Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single omega of breedable age, must be in want of a donor,” Jing Bei Yuan quotes the Omega Policy Program—or OPP[i]—and smirks behind the rim of his lowball.

“You’re such an asshole,” Zhou Zi Shu responds with a smile, and downs his seventh whiskey for the night. At least he thinks it’s his seventh, but considering he can still count, it likely is. Which means that he hasn’t had enough to drink yet.

“A’Yuan, we should be encouraging him, not teasing him,” Wu Xi says smilingly and shifts in his seat, his round stomach nudging against the edge of the table. Wu Xi leans forward, a bit awkwardly, and refills Zhou Zi Shu’s glass. Wu Xi nods towards the waiter in what Zhou Zi Shu hopes means to bring them another bottle of whiskey.

Jing Bei Yuan leans closer to his husband and nuzzles his cheek, “If I can’t tease him, what’s the use of having him as a friend?”

Zhou Zi Shu watches his best friend and his best friend’s husband of five years and shakes his head. “Glad to be of use,” he says and holds his glass out until Jing Bei Yuan clinks it, the amber colored liquid swirling against the spherical ice. It’s his favorite whiskey and he intends to get hammered, because starting tomorrow, he’s going dry.

“Don’t be nervous,” Jing Bei Yuan says and sips on his whiskey. “You’ll find a good donor match. Just take your time and see which alpha is a good fit.”

He has no intention of rushing through matching. Whilst he is encouraged into the program—research showing that birthrates go up when the omegas are happy rather than forced—he is picking the donor of his future child, so they need to be a good specimen.

“As if I would ever pick anything subpar,” he jokes and finishes the smokey liquid in one go.

Not that he frequently invites men into his bed, but it happens and they are always gorgeous. They just never stick. In fact, this coming year in OPP will technically be the longest he’s ever been with the same alpha. He mostly gets bored or they get possessive. Which is why he has to go through this process. Because all Omegas are encouraged to breed by the time they reach thirty. Only the alphas are conscripted into the program. Well, it’s either that or the military.

“I’m just after a donor. I’m too busy to deal with some needy alpha following me around. I like my personal space,” he says.

“You already have a needy alpha following you around at all times,” Jing Bei Yuan says and glances towards the door where Qin Jiu Xiao, his bodyguard, is watching.

“He doesn’t count,” he responds, because the man doesn’t. He’s a necessary evil to protect him from crazy fans or people who like to get just a little bit too close.

“That’s why you need to get one that counts,” Jing Bei Yuan concludes and puts his hand on Wu Xi’s stomach, rubbing it gently.

Nerves flutter in his chest and he tries to squash them because hope is something he doesn’t allow in his life. He has worked hard for everything that he has. His best friend had been lucky.

Not thinking much beforehand, Jing Bei Yuan had done his civic duty to OPP in his early twenties, rather than joining the military. Being matched was a one in a million chance but crawling around in mud with a rifle was certain. It hadn’t been a tough choice.

However, his friend had walked into the Omega Center in Chengdu and walked out with a match and one year later they had been married. It had taken them until now to get pregnant and Zhou Zi Shu couldn’t be happier for them.

“You know, they will let you get a few different alphas if you want,” Wu Xi says, giggling, and Jing Bei Yuan looks at his husband with approving and loving eyes. “It would be like alpha roulette, and you like gambling.”

“Fuck off,” Zhou Zi Shu says but his mind can’t help wondering what it would be like to be stuffed full by multiple alphas during his heat. It might be worth looking into the Poly Package. It’s not like the government cared how he got pregnant. All they wanted was to ensure the future of the second genders, which had been declining rapidly in the past decades. Omegas were rare and thus treated like treasures to ensure that they could—and wanted to—breed.

“Shall we leave you and your dirty thoughts to yourself?” Jing Bei Yuan snickers and ducks when a wet ice cube comes flying his way. Sometimes having a best friend that knows all your expressions and thoughts is the worst.

“What’s the big deal?” a loud female voice filters through the music from a few tables over. “You go there, they extract some pheromones, and then you leave. I’ve done it heaps of times and never got picked.”

Zhou Zi Shu turns to see a group of young people in dressy clothes, wrists either showing off an expensive watch or supporting a designer bag.

“I prefer to pick my omegas myself,” a tall man says, exuberating the confidence of someone that knows he is exceptionally attractive. The alpha has broad shoulders, perfect dark hair, smoldering eyes and a set of exposed forearms that Zhou Zi Shu’s eyes can’t look away from.

“Most of the omegas at the Omega Center are old. They are there because they failed to get an alpha themselves and time is running out,” the tall man continues and suddenly, Zhou Zi Shu doesn’t find that prominent Adam’s apple as attractive anymore.

“So what?” one of the other men says, a shorter and overweight guy with too much gel in his hair. “If you’re picked you might get to fuck them, and fucking an omega isn’t something you get to do every day. Especially when they are in heat—”

“As if an omega has ever let you near them in their heat,” another woman with long white hair says, and wrinkles her nose.

“I prefer my omegas young and pretty,” the tall man continues, glancing down at the short man with contempt in his eyes.

Zhou Zi Shu can’t help but laugh out loud at the idiocy of the man’s statement—as if it’s every omega’s dream to be mated at a young age to some neanderthal alpha instead of having a career and a life. As if Zhou Zi Shu’s no longer attractive because he's approaching thirty? Utterly pathetic. Maybe the alpha just doesn’t have what it takes to be of interest to omegas who know what they want, both in bed and in life?

Jing Bei Yuan and Wu Xi laugh as well, but unfortunately, the sound draws the attention of the tables around them even though they are sitting in the corner. He knows he shouldn’t, not only because it’s irrelevant, but also because of who he is and provoking people in public is generally never a good idea when you’re famous. But he just can’t help himself. He looks up and meets the tall alpha’s gaze, who’s eyes widen slightly in recognition. He smirks, lifting his glass in acknowledgement of having heard the conversation, and downs his ninth shot. After knowing that he has the full attention of the obnoxious alpha, he turns his eyes away and ignores their table for the rest of the evening.

〜(＞＜)〜

The Shanghai Omega Center is a modern, glazed high-rise building located in the central business district. It is not at all what he had expected, but then again—he had only heard Jing Bei Yuan’s version and clearly, it’s different walking in as a donor rather than an omega. He leaves Qin Jiu Xiao with the car, mostly to avoid drawing attention to himself. As soon as he walks into the foyer, he is greeted by two personal assistants who will follow him through the entire process from now until birth.

After a full medical screening, Zhou Zi Shu is wrapped in a complementary fluffy robe and shown to his own private suite where he is to wait for the reproductive endocrinologist specializing in male omegas.

He takes a seat in the massive armchair by the window and decides to fill out the forms whilst he waits. He takes out his tablet and logs into the OPP App. He works his way through the normal registration process, health insurance information, and emergency contacts. He read through the different packages and eventually selects the Mono Alpha Package.

He clicks Next and the form for the donor selection pops up. It’s a smorgasbord of options with all the questions you would expect, such as physical appearance, education level, and preferred first gender, but also a few that makes his skin a bit hot—Natural insemination or Intrauterine insemination?

He takes a sip of the prenatal herbal tea and almost spits it out because it tastes like dirt. He is going to struggle to drink the recommended liter of that per day. He leans back against the headrest and misses his whiskey already. He has read through the information and seen the commercials. Natural insemination always has the highest possibility of impregnation when compared to the turkey baster approach.

Selecting Natural insemination leads to the next option—At home insemination or At clinic insemination? Just the thought of spending his heat in this room with other couples going at it or giving birth right next door does not sound appealing at all. Even if the suites are supposed to be soundproof.

He’s about to click At home insemination when the reproductive endocrinologist walks in. She’s an older lady, dressed in the standard white coat, with sharp eyes, small nose and thin lips.

“Zhou Zi Shu,” she more says than asks, and takes a seat opposite him. She’s carrying a tablet herself, but she doesn’t unlock it. “Your results show that you are healthy. You have an excellent egg count for someone your age.”

Zhou Zi Shu flinches internally. He's not that old. Twenty-nine is the perfect age in his opinion. He’s got a stable life, his own house, and an established career. He can afford to be a single parent even though the government helps to sponsor the program for those who need it, to ensure the survival of the second genders.

“And your heat cycles are regular and every two months,” she continues, clearly having memorized his entire medical history.

“Yes,” he responds and takes a sip of the tea, wincing.

“Adding some honey might make it easier to drink,” she says and smiles for the first time. “How many days are your heats?”

“Around three to five days,” he responds.

“And if you’re knotted? Does it stay the same?” she continues as if she’s asking about the weather.

Zhou Zi Shu is used to a lot, being friends with Jing Bei Yuan, but it’s not like they discuss sex like this, especially since they have a different second gender. He thinks about it for a moment before responding, “It can take up to seven days, but the last few days are not as intense.”

“Good. That means that there is an ample fertile window,” she says and nods approvingly. “Have you thought about how you want your insemination?”

“I was just reading through the options,” he responds and gestures to his tablet.

“Has anyone talked you through the different options?” she asks and when he shakes his head, she turns on the tablet. “We see the best results with natural insemination and at home insemination. Having a place where the omega can nest more comfortably helps the ovulation and impregnation. However, inviting a stranger into your home can be intimidating. I want to reassure you that we screen all our donors, not just medically but also their background. Your safety and comfort are the most important things to us.” He nods, takes another sip and has a full body shudder.

“Of course, if you would prefer the no contact options and have your insemination here, our staff is expertly trained to help you through your heat and monitor for optimal insemination window. Please read through all the information and fill out the rest of the forms in the coming week. If you have any questions you can talk to your designated assistants, or you can call me directly,” she says and reaches out to shake his hand before leaving the suite.

He picks up his tablet and clicks on At home insemination. It’s the best option and that is what Jing Bei Yuan and Wu Xi had done as well. This is, however, not the most optimal option for him. What if paparazzi spots the man living with him? The press and his fans would have a field day. Not to mention what it might do to the alpha getting linked to him. They need to work through a strategy for if, or rather, when that happens.

A new question pops up, Live in alpha or Heats only alpha? Does he want the alpha to live with him at all times? He clicks on info and reads through the details. Apparently, his hormones will enjoy having an alpha around to scent him and fuck him even outside of his heats. He definitely doesn’t mind that, but he’s not sure he has time for that. And there is the daipai[ii] to think about. The media is already speculating if he will join OPP due to his age. He clicks on Live in alpha.

(⌒_⌒;)

Two weeks later, Zhou Zi Shu walks back into the Omega Center sporting his usual bucket hat and face mask in the hopes of not getting recognized. His eyes are focused and his steps are confident, but his heart is quivering a bit. Today is the day he will meet the donors the center has picked out for him. He’s not sure what algorithm they have used but considering his best friend had ended up with a mate, it can’t be that bad. Besides, the matching is mostly based on scent, because apparently his hormones know better than his eyes, brain, or heart.

“This way please,” Lan Ming, his primary team assistant, says and leads him into the same suite that he had been the last time. He takes a seat and wrinkles his nose when he spots the herbal tea. Lan Ming smiles and prepares a cup for him, adding one spoon of honey. “Are you ready?” she asks, her voice excited. Clearly, she likes her job—or at least this part of it.

He takes a sip, and his stomach doesn’t convulse so adding honey did help. “I’m ready.”

The second assistant, Li Yao, puts a cooler in front of him and opens the lid. The container is filled with twenty vials, all with barcodes on them. He picks up the first one and twists the lid open. A strong scent of coffee and licorice fills his nose and he cringes. Whilst he likes an iced coffee first thing in the morning, and salted licorice once in a while, he does not like the combination and puts it back in its original place. The second vial is pure sandalwood, which is a scent very similar to his father’s, so he quickly closes it, puts it back and erases it from his memory by sniffing on some coffee beans.

The third vial has a subtle scent of forest and ginger, which reminds him of his youth and spending time at his godfather’s house in the Yunnan countryside. He puts the sample to the side. The fourth one smells of hot iron with an undertone of Coca-Cola. It’s interesting enough for him to put it to the side. The following vials are so horrible that even his tea seems like a better option. They range from mustard to peppermint to gasoline. Who in their right mind would ever pick gasoline? Poor man.

He’s irritated at this point, wondering how on earth their screening process works to have resulted in all of these horrible scents. He picks up the last vial and opens the lid. Focused on reaching for his tea, he has barely smelled it when something ripples through him. He sniffs again and the whiskey scent with a hint of citrus should not work together, but somehow makes his skin tingle. He can’t help but sniff it again and out of the corner of his eyes, he sees Lan Ming and Li Yao smile at each other.

“Are those the three donors you’d like to move forward with?” Lan Ming asks and smiles towards him. He nods and Li Yao takes the three vials and scans the barcodes with the tablet.

“I’ll go prepare the donors,” Li Yao says, closes the lid to the cooler and walks out.

“They will be wearing sensory blocking equipment, such as a headset and blindfold. Your privacy is our highest priority. However, if you want, we can remove their nose clips so that they can smell you as well. Analyzing yours and their response to the scents will allow us to make sure that you’ve chosen someone optimal for you.” He nods and sips on his tea, too preoccupied by that whiskey scent to pay attention to the taste.

>ᴗ<

Fifteen minutes later they walk out into the corridor and down the hallway. It’s important during matching that the scents don’t mix, so he will be taken to the rooms where each of the alphas are waiting. Li Yao smiles and opens a door to his left. The alpha is sitting with his back turned towards them and doesn’t react. Zhou Zi Shu wonders what sound is playing in the headphones as he steps through the opening. He breathes in the scent and fills his mind as well as his lungs. It’s earthy with a hint of ginger. It’s calm and dependable. It’s a solid choice, and his shoulders relax. Nerves that he hadn’t acknowledged are relaxing now that he knows that he has found a good option.

“Keep him,” he says and steps out of the room. He wants to smell all three before making his decision.

Lan Ming opens another door, and he walks over. The hot iron is distinct, especially with the sweet undertone, but something about it doesn’t feel right, like it’s forced or fused. He shakes his head and doesn’t even step into the room.

He can smell the third alpha as soon as the door opens. The smoky scent with a twist of citrus makes something hot pool in his stomach and his eyes focus on the male figure leaning against the wall with his back towards them. He’s tall, taller than himself, with broad shoulders. Zhou Zi Shu walks around him, keeping his distance even though the man has no idea they are even there.

The alpha’s face is hidden behind a ‘blindfold’ that looks like VR sunglasses, and Zhou Zi Shu takes in the high cheekbones, sharp jaw, and full lips. Dark, straight hair is sticking out around the headphones and there is a hint of undercut. He’s in dark gray dress pants and black fitted polo shirt that shows off a narrow waist, broad chest and toned arms. He is exquisite.

Zhou Zi Shu takes another deep breath and steps closer, only partly aware of the two assistants next to him. Stopping right in front of the man, he tilts his head. He had been right, the donor is slightly taller than he is. “Can I touch him?” he asks and takes another deep breath.

“You can,” Li Yao responds and taps the donor on the shoulder once.

Zhou Zi Shu steps closer and leans in, putting his hands on the man’s chest, feeling it rise and fall with each breath. It’s slow and steady, confident, just like an alpha. He leans in closer, tilting his head and breathes against the alpha’s neck. The scent clings to his skin, like sweat during his heat and his body purrs without his permission. It’s embarrassing and he swallows it down, relieved that the man can’t hear him.

Lan Ming steps closer, “Do you want him to scent you?”

“Yes,” he responds, without really knowing why.

“This means that he will touch you,” she clarifies.

He nods and watches her tap the donor twice on the shoulder. The alpha holds out his hands and Zhou Zi Shu takes them and guides them up towards his neck. He tilts his head and allows the man to rub his wrists up his neck, stimulating their scent glands. The smoky scent mixes with his own and he leans into the touch. His body hums through their connection.

He catches both wrists and takes a step back, looking up at the alpha—his alpha. “This one.”

(≧ᵕ≦)

Chapter Text

It’s not his first time at the Omega Center. He’s been here plenty of times in the last few years because apparently, he meets the criteria a lot of omegas tick on their forms. He’s tall, dark and handsome with a degree from a top university. He also exclusively wants to donate to male omegas. However, he’s fortunately never made it past the matching.

He had, like a lot of eligible alphas, applied to OPP as a donor in his early twenties and been lucky to be accepted, and these days it’s just become routine for him. He only has six months left until he turns twenty-eight and is no longer considered viable as a donor, because apparently the vitality of alphas decline once they hit that age. Wen Ke Xing feels like he will never lose vitality. He will just get better with experience and age like fine wine or great whiskey.

Mostly, he just provide his pheromones, but he has worn the sensory blocking equipment and mask a few times, though he’s never been picked. Maybe his scent has never been alluring enough without the impact of his smoldering eyes and his silky-smooth mouth. He hasn’t met an omega, or a male beta, that he hasn’t been able to charm out of their underwear.

It’s the first time this year he’s put the gear on, and it takes him a moment to regain his bearings. The goggle-like mask is cold against his skin and the lack of visual cue is disorienting when combined with the lack of sound. He leans against the wall and waits but it doesn’t take long until he feels the draft from the door opening.

He waits for a moment, and then he’s tapped on the shoulder for the first time ever. One tap, which means that the omega wants to touch him. It’s okay, he’s used to that. Not in this particular situation, but in general, when he’s out at clubs, or just out in general. He knows that he looks good and horny omegas can be pretty shameless. He slays with male omegas and usually has them begging for more afterwards.

