12. Mattress fights and a meeting

"So... I had a hell of a night with an idiot I call my weird friend and a drunken parrot who seems to want me dead? Is that correct?" Wang Yibo recounted, his eyes narrowing as he assessed his husband's mental state.

"Yep, that's a pretty accurate summary," Xiao Zhan replied nonchalantly.

"But why?" Yibo pressed, his tone a mix of confusion and incredulity.

"What do you mean, why?"

"Why are you dreaming of things like that?"

Xiao Zhan smirked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I don't think I can give you a satisfying answer to that question."

"Why am I not surprised," Wang Yi Bo sighed, sounding both exasperated and amused.

"Do you want to know what happened next?" Xiao Zhan asked, his tone teasingly conspiratorial.

"Judging by that deranged smile on your face, I can already guess."

"Oh, come on, Baby. You might actually like it!"

"I highly doubt that."

"Then I'll just have to prove you wrong… later. First, I need to entertain my greedy readers," Xiao Zhan said, turning away with a playful wink.

***

It was late afternoon, and the sun had begun to set, bathing the room in a warm orange glow. The scenery outside was truly beautiful, but it went unnoticed by the occupants of Captain Xiao Zhan's bedroom.

Amidst the crumpled sheets of the bed at the center of the room, a man groaned, struggling to break free from the firm grip wrapped around his waist. With every weak attempt to escape, he was pulled back against the broad, hard chest of the person behind him, unwilling to let him go. Instead, the hand holding his waist began to wander, caressing his slightly bruised skin and attempting to slip between his tightly pressed legs. A muffled moan escaped through the thin fabric.

"Ah… No more, please, no more. I'm so tired…" Wang Yi Bo pleaded, his entire body aching with delicious soreness.

‘Who's this beast behind me, and where is my Xiao Zhan?’

"Just one more time, my princess," Xiao Zhan's raspy voice teased, sending a shiver down Wang Yi Bo's spine. "I can't hold back when you're lying here like this. You're so enticing, your naked body and scent driving me insane." The pirate nuzzled his nose into the crook of Wang Yi Bo's neck, inhaling the musky aroma.

The hand caressing Wang Yi Bo's skin pressed more insistently, seeking its desired destination. "Come on, princess, open your legs for me…" His demand was punctuated by a trail of burning hot kisses from the nape of Yi Bo's neck to his trembling shoulders.

"Ah…no… I can't…" Wang Yi Bo's oversensitive body shivered violently as a second hand scratched over his chest, playing with his swollen nipples. Xiao Zhan’s fingers felt rough on his soft skin, a sensation that aroused him every time. Still, he tried to escape the honeytrap. "I really can't anymore…"

"But your body says otherwise. Just admit you love it when I do this…" Xiao Zhan's voice grew deeper, more urgent, barely restrained. A primal part of him just wanted to pounce and ravish the man in his arms.

With each touch, each pinch, and each kiss, Wang Yi Bo felt his resolve crumbling. Xiao Zhan knew exactly how to make him compliant. ‘Oh my god, this is so good…but my ass…’

"Why do you have to be so insatiable? I feel like dying… Ah, shit, yes! There…" Exhausted to the point of fainting, Wang Yi Bo suddenly spread his legs when the skilled hand found one of his most sensitive spots.

Xiao Zhan grinned victoriously at the sight of the lithe, trembling body opening up to his advances. Just a bit more, and…

He took advantage of the opportunity, wrapping his hand around Wang Yi Bo's erect manhood and stroking it languidly. The sweet sounds from Wang Yi Bo's lips were music to Xiao Zhan's ears.

"Your body doesn’t seem very unwilling right now. Are you sure you want me to stop?" He teased, grinding his hard shaft against Wang Yi Bo's backside, eliciting a loud moan from the younger man.

Xiao Zhan smirked, inwardly laughing. ‘Let's see how long you can hold out…’

Wang Yi Bo was already on the brink of surrendering to whatever his pirate desired. But just as he was about to let go, Xiao Zhan's strokes slowed until they stopped completely. Driven to the edge, Wang Yi Bo unconsciously jerked his hips, seeking friction. When he found none, he growled in frustration.

"You did that on purpose!"

"Of course I did. I'm just being considerate of what you want." Xiao Zhan smirked evilly, letting his hand brush against Wang Yi Bo's sensitive nipples before pulling away, creating space between their bodies. Wang Yi Bo's eyes widened at the loss of warmth.

"What are you doing?" He demanded.

"Being considerate, my princess. Since you weren't ready to give yourself to me..." Xiao Zhan feigned innocence, flashing a bright smile at his flustered lover.

"Considerate, my ass! You can't leave me like this!" Wang Yi Bo was painfully aroused, his need almost unbearable.

