Work Text:
The first that Yingxing sees of his husband-to-be is at the municipal building. The marriage is no more than a political union between Zhuming and the Luofu Vidyadhara, a longstanding alliance to combine their military forces for the war against the Abundance with Zhuming to additionally provide weapons, artillery, and arumatons in exchange for the Vidyadhara’s medical expertise.
As Zhuming’s preeminent Forgemaster, Yingxing had been chosen as their representative, few being of higher rank on the Xianzhou ship known for its craft.
...And also for a less savory reason—because he is short-lived with six or so decades left in him. Zhuming’s politicians had hoped it would make the marriage more palatable to the Vidyadhara considering that their candidate is Yinyue-jun.
The entire affair was vaguely insulting but Yingxing had agreed because they had tempted him with access to the restricted Scalegorge Waterscape to collect materials for crafting and had promised it would not disrupt his work.
And so Yingxing had cared little for how the ceremony would go, but the Luofu’s Yinyue-jun had been adamant on a traditional wedding despite both sides’ rush to finalize the union. He had left it for those politicians and civil servants to figure out, going straight back to his smithy after laying down some of his own conditions.
Yet here they are today at the courthouse, two and a half weeks early for a civil ceremony. He has no idea how the Preceptors had convinced their Yinyue-jun but he looks livid, sea green eyes flashing as he speaks with his people.
“Ah, and here is our other groom,” the officiator announces nervously, successfully halting the heated discussion between the Vidyadhara.
Yingxing’s heart skips a beat as their eyes meet. There is not an iota of exaggeration in those flattering rumors—Yinyue-jun’s elegant poise and exquisite beauty would make poets weep, beyond what mere words could describe.
The man’s expression is unreadable as he takes Yingxing in.
Zhuming’s diplomat is at his side, making the formal introductions when Yingxing uncaringly interrupts, stepping forward with eyes only for one person.
“I am Zhuming’s Forgemaster, Yingxing. It’s an honor to meet you, Yinyue-jun.” He folds his hands together in a formal salute and bows deeply.
Yinyue-jun’s light touch on his elbows guides him back up.
“Dan Feng, Yinyue-jun of the Vidyadhara. The honor is mine.”
Yingxing is surprised when the salute and bow Dan Feng returns to him is equally deep.
The entire process is short, only memorable for the sincerity in Dan Feng’s voice when he had said his vows, the intensity of his gaze.
Yingxing had been helpless in the face of such earnestness and could only reciprocate in kind.
Truthfully, Yingxing had not thought to wed in this life. His apprentices may joke that their Forgemaster is married to his work, but it is no joke to him; the greater portion of his heart has always been taken by his craft.
But today, his heart moves for this man.
“For all the days of my life,” he promises Dan Feng.
~
The wedding night goes as he thought it would.
Dan Feng bids him good night and goes to sleep on his side of their shared bed, back turned to Yingxing. The only surprise is the tail that appears to drape over the man’s slender waist. The rigid line of his spine looks like wariness, not anticipation so Yingxing keeps to his side.
When Yingxing makes no move to initiate relations, Dan Feng gradually relaxes until his breathing evens out into sleep.
~
For awhile, the only change in Yingxing’s routine is that he goes to a different place to crash at night having married into Yinyue-jun’s house. They are both workaholics, Dan Feng with never ending Vidyadhara business to take care of and Yingxing holed up in his forge.
He does pick up though, on how Dan Feng is often awake at whatever odd hour Yingxing crawls back home at. Often, he is lying in bed with his eyes closed, but the pattern of his breathing is too shallow and controlled to be in slumber.
“Having trouble sleeping?”
Those proud shoulders had stiffened. “It’s nothing.”
The clipped response had been a clear refusal, so Yingxing had held back his offers to help—preparing a warm drink or to keep him company. He had not asked again, but the issue continues to turn itself over in his mind throughout the day.
The few times their skin has brushed—at the ceremony and when handing Dan Feng something or other—the man’s skin has been cool, room temperature. The Vidyadhara are not cold-blooded, but of them all, Yinyue-jun is closest to their primordial ancestor Long; the only one to possess his powers....and that tail.
Or Yingxing’s imagination may just be running wild again—it could simply be poor circulation. It does not make much sense for Yinyue-jun’s historical home to have such poor heat retention if the High Elders were all ectotherms—the house even seems to diffuse away warmth—but who knows given the Vidyadhara’s obsession with keeping the tradition.
