Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It has been almost 25 years since Dan Heng was in a relationship. I mean… he had never been in one to begin with. His primary focus was on his photography. Traveling around the world, working for all kinds of clients, you could always find him out and about in the streets of whatever town he ended up in. Unfortunately, he had to work with a group of fellow freelance photographers to cut travel costs, namely March and Himeko.

They were currently staying in a small hotel, relatively close to the big city. Each day, Dan Heng would take the subway to roam around the streets for his commissions, while March and Himeko had to worry about their fixed location. The only one out of the three who seemed to have an essence of free time was March.

“So, I have a question about our dear old pal, Dan Heng,” said March, seemingly bugging Himeko, who was trying to answer her client's emails.

“March, it's too early for this…”

Himeko already sounded done with life. Having to deal with someone having as much energy as March, first thing in the morning, wasn’t the most ideal situation for her. 

“Oh, come on, Himeko. Aren't you ever a tad bit curious?” 

The more she anticipated Himeko’s interest in the topic, the more visibly eager she seemed.

“I am more curious as to why you're not working. Don't you have a photoshoot in an hour?” 

She, on the other hand, couldn’t sound any more uninterested in whatever Dan Heng got going on. For Himeko, once she was in “work-mode,” it was hard to get out of that mindset, unless she was being offered some wine. 

“Oh, that? It had to be rescheduled! I am completely free today.”

“Of course you are,” said Himeko under her breath, yet she got no reaction from March. She was too blinded by her excitement to pay attention to anything Himeko was saying. 

“Anyway. Haven't you noticed how he has been going out a whole lot lately? Especially since we got here.” 

March was practically jumping up and down at this point, unable to stand still for even a second. 

“He specializes in street photography. He constantly has to be on the road as a part of his job.” 

Himeko was firm, yet she couldn’t help but become intrigued about what March had to say. 

“In the middle of the night?”

“If the commission requires it, yes.”

“Alright, alright~”

March gave her a knowing look. Begging her to inquire more information, as if she wasn’t planning to provide it, regardless. 

“Was there any point in this conversation about Heng's outings?”

“Well, do you happen to know that Grand Hotel downtown? The one that looks too expensive to even walk in?”

March’s change of subject seemed so sudden. Himeko, however, acted like nothing had changed.

“Yes? What about it?”

“Who do you think I saw walk into that hotel at around 2 am?”

“First of all, what were you doing downtown at such an hour?”

March took a step back, embarrassed by her co-worker’s question.

“Well… I couldn't sleep. I need to roam around when I can't sleep, but that's not important,” she rambled. “I saw Dan Heng! Last time I checked, boudoir photography wasn't in his job description.” A wide smile full of pride took over March’s entire face. 

“Okay…and?” 

After all that stalling, her interest was starting to die down. At the end of the day, what Dan Heng was doing in his personal life wasn’t really her business. Besides, March was interested in baseless gossip. There was no way something worth noting had actually happened to Dan Heng.

“Himeko, focus. We are freelance photographers, staying in a hotel we can barely afford for an entire month, barely able to make ends meet.” March approached her. 

As an awkward silence started filling the room, her eyes were enough to speak on their own. It was obvious that she wanted Himeko to connect the dots as she slowly revealed them.

“How would Heng afford to go to that luxury hotel by himself?”

 “You might have a point there…” Himeko’s tone completely shifted; her full attention was now on March. 

“See, see! There's only one likely explanation for this!”

March was hanging on Himeko’s every word. Just by looking into her eyes, she could tell that the red-haired had figured out a way to read her thoughts. She knew exactly what was happening and was eager to tell March that they were, in fact, thinking of the same thing.

“That he was meeting up with a client there?”

The facade she was putting on to humor March faded in an instant. Himeko took a quick look at March before shifting her attention back to her emails.

“That he has a sugar daddy!”

“March, what?! Dan Heng, of all people? A sugar daddy? This has to be the most insane thing you've ever uttered.”

Needless to say, Himeko froze in her tracks. Only March would say something this outrageous without giving it a second thought. Dan Heng would never look like the guy who would be into such dynamics. She never found his bluntness and muted personality appealing by any means, so imagining him in a relationship was hard. Let alone one that was unconventional. 

“We can ask him when he gets back home! I am certain that I'm right.”

March sounded extremely confident in her deduction, but Himeko wasn’t going to humor her any longer. 

“I'm going back to work…March, don't you dare ask him such things once he comes back to the hotel room.”

The hours passed faster than they expected. Dan Heng was nowhere to be found, yet March was determined to confront him. She waited for hours beside the door of their hotel room until, finally, she heard the card key unlocking it.

“Had fun?” she asked a very startled Dan Heng before he managed to make his quiet entrance.

“March? You're awake?”

Dan Heng sounded flustered, an unusual sight for anyone. He was usually calm and collected about everything, even when he was under immense pressure.

“Did you expect me not to be? Got something to hide, perhaps?” March smirked. She was quite enjoying her little interrogation at the expense of Dan Heng’s sanity, who, in turn, was trying to find the right words to say. 

“N-no. I just… I didn't wake you, did I?” 

He tried to save face, really. It wasn’t like him to fumble his words nor be ashamed of his actions, but he knew that March wasn’t going to act normally about that specific part of his personal life.

“Of course not, Mr. Workaholic. I was actually about to roam around town. Wanna join me?”

“I'm tired, March. Maybe another time.”

Dan Heng rushed into his little room and closed the door, pretending to yawn. 

“Oh, sure,” Match, however, wasn’t convinced. She was ready to bring up the topic again once she found the right time. 

--------------------------------------------------

“Mr. Blade? Mr. Blade? This is a really important meeting, and I don’t think it would be proper for you to be-”

“I got sick,” Blade interrupted his secretary. They were always so easily startled by how direct he was. His actions also caused most, if not all, of their anxiety during working hours.

“Pardon me?” they said anxiously. 

“I got sick, and we had to reschedule. That will be all.”

He stared them down, not a single emotion in his eyes. His demeanor was terrifying to most of his employees. An emotionless, tyrannical monster ready to collect on their souls like some sort of demon. 

“But sir…” their voice was cracking. Even the thought of standing their ground terrified them.

“I promise you, whatever you'll say to change my mind, isn't going to be convincing enough.”

“Yes, sir.” They weren’t willing to risk experiencing a stroke that day, so they hesitantly let it go.

As Blade was about to exit his office, the Chief Financial Officer of his company, Kafka, spotted him.

“Ditching again, aren't you?” She leaned against his doorframe, blocking his path.

“Kafka…” he glared. 

She didn’t budge, though. She stood her ground, looking back at him with a smug look.

“Blade.” She said in return, using his exact tone. “Oh, good. We know each other's names. What a pleasure.”

Blade’s secretary was staring at the two of them, their legs barely able to hold the rest of their body up with how they were quivering. They couldn’t fathom talking to their boss in that tone, yet Kafka was doing it so effortlessly.

“I do not have time for your attitude right now. Now, if you'll excuse me-”

He tried to go through the door, but Kafka saw it coming. She grabbed him by his arm and gently pulled him back to where he originally stood. 

“Ah, tah tah, not so fast, mister. Tell me, how's that little boy-toy of yours? Dan… Feng, was his name?”

Blade stared at her. There was no point in hiding, so he decided to play along, if it meant that it would get Kafka off his hair. 

“Heng. And why is this any of your business?!”

“It becomes my business when you pass off your little hotel visits as business expenses.”

He didn’t falter. He knew too well that he had to get out of that conversation as fast as he could before things would inevitably escalate.

“Those were business expenses, Kafka.”

“Oh, I'm sure you having your dick in his mouth was quite the expense.”

He didn’t show it, but he was obviously stunned. He discreetly glanced back at his secretary, who was holding her binder up to her face in shock, and swallowed in anger. 

“Can you not… This is neither the time nor the place to have this kind of conversation. Besides, I am busy.”

He glared at Kafka, not once raising his voice. He didn’t have to. His feelings of pure rage were beaming as if they were an LED sign on top of his head. He pointed to her hand that was still holding him with his eyes, and she let go. Finally, allowing him to leave his office.

“Right. Don't keep the kid waiting, Blade; he might raise his standards.”

She playfully yelled at him as he left the floor. No answer. 

--------------------------------------------------

He patiently waited for his so-called plaything in their hotel room. Lying on the extravagant bed of his presidential suite, he loved spoiling Dan Heng. Given his status, however, they had no choice but to meet like this. With Dan Heng moving around the country and Blade being a powerful yet busy CEO, their in-person meetings had to be few and far between, so now that Blade finally had the opportunity to see Dan Heng daily, he graciously took it.   

“There you are. Come here.”

It was like a switch inside him had flipped; his gaze softened, eyes glistening the moment they met with his. His voice wasn’t as harsh as usual. It was a complete feeling of hypnosis. He opened his embrace, signaling Dan Heng to come fill the void.

“You couldn’t even handle waiting until tonight? Is that why you called me in the middle of the day?”

Heng’s attitude remained the same, with knowing looks, soft voice. He approached Blade, falling into his arms with his back facing him, whilst his grip tightened.

“You could say that, yes,” he pressed soft kissing onto Dan Heng's neck, then rested his head on his shoulder, nuzzling him. Both hands inside his shirt, gently resting on his chest.

“You’re going to get me fired one of these days, you know,” he glanced over with a faint smile. 

“If that means I get to see you more often, I’d be happy to oblige.” 

Blade said in between kisses. He was alternating between kissing his neck, shoulder, cheek, and the top of his head, always so tenderly. His hand moved from his chest to his neck, slightly grazing it.

“Blade…”

He backed away, letting go of his kiss on Dan Heng's cheek. Staring him down for a quick second as he assessed the situation.

“I am only kidding. Well, mostly,” Blade whispered into his ear seductively. “How's the city been treating you?” 

His hand traced along his body, gently grabbing onto his side. The other still lingered on his neck, barely even touching it.

“You made me cancel on a client to talk about the city?”

There was a spark in Blade's eye. He suddenly tossed Dan Heng onto the bed, forcing him to face him, his hand tightening around his neck while his body approached him. He was on his right side, his leg straddling him, keeping him in place. Breathing into his glistening skin before he lowered his mouth so he could whisper.

