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Post by odette on Oct 14, 2016 2:12:11 GMT
Shang blinked as he heard Su's voice and he looked up at her from across the cell. "I thought you never wanted to see me again.." He grumbled and ran a hand over his face, wincing as he touched his black eye. How she had even found out about this he didn't know but a part of him was glad she did. He had gone rogue at the thought of never seeing her again. How much would he have done if he had gone the rest of his life without her? At her conditions, he nodded. "That's better than never seeing you again, I'll say that." He looked up at her and couldn't help the small smile that came to his face. It would be hard acting normal around her, especially after what he had done to her, but he had to make it work. "I promise I'll do whatever you want...I want to make it up to you. In any way that I can."
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Post by su on Oct 14, 2016 3:36:44 GMT
It had been a few weeks since Su had broken Shang out of jail and had him move in with her. Things were awkward between them and looked like they'd be that way for quite awhile at least. They never talked about their night together, but there were moments were it seemed to get a little heated. They never did anything, but Su wasn't entirely sure how long that would last. It was almost maddening in a way, Su was still angry with Shang after all. And yet being in such close quarters with him made things a little difficult. All of those thoughts and more crowded her head as she made her way home, her last customer had been more then a little rough so she was going at a slower pace. She knew that come morning, her body would have more bruises then normal. Hiding them from Shang had become a challenge as he seemed to always know when she was hiding things from him. She'd made it clear though that she could handle herself and didn't appreciate being treated like a delicate flower. Deep down though, she knew Shang was only trying to help. Once she was inside the house, she quietly made her way up to her room. True her home was small, but she was making it hers...well hers and Shang's. Little things were added, and while it still felt only temporary she was starting to hope again. She started up a bubble bath and slowly stripped, up close the damage to her body was even worse then she'd initially thought. The outer damage however was nothing compared to how she felt on the inside. She ran a hand up her side and hissed as the tender skin there ached from the mere contact. Hopefully the warm water would ease her sore muscles...at least that's what she was hoping. Once the tub was full, she carefully eased herself into it and leaned back with a wince. The customer she'd had tonight had been brutal...he was the one she dreaded seeing the most as he enjoyed seeing her in pain when he took her. Shang would be devastated if he knew everything, but a small part of her thought that he'd probably think she had deserved it. Which was why she never confided in him the details of what she did now.
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Post by odette on Oct 14, 2016 4:00:55 GMT
Shang had stayed at the house all day while Su went off to work, even though he hated to see her go. She always assured him that she was fine but he never believed her. The only thing that kept him from going insane was that she was only dancing...nothing else. But he still hated knowing that men were touching her. He shouldn't be jealous, he really shouldn't be but he couldn't help it. To keep his mind off of it, Shang had done a deep clean on the house. He had been working in the attic when Su came home, not even hearing her as she went inside. It was pointless to clean up there but he was doing all he could to stay busy. Once he was finished, he sighed and slid his shirt off over his head. He was covered in sweat from the work...he'd need a bath. Shang was drying off the sweat from his chest with his shirt as he made his way to the bathroom, not even registering the sound of the water in the tub. Even though they both had separate rooms now, they still had to share one bathroom. Though it wasn't much of a big deal considering Su was hardly ever home. He pushed open the door and jumped the moment he saw Su in the tub. "Oh, sorry I didn't hear you come in. I'll come back, take your time-" Shang had started to back out of the bathroom but hesitated the moment he saw something...abnormal on her skin. He stood there for a moment, his hand on the doorknob as he looked at her. After a moment, he recognized them as bruises and they looked like fingers. "What is that?" He suddenly spoke, a surprising amount of seriousness in his voice. If someone was hurting her, he sure as hell wanted to know about it.
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Post by su on Oct 14, 2016 4:20:12 GMT
Su was so caught up in her thoughts that she didn't even register the sound of footsteps in the hallway until the door opened. She jumped and whirled around, ducking under the bubbles as soon as she could. Her eyes nearly widened when she saw that Shang was shirtless, and sweaty but before she could fully appreciate the view he saw the bruises. She slid her hand back into the water, "It's nothing Shang...please leave it alone." She hated asking him that, but if he knew...he'd hate her or worse. "I know you mean well, but I've told you before I can handle it." She said as she shifted lower in the water so he wouldn't see the ring of bruises around her neck.
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Post by odette on Oct 14, 2016 4:29:02 GMT
Shang didn't even flinch at her words. She was hiding her bruises more than she usually did and that only confirmed his suspicions. "Su, this is clearly getting out of hand. I've let the little ones slide but..." His words slowed as he saw a few little darker marks around her shoulders and neck area. "I can't take seeing you like this anymore." Before he could stop himself, Shang moved back into the bathroom and knelt down on one knee beside the tub. His hand gently smoothed her hair away from her shoulder and his heart sank at what he saw. "I just don't understand how you can come home looking like this just from dancing-" Though the more he thought about it...the more it didn't make sense. Then everything fell into place. "Oh gods....you...you're not just dancing, are you?" Shang whispered before he pulled back from her. That was why she was coming home like this every night. That was why everyone around here whispered about that tavern she worked at. It wasn't even a tavern anymore. It was a brothel.
