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"Put me down!" Jin Guangyao protested, a furious blush covering his cheeks. He tried his hardest to break free from the stronger man's grip, but it was to no avail. Groaning in frustration, he continued with his objections. "I am not a child, Da-ge. Stop it!"
This time he pounded his fists against the man's broad chest, but they had no effect at all. Such weak hits did not faze Nie Mingjue in the slightest.
In fact, the man carried on as if this was a normal thing, which in truth it was. He loved cradling A-Yao in his arms, carrying him bridal-style any chance he got. Leaning in, the Nie Sect Leader planted a chaste kiss to the smaller man's cheek. "You may not be a child, but you like it when I carry you, don't you?"
The man was met with a deadly glare. His lover may be shorter than him, but he could certainly be a vicious little thing.
"Do it for me, yes? Let me carry you because I want to, because I like carrying you." This time Nie Mingjue pressed his lips to his lover's nose, pulling back right after so they could lock eyes.
While his frown may have lessened, Jin Guangyao still wasn't having it. "People are watching us. This is hardly appropriate."
His eyes were completely focused on Nie Mingjue, but he could still see a few Jin servants through his peripheral vision. He could only imagine the thoughts going through their heads, the criticisms they were forbidden from speaking aloud.
What does Young Master Jin think he's doing?
Are he and Chifeng-zun…?
Just how did he seduce the Nie Sect Leader? Surely he ensnared the man with some tricks he learned at the brothel.
Had he no dignity? Had he no shame? Being public about his affair with Chifeng-zun? To put the sect leader in such a precarious situation?
He could hear them all now, no need for the words to be spoken aloud…
"Jin Guangyao," Nie Mingjue called out, trying to draw the young man out of his thoughts. When that didn't work, he tried calling him by his former name. "Meng Yao."
This time the Jin heir presumptive came to, blinking a few times as he tried to process what was happening.
"Are you alright?" The Nie sect leader inquired, concern evident on his face at seeing his lover's disheartened expression.
Jin Guangyao had tried so hard to bottle up his frustrations, his worries, but it seemed the closer he drew to Nie Mingjue the more easily the man was able to read him. He hated the idea of being an open book. Even if he trusted Mingjue, even if he felt secure and comfortable around the man, he didn't want to come across as weak. He could take care of himself. He didn't need anyone else's help. He could handle things on his own, as he'd been able to for as long as he could remember.
"It's nothing," he replied simply, not wanting to worry the man any further.
"Of course it isn't just nothing. Something's bothering you."
The Jin heir presumptive shook his head. "I promise I'm fine. It was just…"
A soft giggle suddenly broke through, causing Jin Guangyao to look in that direction. He locked eyes with the culprit, one of the servants who'd been working around in the garden.
The girl grew flustered at getting caught and immediately bowed in reverence to her lord. "Jin-gongzi, my sincerest apologies. I just found the sight to be quite endearing. I didn't mean to stare for so long."
It was a surprising turn of events. Jin Guangyao hadn't thought that the girl would say something like that. Even if she had thought something different, it's not like she was in a position to rebuke him. Still, she seemed rather genuine with her response. Offering her a soft smile, he replied, "It's fine. No need to be sorry."
The servant bowed deeper still, feeling incredible gratitude toward her kind master. "Thank you, Jin-gongzi. I'll take my leave to grant you both some privacy."
As soon as she straightened herself, she turned on her heel. She beckoned the other servants as well and they all departed together. As she promised, the two men were left alone in the flower garden.
"Well, are you willing to speak up now that they're gone?"
Jin Guangyao internally rolled his eyes. Of course this man wasn't going to drop the subject. For a moment he almost wished the servants would have actually stayed, but it was too late for regrets now. He had no other choice but to make up something on the fly. "I was just thinking about some things I need to take care of later. Nothing for you to worry about."
The Nie Sect Leader sighed in response but didn't push further. If Jin Guangyao didn't wish to speak on the matter, then he wasn't going to pressure him. Instead, he continued to walk farther into the flower garden.
It was a beautiful area that expanded about a half-mile, flower beds of various types and hues adorning the grassy grounds. The most prominent flowers were the peonies of course, particularly the Lanling Jin Sect's crest symbol, Sparks Amidst Snow.
Several trees and shrubs also added life to the luscious floral garden. A walkway was set up in the middle, granting anyone who came for a stroll a lovely view on either side of the path. It was the precise path that Nie Mingjue traversed as he continued to carry the smaller man in his arms.
