Caught in a fever that's so pure and true

[fanoperator]

Huaisang's been blissed out of his mind for the past two weeks, since he started dating Nanami. The minor catastrophe of losing heating while being snowed in was dramatic but survivable, and Huaisang's been ecstatic about Nanami's care and possessiveness since they've started their relationship.

He's let himself into Nanami's flat as he waits for Nanami to finish up his work for the day, bringing along his brush and ink as he works on a mural for Nanami. Huaisang still lives in the family estate, his room not far from his brother's, and neither Nanami nor Huaisang want to be within earshot of Mingjue for one of Huaisang's screaming orgasms, so they usually met at Nanami's residence instead. He'd secured permission in advance to paint on one of the walls, even though he's not sure if Nanami actually knows anything about Huaisang's painting skill and style. These past years, he's barely painted at all, chasing a series of dead-end relationships rather than focusing at all on himself or his hobbies.

The painting is a beautiful traditional-style Chinese Shanshui 山水 landscape, intricate detail emerging of snow-covered mountains. With Nanami's expertise in Jujutsu techniques, he might quickly notice that the painting radiates an energy like a powerful protective ward, even though there's no known precedent of crafting such a thing through a decorative painting like this. The rest of the Nie clan is known for their powerful combat techniques, tending toward raw power rather than precision, and Huaisang's brother Mingjue is a paragon of his ancestry. Huaisang's delicate paintwork might as well come from a different planet.

This is Huaisang's curse technique, something that he uses so rarely and that's so entirely useless in a fight that most of the closest people in Huaisang's life don't have any idea he can do it, much less that he does it with such mastery.

He lifts his head with a happy smile when Nanami enters, setting down his brush so that he can hop up and greet his boyfriend with a kiss, careful not to touch him with ink-spattered hands. He's got a smudge of black ink on one cheek, though he's simultaneously somehow managed to get not a fleck on his outfit, which is as casually androgynous as anything he wears. Similarly, his long black hair is ornamented with his usual absurdly intricate arrangement of braids and beads.

Comments

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Nanami has been... pleasantly surprised by how seamless Huaisang has fit into his life in the past two weeks since their cabin adventures. He has spent nearly every day since they returned with the other man and despite that, he hasn't become sick of his presence at all. In fact, it's even better now that they're back to living their lives with one another and he's learning a lot more about him, watching Huaisang blossom and open up to him with every passing day.

In fact, it was only about a week ago that he offered his apartment keys to the other man — fully knowing that this was a little fast on his part but feeling confident about sharing the keys in the first place. Since then he's gone to sleep with Huaisang in his bed and woken up to Huaisang curled against his chest. They talked a lot too, about anything and everything, Nanami sharing a bit more about his own childhood (fairly mundane) and a bit about what he hopes for the future (to make a lot of money and retire early). It's how the subject of Huaisang's painting came up and Nanami agreeing to Huaisang painting a mural in his apartment.

Today, he spent most of the day in the Nie clan offices, doing his day job and not really thinking much about it. In fact, he was a little distracted, knowing he'd return to Huaisang that evening and also knowing Huaisang was going to start painting that day. He was curious to see what it'd look like, even if he's sure it wouldn't be finished by the time he arrived home.

When the clock struck five though, he was out of the office and on his way home and it didn't take long for him to arrive. When he gets there, he drops his briefcase in the genkan as he toes off his shoes and peels off his suit jacket. The suit jacket gets folded over the back of a nearby chair as he spots Huiasang approaching him. He loosens his tie for a moment and then steps in closer, letting their mouths connect without even the need for hello.

It's only when he pulls back that he notices the smudge on Huaisang's cheek and the ink on his hands. He raises an eyebrow, lifting a hand to cup Huaisang's cheek and swipe away at the smudge while his other hand brushes the back of his fingers idly up and down Huaisang's chest.

"You're a bit messy, sweetheart," Nanami murmurs quietly, still idly trying to clean the smudge off his face. "Want to wash up? I can get started on dinner." Nanami is the main cook between the two, which makes him perfectly happy because he likes feeding Huaisang. He's learned a lot about his food preferences the past two weeks as well and they even went food shopping a few days ago together so Nanami could stock his favorites. So, it's a bit domestic now, this routine they've built.

[fanoperator]

"Mm, sorry, I won't touch you," Huaisang promises, lingering to gaze up at Nanami with happy devotion while Nanami rubs at his face, which Huaisang dimly connects with having itched his face with inky fingers, whoops. He keeps his hands carefully out of the way until Nanami releases him, then heads to the bathroom to wash up. His hands and cheek are scrubbed pink when he returns, cheek clear but hands still dyed with lingering streaks of black even after the thorough scrubbing.

