Past

*Continues after Part 4:- In Pain and Pleasure*

"Don't go, please."

YiJun sits back down, taking Xian's hands in his. He feels concerned and guilty; he plants a kiss on Xian's palms. He misses the way Xian's eyes widen slightly and doesn't realize that his affectionate gestures are causing pain to Xian. When YiJun looks into Xian's eyes once more, he is smiling brightly, as if nothing is wrong with him.

"Xian, I think you need... " YiJun starts reluctantly, but Xian interrupts.

"I am fine, Jun. I'm a bit tired, that's all." Xian lies and adds, "Mother had warned me against it, but you are so beautiful that I had to kiss you." He knows that if Jun comes to know, what was done to him, YiJun would never forgive his parents.

YiJun keeps staring at Xian, for he had realized that the latter was lying to him; the thought of being lied to sends a cold feeling through him. His gut tells him that something is very wrong.

A few minutes pass with YiJun holding Xian's hands when he notices color return to Xian's cheeks; his breathing evens out as well.

'What are you hiding from me? Why are you hiding things from me?' YiJun wonders, and tries to leave the bed once more, but Xian sits up and hugs him from behind, "I told you not to leave." Xian says in a low voice.

YiJun can tell the Xian is in pain. He turns to face the younger boy and is shocked to see that Xian's face has paled once again.

'They did something to him... They did something to, my Xian.'

"Xian, tell me what they did to you." YiJun orders.

Xian's face falls, "Nothing." He says, avoiding YiJun's eyes.

YiJun knows how stubborn the younger boy is, so instead of forcing him to reveal the truth, YiJun smiles, "Ok."

"You believe me!? Just like that?" Xian asks, tilting his head to aside. He is a little shocked at how fast YiJun believed him.

"Mn." The older boy nods.

"Why?"

"Because Xian would never lie to His Jun. He loves his Jun. You love me, don't you?" YiJun asks, caressing Xian's cheek.

Xian's brows knit for a split second.

'It's my touch!' YiJun realizes. He recalls everything that had happened between them minutes ago. Then he remembers Xi Xi's words and the promise, 'You have to wait till Xian is at least eighteen.'

YiJun's temper rises. He knows that he feels drawn to Xian like a moth to a flame. But he is a prince, and he had given his word to Xi Xi that he will not let things get out of hand, 'Are my promises worth nothing.' He thinks getting out of the bed.

Xian had not expected YiJun to be so quick. He fails to stop the older boy who runs out.

"Jun! Please come back. Where are you going?" Xian shouts at YiJun's back, but it's too late. A moment later, a few guards come inside and carry him to the royal physician's chamber.

Xian doesn't protest. He knows that YiJun had probably asked them to escort him to the physician's chamber in his absence.

YiJun rides to Xian's house.

He barges inside without knocking. He finds the couple mixing and making herb pouches, "Aunty! What have you done to him?"

Xi Xi doesn't get intimidated, "Come inside." She orders the prince.

YiJun walks inside, and Cong closes the door.

YiJun is fuming. His eyes are bloodshot, as if he has been crying the whole time, on his way to their house.

Xi Xi hands him a cup of tea, which he wants to fling away, but knows better than to act that way with Xian's mother, who though very gentle and loving, could be scary when she wanted to.

YiJun accepts it respectfully and takes a sip. He calms down immediately and looks at Xi Xi questioningly.

She nods, "It's a calming tea. Drink some more. "

YiJun bites his lip but takes another sip.

"Have you sent Xian to be looked at by Tao?" Xi Xi asks, but it sounds more like a statement.

"Mn." YiJun nods, "Aunty... "

Xi Xi doesn't let the prince continue, "Yes, we have put a spell on him."

YiJun's face falls when he realizes that his suspicions were correct. "Why? I gave you my word. I told you I wouldn't let get things out of hand. I can control... "

Xi Xi crosses her arms over her chest and takes a deep breath to calm herself down, "And yet my son lies in the physician's chamber." Xi Xi pauses and looks directly into YiJun's eyes, "Tell me, prince, where was your promise today when you touched him?" She asks accusingly.

YiJun gasps, 'How did she... '

Xi Xi continues, "How far did you go?"

A cold feeling grips YiJun's heart. He feels like barbed wires are crushing his soul when he remembers what he had intended to do, when he had carried Xian to his bed. 'No... No... No.'

He shakes his head as if not able to believe his thoughts and actions. Tears start making their way down his cheeks, and he starts to mutter the word "No" repeatedly under his breath.

Xi Xi's heart melts at YiJun's pitiful sight. She hugs him. When she speaks, her voice is gentle and comforting, "Sweetheart, we know how you feel, but both of you are too young. The spell we have put on Xian was the only way we could stop you from doing things you will regret. YiJun, Xian's body is not ready to receive you."

YiJun doesn't understand, "Aunty, what do you mean? We have always held each other. Why should it hurt him if..."

"Son, trust me, you will not be able to stop once you are close to him. If he asks for it, you will give it to him... whatever he wants, you will give it to him. Then your promise will mean nothing. Trust me, YiJun, this was the only way. Only his pain can hold your desires in check. Do you understand what I am trying to tell you?" Xi Xi asks, stroking YiJun's back.

