When the Wild Beast is Trapped in the Nightmare Cycle (BL)
Chapter 228: First Dance

Chapter 228: First Dance

Shen Nianzu felt like his heart had morphed into a fluttering cluster of butterflies or a swarm of hummingbirds, their wings beating wildly against the confines of his ribcage. He could even feel the intense flutter in his stomach and throat. Every cell in his body seemed to be coursing with electricity, making him painfully aware of each movement coming from the man before him. He could sense Jin Jiuchi stiffening, his eyes widening as the end of his lashes faintly grazed against Shen Nianzu’s skin.

Like an offering, Shen Nianzu tilted his fragile and swan-like neck, pressing his cold and trembling lips against Jin Jiuchi’s warm, soft ones.

The simple peck lasted no more than two seconds, yet as Shen Nianzu pulled away, a delicate flush spread across his entire being, and even his tail was curling up in nervousness. He dared not meet Jin Jiuchi’s eyes and opted to fixate on the man’s neck instead, watching the bob of his Adam’s apple with each swallow.

Why... didn’t Jin Jiuchi say anything?

He knew that it was no good but... but he had summoned every ounce of his courage to initiate that kiss – his very first one! As seconds dragged on, Shen Nianzu was unable to bear the silence anymore. He peered up through his lashes, only to be met with Jin Jiuchi’s utterly bewildered expression.

Shen Nianzu froze as an absurd possibility crossed his mind. Don’t tell him... did Jin Jiuchi not understand what they had just done?

Sure enough, he heard Jin Jiuchi ask in pure confusion as he reached out to touch his lips, "Nian’er, what was..."

Damn it, this foolish husky really had no idea what a kiss was! What a waste of his emotions!

Shen Nianzu felt silly now for overreacting, but more than that, he was thoroughly amused by the dazed look on Jin Jiuchi’s face. Just like that, all the nervousness and apprehension swirling in his chest melted into laughter that flowed out of his eyes and lips. In a rare playful mood, he teased, "What? You know how to bite and leave marks on my body, you even know how to kiss my hand, but you’re clueless when it comes to lips?"

"Lips..." Jin Jiuchi echoed, his voice carrying a touch of dazed wonder as if his brain had overheated to process everything. But then, his entire person suddenly perked up, his heterochromatic eyes shining, and if there was one sentence suitable to describe him right now, it would be ’to stumble upon an entirely new world’.

"Nian’er!" He exclaimed in a loud voice, with a mixture of realization, excitement and eagerness.

Uh-oh, Shen Nianzu thought. Alarm bells blared in his head, and he couldn’t help but wonder if he had accidentally opened a door he shouldn’t have? Alas, it was too late to rewind time now. Jin Jiuchi suddenly pressed closer, and his landed fell on Shen Nianzu’s pink and pretty lips, "Nian’er, Nian’er, I didn’t feel it properly just now. Can we try again?!"

Shen Nianzu: "..." Sure enough.

While the fact that he was more knowledgeable about this department gave him a sense of superiority, he couldn’t help but feel shy at the notion of kissing Jin Jiuchi again. He hurried to place his hand over Jin Jiuchi’s mouth, attempting to slow down his enthusiasm, "W–Wait, don’t get too excited, or you might get a nosebleed again!"

But how could this gesture deter Jin Jiuchi? Utterly unfazed, he took hold of Shen Nianzu’s hand and proceeded to shower a series of soft kisses on his fingertips, drawing a startled gasp from the latter. Jin Jiuchi raised his eyelids to peer into Shen Nianzu’s eyes, and asked in a pitiful tone, "Is it a one-time thing? Nian’er, you’re going to make me cry!" His words would have been more believable if not for the predatory glint lurking beneath his expression.

"Nian’er," a gentle kiss landed on Shen Nianzu’s open palm. "Nian’er, I really can’t?" Jin Jiuchi’s mouth parted, his sharp canine grazing the delicate and tender skin. He did not even use any force, but Shen Nianzu felt as if his entire arm had turned numb all of a sudden, and he couldn’t seem to move his fingers anymore.

His voice trembled as he stammered, "I–It’s not a one-time thing..."

Jin Jiuchi tugged him closer by the arm, his warm breath brushing against Shen Nianzu’s cheek. "Then?"

Perhaps the intensity of the sun had finally gotten the better of him, Shen Nianzu felt his face heat up uncontrollably. With a soft ’mn’, he tilted his head up and allowed Jin Jiuchi to press their lips together once again, his heart pounding on his throat. However, seconds ticked by – one, two, three – and Jin Jiuchi remained utterly still. A flicker of confusion flashed through Shen Nianzu’s mind, only to be replaced with another realization that left him shell-shocked.

He couldn’t help but cursed inwardly. How could this husky be so innocent in matters like this?! Wasn’t he an utter hooligan when he shamelessly rubbed his erection against Shen Nianzu back then?!

