Content Warning: Mature intimate scene

The moon was hanging overhead in the velvety night sky.  Stars twinkled like scintillating jewels thrown against the heavens.  The cool night air was punctuated by the chirping of crickets and the occasional hoot of an owl.

Inside the cottage, the bed creaked.  The jade hairpin and brown hair tie were on the nightstand.  Two sets of robes and pants had been tossed aside on the floor.  Leiyu sat upright on the mattress.  Thallios sat before him, running his slender fingers through his long black hair.

“I like it when your hair is down like this,” Thallios whispered.  “It looks wild, in a good way.”

Leiyu smiled and pulled him in closer, running his fingers through Thallios’ auburn strands.  “We’re not supposed to run around in public with our hair untied.”

“Yeah, it was about the same back…,” Thallios paused, not wanting to say “home” since he now considered the Eastern Region his home.  “...back then.  My father and I wore our hair up in buns with jewels.  My mother used to as well…before she became ill.”

Leiyu rested his cheek against Thallios’ head.  “Does it make you unhappy…when you talk about the past?”

“Ah…a little…not as much as it used to when we first left the Western Region.  I know you just want me to be happy but…”

"You can talk about it.  I’ll just listen.”

“Mm.  I don’t want to talk too much right now.  Just want to be here with you.”

Thallios leaned back so he could see Leiyu’s face.  He put his hands on Leiyu’s cheeks and kissed him.  Leiyu rested his fingers on the nape of Thallios’ neck and placed his other palm on the mattress.  He lowered them both down slowly until Thallio’s back was flat against the sheets.

Leiyu pressed his lips to Thallios' forehead.  He kissed a gentle trail down his nose, lips, and neck.  Thallios’ breath hitched.  Leiyu slowly brushed his hands over Thallios’ torso.  Thallios’ face flushed.  Leiyu kissed his abdomen.  He moved downwards so that his lips brushed Thallios’ hips and then his inner thigh.  The strands of his black hair left ghostly traces over Thallios’ skin.

“Leiyu…” Thallios gasped.

Leiyu continued downwards.  He brushed his lips against Thallios’ slender ankles.  Thallios closed his eyes and exhaled slowly.

“Leiyu…I love you…”

Leiyu went back up and cupped Thallios’ face.  “Thallios, I love you too.”  

He ran his fingers through Thallios' hair and lowered himself gently until their chests pressed together.   Their hearts were beating rapidly.  Thallios wrapped his arms around Leiyu’s back.

“Leiyu…I want…you…please…”

Leiyu reached over to the nightstand.  He opened the drawer and took out a small jar.  He remembered being self-conscious when he purchased it at the market.  The merchant made some comment about how he must have a happy wife at home and Leiyu did not bother to correct him.

“Is this what you want?” he asked softly.

“Yes,” Thallios breathed.

Leiyu unscrewed the lid and reached into the jar.  He dabbed his fingers in the seaweed gel and scooped out a small amount.  He put the jar back on the nightstand.

“If at any time, it feels like it’s too much, please tell me,” Leiyu said.

“Okay.  Just go slowly.”

Thallios gasped when Leiyu slipped a finger inside of him.  With his other hand, Leiyu reached over and caressed Thallios’ face.  Thallios' cheeks were heating up.

“Is this all right?” Leiyu asked.

“Yes,” Thallios replied softly.

Leiyu moved his finger in and out and listened to Thallios’ rhythmic exhales.  When he thought he was ready, he slipped in a second finger.  Eventually a third…

***

“Leiyu!” Thallios gasped and wrapped his legs around Leiyu’s waist.  Leiyu was inside of him now.  

“Are you all right?” Leiyu asked.  “Is this too much?”  It was not the first time they had done this, but Thallios was still very delicate.

“Mm, it’s okay,” Thallios whispered.  He crossed his ankles together and pulled Leiyu in closer.  “Please stay…”

Leiyu started off slowly and gently.  Thallios closed his eyes and breathed in and out.  Leiyu placed his lips on Thallios’ neck and let his tongue run over the soft skin.  Thallios’ breath hitched.

As the night wore on, the bed creaked louder.  Their skin was damp with sweat.  Thallios threw his head back and exhaled erratically as Leiyu rocked his hips back and forth.  Tingles ran through his body.  

“I love you,” Leiyu breathed as he kissed him.  “So much…”  He went in deeper and Thallios moaned into Leiyu’s mouth.  They were getting closer to the edge.  Thallios dug his fingernails into Leiyu’s back and squeezed him tightly when he felt a burst of sensation.  Seconds later, Leiyu gasped as he came.

Leiyu caressed Thallios’ cheek and kissed him again.  They were both exhausted.  He wrapped his arms around Thallios.  Thallios closed his eyes and put his ear against Leiyu’s heart.  As he was lulled to sleep by the rhythmic sound, Leiyu wrapped the blanket around them both.