Work Text:
Xingyin slowly opened her eyes, staring at the soft blue of the sky as she listened to the gurgle of the nearby stream.
For a moment she was content. In that respite it felt like all of her worries were worlds away and everything was going to be fine. But just as that thought entered her mind, the guilt came rushing back.
The memory of her mother's beautiful face sullied by a grim expression and the chaotic parting with Ping'er was nearly enough to topple her. The weight felt like heavy stones that were piling on top of her body, slowly but surely crushing her until nothing was left but bone dust and whispers of her name-
She blinked, startled by the sensation of something being lightly pressed into her lips.
Dropping her gaze, Xingyin still had the strength to fondly smile before biting into the offered pear. The flesh was quick to give way, the sweetness of the fruit bursting on her tongue. She took the rest from the prince’s hand, licking up the sticky remnants of juice that clung to her lips.
Neck pricking at the heavy stare that burned into her, she shook her head when a hand lingered by the basket. A small collection of delicacies the prince had been kind enough to bring on their impulsive trip to the Mortal Realm. A porcelain wine jar, pears, and steamed buns had all been snuck out of the palace kitchen. It made Xingyin’s belly feel full, not from food but from the love he was so willing to give.
Eating the pear down to its core, she threw it to the side, watching it for a second as it disappeared into the bushes. Returning her gaze to the plated food set before them, she found herself staring at a particular meat-stuffed bun. She reached for it, only for the dish to be immediately lifted from reach.
“How about a challenge for these?”
Xingyin groaned, rolling her eyes at the prince. She hadn’t brought her bow along, and he would probably beat her at any other weapon. The prize for winning wasn’t worth it but the challenge of losing was, Liwei smiled when he knew he had her. He grabbed two sturdy sticks from the ground, tossing one to her. Xingyin easily caught it.
“Don’t you think the odds are weighing too closely in your favour? You’re the better swordsman… at least for now.” She muttered, her earlier mood souring the words.
Prince Liwei elegantly rose to his feet, circling her with a gracefulness that immediately made her skin break out into goosebumps. There was a hidden danger there that should have made Xingyin wary, instead, the sight made a flash of heat warm her cheeks.
That is until he said, "Already conceding defeat?"
The embers of desire were smothered by an inferno of pride. Jumping to her feet, her grip tightened on the stick.
Pleased with the response, Prince Liwei cheekily smiled and then summoned a length of white silk into his palm. "I'll cover one of my eyes, but I'll still win."
"By all means," Xingyin gestured, forcibly putting on a sickly sweet smile. Her annoyance grew when instead of bristling at her tone as expected, that vexing smile of his only seemed to widen. Grinding her teeth while he wound the silk around his head, she impatiently waited for him to be ready.
The air was honeyed with the scent of flowers, the petals gently drifting from the tree branches and around their stilled figures. All was quiet but for the whistle of grass and the rustling of their robes.
Xingyin sprang forward, striking at his blinded side. Prince Liwei quickly blocked it, letting the harsh contact of their weapons painfully rattle for a second before lashing out. Xingyin hissed, calf burning where she was hit. Angered by her defences being so swiftly overcome, she whirled to stab him in the chest. The sharp exhale was a temporary balm as she darted out of his reach.
Standing opposite once again, there was only a brief second until they both charged.
The silence was sliced through by the clash of wood colliding and the shuffle of their shoes on dried leaves and stone. The deafening sound rang in their ears, following each block and parry as they fought. If her body was not already aching from the sting of his attacks, Xingyin would have begrudgingly admired the prince's techniques. There was a level of control behind his actions that she had yet to master, an elegance that made his fighting seem effortless, not earned from sore muscles and laboured breath.
Xingyin blinked away the sting of the sweat on her brow, gaze narrowing when she noticed an opening. The sweet taste of victory was so close that she nearly lunged to close the gap but she hesitated, bells warningly ringing in her head. It was far too easy, especially for how long they'd sparred for the prince to make such a reckless mistake.
Shoving down a smirk, she made her decision then in that split second and moved in.
She feigned a lunge, openly grinning when her guess was correct and he leaned low. Surprise flashed on his face but it was too late. Not allowing him the chance to re-correct it, Xingyin closed the distance and struck the stick out of his hand. It flew away to land somewhere in the distance beside them, only the thump of it as it hit the ground and rolled into the foliage gave its whereabouts. Not that either gave it much thought any longer to begin with.
Xingyin now peered at the shocked expression of the prince with a grin as she sat perched above him, her stick pointed at the base of his throat. If anyone else were to see them, the Celestial court would have her head for treason. Luckily for her, they were alone, leaving her the well-deserved right to boast.
Not that it appeared the prince minded too much himself. After the initial astonishment had worn off, Prince Liwei rose both of his hands in surrender. The ribbon had slipped in the fall, revealing the brightness of his eyes as he readily declared "I admit defeat."
"As you should," she teased. Letting him remain in that position just a little longer before she moved to get off. The drop of the prince's hands onto her hips prevented that effort. Halting her movements, her wide gaze swung over to him. "Liwei?" She softly inquired, not quite trusting herself to say more.
Prince Liwei smiled, voice strong with confidence as he asked "Shouldn't you make sure you receive your prize first?" The delivery was smooth but as Xingyin glanced at the reddened tips of his ears she couldn't help the tenderness that spread in her chest.
For the sake of this play, she chose to ignore it, instead giving a considering hum. "You might be right, but now that I'm to accept my reward, I've become a bit greedy."
"Oh? Well, you're in luck, I'm in a position to give."
