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“Yibo!” Xiao Zhan screamed as he woke up, hand reaching out into the darkness of the night.
Xiao Zhan’s wide eyes adjusted to the dark slowly and he remembered where he was - at a rundown inn in yet another town. Xiao Zhan let out the breath he had been holding and ran his hand down his sweaty face. With a long sigh, Xiao Zhan got off the bed and grabbed his bow and quiver of arrows and left to explore the town just as the sun began rising.
As Xiao Zhan walked around the town, still waking up slowly, he pulled his hood over his head. He looked at every missing poster, every wanted poster, every and any sign of life carefully, closely, hopefully. He was searching for a clue, any clue, that would lead him to the man he had been searching for months.
Soon, the sun began its climb and the town started coming to life. Even though the sun was bright, there was a chill in the air that made Xiao Zhan pull his coat around him tightly. As the wind blew in his face, Xiao Zhan turned a corner and froze as he noticed a familiar figure. Heart racing, Xiao Zhan hurried and took long strides towards the man and placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Wha-who are you?” The man scowled.
“So-sorry,” Xiao Zhan mumbled as he took a step away from the stranger.
Xiao Zhan kept walking the streets, braving the cold winds. By the time the sun had creeped up the sky, Xiao Zhan could feel his stomach rumble. He asked for directions to the marketplace and headed to it after thanking the kind lady who had helped him.
When he reached the busy street, Xiao Zhan passed by many stalls, playing with the few coins he had left. As he neared the end of the street, he caught a flutter from the corner of his eye. Xiao Zhan turned to look at the person in the distance and his hand stilled. Xiao Zhan’s mind went numb as he watched a man standing by a stall, lost in thought, his long, unrestrained hair whipping around his ethereal face.
Before his brain could completely process the turn of events, Xiao Zhan found himself walking towards the man. His eyes remained fixed on the person, unable to look away, even as he bumped into people along the way. When Xiao Zhan reached the stall, he was breathless. He gazed at the beautiful face for several moments before snapping out of his daze when another gust of wind slapped his face.
Xiao Zhan cleared his throat nervously and waited.
“Ah, I’m sorry,” the man jumped, a little startled, and apologized hastily.
Xiao Zhan’s eyes trailed to the man’s ears that were reddening just like he knew they would.
“Welcome, have a look at Pott’s Pottery Produc-” the man began but paused mid sentence when his eyes settled on Xiao Zhan.
Xiao Zhan slowly reached for his hood and pulled it back, revealing his scruffy face.
“Xiao Zhan?” the shocked man whispered, his voice flying away with the wind.
Xiao Zhan managed to muster up a small smile that didn't reach his eyes.
“Yibo,” Xiao Zhan whispered back, his face softening just a tad.
They stared at each other, silent and unmoving. Xiao Zhan’s gaze turned pained when he noticed how pale and weak Yibo looked. He felt his heart break into a million pieces when he saw the way Yibo was covered in tattered clothes, shuddering in the cold, painting a pitiful picture, alone and desolate.
Suddenly, the silence was broken when a heart wrenching sob that escaped Yibo’s lips. Before Xiao Zhan could take a step forward, Yibo stumbled around the table and threw himself into Xiao Zhan’s arms.
Xiao Zhan’s mind reeled as Yibo buried his face in his chest and rambled incoherently, his sobs growing louder and more helpless by the minute. All Xiao Zhan could think of was the screams that haunted him every night. The screams that were the last memory he had of Yibo, the night he was taken.
“Yibo!!” Xiao Zhan’s voice faded slowly as he fell to the ground.
“Zhan-ge!!!” Yibo’s terrified voice pierced through the darkness that was slowly enveloping Xiao Zhan.
Xiao Zhan’s eyes flickered as his vision blurred. He could make out the figure of his Yibo being grabbed by two men. Xiao Zhan made a feeble attempt to lift himself up when Yibo was gagged and blindfolded, but he fell back down helplessly.
