binghe seemed determind to make this experience as good as possible.

For a while, Luo Binghe toyed with him. He would dip lower and take more of Shen Yuan’s cock into that wet heat before pulling off and letting the night air cool him down. He moved easily, no matter how much Shen Yuan yanked at his hair and squeezed his head with his thighs. Shen Yuan tossed his head back and forth on the sand, desperate for more.

“Please, Binghe,” he begged and finally Luo Binghe took pity on him. He took all of Shen Yuan into his mouth, closed his lips around his base and started to suck.

Shen Yuan cursed and shook as Luo Binghe worked him quickly to the brink.

“Please,” he said again and Luo Binghe began to bob his head. The slide of his spit slicked lips up and down Shen Yuan’s cock, combined with the sucking pressure and the heat, was more than enough to send Shen Yuan over the edge and he shouted hoarsely as he came.

When the bright white stars left his vision, he looked up to see Luo Binghe leaning over him, fluorescent water dripping down his torso from the rising tide.

Luo Binghe gripped his own cock and jerked himself off, panting heavily. Shen Yuan smiled up at him and Luo Binghe grunted. Luo Binghe’s demonic heritage allowed him to see in the dark, Shen Yuan realized. He was jerking off to the sight of Shen Yuan’s sated body. Shen Yuan’s cock made a valiant but doomed attempt to get hard again.

Two days after they returned home, Luo Binghe presented him with a crown for his hair made of silver, pearls, and little beads that glowed just like the water had as it splashed over them.

*****

The next trip was bigger. Luo Binghe had a backlog of diplomatic trips to make, mostly because he had been shirking some duties to tumble Shen Yuan. It was flattering, but not sustainable long term.

The palace in the Northern Desert rivaled Luo Binghe’s own. It had been a demonic stronghold for centuries and the carvings along the pale stone walls told of all the times it has been attacked and survived. Shen Yuan spent most of their time there trying to sneak out of meetings so he can go exploring, though this made both Luo Binghe and the Northern Desert King’s human advisor very nervous.

Apparently the demons here were likely to mistake Shen Yuan for a walking snack.

It was custom among demons to eat humans, Shen Yuan knew that, but he’d blocked it out of his brain. He’d never really liked that bit of worldbuilding from the books. He knew objectively that that was probably why he’d been kidnapped in the first place: to become a tasty morsel for the new demon lord. Thankfully Luo Binghe was not interested in consuming human flesh, outside of leaving bite marks all across Shen Yuan’s inner thighs.

On the first day that he’d gone wandering, a demon had stalked him for a long while. He hadn’t even noticed until he ran into Luo Binghe exiting the meeting. Luo Binghe had taken one look behind him and the demonic qi rushing from him had stolen Shen Yuan’s breath. The stalking demon had keeled over from behind a corner, limply dropping to the ground and bouncing a little with the force of it. Shen Yuan stared at the body in surprise.

“This is what I was worried about,” muttered the human advisor. His name was Shang Qinghua and Mobei Jun, king of the Northern Desert, had pronounced his name with a possessive pride that had drawn Shen Yuan’s interest. The Shang Qinghua from the book was never someone Mobei Jun was proud of. It was another deviation from the plot, like Shen Yuan’s presence here. He watched Shang Qinghua closely after that.

Luo Binghe was given the best rooms in the palace and quickly set up an array so that the space was warm enough for a human to live in. Shen Yuan didn’t bother asking for his own rooms here, happier to be around Luo Binghe.

At the end of the first day, when Shen Yuan had been unpacking their qiankun pouch, he’d reached in and gotten a handful of fur instead of silks and pulled out Mimi. Shen Yuan and Luo Binghe had stared at her with suspicion for a long moment but the cat seemed somehow unaffected by having spent a day in a pocket dimension.

“There’s something wrong with this cat,” Luo Binghe said and Shen Yuan silently agreed. Mimi just stuck her left back leg in the air and proceeded to clean herself.

Shen Yuan decided to roll with it and not worry about his strange cat.

Luo Binghe took over unpacking because Luo Binghe was preternaturally good at this as well and before long the room felt as much like home as it could. He had even packed a gift for Shen Yuan. Luo Binghe pulled the midnight blue cloak from the qiankun pouch and presented it to him.

It was a gorgeous cloak, embroidered with stars and lined with the fur of a many eyed panther. The pelt was black and grey, the markings looking like a thousand eyes staring out of it. It was extremely cool, Shen Yuan decided. He wrapped it around himself and Luo Binghe stepped closer to secure it with a pin the length of Shen Yuan’s hand. It was made of a strong silver, one end extremely sharp and the other capped with a deep blue star sapphire.

Mimi accompanied him on his walks through the palace from there on out and other demons ignored Shen Yuan, both scared of what Luo Binghe might do to them and because Mimi would stare at them and meow loudly no matter how well they hid. With both of these protections in place, Shen Yuan went to the palace’s library and dug through ancient versions of maps, filling out his mental map of the demon realm. The Northern Desert Palace’s library was better stocked than Luo Binghe’s because it had been slowly filled over centuries. Luo Binghe’s library was excellent but new. It would take time for his collection to rival this one.

He missed his librarian friend but he found what he needed with minimal guidance from the maps of the library. It didn’t exactly have a Chinese Library Classification system but it was still organized. Maybe Shen Yuan would invent his own classification system at some point. He should mention it to the librarian.

They took day trips to see the sights of the Northern Desert. It was freezing but between Luo Binghe and his cloak, Shen Yuan didn’t feel the cold at all. Their first trip was to see the Northern Lights ripple across the sky in a glowing green curtain, streaked with purple.