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Post by su on Oct 14, 2016 4:50:16 GMT
Su flinched more out of habit then anything else as Shang approached her and bit down on her bottom lip as he took in the bruises. Of course he couldn't see the rest, she looked away from him as he started to realize just what she'd been hiding from him all along. "Please don't look at me like that, it wasn't like I wanted to work there but I didn't have any other options. If I hadn't gone there, I would have been living on the streets...there's not much a woman can do to make a living and I tried. Besides I thought I'd never see you again when I started working there...and if I didn't work there we wouldn't be able to stay here." She explained quietly as she kept her gaze trained away from him. Of course he didn't know her deepest fear that he'd think she deserved to be treated like a whore.
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Post by odette on Oct 14, 2016 5:04:32 GMT
Shang ran a hand through his hair as he took in everything she said. Gods he never should have left. "Su...why didn't you tell me sooner? I've been here for weeks! I could have gotten a job so you wouldn't have to do this anymore. I wouldn't have quit the guard if I knew..." He started to ramble and paced around the bathroom. "You have to quit. I don't want you going back there. Every time you leave here...I'm in hell. All I can think about if what you're doing and who you're doing it on and now that I know it's more than what you told me, I can't handle you going back there." Before he could stop himself, Shang leaned down and pressed a kiss against her lips. All caution was thrown out the window as he forgot about their arrangement but after a moment, he forced himself to pull back. "I'm sorry..I know I said I wouldn't do that anymore but...I still love you Su. And I can't keep letting you live this way. I'll work from now on. You deserve so much better...I will fix this." Before she could protest, Shang ran out of the bathroom and tugged his shirt back on over his head. He was going there for her to tell her boss she quits. There was no way in hell that he was going to let her walk back in through those doors.
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Post by su on Oct 14, 2016 5:40:10 GMT
Su blinked as she watched Shang pace around the bathroom, clearly upset. She shouldn't have been so surprised, but she was...he was angry. Then he turned towards her, and before she could react his lips were on hers in a searing kiss. Her lips parted but all too soon he was pulling away from her again, and she stared up at him uncertainly. She felt flushed from that simple contact alone, and couldn't help but silently want more. At his next words she shook her head, he was insane...he'd get himself killed and that was the last thing she wanted. But he was already leaving and she needed to follow after him. Getting out of the tub was difficult and she nearly doubled over a few times but she finally managed. She had to hurry, her hands shakily grasped her nightgown and she pulled it on before she found her robe next and slid that on. How long had he been gone? She had to catch up to him! She pulled a pair of slippers on before she ran out the door. The cold air hit her like a wave and she nearly froze in place. She thought she saw him not too far ahead and she hurried forward calling his name, only to freeze when the man turned around. Her heart sank, "Shan-Yu...I wasn't expecting to see you." She said doing her best to keep her tone even. Shan-Yu smirked and approached her, "I should have you show up like this more often...soaking wet and shaking is a good look on you." He said with a smirk. Su took a step back, "Actually I quit." She said as bravely as she could muster. Shan-Yu's laugh made her skin crawl, "Do you? I'd like to see you try." He said in a low threatening tone as he moved to pin her to the wall.
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Post by odette on Oct 14, 2016 5:51:06 GMT
Shang had made it to the tavern but the doors were locked. It had been shut down for the night, to his surprise, and he cursed. His hand slammed against the door before he finally walked away. He couldn't let her go back there tomorrow. But how was he going to get her out of that job? He couldn't go back home without having fixed this. Shang sighed as he slowly started to walk home but he heard a little scuffle not too far away from him. He saw two figures in the darkness, clearly a man and a woman but he figured it was just two lovers having a night out. But then he heard her voice. "Su?" Shang whispered as he walked closer. Then she was pushed against the wall and he immediately raced forward. He gripped Shan-Yu's shoulder, pulling him back before he punched the man square in the jaw. "Get your hands off my sister you bastard." He growled before he punched the man again, putting space between them and Su.
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Post by su on Oct 15, 2016 2:01:54 GMT
Su winced as Shan-Yu's grip tightened on her, and then just as she was fearing the worst Shang appeared. He yanked Shan-Yu off of her and punched him in the face, Su's legs buckled and she only just barely managed to hold herself up in time. "Shang...please stop." She whispered. Shan-Yu chuckled then, "Oh yes...please listen to your little sister, I know I have." He said with a leer in Su's direction. Su pressed her body closer against the wall as Shan-Yu moved closer towards Shang, "You have no idea do you? No idea just how much of a whore your sister is now...but let me tell you she's one of the best I've ever had. I just wish I had been the one to break her in, really I missed an opportunity." He said before he gripped Shang's throat and started to squeeze. "You want to know who's responsible for beating her up every night? It's me...but I'm guessing you've figured that out by now haven't you?" He sneered as he smirked in Su's direction. "And I'd hate to give that up." He said before turning his attention back to Shang.