It gives Yingxing an idea, exceedingly easy to throw together. What takes the most time is shopping for a suitable fabric that is fire resistant but soft and high quality enough to meet Dan Feng’s standards. He sneaks home a few times to reference the comforter and blankets on their bed and learns that Dan Feng often works from home. Dan Feng pays him little mind, accepting Yingxing’s excuses as he passes by the study, attention going back to his papers without comment.
The supplier’s smile is strained with annoyance by the time Yingxing stops hemming and hawing and settles on a few selections, still undecided which one Dan Feng would find aesthetically pleasing enough for regular use. A rich royal blue, delicately patterned with clouds is his final decision.
“It’s getting cold these days,” Yingxing lies baldly when he places his creation in Dan Feng’s hands that evening. He ignores Dan Feng’s blank incredulity as his eyes move to the glaring sun outside the windows and continues, “I made an electric blanket that’ll heat up when you turn it on. You can try it out, see if you like it.”
The blanket is very basic, only needing to be plugged in, but he still demonstrates the controls for adjusting the temperature and goes over some dos and don’ts. His voice is steady but his old heart patters like an adolescent with his first crush. Too nervous to wait for Dan Feng’s response, Yingxing swiftly swans back out when he is done with the explanation.
He returns later that night to find Dan Feng curled underneath the electric blanket.
Yinxing has never heard the Vidyadhara’s breaths so slow and even, deep in slumber.
~
Every morning, Dan Feng has woken precisely at 5:00 AM, like one of Yingxing’s programmable machines, but today he is still in bed when Yingxing is roused by a quiet whiny groan.
And is treated to the adorable sight of his majestic Yinyue-jun inching over to the side of the bed like a caterpillar to peek at the clock, still huddled under the blanket holding it snug over his shoulders.
Dan Feng flops to the bed with a dejected sound when he sees the time.
Yingxing closes his eyes and pretends to be asleep, suspecting that if Dan Feng realizes there is a witness he may be silenced by those razor sharp claws.
It takes fifteen minutes before Dan Feng manages to rise. His footsteps slow to a stop as he passes Yingxing’s side of the bed.
Yingxing is grateful for the extensive practice he has had feigning sleep. He doesn’t seem to have been caught as Dan Feng does not say anything, but he also doesn’t know what could possibly be so interesting about a sleeping middle aged man.
Dan Feng moves on to do his daily ablutions after what seems like an unnecessarily long interval.
~
The electric blanket is probably the simplest item Yingxing has ever made.
Yet he has never felt so proud of himself.
Whenever Yingxing gets home late now, Dan Feng is soundly asleep, so cozy that he even oversleeps a few times—a previously unheard of phenomenon for him.
And Dan Feng loves that thing, dragging it everywhere with him whenever he is in the house, which is most of the day; draped over his shoulders as he works at his low desk, wrapped around him when he’s reading in the armchair.
It makes Yingxing have crazed thoughts about tearing up the floorboards to install a full underfloor heating system, but he retains some of his rationality. He doubts the Vidyadhara would allow him to renovate a historical site, a symbol of their cultural heritage.
He settles for designing a kotatsu—a low, wooden table with a heat source affixed to the underside. Dan Feng’s study is in the Old Xianzhou style with low tables and cushions to be seated on the floor so this should be perfect. A writing tabletop weighs down the thick duvet that drapes over the sides to trap in the heat.
“It’ll be nice to have in winter,” he explains to Dan Feng. His excuse is believable this time, winter just around the corner, the chill in the air a prelude to its arrival.
He does the same song and dance, giving the appropriate cautions. Dan Feng listens politely, his face giving nothing away but his tail swishes excitedly behind him.
From Yingxing’s observations, the tail manifests under two circumstances—when Dan Feng is using his powers or when he is at ease, never appearing when he is outside their home otherwise.
“Mm.” Dan Feng replies at the end of his explanation.
It is odd for the impeccably courteous man not to express gratitude for a gift, but it also doesn’t seem possible for Yinyue-jun to be speechless with joy.
Yingxing does not mind. The happy tail is all the thanks he needs.
~
When Dan Feng had been little more than a hatchling, he had made mention of the poor insulation of the High Elder’s residence and was promptly scolded for being unable to tolerate a minor nuisance, for daring to find fault with a cultural treasure. He has long since been used to the mild discomfort which no longer even registers.
Until the day Yingxing presents him with that blanket.