“I mean, I could definitely pin you down, right here on this bed, and have you experience new heights of ecstasy, but your company means so much more to me.”

He slowly let go of his neck and lay next to him, resting his arm on Heng's opposite shoulder, forming an embrace with the other.

“Right.” Dan Heng was emotionless, trying to process what had just gone down. He didn't hate it, but the thoughts circling around his mind wouldn't let him enjoy this side of Blade.

“Whether it's those lingering touches… those hungry kisses, your beautiful eyes, I could easily get lost in with only a look. It doesn't matter to me as long as you're here.”

He looked longingly into his eyes, pretty eyes, and smiled. Blade never treated their relationship as purely transactional. He loved taking care of Dan Heng. Even if he was only staying around for money, he made Blade happy, and he was willing to go to great lengths to ensure Heng's happiness even beyond financial compensation.

“Y-yeah I-”

“You…hesitated.” he stood up, worried, placing his hand on his cheek. “Is everything alright, darling?”

“Yeah, everything's fine.” Dan Heng trembled.

“Do you want me to stop touching you like this?” He softened his voice so as not to startle Dan Heng, yet he could hear the concern in his words. 

“N-no. No. Don't stop…please”

He sounded so desperate, such a pathetic man, making Blade’s heart skip a beat. Instead of being embarrassed, though, Dan Heng looked Blade in the eyes, blushing ever so slightly. 

“Alright, my dear. Will you let me hold you for a bit?”

Heng completely let his guard down, letting his body surrender itself to Blade’s mercy, grabbing his arm, clinging to it until he fell asleep in his arms.

“Thank you, Dan Heng,” whispered Blade, knowing he had already fallen asleep. “Don't feel the need to tell me a single word. Just know that I'm here for you.”

A few hours had passed, and Dan Heng was still fast asleep. He looked too peaceful for Blade to disturb him, but if it came down to it, he knew better than to let him sleep the entire day away. After a while, Dan Heng finally woke up. He was startled, on the verge of panicking, his vision too blurry to make out where he was. He felt trapped, as if something or someone was holding him down.

“Hey, hey. It's just me.” Blade hastily let go of him.

“H-how long have I been sleeping?!” Dan Heng started going back to his normal, calm, and collected self. 

“Not too long. You looked like you needed the rest. Which is…somewhat my fault. I apologize, darling.”

Blade’s soft yet worried voice felt hypnotic, taking control over Heng’s every thought. He would never let himself openly show that to him, even if he couldn’t deny it.  

“It's ok.” He slowly got up and headed to the bathroom to splash some water on his face. 

“I've got a present waiting for you on the counter. You can grab it on the way out.”

“Is this your subtle way of saying that you no longer want me here?” said Dan Heng, holding the towel he dried his face with in his arms.

“No, this is my subtle way of saying that I like to make good on my promises. You may leave whenever you please, dear.” Blade got out of their bed, slowly approaching his baby. With no hesitation, he grabbed him by his waist, forcing himself closer to him. “Although, if you're looking for my opinion on the matter, I wouldn't mind you staying here forever.”

“Do you have that much money to waste on me?”

Dan Heng was serious. His tone never changed, but Blade knew him too well. He knew his words were neither sarcastic nor some sort of joke. He could tell that something about him was off from the moment he walked through that door, yet he didn't want to pry.

“I wouldn't class you as a waste of money, Dan Heng. I am aware that our relationship isn't the most… conventional, but you never really complained about that, did you?”

“I wouldn't be in this relationship if I didn't like it, you know that.”

“I do,” he tightened his embrace again. 

“I should really get going. It's getting late.” Dan Heng let go. He wasn’t harsh with him, just direct. “ March will have a field day if I refuse her invitation…again, ” he said under his breath. 

“Alright. Be safe.” Blade smiled as he watched Dan Heng grab his things, getting ready to leave. “Hey, darling? Before you leave…” he said when Dan Heng was about to close the door behind him. 

“Yes?”

“When I say that I want you to stay here with me forever, you know that I'm partially joking, right?” he hesitated. “I would never want you to quit doing what makes you happy, to please me.”

“I know. Don't worry.”

Dan Heng smiled faintly, closing the door behind him. He wanted to wait until he was by himself, away from March’s praying eyes, to finally open Blade’s “gift”. Until then, he held onto it for dear life.

Chapter Text

Dan Heng rushed all the way back to his hotel room, hiding the gift in his coat. He made sure he was as quiet as he could possibly be, whilst he turned around into the corridor. He couldn’t risk his roommates figuring out he had been out until that late. 

He approached the door, slowly opening it so as not to make any sudden noise. Dan Heng thought he’d made it, but, as he turned around, he found Himeko and March sitting on the hotel armchairs, waiting for his return. 

“Fancy meeting you here, Mr Heng,” said March, trying to hold back her giggling. 

Himeko sipped her tea, giving Heng a knowing look.

“Can we not do this tonight? I’m quite exhausted.” 

Dan Heng’s voice was monotone, as usual. He wasn't actually tired, considering he’d been sleeping for most of his visit to that arrogant CEO. Emotionally tired wasn’t quite right either, he was just conflicted, if anything.

“March, leave the poor guy be. Can’t you see how tiring this must have been for him?” 

He expected that attitude from March. She had been acting like that the entire time they’d been here, but Himeko? He was in deep trouble now that she started being in on it. 

“I wouldn't class you as a waste of money, Dan Heng.” Yeah, right…

He went into his room without saying a single word, closing the door loudly behind him.

“Ok, now there’s definitely something wrong going on here…” said March in a serious tone. 

“Seems like whatever happened tonight changed him,” Himeko paused. “We should probably keep a close eye on him.”

“I’ll stop teasing him…for now.”

Himeko side-eyed her. 

“At least until we make sure he’s alright,” March noticed Himeko’s expression, “Don’t look at me like that, Himeko. It’s not my fault!”

Dan Heng lay on his bed, gift in hand, refusing to take even the slightest glance at what was inside. His grip was strong, holding onto that box like his life depended on it, staring at the empty hotel wall, Blade’s words ringing in his head.

“I would never want you to quit doing what makes you happy, to please me.”

Liar…

“Although, if you're looking for my opinion on the matter, I wouldn't mind you staying here forever.”

You silver-tongued CEO bastard…

I should never have agreed to this arrangement. All those pretty little words he tells me. My body keeps aching for his touch, his taste. But he doesn’t mean any of it. This entire thing is purely transactional. It’ll never be anything more than that. He gives me gifts in exchange for my body and time. That’s all there is to it…

“But I don’t want that…I want it to be real, even if it’s just once…” he whispered. A few tears streaming down his face, not making a single sound. He quietly cried himself to sleep that night. 

Weeks had passed since that fateful night. Despite having doubts, he still visited every time Blade called. He was still cold against him every time he was “done with him”, but letting him shower him with the love he so desperately craved to give him. It was all fake anyway.

Two more days remained before March, Himeko, and Dan Heng had to pack their bags and travel to their next destination. Aeons knew when the next time the two would cross paths again. 

“Make sure you clear out your schedule for today.”

The notification sound startled Dan Heng, who was barely beginning to wake up.

He reached for his phone, only to see none other than the silver-tongued CEO himself. 

“Clear out your schedule for tomorrow while you’re at it.”

“You’ll need the rest.”

“Arrogant motherfucker…” said Heng under his breath, before tossing his phone onto the bedcovers, burying his face in his pillow.

“Why must you always act like this…”

He could have said no, yet there was this dark twisted urge telling him to accept Blade’s offer, to pretend for one more day, just like he always did. 

“Usual place, usual time?”

He responded to Blade's text as he was getting ready to join the girls for breakfast.

“You can come by whenever, actually.”

“I have something very special prepared for us.”

He didn’t respond.

Instead, he went out to enjoy his breakfast.

Everyone was silently staring at each other as they ate. Awkwardness filled the room, making what was supposed to be a nice meal into something everyone was anticipating its ending.

“So, any changes in your life recently?” asked March.

Himeko stared at her disapprovingly before taking a peek at Dan Heng’s expression.

“You don’t have to walk on eggshells around me, you know,” he said before continuing to eat his baozi.

“If you don’t want to talk about what’s happening between you and that mystery man, that’s alright. We’re just worried about you.”

“Yeah, what Himeko said!”

Dan Heng stared for a second. 

Have I seriously been that obvious?

He lowered his gaze and finally gave them a straight answer.

“There…has been something-or -rather, someone-who has been keeping me busy for a while now.” 

March looked at him excitedly, her eyes wide, paying close attention to every single word that came out of his mouth like it was the last. Dan Heng chose to ignore this. 

“I’m just confused about how I'm supposed to be feeling about him, is all.”

“Would you say you're….in love?” 

March formed a heart with her arms over her head and winked at Dan Heng, who was visibly startled. 

“Love?!” 

“Yes, Dan Heng. L-O-V-E.” 

Love. Would I even call it that? I mean, he definitely doesn't feel that for me, but do I? Is it love or is it just…fixation?

“What I have with him can never be classed as love.”

March raised her eyebrow, and Himeko laughed under her breath. Dan Heng’s denial of things that were a bit too obvious was slowly becoming a pattern of behavior. 

“Are you sure about that?”

“I am quite certain, yes.”

The hours felt like years. Blade waited patiently for his Dan Heng to knock on his hotel door, anticipating the moment he’d get to see him again. Everything was ready for that night, ready for their final night together, at least until they had the opportunity to meet again.

I know I told you that you could come by whenever you wanted, but the wait is so painful… 

He kept looking down at his watch every 10 minutes. 

Is it possible he won’t show up? He’s been more distant than normal the past couple of weeks…surely he wouldn’t. Would he? 

After hours of waiting, Dan Heng was finally at his door.

“Dan Heng! I knew you’d come!” Blade didn’t even try to hold his excitement. 

“I’m sure you did,” thought Dan Heng.

“I hope you are well rested, cause I have a lot of things planned for tonight.” 

“What do you have in mind?” 

His words could freeze the entire planet with how cold he was being. Although one might argue that this level of excitement wasn’t all that common for Blade, either. 