Wen Ke Xing continues to breathe slowly, feeling the omega put his hands on his chest and lean in to smell his neck. The man is close enough that Wen Ke Xing can feel the heat radiating off the body in front of him. He tilts his head subtly to give the man more access and keeps his arms relaxed to his sides. It’s a strange feeling to have someone else in full control, someone that he can’t even see, but he’s finding it quite interesting and something he should maybe explore in the future.

He’s tapped twice and his mind whirrs because that means the omega wants to be scented. He holds his hands out and feels two soft hands take his and pull them upwards. Understanding what the omega wants, he rubs his wrists along a slender, silky smooth neck to trigger the scent glands and mix their scents. Whilst he can’t smell anything himself, he is an expert in getting omegas to swoon.

The omega grabs on to his wrists, and the warmth disappears. He waits a moment, and then he’s tapped three times. His mouth goes dry and his mind blank, because this means he’s been chosen. He takes a step back, his heart racing, and waits for the assistant to remove his sensory gear. The headphones go first, and he can hear a soft, melodic voice say, “Has he agreed to all my requests or is there anything that needs negotiating?” before the door closes.

The goggles are removed and he reaches up to remove the nose clip himself. He blinks a few times and takes a deep breath. The world returns to focus right as the omega’s scent hits his lungs—burnt sugar and cherry blossom. It’s one of the most famous scents in the past decade with perfume companies trying to mimic it on a regular basis. Surely not…?

“Congratulations, you’ve been matched,” the assistant says and smiles up at him. “It’s one of our VIP clients so there is extra paperwork to fill out in addition to the standard NDAs that you’ve already signed.” He nods and takes a deep breath, their mixed scent rushing through him thanks to his rabbiting heart. 

“If you follow me, I’ll take you to the suite to meet the omega, and discuss all the arrangements,” she continues and leads him out the door and down the hallway.

The assistant opens a door and Wen Ke Xing immediately spots the omega sitting on the couch by the window. The man is wearing black silky trousers and a colorful floral blouse, his hair tied back in a messy top knot.

He is Zhou Zi Shu, better known under his stage name Zhou Xu. A famous omega who shot to stardom in his late teens and had been plastered on billboards ever since. He is beautiful—even more beautiful than on TV. He is also the man that had overheard him talking to his team from the publishing company a few weeks back when they were out drinking. When he had said that all omegas in the program were old and undesirable. Clearly, he didn’t mean omegas like the one in front of him, but based on how the omega had looked at him, that’s not how Zhou Zi Shu had taken it.

Zhou Zi Shu is sipping on a cup of tea even though he’s clearly not enjoying it. The omega that has starred in the majority of alphas’ wet dreams, is leaning back against the couch, talking to the assistant about options and timeframes.

He hears a startled, “You?” and Wen Ke Xing realizes that Zhou Zi Shu has recognized him.

“Mn,” he responds intelligently. But what is he supposed to say in this situation since it’s impossible to back out? He would literally go to jail for refusing to do his civic duty at this stage. Thank you for picking me? His mind screeches to a halt as the realization hits him that he will soon be knotting the hottest omega in the country—if Vogue is to be believed, and he does believe—because he had been told that the omega had chosen the Instinct Package.

“This is Wen Ke Xing,” Lan Ming says and gestures for him to sit down. He takes a seat in one of the armchairs and smiles stiffly. “This is Zhou Zi Shu,” she continues, as if there is anyone with a beating pulse that doesn’t know who he is.

“I know,” he says, voice a bit hoarse, and nods in greeting towards the omega.

Zhou Zi Shu leans back on the couch, shakes his head and takes a deep breath, puffing his cheeks as he releases it. Then he smiles as if he can’t believe his bad luck. The look on the omega’s face hurts his pride.

“Do you want us to mediate the arrangements, or would you prefer to discuss things yourself?” Lan Ming asks and picks up a tablet. “You’ll need to go through the steps on this tablet to make sure everything has been discussed.”

Zhou Zi Shu looks at him for a moment and takes the tablet from the assistant, “I’m sure we can work it out.”

The second assistant pours him a cup of herbal tea and he takes a sip to wet his throat. He winces and remembers what the omega had looked like drinking it. He hears a snort and meets Zhou Zi Shu’s gaze, those wide, dark eyes sparkling.

“Honey helps,” the omega says and nods towards a small jar next to the pitcher.

“Thanks,” he responds and adds two spoons of the creamy sugar.

Zhou Zi Shu watches as the two assistants leave, and asks, “Why are you here if you don’t want to do this?”

“Joining OPP was better than the military,” he says, honestly. There was no way he could leave his sister by herself for the two conscripted years.

“Are you even up to the task?” Zhou Zi Shu continues. “We older omegas can be quite hard to satisfy. Those little tricks that you use on young, inexperienced men will not work on me.”

“Yes,” he responds, feeling like he’s been slapped in the face, and takes a hesitant sip.

“Very well,” Zhou Zi Shu says and leans back, putting the tablet in his lap. “You know that you’ll be living with me? Is that a problem, considering who I am?”

Wen Ke Xing meets Zhou Zi Shu’s gaze. It’s sharp, steady, and a little bit challenging. “That’s fine with me,” he responds and takes another sip. How hard can it be? At the most, it will be six months after which he will automatically be disqualified out of the program and this willful omega will have to find another alpha to breed with. That is—unless he chooses to stay voluntarily. Which is never going to happen.

“Allright,” Zhou Zi Shu says, clearly unconvinced, and taps on the screen. “Shall we go through the questions then?”

<(￣▽￣)>

He miraculously finds an empty seat on the metro and spends the four stops it takes to get to Zhongshan Park thinking about what just happened. He still cannot fathom that he’s going home to pack a few bags. Tomorrow, he is moving into Zhou Zi Shu’s house. It’s a good thing that he can work remotely for the most part. Not that he needs the money, but he has a deadline.

“You’re home late,” Gu Xiang calls from her room. The music is loud, but he can see from the crack in the door that she’s studying.

“Did you eat,” he shouts back and toes off his sneakers.

“I got some food on the way back. There are leftovers in the kitchen,” she responds and turns down the music.

He’s surprised because he always has to remind her to eat. She’s such a scatterbrain and will easily lose herself in online gaming or programming.

He walks over to her room and nudges the door open, “I got matched.”

Her fingers freeze on the keyboard and she turns to look at him, her mouth wide open, “For real?”

“I’m moving into his house tomorrow,” he continues and leans against the doorframe.

They had talked about the fact that this was a possibility. He is a bit nervous, but Gu Xiang has turned twenty and is attending university, so she is capable of taking care of herself. It’s just that she’s never been on her own before. At least not since they had met in Chengdu.

“Fuuuuuck,” she says and has the nerve to look impressed. “Well, I guess literally! Satisfaction in a match isn’t entirely a matter of chance,” she continues and wiggles her eyebrows.

He just shakes his head and turns to walk to the kitchen, “You should start packing as well.”

She trails after him and sits down on one of the chairs, pulling up one leg to lean against her knee. “Not a chance,” she responds and looks up at him.

“You know the deal. I move away, you move into the dorms,” he says and puts the takeaway container in the microwave without even looking at what’s inside.

“Oh, come on~~,” she whines and hangs her chin on her knee, pouting. “Can’t I just go stay with Luo-jie?”

“We talked about this. You need to start socializing with people your age. Moving into a dorm with other young, female omegas will do you good,” he says and looks longingly at the beer and then grabs a bottle of sparkling water from the fridge. Whilst he is allowed to drink once in a while during his match, it’s not encouraged.

“Big words from someone who’s never lived at a dorm,” she says and sticks her tongue out.

“A’Xiang,” he warns and puts the water along with chopsticks and a spoon on the table opposite her. “If you really hate the dorms, we can talk about it depending on how long I’m away.” She smirks and he stops her before she can say something crude. He would prefer to think of her as his little sister, rather than a hormonal little omega.

The timer on the microwave dings and he takes the container out and smiles, because she got extra spicy Kung Pao Chicken. Something that they always used to eat back home in Chengdu before they moved away little over eight years ago. “I’ll be out in Pudong. Call me any time if you need anything.” She whistles as if impressed by the area and tries to steal a piece of chicken from him. He lets her because he would give her anything. It’s just annoying that she knows it.

“I’ll go pack,” she says and steals another piece of chicken before skipping back towards her room. He eats the rest of the food whilst listening to her loud music. At least the Kpop can drown out his thoughts for a bit. Such as the echo of Zhou Zi Shu asking him if he’s okay with having sex in between heats.

(ᵔ.ᵔ)

It takes him about forty-five minutes to get from their place to Zhou Zi Shu’s house. He’s opted for a taxi instead of the metro, because dragging two suitcases through all the escalators in the afternoon rush hour does not seem like a good idea.

The eastern suburb is sparsely populated compared to the rest of the city. There is a familiar and unsettling tingle at the back of his head, a reminder of how he grew up in one of the better areas in Chengdu before he had left for university and cut his distant relatives out of his life.

The taxi stops in front of tall gates and the driver pushes the button on the security system and waits. The automatic gates swing open and they continue up a narrow road that weaves through groves and ponds, the end tail of spring still blossoming on the trees. It’s a large piece of land that looks more like a park, with a stone wall all around it. It reeks of luxury, but also of security.

Two people are standing outside the entrance when the taxi pulls up. It’s two men, both younger than himself. “Welcome,” the older of the men greets when he steps out. “My name is Han Ying, I’m Zhou Zi Shu’s manager.”

“Thanks,” he responds and puts one hand on each handle of the suitcases and looks up at the two story, modern villa. If the two men think that they are intimidating him, they have overestimated themselves. This isn’t his first rodeo. He grew up in a house more extravagant than this with an alpha way more aggressive.

“Zi Shu is doing costume fittings but will be back in an hour. I’ll show you around the house and get you settled in,” Han Ying continues and gestures towards the other man. “This is Zhang Cheng Ling, he’s Zi Shu’s personal assistant.” Zhang Cheng Ling nods towards Wen Ke Xing before taking the suitcases and disappearing into the house. “Please,” Han Ying says and motions for Wen Ke Xing to follow him inside.

The house is less extravagant than he would have guessed based on Zhou Zi Shu’s personality and brand. The furniture is a modern take on traditional aesthetics with influences from Scandinavia, meaning everything is wooden but sleek, with minimal ornaments and lots of plants. The main features in the rooms are long horizontal scroll paintings and Wen Ke Xing guesses that they are original based on the glaze encasing and lighting.

He gets the grand tour around the house, starting in the enormous modern kitchen, which looks brand new. There are separate living areas for different activities, including a music room, a full studio, a home cinema, a spa with a lap pool, a sauna and steam room, and an enormous library. His fingers itch to look through all the historical scripts and poems that he spots on a shelf at the far wall. He’s also quite keen on relaxing in the sauna for a bit.

He's finally shown to the first floor, which includes one master bedroom, a large office and two guest rooms, one of which is his. His bags are waiting for him by the walk-in closet and he drapes his jacket over one of the chairs.

“Zi Shu should be home shortly,” Han Ying declares. “He’s instructed me to give you whatever you need, so let me know if there is anything that you’re missing.”

“Thanks, I’m sure I can manage,” he responds and observes the manager. He’s an alpha with a subtle bitter scent of black tea and pepper. He spots the scent blocker and wonders if Zhou Zi Shu makes him wear it. He also wonders if the man is jealous. His posture is a bit deflated and his face is stiff, eyes storming, even though the man is trying to hide it.

¯\(°_o)/¯

He unpacks and takes a shower. The massage shower head leaves his muscles relaxed and his mind content. He pulls on a pair of soft track pants and a matching hoodie and video calls Gu Xiang. Mostly to check that she has settled in at the dorms, but also to remind her to eat.

“What do you want?” she answers. It looks like she’s sitting in her bunk bed.

“Did everything go well with the move?” he asks and regrets not having gone with her.

“Of course it did,” she responds and pans the phone so that he gets a quick glimpse of the room. He can spot two other girls sitting by their desks.

“Have you eaten yet?” he asks.

“No,” she says, a bit irritated.

“Go eat,” he says, automatically, like he does every single day.

“Da-ge, the good thing about not living with you is that I can do what I want, when I want, such as eat when I want,” she says and blinks innocently at the camera. “Now go be a good little alpha and get the guy pregnant so I can move back home,” she says and smirks.

“How about you be a good little omega and do as you’re told,” he responds and watches her stick out her tongue before she hangs up on him.

He puts the phone in his pocket and walks over to the window. The view is beautiful. It’s not quite the mountain view he’d grown up with, but it’s as good as they come in Shanghai.

“Hi,” he hears from the door and turns to see Zhou Zi Shu leaning against the frame. The omega looks tired and watches him with a slight frown. “Have you settled in? Do you need anything?”

“I’m all settled in,” Wen Ke Xing says and looks at his watch. “Have you eaten? I didn’t realize how late it was.”

“Are you hungry? We can order something,” Zhou Zi Shu says and pushes off the frame to walk into his room.

“How about you tell me what you like and I’ll cook something,” Wen Ke Xing says, because he needs something to focus on other than that sweet scent that is moving towards him.

Whilst they had discussed sex both during and in between heat, Zhou Zi Shu had requested it to be natural rather than scheduled—outside of his heat of course. Which means that he needs to let Zhou Zi Shu take the lead on what natural means for him. He’s not used to feeling insecure in his role, used to coaxing omegas into spreading their legs, but there is nothing demure about the omega in front of him. There is also the fact that he had insulted the man the very first time they ‘met’.

Zhou Zi Shu purses his lips, “I don’t really have any food at home… I don’t really cook. I have some ramen and eggs. But that’s about it.”

Wen Ke Xing tilts his head. Zhou Zi Shu has always been an ambassador for healthy living and traditional food, but he guesses that’s the power of advertisements and the world of branding. “Then let’s order something. I eat pretty much anything.”

Zhou Zi Shu nods and takes out his phone. “How about a few variations of fried dumplings? There is a good place not too far from here.”

Wen Ke Xing nods and Zhou Zi Shu taps on his phone for a bit and puts it back in his pocket. He looks up at Wen Ke Xing with sharp eyes and lips pursed. “I have a favor to ask,” Zhou Zi Shu says.

“Sure,” he responds and his heart thuds as if he’s nervous. Which he isn’t.

“I would like you to scent my bedroom,” Zhou Zi Shu says and watches him. The alpha in him does something deep in his gut that feels like preening, which is utterly ridiculous. He doesn’t react to omegas, they react to him. He beats it down and tells it that just because his services are needed, and maybe even desired, this is only business. There is no happy ending here. There will be no everlasting love or even a little bit of romance. Not that he’s interested in those sort of things.

Zhou Zi Shu leads him down the hall and opens the door at the end. The room is slightly larger than his and includes a wide balcony with a view over the ponds. The enormous bed is right at the center of the room with a bookshelf serving as a bedhead and room divider.

“Anywhere in particular you’d like me to scent?” he asks and turns towards Zhou Zi Shu.

“My bed,” the omega responds and gestures with his head.

Wen Ke Xing walks over and breathes in the sweet scent that is lingering around all the blankets. It’s not a nest, not yet, but he still turns towards Zhou Zi Shu to ask, “Can I touch them? Do they need to stay exactly as they are?” Zhou Zi Shu gestures for him to do as he pleases, and he gets to work.

He’s not sure what to do because he’s never dated and thus never had to scent a nest before. He’s been with plenty of omegas during their heats, but that is really mostly about licking, sucking, fucking and knotting rather than scenting. The scenting part just kind of happens naturally during the fucking part.

Fake it ‘til you make it, he thinks, like so many times before in his life. He methodically rubs his wrists over each blanket, shifting them around one by one to make sure he doesn’t miss the sheet. He picks up the pillows and rubs them against his neck where his scent is the strongest. 

When he’s done, he turns and sees that Zhou Zi Shu is standing right next to him, nodding contently with his lips pressed together, like Wen Ke Xing has ticked off a paragraph in a contract rather than prepped his bed with pheromones.

Zhou Zi Shu turns and looks up at him with big, bright eyes and thick eyelashes, and says, “I’d like you to scent me too.”

Business, his brain reminds him. This is strictly business.

<(￣＾￣)>

Chapter Text

He’s tired after a full day of trying on clothes and doing hair and makeup. He and his team are gearing up to join the production of his very first movie, and there are a lot of promotional photoshoots, costume fittings and discussions with producers.

If this was a normal day, he would be half asleep in the backseat, looking forward to soaking in the spa pool for an hour when he gets back home. Today, he is looking out the tinted window and wonders what it’s going to feel like walking into the house with that alpha there. The Omega Center had prepared him for the fact that Wen Ke Xing is turning twenty-eight at the end of this year, which means that he technically isn’t a suitable donor after that. However, he could volunteer to continue for the full year, or even longer, should they both agree to that. Assuming he isn’t pregnant by then. In which case, their match would be completed.

Jing Bei Yuan had laughed for a full five minutes during lunch when he had told his friends that he had opted for the live-in option. Wu Xi had pretended to be shocked that he hadn’t chosen the Poly Package, wiggled his eyebrows and asked if he had chosen the Instinct package instead.