Then he returns to the kitchen, carefully telegraphing his movements as he comes up behind Nanami, a light touch on his waist before his arms loop around to hug Nanami from behind, resting his cheek against Nanami's back. He knows how to remain alert to the slightest shift, letting go in an instant if Nanami needs to move to get something. When Nanami does move, Huaisang automatically goes to get silverware and to set the table. Huaisang's entirely useless at most domestic things--he's not to be trusted in the kitchen with anything more than tea (which he considers an art, and has an absolute mastery of performing a traditional tea ceremony), and he has no idea how to clean ... anything. But he's good at finding ways to support, and he knows at least three different table settings and the exact etiquette that applies to each.

"One setting or two?" he asks, assuming there's a reasonable possibility of either being sat politely across the table, or being sat in Nanami's lap, and both options are good. Huaisang's never going to pass up a chance for cockwarming.

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Nanami doesn't let Huaisang go to wash his hands without a sweet kiss pressed to his forehead but then he's off and Nanami will turn his attention towards the kitchen. When Huaisang finds him again, he's taken his tie off and untucked his shirt from his pants but otherwise is still dressed — mostly because he knows Huaisang likes to undress him completely. He won't startle when he gets the hand on his hip, having heard Huaisang step into the kitchen and approach him.

He lets him hug him while he finishes chopping vegetables for a stir fry. Something light and easy to make that he can also feed Huaisang himself because he does itch to have the man in his lap and to feed him careful bits of food with either his fingers or chopsticks. He's already preparing for it in advance. So, when Huaisang pulls away when Nanami moves to start cooking, he glances back at him at the question.

"One," is the simple answer. It shares exactly what Nanami is planning, Huaisang in his lap and to be fed by Nanami. This also helps prepare Huaisang for what's to come. Nanami returns his focus to the food, finishing up with the cooking and transferring the bulk of it to a bowl for the both of them to eat from. When he's done, he'll bring out the meal to the small dining table that they've shared before. There's the bowl of stir fry veggies and meat. Then a smaller bowl of rice and a small miso soup. Nothing too fancy, just a simple home cooked meal.

Once he's done, he'll catch Huaisang by the wrist and tug him closer so he can press his lips to Huaisang's again. It's already gone too long without him kissing the other man and so he'll take a moment to lick into his mouth and suck on his tongue, kissing him breathless as his other arm wraps around his waist to hold him against his chest. He'll kiss and kiss and kiss him until finally, he pulls away and rubs their noses together.

"Let's sit and eat."

[fanoperator]

Huaisang immediately grins at the answer, but goes and obeys without comment, setting the single place for Nanami. While he's away doing that, he takes off his wrap skirt, folding it tidily and setting it in another room, but leaves his shirt on for now, which is long enough to only show a glimpse of the silk panties he has on in a soft seafoam green.

He melts against Nanami's chest as they finally come together for a proper kiss, and he can slide his arms up around Nanami's neck, lifting himself on tiptoe to kiss back as hungrily as he can. Nothing else matters while Nanami is kissing him, food and all other needs forgotten. Huaisang whimpers gratefully into the kiss, moaning louder each time Nanami's tongue sweeps into his mouth to claim him. Dazed and happy when the kiss breaks, Huaisang gazes up at him, hopelessly besotted and not making any effort to hide it.

It takes him a moment to reboot his brain and process what Nanami said, even as Nanami's pulling away, but he follows automatically, sitting sideways on Nanami's lap, prim to start with. His attention remains riveted to Nanami, constantly alert for any instruction or commands, any way to please his lover.

Now that he's in Nanami's lap, he expects that sooner or later Nanami's going to notice that Huaisang's wearing an anal plug, even though it is still discreetly hidden under his panties. Huaisang's been intensely aware of it for a couple of hours now, since he put it in, but he's in no hurry to draw Nanami's attention to that fact.

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It means a lot to him when he can get Huaisang to melt like that, to look at him with such affection in his gaze. It makes Nanami want him more and honestly, after such a boring day at work, there is a growing part of Nanami that just wants to drag Huaisang to the bed and fuck until they pass out. Especially the more Huaisang moans in response to their kisses. But he knows he should be a responsible adult and get them fed, at least, so that's what he'll prioritize.

Still, as Huaisang sits in his lap, he might notice that Nanami isn't exactly soft either. Not after that kiss. Nanami hasn't noticed the plug yet but he does notice the panties and Huaisang's soft creamy thighs, which he slides a palm across as he presses a kiss to Huaisang's temple.

He'll reach a hand out to pick up the set of chopsticks Huaisang laid down on the placemat, plucking a string bean first from the stir fry and lifting it up to Huaisang's mouth for him to eat. At the same time, he brushes Huaisang's hair back from his shoulder so he can press a kiss to his throat, nosing lightly under his ear.