"Then what do you want me to do?" Xiao Zhan whispered, his words low and seductive, sending electric sparks through Wang Yi Bo's veins. The sensations coiled in his gut, making him tingle and clench with desire.

"...I want you to..."

"What did you say, my princess? I couldn't quite hear you."

"...," Wang Yi Bo bit his lip, glancing back at Xiao Zhan.

"Let me tell you what I want," Xiao Zhan continued, his voice dripping with lust. "I want to plunge my dick deep inside you and hear you scream my name over and over until you come so hard you won't ever forget who did this to you. How does that sound, my princess?"

"Ah…yes…" With every whispered word, Wang Yi Bo's arousal grew, his body trembling with need. A thin layer of sweat covered his skin, evidence of the heat coursing through him.

"Do you want that?" Xiao Zhan asked, his voice a seductive purr.

Wang Yi Bo nodded vigorously.

"Then beg me."

Wang Yi Bo's eyes widened, and his flushed face deepened in colour. It was embarrassing, but he wanted it so badly. Steeling himself, he turned to face Xiao Zhan.

Xiao Zhan's gaze was intense, his eyes dark with want and a dangerous smile playing on his lips. Wang Yi Bo's heart raced as he cupped his pirate's face with trembling hands, bringing their foreheads together.

"Please, fuck me, my Xīngān*.”

A flood of indescribable feelings surged through Xiao Zhan’s body, making his heart beat erratically upon hearing those sweetly whispered words. In his eyes, Wang Yi Bo could see sanity flickering and slowly breaking apart.

"I wish I could swallow you whole."

Without wasting any more time, Xiao Zhan flipped his princess onto his back and claimed the slightly parted lips in a searing hot kiss. His hand reached down and caressed the still tender entrance. Wang Yi Bo moaned into the kiss as Xiao Zhan’s finger entered him, scraping against his inner walls. "No, not this…I want you inside me."

Xiao Zhan took a sharp breath, a shiver of anticipation running down his spine. In the next instant, his finger disappeared, replaced by the hard shaft that sheathed itself completely into Wang Yi Bo’s tight passage.

Both of them moaned out in ecstasy.

Entangled in a sensual embrace, they quickly found a rhythm for their passionate dance. Xiao Zhan’s movements were strong and fast, driving them both steadily to the edge. Wang Yi Bo surrendered himself to the waves of sensation rippling through his body, his arms and legs clinging tightly to his beloved.

Between the powerful thrusts, Wang Yi Bo’s hoarse voice cried out his feelings, only to be silenced by a pair of sinful, red lips that devoured him with vigour, or by whispered sweet nothings in his ear.

Where their bodies were joined, it felt like molten heat, and soon enough, they erupted in a hot, incredible climax.

Exhausted, Xiao Zhan leaned down and lazily kissed his princess one last time before retreating and collapsing next to his heavily breathing partner.

They looked at each other without saying anything. But no words were needed; everything they felt was written all over their faces.

Exhausted but happy, they drifted to sleep. Finally…

***

In another place, far from the bustling center of the small town, there stood a warped and dilapidated shack hidden deep within the dense jungle. The overgrown foliage and twisted branches concealed the grim scene unfolding inside. Two men, bound and gagged, faced their worst nightmare in this forsaken hideaway.

Their muffled screams barely penetrated the thick walls of the shack, ensuring that their cries for help went unheard. But even if their pleas could reach the outside world, they knew better than to expect any mercy. They were traitors, after all - the only ones who had dared to betray the island's people.

Inside, Reira and her men had been hard at work all day, employing a relentless array of punishments and "persuasive" techniques to extract the truth from their captives. The men were subjected to a harrowing ordeal, each method more ruthless than the last, as Reira sought the information she needed. Her patience was as thin as the lines of sweat streaking down her forehead, but at last, their efforts paid off.

With the information finally torn from their lips, Reira signalled her men to keep a vigilant watch over the unfortunate souls who had fallen into her clutches. Though broken and battered, they were to be kept alive - at least for now. There might be more secrets to uncover, and Reira was nothing if not thorough.

After ensuring that her captives were secured, Reira turned her attention to another pressing matter. She dispatched an errand boy to Xiao Zhan's home with a simple message.

They had a few things to discuss...

***

The persistent knocking on the front door pulled both naked men from their dead-like sleep. Wang Yi Bo groaned, rubbing his eyes. Carefully, he tried to stretch his sore limbs while lying on his stomach, but as soon as he moved even a little, a wave of pain shot through his back. He cursed and stopped moving.

‘Holy mother of god… my back…’

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Xiao Zhan pulling on his pants and heading for the door. Anger rose inside him, but mostly at himself for succumbing to the temptation yet again.

‘Of course, you menace… you look so refreshed. You tricked me again!’