"Hey, put me down already. I can walk on my own two feet just fine."
The Nie Sect Leader pretended not to hear him. He wanted nothing more than to spoil his little A-Yao. The young man was constantly burdened with doing any and every little thing for his father, and it was about time he caught a break. Even if it was for just a brief moment. Why give A-Yao something as simple as walking to worry about? He was on his feet all day, tending to others, serving others. Wasn't it about time someone tended to him?
"Nie Mingjue, I swear to the Gods I'll--"
"You'll what?" The sect leader interjected, carefully getting on one knee before he laid his raven-haired beauty on the grass. The young man looked absolutely stunning, hair splayed around him as he gazed up at him with those doe-like eyes of his.
"Mingjue," Jin Guangyao chided, a slight frown forming on his lips. "What are you doing now?"
"I fulfilled your request. What else did you think I was doing?"
Brows furrowed in confusion at the response. "I didn't ask you to lay me down on the grass, I--"
"You said to put you down, so I did."
"Not like this. Mingjue!" The young man suddenly panicked, watching as the taller man straddled his hips and leaned in close.
"Allow me this moment, yes?" Nie Mingjue asked softly as he pressed his forehead against Meng Yao's. Even if he was dressed in Jin sect clothing, even if he bore the vermillion mark and wore that damned hat, he was still very much Meng Yao to him. He would always be Meng Yao to him.
And despite everything they'd gone through, he'd managed to forgive Meng Yao. They'd cleared up the misunderstandings and restored their relationship little by little. They were more than deserving of this time alone, together, just the two of them.
As he lost himself in those beautiful, large eyes, Nie Mingjue closed the gap between them and gently claimed those soft, tender lips. He felt Meng Yao's breath hitch, but the young man soon relaxed and gave into the moment. Their mouths melded together, moving in tandem to a slow and steady beat. Their heated breaths intermingled, more so when they parted their lips and allowed their tongues to meet. Their movements were cautious at first, but once they found their rhythm the entangling grew bolder, wilder.
"Mmm…" Jin Guangyao hummed in delight, arms carefully wrapping around his lover's broad back. Playful fingers skittered across the length of it, yearning to touch the man beneath his clothes. His light ministrations drew a groan out of the sect leader, and it pleased him immensely.
How he longed to press his naked body against Mingjue's, to make love atop a flower bed. Even if it was still broad daylight. Even if the servants still happened to lurk around. Oh, to hell with propriety, he thought, but he knew it would be heavily frowned upon if they went through with this now. It would be best to return at night, to give themselves to each other underneath the pale moonlight. Yes, that would be much better, much easier to get away with and much more romantic.
Before Jin Guangyao could speak up however, his lover was already trailing kisses down his neck. "Mingjue…" he breathed, trying so hard not to let his lust take over. "Not now, please…"
Despite his protest, the Jin heir presumptive couldn't help curling his fingers around braided, onyx locks. He absolutely relished in the feel of that hot mouth, that very hot mouth that licked and sucked at the crook between his neck and collarbone. "Mingjue, let's save it for later… Someone could see us…"
As if he finally understood, the man pulled back, not pressing any further. He lay beside Meng Yao on the grass, holding said young man in his embrace. One hand found purchase of his lover's hip while the other ran up and down his back. Even past the fabric of the hat, Nie Mingjue could smell the lovely fragrance of Meng Yao's hair. It smelled of peonies; in fact, the whole garden bore Meng Yao's scent. It's as if the young man came to bask here every morning, surrounded by the sweet nectar of each flower.
Meng Yao, for his part, surrendered into the tender embrace. He relished in the sounds of Nie Mingjue's beating heart. It was steady, calm, relaxed. The young man was rather pleased with this, pleased to know that he could offer some form of comfortability for the sect leader. Chifeng-zun was infamous for his harsh temper, so it was relieving to Meng Yao to presence him in a peaceful state.
But of course, all good things must come to an end. Particularly when plenty more tasks needed to be done.
"Guangyao, come here! Now!" An angry voice called out, boisterous and demanding. It was none other than the Jin sect leader himself, Jin Guangshan.
That couldn't be good, right? If the man personally came to summon him instead of having a servant do it for him? Just what wrong could he have committed to infuriate his father so?
The peace he'd been experiencing moments before unfortunately dissipated, and with it Nie Mingjue's serenity. Jin Guangyao felt as his lover's muscles tensed up, the hold on him tightening in a protective manner.
"Is this really how that man treats you? How does he have the gall to--?"
