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Wang Yi used to be able to fly. He used to soar through the skies, enjoying the wind blowing against his wings. There was nothing up there but him and the silence.
He spread out one of his wings, combing his fingers through the striped feathers, straightening and plucking stray ones. His other wing curves around his body, shielding him from the chill of the night.
He drops the loose feathers beside him, considering either finding use for them later or burning them when a hand touches his back, a little too close for comfort to the sensitive part of his back. His wings snap up, slapping the intruder.
A familiar voice yelps, backing away from the onslaught. “Sorry, sorry!” Xiao Qiang pops into his view with a sheepish grin. “I didn’t mean to startle you, Senior.”
Wang Yi glares at him for a brief moment before returning to his task of preening himself.
Xiao Qiang was currently on a mission to investigate a suspected illegal poaching of animals. Wang Yi tagged along in case MG sent someone to take out the unsuspecting hero. Unfortunately, Xiao Qiang assumed Wang Yi came along because he enjoys his presence. He doesn’t.
It had started raining eariler, so they took shelter in a nearby cave to waited out the rain.
“Um,” Xiao Qiang starts. “I noticed you can’t properly preen your back. Do you want me to help? I promise I know what I’m doing!”
Wang Yi stares at him dubiously. And well… he supposed Xiao Qiang’s specialty is animals. If he dealt with birds before, then…
He gives him a tiny nod, lowering his wings. Xiao Qiang's bright smile as he plops down behind him made Wang Yi grimace behind his mask, forcing him to turn away from the sight. As the young man takes a wing in his hand, it twitches in his grasp.
“You know,” Xiao Qiang hums, "Birds groom each other and help spread the oils. Your wings are so beautiful, it’ll be a pity if they don’t get proper care because you can’t see your back.”
Zhang Lan used to help him. Her fingers groom through his wings with such care and gentleness that it turned him into a useless puddle. The fearsome ghost assassin, taken out by a simple wing preening.
“I always thought you could fly with these.” Xiao Qiang remarks. “But I guess your bones need to be hollow like a bird’s, huh?”
No, Wang Yi did fly once. But…
Hands held him down, his wings flapping erratically as he panicked, Yan Mo’s cold eyes looking down at him behind the glass window as they picked up the scalpel and—
“Sorry!” Xiao Qiang gently strokes his wings, causing them to lightly shudder. “Am I hurting you?”
Wang Yi blinks away the memory and shakes his head. It’s been so long since someone helped preen his wings, he almost misses the feeling. Xiao Qiang lets out a relieved smile and continues his task with his other wing.
“Next time, feel free to ask me to preen your wings, Senior.” He offers. “I don’t mind at all.”
Wang Yi doesn’t think there will be a next time. He tries not to make a habit of depending on people, especially someone whose father he killed. He dodged enough curses as it is.
For now, he’ll enjoy the sensation of Xiao Qiang’s hands. Some time must have passed when Wang Yi came out of his daze. A part of him should be alarmed that he lowered his guard in the middle of nowhere, but he couldn’t help leaning back against the other hero’s touch. Xiao Qiang’s breath hitches, though he continues his work, pressing his palm between his wing blades, warm fingers press on the sensitive flesh, causing him to shiver.
He lets out a quiet sigh as Xiao Qiang scratches the base of his wings. A full-body shudder goes through him, followed by the trembling of his wings. Zhang Lan used to scratch that part when she was finished. He remembers slumping against her as his wings rustle in pleasure, not too unlike what Xiao Qiang is doing now. A sound slips out of his mouth, like a cut-off groan. And just like that, Xiao Qiang drops his hand.
“Y-you’re finished.” Xiao Qiang rasps before he clears his throat. “Senior, get some rest. I’ll take the first watch.”
Wang Yi turns to look at the young man, slightly doubtful about his performance when he sees how red the young man’s face is. But when Xiao Qiang calls out for Da Qiang, he shrugs. Even if Xiao Qiang is a bit under the weather, he can trust Da Qiang to protect his partner. Wang Yi will just sleep lightly.
He folds his wings over himself, burying his face in the plumage.
“Rest well, senior.” Xia Qiang whispers, his fingers brushing against his feathers before he stations himself near the opening of the cave.
Wang Yi blinks slowly before his wings fold over his head, blocking out the light.