Chapter Text
“Big breath in… lift your shoulders, open your airways. Really feel the air filling your lungs, hold it, now exhale out.”
Xie Lian huffed, his arms stinging, as he struggled to mirror the person at the front of the room.
It was a Thursday evening and the workday had finally wrapped up. Xie Lian hadn’t even bothered to say goodbye to anyone in his office before he was snatching up his duffle bag from under his desk and scurrying off to the gym down the road.
It was a fancy gym—no, rather a ‘lifestyle fitness center’ that catered to the elite with insanely sculpted and seemingly unattainable bodies. It was not normally an expense that Xie Lian would deem worthy of splurging almost ten percent of his monthly paycheck on but he’d been egged into it by his peers.
Lately, he’d been struggling to keep his stress under control and it was having major ramifications on his body. The brunette felt as if he were permanently prone to a hunched position after being a slave to his desk for hours on end. His back hurt, his neck constantly felt pinched—hell, even his ass hurt—before he decided enough was enough.
After a peer referral, an upfront payment that made Xie Lian want to cry, and him covertly figuring out which yoga class was the session that none of his coworkers attended: Xie Lian found himself in this studio.
It was a large sun-drenched room on the top floor of the gym. The room was octagonal in shape with floor-to-ceiling windows that provided a panorama view of the city skyline and of the river off in the distance. Around the clock, diffusers scented with white tea pumped the space full of a calming aroma as the entire studio brought on a feeling of zen.
Laid out atop of the wide wooden bamboo floorboards were yoga mats assembled in a checkered pattern, each meticulously spaced out from one another so that all students could behold the glory that was at the front of the room.
And what a view it was…
All attention in the studio was on the handsome man on the instructor’s mat. His yoga mat was elevated on a small platform so even those in the back might be able to see. His stature was strong, tall, and he possessed a magnetism that commanded attention even if all of these people were not paying to listen to him.
He was the type of attractive that made people stare unabashedly in the streets with long wavy hair as dark as calligraphy ink and amber eyes that made one blush when they locked onto you.
This was only Xie Lian’s third or so class thus far but he’d had already decided that he was going to attend every week going forward if it meant this man would be teaching.
There was no point in denying it… Xie Lian was hot for his yoga instructor.
“And now we are going to tighten our cores,” The dark haired man at the front of the room lifted his face upwards to face the class, his sharp jawline looking especially attractive under the glistening sheen of sweat adorning his features, “Keeping those backs straight, open your bodies to reach forwards in front of you.”
The man demonstrated, extending one arm before him while his opposite leg stretched out behind him. The position effectively had all of his weight balancing on only one hand, which was pressed firmly into the yoga mat, and one knee as he kept body level.
From where Xie Lian was situated, he got a perfect line of sight to check out the fine definition to the teacher’s arms and the nice cuts to his triceps. The man’s clothes were fitted, consisting of that smart fabric that wicks sweat but was also clung to the body. Between his tightly fitted shirt and thin shorts over spandex yoga leggings, there was little left to the imagination.
His instructor was ridiculously ripped. Far more muscular than the other instructors in the studio. Maybe because he was a physical therapist by trade? Xie Lian had realized his interest in the teacher had begun to extend beyond what was simple curiosity when he spent one evening cyberstalking the man’s life from the comfort of his couch at home.
Hua Cheng, aged twenty-nine, Gemini sign. He’d been working at the gym for over three years now; prior to that he’d done a number of jobs all in the same vein of personal fitness.
From his social media feeds—not set to private—he seemed to spend his weekends going on hiking trips with friends or frequenting bespoke cocktail lounges. He had a convertible that he seemed quite enamored with, a scraggly one-eyed cat named E-Ming that he’d rescued, and notably no sign of a girlfriend or boyfriend.
“Good, now turn your palm up and bring that knee in.” The man shook his hair; tossing his long ponytail over his shoulder before he brought his elbow and knee together to curl in on himself, “Now exhale and then extend yourself outward again.”
All around Xie Lian on neighboring mats, there was movement as the students adjusted and mimicked the man at the front of the room. The people repeated the motion again and again, curling in on themselves and then extending their forms long.
Xie Lian did his best to stay balanced, his body shaking slightly from the instability of supporting himself on his opposite elbow and knee, while trying to copy this table top pose. His wrist hurt and he wobbled slightly when he brought his knee inward, face reddening when he heard Hua Cheng’s voice call out to him…
“Mat Eight, try bringing your arm more aligned with your shoulder. You're too far forward which is why you’re feeling unbalanced.”
“Ah?” Xie Lian picked up his head, cheeks flushed, as he made eye contact with the instructor, “Like this?”
He dropped both palms to the floor, sliding them closer to his body in hopes he was doing it right. It wasn’t like Xie Lian had done a ton of yoga prior to this. He considered himself decently athletic although, due to work, it had been a number of months since he really worked out properly.
He felt awkward, weak, and very out of his element.
“Hold on.” The instructor leapt up, scanning the studio as he instructed, “Everyone do three sets of ten on that leg before we alternate.”
The man began to navigate through the rows of people, gesturing for Xie Lian to wait as he drew closer.
Xie Lian’s heart fluttered, his stomach flipping with nervous excitement when he saw the other approaching. In his brief stint of being a yogi, Hua Cheng had never personally instructed Xie Lian before. The man rarely seemed to come down off his podium and yet here he came.
Hua Cheng stalked with the nimbleness of a feline, his bare feet padding on the floor as his endless legs deftly weaved between mats. The god-like man lifted the hem of his shirt, revealing but a peek of sculpted abs, to dab at the sweat on his face.
It was silly of Xie Lian but he briefly wondered if he smelled okay.
But of course he smelled, they were in a workout class!
When the instructor stopped by his mat, Xie Lian barely even had time to gather himself, muttering some garbled semblance of a 'hello' when the other knelt beside him and grabbed him by the hips.
“W-what!” Xie Lian squeaked, body tensing instantly as he felt the other manhandle him into a kneeling position on all fours.