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Post by odette on Oct 15, 2016 4:34:26 GMT
Shang felt his anger swell up at Shan-Yu's words but before he could throw another punch, he was grabbed by the throat. His breath caught in his throat and he cursed to himself. How was he supposed to protect her if he kept losing in fights like this? "I will make you pay for what you've done to her." He managed to groan out before he lifted his knee up and kneed Shan-Yu right in the crotch. He managed to get free for a moment before he kicked the man down to the ground. Once the man was down, Shang turned and grabbed Su's wrist. "Run." He made sure he had a strong grip on her before he started to run, not sure where to go but he just had to get her away from this man. The thought of Su being taken by that man made his stomach churn. All this time he had been so stupid...he should have seen the signs earlier. She was in this because of him now. And he was going to fix this.
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Post by su on Oct 15, 2016 5:11:25 GMT
Su didn't even have time to really prepare herself before Shang had kneed Shan-Yu in his groin before taking off with her. She wasn't sure how long they ran, but her aching body protested the entire way. Finally they slowed to a stop just inside the forest, Su leaned against a tree as she struggled not to cry out in pain. It was a fight though as her body was in so much pain, it probably hadn't been a good idea to run like that. Although once upon a time, Su had enjoyed running...those days seemed quite far behind now though. Her hair had come undone, and she knew it was all tangled...her nightgown had torn in several places due to some branches that had caught on it. She hardly looked presentable, but that had partly been her fault as she had been in such a hurry. Su's eyes darted over towards Shang and she swallowed hard as she avoided looking at him directly. She wasn't sure what he was thinking, and that worried her...she had been more familiar once but times had changed since then. They weren't the same people they had once been...and she...she wasn't as innocent as she been once before.
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Post by odette on Oct 16, 2016 0:02:26 GMT
Shang finally slowed to a stop when they were deep into the forest, his chest burning from the cold air around them. He released her hand as he searched the small area around them. His mind was constantly reeling from thought to thought, not able to stay on one much longer than the other. What he needed to do in that moment though was hide her, that much he knew. When he had searched the area, he spotted a small hole in the rocks that looked like they led to a cave of some sorts. The opening was barely big enough for someone to squeeze through but if they could fit, no one would be able to find them...at least not right away. "Here, we'll hide in here for now..." Shang whispered as he took her hand and gently tugged her towards the opening. Once she was through, he somehow managed to get through after her even though the rocks practically squeezed the breath out of him. It was dark on the inside but that was okay. "Here...it's not much but it'll help until I can get a fire going in here.." Shang pulled his shirt off over his head and helped her put it on in the darkness. Once she was dressed, he moved through the cave and found a small pile of branches that had fallen inside and he made a small fire. It was easier to see now but he tried to keep his gaze averted from Su. He had probably just made things a lot worse for her now...he wasn't even sure how he was going to face her.
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Post by su on Oct 16, 2016 3:57:10 GMT
Su followed after Shang not entirely sure where he was taking her, he was silent the entire way. Obviously the confrontation with Shan-Yu had rattled him somewhat and she was unsure what he was thinking. It wasn't like him to be this way, as they reached the cave she easily slipped through the opening. The cave was dimly lit and she shivered, silently grateful for the shirt Shang gave her to wear. "Thank you." She mumbled as she kept her gaze lowered. He was shirtless again, and it was hard not to study him as he started up the fire. He wasn't looking at her, and the silence between them had grown, she bit down on her bottom lip and looked down at her lap. She couldn't blame him, how could he look at her knowing that she had sunk so low. "You don't have to stay...I'll understand if you want to leave." She said eventually, it hurt to say as much. Having Shang around had been good...he had reminded her of what it had been like when they had been together.
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Post by odette on Oct 16, 2016 4:15:34 GMT
Shang was still crouched down next to the fire, silently working on making the flame stronger. At her words, his gaze flicked up to look at her. His motions slowed before he sighed and returned his attention back to the fire. "If you really think that I'd leave you after all of this, you obviously don't know me very well Su. I'm your brother. It's my duty...and my privilege to protect you. And I've failed at that..." Shang's words died off towards the end as he thought about everything that had happened. Once the fire was decent, he stood up and brushed off his pants. "If I hadn't run out tonight, you wouldn't be in this situation right now...and if I hadn't left you after the night we had together, maybe things would have been so much better for us. I don't see you any different Su...I still see you as the love of my life. And I'd like to protect you as long as you will let me." Shang suddenly felt awkward as he spoke and ran his fingers through his hair.
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