#astray writes

[marloviandevil]

I always forget about crossposting so... whoopsies.

Title: To fall for you, like water from your hair Pairing: Liu Qingge/Shen Qingqiu (Shen Yuan) Rating: T Tags: mutual pining / idiots in love / courtship except they won't acknowledge it / getting together

Summary:

Alternate title: "Are you falling for me, or did you just fall off your sword?" Liu Qingge had made his peace with the fact that he was not worthy of Shen Qingqiu. And if the gifts he brought back could be courting gifts, he still never said anything. That night, he went to the Bamboo House to bring Shen Qingqiu the fangs of a creature he had hunted and tea he hoped his shixiong would enjoy. Without knowing that this time, things might be different.

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/79153131

Excerpt under the cut:

Liu Qingge had not meant to stare.

He had been looking for Shen Qingqiu when he had come back from a mission to offer him the fangs of the creature he had slain. Unfortunately, the evil qi that had condensed within the creature somehow accelerated its decay, to the point that only the bones remained. The fangs had fossilised, interestingly enough, so he decided to bring those back.

He also brought tea from the town he had been called to, as they were known for a tea that had a very specific sweetness that Shen Qingqiu enjoyed. While Liu Qingge himself did not care much for tea, in the sense that he enjoyed it without minding much if it was not properly brewed, he still made sure to keep in mind what Shen Qingqiu like.

Which brought him to the bamboo house after sundown.

There was no one around, the lights around the house dimmed and ghost-like under the cold light of the moon. He descended and quietly began seeking out Shen Qingqiu. He remained on his sword so as not to make undue noise to disturb anyone.

His search led him to the pool, and there he saw him. His hair falling into the pool like black ink flowing in water, jade-white skin glowing under the moon, the curve of his shoulder, the angle of his hip as he rose from the water. Water that sluiced along his slender form, making Liu Qingge mouth go dry.

He should not be there.

Shen Qingqiu’s naked form was not his to behold.

[marloviandevil]

Title: The sun's touch Fandom: MDZS Ship: Lan Qiren/Wen Ruohan Rating: M

Inspired by @liss-art 's gorgeous art.

Summary:

Lan Qiren could not be accused of being reckless. Just like he could not be accused of just rolling with anything Wen Ruohan threw at him. Yet, Lan Qiren still stole away in the dead of night all the way to Qishan. Yet, Lan Qiren sometimes gave in without even being asked. Tonight was such a night.

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/72721921

Excerpt:

Lan Qiren could not be accused to just roll with anything Wen Ruohan threw at him. In fact, the whole tug-of-war was an integral part of who they were. It did not matter how much Lan Qiren loved this impossible man: Wen Ruohan would have to work for it.

And sometimes, well… it was only fair for Lan Qiren to give in without even being asked.

It was the case for the content of the box in front of him. Lace, brought from the West. Something that Wen Ruohan had shown him once, and had teasingly whispered how fetching Lan Qiren would be in it. It had taken a few months, because Lan Qiren wanted everything to be perfect.

Tonight, he wore the very… garment… Wen Ruohan had wanted to see him in.

He dressed again in his usual robes, making sure that everything was in place. That he was in love or that he was about to seduce the man he loved did not mean he had to let go of propriety. He was of the Lan, after all: no matter how high the flames rose in his bones, the outside world was to only see a still winter lake.

[marloviandevil]

MXTX Rarepair Zine Preview

I can finally share a sneak peek of my second fic written for the @mxtxrarepairzine.

Title: Where ancient gods lie, a young god awaken [NSFW] Ship: Hua Cheng/Xie Lian/He Xuan

HeHuaLian is one of my favourite pool noodle ship. Here you'll get ancient gods who have their brains in the gutter, a prince with the self-preservation instinct of a lemming, a cursed forest, and sauciness!

If you are a fan of pool noodle ships and want to get more of them, check out the other artists' and writers'! Everyone worked so hard on it, and I hope you'll be Compelled!

And if you are indeed compelled, you can get your copy of the zine here!

