Warning: Heavy Lime, yaoi pairing

Chapter Two: Stolen Kisses under the Magnolias

Shang frowned as he thought about his next move on the board. Ping had brought out the game board out after breakfast and challenged Shang to a game. Several rounds later, Shang found himself stumped. He had lost three games in a row to a cheerful Ping and demanded another round. Now in the fourth game, he realized he was at a loss and no moves he would make would redeem him.

"Oh, admit it. You've lost this one." Ping giggled as he tapped his finger on the table.

Zhou and Li chuckled from the table nearby, watching with amusement.

Shang threw up his hands in the air and sighed, "I admit defeat. You're a good strategist." Ping laughed and stood up, stretching and brushing his long hair over his shoulder. Shang picked up the pieces and placed them in the bag and picked up the board. "I might need you to teach me some of the moves you used."

"Sure." Ping turned to the taller man and held up a finger to his cheek, "for as long you are here, we should play a game each day. Maybe by the time you leave, you'll finally beat me."

Shang blinked, offended, "you believe I will not defeat you in the game?"

Ping laughed and took the bag and the board from him, his hand brushing against Shang's hands. He swallowed to ignore the sparks that shot through his hands. "You're not that good."

Shang felt the sparks and suppressed his gasp, settling to glare at the shorter man, "cocky, are you?"

Ping grinned as he went to put the board away and returned. "Father, General Li." He bowed and knelt at the table, "I am going to the town market, do you need anything?"

Zhou shook his head, "No, Ping."

"I do not need anything, why don't you take Shang and show him around?"

Ping turned his head to Shang and gave him a questioning look, and Shang shrugged as he nodded. "All right. We'll be back for dinner." He hopped up and grabbed Shang's arm and started to drag him away. Shang bit back a yelp and followed after Ping. They went to the town market and began to stroll around, stopping every once in a while to look at different stalls of merchandise.

Shang watched as people approach Ping and give a small talk, praising his performance from the night before. He noticed Ping would blush and thank them and ask how whoever was doing and continue on with his shopping. Ping was obviously popular in this town and is praised for his role as a nan dan. Several times when they looked at the merchandise, they would reach for the same thing, and their hands would collide. Ping would withdraw and look up from hooded eyes and a pink tinge appear on his cheek. Shang could not believe how a young man would be blushing like a girl at him. He couldn't help but feel slightly giddy. He decided to test Ping farther to see what the younger man would do.

On the next stall, he saw a lovely dark blue scarf and picked it up. He felt the fabric, it was soft and well made and turned to Ping, wrapping it around the shorter man's neck, surprising him. "The color looks good on you."

"Oh. You think so?" Ping shyly asked as he looked down to the scarf and feeling the fabric. He softly gasped as Shang brushed against him and whispered into his ear, "it is yours. I just paid for it."

Ping turned to the older man and followed him to the next stall, fighting to control his blushes. He stroked the fabric and smiled. So, the other man wants to flirt? He decided to play the game and glanced down at the things on the table. It was full of sword sheaths and in beautiful designs. Shang reached for the one with the sun on it and inspected it. It was of an average length, and Ping smirked, standing on his toes and softly spoke into his ear, "That one won't suit you." He felt Shang shiver at his close proximity, and their eyes met. Ping pushed Shang's hand down to make him return the sheath, "I believe I saw your sword last night at the Opera House, it was much longer…" He licked his lips and drew Shang's hand to the other sheath, for a long sword, and it had the design of a lion on it. "I think, a lion suits you."

Shang's jaw dropped slightly, realizing the blatant innuendo and watched as Ping step back and wink at him before brushing past him to the next stall. He swallowed hard as he felt his pants go slightly tight and were thankful he decided to wear a longer tunic to hide his reaction. He looked up to the merchant and saw the old man muttering and polishing a sheath, having never noticed the display between the two men. He let down the sheath and moved to follow Ping. Never another man made him feel like this, and he realized he had never honestly felt this excited being around a woman either.

Ping laughed silently under his breath as he saw the shocked look on Shang's face. He truly enjoyed his time with the captain since morning. They had run into each other coming out of their rooms when they woke up. Shang was topless and was about to put his shirt on, and Ping found himself admiring the toned muscles and blushed. Shang had noticed this and felt oddly giddy. They ate breakfast in silence, observing each other until Zhou asked Shang if he played chinese checkers and after that, he got himself sucked into four games with Ping and losing badly. He did not like to lose, but he found he did not mind losing to Ping, enjoying his banter and laughs.

