It took a moment to realize he wasn’t dreaming when he woke up enveloped in a lazy, peaceful warmth that soaked into his core. Xiao Han had never felt so pleasantly contented in his life. It was like being in a furnace that never burned, but kept emitting the right amount of heat.
Opening his eyes, he blinked, face turning pink upon realizing he was so warm because he was being held in Gu Changshou’s embrace!
“Mm… Chang-ge?”
His lower body began to stir at the drowsy, questioning lilt. Gu Changshou bit his tongue, forcing his restless body to calm down. It was difficult holding the tempting youth in his arms while resisting those devilish impulses, but he refused to let go.
“Awake? Here, drink some water first.” He had woken up a while ago, gotten out to pour himself some water, before lying down and collecting Xiao Han in his arms once more.
Sitting up, he pulled him to lean against his body as he reached over to the table, grabbing a cup of water and brought it to his lips. Waiting for Xiao Han to take small sips, he returned the cup to the table only after it was empty.
“How do you feel? Is it still painful?”
Xiao Han flushed at the memory of what happened last night. He could only recall bits and pieces, but those fragments were enough to make him want to bury himself in a hole. How could he behave like an animal in heat?
He knew little about human society, but he had watched many animals over the years. And last night… last night, he was worse than that! Gu Changshou’s actions were to save him from the rioting yin qi, and yet he acted without restraint, begging and crying for more.
“My body is fine…” There was a lingering soreness down there, but it was nothing major. “It doesn’t hurt… much.”
“That’s good,” he hid a smirk at where Xiao Han’s thoughts went. “But what about the qi? Is the yin qi under control?”
Physically, he should be fine – at least the manual said if done right the strain would be minimal. He had wiped them down after Xiao Han fell asleep from exhaustion. But whether the yin qi continued its reluctantly sluggish but correct circulation, he couldn’t be sure.
“En, it’s okay.”
The chilling sensation of too much yin qi was still present, but it was muted. He almost couldn’t feel the cold being hugged by Gu Changshou.
Curious, Xiao Han clumsily repeated the actions from last night where he followed Gu Changshou’s movements to unconsciously control his qi. For the first time in his life, it obeyed him, moving outward and creating a tiny, cool gust around them.
“I – I did that?!”
“En, Xiao Han is very smart. Already able to control qi.” Gu Changshou murmured, running his hand absentmindedly over Xiao Han’s supple arm as the other explored his qi. “Do you want to learn how to cultivate?”
Cultivating was always a possibility, and now the visible marks of yin qi were no longer visible, there was no problem bringing Xiao Han back to Tianmen Sect to have his spiritual roots assessed. Given how much yin qi he had, finding a suitable teacher would be easy; it was often the opposite problem – not having an affinity with the spiritual energy.
“You mean to cultivate… like Chang-ge?”
“Yes.”
He never asked before since he wasn’t sure what caused the situation with Xiao Han’s body that he was surrounded by so much yin qi. But during dual cultivating, he had examined his body and realized that his meridians were already open. Xiao Han had abundant qi and could absorb more without consequence, which were the two hardest steps in cultivation; all that he was missing was how to control and use it.
“Yes! Is Chang-ge going to teach me?”
“No, but I’m sure someone in the sect can.”
Because of his true yang body, his techniques erred on the side of explosive and forceful, which yang qi was the best for. But he had no experience with other techniques.
“Oh…” Lowering his head, the bubble of excitement at knowing he could cultivate, immediately burst. Was he going to be like the junior brothers and sisters he met, staying in the sect and training while Gu Changshou did other things?
Twisting the blanket in his fingers, Xiao Han tried to hide his distress at the idea.
“What’s wrong?”
“In the sect… if I cultivate…” He snuck a peek from under his lashes, hoping it was an okay question to ask. “…can I still go and see you?”
“Of course.”