To avoid blushing, he had told his friends that the alpha he had matched with was the arrogant prick who had been trash talking older omegas when they had been out drinking. And since he’s such a disagreeable man, it would be quite the misfortune to be liked by him. That had set off another five minutes of full-on belly laughter, before they had patted his back and told him that pheromones don’t lie, to trust the process and to enjoy the ride.

He needs new friends.

He spots Han Ying waiting for him on the porch with that stern look on his face that means that he is about to get lectured about something. Zhang Cheng Ling is standing next to the man with a tense smile on his face.

Qin Jiu Xiao gets out from the front passenger seat to walk around and open his car door. “Ying’er,” he says and steps out of the car.

“Zi Shu,” Han Ying responds and walks over to the car. “I’ve shown him around the house, and he’s been in his room for an hour doing heaven knows what.”

Zhang Cheng Ling rolls his eyes behind Han Ying’s back and grabs the bag from the car.

“Ying’er, behave,” Zhou Zi Shu warns.

His manager has never really come out and said anything, but Zhou Zi Shu suspects that he is disappointed that he decided to join OPP rather than ask him to donate.

It’s not just the thought of spending a heat with this alpha—because he has the option of intrauterine insemination—it’s the fact that the man is insufferable and needy. He’s a good manager, but Zhou Zi Shu wouldn’t touch the man with a ten foot pole nor want to have a child that has half of his genes. And also—the guy stinks. Literally.

“Shall I order some food?” Han Ying continues, ignoring the way that Zhou Zi Shu is looking at him.

“I’ll sort it out. I’ll see you tomorrow,” he responds and walks towards the door.

“We’ll pick you up at 9am,” Zhang Cheng Ling says and waves goodbye before he and Qin Jiu Xiao get into the car.

He can sense that Han Ying is hesitating, clearly wanting to say something else, but he closes the door behind him and hopes the man can take the hint.

He walks up the stairs and heads towards his room but sees that the door to the guestroom is open. “How about you be a good little omega and do as you’re told,” Wen Ke Xing says and hangs up the phone.

He really shouldn’t be surprised, considering what Wen Ke Xing had said that night about old, rejected omegas. But there is still a slight pang in his chest that the man he had matched with turned out to be just like every other alpha on the planet. Not that it matters. Because this is just business, it’s not personal and they are not dating.

The man is extremely attractive, and based on his own reaction, Zhou Zi Shu has no doubt that he will be able to perform his duties. Which is why he hadn’t rejected the match in the first place.

He might have been able to forgive the younger man’s prejudices if the alpha hadn’t shamed him. If he feels like he has something to prove about older omegas and therefore decided to allow this arrogant asshole to fuck him, then that was between him and his wounded pride.

“Hi,” he says and watches the newly showered alpha turn towards him. He is only dressed in sweats, and Zhou Zi Shu has to actively focus on not glancing down towards the distinct bulge in the fabric. “Have you settled in? Do you need anything?”

“I’m all settled in,” Wen Ke Xing says and looks at his watch, frowning. “Have you eaten? I didn’t realize how late it was.”

“Are you hungry? We can order something,” he says, the blood under his skin simmering slightly from the fresh dose of pheromones and he’s reminded that his heat is approaching in a week.

He had been able to smell the smokey scent all throughout the house as he walked upstairs, but it’s so much stronger in here. It’s embarrassing to react like this to a man he knows doesn't like him, but it’s not like the two of them don’t know that his pheromones really like the alpha, so there isn’t a lot he can do about it.

Somehow, he makes it through the conversation and even orders some food for delivery. As he turns off his phone, he glimpses the OPP App. It reminds him of things they had gone through at the Omega Center, but also about things that his friends had encouraged him to try.

He turns towards Wen Ke Xing and says, “I have a favor to ask.”

Wen Ke Xing looks like a deer in headlights but answers, “Sure.”

“I would like you to scent my bedroom,” he says and waits, his heart thudding a bit faster.

The scenting is part of their agreement, but since he wants things to be natural, forcing someone to do something they don’t want will affect the scent and it might turn sour, which would defeat the purpose. The alpha nods and they walk towards his bedroom.

He waits by the door and watches the alpha take in his room, eyeing the bookshelf more than the bed itself which makes Zhou Zi Shu a little bit curious. An image of the two of them sipping tea and reading books in the library together in the evenings pops into his head and he immediately squashes it, because that will never happen. This is not a date. They are not dating. Wen Ke Xing doesn’t even like omegas his age. And he doesn’t like arrogant, overconfident jerks.

He’s pulled from his thoughts by Wen Ke Xing asking, “Anywhere in particular you’d like me to scent?”

“My bed,” he responds and forcibly ignores all thoughts of having that scent all around him when he goes to bed.

“Can I touch them? Do they need to stay exactly as they are?” Wen Ke Xing asks, looking at his bedding. It’s surprisingly considerate and Zhou Zi Shu wonders if it’s all for show.

Where is the domineering alpha that had just told some omega to do as they are told? Where is the sarcasm over jilted omegas that need to be part of OPP?

He shakes his head and watches the man go to work, rubbing his wrists all over everything. His libido flutters when the man takes his pillows and rubs them against his neck. The scent gets stronger, which is the whole purpose, and yet he is still pulled like a magnet towards it.

When Wen Ke Xing puts the last pillow down, he turns towards the alpha and says, without permission from his brain, “I’d like you to scent me, too.”

Wen Ke Xing’s smile is as annoying as it is devastating, but he’s been around handsome men for the majority of his adult life, so he maintains his composure. He will not be one of those naive omegas that this man clearly likes.

“Now? Or do you want to shower and change clothes first? Or later, before bed?” Wen Ke Xing asks, and his mind wants to choose all of the above.

“Before bed,” he responds because that does seem like a good plan. Not that he had a plan to begin with.

Wen Ke Xing nods and steps back, answering, “Let me know when you’re ready.”

Wen Ke Xing has barely closed the door behind him before Zhou Zi Shu heads for a cold shower. His hormones were clearly not prepared for the onslaught of the alpha’s scent. He rarely reacts this way, but the man has been chosen by the Omega Center and his own hormones, so it’s expected that he has reactions. That’s literally the whole purpose of this.

(O_O”)

By the time he walks out of his room, his cool head is screwed back on. He walks past Wen Ke Xing’s room and sees that it’s empty. It’s not difficult to find the man though, he just has to follow the scent—which leads him to the kitchen.

Wen Ke Xing is currently looking inside his fridge, shaking his head and clicking his tongue. Zhou Zi Shu feels a bit offended and leans against the wall to watch the alpha for a moment. Wen Ke Xing can probably smell him from over where he is, but he closes the fridge and peeks into the pantry.

“The takeout is almost here,” he says, and Wen Ke Xing turns towards him.

“You weren’t kidding when you said you didn’t have any food,” Wen Ke Xing says and sounds slightly judgmental.

“I’m rarely home and usually work late, which means I eat out a lot,” he responds. He doesn’t say that he’d probably burn down the house, and thinks back to his youth after his parents had died. He had eaten burnt food more often than not, unless he ordered takeout. It wasn’t until he was picked up by Jin Entertainment and got his breakthrough that he started eating properly. Which was because the management company provided food for him, and still does.

His phone vibrates, his security system letting him know that someone is at the gate. He lets the delivery through and walks to collect the food. Even though he’s only gone for a few minutes, Wen Ke Xing has managed to find bowls and chopsticks. The man has also managed to find the prenatal tea, which probably wasn’t difficult considering how sparse the pantry is.

“I couldn’t find any honey,” Wen Ke Xing says and puts the teapot on the table. Zhou Zi Shu twitches and scrunches his nose at the mud-colored liquid.

“I’ll go get some tomorrow,” Wen Ke Xing continues.

“I finished the honey earlier today…” he says and sighs. “It’s been one of those days.” He puts the containers of dumplings and buns on the table and takes out his phone, sending a quick message to Zhang Cheng Ling to buy some manuka honey in the morning before pick-up.

“My assistant will get some tomorrow morning,” he says and looks at Wen Ke Xing as the man pours the tea into two cups, placing one in front of him. Wen Ke Xing nods and sits down opposite Zhou Zi Shu. He watches the alpha pick up his chopsticks, eyes scanning over the options with a small smile on his face.

Zhou Zi Shu looks at that smile and takes a silent deep breath. They are strangers. This is only the second time that they are meeting—well, third if he counted that evening out drinking—so it feels a bit insane to have already moved in together. Especially since Wen Ke Xing had essentially told him that he considered him old and unattractive.

“So, tell me a bit about yourself,” he says, mostly because if they are to live together for a while, it would be good to know more about the alpha.

Wen Ke Xing has just popped a pork and cabbage dumpling into his mouth, a bit of chili oil glistening on his lower lip and he swallows a bit too fast. “I’m a writer,” Wen Ke Xing responds and takes a sip of his tea, clearly forgetting himself and cringes. Zhou Zi Shu can’t help but chuckle.

“What kind of writer?” he asks.

“Mostly fiction,” Wen Ke Xing responds and picks up a prawn dumpling. “So, I can work from anywhere.” Which Zhou Zi Shu takes as, I’m available to be here when you need me. A slow shiver slithers up his spine in a very pleasant and forbearing way, and he shifts in his seat, reaching for a pan-fried pork bun.

“That’s cool. Anything I might have read?” he asks.

Wen Ke Xing leans back on the chair and takes a bite of his dumpling, chewing slowly and appears to contemplate his answer for some reason. He seems to come to some conclusion and responds, “Ghost Valley.”

“Wait, the series?” Zhou Zi Shu asks and leans forward. Wen Ke Xing nods and smiles before taking another bite of his dumpling. “You’re Zhen Yan?” he continues, just to make sure they are talking about the same book series.

“Yes,” Wen Ke Xing responds and shoves the last bit of dumpling into his mouth, licking his lips. He catches himself tracking the tip of that tongue and decides to take a sip of his tea to distract himself.

“Wow, I feel honored,” he says, forgetting that he is supposed to dislike the man, and nibbles on his bun.

Who knew that he had managed to pick one of his favorite authors? The man had written six international best sellers, starting with Hanging Ghost and the latest being Happy Ghost. This baby is going to have some spectacular and artistic genes, if he may say so himself. And if he raises the kid right, it will not end up with Wen Ke Xing’s off-putting and arrogant personality.

“I know we’ve both signed an NDA, so I won’t tell my team unless you want me to,” he says, because he understands the industry and also the need for privacy. “I know that the real person behind Zhen Yan has never been disclosed to the public and I don’t want you to get doxed because of me.”

Wen Ke Xing nods and asks, “What about you? Is there anything I should be aware of? I mean, don’t daipai follow you around everywhere? Aren’t they going to notice that I’ve moved in?”

“It’s fine,” he says and cringes when he thinks of the scolding he had gotten from Han Ying when he had said that he had signed himself up for a live-in alpha. His manager really worried about everything. “If anything happens, we have prepared a few statements, such as you have joined my team in supporting me during the movie. There shouldn’t be any issues.”

Wen Ke Xing nods and picks out a few more dumplings.

“So…” he says and snags another one of his favorite pork buns, nibbling at the corner and pretending to be indifferent, “What are you writing on now?”

Wen Ke Xing laughs and the sound flows through Zhou Zi Shu like it’s weightless happiness. It’s the first real laugh he’s heard from the alpha and it is a great laugh. Irritatingly so. Wen Ke Xing probably uses it to flirt with those unsuspecting young omegas. It’s one of those laughs that’s all teeth, head tilted backwards in a relaxed reflex, exposing his throat, and pearls of ha, ha, ha echoing in the kitchen.

“Lovelace,” Wen Ke Xing responds and tilts his head, his eyes suddenly sharp and something twists in Zhou Zi Shu’s gut. “He’s infamous for preying on famous omegas.”

Zhou Zi Shu huffs and chomps down on his bun. It’s his third so he really shouldn’t have more, or he will be bloated for the photos tomorrow and he’ll never hear the end of it.

（>﹏<）

Zhou Zi Shu is lost in thought as he heads upstairs. It’s been a long day, and he can’t wait to crawl into bed. Tomorrow he has to wake up and do this whole thing all over again. More wardrobe fittings and then he moves on to stunt training mixed with table readings before the booting ceremony for the new movie—Window of Heaven. It’s his first time acting, and he is a bit nervous. He only caught a glimpse from afar of his co-lead—Xie Wang—earlier today and the famous alpha is even more handsome in person. Hopefully, he will be easy to work with.

Zhou Zi Shu is just about to close the door to his bedroom when there is a slight knock, startling him. He pulls the door open to see Wen Ke Xing on the other side, a curious and slightly embarrassed expression on his face, “Did you want me to scent you…?”

Right. He had asked for that. And now that it’s offered, he really, really wants that. He had slept like a python after a good feeding when he had gotten home from the matching. They had let him keep the vial with Wen Ke Xing’s scent and he had left it open next to his pillow and fallen asleep within minutes. Not that he would ever come clean about that to anyone. Though, he suspected that Zhang Cheng Ling somehow knew. His assistant seems to know everything.

“Yes, I would like that, thanks,” he responds and steps to the side to let Wen Ke Xing in.

“How do you want me to scent you?” Wen Ke Xing asks and moves slowly towards him until he feels caged against the wall. Not in a forceful or overly aggressive way, but more in the fact that the man is bigger than him. Wen Ke Xing is very tall and blessed with broad shoulders and strong arms.

He’s always found it fascinating to watch alphas being assertive, dominant, and slightly forceful. He rarely likes it when alphas are being alphas because all that testosterone gets boring really fast—unless he is in the middle of his heat and just wants to be bent over and fucked until he is raw, stuffed and leaking. He’s not bored with Wen Ke Xing though—quite the opposite. This alpha makes his inner omega whine constantly, which is extremely irritating, considering the man’s personality.

His mouth a bit dry, Zhou Zi Shu tilts his head slightly upward to meet Wen Ke Xing’s gaze and shivers when he encounters those dynamic brown eyes that are shifting back and forth between his own.

“Like you want to keep other alphas away,” he responds and wants to bite his own tongue off, because—why the hell did he say that? And who says something like that the first time they bring home an alpha in this situation? Maybe he should have asked Wu Xi more questions about what it had been like for them when Jing Bei Yuan had moved in.

Wen Ke Xing raises one eyebrow, his lips curling into a smirk, “It shall be my earnest endeavor to fulfill your wish.”

He almost expects Wen Ke Xing to pounce on him after a request like that, but the alpha reaches up to cup his face before slowly moving his wrists over Zhou Zi Shu’s neck to gently massage the scent glands. Since Zhou Zi Shu has some pride, he swallows down the purr building in his chest and fluttering up his throat.  

Wen Ke Xing’s hands continue over his shoulders and down over the soft cotton fabric of his sweater. He feels two large hands snake under the hem, and he trembles when he feels the full size of the two warm palms against his obliques. He wonders if they are large enough to circle his entire waist?

Images of getting fucked from behind, held in a strong grip around his waist enters his mind and he swallows again—because not on the first night. At least not with this man. He might have moved his donor into his house, but he has some principles. The man isn’t his human sex toy. Well—not outside of his heat anyway.

He can’t help but tremble under the touch as those big hands knead the flesh at the top of his hips and at the same time rub the wrists over the lower part of his abs. The alpha leans closer and breathes by his left ear with long, hot breaths that leave the top of his head tingling, sending little ripples down his spine.

Without any warning, Wen Ke Xing presses a soft kiss at the top of his neck and Zhou Zi Shu gasps and closes his eyes. Since he’s asked for this, he might as well enjoy it to the fullest. This is what they are here for. It’s only natural that he reacts a bit.

Wen Ke Xing finds his scent gland and nibbles until Zhou Zi Shu can’t help but mewl. “Can I—” he mumbles and reaches up on his toes to lean closer, circling his arms around Wen Ke Xing’s neck to nuzzle and nibble against the alpha’s scent gland. It’s intoxicating and he can feel it spreading through his veins like his blood has been carbonated. A low growl rumbles deep in the alpha’s chest, and he shifts against him.

He nuzzles around to the other side of Wen Ke Xing’s neck, leaving wet little nibbles along the way. His breathing is getting harder, and his throat feels raw and hot, like it’s been ground with sandpaper.

Wen Ke Xing leans closer, as if seeking his mouth. Those full lips are parted and breathing against his skin. Pulled by an invisible force, Zhou Zi Shu pushes all the way up on his toes, with an embarrassingly needy sound, to meet them in a slow, open-mouthed kiss.

Wen Ke Xing moves his hands, excruciatingly slow but expertly over Zhou Zi Shu’s body, rubbing against the fabric, and skin where he can. Zhou Zi Shu hasn't felt this high since he tried a new scent blocker patch in his late teens, had some form of chemical misfire, and felt like he had eaten magic mushrooms.

He swallows back a whine when the alpha slows down the kiss to little nipping ones along his jaw and around his scent gland, before stepping back. Wen Ke Xing looks stunning like this, with bruised lips, slick bitten neck, and dark eyes. For the first time, Zhou Zi Shu sees what all those young omegas must see when they look at this alpha.

“Thank you,” he says, fully aware that his voice is a bit raw. He is embarrassed of his reaction, because he probably looks and sounds like an old, pathetic and starving omega. Proving Wen Ke Xing’s point.

“You’re welcome,” Wen Ke Xing says, and leans in for a soft kiss, which takes Zhou Zi Shu by surprise. It’s intimate, soft, caring, and just what he needed. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” the alpha continues and steps back, turning to walk towards his room.