“Yi...bo…” Xiao Zhan muttered, barely audible, as he felt himself drift away.
Xiao Zhan puffed out a breath of air that stirred the dirt on the ground beneath him. The last thing he heard were muffled sobs and the last thing he saw was Yibo being dragged away. And then everything went black.
When the darkness cleared, Xiao Zhan noticed a face loom over him.
“Are you okay, young man?” A voice asked him, clearing the fog in his brain a little.
“Yibo...Yibo…” Xiao Zhan mumbled as he tried sitting up.
“Don’t move,” the voice held Xiao Zhan down. “You lost a lot of blood.”
The next thing Xiao Zhan knew was waking up to a dimly lit room that smelled of alcohol and mold.
“Good,” an unfamiliar voice spoke. “You’re awake.”
“Where...where am I?” Xiao Zhan grunted as his entire body was flooded with pain.
“You’re at the infirmary,” the voice replied.
“How...how long have I been-”
“You were unconscious for two days,” the doctor sighed. “But you will get back to normal soon. Your vitals are good. Is there anyone we can call for you?”
Xiao Zhan groaned in pain as he tried sitting up.
“Two days?” He panted as he tried catching his breath after managing to sit up partially. “I...I have to...I have to go...I have to find him. I-”
“Slow down, young man!” The doctor placed a firm hand on Xiao Zhan’s shoulder.
“Yibo…” Xiao Zhan mumbled. “I’m here...I’m coming…” his voice trailed away as his mind spun, “I’m here.”
“I’m here,” Xiao Zhan whispered into Yibo’s hair. “Shhh...shhhh...” he soothed the sobbing man in his arms.
As Xiao Zhan gently massaged Yibo’s back in attempt to calm and comfort him, Yibo hissed and squirmed in his arms.
“What...I’m so sorry, did I hurt you?” Xiao Zhan withdrew his hand immediately and stepped back, worried and frightened that he had somehow harmed Yibo.
“It’s alright...just… not completely healed yet,” Yibo replied sheepishly, twisting his torso to try and see if he was bleeding.
“Let me.” Xiao Zhan gently, but firmly turned him around and tugged at Yibo’s collar to peek down his back.
Xiao Zhan froze and felt his entire body turn cold as he saw a glimpse of Yibo’s back.
“Zhan-ge?” Yibo’s soft voice snapped Xiao Zhan out of his numb blankness.
Xiao Zhan took a long look at the tortured gashes and purple scars before lifting his gaze to meet Yibo’s. Xiao Zhan felt a rush of rage rise in him, flooding all his senses. The screams from the night of their separation echoed in his head and he felt the final bloodcurdling scream renew the fire within him.
“Where are you staying?” Yibo’s gentle voice once again reached for Xiao Zhan through the red that now enveloped him.
“I don’t know,” Xiao Zhan replied, eyes still glazed and distant.
“Then stay with me,” Yibo pleaded, entwining their fingers.
The simple touch thawed something in Xiao Zhan. Something that had grown harder and darker as the months had passed him by. But Yibo’s hopeful gaze and tender touch opened a small window in the wall Xiao Zhan had been trapped behind as he had been consumed with a thirst for revenge.
As he gazed at Yibo’s expectant expression, eyes wide with hope, lips parted in anticipation, Xiao Zhan’s only answer was leaning in and enveloping Yibo’s lips.
Wú Guāng’s Mogul.
The words kept ringing in Xiao Zhan’s head as he parted ways with Yibo temporarily.
Wú Guāng’s Mogul.
Xiao Zhan gritted his teeth and clenched his fists as he made his way to the fortress. Months of searching, fighting, killing, had made Xiao Zhan quiet as the night as he stealthily slipped into the fortress. In the still night, he moved quickly, with purposeful agility. Having put down the guards outside the Mogul’s private quarters, Xiao Zhan opened the door and walked in slowly. He stared at the sleeping man, closing the door behind him, and pulled an arrow from his quiver.