On their second trip they visited the herds of demonic reindeer, which Shen Yuan had laughed at the idea of in the book but seeing them in person was different. They wore hand woven blankets across their backs and their fuzzy antlers spiraled up in the same shape as the mark on Luo Binghe’s forehead. Their keeper offered Shen Yuan a pair of their antler sheds, and Shen Yuan knew these could be ground down into a fine dust that would bring down a person’s internal body temperature. It was traditionally used for fevers, though it had been used in assassinations as well. So cool!

He thanked the keeper earnestly.

Their third and final trip was to a series of frozen caverns, dripping with stalactites. The water shallowly filling the caverns was acidic and would hurt anyone but the strongest demon or cultivator. Luo Binghe picked Shen Yuan up and carried him in his arms through the cave so he wouldn’t accidentally step in it. He was so cozy in Luo Binghe’s arms that he fell asleep after the third cavern, and totally missed seeing the rare species of toad that thrived in the acidic water. He was rather put out when he woke up.

From the Northern Desert they went to the Volcanic Plains.

The fort was at the edge of the plains. The heat was less lethal here, survivable for most demons though Shen Yuan felt like he was going to die just existing here. What felt like a hot summer day to the demons was enough to roast a human from the inside out.

The crows had warned him of how lethal the environment could be here. He wanted to look for the oasis they had spoken of with the plant that was an antidote to poisons that worked on Heavenly Demons. Alas, it was just as hot as the crows had said so his exploration options were limited.

He had tried to go to the library on their second day there and Luo Binghe had found him looking pale, shivering, and his hands cramping on the brush he was using to take notes. Luo Binghe had whisked him back to their rooms and placed him gently in a tub of cool water until the symptoms of heat stroke passed and he was back to himself.

After that, Shen Yuan wore a thin cotton robe and mostly stayed in his rooms where he could take baths to lower his body temperature. Mimi couldn’t swim but happily enjoyed a separate, shallow basin of water. She sat in the water looking like a drowned rat crossed with a dead bug. This entertained Shen Yuan so much that he almost didn’t mind not being able to explore. Almost.

Luo Binghe was gone most days on peacekeeping missions. There were some denizens of the Volcanic Plains rebelling against him. They had never seen him fight before and that was a vital part of their culture. So each day Luo Binghe ventured into the plains and defeated challenger after challenger.

Part of proving his power was defeating some of the mythological beasts of the plains and Luo Binghe took to bringing those corpses home as trophies. If it fit through the door he would even drag it into the rooms he shared with Shen Yuan.

It was behavior he would have expected from Mimi before Luo Binghe but the eager look on Luo Binghe’s face stopped him from saying anything. He thanked Luo Binghe for the gift and requested paper, brushes, and ink.

Drawing was not his strong suit but he was determined to get better at it so that he could document the flora and fauna he came across. It was something he’d wanted to do during his previous travels but lacked the funds for. Now Luo Binghe provided him with a seemingly endless supply and he didn’t have to worry about ruining paper with his beginner’s skill.

His skills improve rapidly with all the time he has to practice while Luo Binghe is away. He gets a tiny brush and begins to fill in all the details he was too unskilled to document before.

It takes him a while to draw the creatures because Luo Binghe seems determined to bring him the largest animals possible.

The ember bear had taken Luo Binghe’s demonic strength to shove through the doorway.

The firefall wyrm was narrow enough to fit easily but its body went on and on until it covered most of the floor in his rooms.

The magma mammoth just simply would not fit but Luo Binghe had managed to get it inside a nearby courtyard. Luo Binghe examined Shen Yuan for heatstroke while Shen Yuan examined the mammoth and drew examples of its tusks, eyes, fur texture, feet, and teeth. He was learning by now that a great deal could be learned from a creature's teeth, such as their diet and similarity to other species. He wasn’t sure evolution existed in this world but the teeth seemed to suggest that something like it had occurred. He explained his all to Luo Binghe, who understood what he was talking about faster than some people back in his original world. He was reminded once again how smart Luo Binghe was.

When he was done with his drawings, local demons came and carved up Luo Binghe’s kill. The broke down the beast into usable components. The massive chunks of meat, pelt, bones and intestines were all being put to use. Soon all that remained was the beast’s heartstone, a deep black color that pulsed with fiery red.

Luo Binghe picked it up and stowed it away in his pouch for later.

There was one day of celebration at Luo Binghe’s victory over all the trials the demons of the volcanic planes had set him. Shen Yuan stayed cool in their rooms instead of attending and when Luo Binghe returned that evening, he brought him a plate of food and a small box. Shen Yuan opened the box first, at Luo Binghe’s insistence.

The heartstone had been carved down two cabochons that glowed like embers. The gems were set into silver earrings, clearly made by a mastersmith. Shen Yuan put them on and examined himself in a bronze mirror. They were just long enough to accentuate the length of Shen Yuan’s neck, and made him look like a great beauty instead of an aging man. When he looked up at Luo Binghe he saw a familiar look in his eyes.

He reached for Luo Binghe first. They departed for home later than planned the next day.

*****

Shen Yuan wore his gifts from Luo Binghe daily. The crown from their time in the grotto, the cloak pin from the Northern Desert, and the earrings from the Volcanic Plains made him feel like he was close to Luo Binghe even when Luo Binghe had to step out for meetings or while Shen Yuan was working with the many horned librarian to create more accurate maps.

