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Hua Cheng doesn't believe in God.
He had entertained the notion as a child, gripping calloused hands in prayer as he begged for protection against the cruelty of the world. He had cried out, over and over, until any notion of divine power had been beaten out of him.
He knows others would interpret it as tough love. Instead of expecting handouts from some entity, Hua Cheng had hardened to steel, to rock, to diamond. He perfected his charm and his smarts so he could get even those in power to bend to his will like reeds against the wind.
And yet, the manmade hierarchy would not bend as easily. No lands and no money meant a predetermined cap to his climb on the ladder. One could marry into status, of course. But Hua Cheng preferred to keep at least one part of his life untouchable.
(He wouldn't admit to anyone he is also a hopeless romantic.)
With plenty of kind-hearted sponsors, Hua Cheng enrolled in university and, ironically enough, ended up a priest. A private rectory all to himself and a low-effort job was the best possible choice for his status. Were there more devoted candidates? Of course. Was Hua Cheng selfish enough to secure the best-paying position offered? Without a doubt.
Pious men can pretend they're satisfied with little, but he won't sate his greed.
And thus, the newly appointed rector of the town arrives. The unusually young and charming priest causes an uproar among the higher and lower status alike. On Sunday, the pews are filled, unlike any service this church has seen before.
Upon the priest's entrance, a hush falls over the spacious nave. The black cassock hugs the broad torso of the youth tightly, falling down to cover his long legs. He has fashioned his unusual long hair into a loose side braid — paired with his handsome face, loud whispers flare like wildfire. The sermon proves to be just as surprising. Hua Cheng admittedly believes the scripture to be an embellished history book. That doesn't stop him from composing the most scathing one-hour lecture that specifically targets those that rarely attend mass. The pale faces of his parishioners may just become a favorite.
It doesn't take long for Hua Cheng to gain a widespread reputation. Women fight for the front seats to his sermons, while others begrudgingly respect his knowledge in scripture. A lack of vices, even in social settings, leaves people torn between hate and love for the priest. And when there's nothing to pin on a person, gossip is the next natural step.
'With so many women clamoring at his feet, our young priest must be indulging their fancies!'
'It's natural for a man with so much affection thrown at his feet, after all...'
Barefaced lies are something Hua Cheng expects, and he's almost disappointed they're so lacking in creativity.
"I've read a story about a priest who had been accused of making a deal with the devil by nuns. Do you think that is an achievable goal for me within the next five years?" he asks.
Yin Yu, the curate he has recently hired, keeps a straight face but Hua Cheng can tell he's unhappy.
"You shouldn't say things like that within the church quarters," he calmly admonishes.
"The day I catch on fire is the day I'll stop," Hua Cheng laughs. It would actually be funny if that happened after all these years, but Hua Cheng's sacrilegious behavior is, as always, ignored by powers from above and below.
The great thing about having idiots as your parishioners means you never run out of material. Hua Cheng barely has to prepare for his sermons anymore when he can just make fun of the very same people who pay him to admonish them.
"-and the young lion cleverly laid down at Daniel's feet so that all could see God's greatness-"
A loud snort interrupts Hua Cheng. His eyes pinpoint the source of the sound: a blushing youth right next to the viscount. Hua Cheng is struck by the man's beauty for a few moments too long, only brought back by Yin Yu's polite cough. He goes back to the sermon, unable to wipe the smile off his face.
Immediately after Mass, Hua Cheng beelines straight to the viscount.
"Ah, Father! What a pleasure!" the older man exclaims. "No doubt you're here to admonish my boy. I assure you he is not usually this irreverent."
"No slight taken," Hua Cheng replies, watching the youth fumble with his clothes out of the corner of his eye. "May I have the pleasure of becoming acquainted with my newest lamb?"
"This is Xie Lian," the viscount provides. "And this is our new priest, Hua Cheng."
Hua Cheng extends a hand.
