The Great Wall

by Z. Allora

  Slowly Styx rolled the foreskin down over the top of the shaft. A tear seeped out of the opening and Styx rubbed his thumb under the crown. Another drop followed. This time Styx leaned in to sweep his tongue over the tip and taste Jin’s essence.

  “Mm, sweet,” he heard himself say over Jin’s broken groan. He licked a wet line up the shaft and down the other side.

  Jin’s shaky inhale drew Styx’s attention to his face. His expression of needy want quickened Styx’s breath. Jin croaked out, “Styx, you don’t have to do that.”

  Styx didn’t answer.

  There was not even a question. Jin would never demand this of him, but Styx craved a way to demonstrate his love and devotion physically. He poured all his emotions and desire into this one act.

  His only goal was to please Jin. Styx licked and caressed Jin’s shaft.

  “Please, Styx.” The pleas for mercy bounced off the hotel room walls.

  Styx kept his mouth fastened over Jin and began stroking him in time with the short motions Jin’s hips made.

  “Close,” Jin warned him.

  Styx sucked.

  “So good,” Jin groaned.

  Styx redoubled his efforts, adding a little more suction, teasing the sensitive area around the crown with his tongue. He tugged, moving Jin’s foreskin up to where his mouth circled the shaft and back down, lashing his tongue over the tip as he sucked.

  He didn’t take his eyes off Jin’s. An eternity of denial, love, and need fused into one long gaze.

  Jin’s writhing stopped. “Styx!”

  Instinctively, he swallowed as Jin’s seed poured into his mouth. He licked, sucked, and tasted Jin’s thick, salty liquid eruption.

  When nothing remained, Jin weakly pulled him into kissing distance and breathlessly pressed their lips together. “You’re amazing, Styx. So amazing.” He collapsed onto the bed as if the last of his energy was used.

  Styx lay next to Jin petting his face, a little shell-shocked. He’d sucked off Jin. He’d done it! Licking his lips and tasting more of the salty remains, Styx was thrilled at the accomplishment of satisfying Jin in this way.

  Within a few minutes, Jin seemed to come down from the heights of unearthly bliss. “You want me to put the rings back on you?”

  “What? Right now?” Styx didn’t want to be demanding, but… “I was hoping….” Fuck. He had to come.

  “What?” Jin asked, sitting on Styx’s aching cock. “What were you hoping for, Styx?” Jin moved his ass slightly, letting Styx thrust into the indentation of his crease.

  “That, well….” Did he really have to spell it out?

  “Oh. Do you want to come?” Jin lay down over Styx. The smartass started placing kisses on his face.

  The question made Styx’s cock throb in frustration. “Yes.” He exhaled the word with a groan. His balls were full and ached.

  Jin wiggled, giving him friction but not enough. It would never be enough, and it drove him insane. He wrapped his arms around Jin and pulled him closer.

  Intense need spurred Styx into action. He rolled Jin over so he was on top. Too many clothes were in the way. Needing to feel Jin’s naked body against his own, he yanked off his red T-shirt. Then he unzipped his pants.

  He fell forward to cover Jin’s face and neck with quick, wet kisses, pulling his desperate cock out of his jeans.

  He touched his cock to Jin’s. So hot!

  “Mm.” Jin wiggled and moaned under him, clearly enjoying the attention.

  “I need you, Jin.” Styx shoved his jeans past his ass and down to his knees with his underwear.

  “Yeah? Take what you need. I’m here for you. All for you.” Jin spread his arms out. The gesture appeared to be a combination of love, submission, and giving.

  Styx grunted and thrust his body, causing his cock to rut against Jin’s. Jin’s cock had never gone soft after coming, which Styx found hotter than hell.

  Jin latched on to his asscheeks and guided him. The splendid friction increased. This explosion would be worth the wait. “So hot. Want you again, Styx.”

  Yes! Styx was too impatient for any finesse. He knelt and perched on Jin’s thighs with his hands locked around both cocks, and pumped them together, seeking satiation for the ache that had tormented him all day. He stared down at his hand and worked his cock against Jin’s.

