Jing He did not know what to think. His mind blanked, his senses only filled with the strong presence of the man leaning over him. At this moment, it seemed that they were heightened because he clearly felt the arm in his back down to the line of the hem of Qiu Ling’s robe that pressed against him or how the strength of the fingers on his chin deepened slightly as Qiu Ling’s kiss became more demanding. The faint sound of their lips meeting reached his ears just as the rustling of the fabric of their robes and the blanket beneath. He felt the heat emanating from Qiu Ling’s body where they touched and even where they didn’t, he seemed to be wrapped in warmth, feeling as if his whole body was being ignited inch by inch.

Qiu Ling pulled back after a few moments, his gaze brushing over Jing He’s cheeks which had flushed even deeper during this time and finally raising to his eyes that had fallen shut halfway. “After this, nothing will separate us again.”

Jing He was pulled out of his daze and the words finally sank in. What Qiu Ling meant … was to get married the way the dragons did. When it had already happened and the people of the dragon race acknowledged it, his father indeed couldn’t do much. What more since doing this with Qiu Ling would ruin his reputation in the Nine Heavens if they let any of the gods find out about it.

Jing He trembled when he thought of this being exposed but then forced himself to nod despite his fear. It didn’t matter. He could do anything to be with Qiu Ling. If people thought him base for touching Qiu Ling’s body skin to skin without a wedding ceremony preceding it, then he could accept that. If they whispered about him behind his back and pointed their fingers, he would simply pretend to ignore it. No matter what, he wanted to be with this man. Everything else could be dealt with when it happened.

Qiu Ling didn’t need more from him than this gesture. He smiled and then leaned in again, his lips brushing Jing He’s while his hand shifted from his chin down to his clavicle and then followed the line of his lapel down to the edge of his belt.

They had done this before. Back when they talked about how they imagined their wedding ceremony to be, Qiu Ling had touched him in this way, asking him whether he was truly ready to do these things and even in front of witnesses.

Thinking of the latter part, Jing He could not help but reach up, pressing his palm against Qiu Ling’s chest to make him stop for a moment. “This … According to the dragons, don’t we need a witness?”

Qiu Ling smiled. “I’d rather enjoy this alone with you. Don’t worry though. I haven’t forgotten our customs. After we are done, we will honor them. It will be alright as long as we call somebody to observe at that time.”

Jing He wasn’t sure if this would mean their wedding would be seen as lesser but he told himself that Qiu Ling certainly would have mentioned this. He treated him so well, how could he forget to mention such a thing if it had a deep meaning? So, most likely, both ways were valid and the decision might be made according to convenience or personal preferences. In this regard, he had to admit that he also preferred it this way.

While he was ready to give himself to Qiu Ling, there was a certain sense of shame in doing this before the wedding ceremony in the Nine Heavens. He was aware that it couldn’t be hidden and would instead be pronounced to Qiu Ling’s people later on to give him an official name there but that didn’t mean that he was ready to face this change immediately. No, for now, he felt much better knowing that only his future husband was with him and would see him commit this kind of taboo.

Jing He took back his hand but then didn’t quite know where to put it instead. He looked up at Qiu Ling, trying to find any hint as to what was expected of him.

His lover only smiled. “Don’t be nervous.” He pecked Jing He’s cheek and then slowly opened his belt.

Jing He finally reached to the side and grasped the blanket beneath, his fingers curling into the fabric. He wasn’t sure whether he was excited or afraid and he didn’t know which of the two it should be either. All of this was new and the implications it had were far-reaching.

The belt finally came undone but Qiu Ling was not in a hurry. He looked up at Jing He and smiled, looking a lot more relaxed than his lover. He could probably see that Jing He was worried and reached up, gently brushing his cheek with his fingertips. “It’s alright. Just relax.”

Jing He nodded and tried not to be as tense. He didn’t want to give Qiu Ling the impression that he didn’t want him or that he might regret what was happening in the future. No, since he had decided on this, he had to face this calmly.

Qiu Ling waited until Jing He had somewhat sorted his mind and then reached to the side, covering his hand.

Jing He hadn’t realized before but even though the rest of his body had slightly relaxed, his fingers were holding onto the fabric beneath in a death grip as if afraid that he would be spirited away if he did not hold on tightly enough.

Under Qiu Ling’s silent, gentle persuasion, he slowly released his grip. His fingers hurt slightly and he took a deep breath, once again reminding himself that there was nothing to be nervous about.

Qiu Ling grasped his hand, pulled it up, and kissed his palm. With a smile at Jing He, he moved it to his shoulder as if telling him that instead of clinging to the blanket, he might as well hold onto him.

With the familiar warmth beneath his fingertips, Jing He indeed felt that this was much better. Feeling close to his lover, he always found his mind to be more peaceful and this kind of almost normal contact reminded him of the security Qiu Ling’s presence always brought to him. Even in a new situation like this, that would never change.