They've barely exchanged any words, really, but the heat between them is impossible to ignore or deny and the pull of their bodies keep them connected. Nanami will wait until Huaisang eats the string bean before kissing the corner of his mouth and murmuring, "You smell good."

He'll reach out to grab more food then, a piece of chicken next and hold it to Huaisang's mouth.

[fanoperator]

Huaisang's immensely pleased by the promise of Nanami's cock beneath his thigh, the half-hardness of it after their kiss certain to be fully hard soon enough. He hooks one foot behind Nanami's calf, both as affection and as a way to counterbalance himself.

His lips part automatically as Nanami presents food to him, the same unthinking obedience as when Nanami's cock is in front of him, or Nanami's lips against his own. Complete trust for whatever Nanami offers to him. He draws the bite in with a curl of his tongue, not letting that part of his attention wander even while his lashes flutter shut and he makes a soft, needy sound in response to the kiss to his throat. His weight shifts very slightly, thighs tensing and foot pressing harder against Nanami's calf with the surge of wanting that goes through him.

The compliment makes him smile, eyes flicking in Nanami's direction. "I make an effort," he murmurs, soft and playful. His entire day has been prioritized around seeing Nanami, and he has plenty of leisure in life to spend hours on his hair and skin, crafting his appearance to be art with the same meticulous attention as he spent on the painting. "I'm glad to please you, master."

Accepting the next bite with a pleased, hungry little moan, Huaisang lets his fingers trail idly along Nanami's thigh, tracing the seam of his trousers.

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It is that trust that makes Huaisang so appealing to Nanami. He's never had anyone give themselves over so completely to him but Huaisang does, with not even a little bit of hesitation. It makes for a gnawing hunger in Nanami's chest, wanting to devour the other man and keep him as his own for however long he's allowed. Huaisang is so painfully attractive to Nanami, growing more attractive by the day. Before they got together, he didn't give him much thought beyond a passing assessment that Huaisang was an attractive man but now that he belongs to Nanami, Nanami finds him devastating.

So, as he watches Huaisang eat the food, make little moans around the taste while also letting Nanami kiss and touch him as he wants, Nanami finds his attraction growing and his hunger deepening. He gives a small smile against Huaisang at the mention of wanting to please him, at the master and he'll feed him a few more bites.

"You do, please me. So much." Nanami continues to feed him, pressing idle kisses against his shoulder or the side of his face here and there. "Your painting too," he points out, eyes flicking over to the half finished mural taking up some of his wall. "It's lovely, but I sense something else. A ward, of some kind?"

He also notices Huaisang's fingers against the seam of his pants but he doesn't bring attention to it. He just lets Huaisang touch wherever he wants to touch for now.

Date Night

[fanoperator]

Huaisang's ecstatically excited to go out on a fancy date with Nanami after their conversation. There are so many stunning items in his wardrobe that he's bought but never had an occasion to wear. He always ever felt that either his attire was too over the top for the event or for his audience. But he's told Nanami that he wants somewhere upscale so that he can dress up fancy and dramatic, and he wants to make sure that Nanami's jaw drops at the sight of him.

When Nanami comes to pick him up, Huaisang opens the door sparkling, in a low cut dress perfectly tailored to his body, showing off the soft musculature of his shoulders and chest, faintly dusted with body shimmer. He has a snowflake crown atop his elaborate braids for the evening, and he greets Nanami with a wink from glittering lashes, even if his heart is just a little too much in his throat to ask if Nanami likes all of it.

[nonexempt]

Nanami isn't sure what to expect when it comes to what Huaisang wants from tonight. He encouraged the other man to dress up, to do what feels right for him and not care about what anyone but Nanami thought. But now that the night is here, he's not sure what that will mean for Huaisang and if he'll back out of their evening for fear of what other people might think of him.

Still, Nanami has reservations for a private and upscale rooftop restaurant that he knows Huaisang will love once they get there. He requested fancy and so Nanami found fancy. He rented a car, a nice one, waiting to take them out for the night and he has a bouquet of red roses in his arms as Huaisang answers the door.

Nanami himself is dressed in a nice blue suit with a lovely matching scarf. It means that they match in their blue and white ensembles, looking perfect next to each other. Nanami raises an eyebrow when he sees Huaisang and a smile spreads across his face, pleased. That and a low heat that he knows is going to simmer in his gut until he's able to take that dress off of Huaisang later.

"Gorgeous," Nanami says, immediately, eyes still stuck on Huaisang and how beautiful he looks. "You really are never less than stunning, sweetheart."

[fanoperator]

Huaisang blushes happily, throwing his arms around Nanami in a hug when his beauty is appreciated. He feels beautiful. In a way, he's always known he was beautiful, but he's always been given the impression that was a problem. He's known that his soft, pretty form would be an asset if he'd been born a girl, but the requirements of masculinity--especially the hard-edged strength expected in the Nie Sect--have made him always feel like a failure.