  When Jin clasped his hand over Styx’s, the added stimulation and change in speed was enough.

  “Yeah!” Jin came again.

  “Finally,” Styx groaned and rode his orgasm as far as it would take him. He sighed when the pleasure finally ebbed, and he pushed off Jin, falling onto the mattress. Kicking his pants off the rest of the way, he snatched his boxers from the edge of the bed to wipe off the cream on Jin’s belly.

  “Thanks.” Jin grinned at him.

  Styx laid his head on Jin’s chest. He was at peace until a small earthquake of laughter disturbed his rest.

  “What?” He lifted his head with a lot of effort.

  Jin giggled. “Do you think that’s what Indigo meant by topping?”

  Styx laughed. “Probably.”

  Chapter 13

  “COLOR ME confused.” Indigo glanced around. “I thought we were heading to a wedding? Why are we in an amusement park?”

  “That’s where the church is.” Li pointed in the direction of the little white building under the Ferris wheel.

  “The church is in an amusement park?” Indigo tried to clarify, as though hoping for a different answer as they walked past the merry-go-round.

  “Sham church, sham wedding. It is the perfect place,” Li’s uncle Tai-hua grumbled.

  Li had told the group that his uncle and the groom had once been involved. Tai-hua Zhehao appeared to be a decent man. The guy deserved better than having to attend his lover’s wedding.

  Styx struggled not to draw parallels. Wasn’t this the exact scenario he expected Jin to play a part in? Didn’t he expect Jin to do what Tai-hua was doing when Styx couldn’t put off taking a wife?

  He never was one to go to temple to pray, but maybe he should. Divine intervention was definitely needed. Styx prayed the band worked out—without the freedom Made in China promised, he’d be without hope.

  Jin stared at him as if he could read all of Styx’s bewildering thoughts. A knife jabbed into his heart when despair showed in those big gray eyes. He hated himself for causing Jin this kind of pain.

  Inside the church, they slid into empty seats. It was a tight squeeze, but all of them fit in one row. Indigo whispered, “This isn’t a real church?”

  “No.” Styx flipped through the prayer booklets to show Indigo blank pages.

  “I still can’t believe you guys aren’t in suits.” Indigo picked a piece of long dark hair off his fancy designer ensemble.

  Li sighed. “I don’t know why you didn’t listen to me. I told you, as handsome as you look in that suit, it’s out of place. You’re going to be mistaken for the groom.”

  Indigo snorted. “Bite your tongue.”

  Jin swiveled his head around to confirm the obvious. “Look around. No one but the couple and their parents dressed up.”

  “What about them?” Indigo pointed out a couple overdressed.

  Li clarified Jin’s statement. “There are exceptions. Some really rich people like everyone to dress up, but usually it’s not a mandate at a wedding.” He answered Indigo’s headshake. “Most Chinese men don’t own suits.”

  An expression of total bewilderment crossed Indigo’s face. “Okay, fine. My privileged upbringing and WTC both apply.”

  “That’s right, Indi. Welcome to China, just accept how it is and move on.” Li shrugged.

  Indigo sighed with resignation. “It’s better to be overdressed than underdressed. Besides, maybe later you can show me my place.”

  “Not here,” Li hissed.

  Indigo rolled his eyes. “Fine. Duly noted for the next wedding, but explain why the couple is getting married here?”

  Jin leaned over and
answered, “For the pictures.”

  Li nodded.

  The ceremony started before Indigo asked anything else. Styx observed Indigo enough to imagine Indigo was composing a mental list to ask later.

  Questions were something most Chinese people avoided. Questions equaled problems, but Indigo didn’t seem to understand this concept. Hell, maybe that’s why Styx found himself ignoring the custom as well.

  The wedding was a quick affair since the legal paperwork had been filed months ago with the government. There were no heartwarming vows exchanged as one saw in Western movies. This was simply a going through the motion of the tradition made famous on the big screen and a good photo opportunity.

  Styx tried not to glance in Tai-hua’s direction. The man was, of course, stoic, but it didn’t take much to see beyond his mask. Once again, Styx couldn’t help but put Jin or even himself in the guy’s position. After all, Jin might choose to marry. Styx blocked out the painful thought before the idea took root.