Zhou Zi Shu watches him until he turns around the corner into his own room, and moves in slow motion towards his bed. He’s more than half hard, so he quickly shimmies out of his clothes and throws them on top of his bed—because they smell fucking fantastic.

He doesn’t waste time rearranging the clothes and blankets into any form of nest before he slides his hand over his naked skin, desperately arching on the bed. He runs his fingers through his leaking slick and coats his now fully hard cock. He tightens his hand and thrusts slowly. For the first time since he had been matched with Wen Ke Xing, Zhou Zi Shu is eager for his heat.

⸜(˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)⸝

Chapter Text

Wen Ke Xing’s mind is still racing as he walks back towards his room. He cannot believe that he just did that. That is, it’s not like he’s never scented someone before. But they are usually naked omegas squirming around him all slick and wet. This, this was different. He hadn’t been able to stop himself. Zhou Zi Shu smelled irresistible and those little noises he was making were still tingling down Wen Ke Xing’s spine.

His mind knows that he is living with Zhou Zi Shu. Zhou Zi Shu has picked him as his match. That he is expected to scent and fuck—and knot—the omega during heats, and anytime that they both wanted to in between heats. He knows this. Or at least his brain knows this. Yet somehow it wasn’t until the man had started mewling whilst nibbling on his scent gland that his other body parts had caught up to the rest of him. He had done what he could, but his cock was definitely having stage fright. And that—Wen Ke Xing wasn’t used to.

He needed to center himself. Step away from all the kissing after he had rubbed himself all over that amazingly hot body, and just breathe by himself for a bit. His mind had felt apologetic and kissed the omega before he left. What on earth? How embarrassing. He doesn’t cuddle. Not before sex. Rarely even after sex. He needs to get a grip. He can control himself. He will control himself.

Wen Ke Xing curses at himself when he realizes that he’s forgotten to bring a glass of water up to his room. He’s parched and he also needs to take the supplements he’s been given by the Omega Clinic.

He opens the door as quietly as he can and sneaks out into the corridor—and freezes. There are muffled moans coming from the master bedroom and there is definitely a repetitive plapp, plapp, plapp, originating from the same direction.

The door to the master bedroom isn’t fully closed and he can smell the omega’s slick all the way out here. Its sweet scent of cherry blossom and caramelized sugar clings to him, as if whispering sweet little horny promises.

Should he go over there? Surely that would be overstepping? But he had agreed to allow things to progress naturally, and clearly Zhou Zi Shu had been affected by the scenting.

“Ah~ Ah~ Ah~!” filters through the door-opening. Mewling, satisfied, little pants that are teasing him and filling out his own cock, clearly having come to its senses and now interested to participate.

He slides his right hand over his sweats and clamps down on his erection to calm it the fuck down. He cannot masturbate out in the hallway. For one, that is not proper manners. And two—and more importantly—Zhou Zi Shu would probably smell him, and that could get embarrassing for both of them.

“Fuck~ Fuck~ Aaah~” the omega gets louder, the plapp-rhythm steadily increasing. The sugary scent of slick is getting thicker in the hallway to the point where Wen Ke Xing can taste burnt on his tongue. He has to bite back a moan when he realizes that his hand is in his sweats, his thumb sliding over the bead at the tip.

He leans back against the wall, and bites down on his lower lip to avoid making any sounds as he circles his hand into a tight fist around his throbbing cock. It feels wrong, like he’s intruding on Zhou Zi Shu’s private moment, but it’s not like the two of them don’t know why they are both here. It’s not like Zhou Zi Shu isn’t using his scent to get off. The whole purpose for this is for their hormones and cycles to harmonize, ideally triggering his ruts at the same time as Zhou Zi Shu’s heats for maximum chance of impregnation.

There is a sudden, “FUCK~! AAH~!” and then a series of long, breathy moans as the omega comes. The strong scent flooding the first floor sends a hot flash under his skin and he coats his fingers with stripe after stripe, not having thrust a single time.

(O_O)

The house is quiet when he wakes up the next morning. Soft, little breathy ‘Ah~’ echoes somewhere distant in his mind and he shakes his head fully awake. He stretches under the cover and tilts his head to listen for any sounds but hearing nothing.

He reaches for his phone and taps on the screen—10am. He has slept for almost twelve hours. He hasn’t slept that long in years, maybe even decades. Definitely not since his crazy little sister had hurled into his life like a cute and feisty mini tornado. She had arrived and decided that he was ground zero and kept orbiting around him ever since. No matter how much they fought, or how much he tried to discipline her, she was steadfast. She kept him at a distance that she had decided on, sometimes a bit closer, but never, ever far away.

There is a small twinge in his heart, and he taps on the screen again. With barely focused eyes, he swipes into the chat with Gu Xiang and on the microphone icon, “How was your first night? Have you had breakfast?”

He takes a deep breath and rolls out of bed, heading for the windows to open the curtains. The strong sun is a shock to his system, and he instinctively closes his eyes, letting the stinging subside before he cracks his right one open to slowly adjust to the brightness. The weather looks amazing, with scattered clouds on an otherwise baby blue sky.

He pulls on sweatpants—a different pair than the soiled ones hidden at the bottom of his hamper—and a hoodie, grabs his laptop and heads down the stairs. He swings by the kitchen to grab a water bottle and spots a jar of honey by a teapot. With a small smile on his lips, he fills a tumbler with the tea and adds two spoons of honey before he walks outside to search for his place of work for the morning.

Wen Ke Xing finds himself wandering the estate grounds, following the paths circling the ponds and groves. The sun is warm against his skin and there is a subtle floral scent in the air. The cherry blossoms are at their end with the light green leaves more prominent on the branches. Where the tulips had done their job in the past month, the hydrangeas are powering up to take the baton and keep the colors vivid in the coming months.

He picks a bench in the shade by one of the smaller ponds and contemplates if he should include a victim that is stalked through a botanical garden at the start of his new novel.

(¬_¬)

When the phone rings he is surprised to see that he has missed lunch, too immersed in the new story emerging on the screen. He’s even more surprised when he sees that it’s Gu Xiang calling.

“No, you can’t move home yet,” he answers the phone, putting it on speaker and continuing to tap on the keyboard.

“You know, for someone who is always nagging me about not wearing enough clothes during spring, you don’t practice what you preach,” she responds, and he can hear the smirk on her face.

“Huh?” He says and picks up the phone, turns off the speaker and puts it to his ear. “What are you talking about?”

“You’re famous,” she says and laughs, one of her eviler laughs. “And I can’t believe Zhou Xu picked you as his donor.”

“Famous?” At first, he wonders if his pen name has been doxed. “What are you talking about?” He ignores her jab at his self-confidence and that people won’t think he is good enough for Zhou Xu. It’s just a civic duty, it’s not like they are getting married.

“Look at the link I just sent you,” she continues and waits. “You’re trending on Weibo.”

He clicks into messages and on the link. His screen is flooded with photos of himself, walking around the grounds and sitting on the bench writing. He’s been here for less than one day and the daipais have already found him. Should he not have walked outside? Zhou Zi Shu hadn’t said anything about him needing to stay inside when he had asked yesterday. He sighs and closes his eyes.

“All my roommates are wondering who Zhou Xu’s new toyboy is,” she says after a moment of silence. “They are all thirsting over you and even though you like them young, they are a bit too young for you. You’re not allowed to come see me.”

“Sure,” he says and closes the laptop. “I won’t come see you, if you send me updates every day on how school is going and photos of what you’re eating.”

“Ge~~” Gu Xiang drawls. “Why are you so mean?”

“It’s either that or I’ll wait outside your dorms,” he responds and heads back towards the house. It feels a bit strange to know that there are people snapping photos of him when he’s just existing.

“Fine,” she says, irritated and resigned. “I knew I shouldn’t have called,” and hangs up.

He has made it into the library when the phone rings, Zhou Zi Shu’s name on the screen.

“Hey,” Zhou Zi Shu says, and Wen Ke Xing thinks he sounds tired.

“Hey,” he responds. “I just saw the photos. I’m sorry, I didn’t realize how heavily your place was watched. I hope I didn’t cause any issues.”

There is a huff at the other end that sounds a lot like a laugh. “Oh, don’t worry about me. My team is working on taking down the photos since they are not allowed to photograph into the property. This is why I have a law firm on retainer.”

“Oh,” he responds, like a newbie.

“Don’t worry about being outside. It’s not like you’re expected to be locked up inside at all times. You’re free to live your life. It’s just…” Zhou Zi Shu’s voice trails off and he can hear muffling noises in the background that sound a lot like chaos. Maybe things aren’t as chill as Zhou Zi Shu is trying to make them seem.

“… Just?” he prompts.

“Oh. It’s just… This means that we need to gear up for Plan B,” Zhou Zi Shu concludes.

“Pretend to join your team?” he asks, just to confirm.

“Yeah, something like that. Ying’er is trying to work out what would suit,” Zhou Zi Shu says. “We can chat about it when I get home. I should be back in two hours.”

“Sure, I’ll see you then,” he responds and the man on the other end hangs up.

He shakes his head and sits down in one of the reading chairs. He contemplates the repercussions if the world will label him as one of Zhou Xu’s toyboys. It’s not like that label is going to hinder him getting laid in the future. The toyboy label is better than the world finding out that he is trying to—or will soon be trying to—get Zhou Xu pregnant. That would be a PR nightmare, for them both.

He opens his laptop, fingers hovering on top of the keyboard but changes his mind. He clicks out of the document and into the web browser, typing in ‘Zhou Xu boyfriends’ and clicks search. He spends an embarrassingly long time reading through gossip articles and watching clips of Zhou Zi Shu getting caught by daipais with one guy after the next. The men are always tall, broad shouldered, chiseled jaw, perfect hair and an aura that projects confidence and money.

He's busy studying the last man linked to the famous singer when he hears the door open. With a photo of Zhou Xu and this Zhu Yao Zhi on the screen, he looks up as the very same omega appears in the door-opening. He must say that the omega is even more stunning in person, though the personality could use some softening around the edges, edges that are probably retouched or placed behind filters on the screen.

“Hey,” he says and realizes that he’s spent two hours stalking Zhou Zi Shu online. He had planned on finishing chapter two. He had also planned on going to the supermarket to get some groceries but thought better of it considering he would likely be followed and photographed. And he really hadn’t felt like being judged for not buying enough vegetables, or a brand that rivals something Zhou Zi Shu endorses.

“Hey,” Zhou Zi Shu says.

Before Wen Ke Xing gets a chance to respond, Han Ying walks up behind Zhou Zi Shu. “Let’s get down to business, shall we?”

Zhou Zi Shu sighs and glances towards the shorter man before returning his eyes to Wen Ke Xing, “Dinner is arriving soon, if you’re hungry. It would be a good idea to chat about the options, now that people know about you.”

“Sure,” he responds and closes the laptop, making sure to log out first. There will be no accidental discovery of his stalking, should anyone open the laptop without him knowing. He had learned that lesson in his late teens when a nosy little Gu Xiang had gotten hold of his laptop and been given a full introduction to heat porn.

(━＿━)

“You haven’t even been here for a day and are already causing problems,” Han Ying accuses, rolling his eyes and shaking his head like he’s scolding a child.

“Ying’er,” Zhou Zi Shu says, voice hard. “He is not a child or a prisoner. All he did was walk out into the garden.”

“He should have been more careful,” Han Ying continues.

Should he have been more careful? Zhou Zi Shu didn’t warn him. They did talk about it, he did ask. He is aware of fame and what comes with being in the spotlight.

“Ying’er, if you are looking for someone to blame, I told him that it was fine,” Zhou Zi Shu snaps.

“But—” Han Ying continues but stops with one look from Zhou Zi Shu.

“Let’s talk about our options, like I told you we should have done beforehand,” Zhou Zi Shu says, and subtly grinds his teeth.

“There are three options,” Han Ying begins. “First, we can say you are a distant relative. Though, that one isn’t very likely to work since Zi Shu’s fans know everything about him. Second, we say that you have joined the team, like an assistant or manager. This one does mean that you would have to come along to set and help out sometimes. Third, you stay inside at all times, never to be seen again during this… this… process.”

“What about the fourth option?” he asks and clasps his hands, resting them against the table.

“Fourth?” Zhou Zi Shu asks and tilts his head.

“I could just pretend to be what they already think I am,” he clarifies and takes a sip of his honey-infused tea. “We can just pretend to break up at the end of this. I’ll just be another one of the men you’ve been linked to.”

So what if people think he’s Zhou Zi Shu’s newest conquest. There are plenty of toyboys in the man’s past. What difference would it make to add one more to that list? He’s handsome enough for it to be believable.

“Excuse me?” Zhou Zi Shu says, eyebrows high on that pale forehead.

“Yeah, that could work,” Han Ying says and nods his head. He turns towards Zhou Zi Shu, “A new lover could work, and we can find a good angle for you to break up with him. Next to being mated, an omega being a little crossed in love now and then is great for publicity. It’s definitely something to think about. No press is bad press. Plus, it might bring attention to the start of the new movie.”

Wen Ke Xing can’t help but raise one eyebrow towards this idiot. No press is bad press? Wasn’t the idiot just scolding him for getting caught?

“You want to pretend to be my lover?” Zhou Zi Shu asks, eyes incredulous.

“It’s another option,” he responds and holds Zhou Zi Shu’s eyes. There is something behind those dark eyes that makes his stomach swoop and leave it fluttering.

“We don’t need to decide today,” Zhou Zi Shu says and sips on his own cup of tea, wrinkling his nose. Looks like the omega needs more honey than what he put in.

“We need to decide soon,” Han Ying says, back to being irritated. “Just because we got the photos taken down before Wen Ke Xing was identified, doesn’t mean that the news isn’t still out there. It’s still trending on Weibo.”

“It will be trending no matter what,” Zhou Zi Shu says just as Zhang Cheng Ling and Qin Jiu Xiao walk in carrying bags with takeout food.

“Thanks,” Zhou Zi Shu says and stands up, taking out two bowls from the cupboard. It’s a clear dismissal of Han Ying and he stands up, visibly frustrated and dejected.

“Let me know by tomorrow what you decide,” Han Ying says and walks out without saying goodbye. Wen Ke Xing presses his lips together and accepts a bowl from Zhou Zi Shu’s outstretched hand.

“See you tomorrow, Shifu,” Zhang Cheng Ling says and disappears out the door with a small smile on his lips and Qin Jiu Xiao in tow.

Zhou Zi Shu slowly unpacks the food containers as if nothing is wrong in the world. As if he doesn’t care that the whole country is discussing his love life and speculating who this new man is.

“Eat,” Zhou Zi Shu says and sits down opposite Wen Ke Xing, scooping noodles into his bowl.

The silence stretches between them until he gives up and asks, “Are you really not worried about all the rumors?”

Zhou Zi Shu looks at him, noodles hanging out between those plush lips and slurps them up off before responding, “I’m too stubborn to bend to the will of tabloids or rivals who think they can intimidate me, or even bend to the will of my management company. In fact, my courage, or maybe it’s stubbornness, increases every time someone tries to bully me.”

There is something strong about the omega in front of him, a different glint in his eyes, that slender curve of his spine a bit more powerful. Wen Ke Xing can’t help but admire the man, just a little bit. Maybe his strength comes with experience.

“So, what do you want to do?” Zhou Zi Shu says and continues to eat. “This isn’t really what you signed up for in OPP. I get that my life can be a lot.”

“I would prefer not to be isolated in the house,” he says. He would go crazy in less than a day. “What would it look like if I came with you to set?”

“Today was the last wardrobe fitting,” Zhou Zi Shu says, mouth full of noodles and his lips glistening with chili oil. He chews and swallows before continuing, “The stunt training starts tomorrow and it’s about two weeks, after which the filming starts. I have a trailer on set, so you could come with me a few days a week and just stay in the trailer. Maybe pop out once in a while to bring water or snacks, just to keep up the appearance.”

“How big is the trailer?” he asks.

“It’s new, with a kitchenette, large lounge area with TV and a big double bed,” Zhou Zi Shu says, his lips curling into a smirk towards the end.

“Is that your preferred choice?” he asks and waits.

“Over you pretending to be my boyfriend?” Zhou Zi Shu asks, leans back and tilts his head, eyes roaming over Wen Ke Xing’s face and upper body.

Wen Ke Xing feels like he’s being assessed for his looks, to see if he even meets the basic standards for the role. He can’t help but feel a bit offended. Without his permission, his back automatically straightens to increase in height and show off his shoulders. When his brain catches up, he tries to stop the movement, but Zhou Zi Shu is too observant and that smirk widens.

“I think you’re a bit young for me,” Zhou Zi Shu says in a way that means that Wen Ke Xing has been assessed and been found lacking. Wen Ke Xing is pretty sure that a few of those men he had researched online are younger than he is. Zhou Zi Shu sure can hold a grudge. But he won’t beg. If anything, omegas are the ones that beg him.

He tucks away that thought at the back of his mind to pick it back up when it’s time for the omega’s heat. “Then it’s agreed,” he says and watches something shift behind those dark eyes. “As long as this doesn’t interfere with my work, I can play assistant or manager once in a while. I might need some guidance on what to do.”

Zhou Zi Shu picks up his chopsticks and continues to eat, “Cheng Ling will help you.”

(◕‿◕)

Chapter Text

Zhou Zi Shu hasn’t been sleeping well in the last few nights and he’s pretty sure that it has more to do with the fact that he didn’t get scented, than the fact that Wen Ke Xing is coming with him to work for the first time today.