"Thank you," Huaisang murmurs, leaning back again to look up at Nanami's handsome face. He's put on makeup, as well, a soft wintry look with glossy pink lips, emphasizing his beauty all the more. He doesn't quite dare kiss Nanami hello, knowing that he risks getting lipstick on him, and he defaults to the assumption that would be bad. "You're so handsome."

[nonexempt]

Nanami's arms go quickly around Huaisang as Huaisang moves to hug him. Wrapped tight around his waist, he holds him close to his body and this close, he can smell the light perfume on Huaisang and it drives him a little crazy. How is he supposed to keep it together for them to go out first? He knows it'd be silly to cancel his reservations just to stay home and fuck Huaisang, especially when Huaisang got this dressed up for him, so he reminds himself to behave.

He's a little surprised when he doesn't get a kiss hello though, his eyes dropping from Huaisang's eyes to his lips when the other man greets him hello. He's so... cute... the make up only adds to the ensemble and Nanami worries about messing it up, but he wants to kiss Huaisang so badly. His eyes flick back up to his eyes after that and he gives him one of those rare warm smiles.

"Thank you. I want to look worthy of having such a beauty like you on my arm," he murmurs sweetly and leans in. He gives Huaisang enough time to tell him not to though, making it clear his intention to kiss him. If he's allowed, he'll kiss him, a deep kiss with tongue as he holds Huaisang tight to his body. He'll definitely end up getting lipstick on Nanami as a result but Nanami doesn't care.

[fanoperator]

Huaisang can't possibly resist a kiss when Nanami initiates it. He lets his worries about it dissolve out of his head, pressing close and savoring how Nanami holds him, like he's something precious.

Moaning into the kiss, Huaisang grips tight to Nanami's lapels, pressing up to return the kiss hungrily enough that he starts to forget about going out at all, mind slipping easily into his usual submission and desire around Nanami, all eagerness to please and hunger for everything Nanami gives him.

He pulls himself out of it with effort, because they are going out tonight, and he knows that it'll only be better when they fuck after having an evening of anticipation. Huaisang put in too much effort to not show off in public, and he's never before been confident enough to wear something like this out before.

At the sight of the pretty pink lipstick smeared all over Nanami's mouth, Huaisang laughs in delighted, scandalized surprise. It immediately sparks his playfulness, and he leans up to press another kiss to Nanami's cheek, high on his cheekbone, firm and wet enough to leave a pink smudge in the shape of his lips.

"Everyone's going to know that your boyfriend can't keep his lips off you," Huaisang teases, drawing away and taking his lipstick out of his clutch purse, turning to the mirror by the doorway and reapplying it primly before tucking the lipstick away again. Then he points to the beautifully embroidered, fur-trimmed white cloak on a hook by the door. "Help me with my cloak?"

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If Nanami had more shame, he'd pull his handkerchief out and wipe his mouth and cheek clean of the lipstick stains. But when it comes to Huaisang, he doesn't have any shame at all. So, he leaves it there, just giving his boyfriend a warm smile and stepping forward when Huaisang asks for help with his cloak. He'll hold it out behind him so he's able to tuck his arms away within it and he'll help close it around him, tying the front of it closed to be sturdy enough for Huaisang.

"You really do look amazing like this, Huaisang," Nanami says, nodding his head. Huaisang has truly dressed up to the nines tonight and it shows. Nanami only hopes to be worthy of being at his side as a result. When they're done preparing though, Nanami will open the door for Huaisang to step outside first and close it behind them.

That's when he'll lead him towards the sports car parked and waiting for them both in front of the house. It's a lush, black thing, a rented car that Nanami thought would be nice to have for the evening. He'll step forward to the passenger seat and open the door for Huaisang to get in after.

Office Kink

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Today's been an interesting day. Nanami doesn't have much in the way of work, wrapped up most of it yesterday which means today, Friday, he's in the office for little reason. Most of that reason has to deal with his boyfriend though because he's requested a very special day for the two of them, being the brother of Nanami's CEO — he has privilege unlike anyone else. He can come in and bother anyone in the company and just generally hang around, being friendly and chatty.

People are used to him, people like him, and Nanami doesn't have any qualms with enjoying his company either. That's why they're here today, actually, because with the workload being so light, not a lot of people being in the office because it's Friday, and Huaisang's ability to just hang out in the office, they've decided to use today to indulge in that one office fantasy they talked about before. The one where Nanami fucks him, multiple times throughout the day, over his work desk.

Nanami already fucked him that morning, left him dripping with his come and feeling needy. He slid a plug inside of him to keep the come inside and got dressed and went to work. Huaisang showed up a bit later and Nanami has just been... quietly watching him from his office for most of the morning. He knows he has the plug in, knows he's still wet with come, and that's...