“Here,” The other offered, tugging Xie Lian so that his weight was more centered over his hands and knees, “Use your palms to press into the mat if you need but this will keep your back straight.”
Xie Lian’s face burned, his eyes fixated on the floor in front of him as every inch of his body tingled under the man’s touch. Even through the barrier of clothing, Xie Lian could feel how hot Hua Cheng’s hands were and a small part of him twittered in delight.
“Like this?” The blood pounded in ears, his inner monologue reduced to shrieking with the light pressure the man’s hold held as he squeezed Xie Lian’s hips in reassurance.
“Good,” The man rumbled, his voice quiet and almost intimate as the rest of the class continued their exercises around them, “Now slowly extend that leg and your arm in front of you at the same time. You should feel like you're tucking your navel to your spine to keep your core engaged.”
“O-okay.” Xie Lian answered shakily, his mind spinning as he thrust his limbs out in an uncoordinated fashion. He tilted slightly, his body trembling with nerves when Hua Cheng came to gently cup his thigh on the leg that was extended and rested a hand on his lower back.
The man’s hand was so large that it enwrapped the entire width of Xie Lian’s thigh. This new knowledge was dizzying information for Xie Lian to take in. He did always have a thing for hands, especially veiny ones like Hua Cheng’s.
“There you go.” The instructor straightened Xie Lian out, checking out the man’s body until he was satisfied that the brunette had gotten the position down. “Just keep doing that and then we’ll switch to the other leg.”
Xie Lian nodded, his heart hammering as he whispered through dry lips, “T-thanks.”
“Okay, class.” The man rose to his feet and clapped his hands as he returned to the instructor platform, “Remember, keep deep even breaths as you open and curl in on your bodies. Breathe through the motions.”
Xie Lian exhaled the breath he hadn’t been aware he’d been holding and tried to slow his pulse, his skin still tingling from the close proximity he’d had with the gym’s eye candy only moments ago.
He was thankful that they were doing stances that involved them facing downwards towards the mat…that way the slight tent in the front of his pants would be less evident.
“Calm your minds.” Hua Cheng’s deep voice reverberated among the sweet scent that permeated the room.
Xie Lian closed his eyes and frowned, mentally counting down the minutes until class would be over.
“Ah, fuck, fuck .” Xie Lian bit his lip and whimpered, pressing his back against the cool glass of the shower stall.
Class was over and among the hidden steam of the gym’s locker room, Xie Lian had selected the furthest and most private shower stall so that he could jerk off in peace.
The loud downfall of water from the multiple shower heads did a good job of muffling audio but still Xie Lian didn’t want to be too vocal as he touched himself to the image of his yoga instructor.
He’d been hard for the remainder of class, trying to subtly angle his hips or arch his back so that his shirt would hang down over his front to conceal his aroused state. They’d only done a few more positions after the table top exercise but it had been tortuous for Xie Lian.
As the handsome man at the front of the room continued instructing the class, showing off how it was done with such ease and precision control of his body, Xie Lian’s thoughts had grown increasingly more lewd.
Sure, he’d ogled Hua Cheng plenty of times before he’d never tuned out of class to such an extreme.
He could still remember the feeling of the man’s hands on him and recall how those hands had squeezed him, caressed him, maneuvered him.
Hua Cheng hadn’t even been that forceful with Xie Lian during class but the latter could sense the raw strength that the man must possess. All those muscles weren’t only for show.
Xie Lian fervently stroked his cock, dragging his grip from base to crown as he twisted and pulled. With his other hand, he pinched at one nipple, tugging and abusing the perked flesh as he chased after his climax.
He was so horny. He wanted to just come already but his body was on edge, jumping from one thought to another in frustration as he desperately sought release.
“ Nhh! ” Xie Lian’s own hands were soft, fingers delicate and slender; nothing like the roughness of the instructor’s hands. He rolled his nipple between his fingers, hips naturally gyrating in a pleasured response, as he sought support from the shower wall.
He wanted to come. He wanted to come so badly.
His skin felt hot, his legs shaking to keep himself upright, as he huffed through the warm shower steam. Everything felt so sensual, like the very clouds of water vapor were licking every inch of Xie Lian’s body as he mewled and twisted.
His wet hair matted against his cheekbones and stuck to his forehead but Xie Lian was too caught up in his pursuit to care. He gasped into the steam, discontent with only his hand as his other abandoned his abused nipple. Instead, his freed hand now frantically pumped a healthy glob of shower gel into his palm.
Maybe he’d spoiled himself too much using plugs and dildos at home but he yearned to be filled. Hands weren’t quite enough and Xie Lian rose to his tiptoes, slipping his soapy hand behind himself to feel between his asscheeks.
“Ngh.” The man shuddered, his cock sensitive as the shower water rained down on his reddened cock. He flexed to the best of his ability, sinking a slicked finger into his tight heat as he screwed his eyes shut.
He thrust deep, down the knuckle in one fell swoop, his body hungrily squeezing around the appendage.
It was instant relief, his hips wiggling happily as he began dually stroking his cock and fingering himself. The feeling of being filled quelled his anxiousness, his stomach fluttering in euphoria as he began stuffing himself full of as many fingers as he could fit.
“Mmm, yes .” Xie Lian curled his toes, eyes rolling back in his head slightly as he chewed a lip and really savored the feeling of his fingers plunging in and out of his body.
He teased himself with pleasure, caressing around his prostate in needy circles as he leaned further back into his own touch. The lean man arched, beautiful body heaving with labored pants, as his hand on his cock became sloppy. Xie Lian always preferred getting off from the back more and soon he was leaking precum; shuddering like a fly stung horse everytime he directly grazed the spot.
Three fingers deep felt good but it still didn’t compare to his dildo. He squirmed in annoyance, the shower water pattering down against his flushed body.
Xie Lian would need to employ a little imagination to really push himself over the edge.