Blade approached Dan Heng from behind, caressing his arms as he buried his face into his neck, occasionally kissing him as he spoke. “Oh, I have too many things in mind, my beloved.” He gently removed the brown buckles on top of his shirt. “If only you made it easier for me to act upon them.” He abruptly grabbed his shirt’s collar, aggressively ripping it in the process. “But alas, I’ll make sure it’ll be worth it in the end.”

Dan Heng was rather startled. Blade was usually rough with him during sex, but this was different. It was something almost feral, a carnal desire kept dormant for way too long, looking for release. He could feel it in his words, his touch, his eyes. This wouldn’t be the only time throughout the night that Blade would leave him breathless. Blade grabbed him by the shoulders, swiftly turning him around to face him. 

“Have I told you that I sometimes miss your long black hair?” He caressed his hair gently. “It was easier for me to grab and pull however I pleased.” 

“Blade…”

He was grabbing his hair, pulling it down, making them lock eyes. His gaze panned down onto his neck, carefully scanning it. “Did you not like my gift, my sweet?”

“I haven't opened it yet,” Dan Heng said, lowering his gaze.

Blade tilted his head, not removing his gaze from his bare neck, grabbing it tightly instead. “That’s such a shame,” he smirked, breathing heavily onto his skin as he pulled him in. “I could have used it tonight.”

Dan Heng pulled away from him and started looking for his bag. Blade stared at him, his crimson eyes following his every move like a vulture waiting patiently to hunt down its prey. He unzipped the bag, pulling out a very familiar box. Blade’s gift, waiting to be opened in front of its rightful master. 

“Oh, you’re such a clever man.” Blade approached him, nothing but lust in his eyes. “Give it to me,” he reached his hand out, his voice as demanding as usual. Dan Heng obeyed without any second thought. “Now, approach.” The photographer’s expression softened, taking a deep breath, mentally preparing himself for his inevitable punishment. 

“Stand here, and face the mirror.” Blade grabbed him from behind, guiding him into exactly where he wanted him to be. “Do not dare remove your eyes from that damn mirror, understand?”

“Yes.” 

He gave him a look, as if he was telling him that a simple yes wasn’t a satisfactory answer. 

“Yes, I understand.” his knees were already feeling weak, and all it took was a look. 

“You remember what to say, right? If it gets too much?”

“Yes, Blade,” a faint smile peaked through, “I remember.”

Blade grabbed onto him harder, biting his neck, leaving marks and bruises all over it, making them impossible to hide. Pain being turned into pleasure before his very eyes as Dan Heng was holding back moans. His hands running through his black bodysuit, that cold sensation touching bare skin under clothing that was already skin-tight. Breaths being lost within the urges to ravage every last inch of his beloved like a feral beast. 

He caved into the urge, ripping apart the entire body suit, leaving his upper body bare. He stopped for a moment to admire his work before he continued ripping his clothing, piece by piece, until there was nothing left. 

Dan Heng’s gaze lowered before Blade forcefully grabbed his neck, making sure his eyes were glued to the mirror facing him. “You will look, Dan Heng,” he whispered into his ear, and he held him in place. “You will gaze upon your naked body as I fuck your brains out.”

Dan Heng hesitated before he finally opened his eyes to stare at his own reflection. He gazed upon his naked body, as per Blade’s request. Realizing that he got more excited than he’d realized. 

“See how eager your body is?” Blade’s hand grabbed his shaft, holding it tightly, yet refusing to move. “Eager to obey my every command.” He moved his hand onto his tip, teasing it until Dan Heng couldn’t hold out his moans anymore. “Tell me, what are you willing to do for me to let you have that sweet release you’re so eagerly craving?”

“Anything.” Dan Heng managed to blur out.

“Oh?” he started caressing his hard cock. The pacing was too fast for Dan Heng to handle, but just when he got used to it, it suddenly stopped. “It’s too early for that, though…” Blade let him go, moving toward the box he had conveniently tossed onto the bed. “Stay there, hands behind your back. I forbid you from touching yourself,” he said firmly.

Blade opened the gift box, making sure it could be seen in the mirror’s reflection, only to reveal a chained collar, held together by a lock. Dan Heng stared, being left there helpless, as Blade revealed the chain he was wearing. A very discrete chain with a key charm hanging from it. He watched as he used it to unlock the lock. “I appreciate you not opening the gift all this time; you’re giving me the opportunity to watch as you become mine to own.” He brought the chain around his neck, closing the lock to secure it in place. Locking in the fact that the only way Dan Heng could ever remove that chain was with a key. 

“I made you wait long enough for this, though,” said Blade as he removed his silken tie. “Even I’m not that cruel…” he wrapped it around his wrists, tying them together. “So, tell me. Who’s the only one allowed to touch you, tonight?”

“You are…” he said in between breaths.

He tugged on his restraints with one hand, spreading his ass just enough for his fingers to slip through with the other. Dan Heng let out yet another moan, but then. Silence. One could hear the desperation in his gasps as Blade was once again refusing to move his fingers. 

“What’s wrong, my beloved?”

“Please just…stop…teasing me like this.” he was shaking, his hole tightening more and more as the time passed.

“Why don’t you fuck yourself with my fingers, then? Work for your threat.” 

“M-M-May I?” 

“Of course, my sweet,” he smirks. “As long as you remember the rules.”

Dan Heng started thrusting, fucking himself using Blade’s fingers, moaning and twitching in the meantime. Finding it harder and harder to look at his own reflection from all the pleasure he was giving himself. Blade started spreading his fingers apart inside him as Dan Hegn moved into them. Watching himself get fucked like this made him twitch even more, images of what would happen next playing in his mind, making him crave nothing but Blade’s dick inside him. 

His eyes glued to the mirror, his naked reflection being the only thing he saw, even when his eyes closed. He noticed Blade moving behind him, listening as his belt’s buckle came loose. He stares at him, hunger in his eyes, salivating for the moment he gives him permission to be fucked into oblivion. 

“Ask for it. I know what you’re thinking, Dan Heng,” said Blade, tugging on the tie holding his wrists. “Maybe I’ll be kind enough to give it to you.”

“Blade, please,” Dan Heng cried, “please fuck me, fuck me, Blade. Please.” 

Blade removed his fingers from inside his hole, staring as Dan Heng cried in desperation. “That would be too easy now, wouldn’t it?” He dug into his pocket, taking out a big jade-colored plug. “Why in hell would I do that?” 

He rubbed around his hole with the tip of the plug, preparing him for what’s to come. “Watching you losing your mind is much more fun.” He shoved the entire thing inside, without warning. Grabbed his hips, forcing himself in between his thighs. “Tell me, how does it feel knowing that you’re so close to what you really want?” he paused for a quick second before roughly thrusting into him again, “but.. It’s.. just… out.. of… reach…”  

“Blade p-please,” he turned to face him. Desperately trying to hold himself together, even though his knees were having such a hard time holding him up. 

“If you want to cum, face that damn mirror.” Blade ignored his cries, yet this time, instead of stopping all movement, he doubled down. “I want you to look at your face as I push you over the edge.”

Dan Heng turned back around, looking straight ahead at himself as he was slowly reaching the ends of rapture. The only thing that could be seen was himself, the only naked image that was now engraved in his mind. As Blade continued to thrust until his thighs had turned red from the friction, Dan Heng came. Covering both himself and the mirror with his own cum. 

“Couldn’t hold it in any longer?” asked Blade, who immediately caught him, preventing him from hitting the floor. Dan Heng could barely form sentences, yet he nodded in agreement. 

Blade picked him up, leading him onto the hotel bed. “I’m nowhere near done with you, though.” Dan Heng was twitching, as pliable as a puppet on a string. He couldn’t move, he couldn’t speak. Blade grabbed his wrists, releasing them from his tie. “You are not allowed to touch. Understand?” Dan Heng nodded. “You will pretend that the restraints on your wrists are still there.” Blade reached into his bedside table, grabbing a scarlet rope from one of the drawers. He began tying his calves and thighs together, bringing the rope around his waist, and braiding it through. Making small rhombuses all around his body, yet still leaving his arms loose. He then took his tie, turning it into a blindfold and wrapping it around Dan Heng’s eyes. “You know what to say, if that time comes, yeah?”

Dan Heng nodded, giving Blade the cue to tighten the blindfold. He then climbed on top of him, kissing his neck, slowly moving down onto his bare chest. Sucking hard on his nipples as he let his hands freely explore the rest of his body. Dan Heng kept lifting his arms, clenching his fists, stopping himself from grabbing onto Blade’s back, from digging his nails into his skin. 

Every time Dan Heng was getting a bit too close, Blade would bite down harder until his nipples bled. Heng screamed in agony, yet he didn’t tell him to stop. The rougher Blade was getting, the more eager he was for his touch. No longer holding back his moans, he wanted the whole world to know that just for that night, he belonged to Blade. His body, mind, and soul only answered to him and his desires. In this very moment of pure darkness, the only thing he could feel was one of the most powerful CEOs of the country, worshiping his body, kissing every last bit of skin he could get his lips into, biting onto his thighs like a power-hungry vampire, making every part of his body twitch and beg for his attention. 

“Despite everything, you’re still hard for me,” he said, putting his lips around the tip, lapping it up eagerly. “Careful, my beloved. Someone might actually think that you like me…”

“I-” he got interrupted by the feeling of Blade putting his entire dick in his mouth in mere seconds. “Oh, no. Please continue,” he said, in between fucking his face with Dan Heng’s dick. “Don’t let me distract you, beloved.” his nails were digging into his thighs harder and harder with each thrust. “Tell me all about how much you despise me,” his rhythm quickened, “all about how you wish you were anywhere but here.” 

Dan Heng tried to respond to him, saying all those things he kept telling himself. Tell him that this relationship was nothing but transactional, yet each time he was deeper and deeper into his throat, his mind went blank. His body knew his true desire; it knew that only one man could even make him feel like this with just a look, just a touch. If he hated it so much, why did he show up in the first place?

Blade had told him time and time again, he was free to tell him to stop at any point, free to break it off and never see him again. The man bossing him around, expecting him to listen to his every command, had surrendered the fate of this relationship into his hands. 