  After the pictures and someone speaking on behalf of the couple, the wedding herd trudged over to a hall that could seat sixty guests comfortably. This party pushed the occupancy rate by about thirty people. Alcohol flowed fast and free to the tightly packed, smoky room.

  The band was seated at a singles table. There were six women who smiled at them when they sat down. After polite introductions, the lights dimmed.

  Everyone stood and the groom stumbled into the spotlight. The group turned toward the door for the bride to make her entrance in her white Western-styled gown. Tai-hua knocked back his drink, and a stranger quickly refilled his glass from a bottle of strong-smelling alcohol as he passed by.

  The bride grinned triumphantly, while the groom appeared rather dyspeptic. The couple posed for pictures as they did a champagne pour over a pyramid of glasses.

  Styx elbowed Jin, waiting to witness Indigo’s reaction when the American figured out the glasses had been glued together and would be taken away and not passed out.

  “That’s a waste of champagne.” Indigo shook his head.

  Jin grinned over at him. “It’s just colored water.”

  “For the pictures.” Li patted Indigo’s knee, which seemed to make Indigo bite back any snarky remark before it fell from his lips.

  The wedding photographer directed them to pose for pictures with the “happy couple.” After a few snaps, the photographer moved the couple along to the next table.

  Jin’s uncle said, “We’ll be right back.” He led Li’s uncle outside for a breath of fresh air.

  The DJ calmed the general chaos by putting on music and directing everyone’s attention to the door. The bride reentered wearing a traditional red dress with a long slit up the side, making her look a bit like a jìnǚ. Not that Styx was an expert on what hookers wore, but the way she carried herself was like a seasoned KTV girl.

  Her groom was well on his way to being plastered, if the way he swayed gave any indication. Tai-hua tottered back to the table; he appeared to be drinking to forget.

  Jin answered Indigo’s numerous questions.

  Li sat with a sad face, splitting his time between watching his uncle and the festivities.

  Some wedding party this turned out to be. At least there was food.

  “What the hell is that?” Indigo hissed, pointing at a real treat.

  “Duck tongues.” Jin held one of the delicacies up to Indigo. “You want one?”

  “Argh! No, the only tongue I want in my mouth….” Impressively, Indigo’s self-filter clicked on as he seemed to notice the girls at the table were hanging on his every word. The girls predictably giggled and returned to their conversation.

  More courses were brought out and set on the rotating tray in the middle of the table.

  The DJ called guests to the stage to have them do stupid things. Styx hoped their ticket wasn’t called. The games had progressed from silly to ridiculous. Currently two groups of six guests were on the raised platform that served as a stage, trying to stand on smaller and smaller pieces of paper. One of the groups was lucky because they had a big guy. All the females jumped on him and held on. Of course, the DJ took a long time to call the turn complete, making them hold embarrassing positions for quite a while.

  More platters were added to the table as the bride made yet another entrance under the spotlight angled to blind anyone not focused on her. This time she wore an off-the-shoulder evening gown in bright yellow with a ton of ruffles. She and her soused groom started making table rounds.

  At each table, she held out a pack of cigarettes in her yellow-gloved hands for the men to take one, which she would light, showing her willingness to entertain for her new husband’s friends. Of course, many of the guys at the tables insisted on making toasts to the groom, forcing him to drink the whole glass of alcohol for luck.

  Indigo whispered, “He might die of alcohol poisoning before the night is over.”

  Li said, “He probably won’t die, but tomorrow I bet he’ll wish for death.”

  Someone shouted to the next table over, “The groom needs another drink.” The men agreed and filled the groom’s glass, spilling whiskey onto his suit and the ruffles of the bride’s dress.

  The bride’s fake smile slipped, and her demure tones grew shrill. She started to bitch at her new husband, but her bitter words would have to wait as the couple dutifully approached each table.

  When the bride and her groom arrived at their table, she asked, “Cigarette?” Her sugar-sweet voice wasn’t echoed in her face. Every man at the table took one. Indigo snatched one after Li elbowed him in the stomach, though he refused to have it lit.