"Nie-san," Nanami calls out quietly from where he stands near the coffeemaker. He's preparing a coffee to take back to his office and Huaisang was talking to someone nearby until Nanami's interruption. "Can you come with me to my office? I wanted to talk to you about something."

He asks it simply, quietly, innocently. There's nothing to indicate Nanami has any intentions beyond just a conversation with Huaisang. Even the person Huaisang was talking to finds the question boring enough to walk away during, Nanami's straitlaced personality making it so no one suspects him of anything.

For now, he takes a sip of his coffee and waits for Huaisang's answer.

[fanoperator]

"Hm?" Huaisang glances over innocently, blinking once, then nods, giving a friendly smile. "Sure. I'll be there in a minute." There's the tiniest wicked sparkle in his eye, taking the moment to wish his conversation partner a pleasant day, as if there's no hurry at all.

Huaisang's outfit for the day is playful and shameless, a sweater dress that only barely covers his ass paired with thigh-high knit stockings, and a pair of mary jane heels. His older brother Mingjue's eye has twitched each time he's seen it.

He strolls slowly over to Nanami, hips swaying a little as he walks. He's constantly aware of the plug inside of him, each step making it shift, but his face is placid as he looks up at his boyfriend, unhurried as he walks with him down the hall to Nanami's office. He knows exactly what he's in for, and it makes his cock twitch inside his panties, safely hidden under the heavy hem of his sweater. His blood is blazing through his veins, but on the surface he's pleasant and perhaps even a little bored.

[nonexempt]

They walk together to the office and Nanami looks the picture of innocent salaryman with his coffee in hand and his expression politely neutral. Huaisang might be dressed a little skimpy but it's not as if anyone at the office will say anything at all. Nor would they assume Nanami has anything to say about it either. Not that he does, no, but he definitely has imagined sliding his hands up the back of that short dress all morning.

So, soon enough they're at Nanami's office. A private, corner office, a testament to his loyalty to the business and his value as an employee. Admittedly, this is not the first time Huaisang has been in his office either, even before they got together Huaisang would regularly visit his office for naps or chatter. So, it's a little nice now to return with the heat between them out in the open and addressed.

Nanami lets Huaisang slip into the office first and then closes the door behind him. Quietly, he locks the door as well before taking another sip of his coffee and moving to set down the mug on his desk. He'll sink down into his office chair afterwards and let his eyes wander over to Huaisang, watching him for a moment, before in a voice that is very much Huaisang's Dom and not Huiasang's coworker, Nanami says — "Come here. Sit in my lap."

[fanoperator]

Huaisang's playful air of boredom drops away once the door locks. His attention refocuses entirely on Nanami, gaze needy and devoted, wanting desperately to please and to belong to his master.

Going obediently to Nanami's side, Huaisang settles delicately onto Nanami's lap. His breath hitches as his weight settles onto the plug, making it shift in a different way from just walking around. He hooks one foot around the back of Nanami's calf, rests his hand on Nanami's chest, smiling shyly at him as he waits for further commands. "Yes, master."

[nonexempt]

With Huaisang in his lap, it's so easy to lean in and press a kiss to the side of his jaw, to breathe in the heady scent of him as his nose drags across his throat. His broad palms settle flat against Huaisang's thighs and he slides them upwards, pushing the dress up as he goes until it's up around his waist and no longer covering his ass. It means his hands wrap around Huaisang, each palm grabbing an ass cheek within it and kneading it.

"You wore this on purpose," Nanami starts, stating it like a fact. "To tease me." But he doesn't sound annoyed or anything. He's just addressing the obvious. A kiss is pressed against Huaisang's throat and then teeth scrape against the skin lightly. His hands continue to knead his ass, pressing the cheeks together to push the plug into his hole more firmly and put more pressure on it. Then he spreads his cheeks to lessen the pressure and make it feel almost like it's going to fall out.

Now that he's here in his lap though, Nanami is pleased. You would think that just a few hours apart wouldn't be too long for Nanami but even seeing the other man, passing through the halls, chatting with his coworkers, just being present left Nanami bereft and eager to fuck him. He really doesn't know if he'll be able to get through the rest of the day.

[fanoperator]

Huaisang shivers at the broad, warm hands exploring his skin, boldly laying claim to every inch of him. He shifts in Nanami's lap, arms sliding up around Nanami's shoulders to keep himself close as he savors the teasing kisses and teeth along his neck.

Under the sweater, Huaisang's got on a soft pair of silk panties, cut high up to show off most of each cheek, and with a thin enough strip of cloth between his legs that it's easy to draw to one side to access the plug within. Coy but easy access, just like everything about his outfit for the day.

