No sunrays stream into the living room, but the place is brightened by ceiling lights. Warm copper is traced from the floor tiles onto the walls, onto the tilted coffee table and then up to a suspiciously scratched sofa. It’s suspiciously cleaned, too. It’s also angled slightly, and the broad, handsome young man sitting on it doesn’t bother to rearrange it.
Thankfully, despite the irresponsibility, the room is quite clean – the floors swept immaculate, walls ridden of every dust web, the laundry neatly folded and set aside. The young man sits alone with a half-smoked cigarette between his fingers. He’s speaking to thin air – rather, he’s speaking very passionately with every gesticulation, as though his conversation partner could see.
And his conversation partner – the person on the other line of the transceiver – hadn’t replied for the past minute.
The great Colonel Yang takes a long drag of his cigarette, smooths out his raven-black hair, and continues a much-dreaded monologue.
“I have confirmed.” His voice is deathly serious. “At this stage of our relationship, Noah has yet to develop a tail.”
Expectedly, there isn’t a response – not that Yang Rong gives any chance for one, since he has already continued on. The man could talk up a storm, talk up an entire hurricane all by himself. “Perhaps I’d have to coax him… more gently… Though his moans were quite loud, I may recall his cursing more vividly.”
“…” There is dead silence on the other side.
“But I do have a chance, Shi Luo,” the colonel says with a nod – a nod to himself for sole reassurance. “He mentioned a next time… so it is reassuring that we haven’t yet broken up.”
The listener clears his throat. “…Next time?”
“Yeah.” Yang Rong takes another drag before stubbing the cigarette into the ashtray. “He said very cutely, ‘next time, Rong-ge, I can’t handle anymore.’ Or perhaps my narrative may be a tad distorted, for I’d lost some control halfway. I’m rather… aggressive in rut, Shi Luo. Anyway, I’d like to ask a favor of you.”
Shi Luo gives a drawn-out sigh. “Speak concisely.”
“…” Yang Rong massages his temples and says, “Can you come over? I’ll send the coordinates if you’ve forgotten – the same crash pad northeast. It is only some miles away from the city, Shi Luo, so the journey wouldn’t be harsh on your end.”
“I remember,” the doctor answers. “Your dungeon.”
“…It is my temporary refuge, Shi Luo,” Yang Rong denies. “Not a dungeon, as you are aware. Well, besides that, I am quite in need of a medical doctor, and you are the only that I have in my immediate contacts. I’ll inform you in more detail later. Just… come with a stethoscope, pressure monitor, fluid warmers, whatever you have… and emergency contraception. I don’t have those.”
“…” There is another long, knowing sigh before Shi Luo responds. “I’m here already. Yang Rong, I’ve been setting camp outside your shelter, hoping I can catch you to discuss some official business. It seems you had some more personal business to take care of, so I opted to wait some sunsets.”
“…I’ll open the door,” Yang Rong replies as he gets off the sofa. “…Shi Luo, bring some painkillers and ointment… creams and all such things. In addition, perhaps a few pieces of candy and some flowers to appease? What is the standard…? I do not often indulge in aftercare, so I am naturally at a loss of what to bring—”
“How about I string along a casket as well, Yang Rong?” says the doctor. “The flowers will be placed gently onto your corpse.”
Despite his words, however, Shi Luo still arrives with an entirely unimpressed expression on his face. The doctor really did bring an entire arsenal of supplies – but not a casket, unfortunately. When he opens the living room door, he gives the colonel a once-over before throwing over a roll of gauze.
“A very interesting array on your body,” Shi Luo comments, trailing his eyes from the man’s torso to shoulder to back, where bloodied claw marks run uncovered. Some of them are lighter and already disappearing into caramel skin, whereas some others are heavily damaged, slicing through an inch deep of flesh. “I wasn’t aware you had a falling out with a beast.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“…Well deserved, I suppose,” Yang Rong says with a light cough as he unrolls the gauze.
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“In another perspective,” Yang Rong says with a self-reassured tone, “these marks are quite handsome on me, don’t you think?”
Shi Luo only lifts his glasses and pinches the bridge of his nose, unwilling to deal with the shamelessness any longer. “You’re still recovering from a bullet wound, and yet you’ve engaged very explicitly. Regardless of your healing speed, you should be aware of the limits.”
“…I’ll be more aware of the limits next time.” Yang Rong corrects himself with a low, quite guilty sigh. “His limits. He’s in the bedroom right now, so could you help check up on him?”
Shi Luo walks through the living area with familiar steps, ignores Yang Rong’s floundering movements, his hushed, concerned whispers. “…Noah hadn’t woken up in two days.” Yang Rong’s voice lowers to a pathetic level. “It isn’t unusual for him, but I just… wanted to make certain that…”
“That he isn’t dead?” Shi Luo finishes as he opens the bedroom door. “He isn’t fragile to that extent, if you are wondering. I am only concerned for your withering relationship when he wakes up, Yang Rong.”