He couldn’t fully trust anyone in the sect to look after Xiao Han as well as he did, making sure to protect and spoil him. Xiao Han’s circumstances were unique, as was his ability to absorb yin qi. Lin Zijun already wanted to bring Xiao Han to a brothel without seeing his face, and now with his face exposed… who knew what evil intentions people had for his Xiao Han?
So the only solution was to bring him back to the sect and watch over him. But the question was with what identity he did that…
A junior brother was too perfunctory.
A cousin… that might give him an excuse to visit, but Xiao Han would be living with three other males. And who knew how he would be mistreated…
His wife – no, husband – but cultivators didn’t care much about the traditions of the mortal world. A long expectancy meant they saw generations come and go while they remained unchanged.
That only left… dao companion…
Gu Changshou never thought of having a dao companion before, but the moment it came up, it resonated deeply with his imagination. Images of spending time with Xiao Han, sleeping, eating, bathing, laughing, cultivating, and waking up together flashed through his head.
Dual cultivating for Xiao Han’s sake was only one small part. It was more than that. Last night only gave a name to, and confirmed, the unspoken feelings he had.
He knew he liked him and missed him when they were separated, but wasn’t sure what kind of ‘like’ it was. Gu Changshou originally believed it was the same concern and liking over his junior brothers and sisters, one of brotherly love. But that was because he never desired Xiao Han. It was, admittedly, difficult to feel desire when his appearance was tainted by yin qi. The wave of possessiveness that swept over him when his real features were revealed was not brotherly love – it was much more.
But he didn’t know how Xiao Han felt.
“Do you want to be my dao companion?” The words were forced out clumsily, without much reflection. Gu Changshou wanted to hit his head against the wall the moment it came out with how abrupt and strange it sounded.
Reminding himself it was for Xiao Han’s well-being, and not because he wanted to keep him to himself… he straightened out his thoughts.
They managed to soothe and smoothen out the yin qi in Xiao Han’s body last night dual cultivating, but sooner or later, it would riot again. Unless he learned to fully master the qi inside him, it could happen at any point. Learning control could take decades with how much yin qi Xiao Han had, and how he naturally took in more from the environment.
Getting a divine pill was out of the question, and cultivating alone would take too long. Of course, there was the added benefit of having a beauty in his arms…
“Dao companion? What’s that?”
“Being dao companions means we’ll be together forever.”
“Together?”
“Yes, together.”
“Like your fellow disciples?”
Xiao Han lowered his head, looking away. He didn’t know how many fellow disciples Gu Changshou had, but if a dao companion was like that and the benefit was being able to talk to him more… but he really didn’t like talking.
“No! They’re just friends – no, peers. Being dao companions means… just me and you. Like before. Eating together, living together, sleeping together, and also other things, such as, how we are right now. Or bathing together, loving each other, and what we did last night – dual cultivating every day.” Gu Changshou couldn’t help weave some white lies into his elaboration.
“…every day?”
“Yes, every day.” He responded firmly. Who knew Xiao Han was so alluring and seductive? Besides, the manual did instruct them to do it more often.
“…”
Anxiety crept in his heart when he didn’t hear a response immediately.
Maybe he should confess his feelings? Shivers ran up his spine at the thought of saying such nauseating words, but for their future, and his sexual livelihood, he would gladly do so.
“Xiao Han?” Lowering his voice, he asked uncertainly. “Do you not want to be with me?”
“No! I want… but…” Xiao Han whispered, burying his head under the quilt, face flushing at the recollection of last night.
How could he say that the thought of doing it every day was too shameful? Even when couldn’t speak, he would never have done what he did last night. At one point, he even had to sit on top and move! The animals he saw didn’t do it that much. And having to do it every day…
“Then what is it?” Gu Changshou nudged him, pulling the quilt down so he could see Xiao Han’s face and speak face to face, as he leaned over.
“It’s just… can it be less…? Every day is a little…” The rest of the sentence faded into a low buzz.