He pictured how Hua Cheng looked in class, the memory of how nice the swell of the man’s ass had looked his forever etched into Xie Lian’s mind. The man’s proportions were ridiculous and mentally scanning the man’s form one piece at time was enough to have Xie Lian’s cock throbbing with heightened arousal.
Within him, Xie Lian kept teasing and rubbing around his prostate while his other hand resumed playing with his length. As he fantasized and recalled the instructor more, the softness of Xie Lian’s own hands soon gave way to the roughness of calluses. His bundled fingers transformed into the thick shaft of a cock ramming deep in his ass and Xie Lian whimpered in pleasure.
“Oh fuck, yes, yes.”
He imagined Hua Cheng’s touch all over him; rubbing him, squeezing him. Now that he’d experienced the feeling of the man’s hands on his hips, it was easy to picture Hua Cheng kneeling behind him, hands guiding Xie Lian as he snapped into the brunette’s body over and over again.
“Yes, yes!” The voice chanted, barely audible over the shower spray, “Just like that, mmm , just like that.”
Hua Cheng was so coordinated and athletic in class, he must be amazing in bed. He would fuck Xie Lian so good that he would leave the latter in tears. Flashes of thin lips scraping across quivering skin and a large hand knotted through his hair made Xie Lian’s balls tightened.
His orgasm was fast approaching and Xie Lian chased it with fervor, his mind jumping through scenario after scenario of what it would be like to bed the yoga instructor.
Doggy style, reverse cowgirl, pretzel. Xie Lian wanted to do them all.
Xie Lian lifted a foot and propped it against the glass partition wall to the stall next to his, using the new leverage to open up his body more as he shoved his fingers deep inside of himself; as deep as he could reach.
Hua Cheng would drill him into the mattress with such passion that all Xie Lian would be able to do was cling to his shoulders and wail.
He curled his fingers forwards, rapidly vibrating them against that spot inside of him and increasing in frequency until his body was seizing. Hot fire licked his insides and burned through his senses, his stomach clenching powerfully as he felt that swell of energy explode from within him.
“ A-ah! ” Xie Lian whined, scrunching his eyes closed tight as he shot out his release into his balled fist, his entire form trembling as he uttered one name breathlessly on his lips, “Oh Hua Cheng…”
He was back again.
Hua Cheng was not one to normally pay attention to who the newcomers to his yoga class were but this particular student was difficult to ignore.
The lithe man had shown up a few times now. He was of average height with a cute face and a tight body that was exactly to Hua Cheng’s tastes.
The man’s chestnut hair was trim but still long enough that the soft tips dusted the nape of the man’s neck. He seemed to like to choose the mat in the second row of the studio, always off to the far side by the windows so that he was in Hua Cheng’s line of sight but not directly in front of him. His skin was fair, smooth, and he seemed to blush whenever Hua Cheng made eye contact with him.
Normally, the instructor would simply brush it off. It was nothing new for some of his students to find him attractive or even form a small crush on him. He wasn’t discouraging or encouraging of such behavior, it wasn’t his place to tell others how to feel.
But what he could not ignore was the ragged panting in the shower stall next him following a class one day.
Hua Cheng froze, hands still mid-lather in his hair, as he turned in the direction of the noise. For a moment, he wondered if he was imagining things but it was hard to dissuade himself when the glass wall suddenly rattled under the impact of being struck.
“What the fuck…” The man whispered, eyes rounding as he strained to listen more closely through the rush of the water overhead. He neared the partition wall, slowly turning his head so that his ear hovered near the glass in disbelief.
What horny fucker was jerking off in the public showers of the gym?
“ O-oh !” A faint voice moaned wantonly. It was a breathy tone, a quality of simpering in its feeble wail for release, that went straight to Hua Cheng’s cock.
The dark haired man backed up, blinking rapidly under the spray of water as his length came to life. His cock twitched, rapidly hardening the more his ears picked up the pleasured sounds of the man next door.
Hua Cheng cursed, quickly placing his palm flat over the curving meat as he willed his erection away. There was a time and place for everything but he wasn’t about to jerk off in his place of employment.
He tried to resume his shower, shaking his head in stunned shock while he attempted to ignore his neighbor. But once his ears had picked up the distinctive voice, it was hard to ignore.
“Mmm, yes .” Hua Cheng heard the other pant, “Oh fuck, yes, yes.”
“Fucking hell.” He whispered to himself, scrubbing more furiously at his skin as the other’s moans picked up.
Between his legs, his dick hung hard; the pelting shower water sliding and dancing down his turgid flesh as he tried in vain to tune out the sounds.
Another moan echoed from the shower stall, the intensity increasing as Hua Cheng could tell the other was getting close.
Did this guy really have no shame? Clearly not given the sounds emitting from the shower stall next door. The guy was practically begging for it.
Hua Cheng gritted his teeth and released a sharp exhale, his hands instinctively creeping down his stomach to ghost around his erection.
He soaped at his body, telling himself that he was simply washing his intimate area, as took his dick in his hand and began to pump it through the slicked gel of soap suds.
“Yes, yes!” The voice chanted, barely audible over the shower spray, “Just like that, mmm , just like that.”
Who the fuck was in the stall next door?
Hua Cheng huffed, furiously wiping his bangs from his face as he widened his stance and jacked himself facing the glass wall. It wasn’t going to take long, working out and having all eyes on him during class already got his blood going as it was.
He sighed heavily, eyelashes fluttering as he chewed his lip and pictured some images of filth to help him over the edge. He thought back on some porn he’d watched recently, some amateur stuff of this one twink getting fucked by his boyfriend. Hua Cheng didn’t even really remember what the guy had looked like since most of the footage was focused on zooming in on where he was being penetrated. But for some reason the image of the attractive brunette from his class came to mind.
Hua Cheng grunted, surprised with himself that he was thinking of a student of all people.
“Ohh! Ngh! ” The voice in the stall next door moaned a bit louder and Hua Cheng’s dick pulsed.
Yes, it was easy to imagine that the voice could belong to someone who looked like that brunette.
