Bei Shang was having a walk in the woods when he came across a huge python. The python on sighting him ran as fast as the wind and wrapped around him like a predator sighting his prey.
It refused to eat him and instead focused on suffocating him. He tried leaving several times, even going ahead to bite the python but the grip was strong. At last he gave up and let the python do what he wants.
Sometime during the strangulation, he felt a sting in his eyes. It felt like the sun and it tickled his eyelids.
'The sun in the dark woods ?'
Bei Shang blinked slowly before opening his eyelids , the sunlight steeped into the tent and landed on his eyes , this was what woke him up.
He still felt like he was been strangled though.
He looked at the side with difficulty. Nick face looked calm and vulnerable as he breathe quietly beside him , his white hair covered the pillow, his dark eyelashes contrasted against his cheek bones and soft breaths came out of red lips.
If not for the tight lock of arms and legs around his body , he would have been fooled.
He looked at Nick's arm , Sure enough, bloody bites peppered the forearm but he didn't let go. Controlling even in his slumber.
Bei Shang let out a sigh and tapped Nick's face , Blue eyes opened in a slight slit.
"What?"
"Get your hands off me "
The blue eyes were swallowed back into the eyelids " No"
Bei Shang lips twitched, he let out a restrained sigh before tapping his face again, the blue eyes appeared again.
"What?"
"….Are you hungry?"
"No "
Bei Shang pinched his forehead before he closed his eyes again, Nick let out a soft ouch before glaring at him.
"What was that for?!"
"Get your fucking hands off me! "
"I don't want to !"
"I am not shameless like you , I don't want the whole camp to know I spent my night fucking you "
"You were loud yesterday, I am sure that everyone already heard you ! " Seeing Bei Shang eyes widen in horror, his voice became softer " Don't worry, they think we are married so it's not all that bad "
"Do you think Mitch heard us ?"
"I don't know …"
"He probably did " Bei Shang lowered his head, since he was still restricted, he lowered it into Nick's chest " It was out in the open too ; My Shifu raised me better than this…"
Nick patted his back twice before slowly removing the limb cage.
Nick's movement was swift and he stretched as he stood up. His back rolled around and his muscles stretched taut as if he was about to pounce. The movement reminded Bei Shang of a satiated fox after a meal.
Bei Shang sat up slowly, since Nick have released his restrictions, he could now feel the soreness all over his body.
His back hurts a lot and his lower limbs trembled from excessive use. His skin also tingled in pain and burns.
He lowered his eyes, every where including his privates had some sort of hickey or gnawing.
"Nick Storm Park , you're an animal "
Nick blinked and laughed; his face was flushed pink "I am a demon after all "
"Sonovabitch " Bei Shang let out a wince and stood up slowly, his face scrunched up "It hurts, my whole body hurts so much"
He have never had rough sex before. Although it was satisfying in a somewhat primal way ; it comes with serious pain in different parts of his body, he can't even stand up properly because the light touch of air against his bruised skin brought pain.
'Sonovabitch!!! Asshole!!! '
He felt Nick come behind him and start to knead his back, his fingerpads were soft despite the pressure.
"I am sorry, I should have been gentler"
"You better be " He rolled his eyes and moved sideways so that Nick can massage his hip "Are you going to act like this again?!"
"…."
"Why are you not speaking?!" Bei Shang slapped the hand , his eyes flaming "Why?!"
Nick face was flushed red ; his voice lowered "I really can't promise I will be gentle, I can't control myself that well when it comes to sex"
"Are you a fucking ani- " Seeing Nick lower his eyes in shame, Bei Shang rubbed his forehead , his voice was softer now "Okay okay, Let's deal with it when the time comes…give me a robe or something, make sure the collar is long enough to cover my neck "
The sun was bright when they came outside, the whole fortress was bubbling with people and soldiers walking around; Some of the women bowed at him in courtesy and he bowed back.
Nick rubbed his lower back, his prying fingers soft yet frim "You don't bow back, just nod in acknowledgement, you only bow back when the person is superior to you"
"Okay"
"What do you want for breakfast?"
