Stannis’s eyes softened, though his voice was still rough. "But... what’s the occasion?"
Jian Rui’s lips curved into a faint smile. "Do I need an occasion to spoil my man?"
Stannis’s heart thundered in his chest, threatening to explode. Was Jian Rui truly going to date him? The thought left him breathless.
Jian Rui’s hand rose, caressing the nape of his neck. He pulled Stannis close, their foreheads brushing before pressing a soft, gentle kiss to his lips. The kiss that started innocent quickly escalated becoming more intense.
The room was filled with the wet, hungry sounds of their kissing. A soft, smacking noise, then a deeper, more desperate one as Stannis’s tongue swept into Jian Rui’s mouth. When they finally broke apart, gasping, they pressed their foreheads together, their hot breath mingling.
"Can you skip work?" Stannis’s voice was a low, gravelly rumble against Jian Rui’s lips.
Jian Rui smiled, a slow, lazy curve of his mouth. "Why?"
Stannis closed the small distance, kissing the corner of his lip, a tender spot that made Jian Rui shiver. "I want to take you home."
Jian Rui’s smile widened. "Then what are you waiting for?"
The ride to Stannis’ place was a blur of frantic, clumsy hands and stolen, biting kisses in the back of the hover car, Stannis’s palm a heavy, possessive weight high on Jian Rui’s thigh, his fingers digging in with a promise of what was to come.
In the elevator up, the slow simmer finally boiled over. Stannis had backed him into the corner, one hand braced against the mirrored wall, his body a solid, demanding line of heat against Jian Rui’s.
A few hours later, Jian Rui was lying naked in the center of the rumpled bed, his body humming with a deep, satiated buzz. A constellation of dark purple hickeys decorated his collarbone, each one a tender, throbbing reminder of Stannis’s mouth. His nipples were sucked red and sensitive, pebbled tight against the cool air of the room.
Stannis was lying half on top of him, his heavily muscled arm and leg thrown over Jian Rui’s body in a claim that was both sheltering and dominating. The evidence of their fight in bed was on him, too. A perfect, red bite mark adorned the powerful curve of his shoulder, and a trail of darkening love bites dotted his neck and chest.
Jian Rui stirred in Stannis’ arms, the steady rhythm of the Marshal’s breathing almost lulling him back to sleep. But the faint vibration on his wrist pulled him from his daze. He blinked, swiped up on his communicator, and frowned at the images that appeared. Uncle Jael aka Chancellor Lasson had sent him pictures—Jian Ci carrying Yu Xi to the dorm. The message beneath read simply: It’s on the school forum.
Jian Rui sighed. He carefully slipped from Stannis’ embrace.
"Where are you going?" Stannis murmured, half-asleep.
Jian Rui leaned down, kissed his forehead softly, and whispered, "I need to call Ah-Ci."
"Okay," Stannis replied, rolling over, giving him space.
Jian Rui pulled on his robe and stepped out onto the balcony. The cool night breeze brushed against his skin, refreshing and sharp. He dialed Jian Ci, and within moments, the call connected.
Jian Ci was at his desk, surrounded by assignments already piling up on the first day. His fingers drummed restlessly, itching to abandon the work and find Yu Xi, to join their desks and study together.
"What’s up?" Jian Ci asked casually.
Jian Rui gazed into the distance, the city lights flickering like stars. "You and Yu Xi were busy carrying each other at the academy."
Jian Ci chuckled, his voice tinged with mischief. "And here I thought you called to check on me."
Jian Rui leaned against the balcony rail, his voice heavy with exasperation. "Everyone is talking about it."
Jian Ci, sprawled at his desk with a fruit roll up Yu Xi had given him, bit into it with casual defiance. "They need to mind their own business."
Jian Rui sighed, rubbing his temples. "Do you remember your identity?"
"I do," Jian Ci replied, chewing slowly, his tone dismissive. "You don’t need to remind me. Who cares what they think?"
Jian Rui’s gaze sharpened. "Have you ever thought that Yu Xi might be uncomfortable with you doing that?"
Jian Ci blinked, then shrugged. "Did he say that?"
"No, but—" Jian Rui began.
"Then that’s good. He isn’t complaining, and I am not, so who cares?" Jian Ci cut him off, his voice firm, though his posture remained relaxed.
Jian Rui pressed his fingers harder against his temples. You dummy, he thought, Yu Xi enjoys it. Yet the image in his mind was troubling—his brother in a tank with a hungry shark, poking and poking at its fin without realizing the danger.
"You and Wei-ge are making this weird," Jian Ci said, frowning. "We are close, so why is that a problem?"
"I am just saying," Jian Rui replied, his tone low and serious, "you should be careful with your image. It might reach that beast’s ears, and he might snoop on us more than he already is."
Jian Ci shrugged his lips, a faint smirk tugging at the corner. "Fair point. I’ll restrain myself. Happy?"
Jian Rui exhaled, his tone softening. "Good... how are you feeling?"
"I am good," Jian Ci replied easily.
Jian Rui leaned against the balcony rail, the night air brushing his face. "Anything weird happened lately?"
Before Jian Ci could answer, Jian Rui felt a pair of strong hands move behind him. Stannis placed them firmly on either side of the balcony rail, locking Jian Rui in place. He bent down and kissed the back of Jian Rui’s neck. Jian Rui flinched, but a sweet smile betrayed his pleasure.
"Like what?" Jian Ci asked curiously on the call.
"Anything," Jian Rui clarified, his voice steady despite Stannis’s closeness. "Like your body—how does it feel?"
"Nothing really," Jian Ci said, chewing thoughtfully. "I am more energetic, especially today. I had bursts of energy. Maybe it’s too much sugar."
As he spoke, a muffled sound came from Jian Rui’s side. Jian Ci frowned. "What was that?"
Jian Rui smacked Stannis’s head lightly, mouthing stop, before answering smoothly, "it’s a show I am watching."
Jian Ci laughed. "You, watching a show?"
"I am just playing it in the background," Jian Rui said, lips twitching.
"Okay, go to bed early," Jian Ci advised.
"You too. Don’t overwork."
Jian Ci chuckled. "When have I ever overworked... goodnight."
"Goodnight," Jian Rui murmured, his smile lingering as Stannis’s arms tightened around him.