"A pleasure to finally see you at church, Xie Lian," he takes pleasure in pronouncing the name.
Xie Lian gives him a bright smile, shaking his hand in return. "I will be in your care from now on," he says.
His hand is small but surprisingly strong. Hua Cheng can feel the rough skin formed from manual labor. How interesting.
"Will I see you again next Sunday then?" he asks, trying not to sound almost pathetically hopeful.
"Of course, you will!" the viscount interrupts his son. "This boy has never missed a day of church in his life!"
"Oh?" Hua Cheng raises his eyebrow. "Have you been sick then, perhaps?"
Xie Lian shakes his head slightly. "I only recently returned from visiting relatives. Will you be holding evening service?"
Hua Cheng has never in his life considered doing more work than what's necessary to keep up appearances.
"Since there has been enough demand you are most welcome to visit tonight," he all but purrs out the sentence. "I take it you have enjoyed this one's lowly sermons?"
A blush creeps back up Xie Lian's cheeks. "It was very good! And eloquent, you are very good with your words," he says quickly.
Hua Cheng smiles wider, leaning forward just a little.
"Seems you enjoyed Daniel's tale the most. I hope you were strengthened by my words."
"The lion was indeed clever to heed God's words," Xie Lian grins.
Seems like he caught the quip at the local nobleman's son. Hua Cheng can't help but grin back.
"I'm pleased that you agree. Until evening, then."
Being the highest religious authority in the church has its quirks, namely: being able to hold mass as often as you'd like. Hua Cheng announces he will increase his services to four times per week. He can push most work onto Yin Yu, anyway.
Xie Lian attends every single one of his sermons without fail. Hua Cheng finds his eyes wandering to the viscount's pew almost unconsciously, delighting in the various expressions his words manage arousing. Hua Cheng takes every opportunity he gets to find himself at Xie Lian's side. He values the viscount son's opinion greatly, after all.
And while he listens to the nobleman's opinion, Hua Cheng allows himself to take pleasure in Xie Lian's features. His soft lips, the strands of hair falling over his eyes, his elegant neck, the way his clothes tighten over his chest when he breathes in--
Most surprisingly, he catches Xie Lian's much more secretive gaze peering back at him in a similar fashion.
"Lord, forgive me for my sinful thoughts," Hua Cheng groans out, collapsing into the chair behind his desk.
He's not actually sorry. But it feels appropriate to at least pretend to be remorseful over his gutter thoughts.
He's probably imagining it, anyway. Xie Lian's interest.
Logically thinking, neither has a higher chance than the other, Hua Cheng argues with himself. For instance, when he had seen Xie Lian staring at his lips dazedly and snapping away suddenly when he got caught... He was most likely watching the priest talk.
Ah, shit.
How can somebody have such alluring eyes? He should write it up as a sin and make Xie Lian repent.
Groaning slightly, Hua Cheng tears his vestments off and haphazardly begins unbuttoning his cassock until he can comfortably rest his hand on the unfortunate bulge.
Xie Lian is such a devoted believer, it surprisingly makes Hua Cheng feel like the filthiest demon to walk the earth. Every time he thinks of the nobleman, it probably affects the credit score the boy has amassed with the old man above just by proxy.
(IF there is one, which there isn't. Even with his mind clouded by need, Hua Cheng won't entertain the notion.)
How can there be such a perfect creature when Hua Cheng has seen and heard the worst of what life has to offer from humanity? No matter what Xie Lian does, he's smart about it. Not only that, he talks to the priest as an equal, not from some imaginary positions of power. But also, the way Xie Lian's hand always lingers a bit longer than necessary on his elbow when he affectionately bids farewell...
He grinds his hand down harder.
Hua Cheng knows he doesn't have spare underwear anywhere nearby right now but honestly, that's the least of his fucking worries right now---
A knock on the door startles him enough to bang his knee against the desk. He bites his cheek to hold in any curse words.