"Ping!" The female merchant called out to Ping as they approached the next stall. "How are you this morning?"

He smiled at the woman and replied, "very good! How is Ming?" He asked, referring to the baby in the basket behind the woman.

"Ming is doing wonderfully. Shopping today?"

"Yes, and showing Captian Li around. He and his father are staying with us for a little while."

"That's very kind of you, Ping! Please, I know you love those plums. It is on the house." The woman handed Ping couple of plums.

"Thank you. Take care of Ming!" He bowed and turned to Shang, "Want one? It's really sweet around here." He bit into one and Shang watched the juice trail down his chin.

Shang leaned in, grasping his hand around Ping's hand that held the fruit and bit into it, his teeth grazing the skin of the younger man's fingers. Ping gaped as Shang darted his tongue out and lapped the juice that dripped down his fingers and bit back a groan that was rising in his throat and shivered. Shang nodded and replied, "Very sweet." He looked into the plum in Ping's delicate hand and took it, "I'll have this one." He chuckled quietly to himself and walked on. Ping took the other plum and smiled to himself and followed Shang, eating the other plum, having not expected the man to reciprocate in such a manner. It was starting to get interesting.

They stopped before a vegetable stall, and Ping began to inspect some fruits, selecting them and handing them to Shang as if they routinely have done this for a long time.

"when are you going to do the next performance?" Shang asked after breaking the silence between them.

Ping looked up from inspecting peaches and smiled, "I am on hiatus right now, and we will start doing the next opera in about a month before closing up for the winter. Between now and then, I will do little skits in teahouses."

"Skits?" Shang asked as he accepted the peaches from Ping and watched as the slender man inspect bok-choy.

"I have one coming up tonight at the Magnolia Tea House. I'll play flutes and sing, all while dressed up as a woman." He stood back up after selecting the bok-choy and grabbing a couple of carrots. He handed them to Shang and fished out coin bag from the depth of his sleeves and handed the correct amount to the merchant and started to pack the fruits and vegetables in the cloth bag he had brought with him.

"You do this kind of things often?" Shang asked as he slipped the peaches into the bag and held it, feeling like he needed to help out.

Ping nodded, and they moved on to the next stall, pausing a bit to take a quick look and move on. "Yes, I get paid to do so. It helps with adding the income to the family, and I don't feel like a failure to my parents. It also helps to stay in the art between the opera performances. I've been doing it for about two years, training under the masters."

"I see. It is…" Shang thought, trying to find the right word.

Ping looked up at him and laughed, "it is all right. It is different, not something many men would be willing to do. I don't mind their contempts, they still enjoy the show anyway."

"Do you enjoy it?" the captain asked as they came to the end of the market and Ping led them around the block to enter a large garden park that would lead them back to Ping's house. Shang saw it would be a long walk and was pleased he would be getting more time to spend with Ping. He wasn't sure why he felt that way, and their earlier game of flirting had stirred something inside him. He wanted more.

Ping swayed his arms as he strolled along the path, looking at the blossoms and stealing side glances at the tall captain. "Sure, I enjoy doing that. I am good at it. I could never swing a sword or fight, I am not strong enough. If I could bring my family honor by doing what I do best, then I do enjoy it."

Shang had to admit it was the most logical thing Ping had said and agreed. "I see."

Ping stopped by a magnolia tree and pulled down a branch that he could reach and plucked the large white flower. He brought it up to his face and inhaled it's perfumed and smiled, closing his eyes. Shang watched and felt his heart flutter at sight, the wind had picked up a little bit and stirred, lifting Ping's long hair to dance in the wind. For a moment, Ping looked beautiful, eyes closed and holding the large magnolia blossom to his face. Ping opened his eyes and looked up, blushing as he caught Shang staring at him with an unreadable look in his eyes. He felt his face go hot and turned away.

"Say," Ping murmured as he continued on the trail, "any pretty girl waiting for you back home?" He berated himself mentally, wondering why he would ask such a thing. Maybe he was curious. Homosexuality was common as heterosexual, and no one really bats their eyes, except for those who demand honor to continue the family line.