Someone who was as tall yet toned as that brunette. Who had long legs and lean arms with soft lips like him. Someone whose body looked so flexible, bendable, under his touch like how he’d been in class.
Hua Cheng stoked himself a bit faster, toes curling as he felt that heat pooling in his stomach.
That porn video had been so hot too, seeing how the other’s reddened hole had greedily swallowed around the cock plowing in and out of him. Hua Cheng’s hips stuttered, his brow pinched, as he pictured the brunette’s flushed face.
His slicked hand moved rapidly, squeezing the taut flesh in his grasp as he jacked himself in frenzy. His dick hurt slightly from how roughly he was running his cock through the tight tunnel he’d formed with his hand but he horny and wanted to get his over with.
“Shit.” Hua Cheng chased after that feeling, his hips bucking into his hand, his body tingling as he felt his orgasm approaching.
He imagined grabbing that brunette from his class and folding him over in half, drilling his cock in and out of the man’s pliant body as the latter begged for him to pound him harder. Precum beaded out from his slit as the engorged crown of his cock shyly disappeared and reappeared in Hua Cheng’s grip as he touched himself in choppy strokes.
He was almost there, he was about to–
“A-ah!” The voice in the stall next door cried in a strangled tone and Hua Cheng’s skin prickled, his vision nearly going white when he realized the other had come.
He teetered on the edge, his balls throbbing, when that same voice softly whispered with longing his name, his fucking name , “Oh, Hua Cheng…”
Hua Cheng lost it, his climax ripping through him as his hand stalled and he shot out his release in thick ropes onto the shower’s partition. He came hard, not even able to breath through his orgasm, as he continuously came. He rested a forearm against the glass, every muscle in his body tight as his cock spurted one last time.
“Hah…” The man gasped raggedly, chest heaving, as a sticky thread of cum clung from the end of his cock. He wiped the white substance from his tip, analyzing the thickness of it as he rubbed it between his thumb and fingers in wonder.
He hadn’t come that hard in a while.
As Hua Cheng recovered, he heard the water shut off in the stall next to him and the sounds of shuffling as the other man gathered his belongings. The other seemed equally rocked by his own orgasm, his shallow panting audible, as he opened the stall door and began to make his way back to the locker room.
The dark haired man stilled when the soft sound of wet feet drew near and then passed in front of his stall quickly.
The person was leaving.
Hua Cheng couldn’t miss this chance, curiosity eating at him, when he slowly cracked open his shower stall’s door to catch a glimpse of the person hurrying down the line of showers.
While the person’s back was to him, Hua Cheng recognized the other from their physique immediately…
It was the brunette from his class.
“Good, good, finish up those cat-cows and then we will be shifting into our next move.”
The students were on all fours on the mats, deep exhales audible as the class moved through the last set of this pose.
Xie Lian took a deep inhale, drawing his chin towards his chest as he arched his back skyward before lifting his head back high and attempting to aim his belly button towards the floor.
This was probably Xie Lian’s favorite position as it did wonders for loosening up his tightly wound back muscles.
The only part of this pose that made the man a little self conscious was when they had to move on the exhale. With this, Xie Lian dropped his waist and effectively flexed his hips so that his ass was upturned. The first time they’d done this pose, Xie Lian had felt compelled to apologize to the person behind his mat as he felt like he was practically showing his bottom off to all the rows of mats behind him.
Among the mats, Hua Cheng walked and observed the class; commenting here or there when someone needed to adjust.
‘Think of it like a journey, feel the muscles move as you shift from the tucked position and open your chest’ he would advise. Or ‘press your palms to the earth, feel your weight distributed equally through your body’.
Xie Lian couldn’t help but watch the man from the corner of his eye, admiring the fine swell to his chest. The brunette liked how the muscle mounded over, perky and curved like the tops of freshly baked bread.
The instructor drew closer, sparing Xie Lian a glance as he navigated the strip of floor between Xie Lian and another student’s mat. For a brief moment, their eyes met but Hua Cheng was just as quick to look away.
“Ahem,” The man cleared his throat and passed Xie Lian, navigating to the front of the classroom, “Good, now everyone please return to that starting position so that you’re on your hands and knees. Then we are going to slowly…”
Xie Lian half-listened, watching Hua Cheng as dropped down onto his mat and assumed the position of downward dog.
“Make sure to drop your head and look at your ankles if it helps.” The man instructed, forming a triangle shape with his whole body as he thrust his ass high in the air.
Xie Lian was quick to follow suit, shifting with the rest of the class as everyone came to move into position.
If Xie Lian had felt the other position was slightly provocative in nature, it had nothing on what he was feeling now. The brunette wouldn’t help but giggle to himself, wiggling his hips to get more loose as he raised his rear and dropped his head low.
From this position, Xie Lian could easily see the rear of the classroom and the backs of other student’s heads.
“Really try to spread your hands, touching every finger to the floor.”
He could also see when Hua Cheng’s feet came to pause behind him, the man saying nothing for a few moments as he stood directly behind where Xie Lian had lifted his ass for all of the world to see.
Xie Lian waited, wondering if he was going to be called out again for doing something wrong but Hua Cheng said nothing.
Was his posture off? Was he not keeping a straight enough line from his tail to this neck?
As moments became minutes, Xie Lian felt increasingly more self-conscious.
He’d made a more bold outfit choice for class today. Instead of his usual gym shorts, Xie Lian had gone out and bought a pair of form-hugging yoga leggings. He’d almost not worn them, concerned with how tight they were, but the rest of his gym clothes were in his laundry basket so he’d chanced the tights.
It was not lost on Xie Lian what the view of him from behind must have looked like in this outfit.
The blood rushed to Xie Lian’s head, and not just because he was hanging his head upside down between propped arms. Xie Lian’s cheeks flushed scarlet, twisting his neck to try and get a better look at the instructor. However, the angle was too difficult.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Hua Cheng walked away from him; his voice a little deeper when he resumed his instruction.