"What do you need?" he shouts at the door. If he can't have a moment of respite he'll make sure it's repaid tenfold.
"Not to intrude, but Lord viscount came by to pass by an invitation for dinner at his tonight," Yin Yu's muffled voice replies.
Alright, maybe only twofold.
Hua Cheng spends far too long staring at his reflection in the mirror before leaving. He's slicked back his bangs to look a tad more presentable than usual, but one annoying strand still sticks out. The long cassock is substituted for a simple black shirt and the Roman collar. Not Hua Cheng's best work, but sometimes less is better.
The viscount's manor speaks of its' master's taste for opulence; no expense has been spared to fit decorations onto every possible surface. Not the most tasteful, but the rich can afford it. Hua Cheng is led down to the dining room by a fancy servant.
He knows dining etiquette requires the guest to pay attention to the host and hostess, but Hua Cheng has never had a harder time paying attention to decorum. Sitting in front of him to the viscount's left, Xie Lian sneaks occasional glances from his plate to the priest. His attire is casual compared to the more formal Sunday's best, but the simple cotton shirt and necktie send Hua Cheng over the edge. He swears he can almost see Xie Lian's body outline through the thin fabric--
"-And Xie Lian hasn't been bothering you too much lately, I hope?"
Hua Cheng chokes on his bite, covering his embarrassment up with a napkin to his mouth.
"Xie Lian has been a most diligent devotee," he tells the viscountess. "The Lord is surely delighted in such unwavering faith and study of His Word."
"It's nothing so exceptional!" Xie Lian flounders at the priest's praise.
"You give yourself too little credit," Hua Cheng counters, enjoying the reaction his words seem to guarantee. "I can assure you are the most attentive listener in the entire parish."
"That's because--" Xie Lian falters, dropping his eyes back to his plate, "--priest Hua Cheng is exceptional. At his wisdom concerning the Lord's words."
The tiny unholy creature inside Hua Cheng's chest bursts into flames.
"Lend this humble one restraint," he mumbles.
After dinner, the company settles in the drawing-room. Hua Cheng chooses to sit down next to Xie Lian on the plush red sofa. He delights in the man's slight jolt as Hua Cheng's leg brushes against his while the priest makes himself comfortable.
The husband and wife of the Xie household love nothing more than talking about their son. He listens with perfect attentiveness to any detail about Xie Lian: how the young lord enjoys horse riding and helping the less fortunate, his accident-prone adventures. He appreciates every new tidbit deeply.
"You didn't need to tell Father about this," Xie Lian shifts uncomfortably in his seat. It's well out of boundaries for polite conversation, but Hua Cheng isn't about to miss out on anything.
"Hearing more about my favorite lamb is a delight," he reassures Xie Lian.
The young noble widens his eyes when he hears the word 'favorite', and seemingly unconsciously leans to Hua Cheng's side. When Hua Cheng finally arrives home after all the warm farewells, he can still feel Xie Lian's shoulder and thigh pressing against him.
The quarterly Holy Communion takes place this Sunday, which naturally means everyone suddenly realizes they have sinned a great deal. The Reconciliation is the part of priestly duties Hua Cheng hates the most. What could be worse than listening to the masses personally recounting every small misstep from their lives? If he ever becomes the Pope, he will issue new laws to allow solitary repentance.
The confessional booth is his personal prison for the entire day. The priest's patience runs out over and over again, proving that there's always a deeper hole to dig even when you think you've reached the bottom. The lack of air in the tight space is appalling.
He wants to slam his head against the wooden wall when he hears the creak as a new person kneels on the wooden step-on.
"Good evening Father, bless me for I have sinned. It has been three months since my last confession."
Hua Cheng almost breaks his neck when he whips his head at the all-too-familiar soft voice. This is the first time since his arrival that Xie Lian has come to the Reconciliation, oddly belatedly for the devout nobleman.
"Welcome, my child, may God help you confess to all your sins and trust in His mercy," the priest replies.