He actively forces himself to let go of the pillow that only has the faintest scent of whisky left and drags himself out of bed and towards the shower. He really should get over himself and whatever his feelings are about Wen Ke Xing having offered himself up to play his toyboy. As if he has ever had a toyboy in his life.

The few exes he’d had, both officially and secretly, had never been treated as toyboys. Though some might have been younger—even younger than Wen Ke Xing—and he had engaged in a lot of sex over the years. He was definitely not one of those young blushing virgins that Wen Ke Xing seems to prefer. But he had never treated anyone with anything other than sincerity. It was just that, well, they hadn’t been the one —if there even was such a thing.

Usually, he grew tired or they got clingy or aggressively possessive. And since he was determined to only let the deepest love coax him into marriage, or mating, he was doing this on his own. And if it didn’t work out, if he wasn’t able to have a little bundle of joy of his own, he would always have Jing Bei Yuan and Wu Xi’s kid to spoil.

The discussion around Wen Ke Xing playing the part of a love interest, however short it had been, had irritated his heart, and in the end, he hadn’t felt like getting scented by the little alpha who thought he was all that. The consequence being that he got less and less sleep as the scent dissipated. Luckily, it hadn’t affected the intense stunt training.

He takes a quick shower, not bothering to dry his hair properly, and puts it up in a messy half-bun. His phone buzzes to remind him that the car is almost here, as he walks out of the ensuite dressed in yoga pants and an oversize sweater. Today is going to be a long day, but at least he will be comfortable.

He walks down the hallway and finds Wen Ke Xing’s room empty, a subtle scent of whiskey still lingering inside, and before he knows it, he greedily takes a deep breath, letting the pheromones flow through him as he walks down the stairs. He finds Wen Ke Xing hunched over his laptop in the library, looking like he’s been working for a few hours already.

“Good morning,” he says and sees the fingers stop and hover over the keyboard. He wonders what the man is working on. He’s been looking forward to another book by Zhen Yan, and he still is, even though the man behind the name isn’t at all what he imagined. “The car is almost here. Are you ready to go? I have a charger in the trailer, and there will be food there as well.”

Wen Ke Xing looks up and closes the laptop, “I’m ready.”

(^ ￢ ^)

“Okay, let’s try this again,” Rong Xuan, the martial arts director, says and walks over to help Zhou Zi Shu get into the proper stance to start the movement.

He’s in a harness and hooked up to wires. He’s been in wires a few times before when performing stunts during his concerts, but this is the first time doing intricate movements that involved props. The harness is digging into places that he didn’t even know he had, and he’s sweating, even though he’s taken off the jumper.

He’s playing the leader of a black ops team who finds out he is working for a corrupt government and turns on them. The role had managed to pique his interest in ways that other roles, he had been offered throughout the years, hadn’t. Maybe because this role was a strong character, and not just another demure omega. However, his character is one of the strongest when it comes to martial arts, so he needs to get this right, or he will let his fans, the viewers, and the production down.

Whilst he’s pretty good at dancing, having lived in the world of idols since he was sixteen, actual fighting wasn’t something he had learned. Having a foundation in both ballet and Qinggong, did make it easier to control all of his limbs out to the very tips of his fingers.

“You’re doing great, so don’t push too hard,” Rong Xuan says and pats him on the back before nodding towards the crew, indicating that they are ready again. “It’s a learning curve. Even though you are technically flying, you still need to learn to walk and run first. Take it step by step. Trust the process.”

He nods and centers himself as he is hoisted back up in the air. It’s a good thing that he’s not scared of heights. He keeps his weight low and his arms tense. There is a countdown and then the air is rushing around him as he swings across the open space. He leans forward, stretching himself as long as he can, the gun in his hand piercing the air in front of him.

“Awesome,” he hears Rong Xuan call from below and he straightens up, swinging back and forth as he is lowered back down to the ground. “That was perfect, let’s try rotating once next time.”

He tries, fails, tries again, fails again, and then finally something clicks in his mind. He leans forward, his core strong and steady, and starts rotating. One, two, three, he counts in his head and stretches, his core on the verge of shaking, the silencer on the gun elongating and steadying his form.

“Nailed it!” Rong Xuan shouts and there is some applause, which forces him to fight a blush. It’s a good thing that his skin is already flushed and sweating, camouflaging any reactions.

He lands gracefully and Rong Xuan, along with one other crew member that he can’t remember the name of, start working to get him out of the harness. He wiggles a bit to relax some of the muscles that are starting to cramp, and turns to where he had last seen Zhang Cheng Ling and Qin Jiu Xiao. Instead, he is face to face with Wen Ke Xing.

“Here, have some water,” Wen Ke Xing says and holds out a bottle, the cap already unscrewed, his eyes trailing up and down Zhou Zi Shu’s body. It’s a good thing he knows that he has a fantastic physique, since he’s practically in a bodysuit. He has curves and muscles in all the right places, a thin waist and a juicy ass that he’s worked on every day for the past fourteen years.

“Thanks,” he responds and takes a few sips.

Wen Ke Xing had kept to the trailer for the majority of the day, only looking up from his laptop during the lunch break long enough to say that he wasn’t hungry and that he would eat a bit later. The man is certainly living up to every bias that Zhou Zi Shu has about writers and their process.

The saying that you should never meet your heroes is turning out to be true. Not that Zhen Yan is his hero by any means—and by extension neither is Wen Ke Xing. However, he has loved curling up in the library with the latest book in the Ghost Valley series. As soon as the next book in the series is printed, Zhang Cheng Ling delivers it to him. He even turns off his phone so that he’s not disturbed. Then again, he should have known that it would be someone like this behind a book series about serial killers.

That being said, having Wen Ke Xing in the work trailer proved to serve two purposes. Not only was he seen as part of his team, but also, the trailer now smells of that citrusy whiskey. Being dosed with pheromones during the break had done wonders for recharging his energy. Not that he was going to tell Wen Ke Xing that. He is actively ignoring the fact that it had also shown him just how starved he had been for that scent in the past few days. It’s probably just the fact that the heat is approaching.

“That was pretty impressive,” Wen Ke Xing continues and fiddles with the bottle cap. “I hadn’t realized that you were doing the stunts yourself.”

“Oh, well, I don’t have to. I have a stunt double that does some of the really high-risk stunts if needed,” he responds and takes a few more sips. “But I thought that if I’m doing this, I might as well dive in headfirst.”

“Quite literally,” Wen Ke Xing says and looks at the wires hanging next to them.

He can’t help but notice the way some of the crew are staring at Wen Ke Xing. The alpha is objectively very attractive. He thinks that he spots someone taking a photo and wonders if having him as an assistant won’t fuel the rumors either way.

“We are about to wrap up,” he says and glances up at the alpha.

Wen Ke Xing nods and takes the water bottle back. “I’ll go pack up.”

(^ ◇ ^)

After a much needed shower, Zhou Zi Shu walks downstairs to find Wen Ke Xing cooking in the kitchen—just like he had been for the past few days. He looks tired and Zhou Zi Shu feels bad for having dragged the alpha into his life. Maybe he shouldn’t have been selfish and picked the Live in alpha option. Maybe he should have just spared the donor his chaos and picked the Heats only option.

“Your heat is coming up, isn’t it?” Wen Ke Xing asks, looking back at him from the stove with a steady gaze.

“Yes…” he responds, a bit taken aback by the direct question. “How did you know?”

Wen Ke Xing smirks, “I can smell it.”

Zhou Zi Shu is pretty sure that he is blushing, so he shakes his head and ignores the insufferable alpha, busying himself with setting the table.

“I know we touched on the subject back at the matching, but it’s probably good if we talk about it in more detail,” Wen Ke Xing says and turns off the stove. “I would prefer if you were not affected by your hormones when you make decisions.”

Zhou Zi Shu’s pulse suddenly thuds in his throat and he looks up to meet Wen Ke Xing’s eyes. “Can we at least sit down first?”

Wen Ke Xing’s smirk just widens in that annoying way that it does, and he scoops the food onto various plates and brings them over to the table, sitting down. “I’m sitting.”

Zhou Zi Shu can’t help but scoff and sits down opposite him. “Sure, what do you want to talk about?”

“Well, what do you like?” Wen Ke Xing asks, sounding a bit breathless but that’s probably just Zhou Zi Shu’s imagination.

“Like…?” he asks, dragging out the word a bit.

“Like, do you want me to spend the full heat with you?” Wen Ke Xing clarifies, continuing, “What positions do you prefer? Should I just focus on knotting or do you like aftercare as well? Do you prefer if the alpha takes control and fucks you through it? Or do you like to be in more control and let me know what you want?”

His mind glitches as the questions, and his answers flicker through his mind. The thought of being completely fucked out by Wen Ke Xing and cuddled afterwards, makes his throat dry.

“I would prefer if you spent the full heat with me,” he says slowly, sorting out what to answer. Then again, he does know what he likes and what he wants, and this is business. They are not a couple and they had skimmed over this at the Omega Center, with Wen Ke Xing saying he was open to whatever Zhou Zi Shu needed and wanted.

Zhou Zi Shu continues, “How I prefer it will depend on my mood. I will likely want it hard and fast at the start. You can fuck me anyway you want, on the bed, floor, against the wall or bent over the couch. As long as you knot me. Once the heat subsides, I will prefer it slower and more caring. I have never said anything during a heat that I haven’t meant, so you don’t need to worry about consent.”

Wen Ke Xing’s pupils are dark and his scent is slowly increasing around them. Zhou Zi Shu can’t help but feel smug over the fact that the arrogant alpha is affected by just him talking about wanting to get fucked.

“There was one thing we didn’t talk about,” Zhou Zi Shu continues and Wen Ke Xing waits silently. “Your ruts… I know that ruts are a bonus, but are you open to trying to trigger them?”

“I am,” Wen Ke Xing responds and fills both their cups with tea.

“How often do you go into rut?” he asks, reaching for his tea.

“Once or twice a year,” Wen Ke Xing responds.

“And how do you get through them,” he can’t help but ask.

“I go to a center,” Wen Ke Xing responds, and he likely looks surprised because Wen Ke Xing continues, “I don’t spend them at home… I have a little sister. She’s an omega.”

This is the first bit of personal information that he’s learned about the alpha. They don’t have to share information if they don’t want to. OPP tries to accommodate the anonymity of the alpha as much as the omega, where possible at least. Zhou Zi Shu wants to respect that, instead asking, “What triggers them?”

“Mostly natural, but they can get triggered by heats,” Wen Ke Xing responds.

“Anything I can do to help trigger it? Scenting you? Sex?” he asks, taking an awkward sip of his tea and ignoring his rapid pulse as he waits.

Wen Ke Xing looks away for the first time, a subtle blush creeping up his neck and Zhou Zi Shu feels smug for the second time. He waits.

Wen Ke Xing returns his gaze, the hint of a smile on his lips, “The omega’s slick and being scented help induce my ruts.”

Oh—

Oh!

He clears his throat and takes another, more controlled sip of his tea. He finds that it’s been slowly getting sweeter and sweeter throughout the week, as if Wen Ke Xing is trying to find the perfect blend.

“And do you think that my scent can induce one for you?” Zhou Zi Shu asks, a bit nervous for the first time. What if his scent isn’t alluring enough for Wen Ke Xing?

“Yes,” Wen Ke Xing says.

He nods, surprisingly relieved, and reaches for the closest plate. “Is there anything else that you want to talk about?”

“Your heat is in two days,” Wen Ke Xing states more than asks, and Zhou Zi Shu wonders what kind of bloodhound sense of smell this man has that he can gauge with such precision. Is he walking around dripping with sexual need and desperation?

“How long do your heats last?” Wen Ke Xing continues.

“That depends… anything from two to five days,” he says and starts plating the food. “If I’m satisfied, it can be over in two days. If I’m frustrated, it will take longer. If I’m not with an alpha, it takes up to seven days.”

Wen Ke Xing hums in acknowledgement and picks up his chopsticks. “I’m assuming you’re off work for a week?”

“ Second Gender Leave is a standard clause in the contract,” he continues. “The production will film other things when I’m not there. It’s all been planned and scheduled. If I’m back early, that’s a bonus but not required.”

( 〃 ▽ 〃 )

After that heat negotiation, they dropped the subject and ate dinner, chatting about the movie set and what was coming in Zhou Zi Shu’s schedule. But after dinner, when he had spent an hour soaking his exhausted muscles in the spa, all of Wen Ke Xing’s words had started simmering under his skin. It was clear that he was horny and looking forward to his heat. The heat was just around the corner and he hadn’t been fucked in months, and not properly fucked in over a year.

His interest in dating had dwindled, his schedule too busy to have any real time to put into a relationship. And the few times he had dated, he had found that whilst the older alphas were more experienced and more settled, the younger alphas were more energetic and certainly eager to learn.

Another flash of images had surged, of what Wen Ke Xing might be like during the heat. He wasn’t denying the fact that he was attracted to the man, he had picked him during the matching for a reason, and that reason had been confirmed when he was scented on that first evening. The thought of being able to time a rut with his heat, or even outside his heat, was so alluring it had made his skin tingle and his cock twitch.

Then there was the fact that Wen Ke Xing had said that he needed scenting and slick . It had been a very polite way to say that he needed to fuck Zhou Zi Shu in the days leading up to his heat. Or at a minimum, get scented properly whilst eating him out. A blowjob down the alphas throat might do the job as well.

Zhou Zi Shu is aware that the pheromone drenched slick was intoxicating to alphas, especially close to and during heats, and sometimes even during ovulation. And since Zhou Zi Shu was very interested in Wen Ke Xing’s rut, it meant that he needed to get a move on. There were only two days left and that might not be enough this time around.

And yet, his breathing is a bit unsteady as he approaches the library where Wen Ke Xing has all but moved in whilst he’s writing his newest novel. He can smell Wen Ke Xing all the way out into the corridor, alluring and exciting. He had picked the Instinct Package, something that Wen Ke Xing had agreed to or they wouldn’t have matched in the first place. So he’s not really sure why he’s nervous all of a sudden. It’s not like he’s hitting on the alpha. This is just part of OPP . This is what they are supposed to do.

“You have quite the collection of old poetry,” Wen Ke Xing says from somewhere inside and Zhou Zi Shu realizes that the man can smell him. The alpha really is honed in on his scent.

Zhou Zi Shu takes a deep, silent breath and walks into the library, responding, “My family has been collecting for generations. I’m just continuing the tradition.”

“You have a few that I haven’t read,” Wen Ke Xing says from over in the corner where he is examining a few of the older ones that are behind protective glazing, mostly to keep out the sun and dust.

“They’re not locked,” he says and walks towards Wen Ke Xing. “You’re welcome to read whatever you like here. That’s what they’re for.”

“Thank you,” Wen Ke Xing says and turns around. “It would be a shame if they were never opened and appreciated.” Zhou Zi Shu wonders if they are still talking about the scrolls.

He walks up to Wen Ke Xing, standing close, and reaches out to take out the scroll that Wen Ke Xing had been looking at. Wen Ke Xing’s hand closes around his wrist and Zhou Zi Shu stares at those big hands with long fingers that can probably reach a lot of places inside him.

Wen Ke Xing draws in a sharp breath and pulls on his arm. He moves willingly, pliant under the strong whiskey scent around him.

“Did you come here to show me the scrolls?” Wen Ke Xing asks and looks down at him.

“No,” he responds and looks up into those dark eyes.

Wen Ke Xing bends down, leveling their eyes, “No?”

He leans in, close enough to count each of Wen Ke Xing’s eyelashes, “I came for scenting.”

Wen Ke Xing lets go of his wrist and moves his hands slowly up Zhou Zi Shu’s body, rubbing as he goes, only stopping when he reaches Zhou Zi Shu’s neck, rubbing gently against his scent glands.

“I meant you,” Zhou Zi Shu says, his voice hoarse.

“Me?” Wen Ke Xing responds and leans closer, offering up his neck for Zhou Zi Shu.

“Scent you,” he responds, unable to resist nuzzling against Wen Ke Xing’s neck where the scent is potent.

Wen Ke Xing’s hands tighten around his neck, before releasing. “You want to try and induce my rut in time for your heat?”

“Yes,” he mumbles against Wen Ke Xing’s neck as he nibbles on the scent gland, reaching up on his toes slightly.

“We only have a few days,” Wen Ke Xing says and Zhou Zi Shu feels the rumble under his lips. “Are you open to trying something more than just scenting?”

“Yes,” he responds. “You decide what you think is best, no need to ask.”

“Allright,” Wen Ke Xing says and pulls back, biting his bottom lip before he sinks to his knees. Zhou Zi Shu watches Wen Ke Xing nuzzle against his crotch, and his half-hard cock twitches behind the soft fabric of his sweatpants.

( っ ˘ڡ˘ς)

Chapter Text

He looks up at Zhou Zi Shu. The omega is beautiful like this. Freshly showered with a natural glow on his skin. The dark, silky hair is slightly curled at the ends, making him look tussled. He’s in comfortable clothes that still shows off all of those curves that had been out on display earlier in the day. Not that Wen Ke Xing had been staring. That much.

The burnt sugar and cherry blossom scent is intoxicating. Wen Ke Xing had smelled it during dinner when they had talked about what Zhou Zi Shu needed during his heat—especially when they had discussed inducing a rut. He had smelled it drifting out from the spa when he had walked past the door on his way to the library. And he had immediately smelled it when the omega had come down the stairs after getting dressed.

