Chapter Text
A choking sob muffled quickly before another sound was uttered, short gasps and pants mingling in the noise of skin meeting skin...hot, hard, and deep. Deep enough to squeeze the wrists and leave marks, bruises that they will have to conceal from curious eyes. He was weak and small, no defined features outside of a pretty face...no martial arts, no talent...he was a vessel to release frustration, he could break this vessel and replace him with another in a day.
Tight wet heat, too small for his length and yet too much of him left out....not a good sheath for his sword, no skill, no talent, only a pretty face. Not beautiful.
Too soon and not enough, HE was not enough...this body could break, his voice not as sweet. Never enough. Hands around a slender throat, a scared yelp and moan with a cry...a plea, tight, TIGHTER! And finally, a release. Weak, pathetic, not worthy.
Not Zhou Zishu.
A few moments passed, Prince Jin collapsed on the servant, there was no reverence in this act…just a beast seeking relief. This was effortless pleasure and lacking in all ways that mattered, Prince Jin wanted and obtained. Like most of his time in his palace was spent in his ambition, endless hours and memories his youth was spent wearing an older body down…vigor absent, he was a shade of what he once was and he knew that. Bitterness turned the remnants of early tasting of flesh sour and he needed a drink, this was shameful and he knew that. He was a man of nobility, of purpose yet here he was in the darkness of night plowing futility on a servant no older that 17. Not beautiful, not refined, Internal Force nonexistent, suitable for a commoner.
Prince Jin rolled the last dredges of his feeble desire into his servant, weak, leaving bruises that cannot be explained but everyone will know regardless. Bitterness. Prince Jin lazily reached over gulped down the remnants of wine and as he pulled out of the twitching servant on his bed, a trail of pallid white mixed with red. His slender unfit body leaking his master's seed and he tried to sit up, but his body was sore, bruised, drenched in sweat and shame. Prince Jin did not look at him, merely holding out his wine cup as a signal that the servant needed to remember his place-to serve. The servant stumbles to his feet, trying to cover his marked skin in plain robes, quickly shuffling to his feet to tend to his master's needs and poured wine. Simple, weak...too much and not enough, never enough, not Zhou Zishu.
After all these years…was this his reward for his ambition?
Prince Jin was bitter, he had to be patient...Peng Ju was his most devout man, he won't fail him...he wouldn't dare. The ploy worked and Han Yi, in his foolishness…led him to his Zhou Zishu.
His Soulmate.
Peace, like all things in life, had a price. Knowing that ultimate truth is what separated the corrupt from the righteous. Moral Purity.
Prince Jin understood, he knew what it would cost him. His allies' lives created a bridge that will lead to a purified and moral new world. It was a worthy cause, and they understood their roles well, he was sure in their last moments they understood his intentions.
So...why not Zhou Zishu? He too was loyal to the cause…
What lead a man so honorable to such desperation and deception?
Prince Jin brewed in silence, he didn't let his displeasure show, no that was for the chosen servants in the night where eyes knew to look away. The throne room quiet saved for the soft footfalls of the servants shuffling to and fro...hushed whispers in the halls about Ghosts and the Glazed Armor, fears from the recent attacks to several sects. The mood in his palace was tense and Prince Jin made it clear that he would protect all within. And he meant that. He'd never let a place of such virtue be soiled by criminals, cowardly fiends and assassins who wanted to disrupt his plans. Prince Jin was confident in his power, his men and The Window of Heaven, finely tuned and perfected in gathering intel. Now was under Peng Ju's command, and he was doing...admirable for a man of his limited talents.
Even now however, Prince Jin found it difficult to ignore the longing for Zhou Zishu’s presence, how he looked up when someone approaches, expecting to see his focused eyes...full of righteous duty and devotion to the cause...to him.
It's been a decade since the betrayal, but the sting never truly went away…it nestled into the crack raw parts of Prince Jin and made a home there. The knives cut and scraped at his soul far deeper and complete than any assassin’s tool could ever hope to. No sense of retribution could remove this wound to his ego, was grief to blame? Prince Jin tried to rationalize what could have caused Zhou Zishu to lose his way. To spiral into the bleakest corner of his mental state that he would WILLINGLY use the Nails of Seven Torments to leave? To escape HIM? Such drama Zhou Zishu! Why not come to him? Why?! No, no, he could reason with Zhou Zishu and for that to happen, he needed him HOME in Jin. With him.
He would provide all the comfort and care, this *was* his responsibility...he set his 'Zi Shu' on this path so now it is only right to correct him. Firmly but fairly.