"I have desired praise, I have disobeyed my parents, and I have--," Xie Lian falters, then forces out a whisper, "I have committed the sin of lust, and it's even worse..."
"Why do you assume it is worse?"
He can hear Xie Lian shifting his weight at the other side of the screen. The silence is long enough to drive one insane.
Finally, the nobleman softly says, "This wicked one has thought indecent thoughts about the priest of this church."
Hua Cheng's blood struggles to choose whether to rush up or down. Did he hear that correctly? Xie Lian spoke so quietly, but there's no mistaking that there's only one priest in this church. He's telling the very SAME priest that he's thought about him... doing what?
He clears his throat to compose himself. This is probably the only time Hua Cheng will be happy about Reconciliation in his entire life. Which means it's time to abuse the hell out of his privileges.
"Please elaborate on what kind of thoughts plague you, and maybe we can find a solution that will help," he says as calmly as possible.
"W-well..." Xie Lian hesitates again, leaving Hua Cheng at the edge of his seat. "For instance, there's... Father is a handsome man, everyone in the parish thinks so, and it's easy to understand why..."
"Understand what?" the priest prompts.
"His eyelashes are long, and his smile is always so charming," Xie Lian says, "This sinful one also gets envious sometimes because he wants Father's attention all to himself."
I barely pay attention to anything else, Hua Cheng desperately wants to respond. Instead, he digs his nails into his palms to let out the energy elsewhere.
"And what would you do when you had Father's attention all to yourself?"
He can feel Xie Lian's mental struggle as he tries to find words for something so indecent. "I would... I think about kissing him, his hands, and- and I want to touch his neck and chest," he finally blurts out. "His long legs, his back, every single part of his body has been tainted by my lowly mind!"
Hua Cheng covers his hand to withhold any sounds. He can feel his erection rising up, rubbing against the tightness of his cassock yet again, and over something so simple from all things. He can imagine with perfect accuracy how exactly Xie Lian would shyly take his hands and raise his head to meet the priest's lips for a kiss, and it's driving him insane. Even the fictitious touch roaming over his body sends a shiver through his entire being.
"...Is that everything?" he manages out, making a sign of the Cross before promptly shoving his hand beneath his underwear. His cock is already a bit slippery, excited at even the simplest crumbs of suggestion.
"It isn't," Xie Lian's voice is straining, "I also want you-- I imagine Father touching me indecently as well."
Hua Cheng rubs at the tip before he strokes his hand against his length, trying not to lose himself. To find out they both have thought about each other like this, it's exhilarating. He tries to find a comfortable speed but his thoughts are an erratic mess.
"I have never really felt such needs in my... bottom regions," Xie Lian continues. "It's like there's another heart down there and it's hot, it always happens when I think about Father, and I... I've thought about him touching there as well."
Oh, fuck self-control.
Hua Cheng clamps his free hand over his mouth again as he strokes himself faster and faster, his eyes looking up as he loses all sense of decency. A groan escapes through his trembling fingers as he nears his climax--
"--Are you alright, Father? If you're uncomfortable with this, I completely understand, I will stop-"
Xie Lian seems to have caught the sound from the other side of the screen and assumed other reasons for the strained gasp.
"No!" Hua Cheng gasps out, trying to control his need-filled voice. "I am only slightly fatigued. You-- you have nothing to be ashamed for."
"If Father says so, I must believe him," the nobleman lets out a soft sigh. "I will do anything Father commands me to."
With a choked sound, Hua Cheng ejaculates inside his underwear and all over his hand. His side of the booth almost feels soaked by the hot breaths he's exhaled, seemingly shrunken in size.
"...Father? What will my penance be?" Xie Lian asks.
God, the stupid Reconciliation thing, that's what this was all about. Hua Cheng awkwardly wipes his hand off inside his bottoms, never more glad that the confessional has doors instead of curtains.
