DIFFERENT WORLD

Chapter 20: MY LIFE

Audio titled: FLIGHT INSOMNIA

Advice: Listen to the song at the end of the story.

Chapter
XX
My Life

***

The velvet noise surrounded Zhang Qi Ling sent a chill racing up his spine even as a dark eyebrow rose in question. But, without hesitation, he simply said, "Anything, Wu Xie, I'd..."

Ultimate forgive me, I'd put you above... everything.

Wu Xie leaned forward until he was so close to Zhang Qi Ling's face that Zhang Qi Ling could see the individual lashes framing Wu Xie's piercing eyes.

"I want you," Wu Xie repeated and Zhang Qi Ling opened his mouth to scathingly reply 'Yes, I am aware. But we couldn't though,' when suddenly Wu Xie's lips were pressed against his own.

Zhang Qi Ling froze, stunned for a moment, before he tried to pull away. The attempt was useless, however. Wu Xie had used Zhang Qi Ling's hesitation to shift forward on the couch until he sat on the edge of the cushion. His knees were spread wide, Wu Xie pulled up between them, and his hand cupped Zhang Qi Ling's cheeks, holding him close. A lick and a nip and Zhang Qi Ling couldn't keep his eyes open or the low growl that rumbled from his chest inside. Wu Xie didn't make any noise, but his mouth urgently demanded Zhang Qi Ling's participation.

Soon—forever later—Zhang Qi Ling felt Wu Xie's fingers trembling against his face and he brought his own hands, that until that point had remained resolutely in his lap, up to grasp Wu Xie's wrists.

As if he had been waiting for permission, Wu Xie pulled his hands away and gripped the cushions of the couch. His labored breathing echoed in the small room and Zhang Qi Ling felt, rather than heard, the noise, like a warm breeze over his ragged senses. He opened his mouth to speak, but Wu Xie shook his head angrily.

"I won't believe that this is for nothing," Wu Xie said. He moved to push himself from the couch and Zhang Qi Ling stood, stepping out of Wu Xie's space. Wu Xie lifted a single mocking eyebrow when they both stopped and he noticed Zhang Qi Ling had maneuvered himself so that they were separated by the low wooden coffee table. "Who knew that the God of Death was afraid of a mere mortal?"

Zhang Qi Ling's eyes narrowed at the name and softly said. "I'm not afraid... if you are seeking death, then one of us has to be responsible for your life."

Wu Xie laughed and for a moment it was pure and musical, filled with genuine humor and light-heartedness. By the end, however, the sound was tinny and weak.

"You are my life."

Never had four words been closer to bringing Zhang Qi Ling to his knees since the Ultimate whispered out from the darkness, 'Let there be light'.

"Wu Xie," Zhang Qi Ling sighed, pretending it wasn't as pained as it sounded, and didn't move as Wu Xie walked around the table. "I don't want to hurt you." Wu Xie stopped right before him. They were so close Zhang Qi Ling could feel the heat of Wu Xie's body and the dark brown haired man was forced to tilt his head slightly up to meet Zhang Qi Ling's desperate eyes. "Please, I can't..."
if possible, Wu Xie moved even closer and electricity race over Zhang Qi Ling's skin as his body prepared itself for a touch that was so close but never came.

"Do you want to kill me, Xiao ge?" Wu Xie asked calmly, trust shining in his eyes as if he already knew the answer and how could he not?

"No," Zhang Qi Ling's lips formed but no sound accompanied them because, in that moment, Wu Xie shifted forward, his body pressed firmly against the length of Zhang Qi Ling's. His lips teased the skin along Zhang Qi Ling's jaw.