The MXTX Rarepair Zine is a for charity zine, and all proceeds will go to Immigrant Justice.

Join us for a wild ride on Pool Noodle Ships!

[marloviandevil]

Written for @liss-art - hope it suits. JiuYuan with Yue watching.

Title: In the grove Pairing: JiuYuan - implied QiJiuYuan.

_____________________________

Moonlight bled through the bamboo grove, casting ink-black stripes over their entwined forms.

The delicate arch of Shen Yuan’s chest and neck, lashes resting like moths on jade cheeks, and Shen Jiu’s hands melting into his thighs in the light, leaving them connected in a way more intimate than their lovemaking.

He stared, transfixed, as sharp imperial jade found him in the darkness. A sharp thrust and twin broken sighs.

For him.

Black hair burning blue and flowing into the earth.

They were gods who reigned over his mind and soul.

“Come to us, Qi-ge…”

The guardians of his lunacy.

[marloviandevil]

Title: The sun, the moon, and their stars Pairing: Pei Ming/Feng Xin/Mu Qing Rating: E (this is shameless smut with a side of them being saps)

Event: Written for @peifengqing-week Prompts Day 2 : Emperor of Heaven | Masturbation | Divine Offering Prompt Day 3: Sun / Moon / Stars

Summary: Pei Ming had not meant to ascend, let alone become the Emperor. In this moment, though, he would not trade it for the world. Not when he got his lovers just were he wanted them, presenting him with the most valuable offerings any god could ask for: themselves.

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/75614376

I dedicate this humble offering to the amazing @jeusus who is entirely - albeit unwittingly - responsible for the Emperor of Heaven prompt. Emperor Pei Ming lives rent-free in my head. I hope you'll like it.

Excerpt under the cut:

There was no sound but the rustle of silk and slide of cat-light steps on the polished floor. Light flooded the room from the high windows, the zenith sun bearing witness to a scene that would be meant for the moon alone.

In these rooms that would normally serve for private audiences, no one was allowed. It was the one rule the new emperor had established: unless he personally summoned someone, no one would come there uninvited.

The doors were sealed.

Feng Xin’s eyes were caught again by a sudden leap drowned in gossamer purple. A colour worn for the sake of the one seated on the carved throne. Mu Qing was dancing with a grace and abandon that only they ever got to witness. The privilege of seeing the devastating general of the southwest unguarded in all his beauty.

Feng Xin could not look away.

He should be dancing with Mu Qing, but he was not allowed this time. He did not keep his hands to himself. And so his offering to the emperor would have to take a different form. Standing besides the throne in garments as revealing as Mu Qing’s, Feng Xin waited.

The exposure had been Mu Qing’s idea: he had realised that the vulnerability that went with it did some terrible and delicious things to Feng Xin. And well… it was all part of their ritual.

Still, he could feel the weight of this burning stare on his skin, even as he slowly surrendered himself to the desire that crawled up his spine and down his throat. The need to be good.

“Feng Xin… come closer.”

[marloviandevil]

Hi guys!

Here's a snippet from 'Good Fortune Hides in Bad Fortune', the fic I wrote for @fengxinzine.

It focuses on Feng Xin's ascension and how he copes with the situation, Xie Lian's absence, his conflicting emotions - and his slowly forming friendship with Pei Ming.

Preorders end on Feb 17 so make sure to grab a copy here \^o^/

*** SNEAK PEAK ***

Feng Xin had never meant to ascend.

He never wanted to, not after the disaster of Xie Lian’s ascension. Not after bearing witness to the wall of apathy against which the storm of his despair had crashed. Did he have his own doubts? Of course he did. He might have been a noble but he had also been a servant. And people are not as guarded around servants. As such, the idealism that his prince had harboured in his heart had never been part of Feng Xin’s upbringing. He had wanted to believe that they could make a difference.

Desperately.

He had tried to believe.