"Right, right, ahem. By the authority vested in me by the church, I absolve you of your sins in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. For your penance, you must, uh, repeat three Hail Marys and three Our Father."
Such simple penance may surprise Xie Lian, but Hua Cheng is in no shape or form to think of anything else, nor does he want to punish the nobleman for this. He doesn't mention a resolve to sin anymore either. That's the last thing the priest would ever want to happen.
"Alright then," Xie Lian says, sounding a bit awkward.
Oh, right —a person may not leave until he is dismissed.
"Give your thanks to the Lord, for he has freed you from your sins. Go in peace, my lamb."
He waits for at least 15 minutes before he is sure no one else is around, most of all Xie Lian. Even when he hears no sounds, Hua Cheng cracks open the door slightly and looks around before dashing into the vestry where items are stored. He hadn't expected he would ever use the spare clothes Yin Yu had brought in for him, but the curate must have much better sense than him.
Xie Lian's confession still feels surreal, but Hua Cheng is sure he didn't imagine it. All those times they were together, it wasn't only the priest that craved to close the physical distance between them. For someone so deeply religious as Xie Lian to have such thoughts, and for them to arise repeatedly...
Hua Cheng allows himself another mental picture, this one of Xie Lian beneath him, clinging onto the priest's shoulders as he is enveloped by throes of passion. His cock twitches again, ready for round two. Although he can only offer himself his own meager hand, Hua Cheng is no less ecstatic to jerk off to the memory of Xie Lian's sweet voice for the rest of the night.
Performing his priestly duties gets a lot harder after that. Hua Cheng spends the entire Saturday staring at a blank piece of paper, trying to come up with the sermon tomorrow, but nothing comes of it. Whenever he opens his Bible to look for appropriate passages to quote his mind drifts back to the same person that's been single-handedly monopolizing his thoughts for a while now. Xie Lian has been the only person that has ever had such a strong chokehold over the priest. He struggles even in his sleep, tossing and turning but finding no comfort in the cold, rough texture of his bedsheets. Whenever he feels himself nodding off, the ghost of Xie Lian's voice lingers by his ear, telling him about how much he wants the priest.
Holy Communion is right after the sermon the next day, and Hua Cheng briefly considers skipping out. He has barely slept a wink but it's only evident in the slight eye bags underneath his eyes; he may be tired, but he will never allow anyone to see him in any state of weakness. Hua Cheng had even decided to use one of the published sermons from his collection last night, to ease his suffering.
After the choir is done, he drags himself to the pulpit. He easily spots Xie Lian, dutifully attending the mass like always. The nobleman's face is perfectly framed by his hair as always, lips slightly parted practically begging for kisses and playful bites.
His hand goes white from the strength with which the priest grips onto the wooden side panel. How torturous to glimpse at the forbidden fruit but be unable to pluck it. He understands Eve so much more now — owning everything within the paradise of Eden, and yet the delicious and inviting scent still draws you in, no matter the price. Hua Cheng wishes nothing more than to sink his teeth into the tender skin of the fruit, to let the juice flow into his mouth, for the sweetness to overwhelm his senses. To gain knowledge of Xie Lian fully from the inside out, no matter the cost.
He barely notices that the sermon is finished with as he concludes his lecture — something about the sinful nature of humankind — and Yin Yu begins collecting monetary offerings. Turning around, Hua Cheng checks to see if everything is ready for Communion. He briefly amuses the thought of whether he's actually cursing his parishioners when he performs the consecration. The people in question are no less aware of their priest's thoughts, however, and therefore line up in front of the altar without fear.
Hua Cheng is quick about presenting the Host and the Precious Blood to the people. He wipes his fingers and the chalice every time, partially for hygiene and partially because he feels a bit repulsed from having to come into physical contact with others.
It is customary to kneel before the priest as you receive your Holy Communion, but most people do it on one knee instead. Of course, unlike most people, when it’s his turn Xie Lian approaches the priest and sinks to the ground on both his knees instead. Right at the level of his groin.