"We are in a fortress not the palace Nick " Bei Shang rubbed his nose and let out a yawn "Let's wake Mitch and go on a brief walk to receive Sunshine "
Nick let out a chuckle and place his head on Bei Shang shoulder, his eyes narrowed and he rubbed his head on Bei Shang neck "We have never gone on walks before "
"That is because you hardly let me out of sight in the Huli Jing Palace. Mornings , court, afternoon, court ends , we go to the weapon room to watch Mitch train , by evening, we are eating breakfast, then by night time, I am too tired to think of dinner so I fall asleep; what time is there for a walk ?"
"Hehehehehe " Nick kissed his chin , his blue eyes glimmered in the light "We better make use of our time here then "
Bei Shang rolled his eyes but there was a small smile on his face, his heart sweetened and he couldn't help but let out a light laugh when Nick kissed his chin again.
The soliders let out a collective sigh. It was just like the rumors say , a man becomes softer with a family. The headstrong and dangerous general looked tamed in front of the Princess, it was like a declawed fox acting whiny in front of his master.
They both walked to Mitch's tent , there was a guard there clearing the bon fire, he looked up and bowed.
"Good morning general, good morning Princess"
"Good morning" Bei Shang stood in front of the tent and called out "Mitch , come out , it's time for breakfast"
There was no response, Bei Shang looked at Nick with a frown before entering inside.
Nothing looked out of place except the missing Mitch and a white letter on the bed. Bei Shang swallowed before opening the letter.
'Mom , dad ; I am sorry to worry you ,I went to look for Iran,I will be back before midnight I promise.'
Bei Shang stomach tightened as he squeezed the corners of the paper. How could he have been so relaxed? If he had slept last night with Mitch , he won't have ventured into the unknown looking for his —
He felt a hand on his , the pressure was soft.
"Don't overthink anything"
"How are you telling me not to overthink anything?!" He turned around and glared at Nick "He's out there somewhere and we don't know where the fuck he is or what he's doing…ah goodness, it's all my fault "
The hand continued to knead his back , the voice was low "The bed is still warm so he left just a while ago , probably when the guards were changing shifts , if the patrol guards aren't too lax , it means he's still in the fortress; if he isn't, it just means it will take a longer time finding him "
"But what if he's in danger?!"
"Have a little more confidence in him , According to demon age , Mitch is a bit more like a teenager than a little kid , he also knows a bit of martial arts; he also have sharp instincts and his demon blood is strong. It will take a rank 1 demon commander to put him in danger " He sighed when bei Shang finally relaxed "We will find him I promise"
"Okay okay…" Bei Shang let out a sigh and rubbed his chest "So what do I do ?"
Nick grabbed a set of Mitch's clothings and a blanket, his voice was still soft "Just stay here , don't go anywhere until we are back. The soliders will bring your meals for you "
"Can I follow ?"
"No " He kissed Bei Shang forehead quickly and left the tent.
The time passes by so slowly. Bei Shang stood up and started to pace, his mind going into overdrive.
What if Nick lied about Mitch's capabilities? What does a 10 year old child know about danger of a war torn border ? What if he enters into the hands of a bandit gang and is sold into slavery? Why didn't he just sleep with Mitch last night?
He should have known better. Mitch and Iran were best friends since childhood , right before Iran took her first form and before Mitch knew his first words. Iran had left without explaining anything and she didn't reach out for 2 years, Mitch must have been heartbroken.
Now he was in the forbidden northern border, his dad still didn't allow him to see her. He would have no choice but to see her himself.
He rubbed his forehead and let out a groan , his body hurts like a bit , his forehead hurts and now his brain was melting, this was totally unfair…
He felt someone walk into the tent.
"Don't worry about breakfast, I will eat when …."
"Taohua "
Bei Shang paused and turned so fast , his ankles almost snapped. Seeing the sickly person in front of him , he thought he was dreaming.
"Shifu?"
Author note: A very big thank you to my biggest power stone supporter 'Xifang baihu'. They keep me motivated throughout the writing.