“Good, now I want everyone to…”
That Friday, Xie Lian was cajoled into grabbing drinks with two of his friends from university.
“I thought you said we were going somewhere casual!” Xie Lian shouted to be heard over the heavy reverberating bass of the nightclub’s sound system.
Laid before them was a scene of alcohol-fueled frenzy as blinding strobe lighting pulsed overhead with the rhythm of the music and masses of scantily clad bodies writhed on the dance floor. A DJ donning sunglasses indoors threw one arm in the air to the cheers of the crowd as a smoke machine spewed a foggy haze. As Xie Lian’s eyes adapted to the dark, he could make out bars flanking the main pit and private tables on the mezzanine upstairs.
“We are!” Mu Qing shouted, gesturing towards the manner of dress most patrons displayed. “There’s no dress code here.”
“That’s not what I meant!” Xie Lian cried after the man as he began leading their group through the throngs of people.
“Let’s get a drink at the bar, yeah? Nothing like some drinks to wash away the week.”
“Come on, the first round is on me.” Feng Xin laughed, slinging an arm around Xie Lian and ushered him deeper into the venue.
Xie Lian knew better.
It had probably been only about a year out of school before Xie Lian witnessed a little more than he bargained for when the trio had gone out for drinks for one evening. Mu Qing and Feng Xin had always possessed a strange energy between them and it had not clicked for Xie Lian what that exactly was until he saw Feng Xin trying to shove his tongue down their other friend’s throat.
It wasn’t like Feng Xin and Mu Qing were subtle with their heated looks across the table or how things always escalated to be a little too physical if one made a teasing comment about the other. Now, most of their friend reunions involving alcohol resulted in Xie Lian eventually third-wheeling or mistakenly being left behind.
“Uh huh.” Xie Lian grumbled, letting himself be pulled along as their group picked out a spot among the bar.
Xie Lian found himself with a green cocktail shoved into his hands while his two friends began their banter on either side of him; or rather, over his head.
“What happened to your workout regime? I thought you said you were taking up lifting?” Mu Qing teased, reaching out to squeeze the other’s arm in jest. He tested the muscle to the man’s bicep, grinning madly at Feng Xin’s frown.
“I have been,” The man scowled, setting his glass down heavily on the bar and leaning over Xie Lian to jab a finger at the other, “What about you? I haven’t seen you in the gym in weeks.”
“I’ve been going in the mornings.”
“Mornings, my ass.”
Xie Lian sighed into his drink, slipping from between them to take shelter on a newly available barstool.
He enjoyed his sweet yet bitter concoction, ordering a fresh one with each one that he downed; all the while, observing as his two friends became increasingly more touchy with one another.
“Why don’t you two go dance?” Xie Lian called over the music.
At the sound of his interjection, both men paused; seemingly surprised to remember their friend had been lingering nearby throughout the duration of their baseless argument.
“What?” Feng Xin squinted, taking in Xie Lian’s body language. The brunette sat half-slumped at the bartop, his chin resting in his hand, legs crossed as if he were languidly enjoying a television show.
“Go dance. It’ll be easier to settle who’s better, right?” Xie Lian offered, not even quite sure that the topic of debate even was any more. But he was giving the two men an opening, any excuse to spare him from being a captive witness to their painful denial of the emotions between them.
“Y-yeah!” Mu Qing beamed at the suggestion, raising an eyebrow and finishing the last of his drink. He wiped his mouth hastily, stepping off in the direction of the dance floor. “Unless you’re too sore from all that working out.”
“Fucking hell.” Feng Xin muttered, shoving his glass into Xie Lian’s hand, “Alright, let’s settle this.”
As the two men took the crowds, they continued their squabbling. But soon shoves turned into linked hands and by the time they were almost out of eyeshot from Xie Lian, the pair were already kissing.
“Typical.” Xie Lian snorted, smiling to himself as he returned his attention to the bar.
How many of these drinks had he had? He’d lost count but it was probably best if the one in his hand was his last.
The alcohol made him feel warm, fuzzy, as he really took in the ambiance of the nightclub.
What was he supposed to do now?
It was already relatively late, Xie Lian couldn’t be sure that his friends would be circling back anytime soon.
He would always leave but part of him didn’t want to go home.
Xie Lian perched, idly swirling the last dregs of his drink in its glass, as he watched the dancing crowds in contemplation.
What could it hurt?
Xie Lian leapt down from the barstool and took to the dance floor.
Entering into the center throng of clubgoers was like being thrust into a storm. All around him, bodies bumped and grinded; arms thrown in the air as the club patrons jumped while others were latched to another by the mouth.
Girls and boys, girls and girls, boys and boys. The club sported all manner of the city as the audience screamed in cathartic release as the DJ shouted something over the speakers about it finally being the weekend.
Xie Lian scrunched his nose at the distasteful lyrics to the song booming throughout the club. Something about getting dropping cash, downing drinks, and fucking groupies? This type of music wasn’t necessarily to his taste but the crowd responded enthusiastically.
As the music blasted, Xie Lian was naturally jostled with the flow of the crowd. He gave into the movement, finding it easier to succumb to the energy than to try and carve out his own personal space. It wasn’t possible given how packed the club was tonight. It was a natural part of the experience to have someone else’s sweaty arm pressed against his or to feel the occasional caress at his back.
The brunette tossed his neck slowly from side, feeling the rhythm of the song as he began to sway and shake in time with the beat. He rolled his body, finishing out the wave with a punctuated thrust of his hip. The move felt nice, stretching out his back as he seamlessly slipped into the frenetic pulse of the dance floor.
Xie Lian laughed lightly to himself, feeling his stress subside as he gave into the music. There was nothing more than Xie Lian loved than dancing. Oftentimes he’d throw on something with a good beat or a higher tempo and just dance around his apartment until he felt like he’d gotten all of his energy out. It’d been ages since he’d frequented a club setting like this and Xie Lian decided to take full advantage of the environment.