He has received many gifts of incomparable value, but none have made him feel as this simple blanket does; made by his husband’s own two hands with thought only for his comfort.
A strange feeling rises within him a—soreness beneath his sternum, a heat that warms him to the core.
~
The blanket sometimes slips from Dan Feng’s shoulders or gets in the way when writing at his desk, so he is delighted by the kotatsu Yingxing assembles for him.
Yingxing made this one too…for him.
For all his learned eloquence, Dan Feng cannot find the words to express the radiant feeling softly expanding to fill his chest.
But Yingxing smiles at him, a lovely crinkle at the corners of his eyes, as if he has heard all Dan Feng wanted to say regardless.
~
Yingxing has a flurry of inspiration and pulls two all-nighters in a row. The moment he gets home, he collapses onto the nearest upholstered surface—the couch.
He wakes, warm and comfortable in their bed. He has been divested of his clothing leaving him in his undershirt and smalls. A small meal and a health tonic awaits him on the bedside table.
Yingxing has been living alone for so long...when was the last time someone had looked after him like this?
There is even a candy next to the tonic to counter the aftertaste.
A bemused smile quirks his lips. He is not a child.
He throws back the tonic.
And immediately takes back his words—the candy is essential.
Lemony goodness melts on his tongue, clinging sweetness chasing out the taste of bitterness.
~
Yingxing’s feet are halted in their tracks as he strides past Dan Feng’s study.
Peeking out from under the edge of the kotatsu is the fluff of a tail tip.
The rest of its owner is nowhere to be seen—Dan Feng must be sleeping curled beneath the table.
Yingxing nearly expires on the spot from how adorable it is.
Who knew Yinyue-jun could be so cute?
The tail is lax in slumber, so Yingxing sneaks away to grab a sketchpad and charcoal.
This image needs to be immortalized on paper, a balm for his heart whenever he has to listen to more nonsense about the limitations of a short-life species. He will have to frame it somewhere out of Dan Feng’s sight though, lest it be destroyed to preserve a Yinyue-jun’s dignity.
After he has completed and stowed away his masterpiece, Yingxing goes over and tweaks the tail tip.
It flops over, somehow managing to convey displeasure before withdrawing to hide beneath the kotatsu.
Yingxing chuckles and flips up the blanket.
Emerald eyes squint open as Dan Feng growls at him.
“As tempting as it is, you shouldn’t sleep under the kotatsu. There is a risk of heat exhaustion and dehydration…”
...Dan Feng can control water though.
Just as the thought occurs to him, Dan Feng summons a bubble of cool water into his hand and tosses it into his mouth.
Yingxing splutters when another small ball of water is dropped onto his head.
The tail grabs the blanket edge and flings it back down with attitude before slinking away inside.
Yingxing covers his laughter with his hand as he walks away.
Ah, seriously, this man is dangerous for his heart.
~
War looms on the horizon, but both sides yet bide their time, preparing for the inevitable escalation to full confrontation.
Skirmishes at the borders occur in the uneasy interim, every mission taking Dan Feng away for days.
Yingxing makes sure to always send Dan Feng off with a wish for his safe return, dropping whatever project he is immersed in to do so, because this is most important. Whenever Dan Feng comes back, Yingxing is there to tell him “Welcome home”.
~
On a sunny day, Dan Feng takes Yingxing into Scalegorge Waterscape to collect materials for crafting.
Dan Feng is…different here. He can’t describe it, but Dan Feng seems even more removed from flesh and blood mortals like Yingxing; otherworldly with a profundity to his presence.
“I have a list of what’s needed. Would you like to take a look to plot the most efficient course?” Yingxing inquires with the understanding that a High Elder’s time is more precious than gold.
“There is no hurry. Since you will be coming here periodically, I thought it would be best to show you around. We can address your list as we go.”
Yingxing has no objections to a—not a date, he reminds himself—with his husband so they stroll around, Dan Feng pointing out objects or landmarks of interest. The place is rife with history and Yingxing finds himself fascinated with the hints of the Vidyadhara’s ancient society, the foreign elements seen nowhere else on Xianzhou.
Dan Feng is not irritated by his endless questions. On the contrary, he seems pleased that Yingxing is so intrigued, happy to share his knowledge.
“Orchalium Coral,” Yingxing lists off the next item.
“The Southern Deeps then.”
Dan Feng leads them to a wide lake.