  Tai-hua, ever the good guy, spoke loud enough to be heard over the roar of the laughter created by the DJ on stage to wish the couple well on their new life. “May you have love and happiness all of your days.”

  Everyone at the table raised their glasses and drank bottoms up.

  The groom stared at Tai-hua for a long moment before being literally dragged away by his new wife to the next table.

  Tai-hua nodded to them and excused himself. Li followed him out the side door.

  After a minute or two, Indigo shook his head. “I don’t fucking get it.”

  Styx wasn’t going to ask. He understood. They all did.

  Jin stared at him for a moment before turning to Indigo. “The groom doesn’t have a choice.”

  Indigo shook his head. “What about Tai-hua’s choices?”

  Styx’s stomach tossed and rolled. He checked where the restrooms were as a precaution. Would this be him in a few years, possibly sooner? The band had to be successful. It was the only hope he had left.

  Jin shrugged and in an even tone tried to explain. “His parents want him to have the security of a child.”

  “The guy is loaded. He has security,” Indigo pointed out.

  Shaking his head, Jin informed him, “Not the same thing. Family is protection.”

  “He gets saddled with a wife?” Indigo kept his voice low. “He’s gay!”

  “Your point?” Tai-hua sat back down at the table, clearly having overheard some of the conversation. He grabbed the bottle he’d purchased at the bar and opened it. “Any of you want some?”

  Indigo and Jin held out their glasses. Tai-hua poured a healthy amount in each of theirs before filling his own.

  “Take a gander, boys.” Tai-hua pointed to himself. “This is a future you don’t want.”

  Li squeezed his uncle’s arm. “Uncle Tai-hua, don’t say that.”

  “It’s true. I’m over forty, living in China. This is it for me. Watching my friends get married.” Tai-hua sipped his drink. His attention seemed to be focused on Indigo. “Don’t feel sorry for me. I’ve had love. It doesn’t always work out.”

  “The groom?” Indigo asked, clearly surprised to hear him say he was in love with that asshole.

  Tai-hua’s bitter laugh was lost in the loud buzz of the celebration. “Not even close, Indigo.” He stared a long time at Indigo and then to
ok another big sip of his drink.

  He focused on Jin. “You. Pay attention to this. Avoid it if you can.” Tai-hua slammed back the rest of his drink.

  Styx was drawn to Jin’s eyes while everyone else watched the bride reenter. Jin’s gaze held the weight of inevitability crushing down on him. Maybe Styx projected his own pain for what was being done to Tai-hua onto Jin, but there was no denying it.

  Life simply sucked.

  He glanced away from Jin and everything he didn’t want to see. His eyes landed on the bride. She wore a purple dress with a hoop skirt as if it were the 1800s and she was starring in an old cowboy movie.

  Styx wondered if Indigo could ever understand the agony of family responsibility.

  Indigo broke the moment with another question. “Hey, isn’t the DJ going to play some dance music?”

  The whole table erupted in laughter.

  “What? What’s funny?” Indigo demanded as he turned to Li for an answer.

  Jin pointed out the obvious. “This is a wedding.”

  “Right, this is a wedding. Wait. Tell me there’s no dancing.” Indigo scratched his head and appeared perplexed.

  Li patted his shoulder and nudged his glass to encourage him to drink a healthy swallow.

  Indigo stared at each of them intently, as if they could change the situation. “But why have a DJ?”

  “For the games,” Li said, almost as if it weren’t even a question.

  “Games, but no dancing. Well, that figures.” Indigo whined and pouted. “I wanted to get my dance on.”

  A waiter came by and dropped a big piece of wedding cake in the middle of the table. The six women at the table attacked the pink and green confection with chopsticks. Gone was any pretense of being demure. They scooped off the frosting with their chopsticks as if there was a race to see who could suck down the most sugar.

  Indigo leaned back, appearing horrified. The whole “double dipping,” as he called it, was bad enough, but this seemed to be a bigger sin in his eyes.

  The DJ called everyone’s attention to another change in the bride’s wardrobe. She wore a micromini dress in bright blue. The color hurt one’s eyes if you stared at it long enough.