"Well, it had to be something easy access, right, Daddy?" Huaisang asks, light and flirty, words interrupted by gasps and hitches in his breath as Nanami kneads his ass with such wicked intent, toying with him. It's not something he's called Nanami before, since it's a lower priority for Huaisang as a kink compared to calling Nanami Master. The word trips off his tongue playfully, teasing Nanami with it to see how he responds. "So that you can bend me over your desk and slide right in, any time you want, all day long. And anyone else who sees me in this and wants me will just be achingly jealous that you're the only one who ever will."

a/b/o arranged marriage

[nonexempt]

Nanami had always been a little out of place. Hailing from Dongying, he was already a little unusual and foreign parents left him with light colored hair that had him sticking out like a sore thumb no matter where he went. But he persevered, even when his parents passed away when he was very little and it left him wandering in search of food and shelter. It was by luck that he discovered his affinity for cultivation, showed to him by a passing daozhang and from there, he became a wandering cultivator instead. That helped him get coin enough for food or shelter some days but it still didn't get him out of poverty altogether.

But it was on a Night Hunt that he stumbled across the Nie Sect, cutting a swathe through some monsters and bold (and hungry) sixteen year old Nanami Kento, joined the fray. He annihilated more monsters than anyone on the field except for Nie Mingjue that night and got noticed by the Sect Leader as a result. When Mingjue realized he was a wandering cultivator, the same age as his brother, he gave him the opportunity to join the sect as a disciple. At the bottom of the ladder, of course, but a disciple nevertheless.

After that, Nanami didn't really struggle for food again.

Nanami worked hard after joining the Nie Sect and admittedly, he doesn't remember much of his first meeting with Huaisang. Probably just passed him by in the Impure Realm, giving him a respectful nod and not meeting his eyes as a disciple should — even if he was an alpha and Huaisang, an omega. He was still far above him in the hierarchy.

Of course, what Nanami didn't expect was to catch Mingjue's eye and continue to be promoted through the ranks of the Nie Sect. It took a few years but eventually, he was promoted to be Mingjue's right hand man. Nineteen years old and no longer so scrawny and underfed, he was strong and capable at this point and with a clever mind to boot. Mingjue appreciated his directness and his quick ability to assess situations and he knew when to make himself disappear and when to make himself a nuisance. He was also good at handling Mingjue's temper — being so even-keeled as he was that he didn't invite the other alpha's wrath in his direction rarely, if ever. No, all in all, he made for a good right hand.

That said, when he was officially promoted, that's when he was introduced to Huaisang again properly. He didn't really know what to make of the omega, knew he wasn't keen on learning the sword no matter how much his brother yelled at him about it, and during their proper introduction Mingjue only said that Nanami would be around more often now, that Huaisang should listen to him, and if he needed protection when Mingjue was not around — to find Nanami. Nanami felt this a great honor.

Still, it's about a year later when he realizes Mingjue's actual plan when he's called into see him one day and Mingjue states it outright. He wants Nanami to marry Huaisang. It really is a shock for him but all he does is respond with a slow blink and then nods his head. He sees the logic, an alpha and an omega, he is Mingjue's right hand man and doesn't have a family, Huaisang needs someone to keep him safe, it all makes sense. He just... didn't expect it. He never looked at Huaisang that way, he was too proper of a disciple to do so. Even when he heard comments from the other alphas about omegas they would love to bed, even when Huaisang's name came up, it was none of Nanami's business so he tuned it out.

... Now, he supposes it is his business.

He's dismissed after that, with the news that the wedding will be in a month and that Huaisang will be brought in to be told the news now that Nanami's been told. Nanami feels a little guilty when he passes the man on the way out, bowing his head slightly, and picking up his pace. He doesn't want to be in the room when Mingjue tells him who he's going to marry.

He doesn't see Huaisang after that and he's not entirely sure why. Does he just not want to see him? Is he that angry over the arrangement? Nanami doesn't take it to heart, just continues his work, his training, does what Mingjue tells him to do. The preparations are made for the wedding and Nanami feels a little nervous over it, but tries not to think so hard about it. This is better than he ever expected his life to turn out to be. To marry the second young master of a prominent clan like the Nie clan is something to be proud of.

The wedding day arrives and Nanami isn't really sure what to make of it, isn't sure what to say to Huaisang since they haven't really talked about... any of this. But he also just, you know, is going along with it. They take their bows, they serve tea to Mingjue, they have their wine cups. It all goes according to plan but Nanami really wants to talk to Huaisang but... keeps getting waylaid. Either by being addressed by a guest (that Sect Leader Yao just won't shut up, will he?) or something else. So, he stays quiet, just lets the procession happen.

It's only later, after Huaisang has been escorted away and he's finally, finally safe enough to escape from the banquet to go see him that he returns to his bedchambers. Or, well, their bedchambers now. It's a new room, not a stuffy room for a disciple but higher up on the mountain — a master bedroom suited for a married couple of their status.