“—Wait, wait,” the handsome colonel says before they enter. Yang Rong blocks the entryway and clears his throat. “Changed my mind. Leave the supplies here and go on your way, Shi Luo.”
The doctor only sighs for the umpteenth time. “Yang Rong, what exactly are you doing?”
“I haven’t redressed him yet,” Yang Rong explains. “He is not in a form I’d like you to see.”
The doctor gives him a wholly judgmental look. “I’m his doctor. I’ve seen his naked body—seen inside his naked body through every angled x-ray for perhaps five hundred times.”
With that, Shi Luo pushes his way through despite an irritated Yang Rong (the latter saying some nonsense about improper examinations, doctor-patient relationships and the like). The doctor heads toward the completely knocked-out young man on the bed. Shi Luo carefully flips over the quilt and then gives Yang Rong a look that screams volumes.
“He is still recovering from a concussion, fractured ribs and other injuries from a week and a half prior,” Shi Luo says – quite monotonously, but it is the exact type of monotonous that carries unfiltered disappointment. “Even if they’re shallow, Xie Xing is not in a state to endure an alpha’s rut. You’ve gone too far, Yang Rong.”
The silver-haired young man is fast asleep on the (ripped) mattress, curled onto bedsheets and with his cheek smushed against the pillow. Quite a tender posture, but also one that displays every form of debauchery.
His hair is entirely disheveled (sticking up in all directions), his ears still not retracted (rubbed onto the pillow), and his body is all sorts of defiled. Bright marks litter his nape, his back, his torso… and just about everywhere visible.
If traced downward, there are unmistakable handprints formed on his waist and his bottom.
Yang Rong says weakly, “Yes… I understand. Now that I can recall my actions… I may… definitely have been too rough.”
Shi Luo only shakes his head, takes out a stethoscope and gets to work examining the young man’s state. He works deftly, measuring Noah’s pulse, taking note of his blood pressure… Shi Luo feels up the small bump on his stomach and says, while turning toward Yang Rong, “The readings are normal, but I advise progestin – emergency contraception, Yang Rong. Fertilization is still possible within five or so days. You are aware of the risks of pregnancy?”
“Yes…” Yang Rong is leaning against the wall with a suffering expression on his face. “I am aware.”
“Genetically, Arctic fox and… whatever reptilic monstrosity you are, do not mix. There may be an exception, however, and should you decide on child-bearing…” Shi Luo finishes with the analysis and leans back. “Well, the product will be interesting to dissect.”
Yang Rong stares at the doctor’s ambiguous amber eyes. “…As expected, I do not like you one bit. Do you still hold feelings for Noah?”
“Like I’ve mentioned – beyond a senseless scope of love,” Shi Luo replies as he turns to take his leave. “It is only unfortunate he is taken out of my hands.”
“You’ve always been interested in… peculiar things,” Yang Rong comments, watching him leave. “Twisted.”
“And you, Yang Rong?” Shi Luo gives a low chuckle, his amber eyes eerily lightened up. “Keeping him here like this? The analogy is akin to a small animal kept captive in a cage.”
“I’ll treasure him.”
“Piece him back together?” Shi Luo gives a sardonic smirk. “He is way broken, Yang Rong.”
“…No,” Yang Rong responds as he gets off the wall. “He is not fragile enough to break… nor is he forced to stay with me.”
“He hasn’t anywhere else to go.”
To that, Yang Rong doesn’t respond.
Shi Luo continues, “One more thing. About Xie Xing – I’ve deleted his access information off the database. I don’t believe he will be a target for the foreseeable… future, I suppose. The Nexus is busying themselves with the thousands of surviving infectees. His capture isn’t of imminent importance – not after Xie Liwei set off an entire siege.”
“…Hm.”
“Do you suppose this is his way of atonement… or would it be some distorted way of protection, Yang Rong?”
“Who knows.”
“In fact,” Shi Luo says, “it is twice now that he had done such a thing.”
“The Border Massacre?”
“Indeed. He disabled border security for his wife—fiancée. Inopportunely, there were infected soldiers who had entered as well. At the time, Xie Liwei was heralded as the savior of mankind, a man who had singlehandedly contained the infection inside the city border – ironic, I should say.”
“Hm.” Yang Rong only hums in acknowledgment. “Ironic indeed… that he hadn’t managed to save the one he intended to. This time, I suppose he atones for his son.”
With a slow shake of his head, Shi Luo turns around and says a few last words. “Then, I will take my leave. I will be unavailable for the following few months.”
Yang Rong waves a hand in dismissal and remains still as the doctor leaves. The footsteps wan out shortly enough, followed by the slight jangle of the door, and then a smooth shut. The colonel stands in silence, staring out at the young man plastered on his bed.
By unhealed layers of skin are hickeys, scratches and cuts – not recent ones but rather, the ones that have lingered since childhood. They’ve faded into bruises, discolored patches, scars that would stay permanent to remind.