After a lightning-fast mental meltdown, Hua Cheng decides it's payback time for the sleepless nights he's endured.
"The Body of Christ," the priest announces as he takes the Sacramental bread and shows it to Xie Lian, who opens his mouth and extends his tongue in response.
It won't be as easy for Xie Lian as simply receiving the Host. Hua Cheng pinches the wafer between his middle, index, and thumb fingers before bringing it to Xie Lian's mouth. He pushes the fingers a bit further in than necessary, resting them at the back of Xie Lian's tongue. Xie Lian's eyes widen, but he can't speak if he doesn't want to choke on the priest's fingers. Hua Cheng can’t get enough of watching the nobleman squirm — he allows the wafer to dissolve until his hand is encased with Xie Lian's saliva. When he thinks it’s enough, Hua Cheng slowly drags his fingernails against the tongue until his hand finally leaves Xie Lian’s mouth.
"A--Amen," Xie Lian forces out. He looks and sounds dazed when he looks at the priest who gives him a smirk before picking up the chalice.
"The Blood of Christ," Hua Cheng says, choosing to forego handing the cup over and instead bringing it to Xie Lian's lips himself. The nobleman barely has time to open his mouth before the priest tips the chalice slightly. The wine stutters against Xie Lian's lips and a small trail of wine drips down his chin onto the neck. Hua Cheng pulls the hand that holds the cup only to lean a bit and wipe the excess liquid off, letting the soft part of his thumb swipe against Xie Lian's stained lips. He follows the trail until he reaches the bump on Xie Lian's throat where he can feel the rapid beat of the nobleman's pulse.
"You should give thanks again," the priest softly says, bringing Xie Lian back from wherever his mind had gone.
"Oh..! Amen!" Xie Lian says louder than necessary, suddenly aware of the line still behind him.
He shuffles back to his pew and bows his head. Hua Cheng holds back his laughter when he sees that the nobleman is trying to discreetly cover up his groin with the hymn pamphlet.
The priest's fingers are still wet with spit and wine but he has to refrain from putting them into his mouth and licking off the excess. He almost envies the handkerchief he uses to wipe himself, wanting nothing more than to taste Xie Lian instead.
The lineup for Communion seems almost impossibly long now that Hua Cheng no longer expects the face he wants to see the most. By the time the church empties out and Yin Yu sets everything in place, it's gotten dark outside. Hua Cheng stays behind alone.
The light illuminating his face flickers as the candles crawl downwards to the end of their life. He is flipping through the scripture out of boredom when he hears a tentative knock at the side door.
"Did you forget something?" he walks over, assuming it's Yin Yu. "Do you really have to bother me when you have the keys yourself-"
Instead of Yin Yu, an unexpected guest stands behind the door. Xie Lian's smile pierces through Hua Cheng's heart just as painful as ever.
"Is it alright if I come in, Father?"
"Of course, my child, hurry or you'll catch a cold," Hua Cheng quickly ushers him in and locks the door behind.
He watches Xie Lian sweep his gaze across the church, taking in everything from the empty pews to the low light.
"It's much more peaceful like this than the usual Mass," he chuckles fondly, but the happy expression doesn't last long. It seems something is bothering the nobleman, and Hua Cheng thinks he might have the smallest of inklings as to what it could be.
Hua Cheng approaches Xie Lian from the back, putting his broad hands on the nobleman's shoulders. Xie Lian stands still as a statue but makes no move to shake the priest off.
"How can this humble one relieve you of your worries tonight?" he brings his mouth to Xie Lian's ear. The slight gasp, prompted by the suggestive whisper, feels much louder within the spacious confines of the church.
"Only you can help me with this, Father," Xie Lian says. "I've found myself unable to get rid of my sinful thoughts no matter how much I tried to repent."
“I suppose prayers were of no help?” Hua Cheng chuckles.
“They’re not… suitable for this task,” Xie Lian glances at the priest but quickly darts his gaze back.
