Chapter 54 - The Escape

He summoned another water ball and threw it on himself drenching him from head to toe. He hid his mouth with his wet sleeve and slowly walked inside.

Raging flames burned through the walls and the wooden ceiling. Heat burned through his wet skin, instantly drying it of moisture. As an aquatic creature, he had always found it hard to handle extreme heat.

"Long,...Long," he shouted as he strode to the room they had the confrontation with the boss.

A loud bang was heard inside the closed room. Xia rushed towards it and touched the door handle. But it was already scalding hot from the flames.

A small layer of his palm turned bright red and started to blister immediately.

"Xia!! What are you still doing here? Stay out, don't..... Don't come inside," Long shouted from inside. A loud shuffle was heard.

Xia Che started to panic. "Long, are you hurt? Please come out, or else I'm coming in," Xia shouted at the closed door.

The sound of cracking bones and a loud crash was heard from outside. Panicked, Xia opened the door to find naked Long Aotian standing in the middle of the flames, his clothes torn and in shreds on the burning floor.

"Little Long," he screamed and hugged him. He swiftly removed his outer clothes and draped it ion his body. "Let's go," he said.

"Yes," Long said with a loving smile.

The wooden beams crackled above them. And smaller bean fell down almost closing the only exit of the room.

"This place is going to collapse soon," Long said dragging his lover behind him. The blue flame repelled out of their way as if they were being controlled.

Xia was astonished by such a sight and a strange thought entered his brain. "Are you controlling the flame?" Xia questioned his thought.

"I guess I have more powers than I thought," Long mumbled and dragged him over to the east gateway.

Thanks to the magic line Xia drew, they were able to find the exit gate soon. Just as they exited the auction hall the entire thing caught aflame and burned to dust instantly.

"All those herbs," Xia shook his head in disappointment. He sighed and continued, "They were all from an illegal source anyway," he shrugged and walked away.

"Yes, always trade fair," Long chuckled and followed after him. He shuffled after his lover on the dusty road. The heavy wind blew the sand into their pathway almost making it impossible to make the way out.

"We need to meet up with the rescued humans," Xia said with his hand muffling his mouth.

"Hmm," Long hummed. His identity was almost exposed. Thinking of Xia seeing him in his original form scared his little heart. 'What if does not accept me? What if he hates me? What if he thought I deceived him?' negative thought rolled though.

But the sight of his lover walking through the flame just gave him an inexplicable fright. He just hugged The little crayfish to his chest. "Don't ever do something like that," he whispered.

Xia could feel his heart beating rapidly inside his chest. Slowly he placed a palm on it and glanced up. "Why is your heart beating so fast?"

"I...I was so scared something might have happened to you," Long said in a strained voice. Unshed tears burned his eyes. 'Just because of my selfish desire to hide my true self, I almost hurt him,' he thought.

The little crayfish smirked and patted his shoulder. "I can handle myself just fine. You don't have to be so scared,"

"But you couldn't even handle someone that assaulted you," Long whined.

"Hey, that is a different situation. I was shocked that's all. Otherwise, I would have ripped his balls off" Xia huffed and pouted.

'Even his false bravado is super cute,' Long thought. He chuckled softly. "Whatever you say,"

Xia huffed and strode past him. The wind had slowed down to a pleasant breeze. Xia softly hummed a song and walked with a hop in his step. "We did something good today," He said in a singsong voice.

"Yes, we did," Long hugged his shoulders and softly pecked his chubby cheeks. Remembering their main purpose here, he sighed. "Sorry, you didn't find your mother,"

Xia turned towards him with a beautiful smile. "It's okay. I know one day I will definitely find her."

"Yeah 'we' will," Long shook him up a bit and chuckled. "So, where are the rescued humans?" he asked with a curious look.

"Oh, I made a route for them that lead to the outskirts of the town, in the middle of the forest. I already scanned the area with my senses when we walked by. And there is no imminent danger for them," he said with his nose high in the air.

"I knew it. My lover is super talented," Long cooed and pinched his little nose.

"Oh, stop with the flattery," Xia said with a smile. "What happened to the guy you were fighting?"

"Him? That sly little fox gave me the slip," Long said gritting his teeth.

"Soooo, who is he? Why does he know you?" Xia inquired with a curious look.

"I thought he was my friend, but I'm not sure anymore. Things.... things happened and he betrayed me and my family when we needed him the most. I lost my ability to trust anyone after that," Long said with a downcast look.

Xia was silent for a while. "Family? Little Long, do you remember your birth family?"

Long's eyes widened as he glanced back at his lover. His question had thrown him off guard. He had revealed too much information.

A fine layer of sweat started to form on the golden dragon's forehead. "Xia, I....I... I want to....," he started but his lover pressed a finger to his lips.

"You don't have to force yourself," Xia said, "You have all the right to keep secrets."

"I didn't mean to. I wanted to tell you but.... but i might risk your life," Long stuttered holding his lover shoulders.

"Shh, shh it's okay," Xia whispered and hugged his to his chest. After a long while the little snake finally calmed down. He slowly looped his hand into his and led him through the peaceful road.

"But Long remember I am not stupid, but I chose to remain ignorant about your secrets," Xia whispered. He slowly glanced back with a beaming smile. "I'll wait for you to tell me all about yourself. At your own comfort," He said.

Long Aotian had never felt this way before. Silent Tears streamed down his face. He abruptly pulled Xia's hands and hugged him from behind. "Thank you.... thank you for trusting me," He cried burying his head on his shoulders.

"Silly little snake, why are you crying for such a simple thing?" Xia chuckled and softly caressed his lustrous hair. "Such a little kid," He chided.

After fifteen minutes, Long's tears ran dry; he sniffed and pulled back from his neck. "I feel fine now," he whispered, wiping his nose on his sleeve.

"Well, I don't feel anything but a wet shoulder," he pointed at the wet patch at his shoulder.

"Stop making fun of me. I am embarrassed as is," Long whined.

"Aww, my little cutie snake is blushing," Xia cooed pinching his red cheeks.

"I... I am not blushing, I was crying too much so my face is red," Long stuttered.

"Haha, so believable," Xia laughed out loud and ran.

"Stop right there," Long chuckled and rushed after his lover.

Xia ran through tall grass that covers his legs. Running through it they reached a small lake with a clearing next to it.

Suddenly he was tackled from behind.

"I caught you," Long laughed as he lay above him. "Now, this little crayfish should be punished for being naughty," He said with a smirk. He started tickling his armpits and his sides.

"Haha, sto...p. Haahaha," Xia said out of breath.

After tickling to his heart's content, the golden snake laid softly on top of him. He nuzzled his head on his lover's soft chest and let out a deep breath of contentment.

"You know, humans use the expression 'feels like heaven,' when they are ecstatic. But to me, you are my heaven, my everything," Long said. His eyes twinkled under the moonlight.

Xia felt his heart beat faster glancing at the little snake's smouldering eyes. He looped his hand over his shoulders and pulled him down for a kiss.

The golden dragon gladly complied with his lovers demanding lips. Licking his soft cheery lips, he plunged his tongue in. Slimy warmth welcomed him, and an eager tongue awaited to duel with his.

Panting,Long separated from his lips. He softly bit his soft plump bottom lip and sucked it into his mouth.

"Ahh," Xia moaned and pulled his hair.

Xia cupped his face and peered up at him. "You are my everything as well," He whispered with a soft smile.

Long lost all control at his declaration.

He ferociously bit his lips and kissed him.