He spent his evenings in Luo Binghe’s personal quarters, eating food cooked by the protagonist himself. They would bathe together and talk about diplomatic overtures made by other demonic groups and the occasional cultivation sect. Sometimes they would sit together while Shen Yuan played an instrument, one of the many skills he had honed without being able to just enjoy. Now he played exactly as long as he felt like, and Luo Binghe was a rapt audience the entire time. They would sit next to each other and discuss trade routes with Mimi sprawled across both their laps (her face purring in Shen Yuan’s lap and her butt on Luo Binghe’s leg because she liked them both but she had a favorite).

Time slipped through his fingers like he was trying to grasp water. It seemed like barely any time had passed before he first heard news of the North-Eastern Succubi reaching out to Luo Binghe.

Shen Yuan remembered these ladies. They were wives number 236 through 241. Shen Yuan remembered getting extremely bored during this arc because the ladies were all very similar and differed from each other mostly in color scheme, not personality. Wife 241, the one who dressed in purple, had been Shen Yuan’s favorite. She at least was smarter than the others and leveraged Luo Binghe’s attention to get significant benefits for her people.

Now, Shen Yuan’s feelings were not so simple. When he sat down across from the ladies at a diplomatic meeting they whispered to each other and glanced at him, all except for wife 241. She watched him carefully the whole meeting, especially when he leaned in to give Luo Binghe advice.

Their welcome dinner was that evening, a lavish, colorful affair. Their bright colors clashed with Luo Binghe’s black and blood red aesthetic but Shen Yuan ignored how the look made his eyes water. At least once they married into the harem their colors would shift to better match Luo Binghe’s preferences.

The first mention of marriage came from wife 236, unsurprisingly. She’d been the first to approach Luo Binghe in the book as well. She wore a rather lurid shade of pink and everything about her appearance was perfect. She certainly didn’t seem to have a single scar or a soft stomach or any of the things Shen Yuan was self conscious of personally. She would be a much better match for Luo Binghe than Shen Yuan was.

He ate lightly at the dinner. It wasn’t Luo Binghe’s cooking and it tasted like ash in his mouth. A wedding between Luo Binghe and the succubi would solidify Luo Binghe’s control over the east, cementing his position as lord over all demons. The rich resources of the east would empower Luo Binghe to start making his advances on the human realm too. It was strategically a good decision. No doubt once his harem was started, Luo Binghe could make other similar agreements until his power was absolute and his harem numbered over seven hundred.

Shen Yuan stared up at the ceiling while Luo Binghe slept that night. Their time together was drawing to a close. This was the happiest he’d ever been in either of his lives and it hurt like a fresh wound to know that it would end soon. He had thought about asking to be made a member of Luo Binghe’s harem. He was sure that Luo Binghe would make sure he was treated properly and he’d be able to see Luo Binghe frequently. But the more he thought about it, the more he realized that he could never live somewhere he had to watch Luo Binghe be with others. He selfishly wanted the husband of hundreds to be a husband of one.

It was the will of the plot that Luo Binghe would become the master of a massive harem and Shen Yuan was just an unnamed background character, trying to make Luo Binghe’s life a little easier.

Shen Yuan laid perfectly still and didn’t let a single tear drip down his face. He had learned to grieve silently and without signs very early on in his transmigration.

For now, he had Luo Binghe and he would enjoy every bit of it that he could until he could no longer bear to it.

They spoke of marriage sometimes now. The succubi were very straightforward in their offers of companionship and Luo Binghe always listened closely. When he and Shen Yuan talked about it later, Luo Binghe was open to the general idea of marriage. He wouldn’t say which succubi he was interested in but Shen Yuan supposed that it really didn’t matter which one he chose.

As the diplomatic meetings escalated, Shen Yuan overheard other advisors talking to Luo Binghe about marriage. Luo Binghe never rejected their ideas, only agreed that he would like to marry someday but he would be selective in who it was. If Luo Binghe being selective was the only thing Shen Yuan changed in this world, it would be worth it. He deserved more than just numbered women, he deserved a wife who would support him and care for him and defend him at all cost.

One evening Luo Binghe came to their rooms in familiar clothes. They were the set of robes he had worn when they went to the beach with glowing water.

“I want to show you something,” Luo Binghe said and held out his hand for Shen Yuan.

Chapter Text

Luo Binghe wrapped Shen Yuan up in his cloak from the Northern Desert and secured it with his sapphire pin. Then he cut open a portal and they stepped through together.

It took a long moment for Shen Yuan’s eyes to adjust to the darkness but eventually he could see that they were in a small grotto. A wide pool of glowing water took up most of the floor except for the ledge that they were standing on. It was the same glowing water as they had seen at the beach on their first trip together.

“Oh,” Shen Yuan said. “It’s amazing!”

He crouched down and scooped some of the glowing water in his palm. It was gorgeous and he was very glad to be able to see it again.

“Are we near the same beach?” he asked.

“Yes,” Luo Binghe said. “You enjoyed it so much last time we were here, I thought we would come back.”

“Thank you,” Shen Yuan said and he meant it for far more than just this trip and Luo Binghe’s thoughtfulness.

Luo Binghe removed his shoes and sat down at the edge of the water, dipping in his feet. Shen Yuan sat next to him but kept his clothes on, cold despite his warm cloak. Luo Binghe put his arm around him and pulled him close. Shen Yuan turned his head to warm his cold nose against Luo Binghe’s neck.

They sat in silence for a long moment before Luo Binghe spoke up.

“My advisors have been talking with me about marriage,” Luo Binghe said.

“Mm.”