The moon was over head, it was not too cool...a good night to walk the garden, the plum blossoms were at their peak..the smell fragrant and full of memory as they've always been. This time it was different, this time the occasion was not one of joy but of bitterness, of regret. Prince Jin did not dare admit his mistake into the night, he couldn't...his pride wouldn't let him but for Zhou Zishu, perhaps he could loosen the chains of control that held him to the point of strangling their relationship. His ambition was a lifelong mission, his destiny, the country needed him STRONG. He needed to be immovable, stalwart and he was not going to bend or yield...not even for Zhou Zishu.
And that was why he had to make Zi Shu SEE. See past this grief and madness, bring him back and have him stand beside him as justice is restored and the lands rid of the poison corruption infecting it. Then Zhou Zishu will see how much of a fool he was, all he needed to do was make him SEE.
A small blossom floated down, and he caught it in his palm, such a tiny little thing…so soft and moon white.
'They were beautiful in your hair that night too Zi Shu.'
❖❖❖
The Window of Heaven returned from their most recent battle with minimal losses, their sect was thriving, they had the support of Prince Jin..of the people. The commoners could look to them to lead to years of prosperity and peace, they were the right, the protectors of virtue and balance. Through them all of Prince Jin’s wishes and ambitions could be obtained. Truly, this is the will of Heaven.
And truly, Zhou Zishu was its blessing.
It’s only been a year since he became the leader of the sect, but Zhou Zishu’s talents were not missed by longing eyes within the court and no one looked upon him with more want than Prince Jin.
Prince Jin made sure to never let his favoritism show in front of his court, but Zhou Zishu's presence made it difficult. He was the youngest and showed the most promise, his skills he honed from Four Seasons Manor just made the youth formidable and admirable to everyone he crossed paths with. Naturally Prince Jin was above being envious, he had no reason to be.
But every now and then, he would see in the corner of his eye Zhou Zishu smiling at something that was said to him, a gentle laugh, a whisper about Zhou Zishu’s handsomeness…something would just…spark that desire in him.
Tonight, was that spark becoming an inferno..
Prince Jin learned his lesson, he took Zhou Zishu’s virginity through deceptive means…upon deep meditation he regretted it. Zhou Zishu was a novice, the liquor made him pliable but at the same time he didn’t get a sense of equal pleasure coming from Zhou Zishu. Without equality, the sex is flawed, the bond is flimsy.
It was also not the proper way to treat a Soulmate.
Zhou Zishu broke away from his comrades, he could only take so much merriment and wanted to keep a clearer head…tonight was festive and the mood so jubilant from their victory. Still, there were losses and Zhou Zishu despite his demeanor grieved each one. This gave Zhou Zishu time to think, to recount the days…the weeks of battle. How close were they to achieving victory? Was there an end? Or would he be an old man watching the young buds struggle to bloom amidst so much death?
“Zi Shu.” Prince Jin whispered as he approached the young Leader from behind, “Your burdens are mine, please, share them with me.”
“Forgive me, my Prince…I didn’t want my mood to dour the evening.” Zhou Zishu stood quietly, looking at the plum blossom tree as the petals began to fall, “They’re wilting earlier than last season…some are barely blooming.”
“Many will never bloom in the sun before they all scatter in the wind…it is the way of nature.”
“Very judicious my Prince. I suppose we should enjoy their splendor before they are fully spent.” The two men watched the gentle sway of the white blossoms in the night, bright and full of fragrance…a pure scent that filled Prince Jin and he found his hands affixed to Zhou Zishu’s shoulders. The young man tensed from the touch but then slowly eased when he felt such strength holding him in place. The closeness was too little for Prince Jin, perhaps it was the wine settling in his stomach, perhaps his mind was just swimming in the flowery scent, the feeling that he was so tangibly close to his goal…that he had his men, his power was growing, Zhou Zishu…
“You need rest, you have earned it have you not Zi Shu?” Prince Jin slid his hands down Zhou Zishu’s shoulders, his forearms and skin concealed under his cloak and armor. That is what he wanted to touch the most, “I want to take you to bed.” Zhou Zishu chuckle was exhausted but light.
“Your intentions belie your words my Prince.” The young leader threaded his hands over his Prince’s as he felt a pair of lips kiss just warm and wet on his nape, “I can’t sleep…you won’t let me.”