The more he thought about it, the clearer it became. He never hated Blade; he just hated the arrangement. He hated the implication that everything between them was fake, that Blade’s kindness was only present because of his ability to use Dan Heng as he pleased. Whether that was sexual or just them spending quality time together. All of the fantasies of that tall, dashing CEO, grabbing him by his wrists, pushing him against the wall, and telling him he couldn’t take it anymore. That he had to make him his, that he no longer wanted him to be his sugar baby and would much rather he’d be his lover instead. 

Yet he couldn’t speak. He couldn’t scream at the top of his lungs that Blade was the only man to ever make him feel safe, even in the roughest moments. All he could do was moan as the pleasure removed all thought from his brain, leaving him with nothing but darkness.

“Don’t come just yet, dear.” His voice was so gentle, he had almost forgotten everything that had occurred for the past few hours. The number of times he’d been forced to come again and again. “B-But Blade…” he was barely audible, yet Blade understood him.

He gently petted his hair before removing the butt plug. “Just a little longer, this is the last time, I promise.” He fell onto him, holding him tight as he slowly thrusted inside him. Dan Heng wasn’t used to how gentle he was being, yet every part of him was extremely sensitive because of how overstimulated he was. He couldn’t even handle him despite it all. “You’ve been doing so good,” he said as he began thrusting again, slow but steady, whispering praises in his beloved’s ear. 

Yet Dan Heng was incapable of holding back anymore; he whined as tears fell from his eyes. Everything was too much for him. “Dan Heng?” Blade stopped and immediately removed his blindfold. “What’s wrong?” he asked, yet Dan Heng tried to brush it off, shifting his gaze back into the mirror in the far-right corner. “Hold onto me,” said Blade softly, “please, can you look at me for a moment?” Dan Heng started silently crying.

“I’m sorry…” he whispered, but Blade wasn’t letting the topic go. He gently started moving away from Dan Heng, yet he grabbed him, forcing him back inside him. “No,” he yelled. 

“Dan Heng…”

“Why are you being so gentle with me…” he cried. “Just, fuck me until the sunrise and leave me here for dead.” 

Blade grabbed onto him, removing the ropes from his body, staring at the marks left over by it as he removed it. “Don’t say that, my beloved.” He pulled him into his lap, covering him with one of his blankets. “That’s enough for today,” he told him firmly. “But what about-” Blade shushed him with his finger, then removed his hair away from his face. “I don’t care about that!” he slightly raised his voice. “I care about you.” 

He couldn’t bring himself to think about how all of his words were lies. Deep down, he knew they weren’t. Blade placed him next to him as he got up and started removing his own clothing until he was completely bare as well. He then picked him back up again, blanket still around him, and walked into the bathroom. 

“What are you doing?” Dan Heng asked, but Blade refused to respond. As if he was telling him to wait and see. He watched in silence as his ‘partner’ filled up the bathtub with water, soap, and bath salts. “Join me?” he asked once he was done. The entire room smelled like gardenias and roses, hot steam coming from the tub that was filled with orchids. Dan Heng nodded in agreement, patiently waiting for Blade to pick him up, tossing the blanket away.

Getting inside the bathtub with him in his arms, every move being calculated so as not to ruin the peaceful moment. Letting him lather his body with the warm water, giving into the moment as Blade gets his hair wet and lets him relax into his arms. Dan Heng grabbing onto his tense muscles and rubbing away the stress before Blade stops him. “This is about you, my love.” Dan Heng fell into his embrace again, looking longingly into his eyes, as Blade went in for a soft kiss.

He let himself go; nothing would be able to interrupt that moment of bliss for him, even if the world had been set on fire. He was finally calm, no longer having that looming fear from all of his emotions piling up inside him. He could finally just let himself feel, without any denial or excuses. He let himself drift away into Blade's embrace, resting his eyes for just a moment. 

That moment, however, lasted longer than he expected. As he opened his eyes, he was no longer inside that bathtub with Blade. He was lying on that king-size bed, all by himself in nothing but Blade’s white button-up shirt, and that gift he was now holding on to. Right next to him, on the bedside table, was the open gift box, with what seemed to be a spare key for the lock peeking through. By the looks of it, Blade was nowhere to be found…

Chapter Text

“Blade?” he yelled, yet he was met with silence. 

He looked around and called out to him, but still nothing. He tried to get out of bed, slowly shifting his body, yet he was too sore for his efforts not to be pointless. He lay there alone, trapped in a bed that was too big for just him, holding onto Blade’s shirt, bringing it closer to his face for comfort as he patiently waited for him to show up.

I never thought you’d actually listen to me when I told you to fuck me and leave me here to die…

“Are you awake?” his voice pierced through the room, lifting him from his cursed mopping. 

“Where the fuck were you?!” he yelled.

Blade was ready to make yet another sly remark, so he chuckled, preparing himself to tease the photographer who was lying in front of him, until he met his gaze. He stared at him, standing there frozen, the smirk on his face gone. He watched as his beloved stood there, too weak to move, trying to cover himself up using his shirt -that was barely any bigger than he was- tears almost forming in his eyes.

“May I? He approached him, reaching his hands out for him to fall into. 

“No,” he pushed himself away from him. “Not until you tell me why you left me here alone…” he said under his breath. 

“Alright,” he distanced himself from Dan Heng, walking towards the closet to grab him a clean blanket. “But first, here!” he reached out to him, offering it. “Take this.” 

Dan Heng hesitantly wrapped the blanket around him, yet he refused to make eye contact with the powerful CEO. 

“I had to go to the hotel lobby to…take care of a few things,” he said softly as he sat at his bedside. “Like what?” Yet Dan Heng did not budge.

“Well, for starters. I had to make sure room service would not disturb you.” Dan Heng clung to his blanket, covering his face. “I also needed to ensure that no one would ever get a wind of this.”

So, you are ashamed of me… 

“And lastly, the kitchen normally closes at 11, and I really wanted you to eat a balanced breakfast after last night.”

Then why do you act like you care about me?

Dan Heng looked at him and gulped. He threw the blanket off him, slowly unbuttoning his shirt. The look on his face was that of defeat, a single tear managing to flow from his eyes.

“Dan Heng, what are you doing?”

“What I do best.” He whispered. “I can’t do much today, but you can finish what you started.”

Blade watched as Dan Heng crawled onto him. He could see in his eyes the conflict that was growing stronger inside him, how close he was to combusting from all the emotions that were floating in his mind. Desperate attempts at trying to make him have his way with the naked man that was in front of him. He couldn’t do that to him, no matter how hard he tried to appear genuine. 

“That won’t be necessary, my beloved…” he tried to calm him down, hoping that his words were reassuring enough.

“Why…” he cried. “Don’t you want to fuck me?” he asked, grabbing his wrists and holding them tight, trying to lift himself up the best he could. “Am I only desirable to you when you’re bored?” he yelled.

“It’s not like that…”

“Then what is it?” he screamed louder. “Why do you enjoy toying with me? I know your kindness is just empty words, locked behind a simple transaction, and yet why does it feel genuine at times?”

“Because it is, Dan Heng.”

Dan Heng looked at him in disbelief. Even at his lowest moment, the older man opted to lie, but he couldn’t bring himself to leave his side. He wanted him to continue with those lies because deep down he wanted to believe they were truths disguising themselves as fraudulent words forced into his lips.

“Why would you lie to my face like that…”

He held onto his wrists, forcing him to meet his gaze. His face was concerned, yet serious. “Why do you think I’m lying?” he spoke, trying to keep his voice from breaking. “Why do you always take my kindness as sinful?” he took a deep breath, so as not to raise his voice at him. “Why do you always fail to give yourself the value you are actually worth?” he paused for a moment, looking deeply into Dan Heng’s eyes. “Why can’t you see yourself the way I see you, Dan Heng?” he whispered.

“How am I supposed to see myself, then?” Dan Heng scoffed. “What do you see in me if not someone you get to throw your money to, for a few hours of ecstasy and pleasure?”

“All I see is someone who deserves to be loved and cherished. Someone I care strongly about. The one person I wouldn’t mind waking up next to every day. The only one I get to spoil, to love, to be with." He placed his hands on his cheeks. “Dan Heng, all I ever wish for is to be able to call you mine.”

Dan Heng stared at him, tears in his eyes. All of these thoughts that had crossed his mind a billion times… What if this were real? What if his feelings were genuine? As he was standing in front of him, begging him to believe him, he realized that insecurity was the real sin. He wished he could have believed him sooner; he hoped he could have realized that he was hiding behind his personal doubts. If he didn’t even love himself, how could that handsome, well-established man love him sincerely?

“Should I really believe you?” he whispered.

“I promise, you will not find another person who is more sincere than I in this world,” Blade hugged him tightly and held him as he lashed out. All the tears he kept holding in until last night, all the doubt he hid behind empty words, at that very moment, he could just let it all go. As his voice broke, his body gave out, his eyes were sore, yet the older man would hold him with such care.

“How long have you been feeling like this?” asked Blade softly as he ran his fingers through his hair. Holding him in his arms as Dan Heng clung to his chest, finally calm.

“Ever since you started calling me to ‘just hang out’ with no expectation of us fucking…”

As for my romantic feelings towards you, that is something I’m not even ready to admit to myself to the full extent. I am unsure when it all started, all I know is that these feelings were so strong they felt suffocating at times. Like a strong wind picking me up from the ground without any concern about my well-being, tossing me through rocks and trees. Leaving me deeply wounded as it tosses me with excessive force into a body of water that’s too deep for me to be able to swim out of with ease. As I still look at the light peaking through the small waves forming at the top of this pit, I reach my hand out for help, yet there’s no one there. I am left there unable to grasp for air, drowning. I wish I could have been my savior, yet I was the one who let the wind drown me. And now, you are teaching my drowning self how to swim again. You aren’t the helping hand that would drag me out of my suffering; you are there to make sure I won’t drown again.

I love you, Blade. Hopefully, one day I’ll be able to actually tell you that.

“I’m sorry…”

“Why are you the one apologizing?” he raised his head to look at him, concerned.