“They say it would be a very useful method for solidifying power.”

“They’re right,” Shen Yuan said and Luo Binghe lapsed into silence again. It was uncommon for him to be at a loss for words but maybe he was just thinking about his potential brides. Shen Yuan found that he didn’t like that Luo Binghe was even thinking about those succubi while they were alone together. He’d never considered himself a jealous person but he was learning his emotions were very different when it came to things concerning Luo Binghe.

He wondered if Luo Binghe expected him to stay even as he married others. Shen Yuan’s heart would not survive that.

He found he needed to change the direction of the conversation. Throwing back his cloak, he twisted himself around to straddle Luo Binghe’s lap.

Lou Binghe’s cheeks were red from the cold and he stared up at Shen Yuan with a familiar affection in his eyes.

“You’ll be a good husband,” Shen Yuan said. “No one could ever compare.”

He believed that, like he believed in gravity and fate.

“I have another lesson for you,” he continued. One last lesson.

He leaned back a little to unpin his cloak and toss the warm fabric out on the ledge behind them. There was just enough space for what he has in mind.

“Practice on me how you will treat your new wife. How would you care for her? Would you kiss her? Guide her down onto the sheets and have your way with her?”

He knew Luo Binghe would treat his wives right, no matter how many he had. Ah, Shen Yuan’s chest hurt.

Luo Binghe’s pupils were blown wide in the dark and he grabbed Shen Yuan’s hips and rolled them both over so that Shen Yuan was on his back on the cloak and Luo Binghe loomed over him.

“If you were my husband,” Luo Binghe said. “I would kiss you like this.”

It was somehow both the best and worst sex Shen Yuan had ever had. Luo Binghe was even more attentive than usual, kissing and caressing him everywhere. But it hurt every time Luo Binghe pulled back, even if it was only to change their position or take off their clothes. Shen Yuan was mindful of Luo Binghe’s night vision and insisted on laying on his front while Luo Binghe worked him open and pressed inside. He cried silently and without tears, his sobs nothing more than hitches in his breathing and turmoil in his mind. He was going to miss this man so much. He was going to miss this life so much. It had been the best part of his lives and he hated to leave it but he would hate it more if he stayed.

Shen Yuan fell asleep after several rounds of Luo Binghe’s ravaging and woke up in Luo Binghe’s bed at the palace.

Luo Binghe himself was not in the room.

This was the start of Luo Binghe’s schedule becoming far busier. Shen Yuan supposed there were wedding arrangements to make, so he excused himself from most of the meetings and spent his time in the library, drawing a useless map that only denoted areas were they had been together, from the town they first met in, to the palace, to the places they visited on their travels. He’d even added the grotto to the beach. He felt like a twelve year old girl doodling her crush’s name in her notebook and forced himself to stop working on it.

Eventually it was the final night of the succubi’s visit. The marriage would be announced tonight, Shen Yuan was sure.

He dressed Luo Binghe slowly, admiring each layer of silk and the gorgeous red and black embroidery. He slid Luo Binghe’s rings onto his long fingers, pinned onyx black jewels to his ears, combed back his hair and placed it in a golden crown. He wished he had something that he’d made or bought such that he could pin a little bit of himself to Luo Binghe, a token to remember him by.

Luo Binghe was called away before he could return the favor for Shen Yuan.

Shen Yuan dressed himself simply, in the plainest clothes that he’d managed to convince Luo Binghe to provide him. He wanted to be able to slip away without notice if he needed to tonight. The only bits of extravagance that he allowed himself were the pieces of jewelry that Luo Binghe had gifted him on their trips. He put on his silver and blue stone crown and his ember earrings then tucked his cloak pin in his sleeve. It was too hot for a cloak in Luo Binghe’s palace but he found he could not part with the pin, though he had to leave the cloak behind.

He arrived at the door of the main hall with the bulk of guests. Luo Binghe was already seated on the throne, looking about him for something that he couldn’t seem to find.

Shen Yuan looked away from him when a flurry of colors signaled the arrival of the succubi. They were dressed up like a rainbow, each beauty more stunning than the next. How could Shen Yuan’s worth to Luo Binghe compare to that of six succubi and their holdings? He was just a human, and not even a cultivator at that.

He doesn’t make it across the hall threshold. He can’t bring himself to watch this.

To the displeasure of the people crowded behind him, Shen Yuan turned and hurried away before anyone could notice him.

He went back to his rooms. Not Luo Binghe’s rooms, where the succubi would be later in the night, but to the rooms he had insisted Luo Binghe set aside for him and Mimi when he thought that somehow maybe the protagonist wouldn’t want to practice sex every night.

It took him a while to find them. They were deep within the visitor’s wing, but eventually he recognized the pottery on a pedestal next to his door and pushed his way inside.

His rooms were empty.

The bed was stripped down, the few personal effects he had left in here were gone, even the little bed he’d made for Mimi out of his old clothes that she liked to sniff was gone.

Luo Binghe had moved on even faster than Shen Yuan expected.

The pain in his chest threatened to overwhelm him.

He didn’t understand. He thought Luo Binghe liked him and would have sworn just moments ago that Luo Binghe cared for him in some way but the lure of six succubi must have been enough to turn his attention away. Shen Yuan hated that thought.

He turned away from the room and was trying to figure out what to do next when the screaming started. Screaming was a rather more common occurrence than he would like in a demonic palace but this time the screams were coming from the throne room and there was no reason for such a sound to be occurring right now.

Shen Yuan dashed back to the main hall. Guests were fleeing the scene and he had to work his way against their tide to step foot into the main hall and see Luo Binghe slumped on his throne.