"Nie Huaisang," he starts before feeling awkward. What is he supposed to call him now that they're married? "Are you okay?"

[fanoperator]

Huaisang's aware that he's basically turned feral.

He's always been appreciative of bodies, of porn, of anything depicting sexuality. When he'd been a child, his father had been pleased to see him watching the men training with such rapt attention, until it became obvious that Huaisang had absolutely zero interest in doing training. He just wanted to admire. Even then, Mingjue had held out hope for years that Huaisang would manifest as an alpha. There were alphas who were late bloomers to their growth spurts, and alphas who remained small and scrawny. It didn't matter that Huaisang was soft and pretty, that his body held onto fat easier than muscle, that Huaisang flat out told him more than once no, I'm an omega. It was obvious to nearly everyone who looked at him, but Mingjue clung to denial on the topic, insisting that Huaisang was his heir. If he was a beta, even, it would be fine.

So when Huaisang had finally, undeniably, and rather suddenly started radiating hormones, there wasn't a plan in place to deal with it. He'd always been friendly, flirty, and a little bit shameless, but suddenly he was ready to climb into the lap of just about any alpha who would sit still enough to let him get close. Mingjue had locked him in his room (unfair, unjust), and gone to find a solution.

Apparently this was the solution.

He'd gone mostly stir crazy after being locked in his room almost full-time for a month, allowed only beta and omega attendants and visitors. His lust had only gotten worse, leaving him pacing the room and climbing the walls, and all his paintings were pornographic. He protested the imprisonment plenty, but he hadn't argued against his marriage. Mingjue had always spoiled him, so if Huaisang had demanded someone else, he probably would have gotten his wish. But there was no one he'd rather have. Nanami wasn't nobility, but he was high-ranking and he'd proven his merit.

A part of Huaisang felt sulky and resentful that he'd just been handed off as someone else's problem. Another part of Huaisang's brain, awash in hormones, was all too happy to dwell on his crush on Nanami, his admiration for Nanami's strong body and handsome face.

He's Nanami's mate now. His bitch to be bred. Heat throbs between his legs and he presses his thighs together, getting lost in those mental images until he's forgotten what else he was thinking about, and he's slick with readiness.

The wedding had been lovely, though Huaisang went through the requirements of it in a daze, only barely managing to remain dignified. Fortunately the old-fashioned ceremony didn't require him to speak. He'd chosen his own robes and jewelry, had even chosen the residence they'd have, arranging the preparations for it through servants. So he knows where he's going when his attendants lead him away, to his bedchamber draped in red.

His pulse thrums in his throat as he hears the door open, as Nanami steps close and speaks to him. Is he okay? He almost laughs. He's out of his mind with lust. He's angry and scared.

Quivering from all of it, Huaisang sways a little where he sits, temper warring with his need and fear. His mind flicks through possible responses, emotions going around in rapid circles. I'm fine. I'm not fine. I'm scared. Does it matter?

Words don't come. He can't select a response and his throat is too choked to get any of them out anyway. Lashing out would be unfair--this isn't Nanami's fault--and he doesn't want to be so vulnerable as to admit fear.

Flicking his hand with impatience to dismiss the question, Huaisang puts his hand back down on the edge of the bed quickly before it becomes too obvious that he's shaking. It's probably obvious anyway, from the way all the chains of his headdress are jingling.

"Just Huaisang," he corrects, always trying to widen the circle of people who call him by his name rather than some title.

[nonexempt]

Nanami notices, because of course he does. He notices the shaking, the slightly sour scent in the air of either fear or unhappiness. The way Huaisang is clearly on edge. It makes him sad, a little bit, to know that his new husband is this upset over their marriage because of course, that must be what he's upset over. He hasn't been able to talk to him since the announcement, knew Mingjue was keeping them separated for good reason but it still sucked not knowing what was going through his mind.

Married though they might be and alpha though he is, Nanami is still much of a caretaker type. He wants to be the best he can be for Huaisang as they adapt to this marriage because this is... for life. They'll grow old together, have children, all of that. He knows he needs to be suitable for Huaisang as a result but this is a rough starting point.

He'll cross the distance of their bedchamber to where Huaisang is sitting on the bed and kneel down in front of him, looking up at him with an earnest expression. "Huaisang," he starts quietly, hand reaching out hesitantly to the edge of the veil before pausing in midair, not sure if he should lift it just yet. "I can smell your scent, I can see you shaking. I know you're not happy to be here, and I'm sorry for that."

After a moment's pause, he drops his hand, opting not to do anything just yet and leave Huaisang with his privacy. "Do you want me to leave? I can sleep in another room."

[fanoperator]

Huaisang's breath catches as Nanami moves, and he's taken aback when he hears Nanami move down to kneeling. He can see Nanami's knees on the floor in front of him, can see his hand move forward toward the edge of it, but the veil allows him to see nothing through the fabric, with a satin weave that's intended to be opaque from both sides.