He let himself stop worrying about where Mu Qing and Feng Xin might have disappeared to. He stopped thinking about the pile of work that he would have to return to on Monday. He decided he didn’t care if the drinks at this club were too expensive and the pours were too little.
Tonight, Xie Lian was going to have fun.
The setlist shifted into something more EDM-focused and Xie Lian picked up his rhythm. The man probably wasn’t aware of it but he stood out on the dance floor. He’d worn his hair up, gathered into a small ponytail that bopped as he tossed his head; his tank top slipping off one shoulder as he spun and ran one hand down his toned thigh. The black leather pants he’d chosen to wear clung tight to his frame, accentuating his curves as he danced.
As Xie Lian really got into the music and lost himself in the sound reverberating through his body, a few of the other clubgoers tried to shoot their shot with him. Each man made his intentions clear by nearing Xie Lian and attempting to place a hand on his hip, arm, or around his waist. However, with each advance, Xie Lian was quick to shut them down. He’d twist away and put distance between him and the other, making it overly clear that Xie Lian was not interested. These types of advances periodically happened over the course of time that Xie Lian was on the dance floor.
Song after song passed and soon Xie Lian was sweating, having no real idea what time it even was anymore. That’s what he got for forgetting to charge his phone before he left home.
He undulated with the music, his heart pounding his chest as his skin felt flushed. Certainly it had been at least over an hour since he’d last spotted his friends. Xie Lian contemplated if he should make his way back to the bar in hopes of finding them when there was suddenly someone at his side.
“Hey,” A warm breath huffed a little too close for Xie Lian’s liking near his ear, instantly there was a hand at the small of his back, “You here with anyone?”
Xie Lian jerked, startled at how close this stranger was standing. The newcomer was taller than him, way too bulky for Xie Lian’s tastes, and slurred when he spoke. Xie Lian also didn’t like how within a few seconds of the other coming onto him, he was already trying to grind his dick into Xie Lian’s leg.
“I am.” Xie Lian answered flatly, using his elbow to put some distance between him and the man.
The brunette was quick to scan the area, unable to spot his friends. He’d been hoping to find an easy out.
“You’re so hot.” The man continued, taking a drunken step backwards when Xie Lian nudged him slightly. He watched Xie Lian’s soured expression with confusion, “Can I buy you a drink?”
“No thank you.” Xie Lian tried to get away from the other, using whatever opening in the crowd he could squeeze into to put distance between them but this man was like a bulldozer. He easily pushed through the dancing crowds of people in pursuit of Xie Lian, fingers grazing Xie Lian’s elbow in an attempt to recapture his attention.
“You’re a really good dancer.” The man continued, clearly not getting the hint. “Do you wanna dance? I saw you all by yourself.”
What was with this guy? Couldn’t he take a hint?
“I’m here with friends.” Xie Lian frowned, deciding he needed to be more direct. “I don’t want to dance with you. I’m not interested.”
“You’re not?” The man seemed baffled, like this had never happened to him before. He was likely some people’s type but not Xie Lian’s.
“No.” Xie Lian answered firmly, irritated as he once again tried to lose the man in the crowd.
Xie Lian spotted his opportunity and darted through a large group of people, turning to the side and slipping his way through the cluster. He came out of the other side and pushed further through the dance floor, wanting to get as far away from the bothersome bodybuilder as possible.
He craned his neck, only resuming his dancing when he felt that he’d successfully ditched the other.
It wasn’t that Xie Lian was not receptive to the attention of others, but rather he wanted to enjoy dancing by himself. He’d likely be tired tomorrow and planned to spend the day sleeping. So what better way to get his energy out than by letting loose tonight?
Besides, if Xie Lian were to dance with someone, he’d want them to resemble a certain yoga instructor.
At least that way, Xie Lian could pretend…
Through the sound system, a new song came on. It was something with pulsing bass lines and a nice build that electrified the room. Through the synth, a man’s voice taunted clear and crisp…
Don’t you want me?
Xie Lian let his feelings of annoyance go and got back into the music.
Don’t you remember what I used to do to your body?
He was just getting back into the groove of things when there was a hand at his back. The touch was soft, intimate and questioning, as long fingers gently stroked across his spine.
“I told you,” Xie Lian scowled, balling one hand into a fist as he readied himself to get physical with the other, “I’m here with someone.”
Xie Lian’s patience was gone. Couldn’t he have a nice night to himself? He didn’t care if this guy was twice his size, Xie Lian wasn’t afraid to throw a swing if this guy wouldn’t back off.
“You are? Forgive me then.” A voice, a distinctively nice and deep voice answered at his back. That soft touch at his back immediately retreated although Xie Lian could still sense the presence of the other lingering near.
This was not the voice from the man earlier.
Xie Lian turned about and looked up, startled to see the very last person he would have imagined standing behind him.
His yoga instructor…
The man stood there looking like he’d stepped off the pages of a magazine. Beneath the strobing white lights, Hua Cheng’s pale skin seemed to illuminate like white jade; shimmering and flawless.
His raven black air hung free and wavy to where it reached down his back. Normally, such long hair would be difficult for most men to pull off but with Hua Cheng the style was effortless and cool.
Xie Lian stared with his mouth agape, eyeing how the glossy tresses curled and rested near where the man’s abdomen was exposed. The man wore a body-tight crimson shirt that was cropped to reveal his expanse of washboard abs. Clinging low and tight around his chiseled hips were baggy black utility pants adorned with various pockets and silver chains.
The man wore a black leather choker around his neck and sported an innumerable amount of piercings in his ears that Xie Lian had not been aware that the man had.
He looked so different from when Xie Lian saw him in class that he almost wouldn’t be sure that this sultry being standing before him was Hua Cheng if not for those familiar amber eyes. They regarded Xie Lian with question; clearly surprised to have happened upon Xie Lian in the nightclub but swimming with some flickering emotion that the brunette was not quite sure how to place.