“I may need something, um,” Hua Cheng can feel a slight warmth on his lips as the tips of Xie Lian’s ears heat up from blushing. “I may need a harsher punishment.”
"We will have to try and find a solution for your impiety," Hua Cheng lifts one hand to teasingly play with Xie Lian’s hair. "If you're willing to take whatever penance I see fit, that is."
"If Father really isn't just teasing me, then..." Xie Lian lets out a soft sigh. "I wish to atone under your guidance."
As soon as he hears the words, Hua Cheng's lips finally make contact with Xie Lian's warm skin. He trails upwards to Xie Lian's jaw with slow kisses while his hands unfasten the nobleman's heavy cloak, allowing it to drop on the ground. With his right hand, Hua Cheng guides Xie Lian by the chin to turn his head back.
Their first kiss is soft and sensual, each quietly enjoying the softness of the other's lips. Hua Cheng holds onto Xie Lian's neck firmly as he leans further in to deepen it. He feels Xie Lian run his tongue across his lower lip in question, and Hua Cheng obliges by opening his mouth. Hua Cheng hazily thinks that he could do this for days and not get tired of Xie Lian's taste. Their tongues mingle and separate when Xie Lian takes small gasps of air before pulling back in for more. The priest holds Xie Lian by the waist with his other hand so he stays in place, no matter how much the nobleman squirms and fists his hands in his own clothes.
"Does my little lamb want to touch me as well?" Hua Cheng murmurs, squeezing Xie Lian's waist slightly to elicit another hot gasp.
"If you allowed me," Xie Lian answers.
"In any other circumstance I would," Hua Cheng says with a smirk on his face. "But repenting for your sins is not easy, Xie Lian. For the sake of your mortal soul, I'll have to push you until I can say you've repented enough."
He leads Xie Lian up on the dais to the altar, where he makes the nobleman bend over the top. With Xie Lian’s back slightly arched to look back and legs slightly spread, Hua Cheng feels himself turning into nothing more but a ravenous beast.
"Make sure to keep your hands on the surface unless I say otherwise," the priest instructs, rewarding Xie Lian's obedience with a gentle nibble on the neck.
When he hears Xie Lian's whine, Hua Cheng bites and sucks again while simultaneously working away at the pesky shirt separating him from Xie Lian's chest. Once it falls open, Hua Cheng greedily explores every inch of Xie Lian's well-toned torso — — digging into the collarbone, circling and pinching the nipples, tracing the ridges of ribs. Every tremble or sound that Xie Lian makes only makes Hua Cheng more frenzied, but he can't allow himself to rush this. He leaves one hand to rub a perky nipple while the other travels south. Hua Cheng rests his palm on Xie Lian’s hip before he presses a thumb into Xie Lian's plump ass, making lazy circles that wander near and around the rim but never directly on it.
“Father…” Xie Lian groans out. His arms are shaking a bit, straining to stay on the altar. “Please…”
“What should your final penance be?” Hua Cheng pretends to consider his options. “Would another three Hail Maries be sufficient?”
“I want Father to…to…” Xie Lian struggles to reply. “Will you really make me say it…”
Hua Cheng strokes the crack between Xie Lian’s thighs where his cock has already dampened the cotton fabric of his pants. He can feel Xie Lian’s muscles clench in an attempt to subdue the sudden wave of pleasure. It’s almost painful to hold back but Hua Cheng opts to grind his own hard erection against Xie Lian’s ass.
Tell me how much you want me to fuck you,” the priest says, all pretenses of propriety gone. “Tell me the exact same things you’ve imagined my cock doing to you here at this Holy Place, beg me to turn your sinful thoughts to reality.”
"I… I need you to fuck me," Xie Lian rubs up against him. "I want Father to take hold of me, I want his hand around my cock, I want–"
"Keep talking," Hua Cheng pulls Xie Lian's pants and underwear down to expose just enough of Xie Lian's delicious ass. He kneels on one leg to kiss the smooth skin and drag his tongue against Xie Lian's hole.