Blinking rapidly as his breath shakes, feeling overwhelmed by the situation, Huaisang listens as Nanami tells him how obvious it is that he's an emotional wreck. With all the romantic books he's read, this was never how he imagined his wedding night, afraid and isolated, with a man who doesn't want him.

Still, when Nanami starts to pull away, Huaisang makes a choked sound of despair and grabs for his hand, curling both of his hands around Nanami's hand to keep him close. "Please don't leave," he begs, voice cracking. He's been alone so much lately, and the prospect of finally getting fucked is the one bright spot he's been able to cling to as a clear positive out of all his conflicted emotions.

Shoving aside his fear and anger as unimportant, Huaisang makes himself sit a little straighter, letting go of Nanami so that he can reach for his own veil. This isn't the situation he wants, isn't how he's imagined this going, but he still closes his eyes and takes a moment to make sure that his gesture is graceful and composed as he lifts his own veil and then raises his eyes to Nanami's face, slow and sensual. His hair is intricately braided and crowned with gold and pearls, and he's made up his face with expensive cosmetics, using expertise from his most fashionable attendants and his own artistic skill to make himself as beautiful as he can. Despite everything else, he wants to feel exceptional and rare for his own wedding night, heart thudding with desperation that Nanami will find him at least tolerable.

[nonexempt]

Huaisang might not have envisioned his wedding night being something like this, an arranged marriage between two people who barely know each other and have very little reason to be in the same room together beyond their designations. But he is gifted this when he lifts his veil: a sharp inhale from Nanami, slightly widening eyes and an alpha scent that blooms with attraction and slight curiosity. He does not find him only tolerable, but pleasant to look at and does actually want him. He just hopes that he can help Huaisang's scent turn from something so sour and upset to something more happier, and content.

Though how is he to do that, that's a mystery. He's never taken care of an omega before — never even been with one before. He hasn't kissed or fucked, he's been too focused on his journey out of poverty, his attempts to build a stable life for himself, that he hasn't spent any time on the fairer sex. Soft omegas with their alluring scents... he's passed whorehouses, of course, been tempted by the workers there. He's seen how some of the other alphas look at the omegas, both the other disciples and the servants. He knows that it's something almost expected of him to do but he just... hasn't had the chance nor inclination.

But Huaisang is so, so, so pretty and there's something twisting in Nanami's chest as the realization sinks in that Huaisang is his husband. This is an omega that, by all rights, belongs to him. He can covet him, scent him, explore what it means to be an alpha with him and he will be able to do that for a very, very long time. Because they are now married.

He lets out a breath, looking away for a moment as he tries to collect his thoughts. It's... distracting to look at Huaisang, makes him want things he didn't even realize he wanted. He has to be sensible here, responsible. This is still his Sect Leader's brother, even if he is also now married to him.

"Huaisang," he looks up again, reaches out to take Huaisang's hand between his own. "Thank you. I won't leave. I thought what you wanted was space from me, I'm sorry. I'm not sure I'll be a very good husband, or a very good alpha, but I will try to be. Just... please let me know what you need from me."

[fanoperator]

When Nanami reaches for him again, Huaisang latches on, fingers curling tight around Nanami's hand. "I'm ..." Feeling choked by his own emotions, Huaisang swallows hard. He's still a mess of anger and fear about being in this situation, but he knows that most of that is the simple helplessness of it. He hasn't been in control of himself this past month. Mingjue's actions were to protect him. Huaisang's furious about being locked up, but he's not mad at Mingjue.

Putting any of that into words is incredibly difficult. He's already feeling so helpless and vulnerable, and offering up what an emotional wreck he is to someone who is only an acquaintance feels like gutting himself.

"I haven't been able to ... control myself. This past month or so. Mingjue locked me up so that I wouldn't ..." Huaisang's eyes remain on his lap, only occasionally rising far enough to see their joined hands before dropping again. "End up bonded to someone ... unsuitable." If he were in the Jin Sect, that might have meant anyone not of noble blood. Neither of the Nie brothers care about bloodlines or nobility like that, but in Huaisang's more lucid moments from the past month, he's been grateful not to have ended up mated with any of the alphas he had ... aggressively flirted with when his hormones had suddenly gone haywire.

Letting go of his tight grip on Nanami's hand, Huaisang reaches for his robes instead, sliding his hand down Nanami's broad chest to pluck at his sash. He's only kept himself lucid for most of the day with an incredible amount of effort, clinging to his fear and fury to help center himself. Now he can start to let go of all of that, terrifying though it is to surrender himself to his own out-of-control hormones and his new husband. Lust surges up through him, instantly dizzying as his hormones spike intensely in the direction of sex, making him sway a little as the wave of need crashes over him. "Fuck me. Please. Claim me."