His lower body twitched, heart melting at the soft words paired with misty purple eyes pleading at him. Gu Changshou wanted to press down, possess him, and bully Xiao Han some more.
“I’m sorry if last night was a bit… forceful. It was Change-gege’s first time as well and I lost control…can you forgive Chang-gege?”
He pasted an apologetic expression on as he gently massaged Xiao Han’s swollen lips with his thumb. Last night was indeed extremely fulfilling, and he easily gave into baser urges from hearing those alluring gasps and small cries.
Who made it that dual cultivation required essence to be absorbed to work?
“In the future, we can do less, but every day is safest. Chang-gege doesn’t want to see your yin qi riot again and watch Xiao Han get hurt…”
Xiao Han’s situation wasn’t fully resolved. Fully guiding the qi might take less time than cultivating to the nascent soul stage, but it would need months at least. Last night was just enough to temporarily reduce the risk of Xiao Han exploding or falling unconscious. They could slowly work on the rest, along with other things, in the future. A few years were nothing in the lifespan of a cultivator.
“Then… will you be Chang-gege’s dao companion?” Tearing down all pretenses, he gazed into that pair of soulful, dark eyes. “Chang-gege wants to be yours.”
“En.”
“Did you have fun?”
“Yes, it was okay.”
Xiao Han was still starting to grow used to being around so many people, meeting new faces, and speaking with people other than Gu Changshou. They had arrived at the sect two months ago, but years of habit were hard to break. It was already a lot better than when they first came. He could greet people by himself now without breaking into a nervous sweat.
For the first month, he almost never left Gu Changshou’s side and stayed inside their house otherwise. Xiao Han was unsure how to face so many curious people, asking about him and Chang-ge. It took weeks before he was able to walk out by himself and meet others. It was still a little overwhelming now, but much better than before.
“What did you do today?” Gu Changshou hummed, holding his hand as they walked back.
The sect knew they were together – he had shamelessly and publicly announced it when he returned. He would have insisted on a ceremony had Xiao Han not objected to facing more strangers.
Who cared about a few broken hearts or the outrage from his shifu who wanted him to focus on cultivation? He only cared what Xiao Han thought. Even if he spent his days just being with him, it wasn’t wasted. Dual cultivating was still cultivating, if not even faster than cultivating alone.
“I learned so many things today! Shizun taught me some techniques to control my yin qi better. And senior brother Zhao showed me around the medicine. I didn’t know so many different things existed, or what they were for.”
Purple eyes curved into crescents, beaming with excitement as he shared what happened during the day. The senior brothers and sisters were very warm and welcoming. It helped Xiao Han overcome his anxieties for being different, as well as the sense of inferiority he had. Gu Changshou, who would have been an elder if he had not gone traveling and disappeared the last few years, was leagues above him in the cultivation world. He was still muddling along with the basics.
“Smiling so brightly because of someone else?” Cupping his hands around to feel Xiao Han’s rosy cheeks, he pinched down hard. The skin against his palm was soft and smooth, stretching out as he kneaded them with his fingertips.
Gu Changshou’s heart was filled with a conflicting mix of jealousy and pride. He didn’t like others making Xiao Han happy, but he was also glad he was getting along with others and making friends.
Thinking back, it had been less than two years since they met and the Xiao Han today was utterly different than the Xiao Han he first met. If he hadn’t watched and been there the entire time, he would never have believed that that encounter would result in meeting a bright, cheerful youth that he would spend the rest of his life with.
However, it was impossible for Xiao Han to spend his life only talking to and knowing him. As much as Gu Changshou longed to keep him trapped within his walls, always naively innocent, that was too unfair. The bubbly enthusiasm for life, curious delight at something new, and infectious desire to share with him was part of why he loved Xiao Han so much.
Eventually Xiao Han’s world would expand to contain more than just him. So, instead, Gu Changshou wanted to make sure everyone knew who was most important and close within that world.
