Yao blinked at the light creeping through the chamber's window. The glimmering crescent was hanging high above the starry sky. It was the time of the year when flowers thrive and crops flourished, fireflies dispersing everywhere throughout the night. He listened serenely to the insects lurking about in his scintillating garden. He had a pride for conserving things so beautifully. He was so immersed in thinking about the stunning scenery outside he had quite forgotten the presence of a particular someone beside him. The faint, soft snores Arthur made drew his attention back. He glimpsed the slumbering pirate and heaved a sigh. He wanted so much to check on his younger siblings but he assumed Arthur would be enraged to find him gone without his permission.
What troubled Yao more was the British's previous love confession.
What the hell was that all about?
He was almost certain it was one of Arthur's malicious tactics, to toy with his slave and to crumple someone's heart so that he could gratify his own sadistic desires.
Yao eventually decided to sneak out. He rolled off their bed quietly. His hips ached, his throat dry. His thighs were sore from where the British Empire had clutched him deliriously during their feral sex.
He felt so filthy.
So low to even dare enjoy the course of their copulation.
Everything Arthur said and did was extremely manipulative. Yao didn't know how long he could endure and cling to his diminishing hope before he, too, got trapped in this bottomless abyss with no turning back.
At least, one thing did reassure him a bit. Arthur's crews were being lenient on the villagers. They had been staying for quite a while. As long as they were satisfied with the accommodation, they wouldn't start another racket.
Yao grabbed his robe and draped it on his body. He took another swift look at Arthur just in case he awoke in the midst. Confirming that the pirate was sound asleep, Yao hobbled out of the chamber and scurried towards his siblings' rooms.
He was pleased to find them all peacefully in bed. Mei and Yong Soo shared a chamber because the little girl was often haunted by nightmares. As for Kiku, being a lot older than the two, owned a room next to his siblings'. Before Yao was requested to service Arthur every night, he usually accompanied his siblings and let them snuggle up against him. The kids always found it more secure to hang around their older brother.
Yao planted a soft kiss on both Mei's and Yong Soo's forehead, smiling in relief as he proceeded to the next chamber. Kiku's room was filled with his minor inventions. The young nation had always been innovative and talented. Yao granted him so much freedom he was allowed to do anything he wanted, as long as it kept him merry.
Yao stared lovingly at his dearest brother. He loved and cherished Kiku the most among all, mainly because he was the first child he discovered and adopted. The kid could be exceptionally outspoken and cynical at times but he was still a charming, warm person at heart.
Stroking Kiku's hair gently, Yao leaned in and gave him a peck on the head as well. The younger boy babbled something in his sleep and hugged his pillow tightly.
After ensuring that everyone was safe and sound, Yao loitered around in the garden. He didn't want to head back yet, despite dreading Arthur might have found him gone by now.
He looked up at the sky and started admiring the twinkling stars. Everything was so beautiful in his eyes. He would do anything to protect his nation and his residents. No one, not some ferocious pirates and savage Europeans, could ever demolish his empire.
When he finally returned to his chamber, he gasped. Candles were lit and the British pirate was wide awake. He sat peevishly on a chair, apparently in the worst kind of mood Yao could predict.
"So, you're back." Arthur said, his voice coarse and harsh. "Where did you go just now?"
"I…I was just-"
Before Yao could finish his utterance, a sudden hit of pain attacked his cheek. He collapsed to the floor upon receiving the great momentum. His skin burned and ached with searing pain.
"You don't talk back to me, okay?" Arthur shouted. "You don't leave me without my permission! Who said that you could sneak out in the middle of the night? Answer me!"
"S-Sorry…I'm sorry…" Yao managed to stutter. The impact of the slap brought tears to his eyes but he swallowed the sobs quietly, not wanting to further infuriate the British.
"Listen well, I do not tolerate any sort of excuses. I love you but you're still my slave. One quick order and I would have my crews destroy your coasts. You don't go about defying me and doing whatever you want. You're mine, remember that. You do what I tell you to. If I ask you to love me, you have to love me. And if I ask you to serve me, you do the same! Understand?"
"Uh…" Yao merely nodded.
"I can't hear you!" Arthur clasped Yao's elbow and yanked him up, causing the weeping man to squeal in agony.
"Yes…"
"Yes what?"
"Yes…master," Yao sniveled.
Arthur grinned and fiercely shoved the Asian to the bed. He pinned down his wrists and straddled his hips roughly, leaning in to bite on his neck. Yao yelped at the pain and the deep mark Arthur was leaving on his skin that would soon turn into another purple bruise.
"N-No…please."
"Now show me your love," Arthur smirked, gazing down at Yao with lust-filled eyes.
oOo
In all honesty, Arthur felt bad. It wasn't his initial intention to go that far but the thought of Yao evading him flared up and transformed him into yet another grouchy monster. Yao wasn't like any one of his colonies so he couldn't guarantee that he would always abide by his rules. He had his own pride in dominating someone. He had excessive fear of forfeiting control over something he claimed to be his. The urge to reign and sway often pushed him to a point of mania. If fluffy words couldn't cage someone, he would resort to more authoritative move and that usually ended up shattering someone's heart.