“Orchalium Coral is found in the depths, too far down to be safe even for an experienced swimmer. I will fetch it myself. How much do you need?"
…Yinyue-jun Dan Feng is going to fetch for him like an errand boy?
“Uh, ahem, three medium length branches should suffice. Shouldn’t we call someone else though? I don’t doubt your abilities, but I can’t help worrying. If something were to happen…I can’t swim.”
Dan Feng’s expression is very…flat. “You cannot swim.”
Yingxing nods. “That’s right.”
Gentle waves lap at the shore.
The breeze ruffles playfully through his hair.
…Is there something strange about being unable to swim?
“Zhuming doesn’t have many bodies of water,” he explains feeling abashed for some reason.
Dan Feng blinks. “I see.”
Then the man starts stripping, folding his clothes neatly on his satchel.
“D-Dan Feng?” Yingxing, well into his fourth decade, squeaks.
“Your concern is appreciated but unnecessary. If needed, I can just part the waters,” Dan Feng informs him, completely misinterpreting his…distress. And—
“…part the waters?”
Dan Feng gestures to the massive, towering walls of water to either side of the waterscape. “Before you arrived, I parted the waters so we could proceed into Scalegorge,” he explains, casual as you please.
…
…Yingxing had thought his libido faded away with his youth, but apparently it just lacked the right stimulus.
That, or even senescence is irrelevant when faced with the majesty of Yinyue-jun.
This is the last time Yingxing will ever be five minutes late though. His disappointment is beyond measure that he missed Dan Feng parting the waters.
While he is lost in a daze, Dan Feng has removed most of his clothing. It is criminal, that the man has been hiding this sculpted musculature beneath those elegant robes.
Dan Feng slips his fingers beneath the waistband of his smalls that he is about to take off.
Yingxing makes a high-pitched sound, hurriedly averting his eyes. His face heats with mortification.
For Aeon’s sake, he has seen naked men and women, beautiful naked men and women.
But they weren’t Dan Feng, his mind whispers wickedly.
They weren’t your husband.
He peeks over to see amusement dancing in those ocean eyes.
The underwear stays on.
~
While he waits for Dan Feng to resurface, Yingxing lays down a blanket on the grassy shore and unpacks their lunch.
He has finished for some time, looking through their harvest for the day when a disturbance in the water draws his attention.
Dan Feng rises from the waters like a god of the sea, emerald eyes glowing with rivulets of water streaming down defined pectorals and abs and...lower.
Yingxing swallows, unable to look away as Dan Feng comes up to him.
A small enigmatic smile curves the man’s lips as he hands the coral to Yingxing, trading it for a towel. “Will this be adequate?”
Yingxing clears his throat. “Yeah, this is good.”
Dan Feng puts his clothes back on and lays out his—his underwear on a rock to dry in the sun.
Yingxing doesn’t know why he is being tormented so today.
He doesn’t taste any of the food that goes into his mouth, but it fills his stomach at least.
~
When they return home, Dan Feng instructs him to get a change of clothes.
“If you wish to return to Scalegorge, you must learn to swim.”
Given how much of the area is covered in water, it is a reasonable requirement and, well, if Dan Feng is the one teaching Yingxing doesn’t mind sacrificing some dignity and drinking some seawater.
They head back into the waterscape because “No one will disturb us here” per Dan Feng.
…Is he treating all of Scalegorge as his backyard?
Dan Feng has Yingxing hold onto his arms as they go around the lake practicing the swim kick. He is anxious as he clings to those biceps, slender clawed hands supporting his elbows, but he is also pretty damn distracted with the veritable feast for the eyes before him.
It gets more tricky when he tries to swim properly, moving his arms in a breaststroke. Dan Feng swims in front, patiently guiding him, his tail wrapped securely around Yingxing’s lower chest to make sure he stays afloat. When Yingxing inevitably goes under, limbs flailing, he doesn’t even have time to panic before the tail is tugging him up into Dan Feng’s arms.
Dan Feng supports them both, floating on his back as he thumps Yingxing between the shoulders, helping him cough out the water down his windpipe. Decidedly unsexy, but floating like this in Dan Feng’s embrace is worth losing some face.
A few more mishaps and a gallon of guzzled lakewater later, Yingxing is able to keep himself afloat with a clumsy breaststroke.
Dan Feng deems it “minimally acceptable” and tells Yingxing he will be getting more lessons.
“Don’t I get a say in it?”