But Yang Rong himself hadn’t left marks that’d hurt – only the ones that remain pinkened, tender among patches of purple and blue. The colonel walks toward him and pulls the quilt back over his weakened body. Noah shifts slightly in his sleep and lets out an inaudible whine.
Yang Rong bends over and drops light kisses onto his ears, his forehead, tracing down to cheeks and lips. “Sorry, little fox,” he whispers, rubbing his hands on the younger man’s hair, kneading him to appease. “I’ll be good to you… Mn… it’s my fault…”
He rubs his fingers against Noah’s lips, too, as though it’d help his case. “…But you were also the one who came onto me… Are you really going to be like this, hmm? Not going to wake up and listen to my apologies?”
The young man, still drowsed, nuzzles into his hand. Yang Rong, of course, being the shameless person he is, takes advantage to fondle Noah – first smushing his cheeks, then rubbing gently on his lips, and later scraping at the small fangs that peek out. The colonel is very obviously enjoying the dissatisfaction on Noah’s face.
“If I think about it some more…” he comments teasingly, not minding that Noah can’t hear. “Weren’t you the one who jumped me, hmm? Latching onto me when I was taking off my clothes, kissing me so eagerly – little kitten, you really are a lot more coquettish than expected.”
He continues with a curve of his lips, “A very pleasant surprise to find you’re so active in bed, however. Next time, Rong-ge will gladly let you lead and ride—”
Just then, a sharp bite to his finger. Yang Rong blinks as the young man – with his eyes still closed – sinks his white fangs onto firm skin, biting deep enough to draw out blood. It may be subconscious that Noah is biting this harshly, lapping up all the crimson trickles and sucking out more. However, when the young man lowers to attack Yang Rong’s forearm as well, there may be suspicions otherwise.
“…” Yang Rong watches without moving.
Definitely more than just subconscious. It seems Noah is really intent on eating him alive, after all.
But Yang Rong, entirely smitten, can’t help but let out a fond chuckle.
“…Alright,” he whispers cajolingly, once again leaning over to kiss his lover. “Rong-ge admits his wrongs.”
super long author’s note today: for The Daily Eggplant‘s kinktober event, authors, readers and i have done fanfic exchanges! there are two fanfics for MT written by the super wonderful iseul and vaesen~~! if you are interested in more spoicy content, check out:
impulse, discarding humanity by iseulisgay (**PLEASE NOTE NON-CON TAGS, explicit)
It Suits You, Kitten by RS_Vaesen (explicit)
—-
for my prompt, i have written a fanfic for M. L. Peregrine’s How To Kill a King~~
read –> 101 ways to catch a king (mature)
and LASTLY, iseul’s work, Rin the Rat can also be found on CG! vaesen writes Sweet Devil and Falling In Love In a Haunted House!
more works can be found on our AO3 collection! please show our wonderful BL authors some love ; w ;
¡¡¡thanks author!!!❤
❤
Thanks author
!
I did love a happy ending
i like happy endings too..! unless it’s a short story or a tearjerker hehe
Poor Shi Luo…. I’m so sorry I laughed when he said he waited for days outside while Noah and YR were having some intimate time together 😭
trivia: how many days did shi luo wait
They are cuties awwwe
Thank you for the chapter!
-immediately after, noah eats yang rong and leaves him to die-
Thanks for another great chapter, Yue. ♡
thank uu for reading❤
I know the general was in a weird position, but still I wish he could have been an actual father to Noah.. still now Noah will get to live in relative peace and the General was able to give him that, at least.
Everything can go to shit as long as Noah gets to be happy!
thanks for the chapter <3
general xie is actually my 3rd favorite character from this book~! i tried to portray him as very human, 1000% faulty but still human
Thanks for the chapters ♥️♥️♥️ too sad it’s ending
thank you for reading! ❤
Also, haven’t woken in TWO DAYS LOL RIP poor Noah, but also 0__0
Hmmm I really like General Xie, much as I’m conflicted. I decided that I quite like him, because he is so utterly flawed and humane, that I cannot hate him. Even though it’s conflicting, and he’s a little dumb and I want to knock some sense into him, he’s awfully clumsy in his ways of protection, but he is quite human, and the way he was portrayed is an absolute masterpiece/
Everything, ahhh the feels. Also. YEO SOOK AND JAE ARE DEAD ARN’T THEY??? NONONONO I CAN’T ACCEPT THIS FACT. Ishuold’ve known a while ago, but NO I REFUSE OT BELIVE IT.
This whole chapter is so adorably cute, but all I can think about is Yeo Sook and Jae T^T
Hahaha poor Shi Luo! 😄 But I don’t like him, so my sympathy is limited. “Interesting to dissect”, oh no you didn’t… Despite his flaws, YR is going to treat Noah so much better than SL would have done.
Yoo Seok and Jae, what happened 😭 I hope they just deserted. I refuse to accept their demise LALALALALALALA I CANNOT HEAR YOU