“When we agreed to this arrangement, I’d told you that you could come to me about anything,” Blade sighed. “So, I apologize for fostering an environment where you didn’t see this possible.”

Oh, how I wish you could recognize exactly how strong my feelings have been all this time. How every time I’d see the pale moonlight glistening in your verdigris eyes, I’d fall on my knees, praying for this moment to last for eternity. Each breath I left behind belongs to you, each touch you left on my body is a permanent mark carved onto me. When the sun and moon would meet, that’s when my soul would come look for you, it would sing for you, a melody so powerful my heart would explode upon hearing it. You were my reason to breathe, even though you’d always take my breath away with nothing but a look.

I love you. I just wish you’d realize exactly how abundant that love is, Dan Heng.

“C-can you hold me like this for a bit?” Dan Heng hesitated.

Blade's grip tightened around Dan Heng. “Of course, my love.” He lifted him up and moved him towards the head of the bed, making sure both of them were comfortable. 

They stayed like this until Dan Heng fell asleep in Blade's arms, finally being able to feel safe again. Blade took this opportunity to order them some food from room service, waking him up only when it was the perfect temperature for him to consume. Even after the food had been eaten, he didn't let him lift a finger, constantly carrying him around, taking him to where he needed to be, and bringing him anything he wanted. 

“So, now, what does this mean for us?” asked Dan Heng, and the energy of the room shifted. 

Are you even ready to take the next step for me, or is it too early to tell? I don't want you to think that I'm pressuring you, Dan Heng.

“You don't have to tell me a definite answer right now,” Blade smiled softly. “You can go home and think about this thoroughly.”

Dan Heng looked pensive yet not conflicted. 

“I have thought about this many times. It's not that I don't want to, it's that I have to see what will happen to my job if I do.”

Dan Heng's job as a photographer had him having to travel from time to time, whenever he could afford to, all over the country. However, most of his clientele was back in his hometown. Moving in with Blade meant that he'd lose most of his clients, while also being able to gain a bunch of new and important clients from the big city. The hardest part about this change for him wasn't really the shift in clients, as much as coming to terms with the fact that he had made a name for himself outside of his small town.

“If you need my help, don't be afraid to ask.”

Blade knew that he wasn't known for asking for help from most people, yet he was still willing to show him that he wanted to be one of them.

“Don't worry. For now, let's just spend my final day in the big city together.” He smiled. He could tell that the younger man didn't want to stress about these decisions right now, so he didn't push any further.

“Do you want a ride to the airport?” Blade offered, kissing his forehead. 

“If it's not too much trouble…”

“It really isn't. I'll drive you to your hotel, help you pack, and then we'll head to the airport. Sounds good?”

He really has thought of everything, knowing everything that makes me anxious and trying his best to ensure I feel alright. It's kind of…sweet. 

“I’ve already packed my things, actually. But the rest sounds like a plan.”

He could tell that Blade was getting nervous for him. Constantly making checks, speaking softly so as not to startle him, almost as if he was afraid he'd break.

“Great,” he sighed in relief. “We'll take it easy for today, alright?” 

Blade tried to hide his concern for Dan Heng since last night, yet he was obviously unsuccessful.

“I don't think I'd want to do something crazy anyway,” Dan Heng chuckled, pointing to the fact that his legs were sore.

“Is there anything I can get you? Anything to ease the soreness?” Blade immediately got the hint, cursing himself under his breath for not bringing this up sooner.

“Some ice…” 

Blade kissed Dan Heng's forehead again, gently placing him on the bed where they stood. “Ice, right… Ice,” he said as he ran to the front desk to ask for a packet of ice for his hopefully boyfriend.

Chapter Text

The time had finally arrived. Dan Heng’s stay in the big city felt like it had lasted forever, yet - at the same time - as if it’d gone by in mere seconds. The drive to his hotel room was silent. Blade clenched the steering wheel as if doing so would slow time, leaving every unspoken word fall into taciturnity, while his beloved would stare into the window of the passenger seat. 

“So, now, what does this mean for us?” 

A simple question that would ensnare all his thoughts within its vines like an invasive species, something he’d asked himself many times, and deep down, he already had the answer. 

By the time they’d reached the room, March and Himeko had already left for the airport, with March leaving a small note on top of Dan Heng’s bed that said, “I hope you had fun with your ‘totally-not-lover’, see ya at the airport!” 

“Your coworker seems…delightful, to say the least.” Blade chuckled to himself, holding the note just out of reach of his beloved grasp. 

“That’s…one way to describe her, yes.” 

“I find it quite endearing,” he said as he sat on the bed. “It’s good to have people like that around.”

“Do you have someone like that around?” Dan Heng playfully raised his eyebrow. 

“As a matter of fact, I do,” Blade looked at the ground, a smile almost forming on the corner of his lips. “Most people around the office see me as this cold, unapproachable, sometimes cruel, man…”

“And you’re…not?” Dan Heng interrupted. 

“I am when the situation calls for it,” Blade continued. “Point is,” he began fiddling with his thumbs, “with power comes this suffocating feeling of loss of one’s humanity.”

Dan Heng sat next to him, leaning onto his shoulder.

“It’s hard to find someone within that environment who treats me as ‘Blade’, not when the CEO title is attached to it.”

“I thought you liked having that power, that sense of control.” 

“You know I do,” he said, placing his hand on Dan Heng’s cheek, making their gazes lock onto each other. “I just wish the people around me didn’t act like I was someone important all the time.”

“What about that one person that doesn’t?”

“Her name is Kafka, my Chief Financial Officer. I’m sure she’d love to meet you sometime,” he smiled.  

Is this why you fell for me, Blade?

Do you love me, or do you just like the idea of being treated as an equal while still being able to hold the reins? 

Why do I feel like this…

“That could be arranged, couldn’t it? Mr. CEO?” Dan Heng finally responded, as he slowly held onto Blade’s hand. 

They stayed like this for a little while, until Blade’s phone started ringing with a demanding tone. 

“Why do you always have to ruin my moment of peace?” Blade said under his breath as he looked at the contact name at the top of his phone. “I’m sorry, beloved.” 

“Do you want me to leave?”

Blade shook his head as he picked up. 

“Make this quick,” his tone was harsh, cold, something that startled Dan Heng. “Yes,” Blade barked into the phone. “I’m aware of the figures. No, I don’t care about the board’s concerns. If Kafka signed off, then it stands.” A pause, a sigh. “I’ll be back tomorrow, if they are so eager to see me.”

Dan Heng held onto him tighter as he could sense he was becoming more and more tense. The rest of the ride was completely silent, and continued being so even after they’d reached the airport.

“This really is goodbye then,” he said, leaving him no room to answer.

Dan Heng opened the faucet and stared for a moment, watching as the water fell onto his bathtub with a blank expression. He let the towel drop on the floor, his naked body getting chills from the haunting feeling of nothingness touching his shoulders. 

He got inside, letting the water touch his skin, yet he felt as if he wasn’t really there. The memory of Blade touching him, his arms tracing every inch of his body so tenderly, with such care. He could almost touch his beloved, feel his body pressing against him, yet when he came to, he was just sitting in the empty tub by himself. The room felt cold and distant. He felt alone, touching his chained collar, holding it tightly as if he hoped that his touch could somehow reach Blade, despite them being so far away. 

“Why can’t you be here with me…” he cried, yet no one was there to hear his pleas.

They had been apart many times before that, yet Dan Heng had never felt this lonely before. Desperately longing for his beloved’s touch; his mouth all over him, his affection and caring words surrounding him. His every thought was now Blade, his every waking moment spent longing. 

As for Blade…

He kept looking out the window from his office. Going back and forth between that and staring at his phone, staring at his conversation with Dan Heng, watching, looking at the text cursor as it kept blinking, demanding that he pick it up and start typing anything at all. 

His eyes trailed each letter, each previous exchange, stopping at the last messages that had been sent.

  Text me when you get home, dear.

I will. 

If you need something

don’t hesitate

Just ask. 

Yeah, I know.

He held the phone tightly, his fingers hovering over the letters, his mind thinking of everything he wanted to tell him.

You haven’t texted me in 2 weeks. Did I do something? Did you decide that|

He hesitated.

You haven’t texted me in 2 weeks. Did I do something? Did yo| 

These past weeks of silence were starting to get to him; the doubt was making him drown in his very own abyss.

You haven’t texted me in 2 weeks| 

He couldn't get away from what he craved most, yet the anticipation was killing him. No matter where he’d look, he’d see the memories they’d left behind as they separated at that airport, the moment he’d let go of his hand. 

Y|

Nothing else mattered, no one else but his beloved Dan Heng.

“Mr. Blade?” his secretary said sheepishly, yet Blade hadn’t even noticed they were there; he didn’t even realize someone had been talking to him this entire time.

“Ok, I can’t take this bullshit anymore,” Kafka finally spoke out, approaching the dark-haired man. “Bladie, you’ll either step up and start acting like the company’s CEO,” she glanced at his phone, noticing the name Dan Heng at the top of his messages, “or you’ll call that toy of yours and figure things out.”

“Hmm?” he responded, barely tuned into the conversation, as Kafka was holding him by the shoulders. 

“Get your shit together and quit acting like a bitchass,” she finally let him go, suggesting to his secretary to follow her outside, leaving him alone. 

Fuck. 

It had been almost a month since they started having little to no contact. Blade would send Dan Heng money from time to time, asking him how he is, yet Dan Heng’s responses were usually short and rushed. 

He decided to risk it all, even if it meant that Dan Heng would never speak to him again. A plan he was unsure would be fruitful, yet he’d still go ahead and fulfill, one step at a time. 

Send me your address.

The message took Dan Heng by surprise, yet he decided to humor him. 

Dan Heng has sent you a pin to his location.

Thank you.

I’ll be in touch soon. 

Except he wouldn’t.

At least a week would go by, and Blade would not text or call Dan Heng at all. Leaving him wondering if something had changed. Even so, Dan Heng had no time to deal with the mixed signals of his complicated relationship. His biggest problem was one of his biggest clients canceling on him last minute.

“I apologize for the inconvenience, Mr. Heng,” she said, her tone full of insincerity. 