Dan Feng’s brow scrunches. “...What would make you amenable to this?”
“I’ll agree to the lessons if you’re the one teaching. I don’t mind as much when it’s my own husband that sees me embarrassing myself.” Yingxing keeps his tone nonchalant, but there is heat creeping into his face. It is the first time he has called Dan Feng his husband out loud.
He is gratified to see a corresponding pink tinge at the tips of those pointed ears.
“I wouldn’t let anyone else see you like this,” Dan Feng asserts.
“We’re agreed then.”
He makes Dan Feng put on Yingxing’s jacket on top of his own—he must be freezing after being in the water so long—and hurries them back home.
~
Yingxing can’t seem to stop making things for Dan Feng once he has started.
Some of them are whimsical: a crystal incense holder in the shape of a crescent moon, a hand lantern in the form of a hanging lotus flower. Some are more practical and finely made: a set of baijiu drinking glasses.
Eventually, some of Yingxing’s blueprints and research migrates into their home. Dan Feng invites him to share his study and Yingxing begins to work on his projects there when they are in the design phase. Dan Feng does not mind a small amount of noise and seems fascinated with watching him craft, so he brings some of his smaller creations home to tinker with.
In between projects, they have their biweekly swimming lessons and Dan Feng continues to accompany him into Scalegorge. Sometimes, they do not collect materials and simply walk around as Dan Feng tells him about the sights. Anecdotes about Dan Feng’s childhood and youth begin to slip into his narrations.
As otherworldly as Dan Feng is in this place, Yingxing looks at him, and all he sees is the man he is coming to love, his husband.
~
Yingxing has been working the forge for three days straight when he turns and nearly jumps out of his skin: Dan Feng looms over where he is seated.
“...Dan Feng?”
“Do you know how long you have sequestered yourself here?” The cloyingly pleasant tone sends a shiver of warning down Yingxing’s spine.
“Ah...I got a bit caught up. Inspiration waits for no one—the saying may be trite, but it’s unfortunately true.”
“It has been three days since you last came home. Have you eaten? Have you slept?” Dan Feng demands.
Yingxing rubs the back of his neck sheepishly. He hasn’t and he is about five minutes from collapsing.
Dan Feng closes his eyes, exhaling harshly through his nose. “Wrap up your work. We are going home now.”
Once he has eaten and bathed, Dan Feng tucks him into bed. His Cloudhymn magic is soothingly cold as it flows over Yingxing from where his fingers lie against Yingxing’s jaw.
Dan Feng looks down at him from where he sits on the bed, hip pressed to Yingxing’s.
“I can’t say I understand what you meant about inspiration, but short breaks for meals and naps should not be too disruptive. Am I correct in saying so?”
“...Probably. I just lose track of time when I’m engrossed with a project.”
Yingxing fights the lure of sleep because Dan Feng is dissatisfied, still looking at him expectantly.
“I’ll make and set an alarm to remind myself, but darling—“ he squeezes the wrist by his face, turning to press his lips to the palm “—you have to do the same for me too. I’m not the only one skipping meals and forgoing sleep for work.”
Later, he will recall how forward he was in his sleep deprived state, but he doesn’t mind having to borrow a fool’s courage from time to time. Yingxing is not shy, but he finds himself hesitating to take the next step, not because he doesn’t desire to do so, but because nothing has ever been this important to him and he can’t afford to mess things up.
Dan Feng is the backbone of the Vidyadhara, the Yinyue-jun who can effortlessly part the seas. He has built high ramparts and heavy fortifications to keep himself aloof, but Yingxing has wriggled his way in past his defenses and the tender heart that beats within is so vulnerable that he must approach with care.
Dan Feng’s eyes widen. He swallows audibly and his voice is hoarse when he speaks. “Alright. I will do so as well...for you.”
There are tired lines at the corners of Dan Feng’s eyes, so Yingxing goes a step further tugging on his arm. “Great, let’s start now then. Come lie with me—you look exhausted.”
Dan Feng’s fingers trail through Yingxing’s hair. He stands and divests himself of his outerwear before climbing into bed.
His husband’s habit is to sleep turned towards the wall, but this time he curls on his side, facing Yingxing who turns towards him.
Dan Feng takes his hand. “Go to sleep Yingxing. I will be here.”
Yingxing falls asleep with a smile on his face, their hands entwined between them on the sheets.