(To defend his dignity a bit: Who in their right mind would refuse a man like Xiao Zhan? See? No one! Wang Yi Bo, your dignity is restored.)

After just a few moments, the source of Wang Yi Bo’s near-death experience returned, freshly smiling, and settled next to his thoroughly exhausted princess. Xiao Zhan gazed at Wang Yi Bo's slender body, which was now a masterpiece of blues, purples, and reds.

"What did you do to me…" Wang Yi Bo whined, extending a weakly shaking fist in his pirate's direction, but it fell back onto the sheets as he lacked the strength to keep it raised.

Xiao Zhan chuckled fondly at the sight. He leaned over and began to massage the sore muscles of his lover's back. A contented sigh escaped Wang Yi Bo, who closed his eyes and started to relax under Xiao Zhan’s skilled fingers. "Aye, my princess. Do I really need to explain it to you? You might get embarrassed again," Xiao Zhan teased.

The only response was a muffled groan into the pillow. A loving smile spread across Xiao Zhan's lips. Yes, this was something he could definitely get used to. "I'll get you something to eat. We need to replenish your energy. We have a meeting to attend.”

At the word meeting, Wang Yi Bo’s ears perked up. "A meeting? Hey! Don't stop the massage thing!"

Xiao Zhan was about to get up from the bed, but Koala Yi Bo was quick to act, latching onto his arm with no intention of letting go anytime soon. His back screamed in protest, but he didn't care.

"Princess, you need to eat. I can give you a massage after that."

"No! I want one now! And don't change the subject. What meeting?"

"Aye, why can’t you be this eager when it comes to sex?" Xiao Zhan mock-sobbed, throwing himself dramatically back onto the bed, an arm exaggeratedly draped over his eyes. In response, he earned a well-aimed slap on his lower parts from his indignant princess. Xiao Zhan winced in pain, hands clutching his crown jewels.

"Xiao Zhan! Meeting! Massage!"

"Dear heavens… what’s gotten into you? Be careful - you still need my junior." Xiao Zhan smirked, peeking from beneath his arm. "No, don’t look at me like that. I’ll only tell you while you’re eating."

"But—"

"No buts. You have to eat. If you don’t, I’ll eat you, and I suppose you don’t want that, right?" To emphasise his point, he began slowly unbuttoning his pants. Wang Yi Bo’s eyes widened in panic, and he stopped protesting. "...."

Their playful banter continued for a while, with an annoyed Wang Yi Bo being fed by a very satisfied Xiao Zhan. During the meal, Xiao Zhan explained Reira’s note and the meeting scheduled for the evening at Cindy’s Tavern. To lift his princess’s spirits, Xiao Zhan, as promised, gave him a long massage to loosen up his stiff muscles. Wang Yi Bo purred contentedly, melting under his pirate's touch. Xiao Zhan made a mental note to remember this for later…

***

After entering the tavern, this time surprisingly without almost getting beheaded, Wang Yi Bo took a close look around the room. The cutlass lady, Cindy, stood behind her half-destroyed bar, scrubbing the mugs with a grim determination. Despite the chaotic surroundings, she managed to exude an air of authority and irritation, like a captain surveying a misbehaving crew.

There weren't many people present, but they all seemed to have been waiting for them. Seconds later, his suspicion was confirmed when Xiao Zhan approached with an eager wave, motioning them toward a big vacant table tucked in a corner.

Kuko, perched precariously on Xiao Zhan's shoulder, had been suspiciously quiet the whole time. Her usual vibrant blue and white feathers were dulled, resembling a plucked marabou stork. It was clear her drinking escapade had taken its toll. Xiao Zhan had insisted she learned her lesson the hard way - a decision Wang Yi Bo internally sympathised with.

Scanning the room, he recognised a few familiar faces nodding at him with a blend of friendliness and admiration. News of his efforts to catch the traitors had clearly spread, evidenced by the proud glint in Xiao Zhan's eyes.

Jiang Cheng approached first, clapping Wang Yi Bo on the back with a force that knocked the air from his lungs, before pulling him into a bone-crushing embrace. Wang Yi Bo struggled to maintain his composure, biting back a yelp of pain. Screaming in agony would be a severe blow to his newly boosted self-esteem. He mentally vowed to keep a safe distance from everyone after "between-the-sheets" sessions in the future - just in case.

"Good job, princess. You and Xue Yang saved a lot of lives today." Jiang Cheng’s grin was as wide as it was knowing, his eyes lingering a moment too long on the red marks peeking out from Wang Yi Bo's collar.

Wang Yi Bo flushed deep red, forcing a smile that felt more like a grimace, nodding in awkward acknowledgment. Thankfully, Song Lan and Xiao XingChen settled for a less enthusiastic greeting, sparing him further embarrassment.