Yao's sobs resounded in his ears. The Asian lay inanimately on his stomach. Arthur wrapped his arm around the tattered body and kissed the blotches he had inflicted on Yao. His acts were always contradictory. If he loved something, he couldn't resist breaking it and then amending it afterwards. It only proved that the thing had only belonged to him and no one else, because he dictated it.
Yao shuddered and moaned when the British's lips brushed against his wounded parts. It brought nothing but remorse to the possessive pirate.
"You know this is your fault," Arthur muttered calmly, "because you disobeyed me. Do you seriously think that you can elude me, eh?"
"I…was not eluding you…" Yao whined. "I just…I just went out to check on the kids…I feared they couldn't sleep without my comfort…I wasn't planning to run away…I wasn't…"
The Asian explained and blinked weakly at Arthur. The amber orbs were filled with so much grievance and misery that the British pirate could feel himself plunging deeper into guilt.
His accusation had been more unnecessary and irrational than justifiable.
But indeed, he wouldn't admit his fault. He was much too arrogant to admit he had over-reacted. It wasn't his nature to feel rueful after hurting the innocents. For years as a pirate, he had been hurting more people than he could remember.
And yet, hurting Yao always saddened him.
He wondered why.
Gradually, he placed his hands on Yao's cheeks and rubbed against his bruise gently. He crushed his lips against the Asian's. Yao gasped at the sudden affection flowing into him. He couldn't decipher any of Arthur's contemptible actions. In fact, he could never fathom this barbarian and the way he treated him.
After spending weeks as Arthur's slave, Yao had observed a particular pattern of the British. Arthur would never hesitate to torment him and remind him constantly he was subject to his control. Yet, every time after the inhuman torture, the British would somehow stay around showcasing his affection. It was incomprehensible and sometimes it shocked Yao so much he thought he would go berserk just by trying to decode Arthur's unhealthy motives.
"Don't do that again and I swear I wouldn't hit you unless of course, you defy me," Arthur whispered, burrowing his face into Yao's neck. The Asian pursed his lips together and nodded.
"I don't know why but I'm uncontrollably drawn to you," Arthur continued, hugging Yao tightly. "From the first time we met, I knew I had got to have you. You're so different, so different from all the other nations I've come across. You probably abominate me but I will train you to love me, bit by bit."
"Love is not something to be forced," Yao blurted out, expecting to get smacked again but to his surprise, Arthur didn't snap.
"You know my rules. You'll do whatever I say," Arthur asserted, to which the Chinese man didn't respond. He closed his eyes and for some unknown reasons, hugged the pirate back.
xXx
Yao stared inquisitively at the long "stick" Arthur was holding, the metal glistening impressively as the British inspected and showcased it in front of his slave. The Chinese man had never seen something similar before. It wasn't even like any one of the weapons they used. Their swords and arrows were hardly compatible with this brilliant, fatal weapon.
"We call this a musket," Arthur said.
"So, they have been using this to sabotage our villages," Yao thought, frowning at the firearm anxiously.
"Certainly it should have rung a bell in you. We got the ideas from you," Arthur smirked. "Or so I heard."
"What?"
"I heard gunpowder originated from somewhere called China in Asia. That's you."
"Oh…"
"So I suppose you've never taken much advance developing better weapons."
"We're perfectly self-sufficient. We do not need to invade others just so we could exploit and deplete their resources." Yao retorted firmly. "We do not like Western weapons. These things are foul."
"And that explains why you are so weak."
"I'm not weak!" Yao cried.
"You should agree on that too. Remember your place here?" Arthur smiled. "Who are you to me?"
Yao gasped and said no more, his eyes flickering back to the ground in distress.
Yes, he might be weak compared to these strong, weaponized Westerners, but he was nowhere near weak by heart.
He had his own integrity and the cultural values that had subsisted for thousands of years.
His immortality and invincibility altogether proved his greatest aspect of strength. He might be trampled on a lot, abused and maneuvered by some vicious European nations, but he would always get over it soon. He had immense stamina. He could achieve so much just to protect something he treasured even more than his life.
"Sit here," Arthur commended, beckoning to the Chinese beauty.
Yao snapped out of his daze and submissively lumbered over to the British pirate. He plopped down on his lap and let Arthur's arms envelop him. The British placed his musket down and brought his lips to Yao's neck, inhaling blissfully the captivating fragrance the Asian emitted.
Yao smelled wonderful.
He had such a beautiful trait running in him. Even though he was considered an ancient empire, his youth was reflected upon every explicit feature of his appearance.
He looked perfect.
No, more than perfect.
And that's why Arthur was so ineluctably attracted to him.
He was indulging so much in the Asian that he had almost forgotten all about his own beloved colonies, one of which was precious to him like his own son.