~
Tea time breaks and naps work their way into their routines, both of them carving out time in their packed schedules to take a breather together, to enjoy a little quiet in each other’s company.
Dan Feng sometimes visits Yingxing’s forge, whether to bring him meals or to poke around. He mumbles, head turned to the side, that watching Yingxing work is soothing, quieting the troubles in his mind.
The day that he sees Dan Feng’s tail swaying behind him while standing in Yingxing’s forge is a small triumph that fills him with quiet joy.
And then the war with the Abundance comes to a head.
~
Dan Feng goes to the warfront, projected to be away for months.
The first week is fine as Yingxing puts his full focus onto his work, but as the days continue to pass it becomes harder and harder to ignore the ache of Dan Feng’s absence.
Their home becomes a vast, echoing hollow, empty without his husband’s silent presence. He buys a futon that he places in the back of the workshop and sometimes sleeps there when he can no longer stand it.
But having small reminders of Dan Feng is better than nothing at all.
Yingxing takes out the kotatsu that had been put away for summer and lays out Dan Feng’s brush and ink set on it. When he is feeling especially pitiful, he turns on the electric blanket on Dan Feng’s side of the bed and turns his back to it so he can pretend his husband is there.
He didn’t know that longing could feel like this, a void in his heart that dogs his days, that cannot be filled even with his first love—his craft.
For the first time, smithing, crafting feels like work to him but Yingxing still puts his all into it because these are the armaments needed where Dan Feng is at, on the front lines.
~
Two months later, his husband returns to him.
The timer had gone off so Yingxing is taking the promised break, shaving away at a piece of wood to keep his hands busy while he slowly drinks his tea. As the pile of wood slivers beneath grows, the block gradually takes the form of a dragon in flight.
“Yingxing.”
The familiar voice has him dropping everything in his hands and shooting to his feet.
Dan Feng stands in the doorway, still bearing the dust from the road having come to find Yingxing the moment he returned.
His clothes are wrinkled, his face tired, and he has never looked so beautiful to Yingxing who throws himself into Dan Feng’s arms.
Dan Feng catches him with a grunt of surprise, but clutches at him just as desperately.
Yingxing buries his nose in Dan Feng’s collar breathing deep the scent of lotus and sea, his husband’s unique musk. When his racing pulse and hurried breaths have quieted, he cups Dan Feng’s face in his hands, smiling when the man turns his face into his touch.
“You took my heart with you when you left, my dear,” Yingxing confesses.
No more holding back.
He sees his own yearning reflected in the emerald gaze that darts over him, urgently taking in a sight sorely missed.
“....Then it is well that I left mine here with you,” Dan Feng returns softly.
They lean in at the same time, lips meeting in the slowest, softest kiss. The brush of their mouths lingers as they are drawn together, a force greater than gravity pulling them into one another.
Dan Feng’s fingers slide into his hair as they lean their foreheads together. The flutter of Dan Feng’s long lashes is bashful as he mumbles, “I made something.”
Yingxing blinks, drawing back to look at him. “For me?”
“Mm. For us.”
Dan Feng reaches into his robes and takes out a package, neatly wrapped in cloth and hands it to Yingxing.
Two bracers, finely made and thrumming with magic.
“The bracers are linked so that one would know the other is well, should we ever be parted. One for me and one for you if…if it pleases you.”
Yingxing stares at Dan Feng. “A bonded pair.”
Dan Feng’s gaze is unwavering as he looks back at him. “Mm.”
“It’s perfect, love. Would you do the honors?”
A smile softens those stern lips as Dan Feng buckles the bracer on for him. When he has finished, Yingxing returns the favor.
Closing his eyes he feels mellow pulsations, like waves lapping on the shore, the temperature against his skin cool, but slightly higher than the room.
He lifts his lids to see Dan Feng’s stunned expression and wonders if his heat feels like a brand against the man’s cold skin.
The thought sends a surge of possessive desire through him.
The kiss Yingxing drags Dan Feng into this time is filled with passion and he is met with equal fervor.
Zhuming’s Forgemaster had not thought to wed in this life. He had thought the greater portion of his heart belonged to his craft.
But now he knows he was wrong.
Crafting is his life’s passion, the path he chooses to walk. But something that does not live and breathe could never possess the whole of his heart as this man does.
The vows he made to Dan Feng on the day of their wedding were a commitment, an obligation; but now he pledges with the whole of his being to love and to cherish his beloved, his husband to the end of their days.
[End.]