Heat.

He usually doesn’t recognize it this early and definitely not in an omega that he has spent this little time with, nor previously spent a heat with. Not that it was common for him to double dip. Yet, somehow, he’s already in tune with every subtle change in this omega. Something about Zhou Zi Shu’s scent makes his blood flow like lava, intense and all-consuming. It’s surprising. It’s unprecedented. And it’s daunting.

He nuzzles against the obvious bulge in front of his face, as if to say ‘Hello, I see you. I’ll take care of you.’ Zhou Zi Shu trembles against him, a gasp escaping from those plump lips that Wen Ke Xing hasn’t been able to stop thinking about ever since their kiss.

“Condom…?” Zhou Zi Shu mumbles above him, his voice thick and distant.

“That would defeat the purpose,” he responds and breathes in the musky, sweet scent.

“Ooh—” Zhou Zi Shu responds and it sounds more like a whine than acknowledgement.

He pulls on the elastic band and notices that Zhou Zi Shu isn’t wearing anything underneath. He tugs on the pants, leaving them halfway down the surprisingly strong thighs. He has a sudden urge to bite the skin, suck on those inner thighs, mark them. But marking Zhou Zi Shu is probably not a good idea considering he is filming. Wen Ke Xing will have to—discreetly—bring that up before the heat. Whilst it’s generally not something that he’s into, Zhou Zi Shu’s skin is so perfect, so creamy, so pale and flawless that Wen Ke Xing wants to bite him. Nibble and suck bruises to prove that he’s been there.

The omega’s cock is bobbing at the perfect height, twitching sporadically and filling out slowly. It’s slightly darker than those pale thighs with its red tip poking out of the wiggly foreskin.

It’s a pretty cock—and Wen Ke Xing has seen a lot of them. It’s a bit bigger than the average omega’s, and definitely thicker. The balls are shaved and the thatch of hair is neatly trimmed, nothing but smooth skin where the treasure trail would have been. But Wen Ke Xing already knew that. He has seen these abs before. The omega has been plastered with his naked upper body on billboards and commercials plenty of times. And he's starting to remember them all in vivid technicolor, dating all the way back to his teens and exploring pleasure with his right hand.

Zhou Xu.

Something flutters at the center of his stomach and his heart hiccups. He can do this. He’s good at this. He loves sucking cock. He loves feeling it grow heavy on his tongue. He loves the little noises that omegas make when they are horny and desperate to come. He loves the musky, sweet taste of their cum combined with the sweet slick that always dribbles down their thighs.

He licks the tip and the cock twitches, bobbing against his nose and he hears a gasp followed by a choked noise above him. He looks up and is met with dark, hooded eyes. Zhou Zi Shu’s lips are parted and he’s panting slightly.

Without breaking eye contact, Wen Ke Xing drags the flat of his tongue along the underside of the cock until it’s fully within his mouth, the head nudging at the back of his throat.

“Ah~~” Zhou Zi Shu breathes shakily above him. He swallows around the head as the cock thickens quickly in his mouth.

He runs his hands up the thighs and stops at the hips, pushing Zhou Zi Shu slightly against the shelf to hold him there. He closes his eyes and bobs his head, stretching his lips around the girth as it grows and is finally rewarded with the first taste of precum. The sweet taste tingles through his head before he swallows, allowing the pheromones to start seeping into his body as he starts sucking with purpose, hungry for more.

“Oh—Ah—” Zhou Zi Shu pants beautifully above him, two hands weaving their fingers into his hair to tug slightly.

That flutter returns with more force and Wen Ke Xing deep throats, the cock now leaking where he’s swallowing around the head. His mind is swimming. Not from the lack of oxygen, but from the induced feverish need to go further. Zhou Zi Shu is bucking slightly, wanting to thrust into Wen Ke Xing’s mouth but holding back, instead pulling and tugging on his hair.

He pops off the cock, a strand of saliva and cum connecting his bottom lip to the head. “Do what you need, I can take it. And come down my throat.”

Wen Ke Xing runs his palms up over the hips and up that slender waist, pinching and caressing that soft skin, watching Zhou Zi Shu tremble under his fingertips. He’s not quite tall enough to reach those little pink buds he can see perking under the sweater and he growls a bit frustrated. Instead, he swallows the cock down again, bobbing with purpose.

There is a strong, sweet scent lingering around them, one that he thinks he has smelled before, a few nights ago, when Zhou Zi Shu was getting off. He takes the cock deep in his throat, his nose pressed into the wiry hair and breathes deeply through his nose. Yes. The slick is definitely starting to leak.

He sucks on the cock, alternating shallowly with taking it all the way in as he slides his right hand around the back of Zhou Zi Shu and down the curve of his ass. He runs a finger along the cleft, feeling Zhou Zi Shu jerk and he can’t help but smile, drooling around the cock.

He circles his left hand around the back, using it to part the ass cheeks before he runs his right index finger along the wet opening. Definitely leaking.

“Oh—Wow—Oh—I’m gonna—come—” Zhou Zi Shu moans above him, fingers fisted tightly in his hair.

He circles the rim with the pad of his index finger, feeling Zhou Zi Shu pushing back slightly against his fingertip. It makes his own erection twitch, and he moves his left hand to press down on his crotch, moaning around the cock in his mouth.

Zhou Zi Shu thrusts into his mouth, and at a particularly deep thrust, Wen Ke Xing pushes his finger into the hole to his third knuckle, curling it towards the prostate.

“Aah—” there is a punched out sound above him, the cock twitches in his mouth and then the musky, sweet cum fills his throat as Zhou Zi Shu lets out a long, breathy moan that tingles all the way down his spine, making his thighs clench. He grinds up into his hand and comes, again without having stroked himself a single time.

He licks the cock clean before he sits back on the floor, out of breath and his head spinning. He looks up at Zhou Zi Shu and finds the omega dazed and panting. Wen Ke Xing brings his right hand to his mouth and licks his index finger clean as well. Zhou Zi Shu follows his movement and inhales shakily.

After a moment of staring at each other, Zhou Zi Shu’s eyes flicker down to the wet spot on his crotch, and then the omega looks away, a subtle blush creeping up that pale neck.

“Um,” Zhou Zi Shu says, swallowing loudly.

“Yes?” He says and moves to stand up.

“Can I…” Zhou Zi Shu says, still not meeting his eyes.

Wen Ke Xing waits until Zhou Zi Shu turns to face him, there is a slight determination mixed with embarrassment behind those eyes.

“Can I keep your pants,” Zhou Zi Shu asks. “For my nest.”

He can’t help but smirk. This omega is kinky and not afraid to ask for it. He kind of likes it. Holding the omega’s gaze, he unzips his pants, steps out of them and hands them over before walking out.

He is also not wearing any underwear.

(っ˘ڡ˘ς)

The reality of what just happened hits him at the same time as the warm water from the showerhead hits him in the face.

He blew Zhou Xu like a man possessed, and starvingly swallowed every drop of cum. He put a finger inside Zhou Xu’s ass and then licked the slick off it. Zhou Xu had asked for his cum drenched pants to cuddle with in his nest. And he had given them to him.

Thought after thought bump into each other and all the lagging emotions slosh around in his stomach. The palpitations in his chest are back as well. What is wrong with his heart? He didn’t even break a sweat and his stamina is excellent.

Wen Ke Xing has fucked a lot of omegas, though, they have generally been younger. Cougars—both men and women—have been chasing him all his adult life. Some even before he was legal. So, it’s not that he minds the sex. In fact, older omegas are usually quite skilled. And he admits that when he’s in the mood, he allows the occasional older power-bottom to take him home, straddle him with purpose and then fuck themselves on his cock. And when their thighs are trembling and their skin glistening with sweat, he rolls them over to fuck them until they are mewling with tears in their eyes.

It's just that older omegas tend to be more serious and demanding. Which is a major turnoff. Because he doesn’t date. Ever. It’s not his thing or anything that he wants. At least not until Gu Xiang has finished university and is ready to stand on her own two feet. Until then, he is happy to enjoy life through a long line of one-night stands and short-term fuck buddies.

But…

Zhou Xu.

Zhou Zi Shu.

The man is an enigma. Beautiful. Powerful. Famous. Rich. He appears to have it all, yet still ended up in OPP. And then Zhou Zi Shu had picked him out of all the alphas, and kept him even though he had made the worst first impression. Out of all the people that could have walked into that bar, Zhou Zi Shu had to be the one that overheard him venting over having been called to the Omega Center for the fourth time that month. It was exhausting being a donor and living with the constant uncertainty about what would happen to Gu Xiang when he matched. He had been ready to be discharged from OPP.

He should feel proud, and he guesses that a part of him does, but it’s clear that the omega doesn’t like him. That the omega thinks he’s young and immature. Which is triggering his inner alfa and he’s starting to see this experience as a challenge. His libido is very much interested in making Zhou Zi Shu pant after him and mewl under him. Maybe even moan his name. The thought of the way Zhou Zi Shu had moaned and thrusted that pretty cock into his mouth makes his skin hot. He wants to hear more, taste more.

With a sudden jolt, Wen Ke Xing realizes that he is looking forward to the heat. As in—specifically looking forward to spending the heat with Zhou Zi Shu. The flutter is back in his chest, and he runs his hand over his thudding heart. Zhou Zi Shu attracts him more than he likes.

He turns the tap to ice-cold and waits until he shivers and goosebumps appear on his arms. He needs to snap out of it.

c( O.O )ɔ

In the following two days, there is an unspoken change in their daily routine. He wakes up, takes a shower, puts on comfortable clothes and makes breakfast for both of them. They go to the studio where the martial arts training is taking place, and they split up. Zhou Zi Shu spends his time in the studio hooked up to wires all day. Wen Ke Xing spends his time in the trailer, writing on his novel and munching on the never-depleting assortment of healthy snacks. He annoys Gu Xiang with texts and voice messages until she confirms that she’s okay and is eating.

Twice a day, to keep up appearances, he walks into the studio to bring snacks or a bottle of rehydration fluids to Zhou Zi Shu. Zhang Cheng Ling always greets him with a smile, whilst Qin Jiu Xiao usually hovers somewhere close like an unapproachable shadow. Nonetheless, he stays for a while, mostly just watching the omega spin through the air in more and more elaborate moves. The driver drops them off at home, usually too late for him to cook so Zhang Cheng Ling sorts out takeout on the way.

The unspoken change in their daily routine is how they now finish the day. Zhou Zi Shu’s heat is approaching rapidly and as soon as they walk in through the door, the omega lets his pheromones flow freely. The entire house smells like burnt sugar and cherry blossom, but not in the sweet way it did when they met. Now, it’s more of a come-and-fuck-me way.

On the first night, after Zhou Zi Shu reappears from the spa humming some unknown tune, Wen Ke Xing corners the omega before his shower and takes his cock down his throat. The taste is laced with the undertone of the hormonal changes and Wen Ke Xing finds himself waking up with the sweet flavor lingering on his lips and his cock hard. He takes care of it in the shower before they head out to the studio. And if he thinks about those soft little sounds that Zhou Zi Shu makes when he is thrusting in between Wen Ke Xing’s lips, or when he comes, that’s between him and his right hand.

On the second night, he finds that he can’t even wait. He pushes Zhou Zi Shu up against the wall in the hallway as soon as the door closes behind them, pulls those tight, lethal yoga pants down. For the first time, he licks his way as far into that perfect little puckered hole as he can and then sucks the leaking slick until his head spins and Zhou Zi Shu starts panting those soft little pants that Wen Ke Xing has learnt means that the omega is close. He flips him around and takes the cock in his mouth just in time to swallow every drop of cum.

Later, in the shower, he leans his head against the tiles and closes his eyes. Why is he like this? Why wasn’t he able to wait for the omega to go to the spa and relax? Why did he essentially jump the man at the first opportunity? Why is it that he has already learned what the omega sounds like before he comes?

He concludes that it must be related to the omega’s heat and that it’s because he has never really been part of the lead up to a heat before. It’s the pheromones. They are clearly messing with him.

c( O.O )ɔ

Wen Ke Xing feels like a fish out of water. Whilst they had talked about the heat, it was clear that he hadn’t asked enough questions to prepare himself. They had discussed the sex bit, but they had not discussed the care bit or the leading up to the sex bit. Well, not fully. He had taken care of Gu Xiang when she had presented as an omega and then all of her following heats. That is, he had gone into da-ge mode and bought all her favorite snacks and drinks, gotten her whatever toys that she needed and then gotten the hell out of the apartment.

When he had woken up this morning, there was a distinct change in the scent. Wen Ke Xing had followed the sweet-smelling promise downstairs. Zhou Zi Shu was clearly in the spa but since he could hear noises coming from the kitchen, he had wandered there first.

“Oh, good morning,” Zhang Cheng Ling says from over by the fridge. “I’m stocking up on food, snacks and drinks so you’ll be good for a few days…”

Wen Ke Xing can tell that there was a question coming, but that the kid is a bit shy about it, so he decides to ask first, “Should I text you if we need more? Or how does this work?”

“Yeah, that’s a good plan. I usually check back in on Sunday to see if I need to restock. Sometimes his heats go for seven days so I restock twice, but…” Zhang Cheng Ling suddenly stops and blushes.

“Cheng Ling, this is my first time as well,” he says and shrugs. “Let’s make up the routine as we go, okay? You can check in on Sunday and I’ll let you know what we need. If we run out of anything beforehand, I’ll let you know?”

“Since you’re here, I’ll just deliver everything and leave it outside the door,” Zhang Cheng Ling says and continues to unpack boxes of cut fruit.

“Is there…” he starts and then takes a deep breath. He needs to get over himself if he is going to get through this. Maybe he should give the Omega Center and OPP some feedback on things to add to that form of questions to go through during the matching.

Zhang Cheng Ling peeks out from behind the fridge door, “What?”

“Any specific snacks that he prefers? Or drinks? Before, during and after I mean,” he continues. Technically, he’s just here for the knotting bit. But having been with Gu Xiang before and after, he has learned that it’s a vulnerable time and whatever he can do to make things easier, he should do them—if he can.

Zhang Cheng Ling smiles a bit awkwardly, looks away and then responds, “Chocolate today. Fruit and maybe a few baozi[i] during, if you can get him to eat. And then he will eat pretty much anything afterwards, the spicier the better.” Zhang Cheng Ling looks back at him and bites on the corner of his bottom lip. “The Omega Center said that the more tea he drinks, the better. Otherwise, he likes watermelon or citrus flavored water. Don’t ask me why.”

Wen Ke Xing nods and walks to stand behind the assistant to look into the fridge, which is more stocked now than it’s ever been. He should keep this going after the heat. He misses cooking and maybe that can help center his mind. He needs to focus on his writing rather than the sweet smell that is trying to pull him towards the spa.

“Okay, that’s it. I’ll… leave you to it,” Zhang Cheng Ling says and presses his lips together in a poor attempt to hide his smile. “Oh, before I leave, Qin Jiu Xiao will be patrolling the grounds. Just in case, since it’s heat and all. He won’t come inside.”

He’s not sure how he feels about it, but it’s not for him to decide anyway. Whatever makes Zhou Zi Shu feel safe. “Thanks,” he says and fills up the kettle to make some tea. He had actually read up on the information packages sent through on his email and apparently, the tea doesn’t have to be warm. Since some can be sensitive to the taste, there were a few tips and tricks to help drink it.

Once the tea has cooled down, he adds some honey and mashed strawberries. He fills up two of the larger tumblers and tops them off with a few ice cubes before putting the lid on.

He tips them back and forward in his hands as he walks towards the spa. He’s not sure if he should intrude on Zhou Zi Shu when he’s relaxing, but he should check in to see how the omega is feeling. Plus, the man needs to drink his daily dose of tea.

(๑*ᗜ*)

Zhou Zi Shu is sitting in the spa pool with his head leaning back against one of the headrests, his eyes closed as if he’s sleeping. The bubbles have been turned off, revealing that the omega is not wearing any clothes. The water subtly distorts the body hidden under the surface, but reveals enough for Wen Ke Xing’s skin to feel hot, fueled by the strong, sweet scent of cherry blossom.

He stands there for a moment, just watching the creamy, flawless skin on the torso where it disappears into the water. He can make out a strong upper body and taught abs before his eyes stop at the cock that he has licked clean the past three days.

“Are you just going to watch me or are you going to join me?” Zhou Zi Shu says without opening his eyes. “It’s nothing you haven’t seen before.”

That is a lie. He has not seen Zhou Zi Shu fully naked before. He’s seen plenty of other men naked, he’s even seen most of Zhou Zi Shu’s body. One particular jewelry endorsement floats through his mind and he swallows. The man is extremely attractive. Not only is Zhou Zi Shu fit—he’s bendable. That much is clear after the last few days of stunt training.

“Well?” Zhou Zi Shu asks and cracks one eye open, raising the same eyebrow in challenge.

Wen Ke Xing puts the bottles down on the small table next to the spa pool and drops his clothes where he stands. Without taking his eyes off Zhou Zi Shu’s, he walks into the pool and moves in the water until he’s right in front of the omega. His heart is pounding loud enough to make the pulse in his throat tremor.

He reaches his arms out to circle around Zhou Zi Zhu’s waist and pulls the man flush, feeling the hard cock against his stomach. “Breathe,” he says and watches Zhou Zi Shu’s lips part.