Xie Lian moans. "I want you in me, I /need/ your cock to fill me, please, so I can forget all my thoughts-"
“What an obedient boy,” Hua Cheng leaves bite marks all over Xie Lian’s thighs and stands up.
Although he would use spit for his own private pleasure, Hua Cheng doesn’t want Xie Lian to be in more pain than necessary. Luckily for both of them, each church comes with its own ambry, where different sets of holy oils are kept. He quickly retrieves one of the small vials he had just recently consecrated himself and pops the cork open. Hua Cheng is generous in his use of the sacred liquid, coating his fingers in half of the bottle while leaving the rest for later.
“We’ll have to cleanse you from inside out,” he teases Xie Lian as he puts a finger on Xie Lian’s hole, gently coating around the exterior of the rim before sliding it in. He slowly stretches a moaning Xie Lian from one to two, then three fingers at a slow but steady pace.
“I’m ready, I’m ready, put yourself in me,” Xie Lian cries out. His struggle to keep himself bent over is evident in the tight fists with which he clutches at the altar cloth.
Hua Cheng doesn’t need any further motivation. He opens his cassock and pulls out his erection from his pants, coating it with the same oil from the container. Although he loves hearing Xie Lian beg, the priest can no longer keep his own desires in check — he takes a hold of Xie Lian’s hips and slowly plunges his length into Xie Lian until he’s all the way in.
Nothing could’ve prepared either of the two for the enrapture of joining into one body. Hua Cheng can feel himself going mad as he slams his hips against Xie Lian quicker and quicker. It’s impossible to maintain composure when Xie Lian squeezes around his cock so tightly, clenching every now and then from particularly intense snaps of Hua Cheng’s groin against his ass. The priest leans down to wrap his arms from under Xie Lian’s armpits to his chest, caging the nobleman within his grasp for a better grip. His large chest pushes against Xie Lian’s back, the perfect position for Hua Cheng to bite at Xie Lian’s neck and put more power behind his thrusts at the same time.
“Ah, Father– ohh Heavens please, pleaseplease,” Xie Lian’s whimpers turn to sobs and screams from the intense pleasure that wracks his body.
Hua Cheng can tell they’re both close, unsurprisingly fast in achieving the height of orgasm just from finally being able to be together.
“Let my– ahh fuck, my penance fill me to the brim– won’t you, please, please,” Xie Lian begs one last time, and it perfectly hits the final nail in the coffin of Hua Cheng’s coherence as he does exactly what he was asked of, his hot fluids spilling inside of Xie Lian.
They both slink down to the ground, exhausted beyond compare. When Hua Cheng is done resting his face on Xie Lian’s back to regain his breath, he lifts his head only to meet Xie Lian gazing at him. Hua Cheng can feel himself mirroring his smile without even realizing it. When Xie Lian frees one of his hands to reach over and cup the priest’s face, Hua Cheng closes his eyes and leans into the touch. He has never felt so light in his life before. It’s a strange feeling, one that makes his heartache in its struggle to take in so much all at once.
“I think Father has succeeded in making me eager to sin some more,” Xie Lian smiles, not teasing but simply stating the first thought that must’ve come to his mind.
“If you wish for it, I’ll gladly go to Hell for this, for you, any day,” Hua Cheng replies, not teasing but simply stating the thought he had maintained every single day since they first met.
Hua Cheng doesn’t believe in God.
He had lost all sense of faith in an entity that looked down from the Heavens, never lifting as much as a single finger to aid the sea of innocents in constant pain and hunger, war and pestilence.
Now, seeing Xie Lian in his lap whose skin glistens from sweat, clothes rumpled and indecent, the man who lights up his life like nothing else has, who is his equal in mind and whose body he could write psalms about — Hua Cheng thinks he can make an exception and worship the God before him like no believer ever has.