Shang blinked and noticed Ping had moved away and continued on the trail. His long powerful legs easily brought him back to Ping's side. He was taken aback by the question and shook his head, "no. No one is waiting for me at all."

Ping smiled to himself, feeling a little bit happy at the information. He flirted and kissed a few girls before, but none of them left burning desire the way Shang did. Their flirting in the marketplace had been spontaneous and left him wanting more. He glanced over his shoulder to the taller man, observing and taking in the man's feature. Shang has golden brown skin from being out in the sun all the time, soft black hair tied up in a topknot, strong jawline that made his feature handsome, and steel eyes that seem to bore into his soul. He would have liked to continue the flirting game with him. "For a handsome man like you, it's impossible. You must have lines of women waiting to see you again," Ping teased with a sly smile.

Shang glanced over to the other male and smirked, seeing the teasing smile. "I do not stay in town long enough to sway any women to my bed." He paused and turned to Ping and took a step forward. "I never really had any desire to even if I have bedded few." Ping swallowed and took a step back, seeing the dark look in the captain's eyes again. Taking another step forward, "but this time, I am staying long enough and only in one night, someone swayed my heart."

"Oh?" Ping squeaked as he felt himself backed up into the tree behind him and with no escape route as Shang caged him with his hands on the bark on each side of Ping's head. The bag forgotten by their sides. "Who caught your eyes then?"

"A golden princess, with the voice from heaven," Shang whispered as he leaned down, his nose barely touching Ping's nose. Their breath mingled, and Ping stared wide-eyed at the taller man's face, trying to search the meaning in the actions that were happening. "I find myself bewitched and my heart was stolen…" he brushed his lips close to Ping's lips, barely tasting the sweet plum that he ate earlier.

Ping swallowed and allowed his eyes closed as the lips came down, brushing ever so gently against his own. He asked softly, "who?"

"Someone named Ping," Shang replied and captured the smaller male's lips in a kiss. Ping gasped softly as his hands came up to rest on Shang's chest and slowly grasped his tunic to hold on as his legs became weak. Shang took the opportunity and swept his tongue into Ping's mouth, caressing against the other man's tongue. His hand came down and cradled Ping's head to bring him closer. They stood there, kissing until they needed to breathe and broke apart, panting.

Shang stepped back and stared at the flustered Ping, wondering what the hell he had done. He had never felt this way before, not with any women he had bedded in the past. His heart thudded in his chest as he breathed hard. It felt like he ran a marathon. Ping looked the same as he felt, breathing and his hands clutched to his chest. His lips were thoroughly abused, swollen and red from their kissing. "What… what have you done to me?"

Ping gasped, "I would ask the same thing. I've never…"

Shang stepped up and wrapped his arm around Ping's slender waist and drew him close, "Me either, but I can't explain this. This feel…"

"Right…" Ping supplied.

"I know." Shang exhaled and rested his forehead on Ping's head and closed his eyes. "We've only met last night but…"

Ping stepped closer and felt Shang wrap his strong arms around him to enclose him. He felt safe and secure, warm and loved. He rested his head on Shang's chest, and he could hear the heartbeats thrumming. "Yes. I felt the same when I saw you last night in the garden. Shang?"

The captain looked down to the smaller male. He brought his hand up and caressed the soft cheek, tracing the smooth feature. "We'll figure this out."

"Yes…" Ping murmured softly. "We'll have to be careful. My parents may be all right with this but what about you?" He looked up, "I don't know how to do this… I've never done this before."

"Me either. My father expects me to marry and bring a son to our family. I am the only child. I suppose we'll figure this out." Shang said as he let Ping go, almost regretfully. It felt right to hold the smaller man in his arms, he wanted to protect and shield Ping. He picked up the bag he had dropped and looked into the bag apologetically. "I hope they didn't get too bruised."

Ping laughed and took the bag to take a look. "Everything looks fine in here. Let's get back. It's getting late." He started to walk down the path and turned back to find Shang has not moved. "Shang?"

The captain shook his head and smiled, amazed at what had transpired. He wondered where things would go from now. There's no going back, and he had not expected this at all. How can he be so enthralled by a single person in a short period. He looked forward to each day for the next few weeks during his stay.