“Did something happen, Ms. Jiang? Were you unsatisfied with the initial project?” He tried to stay calm and professional, even though losing this job would most likely ruin him. 

“Nothing of the sort, Mr.Heng, I can assure you,” she smiled, a smile so fake, he could see the cracks of her mask slowly break apart. “We just got word that our budget cannot afford your services due to internal matters.”

“You could have just told me that you found someone else who would do my work for less…” 

He walked out of the building, his portfolio in hand, full of all the concepts and samples he had spent hours preparing for a client he thought was a reliable source of income. 

He wouldn't check his texts.

He wouldn't check his calls. 

For the first time in a long time, he had to figure out where to go from there, how he'd bounce back from this. He thought of calling Blade multiple times, each time posing a different question in his head, but he never committed to it. 

Should he ask him for advice, knowing he's the CEO of an already successful company? Should he ask him for more money if it comes to it? Should he pay him a visit to forget about everything? 

Each question felt stupider than the last. Each time he picked up the phone, he slowly put it down, regretting it more and more as he repeated those actions. 

The doorbell sound broke the silence of his empty living room, though he wasn’t expecting anyone that day. The corridor between his leaving room and his front door felt endless, almost as if it was continuously elongated the more he walked. Thoughts passed through his mind like a whirlwind. Maybe it was wishful thinking, but he hoped to see Blade standing behind that door. He stared through the peephole, yet no one was there; the streets were empty, silent. His hand hovered over the door handle, occasionally shaking, until he finally opened the door. Dan Heng looked around his peaceful neighborhood, trying to recognize anyone who walked by. He stepped forward as he felt that he’d kicked something. Looking down, he discovered a box and sighed. 

“Why did I ever get my hopes up?” he mumbled, picking up the box and closing the door behind him. Before he could even think of opening up the package, he felt a vibration from his back pocket, causing him to gently place it onto his coffee table.

A particular name appeared on his screen.

Bitchass CEO

Dan Heng’s lips thinned. His thumb hovered over the decline button for a moment too long before he finally accepted the call, sitting down on his sofa.

“What do you want?” His voice was flat, clipped, already laced with irritation.

“I know it’s been a while since we last spoke, beloved, but there’s no need to be this cold,” came the drawling reply, smug and honeyed in a way that made Dan Heng’s jaw tighten.

“You know exactly why I’m cold with you,” he said sharply, leaning back. “And dare I say, you deserve it.”

A low chuckle filtered through the speaker. “I can sense your pouting all the way here, Dan Heng. I take it you haven’t looked into the package yet.”

He narrowed his eyes, glancing sidelong at the unopened parcel resting on his table like some venomous thing. “Why would I?”

“Oh, come on, don’t be like that. Have I really ruined you this much?” Blade paused for a moment, smirking. “Being away from me has you this pent up?”

Dan Heng exhaled slowly through his nose, patience fraying. “I’ll open the package if it makes you shut up.”

“If you say so,” the voice replied, amusement dripping from every syllable.

Dan Heng slowly opened the box, with Blade anticipating his reaction. He chuckled quietly enough so that the phone would not pick up on it, realizing exactly what the CEO’s devious plans had been.

“Was playing with me not enough for you?” he finally spoke. “Now, you want to take away one of your good qualities as well?”

“I wouldn't say so, beloved,” Blade smirked, indicating that they were both in on his little game. “Now, why don't you get yourself loose for me?”

Dan Heng took the lube out of the box, staring at the bottle as he slowly undressed himself, smiling at the thought of Blade losing his mind over not being able to see him. He rubbed some on his fingers, getting them nice and slick, letting some noises escape him to let Blade know he was very much obliging him.

“How many fingers are you using?” Blade asked in a demanding tone. 

“Want me to slowly count them for you?” Dan Heng let out a playful moan as he started circling his hole with his slick finger. “One, mmhm,” he started counting as he teased himself, quickly inserting a finger inside him, then immediately pulling it out. “Oh, but one isn’t enough now, is it?” His seductive yet bratty voice had Blade going insane, that feral urge to touch him through the phone growing stronger with each word. 

“Can I put two fingers inside me?” he paused for what felt like forever before he slowly syllabized “Beloved?” his tone, eager yet teasing, as if he knew he had the older man wrapped around his fingers. 

“Y-yes.” Blade struggled. His composure almost completely lost between his fantasies and Dan Heng’s voice. “Do as you please,” he finally let out, unable to control himself anymore.

“Oh, what’s wrong, Beloved?” Dan Heng chuckled. “Are you too busy fantasizing about how my fingers feel inside my tight hole?” he bit his lip, soft moaning as he described what he was doing to himself by posing his dom questions. “How badly would you want to bear witness to me stretching it as I’m spreading my fingers open, mphm?” 

“D-Dan Heng…” his breathing sounded labored, as if he’d been chewing on his pillows from how feral the younger one made him feel.

“Oh, don’t tell me you got hard by the mere thought?” The sound of him looking through the box could be heard from the other line, making Blade clench his bedsheets with his hand. “How does it feel knowing that a huge cock is about to go inside me, Blade?” he asked as he lathered the silicone dildo with lube. “Don’t you wish that was yours?”

“You’ll regret being so smug, beloved.” Blade smiled, his voice becoming stern again. Dan Heng gulped. “You want to put that dick inside you so badly?” his voice echoed through the phone, making Dan Heng act like an obedient puppy to the mere sound of his mouth opening. 

“Yes,” he responded, his voice eager. 

“Then do it…slowly.” 

Dan Heng nodded, as if he could sense Blade’s gaze scanning his body, placing the dildo on top of the couch. He stood up, slowly letting it make its way inside him, with Blade constantly commanding him to stop sliding down, making his knees weak. “B-Blade,” Dan Heng whined, clinging to his earlier behavior.  

“What happened? Are your knees getting weak?” Dan Heng would only let a few whines escape him in response. “I didn’t know you were such an eager slut for cock.” Dan Heng's struggling moans and heavy breaths were music to the CEO’s ears. “You know what you have to do, don’t you?”

“Please, Blade,” he gasped for air, his legs trembling. “Please let me keep going,” he begged like a whiny dog, as he was now completely at his mercy. “Very well,” Blade smirked. “Take it all in at once,” he commanded, and Dan Heng did not hesitate to obey. 

He kept moaning, waiting for Blade to tell him to move, and yet…

Silence.

He waited for the next command, struggling to keep his composure, but all he could hear was the ticking of the clock in his living room. “Look inside the box again, there is a little something you’ve missed,” Blade’s voice finally broke the silence, making Dan Heng scatter through the box once more. 

“Is that…” he took the ‘little something’ in his hands, “a cock ring?”

“Clever,” smiled Blade. “I need you to wear it now, my beloved.” 

Dan Heng struggled as the cock ring wrapped tightly around his hard, leaking cock, waiting for Blade’s command before slowly sliding it all the way down its base. His dick twitched, his hole clenched around the rubbery cock that was filling him up so nicely, hoping to hear that he could finally feel release. 

“Get dressed,” said Blade, making him whine louder as he turned his head to face his phone in shock. Yet, before he could say anything in retaliation, his beloved spoke again. “Grab the envelope that you so clearly missed during your eagerness and the clothes that I picked specifically for you. Your driver is waiting for you outside.” Dan Heng froze, staring at the clothing perfectly folded inside the box. “Hopefully you already know that removing the gifts you’re wearing is not an option.”

“You want me to go out like this?” said Dan Heng, his cheeks flushed from the embarrassment of thinking about his vulnerable state and hard cock. 

“The driver was paid a considerable amount to keep his mouth shut, don’t you worry,” Blade could sense the man’s embarrassment, as well as his not-so-hidden horniness. “Can’t say the same for the people at your final destination, however. So you best be on your best behavior,” he leaned in closer to the mic, “You wouldn’t want them to find out how much of a cock-slut you truly are.”

Dan Heng gulped before starting to wear the clothing one by one, carefully examining each of them. A black skin-tight see-through body suit, a white cotton button-up shirt with loops for 3 separate belts to go through, baggy black jean cargo shorts, and a pair of skin-tight leg warmers to go with it. An outfit that looked rather simple, yet he knew it must have cost him yet another ‘considerable amount’. 

He stayed on the line, getting dressed while letting Blade walk him through it, one article of clothing at a time, praising him, until it was finally time for him to grab his keys and walk out the door.

“Head towards the black jeep right across the street.”

“A very subtle vehicle indeed,” thought Dan Heng as he followed Blade’s orders. He sat on the backseat, greeting his driver and thanking her for putting up with Blade’s bullshit. She nodded with a grin, which made him think that there was more to this than he’d originally thought. 

“I’d hold tight if I were you,” whispered Blade. 

“What do you mean-nghhh.” Dan Heng tilted his head upwards, biting his lip in pleasure. The gifts his beloved had been so adamant he’d wear were vibrating, sending him into a full sense of ecstasy.

“Do you like your gifts, Dan Heng?” He smirked as he pressed on the speed button of his remote, causing the vibration to quicken. The younger one couldn’t utter a word; he held onto his cargo shorts, trying to hide his pleasure from the poor driver. 

Dan Heng tried to speak multiple times, yet every time he’d open his mouth, Blade would make the vibration go faster, stronger. He could feel his hole clenching harder and harder onto the silicone, twitching, begging for more. Yet as he was about to let himself go in his own pleasure, the vibration stopped. 

“B-blade…” he struggled, eager for him to press the button again.

“It’s too early for that now, beloved. I’d hate to see you getting bored before you reach the desired location.”

“H-how long…”

“That depends, how long do you think you’d last?”

Vibration started again, yet it was slow, almost non-existent. Dan Heng squirmed on his sheet, trying to push the vibrating cock deeper inside him, moving more and more into it as subtly as he possibly could. 

“Is everything alright, hun?” asked the driver, reminding him that he wasn’t alone, almost as if she wanted to warn him that if he wanted release, he’d have to continue playing Blade’s game by his rules.

“Y-yeah, everything is fine…” he hid his face with his hand, looking at his feet to avoid eye contact, knowing that she could see him from the rearview mirror.

The vibration finally started speeding up before immediately stopping again. 

“I want to hear your needy voice, beloved.”