“You think me cruel; I will give you anything you ask…anything and everything.” Prince Jin politely pulled the high collar down and kissed Zhou Zishu’s nape, around his ear. “Allow me…to tend to you…” Zhou Zishu kissed his hand, he could not take this anymore and turned to Prince Jin flushed red. The world slowed in that instance; all Prince Jin could see was Zhou Zishu.
A couple of blossom and petals fell into Zhou Zishu’s hair, like snowflakes all over his black cloak…this man was capable of so much death, an assassin of extraordinary martial arts…he’ll only excel from here on out. Through him all of Prince Jin’s ambitions will be met.
“My Prince…I’m honored to have your adoration, I will give my life to achieve your ambition-” Prince Jin crowded Zhou Zishu’s mouth, the kiss was rough and messy, sucking on his tongue and felt the young assassin shiver, Prince Jin pressed himself against Zhou Zishu, he wanted to feel the hard lump concealed in robes....wanted to feel Zi Shu's flesh swell and finally stopped so that Zhou Zishu could breathe. "P-prince..ahh!" Once again he was pounced upon, Prince Jin kissing so deeply that the two knocked against the plum blossom tree and sending gentle petals all over them. A small branch fell just a over Zhou Zishu’s right shoulder, and he was about to pick it off when he was stopped. The branch was taken from him.
Prince Jin did not want Zhou Zishu to mention death, he did not want to think of it, of losing him. Right now, he simply wanted him, all of him.
“You…all of you.” Prince Jin muttered against Zhou Zishu’s throat, the sounds of the merriment playing in the Hall behind them, “My chambers, come.” There was a pause in Zhou Zishu, a hesitance at the invitation, Prince Jin studied his face...traces of fear. Why would Zhou Zishu be afraid of him? No, he's misreading this, not his Zi Shu...he was tired, his heart heavy with losses and for someone so young to deal with so much grief. But he was stronger, older, he could heal the parts of Zhou Zishu's broken heart. "Zi Shu...let me take care of you." A small flash of light flickered in Zhou Zishu's eyes, ah, yes, still a child that needs adoration and support. He reaches up and cups Zhou Zishu's face, he regrets taking his first time with trickery...a mistake he wants to rectify with his vigor. They will grow together, mature, they will learn all the others' secrets and create a palace in the others’ heart.
“My Prince.”
“Zi Shu.” The pause of hesitance vanished as quickly as it appeared and Prince Jin made a promise that only he would know, he will tend to his Soulmate, he will treasure him and devote himself to all his needs. As soon as his ambition is realized and the land has become unified, the wicked banished.
Then he’ll belong to Zhou Zishu.
That, he promised.
The room was red and ornate, tapestries that adorned the pride of the kingdom and the ruler, golden and royal…pure, Moral Purity. His chamber was private only open to those he held dear; Prince Jin held no one dearer than Zhou Zishu. Calming incense gently lingering in the air and filling Zhou Zishu with warmth before he even had a sip of wine. Prince Jin’s fingers tingled touching his skin, tracing his jaw, and sliding down his throat to feel the bob as Zhou Zishu swallowed the wine. Bit by bit he removed his assassin’s robes, every inch becoming more impatient and voracious, the bare flash of flesh of his shoulder in the dim candlelight of the room. One kiss, long and focused, the taste of him was unlike any flavour Prince Jin experienced, he trailed his mouth to the center of Zhou Zishu’s back and kissed on his spine, moving up to his nape before slowly undoing his hair. Allowing the flow of wavy black cascade down and lay over his face.
“Martial arts have trained your body…you will be the sword that will be carve out the corruption in these lands.” Prince Jin pulled down the robes to expose more of Zhou Zishu’s back and each inch was for him and him alone, there was something about that fact that lit such a fire within. THIS was his, this body, this skill and all of the potential….belonged to him. “My Zi Shu…”
“Your vision will…*sigh* become true…I wish to give everything to you.” Zhou Zishu eased into Prince Jin when he felt his hands spread over his neck and glided down his chest. Finding his nipples and rolling them between his fingers. He could feel channels of his energy coursing through his young body, focused and vibrating…
“I know you will, and this world will be better for it. Such skill is the result of the will of Heaven…and you.” Prince Jin said in a throaty husk and clamped his mouth on Zhou Zishu’s neck, feeling his pulse quicken, there was an area on his throat that Prince Jin was compelled to mark in some way...it was slender and pale almost completely delicate. So youthful, still so innocent. “I wish to spoil you Zi Shu.” And Prince Jin reaches down to his bed and pulled a small silken blindfold, moving the small plum blossom branch to the side table.
“Do you trust me?”