( ˘ ³˘)

Chapter Text

Zhou Zi Shu wakes up feeling like a slug. He pulls on his robe, the fabric strangely rough against his skin, and makes his way through the silent house down to the spa. His muscles are not just aching for what is to come, but they are still sore from the intense training during the week and he needs to take care of his body as much as possible.

He resists the urge to turn the temperature down. The hot water will help his aches even if it’s mildly uncomfortable against his increasingly hot skin. He turns on the jets and leans back against the headrest to let them do their magic against his lower back. His mind is already foggy and he can feel the familiar clench in his thighs and wonders fleetingly if Wen Ke Xing is awake yet.

He's only been soaking for about five minutes when he hears the main door open. “Shifu, I’m just dropping off the food and then I’ll head out,” Zhang Cheng Ling’s voice calls from the hallway. “Text me if you need anything.”

“Thanks Cheng Ling,” he responds, but he’s too tired to reach for his phone. It’s not like he needs anything right now and Zhang Cheng Ling will have brought over everything that he could ever need or want anyway. He’s such a good kid. Zhou Zi Shu is lucky to have him. The kid is actually not that bad at singing, but Zhou Zi Shu suspects that he has a passion for acting, looking at how excited he’s been over the movie production. Maybe he should ask the producers if there is any wiggle room for a small role. Or maybe he should wait until the next one. It’s something to think about next week.

The jets are slowly working their way further and further into his tense muscles and he melts into the seat. He knows that he will not fall asleep, but maximum relaxation is exactly what he needs in order to have energy to go through the coming days.

He hasn’t looked forward to a heat quite in the same way before. Not just at the prospect of conceiving—he is well aware that the chances are slim these days, or OPP wouldn’t even be a thing—but also at the prospect of spending a heat with his alpha. The man is an enigma, a very irritating one, but he is still sex on legs and it’s been quite some time since Zhou Zi Shu felt this kind of excitement towards an alpha—or any other man for that matter.

He thinks that he hears some muffled voices and suspects that Wen Ke Xing is awake. Just the thought of the alpha sends hot flashes across his skin and he feels his cock start to fill out. Luckily, the heat isn’t fully here yet so it’s a pleasant feeling. Not one driven by instinct and crazed desperation, but one of desire.

A few minutes later, he smells the alpha before he hears the footsteps coming into the spa. He’d slept like a clubbed seal[i] in the past few days thanks to that scent all around his nest. He still can’t believe he had taken those cum stained sweatpants, but they had smelled too good to pass up and made a perfect addition to his very sparse nest. He should ask Wen Ke Xing to scent his bed more often moving forward.

The footsteps go silent just a few meters away and he can all but feel Wen Ke Xing watching him in the pool, the whiskey scent increasing subtly and sending little shimmers of desire down his spine to skip around in his belly.

“Are you just going to watch me or are you going to join me?” he asks and takes a long deep inhale of the amazing scent, not even trying to hide what he’s doing. “It’s nothing you haven’t seen before.”

He’s not shy. He knows that he’s very good looking. But he still wonders if the cocky little alpha finds him attractive. This is the first time that he is fully naked in front of the man but Wen Ke Xing had sucked him off and eaten him out in the last few days so what else is there to see? Wen Ke Xing had said that he thought that his scent could induce a rut, which surely means that he’s probably attracted to him, right?

“Well?” he says and opens his left eye, wondering why Wen Ke Xing is silent. He’s met with darker eyes that he’s seen before and a cool shiver runs down his spine. The omega in him purrs and he instinctively spreads his legs.

Wen Ke Xing closes his eyes and breathes in, puts down two bottles of something on the table, pulls his t-shirt over his head and steps out of his pants. Zhou Zi Shu doesn’t blink. He did know that the man was attractive. Even very high on the attractive scale. But he was not fully prepared for the impact of a naked Wen Ke Xing, all smooth, milky skin, defined muscles and a half-hard cock bobbing enticingly.

He leans to the side to turn off the jets and watches Wen Ke Xing walk into the pool. He moves slowly towards him until he stops in between his outstretched legs. He stays still and Wen Ke Xing moves those big hands around his waist and pulls him flush.

“Breathe,” Wen Ke Xing says, and he realizes that he’s been holding his breath.

Instead of feeling embarrassed, he breathes in the alpha’s scent and feels his whole body heat up from the reaction. No matter what he thinks about this man, he fucking smells incredible and Zhou Zi Shu wants him inside. He wants to stop thinking, succumb to the heat, to let the alpha take control and do what he needs.

Wen Ke Xing laughs and nuzzles along the column of his neck before whispering, “Don’t worry. I’ll fuck you just the way you need me to.”

Had he said those thoughts out loud? Oh well, it doesn’t matter. It’s not like they don’t know why they are here and what this is. He wants this. He wants the alpha so badly he aches, his skin feels so hot it’s itching. The reaction to the man is strong, visceral, as if the omega in him aches for his match. It’s different, and it’s exciting.

Wen Ke Xing leans in and licks into his mouth, hungrily, wantonly, and Zhou Zi Shu can feel the rumble of a growl reverberate through the alpha’s chest and tingle down his spine to fuel the heat that is fluttering around in his stomach. The effect is immediate, and he shivers in anticipation.

“Here or nest?” Wen Ke Xing asks, biting his way down Zhou Zi Shu’s neck until he finds the scent gland.

“H—Here,” Zhou Zi Shu stutters when sharp teeth graze his gland in playful nibbles.

“As you wish,” Wen Ke Xing says and hoists him up on the side of the pool, pushes him down on his back and pulls him forward until his cheeks rest against the edge.

The tiles are pleasantly cool against his back, sending goosebumps rippling across his flushed skin and he twitches slightly. He feels one of Wen Ke Xing’s large hands splay on his lower abs and move slowly up his torso, followed closely by Wen Ke Xing’s mouth. Hot breaths, licks and kisses, move across his skin without any pattern and he finds himself trying to guess where the next kiss will land—without any luck. Wen Ke Xing’s movements and tongue are unpredictable, and very skillful. He’s already breathing hard and making noises.

The movement stops and he feels the hot breath against his face and opens his eyes. Wen Ke Xing is staring back at him, eyes as intense as before and there is a sharpness to that plush mouth he’s been staring at for the past two weeks.

“How sensitive is your skin?” Wen Ke Xing asks.

“Huh?” Zhou Zi Shu answers, head spinning just from the close proximity to the alpha, and his cock starts dribbling in response.

“Your skin. Will I get you in trouble if I leave marks?” Wen Ke Xing asks as he moves his hand over Zhou Zi Shu’s hip to the inside of his thighs and pinches it.

Zhou Zi Shu can’t help but let out a long whine and closes his eyes, relaxing back against the tiles. “I’ve got table reading and stunt training next week. The first couple of scenes will start the following week. By then, they should be able to cover any remaining marks with makeup.”

It’s been years since someone’s marked him. His partners always put him on a pedestal and treated him like he was fragile. Whilst he very much enjoys being cared for and he does enjoy slow and more emotional sex—even though those opportunities have been very few and far between—sometimes he really just wants to be fucked hard and fast with a good chokehold around his neck.

“Perfect,” Wen Ke Xing says and nuzzles his way back down towards the scent gland, nibbling and licking at it. He tilts his head to the side, giving the alpha more access and lets go of any lingering control of his scent and hormones. Wen Ke Xing takes a stuttering inhale and bites hard enough for Zhou Zi Shu to hiss, but not hard enough to draw blood.

He’s not worried. Wen Ke Xing could bite to his heart’s content, and it wouldn’t make a difference. Part of the tea they are drinking means that there will be no bonding as a result of this process. It protects both the omega and the alpha from anything unwanted.

Wen Ke Xing drags his teeth down the column of his neck and sucks a bruise on his right clavicle. It stings deliciously and he arches up for more. Wen Ke Xing ignores him and licks his way down over his pecks, grazing his nipples until they perk, before moving down the center of his abs. The alpha dips his tongue into his navel and he twitches automatically. He hears a soft chuckle and Wen Ke Xing mumbles something against his skin that he doesn’t quite catch.

Wen Ke Xing’s hands drag over his thighs and push his legs apart and upward. He feels exposed, but not vulnerable. Even though one cannot know what an alpha really is by the end of a heat, he has no doubts that he will enjoy this very much. Whilst there is no guarantee that they will be a match in bed—there isn’t even anything obligatory about doing more than the bare minimum, as in release inside him—he still knows that this is going to be something unforgettable.

A hot breath over his quivering hole breaks through his foggy thoughts and he opens his eyes to look at the man between his legs just as Wen Ke Xing licks across his rim with the flat of his tongue.

“Ah~~” he breathes out and squirms against the tiles. His skin is flushed and his insides even hotter.

The tongue traces along the full cleft between his cheeks before Wen Ke Xing licks into him with precision. The tongue curls inside him as Wen Ke Xing suckles greedily at the opening, humming contently.

Wen Ke Xing thrusts with his tongue and slides two fingers in above it. The stretch ripples up his spine and tingles across the top of his head. Those fingers are even better than he imagined. Long, smooth and somewhat cooling inside him. He feels them curl upward and rub against his prostate and he arches so far up, he would have slid back into the pool if Wen Ke Xing wasn’t holding him down.

“So sensitive,” Wen Ke Xing mumbles and leans back, fingers still deep inside him. His lips are wet with slick and slightly swollen. There is an intenseness around his mouth when he bends down and nips along the inside of Zhou Zi Shu’s left thigh. He twitches with every pinch, unable to hold back his moans, not wanting to hold them back. He wants to show the alpha that he likes it, that he wants him to continue.

Wen Ke Xing nibbles and kisses, his fingers never losing speed or precision, until he finds whatever spot that he’s looking for. A sudden, intense burn shoots from his thigh and straight to his cock, which twitches and dribbles on his stomach.

He sees Wen Ke Xing’s eyes shift towards his cock and he smirks, “So, you like that huh?”

He can’t deny that he does. Every single thing the man does, sends hot flashes over his skin and roaring hormones through his veins. It’s intoxicating and soothing at the same time—the hunt for the first orgasm, succumbing to the first stages of the heat, giving himself over to someone. Someone that he doesn’t know this time around. It’s rare that he spends a heat with someone that is not a trusted partner, and yet, somehow, he trusts Wen Ke Xing to take care of him just the way he needs. He trusts the match. No matter how insufferable the man is, Zhou Zi Shu is certain that the man fucks.

Wen Ke Xing interrupts his thoughts by licking over the bruise which causes his muscles to spasm. The alpha turns his head to his left and bites hard on the inside of his right thigh. An even sharper pain slices up his thigh and he moans loudly, “Aaah—”. It echoes through the spa. He never knew that pain could be this pleasurable, at least when it’s done just right.

His cock is throbbing from neglect, and he needs that orgasm. He reaches out to grab hold of Wen Ke Xing’s hair and to guide him back. The alpha easily dodges but leans forward anyway. He licks up the pool of pre-cum on his belly before he sucks the cock down his throat in one smooth motion.

Finally.

They have done this the past few days and Wen Ke Xing is extremely good at sucking dick for being an alpha. He’s also surprisingly enthusiastic about it. Zhou Zi Zhu feels the alpha’s jaw flex and stretch, the muscles swallowing around the tip as Wen Ke Xing holds his breath and hollows out his cheeks.

The whiskey scent intensifies and the thought of Wen Ke Xing intentionally choking on his cock—that he enjoys it that much—flutters and squirms in his gut. Waves of pleasure rock back and forth between his groin and the base of his spine. He rocks along with them at an increasing pace, sliding his cock between Wen Ke Xing’s stretched lips and pushing himself down on those fingers.

Wen Ke Xing moans at the base of his cock and pinches his inner thigh at the same time and the sensory overload sends him over the edge. The climax starts deep in his gut and burns through his limbs, curling his toes and pushing out moan after moan.

He doesn’t have time to catch his breath before Wen Ke Xing pulls his fingers out and pulls him forward, licking him clean.

Zhou Zi Shu is still twitching from the end-tails of the orgasm when he feels the thick head of Wen Ke Xing’s cock against his entrance. Wen Ke Xing nudges and teases as he slicks it up before pushing it past the muscle. He thrusts flush in one smooth motion that punches the breath out of Zhou Zi Shu.

“Aaah~~” he moans and tries to catch his breath. The cock is deliciously big and the stretch is glorious. He wiggles slightly just to feel the full length of it inside him.

The alpha lets out a low growl that reboots all those flutters in his stomach. It’s filled with need and frustration and Wen Ke Xing grinds the base of his cock in circles against his opening. The girth rubs against his prostate and he whines.

“Absolutely perfect,” Wen Ke Xing mumbles and starts to thrust at a punishing pace.

It’s hard and fast and Zhou Zi Shu can only take it, unable to brace against the wet tiles. He can see Wen Ke Xing’s lips moving, but he can’t hear what he’s saying. It’s frustrating to be denied whatever is going on in the alpha’s head. Then again, it’s not like he’s sharing either. But at least he’s not quiet.

He arches to meet each thrust, bites his lower lip in contemplation and then reaches for the alpha to pull him down. Wen Ke Xing doesn’t stop his onslaught, and the angle doesn’t work as before since it doesn’t push the cock as deep as he wants, so he circles his legs around Wen Ke Xing’s waist and arches even more, lifting the lower back off the tiles. The next thrust hits the right spot and he mewls happily. He pulls the alpha close and licks into that skillful mouth. It tastes of him. Of cherry and sugar and heat. The combination of the two of them, of taste and smell makes him whine and he can feel his cock chubbing again.

The kiss is filthy, with teeth and tongue and lots of panting. His hands are back in Wen Ke Xing’s hair and he pulls, not sure how to get the man closer, deeper, more, but he tries.

Wen Ke Xing shifts angle and he throws his head back, moaning loudly. Wen Ke Xing takes the opportunity to lick down his neck and bite on the scent gland, still mumbling things that Zhou Zi Shu can’t quite make out.

“Don’t hold back,” he says, and Wen Ke Xing freezes momentarily, before he continues to thrust. “Just be yourself. I can take it.”

There is another hesitation in Wen Ke Xing’s movement before the alpha circles his arms around his back and pulls him up, chest to chest. The water slushes around them as Wen Ke Xing bounces Zhou Zi Shu on his cock, hungrily licking and biting each of the two scent glands.

“You smell incredible,” Wen Ke Xing whispers across his skin, and this time there is no hesitation or mumbling. “You’re driving me crazy.”

Zhou Zi Shu tilts his head and smiles, finally the shameless little alpha is back. And it turns out that Wen Ke Xing really likes the way he smells. He was also right—the man fucks.

“AH—” Wen Ke Xing moans and his hips stutter and Zhou Zi Shu can feel the knot starting to expand. It catches at his entrance and Wen Ke Xing groans against his neck, abs tensing and flexing.

“Fuck me harder,” he demands and grinds down as best as he can to meet the erratic thrusting. Hot lips seek his own and he lets the alpha map out the inside of his mouth.

“Stop holding back!” he mumbles between their lips, and Wen Ke Xing grunts. Water sprays as the alpha flings him back onto the tiles with one hand holding his right leg up and the other firm against the base of his throat. He tilts his head back and closes his eyes, shifting all his focus to where the cock is stretching his hole, rubbing against his prostate and he rolls his hips.

“Ah—Yeah—Right there... Ah—Ah—Ah~” He’s babbling nonsense, but he doesn’t care. He’s so close again.

The knot expands and he senses how hard Wen Ke Xing is working to push it in and out before it finally catches, refusing to be pulled out. Wen Ke Xing leans forward, his hand tightens subtly, and his eyes are as hard as his mouth. He grinds his hips until the knot wedges itself in place against the prostate and Zhou Zi Shu comes all over his chest in long white ropes and a silent gasp.

Zhou Zi Shu watches through a haze of desire how Wen Ke Xing’s eyes glaze over and with a dragged-out moan, he starts shaking, pulled forward by his contracting abs, before slumping forward, hot cum pumping inside.

He breathes under the human alpha-blanket in silence, until his heart calms down, the world stops spinning, and the knot deflates. 

After a while, Wen Ke Xing stands back up, eyes still dark, lips swollen and hair in total disarray. Zhou Zi Shu can’t help but smile. Wow. That was—better than expected. Better than anything he can remember really. Wen Ke Xing really is sex on legs.

Wen Ke Xing clicks his tongue, smirks and drags his hand through the cum on his abs —and licks his fingers clean. He winks and jumps out of the pool and up next to Zhou Zi Shu, leaving him with a clear view from below. It’s a very nice view. The man is utterly shameless. Zhou Zi Shu will never tell a soul how much it turns him on.

Wen Ke Xing watches him for a bit, a smile dancing across his lips. It’s a smile that Zhou Zi Shu has never seen before. The intensity is gone, leaving nothing but softness. If he didn’t know any better, he would say it looks caring.

“Can you walk or should I carry you?” Wen Ke Xing asks and Zhou Zi Shu laughs. The man really is shameless. He doesn’t normally like to be carried during heats, or in between them for that matter. Then again—

“What if I said carry me?” he challenges and looks up at Wen Ke Xing.

“Your wish is my command,” Wen Ke Xing says and scoops him up into his arms.

The alpha is a lot stronger than he looks and Zhou Zi Shu is impressed. And his face probably gives him away because Wen Ke Xing smirks down at him and winks before walking straight into the showers.