With billowing rage, Xiao Zhan stepped closer to the bed and let loose an arrow that embedded itself deep in the headboard above the mogul’s head. Startled by the loud sound, the mogul woke up and sat up hurriedly. As soon as his eyes landed on Xiao Zhan, he scrambled away from him and screamed for his guards.
“You hurt him,” Xiao Zhan growled as he walked closer to the man who was crawling away from him.
“Who...who are you?” The mogul whimpered pathetically.
“You hurt my Yibo,” Xiao Zhan snarled, his gaze turning predatory.
When the mogul finally jumped out of the other side of his bed, he ran towards the door clumsily. Without a second thought, Xiao Zhan raised his bow and plucked the string back with his arrow. As the mogul struggled with the latch, Xiao Zhan released the arrow and watched it pierce through the man’s back, straight into his wicked heart.
Xiao Zhan walked into Yibo’s room, feeling a strange sense of relief that he still hadn't wrapped his mind around. He felt free. He felt relieved. He felt tired.
Slowly, mindlessly, he stepped out of his clothes, one garment at a time, until his body felt as relieved and free as his heart. He lowered himself in the bed, and lay back quietly. He stared at the ceiling as tears began flowing from his burning eyes. He turned his side and curled in on himself and let everything go.
He let the hatred go. He let the anger go. He let the guilt go. He let the pain go. He reached into the void inside him and tore down the walls, threw out the burdens, yanked out the thorns. Until all that was left were his miserable sobs as he wept uncontrollably.
After what seemed like an eternity, Xiao Zhan’s sobs grew silent and his tears dried on his weary face. Xiao Zhan turned over onto his back and let out a long sigh, as if he was breathing for the first time in months. A few moments later, the door to the room opened and Yibo’s face peered in as if unsure if Xiao Zhan would still be there.
Xiao Zhan smiled warmly and noticed the way Yibo’s body relaxed as he walked in and closed the door behind him. Xiao Zhan’s eyes roamed Yibo’s body as he shed his clothes, taking in all the battle wounds Yibo bore. Xiao Zhan observed the way Yibo’s eyes settled on his bow and arrows before hurrying to the bed.
Yibo scuttled into the bed and wrapped the blanket around them, placing himself on top of Xiao Zhan. They gazed into each other’s eyes and Xiao Zhan’s eyes softened when he saw the love and earnestness that was pouring from Yibo’s eyes.
Without saying any words, they found themselves leaning in closer, desperate and impatient. As soon as their lips met, Xiao Zhan wrapped his arms around Yibo and pulled him completely on top of him. Yibo plastered his naked body against Xiao Zhan’s warmth, craving the comfort greedily.
As they kissed each other hungrily, Xiao Zhan’s hands roamed every inch of Yibo’s body except his back. He grabbed at Yibo haphazardly as if unable to make up his mind about where he wanted to hold him. Yibo drowned in the want and desire that radiated from Xiao Zhan and moaned as the need washed over his own trembling body.
“Zhan-ge,” Yibo whispered breathlessly, as his lips pulled back just an inch, enough to catch his breath. “Zhan-ge…” he mewled.
“I’m here,” Xiao Zhan kissed the corner of Yibo’s mouth. “I’m right here.”
“I thought I’d never see you again,” Yibo let out a soft sob as he kissed Xiao Zhan intermittently.
“I’m never leaving you again,” Xiao Zhan assured Yibo as earnestly as he could. “I promise…”
“Please…” Yibo’s lips quivered as Xiao Zhan kissed his chin, his jaw, his neck, his ear. “I need you, Zhan-ge...I...need you…”
Xiao Zhan wasted no time in carefully flipping them around and lowering Yibo onto the bed. He cradled the shaking man in his arms and kissed him lovingly. Yibo wrapped his arms around Xiao Zhan’s neck and deepened the kiss. Xiao Zhan dove into Yibo as his hands travelled down his sweaty body.