Mobei Jun was surrounded in a sea of blood in front of him. Shang Qinghua was calling Luo Binghe’s name and patting his face like he wanted to slap him awake but didn’t dare.

Shen Yuan pushed forward and Mobei Jun rounded on him, eyes blazing. He stepped back when he recognized Shen Yuan though and let him pass even as he cut down another demon that got too close.

“What happened?” Shen Yuan demanded as he reached Luo Binghe’s side. Luo Binghe’s skin was clammy, his lips tinted blue.

“Fast acting poison,” Shang Qinghua said. “That succubi in purple got him with a needle while he was looking for someone.”

Shen Yuan glanced backwards to see one of the bloody streaks on the floor had scraps of purple fabric around it.

So long, wife 241.

“We need to get him back to his rooms, they’re warded and easier to defend,” Shen Yuan said. There were many demons here who would jump at the chance to strike Luo Binghe down. Almost nothing could harm a heavenly demon and this was an opportunity anyone who opposed Luo Binghe was unlikely to get again.

Mobei Jun stepped up close to them and heaved Luo Binghe up over his shoulder.

“Come on,” Shang Qinghua said and tugged Shen Yuan into the freezing cold portal that Mobei Jun opened.

The four of them arrived just outside of Luo Binghe’s rooms. Shen Yuan grasped the door handles and pulled them open wide enough for them all to fit through then slammed them shut behind him.

He took a moment to breath and collect his thoughts, then turned and surveyed the situation. Mobei Jun had set Luo Binghe down on his bed while Shang Qinghua frantically wrung his hands and looked about ready to vibrate out of his skin.

“There’s a cure for this,” Shang Qinghua said. “I know there’s a cure I just need to remember—“

“Thousand Year Blue Lotus,” Shen Yuan said. “I know where to find it.”

“Where?” Shang Qinghua asked and Shen Yuan didn’t quite trust him enough to tell him. Mobei Jun was posed to take over Luo Binghe’s position if Luo Binghe died and Shang Qinghua was smart enough to be making that calculation right now. But he had to trust Shang Qinghua enough to watch over Luo Binghe while he made a desperate run for the lotus.

“I’ll get it,” Shen Yuan said. “Keep him safe.”

“How are you going to find it? Is it in the city?”

“No but I can do it. I need you to teleport me to the mountains just south of the Volcanic Plains.” He was working from memory now, all the maps he had studied and drawn stack up on top of eachother in his mind to give him the route that he needed.

“You’ll die in the Volcanic Plains,” Shang Qinghua said.

“Yes, but I have a theory,” Shen Yuan said. “And we don’t have time to test it.”

He crossed to the wall where Luo Binghe had mounted the antlers from the demonic reindeer and climbed up onto a nearby table to pull one down. He would need it for this to work.

Shang Qinghua stared at him for a long moment then nodded and gestured Mobei Jun over.

“You cannot fail,” Shang Qinghua said. “We’ll keep the room secure as long as we can. There will be people who want to kill him anywhere we go. This room is already the best warded space we can access. Get the lotus, bring it back here. And do it in half a day.”

“Only have a day?” Shen Yuan said. He’d hoped for more time.

“I don’t know how long the poison will take but heavenly demons don’t die easily. The problem is that Mobei Jun will have to sleep eventually and when he does, there will be no one strong enough to protect him.”

Shen Yuan nodded grimly.

“Open the portal to the first town south of the Volcanic Plains, in the forest,” he said. His plan had better work.

*****

Shen Yuan arrived in a flurry of snow that subsided and melted as soon as the portal closed. He checked the position of the sun to orient himself, glad it was still up in this portion of the demonic realms. Oriented, he set off towards the north. He encountered a rough trail, too big to be a deer trail but not much more maintained. This trail led to a better path, which in turn led to a better road. From there he followed the road signs to the town.

He was deep in demon country now, and he gripped his cloak pin tightly, thumb on the blunt end, ready to stab anyone who got ideas about what to do with a lone human.

Mimi trotted behind him as he walked, then jumped up to sit on his shoulders as the town came into sight.

There was no wall around the town or guard to prevent his entrance so he walked right in and looked around for the commercial district. He found it easily enough, just a little off the main road. Rich smells of cooking meat filled the air and he walked quickly past a stall that looked to be roasting a human leg over a fire.

His first stop was the blacksmith. He followed the ringing sound of metal on metal and looked for a chimney putting off thick smoke.

The blacksmith was working at a lazy pace, spending most of his time with his project in the fire as he talked with what must be his friends. There was a total of three demons in the forge as Shen Yuan stepped inside and let his eyes adjust.

They all turned to him and stared.

“I need the services of a blacksmith, briefly and with payment.”

“Aren’t you a scrumptious little thing,” one of the friends cooed, stepping up close to Shen Yuan. He was covered in short fur like a pitbull and his eyes were wide set in his face, such that seemed to stare down at Shen Yuan from two distinctly different angles.

Mimi rose up on his shoulders, back arched in two little humps between her sets of legs, and hissed.

“And you have a little friend!” The demon continued. ”Dinner and dessert.”

Shen Yuan moved faster than he had his entire life. One moment his hand was flexing on the cloak pin and the next he had buried it deep in one of the demon’s eyes.

The demon screamed and fell back. Shen Yuan kept his grip on the now slippery pin and didn’t flinch as blood splattered everywhere.

