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For months the country had been plagued by a terror known as the Demon King. He was a cruel entity that was as mysterious as he was deadly, and with every discovered body, there was a new curse upon them. Flesh rotted with plague, veins protruded like black rivers, organs melted within the confinements of a body…

Despite how heavily the investigations ran, no one was any closer to discovering the identity or location of this evil. That was…until Ming Xia.

Through his unique approach, he determined the pattern in which the king roamed, and therefore was able to intersect him before the next victim could meet their gruesome fate. It was a ruthless fight, but soon the demon was taken into custody with proper safety precautions, and Ming Xia was met with glowing adoration and praise.

They vowed that once he recovered, they would hold a grand banquet in his honor, and despite the blood that dripped down his forehead, Ming Xia held the brightest smile.

He had done it. He had successfully proven himself as a worthy officer, and earned the praise he so desperately sought. This warm, pleasant sensation continued as the doors to an elegant establishment opened to him a week later, revealing a glowing room filled with other guests.

They smiled at him, congratulated him, shook his hand and offered toasts. It made him feel respected and needed, and he never wanted that feeling to fade.

Ming Xia was never one to actively drink as he knew what even the littlest sip could do, but with each guest that approached him, he felt the need to drink alongside out of fear of coming across as rude. One glass…two glasses…three…five…

He had lost track after that point, with his mind only comprehending the pleasant buzz throughout his body, and the desire to see the one he had truly been looking for since his entrance. Lie Yan.

Lie Yan was, for a lack of better words, a godsend, for he was the only one who had truly believed in Ming Xia’s capability since his apprenticeship. He defended him, helped him, teased him when it was needed, and brought butterflies to Ming Xia’s stomach that would never settle.

Ming Xia would dare say that he loved him, but of course he never mentioned a word. It was a secret he would take to his grave.

With the manner in which the alcohol clouded his mind, it made even the simplest task of walking a challenge. He wobbled, he tripped, and his shoulder had bumped against more walls or people than he had fingers, but yet his bubbling happiness never wavered for a moment. Not even when his thoughts began to question whether or not Lie Yan even attended this banquet.

He wasn’t in the main room…he wasn’t in the dining hall…and Ming Xia hoped he wasn’t in one of those bedrooms with the strange moans…for he wasn’t quite feeling another fight with demons at this time. But if not any of those places, then where?

This question was answered as the glistening doors of the balcony winked at him, and from behind sat the very man he sought. He was perched upon one of the stone benches, his expression one of boredom as he nursed from a single glass of red wine, but when he saw Ming Xia connect with the glass before opening it, the boredom became surprised concern.

“Are you–”

Whatever he had intended to ask was silenced as Ming Xia settled himself upon his lap, much like a king upon his throne. But unlike a throne, the arms that wrapped themselves around his neck held him steady, so that lips could create a burning trail across the flesh below his jaw.

With the manner in which Lie Yan jerked, it nearly caused the giddy Ming Xia to topple, and although this entire situation was one that caught him off guard, he couldn’t just let him fall. So he wrapped his arms around Ming Xia’s waist, taking note of the curve of it as he held him steady.

“You reek. How many drinks have you had?”

Ming Xia giggled, causing his breath to tickle Lie Yan’s flushed nape. “As much…as there be…people…”

Given how there were hundreds, that number could be anything.

With a sigh, Lie Yan reluctantly drew Ming Xia away, but despite the pout that now played upon those lips, it did nothing more than encourage him. For his hand slipped beneath the thin fabric of Lie Yan’s shirt, and caressed the ridges of his abs.

“A-Xia…” Lie Yan whispered, fighting to keep the tremor from his voice as he made to move Ming Xia’s hand.

“You’re so strong…you could lift me over your head like I weighed nothing,” His wrist was seized, but it didn’t stop the way his fingers traced the harsh lines. “I want to lick something sweet off of your chest.”

Any breath that was about to be exhaled caught in Lie Yan’s throat, causing his body to shake with the force of his coughing. Never in his life would he imagine such a shameless confession to spill from those innocent lips, especially not one directed at him.

Surely he had to be mistaken, but there was very little that resembled those words in sound. It had to be due to the alcohol, as individuals under the influence will behave in manners unlike themselves. That could be the only explanation, but it was like a punishment towards Lie Yan.

“Where…where did you learn such a thing?”

In his shock, Lie Yan’s grip must’ve loosened for Ming Xia’s hand traveled upwards, mapping out each curve, dent, and bump, while bringing pleasant chills down the base of the former’s spine.

“I imagine things…” Ming Xia slurred, his lips once again finding the flesh of Lie Yan’s jaw. “I imagine marriage…I imagine kissing…” He giggled again, bringing with another brush of cool air. “I want to always…hold your hand.”

Softly as a butterfly’s wing, Ming Xia trailed his lips upwards so that they pressed against Lie Yan’s cheek. It was affectionate, soft, heart warming, and it was torture for the one it was being inflicted upon. There was something so wholesome about those desires, but who was to say that they were genuine and not induced from the alcohol?

“You…my favorite…” Ming Xia’s palm lay flat against Lie Yan’s chest, much like an anchor. “Love you more than anything.”

Lie Yan’s eyes flew wide as he looked down at the flushed man in his arms. Ming Xia was like the sun, bright, joyful, and full of positivity. In his mind, everything and everyone deserved a chance, and therefore he treated them with unwavering devotion. Everyone had heard that they were loved by him at least once, but never had he mentioned that they were loved above all else.

“That’s just the alcohol talking. A-Xia, let’s get you some water and a carriage back home, alright?”

Yet Ming Xia showed no inclination of moving, rather his brows took on a furrow and he pressed even closer than before. Close enough that their hearts could nearly be felt as one, and Lie Yan could feel how steady it pulsed. There was no anxiety, no guilt…nothing to signal deception…

“No.” Was all he said before he slipped his hand out of Lie Yan’s shirt to rustle within the confinements of his uniform. He nearly fell once more, but eventually he was able to reveal his pocket watch, one that he kept on his person at all times.

The metal showed signs of age, but when it opened to reveal its interior, it held a photo that was well maintained. Lie Yan didn’t know what he was expecting, but it was not a photo of themselves, with Ming Xia looking up at him with adoration.

That photo was from their first investigation together, and Ming Xia had suggested a photo to commemorate the occasion. But that had been years ago, and he had assumed that it had gone and collected dust somewhere. Yet it was maintained with care, and was left in a place that was close to Ming Xia’s heart at all times.

“A-Xia…do..do you really mean what you said?”

A few moments passed, but Ming Xia was silent aside from a series of slow breathing. Lie Yan blinked and looked down, only to find that the man had fallen asleep sitting upright. A strange occurrence, but one that was fitting of his character.

With a huff of laughter, Lie Yan returned Ming Xia’s pocket watch, and gathered him in a more comfortable position. He would bring him home, and hopefully…hopefully…those confessions still held truth in the morning.