“I-it’s you.” Xie Lian blurted, his face flooding with blush when he recalled how rude he’d just been. “I mean, it’s you but you’re not who I thought you were.”
“Expecting someone else?” Hua Cheng didn’t seem to take too much offense.
“More like mistaken for someone. Oh wow, I was really rude. Sorry about that.” Xie Lian babbled, fanning his face.
“You’re from class, right?” Hua Cheng tilted his head downward and shifted a bit closer. Their height difference was just so that the top of Xie Lian’s head reached perfectly beneath the other man’s chin. They’d never stood this close to one another before and Xie Lian flushed harder when he realized that Hua Cheng was bending down to speak with him easier.
“Yeah.” Xie Lian cleared his throat and tried to speak up over the music, “I’m from–”
“The Thursday class. Mat Eight.” The other man answered for him, “I’m not always the best with names so forgive me for having to ask.”
“I’m Xie Lian.” He offered, his throat feeling dry as the instructor gave him the once-over look.
Why did Xie Lian always have to be in situations with this man when he felt like he was perspiring bullets or was making a fool of himself?
There was no way that Xie Lian looked presentable right now. Not after he’d spent the last hour dancing like a maniac and immersed in a sea of sweaty bodies.
But, however Xie Lian must have appeared, Hua Cheng seemed to respond well as a sultry smirk graced his lips.
“Hua Cheng but I go by San Lang with friends.” The man’s roaming gaze returned to the brunette’s blushing face.
“So should I call you...” Xie Lian trailed off, unsure how to address the man. Of course Xie Lian knew his name but the nickname information was new to him.
“You can call me San Lang.” The man stepped a bit closer, a hand of his ghosting Xie Lian’s arm as he gauged the shorter man’s reaction.
Xie Lian’s head spun. Was he reading this situation right?
This man, Hua Cheng, was clearly testing the waters of what type of energy existed between them. There was no other way for Xie Lian to interpret the gentle touches to his arm or how the other was standing so closely to him. Xie Lian could feel the man’s breath tickling his ear when he spoke and the featherlight sensation went straight to the brunette’s pants.
He wasn’t crazy, was he? Xie Lian snuck a glance to the other, well aware that the other was staring him down like something to be eaten.
There was only one way to find out.
“So,” Xie Lian leaned a bit into the man’s touch until their shoulders brushed, “Does that make us friends?”
Hua Cheng’s chest rumbled with low laughter at the flirtatious nature in Xie Lian’s voice, a devilish smile tugging at his lips when he responded, “I think I’d like to get to know you a little more than that.”
Xie Lian blinked. Was this really happening or had Feng Xin slipped something into his drink?
“Y-yeah?” Was all Xie Lian could muster as Hua Cheng’s hands became more bold in his exploring.
The man stepped before Xie Lian so that they faced one another, the man’s touch tracing from the brunette’s arms to his waist to his hip bones. Hua Cheng chewed at his lower lip, his eyes dark, as he experimentally pulled Xie Lian close until their groins brushed in the smallest graze.
Xie Lian shuddered, his skin tingling, his stomach tight, as he shyly peeked up at the other through his lashes. He at least still had the dignity to swallow down the small whimper that rose in his throat.
“You wanna dance?” Hua Cheng spoke in a soft raspy whisper but the question rang loud and clear like fireworks in Xie Lian’s head. “Or are you still waiting on someone?”
Xie Lian hesitated only for a moment, mentally thanking whatever heavenly deity must have been watching over him to grant him this opportunity. It felt like a dream to be here in this situation with the man he’d been so ravenously lusting after in class.
Twinning his arms around the taller man’s neck, Xie Lian rose to his tiptoes to better meet the other’s line of sight when he responded, “I was waiting on you.”
Hua Cheng broke into a smug grin, his hands squeezing Xie Lian’s hips like how’d done in class, as he began moving with the music.
Don’t you want me?
The music blasted overhead, the bass making the floor vibrate, as the two moved against each other.
As to be expected, Hua Cheng was an excellent dancer. The man knew how to move his body and Xie Lian found with each of his own moves, Hua Cheng was quick to complement and follow. They’d hardly even really spoken prior to this fateful encounter and yet they moved in such synchronicity.
To onlookers, the pair appeared like a celebrity couple. Both men possessed a glamorous aura, each equally attractive in their own respective aesthetic. And while they drew the curious or envious stares of others, the duo were immersed in their own world among the chaos.
Xie Lian was having the time of his life, really throwing his all into his moves to impress the other. His calves slightly burned but it was all worth it. Xie Lian would dance until his legs gave out if it meant being able to spend the evening with Hua Cheng like this.
Then put your hands on me.
Xie Lian huffed, his ears burning hot, as Hua Cheng’s hands appreciatively skimmed up and down his sides. Occasionally, he’d brush the shorter man’s rear and each fleeting touch made Xie Lian’s heart beat a little faster.
“You really know how to move.” Hua Cheng murmured into Xie Lian’s hair as they pressed closer, both men’s clothed erections rubbing. Their dancing was hot, carnal and explicit, as their movements resembled closer to that of intercourse than actual dancing at this point.
Xie Lian felt his every nerve was on fire, hyper aware of each inch of his form that made contact with Hua Cheng’s as both men locked gazes while dancing.
“So do you.” Xie Lian returned, transfixed with how utterly gorgeous the dark haired man looked. From his dark sculpted brows to his reddened thin lips, Xie Lian wanted to burn this memory into his mind.
Put your hands on me and show me.
The brunette came to rest his hands on the other’s chest, lightly feeling at the hard wall of muscle, as he nudged his nose against Hua Cheng’s.
Over the beat of the music, Xie Lian swore he heard Hua Cheng’s breath catch.
“Is this okay?” Xie Lian asked, his intentions clear as he lined up their faces. He wet his lips, fingers curling in the material of Hua Cheng’s shirt, as he searched the man for any signal that this was going too far.
“Fuck yeah.” Hua Cheng threaded one hand through Xie Lian’s hair and pulled the shorter man closer for a kiss.