“I’m not fucking around,” Shen Yuan said as the blacksmith stared at him and the other demon rushed to his friend’s aid. “I need a silver crown turned into silver dust and you get to keep the gems embedded in it. It’s worth more than you make in a year. Take the deal.”

The blacksmith agreed.

He worked quickly and silently to file the crown into dust after he pried out the gems and placed them somewhere safe. Shen Yuan swept up the silver dust and wrapped it in a scrap of fabric, stowing it away in his sleeve.

His business done, he left without a word.

Shen Yuan’s next stop was the spice-dealer.

News must have traveled fast about the crazy human because she didn’t give him any problems as he traded his bloody cloak pin for Sunbreak Peppers and her services in grinding down the antler and peppers into a fine paste. She transferred the paste into a little jar and handed it to Shen Yuan.

He noticed a little candle she had burning in the corner of her shop, a fragrant thing. He took a little of the paste and ate it. It tasted terrible but he hadn’t expected ground up antler to taste good. Shen Yuan waited a moment for the paste to kick in, counting down from ten. Then he put his hand directly in the candle’s flame.

It was a small flame to be sure, but he didn’t notice heat or pain. He examined his hand closely but found it unaffected by direct contact with the flame.

He thanked her and headed out of the town, carefully watching his back.

A few demons trailed after him at a distance.

Shen Yuan wasn’t worried.

He walked briskly towards the tallest nearby mountain and stepped off the trials. He was used to walking through untamed wilderness from his early travels with Luo Binghe.

Shen Yuan did not head straight up the mountain. Instead he looked for a boggy area that received minimal sunlight and walked straight into it. He subtly scattered the silver dust around him as he went.

The first sign that his plan had worked was a piecing scream that sounded behind him, followed by panicked shouting. He smiled softly and turned to head straight up the mountain, satisfied that the carnivorous plants would either kill or scare off anyone following him.

The hike up the mountain took far longer than he had hoped but he made it before the sun had set. He was a sweaty, gross mess by the time he reached the rocky outcropping at the top.

There was a flurry of movement and squawks when he arrived, startling several massive crows.

This was a different group that the one he’d met on his journeys but he hoped they knew of him.

They did. These crows were a chatty bunch and they quickly recognized him as both the strange human who had talked with their brethren and the human that Luo Binghe kept at his side.

They had also already heard of the attack on Luo Binghe. They knew what Shen Yuan was there for.

Shen Yuan offered them one of his earrings, the ones Luo Binghe had given him after defeating the beast in the Volcanic Plains. The second one he promised to them upon his return to the palace.

“I need passage to the oasis with the Thousand Year Blue Lotus,” he said. “And after I obtain the Lotus I need to go to the palace and return to Luo Binghe’s side.”

The crows cocked their heads at him, then talked amongst themselves in a harsh, chattering language.

Shen Yuan waited, resting his extremely sore legs. Mimi jumped up into his lap and purred, though she kept one eye open and fixed on the crows. She kept tucking her feet underneath her like she was going to hunt them and Shen Yuan kept gently knocking her over. He supposed it was in the nature of any cat to hunt birds but these crows where very big and Mimi was very small. It would not end the way she wanted.

The chattering died down and one of the larger crows hopped over to him.

“I’ll take you across,” the crow said. Shen Yuan stood, tucking Mimi into his robes and tightening his belt so she would be safe there. Then he consumed the rest of the antler and pepper mixture, saving a little to offer to Mimi. She licked it neatly off his finger with her rough tongue and ducked her head down into the darkness of his robes.

The crow took off, beating its wings rapidly, then scooped Shen Yuan up in its clawed feet. Shen Yuan wrapped his arms tightly around one ankle and held on as the crow rose higher and higher into the air.

The travel over the Volcanic Plains should have boiled him from the inside out but instead he watched the molten rock below in amazement, unaffected by the heat.

The rock glowed firey read then dulled to black as it erupted from the ground, moving in molasses like speed and radiating enough heat to make the whole view ripple in his vision.

They flew for a very long time. The adrenaline kept Shen Yuan wide awake the whole time, though when he peeked into his robes he saw Mimi fast asleep and drooling, her little teeth peeking out from her slack lips.

The first time he saw the oasis, it was a small speck on the horizon, the lush green standing out starkly against the red magma surroundings. As they got closer, he could start to make out details. It was a tiny oasis, a pool of blue water surrounded by a thick stand of trees. Something in the magic there prevented the heat from instantly boiling the pond dry.

The crow set Shen Yuan down on the small shore between the trees and the water then took back off, circling high overhead while Shen Yuan looked around.

It was not difficult to find the lotus. It bloomed, huge and vibrant, at the center of the pond.

Shen Yuan removed his shoes and waded out into the water. It was deceptively deep, rising to his chest.

Mimi panicked and clambered ungracefully up on top of his head.

Shen Yuan moved slowly, weighed down by his robes and cautious of any sudden movements that might make Mimi dig all thirty of her claws into his scalp. The bottom of the pond was rocky and harsh on his feet. Most likely it was made of the same magma as the rest of the Volcanic Plains.

When he reached the lotus, the water was to his shoulders and the lotus bloomed at eye level. It was the side of his head, the biggest lotus he had ever seen. It seemed to be all shades of blue, ranging from pale at the tips of the petals to a deep midnight at its core.

Shen Yuan tried to pluck the flower carefully, but it was firmly attached to its stem. He yanked on it with increasing force until finally it broke free, the momentum of the movement shoving the whole flower against his face. A puff of pollen had Shen Yuan coughing and wheezing.