Helpless yet amused at the same time, Shen Nianzu pulled back and chuckled. When Jin Jiuchi chased after him again, he placed a finger on the man’s lips and said, "Wait."

Jin Jiuchi froze, his eyes glistening in pitiful tears. If he could speak, perhaps it would be, ’Is it going to be a two-time thing?’

A soft smile curved Shen Nianzu’s pale purple eyes. He retrieved an underwater breathing pill, stuffing it into Jin Jiuchi’s mouth. Under the man’s puzzled gaze, he announced, "Let’s go. Didn’t you say that you have never danced with me before?"

Jin Jiuchi’s eyes instantly lit up with a brilliance that rivaled the sun.

With a resounding splash, they dived into the water. Shen Nianzu opened his eyes beneath the aquatic embrace and swam closer until he was in Jin Jiuchi’s arms. He placed those toned muscular arms around his waist, while his own arms hooked around Jin Jiuchi’s neck. He leaned his head on the man’s broad shoulder, a serene smile gracing his features. Water bubbles danced around them as sunlight broke through the surface akin to a spotlight that seemed to belong solely to them.

Guiding their movements with the subtle shift of his tail, Shen Nianzu and Jin Jiuchi glided along with the current. His purple caudal fin brushed against Jin Jiuchi’s legs in a playful manner, while Jin Jiuchi, in a mixture of excitement and cautiousness, followed the lead and entangled his legs with the soft and smooth fin.

Shen Nianzu did not tell how this was the sequence of mating dance he had learned from the merfolk clan’s ancient scrolls. Who could have guessed that he’d learn it only to dance with Jin Jiuchi?

After an unexpected series of twists and turns, his first dance ended up belonging to this man.

Together, they spun and twisted with the currents, their bodies pressed tightly together as if their dance was the connective thread between two disparate worlds. In that moment, the entire world seemed to halt as their heart beat with the same rhythm.

The memory of the song from the night before they entered the Cycle returned to Shen Nianzu, and unbeknownst to him, he began to hum the melody softly into Jin Jiuchi’s ear,

Hot summer days, rock and roll

The way you’d play for me at your show

And all the ways I got to know

Your pretty face and electric soul

Perhaps due to the lingering influence of the Goddess’ power, Shen Nianzu felt like he was not so tone deaf anymore. His voice, light and ethereal, waved through the water akin to a divine symphony, drawing small and colorful fishes to gather and swim around them.

Will you still love me when I’m no longer young and beautiful?

Will you still love me when I got nothing but my aching soul?

I know you will, I know you will

He eased back, laughter bubbling from him at the sheer bliss on Jin Jiuchi’s face. His purple eyes glimmered in mirth and amusement. This silly husky must not have known what he was singing, but it was no problem. It was fine as long as he himself knew. He tightened his arms around Jin Jiuchi’s neck, tilted his head and moved closer. Just a heartbeat before their lips met, he sang the final line of the song, his voice trailing off into a whisper, "I know you will..."

This time, Shen Nianzu’s hands moved to cup Jin Jiuchi’s jaws as their lips brushed against each other. He pressed a feather-light kiss to the corner of Jin Jiuchi’s lips, his Cupid’s bow, before lingering on his full and sexy bottom lip. His kisses were gentle and delicate, yet he could feel Jin Jiuchi shudder violently against him. The arms around his waist tightened, and the next thing he knew, Jin Jiuchi descended upon him.

Kisses rained down on every inch of Shen Nianzu’s smiling lips, so eager like an overly affectionate husky. The pressure pushed Shen Nianzu to bend his waist and he couldn’t help but giggle. Despite this, Jin Jiuchi continued to kiss him again and again as if he couldn’t get enough.

When both of them emerged from the water, their cheeks were tinged with flush and their breaths came in ragged gasps. Shen Nianzu’s heart thumped when he caught Jin Jiuchi’s tongue darting out to lick his wet lips, before the man raised his half-lidded gaze. It was a look heavy with desire for more. Droplets of water cascaded down his hair and skin, adding on to his alluring charm.

"How sweet..." he commented with a slightly raspy voice, causing Shen Nianzu’s cheek to heat up even more.

But just as things seemed to be taking a more intimate turn, Gu Luoxin’s voice echoed from atop the tower in Atlantis. He pointed towards a spot in the distance and exclaimed, "Look, the bus is here!"

Following the direction of the rising sun, a blue colored bus glided across the sea’s surface, its four wheels skimming over the water as it made its way towards them.

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Cycle 3: The Lost City of Atlantis — The End

A/N: I hereby declare that this song is going to be their mating song!!! Sksksk thank God I managed to finish this Cycle before 100 Chapters QAQ this marks the start of real romance between them! *cough* Xinxin, next is your turn to hand JJ the materials he needs >< omg they’re so adorable and innocent that I could die!!

What do you guys think of this Cycle? Please let me know, or if you haven’t left a review yet, do leave one to motivate me ^^ thank youu so much for being here with me until now <3<3<3<3