Yibo moaned ecstatically as Xiao Zhan’s fingers circled his rim. After a few seconds, Xiao Zhan’s lips travelled down from Yibo’s lips, down his neck, his chest, his nipples, his stomach, leaving wet kisses and pink welts on the pale skin. As Xiao Zhan moved lower, he spread Yibo’s legs wide apart and pushed his knees to his chest. He licked his way down Yibo’s erection and cupped and sucked on his balls, eliciting filthy groans from Yibo’s mouth.
Xiao Zhan tongued at his pink rim, coaxing the opening to let him in. He kissed and licked and entered the opening as Yibo writhed with every touch. Xiao Zhan inserted his finger slowly, lovingly exploring every inch of Yibo’s warmth. He tread the familiar trails inside Yibo that he had missed so dearly. He stretched and opened Yibo more as Yibo grew wetter and more pliant.
“Zhan-ge…” Yibo moaned helplessly.
Xiao Zhan devoured Yibo’s hole hungrily, spurred on by the sensual sounds Yibo was making. When he couldn't take it any longer, Xiao Zhan pulled his fingers out and positioned himself between Yibo’s legs. He guided his hard length into Yibo as slowly and gently as he could, inch by inch, one kiss at a time. Yibo gasped and his breath hitched as Xiao Zhan filled him up gradually.
Xiao Zhan felt Yibo’s body heat up underneath him and began moving, thrusting into Yibo, until he was finally back home inside Yibo’s body. He rammed into Yibo fervently, as he tried to replace all the hurt, pain and trauma with his love, his desire, his kindness. He pounded into Yibo ruthlessly, once again uniting their bodies and souls after months of longing and separation.
“Gege…” Yibo screamed as tears streamed down his face.
“You’re safe…” Xiao Zhan whispered as his own eyes welled up.
Yibo wept, swept away in his turbulent emotions. Xiao Zhan held the fragile man and gave him all his love in the one way he could. Yibo opened his eyes and gazed into Xiao Zhan’s, looking innocent and brave at the same time.
“Wo ai ni,” Xiao Zhan let his tears flow freely as he leaned in and kissed Yibo’s forehead. “Wo ai ni,” he repeated endlessly as he thrust into the body of his soulmate, binding them together again.
As their delirious moans reached a feverish peak, Xiao Zhan and Yibo groaned in unison as their bodies rose and crashed together. They clung to each other, sweaty and satiated, as the pleasure washed over them and enveloped each cell in their body. When they came to, Xiao Zhan let out a deep exhale and began pulling out of Yibo.
“Stay,” Yibo stopped Xiao Zhan. “Please.”
Xiao Zhan smiled and kissed Yibo’s forehead as he remained enclosed in Yibo’s warmth.
“I knew you would find me,” Yibo murmured softly. “I never gave up hope.”
“I never gave up on finding you either,” Xiao Zhan whispered back as he planted soft kisses all over Yibo’s face.
Eventually, Xiao Zhan slipped out of Yibo and rolled onto his side. Yibo turned to face Xiao Zhan and smiled as Xiao Zhan wrapped his arms around Yibo’s waist. Yibo flinched subtly as Xiao Zhan’s hand touched his skin.
“Sorry!” Xiao Zhan pulled back immediately.
“My wounds will heal, Zhan-ge,” Yibo smiled gently and placed Xiao Zhan’s hand on his waist again.
Xiao Zhan remained silent as he held Yibo close, placing a long kiss on his temple.
“Will yours?” Yibo whispered after a few seconds of listening to Xiao Zhan’s heartbeat.
Xiao Zhan pulled away and gazed into Yibo’s eyes.
“Mine will too,” Xiao Zhan smiled back, eyes welling up. “With you by my side again, all the pieces of my broken heart have come back to me.”