When he could breathe again, Shen Yuan waded back to shore and climbed out. Mimi seemed unaffected by the pollen but Shen Yuan was starting to feel hot. Had the pollen disrupted the effects of the antler mixture?

The crow swooped down and scooped Shen Yuan and Mimi back up into his claws.

The flight back across the plains was miserable. The heat instantly evaporated away the water in his robes and took away what little relief those wet clothes had offered. He felt sweat begin to drip down his chest and limbs, boiled within seconds of appearing.

His head began to feel foggy too. He could barely focus on anything beside holding the lotus close. Shen Yuan experienced the flight home in stuttering moments. He saw the plains disappear as they flew to the forest. He saw meadows full of wildflowers and mountains pass by beneath them, spotted with lakes and caves.

He wanted to explore all of that and more with Luo Binghe at his side.

They arrived at the palace quickly, far faster than Shen Yuan had expected. His head was spinning, vision dark around the edges. Still, he knew which courtyard to point the crow towards. They descended in circles, slow enough that he found Shang Qinghua and several Northern Desert demons waiting for him when he landed.

Shen Yuan handed the crow the second earring and the crow took off with a loud caw. He would have to ensure that Luo Binghe paid the crows back with more than just earrings.

“Hurry!” Shang Qinghua called and the Northern Desert demons formed a protective barrier around him. For a moment Shen Yuan was worried that Shang Qinghua had turned against him, but then Shang Qinghua was within the circle with him and they were moving through the palace to Luo Binghe’s rooms. “He’s been getting worse. I’m not sure how responsive he’ll be when you see him. He is conscious at moments but mostly asleep.”

Mobei Jun was guarding Luo Binghe’s rooms. Shen Yuan nodded to him as he ran past and pushed inside.

Luo Binghe laid motionless on the bed. He opened his eyes when Shen Yuan stepped inside and tried to sit up, but collapsed back on his pillow almost immediately.

“Binghe,” Shen Yuan said, sitting down on the edge of the bed. “I’m here. I promise this is almost over.”

He plucked the center most circle of petals on the lotus, all midnight blue, and one by one fed them to Luo Binghe. Luo Binghe was too weak to talk, but he chewed the petals slowly and looked increasingly better with each one.

Shen Yuan felt worse with each petal eaten. The heat that swamped him when he was above the Volcanic Plains had not abated. Instead it grew worse and worse, his stomach cramping and sweat dripping down his forehead.

Finally, Luo Binghe ate the last petal and tried to sit up again. This time, he was successful.

“Shen Yuan,” he rasped. “What happened?”

Shen Yuan pushed Binghe back down by his shoulders. He was slow to pull his hands away. Luo Binghe’s body was cool to the touch, and eased the fire within him.

Shen Yuan blinked and found it was difficult to reopen his eyes. He swayed and had to brace himself on the mattress to keep upright.

“Shen Yuan?” Luo Binghe said again and again, calling his name. Shen Yuan heard him every time but couldn’t gather himself to respond. His body ached so much. He leaned forward, trying to speak to Luo Binghe and collapsed onto his chest.

Luo Binghe cried out his name and sat up, hoisting Shen Yuan fully onto the bed.

“What’s wrong?” Luo Binghe asked and even as he spoke Shen Yuan felt something stir throughout his body. He hadn’t noticed Luo Binghe giving him blood but he must have snuck it into something he ate, because those are definitely blood parasites poking around and seeing what’s wrong. “You’ve been poisoned by an aphrodisiac.”

Ah. Well, that made a lot of sense. He’d been very lucky to mostly sidestep those so far but alas. He tried to struggle upright but this time it was Luo Binghe’s turn to push him back down.

“I’ll take care of it, just hold out a little longer,” Luo Binghe said and he moved to kneel over Shen Yuan.

Shen Yuan protested, slapping weakly at Luo Binghe’s thighs. Luo Binghe had just been planning on marrying someone else. Regardless of the fact that wife 241 had poisoned him instead, Shen Yuan can’t stand to be with him if his heart is elsewhere.

Luo Binghe sensed his distress and paused.

“Shen Yuan? Do you not want this?”

Of course he wanted this, he always wanted Luo Binghe’s touch, but what his heart ached for was not something he could give it.

“You’re getting married to someone else,” Shen Yuan rasped. “You shouldn’t touch another.”

“Who?” Luo Binghe asked, bewildered. “Who else am I marrying? Shen Yuan, there is no one else but you.”

“The succubi.”

“They tried to kill me, I think I’ll pass on marrying one of them,” Luo Binghe said, tone dry.

“You’re so busy lately planning the marriage though. You should find a nice wife or seven hundred, you’ve got it all ready to go.”

“Seven hundred?” Luo Binghe asked, then seemed to write that off as a rambling of Shen Yuan’s aphrodisiac scrambled mind. “There is no wedding, besides ours. There is no wife, besides you as my husband. Hear me when I say this: there is no one but you. The only person I was planning on proposing to that night was you.”

Shen Yuan stared up at him. His mind was really playing tricks on him now.

“Me?” he asked. That can’t be right. “But you cleared out my rooms. My things were gone when I looked.”

“I moved your things to the empress’s rooms. I was just waiting for the right time to propose to you before I told you.”

“The empress’s rooms?” Shen Yuan said. “But those are for—“

Hmm. Wait.

“You want to marry me?” Shen Yuan said. It was such an absurd idea that his mind was temporarily clear. “Me? Binghe, you are the lord of all demons, you cannot marry a retired sex worker without any powers! I’ll be dead before you look like you’ve even aged a year, what are you thinking?”