He had tried to believe even when he could no longer recognise his prince, his friend. When he could not bear the haunted look in his eyes, a pain that ran so deep Feng Xin feared it would destroy the entire world. His hope was not dead yet even as he lost all those he had cared about in his life. He had tried to believe even as he did his best to survive and shield the innocents, fighting a war that he was bound to lose. But fighting was all he knew.

He had tried to believe.

Even as the storm raged above and the skies burned and the earth shook and the winds screamed – for even if he could not see, he had known: Xie Lian was fighting. And even as the bright meteor he knew to be his prince fell through the aether.

He had tried to believe.

The image white silk dangling from the rafters like smoke rising from an incense stick, like the laughter of the creature that had haunted Xie Lian.

He did not believe anymore.

[marloviandevil]

Possession

[Part 6 of 'Vignettes of an exhibition' - Shen Jiu and Yue Qingyuan]

****

Liquid orange glow warmed pale skin and turned leather into void. Arms and hands encased in long sleeves that wound around him, a semblance of comfort. His forearms tied and supported by a leash tied to the thick collar around his neck. Owned. Possessed. Bound.

Secure. Held close as cool fingers caressed his bare hip and sneaked toward his front, hiding his lover’s prize from prying eyes. Jade-white against warm gold, the contrast only emphasised by the light. Barely visible, the pale line of his lover’s body against his back and the black waterfall of his hair.

The collar tightened when he breathed deeply, hot on his skin, in contrast to his exposed chest. He could not see. Could not speak. Only his lover held the key – to his senses, to his pleasure. Heavy silk blinded him, perfectly cut to his face.

The gag in his mouth was too much and not enough. A concession for the duration, for no one but him could ever see his lover’s bare form. An agreement accepted.

Exposed. Vulnerable. The click of the camera, barely audible over his laboured breathing.

A gentle hand on his face, guiding him to the side, fingers on his lips.

“Can you feel his eyes on you? The cold stare of the camera? They will hunger for you, knowing that only I get to touch you…” Cold hands. Cold voice. The poised cruelty of the one who was both the love of his life and the master of his pleasure.

Lips on his cheek, a sharp contrast to the breathless leather and sharp cold of the steel buckle.

“Mine alone.”

A whimper crawled up his lungs, into his throat, trapped by the heavy gag that made his jaw ache.

Fingers curled over him, trapping his cock between his thighs, unseen. Only he knew how aroused his lover was. Not even their witness would know.

And yet, in his mind he could picture it. The master of light and shadows with his camera and his burning eye.

Until he could no longer think anymore.

Until the only thing that remained was a mantra shaped like the name of his beloved.

Xiao-Jiu.

[Xiu Ya and Xuan Su - Xianle - April '24]

**** It took some convincing on Hua Cheng's part to get these two to participate but he still got the shot. The inspiration for this piece is this particular Ai No Kusabi fanart that has been haunting me for years.

Written for my friend @liss-art who is very patient with me considering how slow I am with my QiJiu writing.]

[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3] [Part 4] [Part 5]

[marloviandevil]

I present one of the tiniest ship I have ever written for: PeiXuan (3 fics on AO3, can't really top that). Also written for the @mxtxrarepairzine.

I have to admit that these two have been haunting me.

Title: A craving for gentleness Pairing: Pei Ming/He Xuan Rating: E (I realise now I could make a terrible pun and call He Xuan 'Lord Bathwater' - but I surmise Pei Ming would get kicked out of his own palace if he ever did it. Anyway.)

Tags: bathtub sexytimes, queerplatonic relationship (I didn't label them as aro because, well, I don't have the spoons to argue)

Summary:

So far away from his domain, he felt unmoored, a wanderer in a dreamscape he could not control. The destruction these two created was an anchor in the web of illusions He Xuan had wrought. It was as tangible as the arms in which he sank when existence threatened to crush him.

He thought of gentle eyes and a gentle smile that barely covered raw suffering.

People talked of being a ghost as though it was the most terrible thing in the world, but He Xuan begged to differ. Ghosts existed because they refused to give in. Becoming a ghost was a choice. Becoming a god was not.

He thought of words spoken into his skin with the trembling voice of a bereaved heart.

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/85958906