"You should have put the spell on me, aunty. Why should he be the one in pain? Can you change it? I am ready and willing. Please take it off of him, and put it on me. I can bear it for the both of us." YiJun begs. If anyone has to bear the pain, he would rather it be him than his precious Xian.

Present

*The Lan Hall*

When all the contestants finish performing, the speakers announce a small break during which they would decide on a winner.

Xian feels happy. He feels like he has a chance. Everyone, including most of the other contestants are thinking it as well. 'I truly outdid myself this time.' Xian tells himself. But the number of people who were approaching him, to congratulate him or hit on him had started making him uncomfortable.

He excuses himself on the pretext of using the restroom and walks through the corridors of the second floor of the Lan Cultural Center. He takes a wrong turn and stops dead in his tracks when he hears his name being mentioned, in what sounds like a heated argument.

"Who the fuck do you think you are? That Wei Xian kid was the best. He scored the best. He deserves to win." A man's angry voice floats over.

"I understand, Sir, but Mr. Lan doesn't want him to win." Xian hears a voice lady's voice. It sounds like she is trying to reason with someone.

Ignoring her words, another man speaks, "Lan, if you did not want our opinion, then why did you ask us to judge. Not only is it a waste of our time and energy, but a clear disrespect of our position."

"Sirs, please calm down. You will be reimbursed for your service." The lady tries again.

"Are you kidding with us, Lan? Are you trying to buy our support? You think money can buy everything, don't you?" the first man speaks again.

'So, I won, but Mr. Lan doesn't want me to win. Fuck! He is even bribing the judges to change their decision.' Xian's temper rises, and without thinking, he enters the room.

As soon as he steps inside, the room falls silent. Xian looks around the room and spots Lan Wangji. Their eyes meet. Wangji directs a cold, uncaring look at Xian.

Everyone goes silent and looks at them.

"Sirs, if you don't mind, may I talk to Mr. Lan alone?" Xian asks, trying to stay calm.

When Wangji doesn't object, the judges stand and look at Wangji disapprovingly, before patting Xian's shoulder and walking away.

When they are the only ones left in the room, Xian speaks, "Why?"

"Because I don't want you to sing at The Emperor's Smile," Wangji replies expressionlessly.

"Why?" Xian asks again, taking a step towards the older man.

"I am not obligated to answer your questions." Wangji gets off his chair,'Damn it! Don't come any closer.' He prays.

"But you are obligated. I won fair and square. The least you can do is give me a reason. Tell me. Why are you rejecting me?" Xian takes a few more steps towards him.

Wangji leaves the chair and takes a few steps back, putting more space between them, "I don't have to give my reasons to the likes of you." Wangji bites out, avoiding Xian's eyes.

Xian picks up the papers lying on the desk, "I have clearly won. And I have been told I am no bad to look at either. I have given you my consent. So why don't you want to take me!?"

Xian stops when he realizes what he had said. 'It sounds like an invitation... It sounds like I am flirting.'

Xian looks at Wangji, who is now breathing heavily. 'Why does he look like he is in pain? Why have tips of his ears turned red.' Xian wonders.

'I did not use my powers. I did not try to influence him, then why is he like this?' Xian thinks. He catches Wangji's eyes, and his heart skips a beat. He realizes that he was breathing heavily. 'Fuck!' Xian swears, trying to control his breathing.

Wangji's eyes fall on Xian's crotch before meeting his eyes again; Xian realizes that he is hard. 'When the hell did I get hard... Why did I.. ' He doesn't understand why his body is reacting in this way towards this cold man.

Even before Xian can complete his thought or take even a step back, a low moan leaves Wangji's mouth; In two long strides, Wangji closes the gap between them and backs Xian up against the wall.

Both their faces are flushed. A shiver runs down Xian's back when Wangji puts his face close to Xian's ears, "Tell me exactly...What is it exactly that you want?"

'Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck...touch me. No... That is not what I want!' Xian's brain screams. He just wants Wangji's hands on him. He wants a release. 'This is wrong... Why is he having this effect on me? The girls were right. I understand how they feel now, but this is wrong. I need to leave before I do something.'

"Mr. Lan.. " Xian wants to sound cold, but it comes out desperate and needy, like he is begging Wangji to do something.

"Just tell me what you want!" Wangji barks out. 'I need to step away from him... Damm it! I want to taste him... '

Wangji puts his hands on either side of Xian, trapping him. He moves closer, all but touching, and breaths him in. "Say it." Wangji growls.

"Accept me!" Xian blurts out.

Wangji steps back. He narrows his eyes and tilts his head, "Excuse me?"

"I mean, let me sing at The Emperor's Smile, at least temporarily. If you still don't think I am good enough for you, then I will leave."

Wangji finds it impossible to refuse Xian, "Ok." he says, looking into Xian's beautiful eyes.

Xian smiles and tries to leave, but Wangji doesn't remove his hands from either side of him.

"What?" Xian asks.

Wangji moves closer; their breaths mingle, "I will let you sing, if you sleep with me." he finally says.

Anger flashes in Xian's eyes. He pushes Wangji off of him. He can't believe what Wangji has just said. Tears make their way down his cheeks. He wipes them off and calms himself down. His eyes turn cold, "I am not for sale, Mr. Lan." he says emotionlessly, before walking off.

{Note:- Word Count 2108

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