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Shang sat back and drank from his saucer as he watched Ping sing on the stage. True to Ping's words, he was dressed beautifully in silk gowns and his hair flowing down his back. His face was not painted like in the opera play but wore subtle makeups that enhanced his eyes and lips, making him like a woman. He moved gracefully and swayed, dazzling the audience in the tea house until late.

The owner of the tea house finally ushered the patrons out and was about to tell him to leave too. Ping stopped the owner, "It's alright, I'll be leaving with Captain Li after we finish our business."

The owner turned to Ping and bowed, "Thank you for coming. You have brought good business to my teahouse tonight. Here is your pay. Next week, same night?"

Ping nodded, taking the bag from the owner of the teahouse and bowed. "Yes, and thank you."

Shang rose and held his arm out for Ping to take. Ping laughed and wrapped his arm around the strong arm and allowed Shang to lead him out. "Amusing," Ping commented as he rested his head on Shang's shoulder as they walked down the dark street. It was late, and no one was out. They slowly made their way back to the Fa household.

"You're dressed like a woman, so you get to be treated like one." Shang teased as he poked Ping's delicate nose.

Ping rolled his eyes and swatted the finger, "under all of this, I am just Ping."

They entered the front entrance of the Fa property, and Shang turned and led Ping into the garden, silently as they stole through until they got to the large willow tree on the far edge of the garden and crossed the small bridge. Shang brushed away the low hanging leaves and pulled Ping under. He turned and drew Ping to his body and cupped his face. Ping blushed as he fell against Shang's solid form and looked up, he saw the same look in his eyes from earlier and realized what they were. They were of lust and more.

Shang looked down at the beautiful dressed Ping and captured his lips, kissing them passionately. Ping grasped onto Shang's tunic for support as his legs felt weak from the heated kiss. Shang lips left Ping's lips and moved across the smooth jaw and down the slender neck, nibbling as he went, drawing gasp and moans from the smaller man. His hand held the smaller form tight to his body, he knew Ping had gone weak in the knees. His other hand caressed Ping's side softly, feeling the soft curves of the slender hip. He couldn't get enough of the smaller male in his arms. His pants were tight, and he groaned as Ping ran his slender fingers through his hair and down his back, clawing sensual trails.

"Shang…" Ping whispered as he felt the larger man press against him and gasped, realizing what was poking his abdomen. He knew his own was straining and tight against the gown he wore. The silk shifted across his groin ever so sensually, and he gasped again. "Shang…" He whimpered as the captain start to peel the silks away from his top, exposing his pale, flat chest. Shang's lips trailed down to his collarbone and nipped there, eliciting another electric feeling down to his groin. He moaned loudly and gasped as the large hand slipped past the silks and caressed his chest, fingers tracing over the sensitive nub.

Shang couldn't stop himself, he wanted to taste all of Ping's delicate skin, he was sweet like honey. His length swelled and became harder each time Ping moaned and called out his name. His groin strained against his pants, feeling tight and painful as he rubbed against Ping. He wasn't sure how to process from there, it wasn't the same as bedding a woman. His fingers slipped into Ping's top and caressed the smooth flat chest. He drew back and watched Ping's expression as he teased the nipple and tweaked it. Ping looked like he was lost in ecstasy and buckled his silk covered hips, looking like a wanton woman. His long ebony hair swayed behind him with every jerk and thrust. They fell down to the ground softly, and Shang laid Ping on the grass beside the tree and hovered over the smaller male.

"I'm sorry… I shouldn't have brought you here," Shang panted. He ran his hand through the long ebony lock, having messed it up earlier.

Flustered Ping looked up into the other man's brown eyes and smiled. He reached up, his delicate hands drawing his head down to let their lips meet. He whispered against the broader lips, "I want this too…" he traced his lips across the broad lips again and wrapped one leg over Shang's hip to bring him down to grind against. They both moaned as the pressure increased, soon their hips began to thrust against each other in intense passion. Shang gasped as he felt his end coming and broke the kiss to grind harder against the smaller man.