“N-not now…” He tried to hide his desperation, yet it was still apparent. “Wait until we are alone.” Blade went silent. He wouldn’t speak, nor would he turn the vibration back on. Dan Heng stared at his phone, waiting for his dom to say something, anything. 

“We are almost there, sir,” the driver told him a total of three times before the words finally registered in his mind. 

“Oh, right…Thank yo-oughmph.” As he spoke, the vibration was turned on for one last time. The fastest setting, the strongest setting, the sensation he felt as both dildo and cock ring were vibrating drove him insane.

“See this as the beginning of your punishment for that bratty behavior of yours, beloved,” he smiled.

“M-make it s-stop,” whined Dan Heng. 

“A moment ago, you were practically begging for me to turn it back on. What happened to that?” his fingers hovered over the remote’s buttons, occasionally pressing onto one of them, listening as Dan Heng reacted to the sound, hoping that something would change.

The car finally stopped, and the back door had been opened for him, prompting Blade to turn off the vibration. 

“Mr. Blade has been waiting for you,” Blade’s secretary smiled at a very flushed and pent-up Dan Heng, holding out their hand for him to reach.

“I’ll see you soon, beloved. Be nice,” said Blade before hanging up. 

Dan Heng followed the secretary into the building, looking around in awe at how massive everything was. Everyone was working like a perfectly programmed machine, navigating the huge halls, fingers typing at fast speeds, focused on their tasks. 

They reached the extravagant elevator, and the secretary pointed to it, prompting Dan Heng to step inside. They pressed the button before walking out of the elevator. “Good luck,” they finally said as the doors closed in front of them. 

He was finally there, ready to face Blade after months of silence and hours of torment. As the doors opened again, he took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself for that very moment, yet instead of being faced with the tall handsome CEO, a tall pink-haired woman, leaning on the doorframe, met his gaze.

 “You must be our wonderful CEO’s boy-toy,” she smiled as she looked up and down at Dan Heng, almost as if she was scanning his body through his clothes. A familiar hand touched her shoulder, slightly pushing her to the side, as his other arm wrapped the young man around his shoulder. “That’s enough, Kafka,” he said firmly. 

“Oh, that’s Kafka…” 

“Oh, come on, Bladie,” she placed her finger under his jaw in a teasing way. “You invited the poor thing to swim with the sharks, and somehow I’m the bad guy?” Blade stared at her, his grasp on Dan Heng tightening.

“Don’t listen to her, beloved. Come with me.” He took him away from Kafka’s gaze, walking towards his massive office. “Have fun,” she giggled, “make sure you lock the doors,” she said as the sound of the doors closing could be heard in the distance.   

Blade sat on his office chair, pulling Dan Heng onto his lap, letting his fingers trail from his barely covered chest onto his neck, wrapping around it and pulling it closer for his lips to ravage. The young one gasped as he felt his beloved’s teeth touch his bare skin, his lips grazing his neck, letting small bites taste him. 

“These past few weeks have been hell without you,” he said in between bites, his hand tightening around his small waist as he firmly pressed him down into his lap. His other hand was slowly unbuttoning the top two buttons of his shirt, enough for it to slide through and grab his chest. “Oh, what’s this little thing?” he smirked as his fingers met his nipple, causing Dan Heng to gasp at the touch of the metal that was pierced in place. "When were you planning on telling me that you got your nipples pierced?”

“I wanted you to see for yourself,” Dan Heng whispered, prompting Blade to lift him up and walk towards his windows that oversaw the city. “Blade…what are you doing?” he yelled, and soon after Blade put him down, making him face towards the view. 

“You have been driving me mad,” he said as he started ripping his button up from him, “Surrounding my every waking thought.” Dan Heng watched the buttons of his faint reflection on the glass get unbuttoned one by one, “Not letting me focus on my work.” The belt buckles slowly became loose as Blade pulled on them, “And now that you finally get to see me…” throwing them onto the floor. “You act like a brat,” He watched as he tore down his shorts and leg warmers like a feral predator hunting down his prey, leaving only his body suit intact. “Hiding things from me,” his fingers slid under the already tight fabric, reaching for his nipples, pinching them, twisting them until Dan Heng whimpered and moaned in response. “And then you have the audacity to provoke me like this?” 

He pressed himself against his back, letting him feel his hard, throbbing cock through the fabric, preparing him for what's to come. Dan Heng made the gesture of preparing to leave, prompting Blade to press him firmly against the glass. “You aren't going anywhere, beloved,” he whispered before biting his ear. “You are to stay here until the entire city both sees and hears exactly what kind of horned out whore you are.” 

“What about the office?” he said in between whimpers. 

“Funny you mention that,” The older man grabbed the back of his neck, making him face his office’s doors. “There is a chance that someone will walk in on us at any moment.” At first, Dan Heng thought he was bluffing until he realized that the doors were indeed unlocked. What Blade hadn't told him was that his office was soundproof.

“One question still remains, beloved.” Dan Heng’s arms were behind his back, without any instruction from the older man, almost as if he knew that was exactly where they belonged. His nipples were pressed on the cold glass, the thin fabric of the body suit barely protecting them from the change in temperature between the glass and Blade’s warm hands. “How much can your knees handle?” His hands wandered as his gaze met with Dan Heng’s spine, going all the way down his ass, his fingers squeezing him hard until marks appeared on his skin. 

“As long as you need them to,” Dan Heng struggled, as Blade tugged on his body suit, pulling it to the side to reveal his needy hole, filled up with his gift. 

He slowly pulled it out, little by little, before shoving it back in with force. Dan Heng twitched, letting himself go to the sensations he was feeling. With his nipples sensitive from the fabric and the piercings being forced into the cold glass, his hard dick wrapped around the cock ring that was barely contained inside the body suit’s thin crotch line, him being trapped between the entire city and the greedy CEO that was having his way with him in his office, paired up with the immense teasing he'd faced on the way there, Dan Heng wouldn't last long. 

“Now, be a good boy and count for me.”

“Count wh-aah,” he spanked him as his other hand wrapped nicely around Dan Heng's cock, covering his urethra with his fingers. 

“Count the amount of times you'll be punished until you get what you want,” he said, squeezing Dan Heng's cheek right where that beautiful red mark was. “So, what was that?” 

“O-one,” Dan Heng cried out. 

Blade smiled as his grip around Dan Heng's cock tightened. Once again, taking the dildo out little by little before letting it go back in and spanking him again. 

“T-two,” he struggled.

His ass was red, hand-shaped marks perfectly forming on his cheeks, his dick twitching, yet he couldn’t feel release, not with Blade’s finger in the way. His moans were so loud, he was sure someone would barge in, but he didn’t care. At that very moment, he wanted the world to know how desperate he was for Blade’s dick. 

“You’re not counting, beloved.”

“T-twenty,” he pressed himself onto Blade’s dick that was ready to burst the seams of his pants. He grabbed Dan Heng’s waist, kissing him at the back of his neck, firmly pressing him against him as he groaned. 

“You’ve been so good, beloved,” he whispered, biting the corner of his ear, “It’s only fair that you get the reward you’ve been craving, don’t you think?” He took the base of the dildo in his hand, twisting it around, shoving it deeper inside him,

“Mmmgh.”

“Speak clearer than that, my sweet. I can’t give you what you want if I can’t understand you.”

“Y-yes, yes!” he said emphatically, his hands grabbing onto Blade’s neck, pulling him closer to him. “P-please, I want it, give me your dick, Blade, please,” his voice desperate, his fingers sliding off Blade’s neck as he tried to hold onto him, his knees barely holding on. 

“Alright,” he finally spoke, grabbing onto Dan Heng’s hands and placing them on the cold glass window. “Then press yourself against the glass and spread your legs for me.” The younger one immediately obeyed, waiting for Blade to stay true to his words. What he hadn’t accounted for, however, was the fact that Blade was going to go all out. 

He took half of the dildo out of Dan Heng’s hole, which was still clenching down on it in desperation, but instead of continuing, he then proceeded to spread his cheeks wider, his fingers inserting themselves inside, stretching him out more. “W-what are you nghh doing…” His tip finally touched his entrance, barely being able to fit inside with how already full it was. “Giving you your reward,” he smiled, his tip now fully inserted, making Dan Heng lose his mind, pressing his palms harder onto the glass.

Blade’s dick slowly made its way deeper inside Dan Heng’s hole, finally touching base, as he pushed the dildo fully inside as well. He stayed there for a bit, making sure his sub was alright, asking him to take deep breaths as they rested, proud of how well he took two cocks in him. That moment of peace did not last long, however, when Blade reached for the remote on top of his desk. Dan Heng saw him in the faint reflection of the glass, mentally preparing himself for what was to come. The button was pressed, the speed of the vibration was already too much to handle on its own, yet that was when Blade began thrusting hard. Dan Heng whimpered in pleasure, trying his best to hold onto the glass that was firmly pressing on his already sensitive dick, listening to Blade moaning and granting as his mind went blank, which was all he needed to hold on. 

“You’re doing so well, beloved,” he said in between thrusts, Dan Heng’s ass becoming more and more red from their impact. 

“C-can I p-please cum?” asked Dan Heng, his words almost inaudible. “Since you’re asking so nicely, let me help you with that,” Blade pressed him harder into the glass window, living almost no room for his hand to slide through, grabbing onto Dan Heng’s dick, his fingers perfectly hugging the shaft as he began doing up-and-down movements as fast as he could, causing Dan Heng’s legs to give out. He put his knee in his crotch to catch him, reassuring him that it was almost over as he finally gave in. Dan Heng couldn’t take it anymore, he came all over Blade’s hand, his cum dripping down the window, while his hole was filled up with his beloved's seed. 

“Are you alright?” asked Blade, his voice sweet and caring. 

“I’m fine,” Dan Heng gasped, letting the older one grab onto him, as he led him onto his chair, where he lay on his lap. “Just spent.”

Blade smiled, removing Dan Heng’s hair from his face, “You did so well, beloved.” his hands started caressing his back, as he pressed kisses all over his body, while slowly removing the vibrator to let him finally catch a break. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too,” Dan Heng whispered, letting their lips touch, pressing soft kisses. 