Lou Binghe frowned.

“I’ve been fixing any aging or injuries in your body since you were brought to me,” Luo Binghe said. “My blood parasites can maintain your body and mind until we decide to age together. We could live forever, if you wanted.”

Shen Yuan wanted that very much.

“I am an absurd choice for consort,” Shen Yuan said but his voice was weak and breathy. The heat of the aphrodisiac was melting his insides and making it hard to focus.

“Let me convince you otherwise,” Luo Binghe said and leaned down to kiss him.

Shen Yuan wrapped his arms around Luo Binghe’s neck and pulled him close. He lost himself in the feel of their soft lips touching and the slick slide of Luo Binghe’s tongue as he licked into Shen Yuan’s mouth. Shen Yuan whimpered, fire raging inside of him now and tried to spread his legs. Luo Binghe lifted himself up to make room and settled between his thighs.

Luo Binghe’s fingers deftly undid Shen Yuan’s robes. Shen Yuan blinked and it was a struggle to open his eyes again but when he did he was naked and Luo Binghe was kissing his way down Shen Yuan’s neck.

“Oh,” Shen Yuan gasped and closed his eyes again to focus on the sensation.

The aphrodisiac was burning away his ability to focus but Luo Binghe’s touch was glorious. He lost himself in sensations and the love Luo Binghe put into each touch, regretful when he missed a few moments because of the fever in his mind but always eager to discover what Luo Binghe was doing now.

Luo Binghe seemed intent on convincing Shen Yuan to marry him with touch alone and it was working.

Luo Binghe wanted to marry him.

“Binghe,” Shen Yuan said. “Binghe, I can’t share you. This won’t work if you want a harem at some point. If we marry, it’s going to be just us.”

“Perfect,” Luo Binghe said, running his lips over the inside of Shen Yuan’s hip bone. “I always want Shen Yuan to myself and I will never want a harem when I can have you instead.”

“Smooth talker,” Shen Yuan muttered but he was flushed with happiness.

Luo Binghe kissed his way to Shen Yuan’s cock, achingly hard from the aphrodisiac and swallowed him down, his lips pressing against the base of Shen Yuan’s cock. Shen Yuan shouted and writhed on the bed, overwhelmed with pleasure and the sudden relief from the aching heat.

Luo Binghe gripped his hips to keep him still and worked him hard and fast, sucking and squeezing and stroking him until Shen Yuan spilled down his throat.

Shen Yuan blinked and felt he could see clearly for the first time since he’d gotten hit with the lotus pollen.

“You want to marry me,” he said. “You want to marry me!”

He started to laugh and laugh, tears of relief and happiness falling from his eyes. He grabbed Luo Binghe’s shoulders and pulled him up so Shen Yuan could wrap his arms around Luo Binghe’s neck and press kisses all over Luo Binghe’s face.

Luo Binghe smiled and he seemed just as happy as Shen Yuan was. They pressed their foreheads together, sharing air as they laughed and radiated joy.

The fever didn’t leave him alone for long and Luo Binghe recognized the way Shen Yuan started to shift on the bed, discomfort rising.

He lifted Shen Yuan’s legs up over his shoulders and slicked up his fingers with the oil they always kept on hand. Shen Yuan tilted his head back and sighed at the sensation of Luo Binghe’s familiar fingers sliding inside of him and working him open slowly.

Luo Binghe insisted on moving at a cautious pace, even as Shen Yuan started to kick his back and curse him for taking so long. The fever was annoying but more than even the need for relief, Shen Yuan wanted the love of his life inside of him, wanted to remember everything about how this moment felt.

The first press of Luo Binghe’s cock against his hole was daunting. Luo Binghe was big, so big that it was hard to stretch Shen Yuan enough to accommodate him usually but right now, between the fever and his own desperation, Shen Yuan found that his flicker of fear at taking Luo Binghe’s cock vanished in an instant.

“Hurry,” Shen Yuan gasped and Luo Binghe hid his face against Shen Yuan’s neck as he pressed inside. Shen Yuan petted the back of Luo Binghe’s head as the pressure built and built until finally Luo Binghe’s cock slipped inside of him. “Oh god.”

The stretch was so much it was hard to think of anything else but the way Luo Binghe’s huge cock was splitting him apart.

Luo Binghe worked his way in deeper with small pushes of his hips, making soothing sounds as he rearranged Shen Yuan’s guts.

Finally he was fully inside of Shen Yuan and started to thrust. Shen Yuan moaned and shuddered as Luo Binghe worked his way up to wildly pounding into him, hips losing the rhythm that Shen Yuan had taught him to set. Shen Yuan didn’t mind that Luo Binghe lacked finesse as he fucked him, knowing that they were both overwhelmed with lust and happiness right now. He just clung to Luo Binghe, scratching his back when he hit the right spot and murmuring sweet reassurances when hot tears leaked down his neck.

“I’m so happy. I love you,” Luo Binghe said that was what tipped Shen Yuan over the edge for the second time.

Luo Binghe followed him over the edge, gasping and working his hips until both of them were overstimulated.

“Binghe” Shen Yuan said into his ear and Luo Binghe shivered as he came to a halt and slowly pulled out of him. “I love you too.”

Luo Binghe smiled at him, bright enough to challenge the sun, and wrapped Shen Yuan up in his arms, rolling them over onto their sides.

Mimi jumped up onto the bed, startling him. She wandered around them on the bed then turned in a circle three times on his pillow.

Shen Yuan pulled Luo Binghe back down into a kiss and laughed as Mimi curled up by their heads and purred.