His words warmed her just as the hands on her body did. The contact of them pressing into each other despite all of the layers of fabric made her fidget. She flinched at the hiss that got, tossing the stick away, she shot him a look of concern. "Are you all right?" Worried that she might have gotten carried away earlier, she went to stand but was pulled back.
Xingyin rose an eyebrow, confused by the redness that had travelled from his ears and spread across the planes of his cheeks. Flushed and sheepishly avoiding her direct gaze, Prince Liwei was a sight to behold. For all of the legends of great Peerless beauties woven into pretty poetry, she was sure then and there that none could compare to the image below her. Spellbound, she was absent of any control over herself as she leaned in.
Prince Liwei's eyes widened then promptly fell shut when their lips pressed together. Sighing against her mouth, he rose a hand to cup the side of her jaw. Fingers finding the thrum of her pounding pulse, it was a perfect mirror to his own as he eagerly kissed her. The floral scent of the flowers was lost to him, the pleasure of it meaningless in comparison to the sweetness of Xingyin's lips on his. Even the faint sweat from their bout wasn't as offensive as it ought to have been, instead, it was a reminder that the person he cherished most in this world was strong and healthy.
Xingyin gave a soft exhale, her calloused fingers reaching to cling to his arms. The barely audible sound cut deeper into him than any blade has, pinning him in place. He hungrily kissed her in response, tongue swiping along her bottom lip for entry. The corner of his lip curled when she gave it to him.
The wet glide and heavy breathing filled the forest, blocking out all else as Xingyin shifted her stance. Her lower back was beginning to hurt from staying hunched over for so long but the feel of him made it worth it. Still, she tried to move into a more comfortable position, the action rousing that same curious sound from the prince. Eyes slightly opening, she peered at where she sat.
Earlier she had sworn she had felt something bumping into her but had chased the thought away, now, however...
Xingyin's face exploded into a bright red flush, unknowingly tearing herself away as the prince tried to take chase. Pouting at her lips, he tried to pull her in but blinked when his hands were swatted. "Xingyin?" He rasped, the lowness of his voice making her stomach flip. "What's wrong?"
"You...!" She sputtered, embarrassed beyond belief but not willing to say why. She looked away from his searching gaze, not able to stand it when she could feel him pressed so eagerly into her bottom.
It took a second for it to dawn on him. She knew it had when his face broke out into a blush that went to his throat. "I..." He croaked and rapidly looked back and forth to their hips and over to her expression. "That's..."
Not willing to bear it any longer, Xingyin's hands flashed forward and grabbed ahold of the silk, yanking it up so it covered his eyes again. In the silence that followed, she could safely take in some calming breaths without worrying about being watched. It wasn't as if she was completely taken aback, despite the limited schooling she had received back home with only her mother and Ping'er for company, she wasn't in entire oblivion to the matters between people who desired one another. Though she had never discussed it with them, nor would she have the nerve to, not with the melancholy that always tidal waved her mother when topics of romance arose.
The library had been her teacher. Tucked far away into hidden shelves in the back of the collection was literature on forbidden love and tragedy. Greedy for something not bathed in the beautiful monochrome but painfully boring hues of the moon, she devoured her weight in these stories and much more.
Still, to experience it herself, well...
Call her what you want, a stubborn fool she most certainly was but Xingyin was not a coward. Arming herself with bravery, Xingyin drew the prince close, ignoring the startled gasp as she kissed him. Quickly moving away from his mouth to pepper kisses onto his face and trail to the side of his jaw to his neck. The sounds he made were music to her ears, lovelier than any instrument created and it emboldened her to do more.
He moaned at the hesitant brush along his throat, his adam's apple bobbing as she ventured as far as the collar of his robes allowed. "Xingyin," he breathed. The airy note sent a shiver racing up her spine as the hands clutching at her waist tightened their grip.
"En?" She hummed, not trusting herself to do anything else.
"Be careful." One of those hands slid up her torso, while the other pushed her down, reminding her of how affected he was. Xingyin chewed on her bottom lip, a sense of mischievousness having her experimentally roll her hips.
The reaction was immediate. A startled high-pitched moan entered her ears for only a second before she was thrown to the side and covered by another body. She grinned when he tore the ribbon away, revealing an indignant expression. "Xingyin," he snapped. If it weren't for the weight of his cock, she might have been impressed.
She challengingly met his gaze, holding no remorse whatsoever. "Yes, Your Highness?" She sang, a smirk growing when he struggled to compose himself.
"You..." He eventually ground out.
"You?" She parroted, immensely delighted the further he seemed to sink.
Prince Liwei's glare sharpened, the iciness behind it a nearly perfect depiction of untouchable royalty if it weren't for the rumpled attire and the blush that seemed to have permanently stained his high cheekbones. "Xingyin," he warned, the drop of his voice making her skin crawl in a delicious way.
She swallowed the lump in her throat, nervousness making way for her excited anticipation of what was to come. Prince Liwei appeared to pick up on it too, a promise burning in his eyes as he leaned in. She inhaled, mouth growing dry as their faces were inches apart and then-
Splat!
They both reeled back, staring at each other in a daze as Xingyin rose a hand to her forehead, smearing the liquid that had fallen there. Confused, they both noted the clear liquid before their attention rose to the sky peeking from the cracks between the branches. What had been a calm blue sky had churned into a dismal grey that gave little time to register before it split open and rained with a ferocity that had them scrambling up in a squealing mess of limbs.
His hand immediately found hers, pulling her to a stand. Their carefree laughter soared high in the air as it followed the splashes of their footsteps while they ran for better cover.