They stood in silence for a short while, content with themselves, until Blade finally spoke. 

“So, I’ve been meaning to ask…” he paused for a second, staring into Dan Heng’s verdigris eyes, who were also staring back at him, holding on to every word. “Do you want to stay with me? As an actual, proper couple?” 

Chapter Text

“Blade,” Dan Heng sighed, unsure of how to proceed. “I don’t think this is the place for this sort of conversation…”

Blade’s grip tightened, as his gaze became more intense, his body wanting to flee, yet there he stood staring back at him, his voice hitting him like a hundred blades piercing through his chest. “No,” he spoke, and the tension rose. 

“Please, just…listen to me.”

“Dan Heng,” he grabbed his chin, grazing his fingers on his lips, “It’s about time we stopped running away from this,” pulling him closer to him. “Here and now, there’s no such thing as wrong time and place.”

“I hear you,” Dan Heng collected his thoughts, cupping Blade’s cheeks, letting their foreheads touch. “I’m not trying to avoid this, far from it,” he felt the older man’s gaze glued to him, his red eyes glistening after every word. “I was just hoping we’d have such an important conversation at a place that mattered, not an office where anyone could be eavesdropping on us,” Dan Heng leaned closer until their lips touched, pressing soft kisses. “I want this moment to be just for us, if you’ll allow it.” his gaze softened, his tone sweet. That was when Blade realized that his beloved was finally letting himself be vulnerable without holding back his feelings to please him. Moments like these were practically non-existent outside of sex. The younger one wouldn’t allow himself any attachment; he didn’t harbor any feelings once the act was over, his tone was always cold, distant, yet something within him had changed. The very reason why Blade had fallen in love with him in the first place was finally released from its entrapment. It was at this moment that he realized he couldn’t let that flame inside of his beloved die out. 

“I apologize,” Blade’s grip loosened, and his gaze dropped, as though he was deep in thought. 

“Let’s start over then,” Dan Heng smiled, and Blade’s eyes lit up in response. 

“Can you walk?” he slightly chuckled as he reached for his office phone that was sitting on his desk within his arm’s reach. “I can try,” said Dan Heng, prompting him to press a button on said phone. 

“How fast can you get here?” he said firmly, letting the powerful CEO persona of his slip through. “I’ll be there in five minutes, sir. Where to?” The now familiar voice of the driver could be heard from the speaker, causing Dan Heng to blush as he remembered what had happened in that car. “A very special place,” he said as he pressed the button and the room got quiet. 

Blade held Dan Heng as he tried to stand, his knees still weak after everything, but his will was stronger. All he had to do was master the strength to walk until they’d have reached the jeep, something that was easier said than done. 

“I’ll carry you, so you don’t have to stand for long,” Blade whispered in his ear. “I just need you to walk towards the elevator. Can you do that for me?”

“Yes,” he responded, that eagerness returning in his voice. Blade wrapped his arm around his waist, pulling him closer to him to sturdy him. “If we see Kafka, don’t let her meet your gaze, and we’ll be out of here in no time,” he whispered, before opening his office door. Dan Heng watched as Blade’s stare changed from an attentive and caring dom to a ruthless CEO who was not to be messed with.

The path to the elevator felt endless; a thousand stares were on them like vultures ready to devour them whole. An intimidating sight for the younger man, yet as Blade held him tight, all of that looming feeling would disappear into the fog surrounding them. For those few moments, it was just them, no office, no one to look, nowhere to run. 

“We’re almost there, beloved,” Blade said faintly, his words tingling the top of Dan Heng’s ear.  

There, right at the entrance, stood Kafka, with a knowing look and a smug face, arms crossed as she leaned towards the wall. “Leaving already?” she smirked. 

“Something came up,” Blade responded, holding Dan Heng tighter, protecting him from her piercing gaze. “We’ll talk about this later.”

“Spare me the details, Bladie,” she chuckled, yet didn’t push any further, seeing as thought his supposed ‘boy-toy’ was hanging on for dear life. “I will be calling a cleaning crew for your office, though. My intuition tells me that we’ll need clean up on aisle lover boy.” 

Blade scoffed, yet didn’t linger any longer. As soon as the elevator doors opened, he gently pushed Dan Heng in, keeping his distance, waiting for the doors to close behind him.

“Do you think we’ll be seeing more of that young gentleman?” asked Blade’s assistant hesitantly, 

Kafka chuckled, grabbing them by their chin. “Oh, sweet summer child, I doubt anyone but Bladie will be seeing anything from that boy ever again.” 

“We made it to the car, beloved. You can finally rest,” he gently placed Dan Heng into the car seat, sitting next to him as he permitted his driver to drive off. “It won’t be long until we’ve reached our destination, yet you needn’t worry about that; you don’t have to walk anymore.”

Dan Heng nodded, letting his tired body fall on Blade, who immediately caught him, smiling. “Everything’s about to change, beloved. Soon.” He said under his breath as Dan Heng was drifting off, barely able to hear him. 

“Sir, what about the press?” the driver broke his silence. 

“What about it?” Blade smiled. “If the press wants to uncover my deepest, darkest secret, why not serve it to them in a golden platter?”

“Wouldn’t that destroy the reputation of the young man?” she raised her concerns. 

“I won’t let anyone cause my beloved any harm, even if it ruins me in the process. Rest assured.”

The rest of the drive was quiet, yet safe. All these unspoken words left to linger in the air, creating a blanket around them as the scenery slowly changed. Protecting them from everything else happening outside, until their destination was finally in front of them. 

“My love,” Blade’s soft voice was the first thing Dan Heng heard once he regained his consciousness. “Hmm?” he spoke, half asleep still. “We’re here,” the older man smiled, as he picked him up, carefully carrying him out of the car. 

“Let me help you with the door, sir,” the driver rushed in front of him, unlocking his front door. 

“Thank you,” Blade said softly, which took them aback. “You may take the rest of the day off, take care of yourself.”

“Thank you, sir,” they smiled, leaving the keys in their holder before closing the door behind them. 

Dan Heng held onto Blade tightly, burying his face into his chest, refusing to look. “Just a little longer, beloved,” he finally spoke, holding onto him with one arm while opening the door to his back garden with the other.

The younger one finally lifted his face to witness a grandiose garden that almost looked fake. It was as if it unfolded before him like something out of a dream. Almost too perfect to be real. 

A mosaic of flowers blanketed the earth, each bloom bursting with color, roses in every shade you could imagine, tall foxgloves standing like sentinels, clusters of blue hydrangeas spilling over the edges of neat stone paths. The air was heavy with the mingling scents of jasmine and honeysuckle, yet sweet enough to have him in awe.

A gentle stream wound through the garden, its water so clear it caught the sky in its surface like a mirror. Koi fish drifted lazily beneath it, flashes of orange and white gliding between smooth river stones. A small arched bridge crossed over the stream, reflecting the sunlight that filtered through the trees.

Beyond the bridge, at the far end of the garden, stood a pavilion that seemed as though taken out of some kind of fairytale. Carved columns spiraled upward to support an ornate roof adorned with gold-tipped tiles that shimmered faintly with every breath of wind. From there, the entire garden stretched out in a breathtaking view that would make any photographer faint in excitement. At the heart of the pavilion waited a bench engraved with delicate floral patterns. Everything was picturesque, so much so that Dan Heng found it impossible to believe that Blade could ever want to leave this magical place. 

“Are we sure this is his house? Is this not just a dream?” he thought to himself, yet before he could say anything, Blade had already placed him on top of the bench. 

“You said you wanted us to talk somewhere special, so I brought you to the paradise I built for you with my bare hands,” smiled Blade, watching Dan Heng take in the beautiful scenery that was surrounding them. “Do you like it?”

“You built this for me?” he asked, trying to find the words he had kept hidden all this time. 

“I did. No matter where this takes us, no matter what your answer might be,” he held onto his hands, placing them on his beating heart. “This garden is yours, and I am but a servant, only allowed in if it’s permitted by your heart.” 

“What will happen if I deny you?” the young man teased, yet his voice was serious.

“If that’s your choice, Dan Heng, then I have no choice but to respect it and cherish the memories that we once had.” his tone was sincere, and his heart was one sentence away from breaking.

“It’s not my choice,” Dan Heng held onto Blade as if he were his oxygen, as if everything were to burn down that very moment, and he wanted to cherish his final breath with him. “None of this matters, beloved.” Blade’s eyes were staring at Dan Heng’s lips, hanging from every word coming out of his mouth as if they’d be his last. “I’m tired of holding back, tired of having to hide behind this facade. Because I do indeed care about you, I long for your touch, and I spend my every waking moment thinking about you. Everything I see is about how you make me feel. I’m tired of pretending that you mean nothing to me, because the reality is, you are my everything, and I want to be yours. Truly yours. I want you to feel the same way that I do. I just want this to be real. I don’t want you to pay for my affection; I want to be yours, even if the world around us is burning. I’m tired of hiding from the world. I’m not just a trophy for you to admire, Blade, I want to be more.” 

Blade’s gaze widened as he witnessed the tears forming under his beloved’s eyes. He instinctively wiped them away with his fingers before he finally spoke.

“My beautiful Dan Heng, with beauty and soul that could rival that of an ancient dragon, please don’t cry over this. For me, you were never just another trophy; this was always destined to be more. I am ready to provide you with everything your heart desires, yet I don’t think I’d ever be ready to let you go. Our love goes beyond titles and transactions. That desire I have for you, the real you, cannot be replicated by anyone else. Let me belong to you as much as you belong to me, my beloved. Grace me with those verdigris eyes, gaze upon me until the very end. I want the rest of my life to revolve around you. Every breath I take is yours, every thought I think is yours. Let my every waking moment be about how much I cherish you. I love you, Dan Heng. I think I’ve always had.”

The younger one grabbed him by the collar, bringing him into a deep kiss, refusing to let him go. Their breaths heavy, and their thirst unquenchable. Not even the end of the universe could keep them away from each other. 

September 22nd

It had been almost 25 years since Dan Heng was in a relationship, and everything changed that one fateful day. 

For those of you who don't have Twitter, the official art for this fic was done by the very talented Kia, which you can find on both Twitter and Vgen!