'How do I survive this evening? Xiao Zhan, I swear, no sex for one month! Ok, one week, a week is fine… or maybe five days… oh Lord…'

Then he spotted Xue Yang. He was already sitting in the corner at the table, his complexion as pale as Wang Yi Bo's own. Upon closer observation, Xue Yang looked even more worn out than he had in the morning. He was clinging to a mug of beer as if it were the only thing tethering him to reality. His eyes were bleary, and his usually mischievous demeanour was replaced by a weary slump.

Wang Yi Bo felt a wave of sympathy wash over him as he maneuvered himself into the seat beside his friend. With a small, pained smile, Wang Yi Bo gave Xue Yang a nod of understanding. They didn’t need words to communicate; their mutual exhaustion spoke volumes.

Xue Yang raised his mug in a silent toast, a rueful grin playing on his lips. "Another rough day, huh?" he murmured, voice hoarse.

Wang Yi Bo chuckled, feeling a kinship in their shared plight. "You could say that. Being a bottom can be tough... but it's not like you hate it," he replied, a teasing glint in his eyes.

Xue Yang snorted, taking a long swig from his mug. "Speak for yourself."

Just then, the tavern door swung open with a dramatic bang. Reira strode in, flanked by her squad, each step full of purpose and command. Her entrance was hard to ignore, and the room's chatter momentarily paused as all eyes turned to observe her. Cindy, the ever-watchful bartender, shot a sharp glare in Reira's direction, her hands still busy with the stack of mugs she was cleaning. Her expression was a blend of irritation and grudging respect.

Reira, unfazed by Cindy's glare, merely sauntered past the bar, her confidence an impenetrable shield. She ignored the curses muttered under Cindy's breath, choosing instead to focus on her own table.

"What's got Cindy all riled up?" Xiao Zhan asked, ever the keen observer of moods and tensions. His eyes followed Cindy's agitated movements behind the counter.

"She's a bit grumpy," Reira replied with a dismissive wave of her hand. "I hid her cutlass and other sharp objects. Can’t have her destroying the place every time someone gets under her skin."

A muffled growl of annoyance echoed from Cindy's direction, and Xiao Zhan couldn't help but grin at the scene. He leaned over the counter, trying to catch Cindy's eye with his most charming smile. "Come on, Cindy, give us a break. Show me that famous sunshine smile of yours."

Cindy shot him a withering look, though the hint of a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. "Tell your friend to give my cutlass back! No cutlass, no beer!"

She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "Well, maybe just for her. Your princess seems like he could use a pick-me-up. You really are a beast, Xiao Zhan, letting him out in this state."

Xiao Zhan chuckled, acknowledging the jest with a wink. He knew Cindy well enough to see through her gruff exterior to the soft heart beneath. "Tomorrow, Cindy. You'll get it back tomorrow. In the meantime, how about a round for everyone? We've got some serious business to discuss."

Reira interjected with a smirk, "Bad business, to be precise."

"You are bad business!" Cindy retorted playfully, tossing a damp towel in Reira's direction before disappearing into the back of the tavern, still grumbling.

As soon as Cindy was out of earshot, Xiao Zhan turned to Reira with wide-eyed admiration. "You really took her cutlass? That’s bold!"

Reira shrugged, offering a mischievous grin and a thumbs-up. "Of course! Six bar counters destroyed in twelve days are six too many. I’m trying to save what’s left of the furniture."

Xiao Zhan chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. "I’m amazed she hasn’t killed you yet."

Reira laughed, the sound bright and confident. "She's practically my foster mom. I know how to handle her tantrums."

Wang Yi Bo, listening to their banter, managed a weak smile despite his aching body. The camaraderie and lightheartedness were infectious, lifting his spirits despite his physical discomfort.

“True, true,” Xiao Zhan agreed, his tone growing more serious as he glanced at Wang Yi Bo. “But let's not keep our dear princess waiting too long. He’s not exactly in fighting form right now, as you might have noticed.”

Reira turned her attention back to Wang Yi Bo, concern etched in her features. “You okay there, Yi Bo? You look like you’ve been through a storm.” A horny storm, indeed…

Wang Yi Bo mustered a sheepish grin, trying to play off his exhaustion. “Just another day in paradise, Reira.”

Before Reira could respond, the door creaked open once more, capturing everyone's attention. This time, an imposing figure filled the entrance, his presence casting a long, intimidating shadow across the tavern floor.

The man was tall and broad, his silhouette sharp and commanding. He exuded an air of authority and danger, the kind that made people instinctively straighten in their seats. His dark coat swept the floor, and a silver cutlass glinted at his side, hinting at the stories of battle that surrounded him.

A/N: Xīngān: literally means heart and liver. In western countries we would say heart and soul. It's used for the most precious people around us, whom we can't live without. Like, we can't live without a heart and liver.