Ping held onto Shang, his slender nails dug into the broad shoulders, biting into his skin. His hips rose and met with every thrust Shang pushed against him, their clothed members rubbing against each other heatedly. He let out a small wail as he felt his end come, his whole body stiffening as blinding sensation shot through every fiber of his nerves. He gasped as his member throbbed, spilling his come into the gown, staining it. Breathing hard as he felt Shang coming closer and held on, allowing the other man thrust few more times before stiffening, he could feel the captain's member throb against his abdomen. He reached up and kissed all over Shang's face softly until he came to.

"Ping." Shang murmured as he felt the soft, gentle kisses on his face and looked down to see the beautiful eyes staring up at him with adoration. He smiled and caressed the delicate cheek and brushed the damp hair from Ping's forehead. He knew they looked like a mess and rolled over to the side and slumped on the grass. He winced as he felt the stickiness in his pants and knew Ping had the same problem under his gown.

Ping rolled to his side to look up at Shang, "I've never done this before…" He murmured and closed his eyes to inhale the older man's scent.

Shang looked down and wrapped his arm around Ping, "Me neither. It is not the same as bedding a woman. It is interesting," He murmured softly. "I am sorry for surprising you."

Ping gave a small laugh, "Shang," he opened his eyes and sat up to look down, "I am happy it was you that I get to experience this moment with." He rested his chin on the broad chest and twirled a random design on the tunic with his finger, "maybe we can do this again?" he asked hopefully.

Shang laughed and rolled them over to pin Ping down, holding his hands over his head and kissing the smaller man before nibbling down the neck, drawing more moans. "we'll do more for as long I am here…" He then sobered up and sat back, straddling Ping.

"What?" Ping asked, getting up on his elbows.

"I'll be here for only a few weeks, but after that, I will not be able to return for a while. I don't know how long." He looked down to Ping and sighed. He moved to sit against the tree and gather Ping into his side and laid his head back, "I don't want to leave now that I know you."

Ping rested his hand onto Shang's chest and sighed, "I don't want you to leave either. Let's not worry about that now." he pushed up and stood up. He held his hand down to Shang who took it and stood up. "Let's just focus our time together. I am glad your father decided to come here, bringing you here."

"I am too." Shang murmured and kissed Ping once more. "We better get back in the house before anyone find us here. I really don't want to explain this." He gestured to the state of the mess they are in.

They laughed softly together and stole their way across the garden and slipped into Shang's room from the side of the house to avoid traipsing through the house. Shang watched as Ping looked out in the hallway before darting to his own room.

Before Ping closed his door, a crackle their ears and Ping looked horrified as he glanced down the hallway to find his grandmother standing there in her nightgown. "Grandmother?"

The little old woman approached Ping and gave him a look over and gestured to his state of mess grinning, "too much fun out in the garden, eh?" she crackled as Ping paled.

Shang paled behind his closed door and turned to crack the door open a slit to see Ping looking horrified at his grandmother.

"Grandmother! I… I just came back from the tea house!" Ping stammered.

The old woman rolled her eyes and swatted her hand in the air to wave off the ridiculousness. "Nothing gets by me!" She turned and pointed a finger to Shang's closed door and said, "you better treat Ping good, or I'll come after you when it's my time, and I'll bring our ancestors down on you!"

Ping gaped at his grandmother and waved his hands frantically, "grandmother!"

Shang opened his door to narrow his eyes at the old woman, "what are you on about?"

The old woman grabbed Shang's collar and Ping's gown, bringing both men down to her eye-level. "I know you two had been making googly eyes at each other. You two behave and keep it discreet. I really don't care what gets your jollies on but keep it down! I could hear you both! That willow tree is near my room. You both are lucky your parents didn't hear you! You both move fast!" Shang and Ping paled at the old woman. She let them go and grinned, "Ah, young love. Good night then." She ambled down the hallway and paused, turning back to them and winked, "Ping, remember the valley where I took you to play in the creek?"

Ping squeaked softly, "yes?"

"Just an idea." She tapped her finger on her nose and cracked before disappearing into her room.

"Did she?" Shang asked as he pointed down the hallway.

Ping sweatdropped and nodded, "yes. She did."

"Shit." Shang muttered, "well, good night."

Ping smiled and blew a kiss, "night."

Their doors closed and all went silent in the house.


References/notes in this chapter:

homosexuality in China: it was considered a norm during Mulan's time (around 400 AD) and occasionally is encouraged in some situation. It wasn't considered a taboo until western influence around the 1840s.