He had described some of his historical accomplishments to Yao, including how he had discovered America two centuries ago. The nation was by far the greatest he had encountered, besides Yao. But then again, America was young when he was taken in by Arthur. The British pirate did not hesitate to colonize him, seeing how much potential lie ahead for fostering this promising child. He mentioned his deeds, of course, sometimes to brag and sometimes to threaten Yao.
A sudden shuffle outside caught the British's attention. He grabbed his musket and stood up in haste, aiming the muzzle towards the opened door that led to Yao's secret garden. A dark silhouette flashed past agilely. Arthur was about to fire when Yao yelped and hugged his arm.
"No!" Yao squeaked, shoving the musket out of sight before a thunderous bang could be heard.
"Don't. It's a panda!" he howled, trying his best to settle the stronger male.
The bullet missed its target by an inch. Arthur glared at Yao indignantly. The Asian took no notice of the pirate's irritation and continued to plead. "It's just an animal. Don't shoot, please."
Arthur turned back towards the mysterious creature trembling in the garden, seemingly traumatized by the shrill shooting sound. He had never such an eccentric animal before. It was white-and-black. And it looked kinda like a bear.
Only this one was just an infant.
"What did you just call it?"
"Panda," Yao answered sheepishly. "I made up that name in English. We call it 熊貓 in Chinese. It's a very precious and cute animal."
"I've never seen something like this," Arthur mused. "I don't think we have that in our land."
"I suppose pandas are unique to us," Yao said. "Um…master, can I go take a look at that poor thing? I think…I think it must have run into my threshold by accident."
"Go then."
Yao dashed over to the frightened animal. He took the creature carefully into his arms and examined any injuries. Thank goodness, the baby panda seemed unscathed.
"There, there, it's alright now," Yao cooed. "You poor thing, I wonder why you're here. Aren't you supposed to be in that bamboo woods up the hill? Where're your parents? Did you stray from the path?"
Arthur felt awkward listening to Yao's talking. He had no idea what had gotten into the Asian's head, to think that he could converse with an animal! And yet, oddly, the panda did respond by fluttering its eyes and producing small, almost inaudible noises.
"I see, I see. You got chased down by a tiger," Yao nodded sympathetically.
"Wait, hold on a second, you actually understand what it says?" Arthur scowled. Yao turned to face Arthur with a smile. "Sort of. I'm pretty connected with these animals."
"Gross."
"What?"
"It looks gross," Arthur said. "Like some inbred bear."
"It doesn't look gross! It looks cute!" Yao argued. "You can insult me but not pandas! They're loved by everyone in this country! They're our greatest treasures!"
"Uh, okay, if you say so. I would still prefer silk and tea leaves from you."
"I wouldn't give you pandas even if you request one from me! Anything but pandas," Yao snorted.
"So, you're going to take it back to the hill, eh?"
"I…" Yao paused, embracing the little creature nervously. "I…I would love to…but I will just send someone to go there for me…"
"Is that the hill that sparkles every day at dusk?" Arthur asked, somewhat interested.
"Ah, yes…that mountain…people around here call it a phoenix mountain because it looks red and glints during sunrise and sunset."
"Phoenix? Your mythological bird?"
"Yes…we have four mythological creatures in our constellations that guard and watch over our land. Zhūquè is one, which you…Europeans call phoenix. We have Qīnglóng, the dragon of the East, Báihǔ, the white tiger from the West and Xuánwǔ, the black warrior of the Nouth. Phoenix represents the South."
"Sounds fascinating to me."
"R-Really?" Yao widened his eyes, hardly believing that Chinese mythology would even pique the British's interest.
"Yea."
"We also call them the great four symbols. They are associated with the corresponding elements of wood, fire, metal and water. The Yellow Dragon will be our earth."
"Do you seriously think that these creatures protect your land? Though I do believe in magic."
"What's…magic?" Yao asked quizzically.
"Spells. Cult. Rituals. Customs. We cite some curses and cast a spell on something. We can turn things into something else or we can make something out of nothing. That's magic."
"It sounds like illusion to me…"
"It's not an illusion!"
"Um…okay…I do respect your culture. I mean…I hope you would respect ours too…" Yao said. "I hate you Europeans because you always go about invading other nations and forcing them to adapt to your culture and norms. There's always something fundamental which we can't afford to lose. It's our identity…our dreams…"
"Colonization is inevitable. In fact, Spain and France did it first. Even if I didn't come, some other nations would reach you. They sure as hell wouldn't even have a deal with you."
"Should I be grateful that you got me into this current situation?" Yao asked, not intending to sound sarcastic. Frankly speaking, he was bombarded by mixed feelings. He was always the type that forgave and forbore. He didn't like violence and wars. And he didn't hate Arthur as much as he had done before because the British hadn't been disrupting his people's lives lately.
"Bring it back to the hill," Arthur said.
"Huh?"
"That panda thing."
"You mean…"
"I want to see the mountain. We'll go together."
"I…ah…thank you…thank you so much," Yao said happily.
"Come here."
Yao nodded and put the panda down safely. He hurried towards the British and let him kiss him on the lips.
Hoisting up the Asian, Arthur placed him back on his lap and continued from where they had left it off.