"Mingjue, it's fine," the Jin heir presumptive assured as he propped himself up, hand resting atop the sect leader's shoulder. "This garden is vast. It's just his voice carrying on the wind."
Nie Mingjue frowned in response, not at all buying into the explanation. "But you shouldn't have to put up with this. You should walk away from here while you still can. Why don't… why don't you come back with me to Qinghe?"
He hesitated, but the words slipped from his mouth before he could stop them. Though in all honesty, Nie Mingjue wanted nothing more than to have Meng Yao by his side again. He wanted nothing more than to keep the young man safe.
Jin Guangyao, on the contrary, was left in utter disbelief. How was it possible for Nie Mingjue to suggest such a thing? He'd poured his blood, sweat and tears to get to where he was. There's no way he could turn back to how things used to be. There was no way in hell he could do that!
"Da-ge," he replied sternly, pulling back a little farther. "I worked so hard to get here. You can't just ask that of me."
"You worked hard for this, I know that, but he only treats you like his servant. Is this the kind of life you envisioned? Is this truly what you want for yourself?"
How could Meng Yao fail to see that man's faults? Or rather, how could he brush them aside as if they were mere particles of dust? He had to consistently be doing so, putting up with everything as he simply grinned and beared it. Eventually he had to reach a limit. Eventually he had to realize that he could do with so much better. At least, that's what Nie Mingjue hoped for…
"And you think things will be better for me at the Uncleam Realm? You think I want to hear people calling me the son of a whore day in and day out? You think I want to put up with the criticisms and accusations? At least here I get some respect for being the sect leader's son. You say he treats me as his servant, but wouldn't you be doing the same thing?"
That accusation at the end was the final straw for Nie Mingjue, his resolve etching away as he finally gave in to his seething anger.
"Of course not! How dare you compare me to that man? When have I ever treated you as some lowly servant? Tell me!" His hands gripped tightly at Meng Yao's biceps, shaking him in the process.
His powerful voice reverberated in the surrounding air, silence following thereafter. Their breaths intermingled in the space between them as they stared into each other's eyes. Both men were at a loss for words until Nie Mingjue continued where he left off.
"You were my second in command," he concluded softly. "And that's how it will be again."
Jin Guangyao shook his head. "I'm not going."
"What?" Nie Mingjue asked, startled by the young man's refusal.
"I said I'm not going with you."
"Meng Yao…"
"Jin Guangyao," he corrected. "That's my name now. And you'd do best in calling me that moving forward."
"So you're going to choose your father over me? You're going to choose a man who doesn't honor or respect you over me?"
The Jin heir presumptive closed his eyes at the words, trying not to let them get to him. "Da-ge, don't guilt trip me. Don't make this any harder than it is."
"Then come with me," the Nie sect leader urged, cupping Meng Yao's cheek and stroking it with his thumb. "Leave this place behind and come with me."
Jin Guangyao shook his head again. "No. I've already decided."
Not wanting to take 'no' for an answer, Nie Mingjue pressed forward and sweetly claimed those soft lips anew. He poured his all into the kiss, wanting to show Meng Yao, wanting to prove to Meng Yao just how much he meant to him, just how much he…
"Guangyao! I will not repeat myself!"
It was that bastard again. Impatient, brash, completely uncaring toward his son. A son that he would never come to appreciate. A son who slaved himself to prove his worth to a man who would never acknowledge his efforts. It was a truly sad circumstance for Meng Yao to be in.
"I have to go," Jin Guangyao uttered softly as he pulled back from the kiss, retracting himself from the man's arms. As he got to his feet, he dusted off his robes and made sure he looked presentable. Bowing to Sect Leader Nie, he turned on his heel and made his way toward the garden entrance. Every step he took felt heavy, like he was trudging toward something undesirable, which in essence he was. Every step he took away from Nie Mingjue wounded him deeply. And for that reason he didn't dare turn back, didn't dare look back. He continued to press forward until at last he was to reach his father.
Watching Meng Yao's retreating form get farther and farther away felt like a kick to Nie Mingjue's gut. How could he just stand by and not do anything, not say anything? But it didn't matter what he did, it was made clear. Jin Guangyao chose this life, he'd made his choice. As disheartening as it was, Nie Mingjue was resolute on supporting him in his decision. He would be there for the young man in whatever way he needed. And if Meng Yao ever changed his mind, if Meng Yao decided to return to the Unclean Realm, then Nie Mingjue would be there waiting with open arms.