“Chang-ge… it hurts…”
The soft-spoken voice with a hint of pleading lit a devilish desire inside him. Tugging Xiao Han forward, he pulled the slim youth into his arms.
“Chang-gege is very happy you had fun today, but Chang-gege can’t help but be jealous.” He whispered hotly, hands moving downwards, as he lightly bit his earlobe as punishment.
Some part of him wanted to return to when they first met, lock him in a cave somewhere, so he was the only one who could gaze upon the delicate beauty. But that wouldn’t be fair to Xiao Han. He deserved better. He deserved to be loved, pampered, and enjoy all the delights life had to over.
He had never been so possessive of anyone or anything else. Xiao Han was the first. And only.
Leaning down for a kiss, his lips met Xiao Han’s cheek instead.
“No… we’re outside.”
Xiao Han squirmed against his arms, face pink with embarrassment. He was fine with holding hands or doing other things, but being so close to Chang-ge made him remember the other things they did each day.
Back then, before he understood anything, when they were on the mountain and before they returned to the sect, it was okay. But here, as much as he wanted to be with him, it was daylight with other people still around! Who knew when someone might come by?
“The shy Xiao Han is cute too.” Gu Changshou grinned, pressing another kiss to his temple, nosing at the strands of hair as he held him in his arm.
“So it’s okay if it’s not outside?”
Tightening his hold around Xiao Han’s flexible waist, he swept him into his arms, carrying him back into their house, straight to the especially large bed that he had newly built for them, and pushed him down.
Seeing the beauty with black hair and rosy cheeks, full of embarrassment and excitement, stoked the heat even larger. Leaning over, he pressed his growing desire against him, hands seeking those secret, sensitive spots.
“Chang-ge… I still need to train.”
Xiao Han half-heartedly shoved the hard chest, torn between anticipation and shame. They had done it during the day before, but never at the sect where everyone would know what was going on. He still had plans to meet people later tonight.
“Dual cultivating is training.”
The effect of dual cultivation was better than either of them expected. Maybe it was all the time Xiao Han had drank his blood, or maybe it was because of their yin-yang being complementary, but it nearly doubled his cultivation speed and allowed him to monitor Xiao Han’s situation as well.
Despite his slow start, Xiao Han had already begun establishing his foundation after less than a year. It was only a matter of time before he formed a core, and then nascent soul.
Of course, they were also highly compatible in bed.
Xiao Han was very sensitive, responsive, and vocal, never holding anything back. Gu Changshou loved seeing that flushed expression, his black pupils watery with desire and ivory skin tinted pink, as he cried out.
“Chang-ge, you beast!” He slapped at the sly hand that snaked in to massage his chest.
Xiao Han wasn’t sure if it was an illusion, but it felt as though his body was slowly become more sensitive over time. And as more of his knowledge and thoughts grew, and he learned more about Gu Changshou and the world, so too did some beast-like urges, such as wanting to bite and such. There were even times that he was the one who wanted it more…
“En, I’m a beast.” Gu Changshou admitted shamelessly, marking a trail down Xiao Han’s throat as he untied the pesky waistband and pulled open his robes. “Now, call me husband.”
“No, don’t… they’ll hear…”
The remaining words were cut short with alluring gasps. Of course, there was sound array prevented any sounds from escaping.
But later that day, after Xiao Han finally escaped and ran to meet the others, everyone knew what went on. The entire sect was stuffed with another round of dog food from Gu Changshou’s contented grin and doting over Xiao Han whose face was flushed pink and refused to look people in the eyes.
Ai, it’s too hard being single…
Very good story.
Thank you!
Not many people commented/liked so I wasn't sure if folks on SH enjoyed this story or not. Glad at least one person did.
So wholesome i loved it good job!
Short but nice story
Cute! I enjoyed this short and sweet little story, and our adorable couples interactions! Thanks for the wonderful story~!
Also, Xiao Han and Chang-ge were very entertaining to read about, I love their dynamic!