Their mouths sealed together, teeth briefly gnashing as their lips worked against one another’s. Deep-seated arousal tented their pants as hands wandered and brows furrowed. Hua Cheng was quick to lick against Xie Lian’s lips, seeking permission, before he was claiming the insides of the brunette’s mouth.
Xie Lian moaned into their kiss, hands clenched tight and anchoring Hua Cheng to him with his shirt, as the brunette came to partially straddle one of the man’s legs.
Hua Cheng tasted of alcohol, something rich and savory. Xie Lian couldn’t get enough as enthusiastically cooperated, delving his tongue into Hua Cheng’s mouth and licking across the man’s palate. He breathed heavily through his nose, spit gathering between their melding mouths as neither man seemed to want to break for air.
Never before had Xie Lian kissed someone like this, with so much wanting and desire. Sure he’d had a hot makeout session here or there but nothing like this. From the moment their lips touched, it was like an inferno ignited within him. He could hear the blood pumping through his ears, feel the heat of Hua Cheng’s palms on his skin, taste the desire threatening to boil over from his subconscious.
How many times had Xie Lian jerked off to the image of this man? How many times in class had he ogled and fantasized about what it would be like to kiss Hua Cheng?
Xie Lian pressed closer still, wanting to eradicate any space or pocket of air that existed in separating them. It was as if he were afraid this moment would end too soon, as if Hua Cheng would suddenly come to his senses and change his mind.
Xie Lian’s kisses came off as frantic, starved, his ill-disguised whimpers audible even over the pounding music of the club. He rubbed himself on the firm leg trapped between his thighs, his erection jutting and obvious in his strained leather pants.
Both had abandoned all charade of dancing, consumed with one another in the midst of the dance floor and the flashing stage lights.
Hua Cheng cradled the back of Xie Lian’s head, trying to ease back from their kiss to say something but Xie Lian was too quick to follow. The shorter man stood taller on tiptoe, chasing after Hua Cheng’s lips.
“Hey-” Hua Cheng tried between kisses. He turned his head to the side, landing Xie Lian’s mouth to his jawline which the other was just as greedy to lavish with attention. “Xie Lian…ah! Wait a minute-”
“Mmm…” Xie Lian moaned, his hips rocking against Hua Cheng’s leg as he sucked at the other’s neck. Hua Cheng had a nice thick neck and Xie Lian found the perfect place to suckle on, dragging skin between his teeth in an effort to brand the other.
Hua Cheng swore, blinking rapidly up at the ceiling in an effort to restrain himself. If this continued on like this, they very well might end up fucking on the dance floor.
“W-what?” Xie Lian regarded him through blurry eyes, his lips pink and slightly swollen from their kiss.
“You’re a bit more than what meets the eye, aren’t you?” Hua Cheng laughed, coarsely running his fingers through his long dark hair. He tousled the silky tresses and smirked, chest heaving with exertion from their dancing. At the side of his neck, a kiss mark blossomed against ivory skin.
“Hmm?” The brunette inclined his head in a sweet manner, a stark gesture of coyness when he’d been ravaging Hua Cheng’s mouth only moments earlier. Xie Lian’s heart skipped a beat when Hua Cheng hooked a finger under his chin, forcing Xie Lian to meet his gaze.
“Why don’t we take our time, hmm?” The taller man stepped closer when he said this, those deep mesmerizing eyes entrancing Xie Lian.
Instinctually, Xie Lian puffed his lips, thinking that Hua Cheng meant to kiss him again when instead the man began to turn him around.
“There we go.” The taller man rumbled, hands coming to rest on Xie Lian’s hips so that they stood front to back. He ground his hips forward into Xie Lian’s rear and began to sway them to the music. “We have all night to enjoy each other’s company.”
“O-oh.” Xie Lian sighed, his pants tightening with the knowledge that Hua Cheng wanted to take the time to enjoy their time together. To enjoy him . “You like this position?”
“I liked seeing you from behind in class the other day.” The man spoke lowly into Xie Lian’s ear.
Xie Lian couldn’t help but shiver, a pang of excitement flashing through him at the confession. The brunette bit his lip and gave a sharp twist of his hips, grinding his rear firmly back against where Hua Cheng’s arousal dug into him.
Behind him, Xie Lian heard the other man grunt and felt the grip on his hips tighten.
“Naughty little thing.” Hua Cheng growled, nudging Xie Lian’s legs apart so that he was no longer pressing against the swell of the man’s rear but his entrance itself. The position forced Xie Lian to bend forward slightly and the brunette huffed, the loud repetitive beat of the song pumping through his ears.
He did feel naughty. Here he was; half bent over in a nightclub, rubbing himself shamelessly on his yoga teacher.
Maybe it was the drinks coursing in his system or the arousal warming his insides but Xie Lian felt incredibly sexy.
He got back into the music, really wanting to show off for Hua Cheng and demonstrate just what his body could do. He didn’t care that his muscles burned or that his knees felt a bit shaking from his continuous dancing all evening. Xie Lian wanted to convince Hua Cheng that there was no way he was going home tonight without him.
Xie Lian braced his hands on the tops of his thighs to give himself better leverage as he prepared to drop a bit lower to really rub every inch of himself on Hua Cheng when he suddenly felt a tight pinch in his back.
“Oh fuck!” Xie Lian wheezed, eyes opening wide as he suddenly froze and dug his nails into his legs.
The mid-back spasmed, the area immediately bursting into stinging heat, as Xie Lian gritted his teeth through the pain.
Sensing something was wrong, Hua Cheng was quick to fuss, “Xie Lian? What’s wrong?”
“I-I…” Xie Lian croaked, too afraid to stand up straight as he remained in a half crouched stance.
“Xie Lian?” Hua Cheng studied his posture, gently cupping the man’s shoulders to see if he could ease Xie Lian over to the side.
Under the darkness of the nightclub’s dim lighting, Xie Lian’s face flamed red hot.
“I think… I blew out my back.”