Wen Ke Xing puts him down under the warm water spray, gently soaps him up and rinses him off, before quickly doing the same to himself. He wonders if Wen Ke Xing will continue to bathe him in the coming days, or if he just wanted to get the chlorine off them.

He looks around, trying to remember where he had put his robe, when a towel wraps around him. Wen Ke Xing pads him down with soft, gentle strokes before helping him on with the robe. It takes him by surprise, and he just stands there, silently watching the alpha do the same to himself. The man switches from gremlin to puppy so quickly, it gives him emotional whiplash. Who is this man really?

“There, that should keep you until we get upstairs,” Wen Ke Xing says and nods. And then proceeds to scoop him up in a princess carry.

This time, Zhou Zi Shu does yelp and Wen Ke Xing chuckles as he picks up the two bottles of drinks. Well, two can play that game. He snakes his arm around the alpha’s neck and nuzzles against the scent gland for the first time today. It’s more potent than he’s smelled it before and his mind buzzes as his skin instantly flushes with heat again.

Wen Ke Xing unceremoniously dumps the two water bottles in Zhou Zi Shu’s lap and says, “You hang on to them,” and then walks out of the spa and towards the stairs.

(˘ ˘ ˘) ᕤ

Chapter Text

Wen Ke Xing’s head is spinning. Zhou Zi Shu isn’t even fully in heat, yet everything about the man snuggling in his arms is addictive. His scent. His sounds. His flushed skin. His sweet slick.

He lays Zhou Zi Shu down gently on the bed at the center of the nest and takes the bottles, opening one to hand back. “Drink,” he says and opens his own bottle of sweetened tea.

Zhou Zi Shu sniffs at it and scrunches his nose, “Wasn’t there any watermelon water?”

“There is plenty, but I have orders to make you drink this at the start of your heat,” he says. It’s only partially a lie. He hasn’t been ordered per say, but the information package he had been given and diligently read through had noted the benefits of drinking the tea at the start of the heat.

“Tyrant,” Zhou Zi Shu says with a smile tugging at the corner of his lips, and he dutifully drinks.

Wen Ke Xing studies those plump lips around the bottle and feels the blood sizzle under his skin. He chugs half the bottle and puts it down before loosening the belt on his robe, dropping it where he stands.

The omega’s grip on the tumbler tightens, gaze instantly flickering towards his cock and that pretty flush is spreading up his cheeks. Those dark eyes are hungry and the burnt sugar scent is thick in the air. There is nothing subtle about the beautiful man in front of him.

Addictive.

He moves onto the bed and crawls forward on all four in between Zhou Zi Shu’s legs until the man is caged under him, still with those dark eyes fixed on him without so much as blinking. He pushes himself up on his knees, and holding Zhou Zi Shu’s gaze, he takes the bottle from his hands and puts it on the side table. He moves his hands slowly towards the belt and pulls it loose, gravity helping him by opening a gap in the robe.

The omega’s cock is already filling out, the dark tip poking out through the foreskin. It’s only been a few days and yet he feels like he’s mapped the outline of this dick already. The way the vein zigzags, the slightly thicker base, the curve towards Zhou Zi Shu’s abs, the little birthmark on the right side right below the tip on the foreskin. The way it shapes the inside of his mouth and stretches his throat. The taste. It’s a great cock to blow.

Zhou Zi Shu wiggles under his gaze and there is a distinct scent filling the air, the scent of slick and his own cum. His hand moves before his thoughts catch up, spreading the robe apart fully to slide his fingertips between the ass cheeks and towards the leaking hole. He pushes the cum back inside and hears Zhou Zi Shu whine above him, trying to grind down on his fingers.

He pulls them out and drags them over the blooming marks on the thighs, leaving wet streaks along the way. Zhou Zi Shu twitches under his touch and every time he moves, Wen Ke Xing can’t help but pinch the creamy skin. Zhou Zi Shu gasps beautifully under each touch.

“So sensitive,” he says. Perfect, he thinks.

He shakes his head to get rid of the intrusive thought. With one swift movement he pulls the robe from under Zhou Zi Shu and discards it on the floor, leaving the man naked and leaking. He pulls Zhou Zi Shu’s strong legs up and over his thighs and fists around his own throbbing cock.

He strokes it a few times automatically before he nudges the cock head against the puckered hole and watches how it glistens. The sex downstairs had been fantastic and his cock throbs in his hand and twitches against the hole just from the memory of how pretty Zhou Zi Shu had looked around it—will look around it.

Addictive.

Remembering Zhou Zi Shu’s words from a few days earlier—of how he wants it hard and fast, and pretty much any position or location—he pushes inside. A shiver runs down his spine as he watches the cockhead get swallowed by the puffy rim. He closes his eyes momentarily before meeting Zhou Zi Shu’s starving gaze and slides his cock as deep as he can.

He holds it there, grinding in circles a few times, and takes a moment to watch each of the omega’s reactions. The way his hips move to follow him as if wanting to keep him deep. The way those perfect abs tense and tremble in anticipation. The way the chest rises and falls with each shaking breath. The slightly parted lips, the half-lidded eyes. Throughout the years, he’s seen a lot of photos of the omega in various alluring poses, in various stages of undress, but nothing could have ever prepared him for the real thing.

Leaning back, bracing on his knees, he pulls almost all the way out before thrusting back inside and starts fucking the omega hard. Zhou Zi Shu’s soft little sounds for each thrust lick across his skin, as if wanting to say that they are fulfilling those promises that they made when he had overheard them standing in the hallway.

At a particularly deep thrust, he watches Zhou Zi Shu’s mouth open, a punched out groan as his hands move above his head to brace against the shelf, arching to meet the cock just the way he likes it. He watches in fascination how Zhou Zi Shu’s eyes glaze over, how his expression changes to something softer yet the body moves more desperately. His skin is glistening and flushed. He’s literally fucked the omega into his heat.

And heat looks absolutely stunning on the omega.

The groans transform to beautiful moans and something pulls him forward until he’s licking in between those plush lips. His right hand searches for a creamy thigh, fingers digging into the meaty flesh as he pulls the leg up to get a better angle, to fuck himself deeper.

“Aaah~~ Aaah~~” spills from Zhou Zi Shu’s lips, his eyes are closed and his body is pliant.

Wen Ke Xing shifts his hands, fingers grabbing at plump ass cheeks, knowing he will leave marks, as he helps Zhou Zi Shu to grind against his cock. He drives deeper with a steady slide of his cock, overcome with how good it feels. “It’s like you were made for me,” he whispers and tries to swallow the words back down. He really needs to be careful of what he says. He doesn’t know Zhou Zi Shu yet. He doesn’t know how much the omega will remember from the heat.

“I—,” Zhou Zi Shu pants, ”I’m close. Ah—Ah—Ah~~” Unable to resist how exquisitely the omega is moaning as his leaking hole squeezes around him, he captures those lips again, fucking at an increasing pace.

At the first pulse of his knot, the omega throws his head back, baring his throat and comes all over his stomach in sweet smelling ropes of cum. He breathes in the scent, feeling the pheromones crackle through his blood and dives for the scent gland, scraping his teeth around it. The thought of biting flickers through his mind so rapidly his knot expands and he comes harder than he has in a long time.

He is probably drooling down Zhou Zi Shu’s neck, but he’s busy relearning how to breathe to remove his shallow bite around the scent gland. Zhou Zi Shu is panting below him, wiggling satisfied around the knot, clenching from time to time, followed by happy little sounds that skips over Wen Ke Xing’s skin as if they are looking for a place to seep through his flesh.

When his heart is back to pumping at a somewhat respectable pace, he shifts a blanket beside them and rolls them over so that Zhou Zi Shu is resting on top of him. It’s more comfortable for the two of them. The omega is still relaxed around his knot, and he can’t help but run his fingers over the damp but soft skin. He follows the curve of the spine from the top all the way down to the dimples, before spreading his palms over the curve of those perfect cheeks, letting his hands rest there.

(˘ ˘ ˘)

Zhou Zi Shu has barely recovered before he climbs on top of Wen Ke Xing and fucks himself on his cock. He’s surprisingly strong, and braced against his shoulders, Zhou Zi Shu holds him down whilst he grinds at a fast pace and increasingly loud groans. Wen Ke Xing watches in horny fascination and pulls his right leg up slowly to change the angle until the omega does a full body shiver and closes his eyes. He braces with his foot and lets the omega grind down on his cock with a steady drag along the prostate until he comes all over Wen Ke Xing’s chest.

Zhou Zi Shu doesn’t stop, continuing to rock up and down on the cock as if he’s waiting for something, waiting for Wen Ke Xing to do his job, waiting for the knot, still a steady stream of beautiful moans.

Wen Ke Xing can feel somewhere deep in his gut that he will not go into rut this time. There hadn’t been enough time. He’s not even sure there would have been even if they had started straight away when he had moved in. He feels the disappointment grow and expand up his chest until it squeezes his lungs.

He’s failed at going into rut. He won’t be able to give Zhou Zi Shu what he wants. At least not this time around. A frustrated growl escapes his lips before he can swallow it down and he watches the omega shiver at the sound, reacting to his alpha.

He rolls them over, the omega’s legs wrapped around his hips, his cock still deep inside. He thrusts hard and fast, unable to hold back, not wanting to hold back, wanting to show the omega that he can do this even if he’s not in rut.

“Finally,” Zhou Zi Shu mewls with a mix of purring and hissing under him. “Use me anyway you want. I won’t break. I promise,” Zhou Zi Shu continues and bares his neck again, a smirk on those kiss bitten lips.

The subtle bite is visible on the right side and even though it normally takes longer, his hormones are fusing with Zhou Zi Shu’s pheromones and he feels the knot expanding rapidly, already catching at the twitching rim.

Addictive.

There is a clench in his thighs and a tightening in his core, and he starts coming even before the knot has fully lodged itself in place, causing cum to leak and soak the sheets. The smell is potent and the gland is right there. He bites as the knot lodges in place, and Zhou Zi Shu’s cock dribbles happily between them.

>ᴗ<

Time feels suspended. Not that he doesn’t remember it all—because he does—but more that it’s like nothing in the world matters outside of taking care of Zhou Zi Shu’s every need. He reacts instinctively to every move, every shift in mood, every breath and every sound.

Wen Ke Xing keeps him hydrated, unable to resist giving the omega any drink that he asks for, and all the drinks he doesn’t ask for but that he somehow knows that the omega craves. He makes sure that he eats fruit when he can, in between sessions and after waking up from naps. If he holds the omega gently, coaxing him to eat, feeding him himself, that’s between him, that beautiful and irresistible pout, and his very willing hands.

And he fucks him more than he can count, more than he has ever fucked anyone at one time. He fucks Zhou Zi Shu bent over the side of the bed, hard and fast from behind. He fucks Zhou Zi Shu against the wall, slow and meticulous, with long drags of his cock until the man is trembling with wet eyes. When the omega leaks, he stuffs the cum back inside, holding his fingers in place or just leaving his cock as a plug even though the knot has deflated.

Towards day three, he can feel that the heat is subsiding. He coaxes Zhou Zi Shu into the shower for the first time—the man having hissed at him for even suggesting to clean up any of their mixed fluids—with the full intent of letting the man soak in the enormous bathtub. Instead, he finds himself joining, holding the omega close as he gently cleans every part of him.

The skin is soft and littered with marks. He runs his fingers over the bites and bruises, a strange feeling in his chest and a low growl at the back of his throat. He wonders if he has overdone it, but he had asked and been given consent, Zhou Zi Shu had even seemed to like it, wanted it, asked for it. Especially the bites.

He runs his fingers over the bites around the scent gland, feeling the omega shiver in response, sighing softly, half asleep and pliant. Whatever he had thought this experience would be like, it wasn’t this. The sex is absolutely fantastic, easily the best he’s ever had, and not just because the man is the most beautiful omega he has ever seen. Even though he knew that the man smells incredible, the way he reacts to it is beyond what he had hoped for during this. It’s clear that it’s not just Zhou Zi Shu reacting to him, but he is responding in the same way. The man moves like water and pulls at him like the tide, and he finds that he is unable to resist, wanting to be pulled under and surrounded by all that is Zhou Zi Shu.

Addictive.

>ᴗ<

There is a feeling of tranquility as he wakes up. The house is silent, he’s warm and relaxed, the sheets are soft and cool, having been changed to new ones right before he had coaxed Zhou Zi Shu to sleep. Their mixed scents linger in the bedroom, but the majority has been aired out thanks to the AC.

He should get up and brew some tea for when Zhou Zi Shu wakes up, but he just can’t motivate himself to move. There is also the fact that something is making it hard for him to move. His arms are wrapped around Zhou Zi Shu, who is sound asleep on top of him like a human blanket, his face nestled against his neck. The man must be dreaming something because he’s mumbling nonsense, too low to be heard or understood, and kisses and nibbles on his gland from time to time.

The happy little sounds Zhou Zi Shu is making, tingles down his pine and his fingers twitch from the shiver. Zhou Zi Shu wiggles inside his arms and sighs before going still once more. How on earth is he supposed to free himself without waking the man up? Why does he care if he wakes the man up? Zhou Zi Shu will go back to sleep after he’s gone. The omega is going to sleep for most of the day as he recharges after his heat.

There is a brief moment when images flash before his eyes, of Zhou Zi Shu moving around him, of satisfied moans, of heated kisses and soft touches. His heart thumps in his chest and he shifts, more worried that Zhou Zi Shu will hear it thud against his ribcage than of accidentally waking the omega up.

Zhou Zi Shu stirs again and this time he takes the opportunity to slowly roll them to the side, shifting Zhou Zi Shu’s head onto the pillows and sliding his arm out from underneath.

Finally freed, he leaves the bed and walks straight for his own room, picking up the robe on his way. Tossing it in the hamper, he heads directly for the shower, not really sure why, because he showered just a few hours ago and he doesn’t need it.

Neither hot water nor cold water can wash away the itchy feeling crawling under his skin or calm his rabbiting heart, so he gives up and heads to the kitchen for some breakfast. There is nothing in the world that some oven-baked, spicy meat buns can’t solve. He knows that Zhang Cheng Ling dropped off another batch just the day before, but they can’t compare to freshly made ones in the morning. Besides, he wants them baked and not steamed. It’s the best hangover cure, and this sort of feels like the same thing.

He’s elbow deep in dough and filling when a humming Zhou Zi Shu walks into the kitchen, “Whatever you’re making, I want it.”

He laughs before he can stop himself, and wonders why he would ever want to stop himself. Not turning around, he responds, “How spicy do you want them?”

“As spicy as you can make them,” Zhou Zi Shu says and heads straight for the fridge. He collects a bottle of vitamin packed water and drops down onto one of the chairs.

He can feel the man watch him without having to turn around. There is silence in the kitchen, bar whatever sound he makes as he stuffs the buns one by one before popping them into the oven, setting the alarm on his mobile for fifteen minutes.

The silence continues as he cleans up. It’s strange. Should he say something? What should he say? Should they talk about the heat? Evaluate for next time? Wait? What if there isn’t a next time? How long does it take until Zhou Zi Shu knows if he’s pregnant?

And that thought hits him in the chest like a sledgehammer.

He has thought about it. Though before this, before he actually slept with Zhou Xu, the thought of being a donor was abstract. Making a baby that he would not be a part of—that is, the alpha isn’t a part of the baby’s life unless the omega specifically allows it, or if the omega and alpha actually fall in love, or even mate. The child gets to choose themselves once they turn eighteen.

Suddenly, his pulse is beating in his throat, making it hard to breathe. What on earth is going on? Is he hypoglycemic? Maybe he should have had a snack before baking?

“Hey, breathe,” Zhou Zi Shu says, suddenly standing right next to him, patting him on the back. “Are you okay? Maybe you should sit down? You should rest as well, you know. Surely we have food in the fridge so that you don’t have to cook?”

“Sure, yeah,” he responds and allows Zhou Zi Shu to lead him to the table. “I had a craving for buns,” he says, probably pathetically.

A cup of tea appears in front of him and he drinks it automatically. Maybe he should just rest until the buns are done. Whilst he had eaten in the past days, and been able to eat more than he’d been able to coax into the omega, he still hadn’t eaten anywhere near enough. Horny people are not always wise. Zhou Zi Shu during heat was addictive. The more he had been given, the more he had wanted to take. Like he couldn’t get enough.

Zhou Zi Shu refills his cup as soon as it’s empty and is in the process of brewing some more tea when his phone rings. “Hey, Chang Ling.” There is a soft mumbling on the other end and Zhou Zi Shu smiles before responding, “Yeah, last night… Let the team know that I’ll need another day and then I can start with the table reading. I’ll probably need another before I can do any stunts.”

Is he being serious? Is he going back to work tomorrow already? Or did he mean the day after tomorrow?

“Sure thing, hang on,” Zhou Zi Shu continues and opens the fridge. “Pretty much more of everything, except the buns. Ke Xing is making some and I’ll just order takeout later and tomorrow. I don’t think either of us will be going out.”

He feels something flutter inside him at Zhou Zi Shu saying his name like that, like they are close, like he’s already used to it. He also relaxes after hearing that Zhou Zi Shu is resting both today and tomorrow.

Zhou Zi Shu closes the door and opens the pantry, “We could use some more honey.” He watches the man close the pantry, hang up the phone and sit down across from him. “How are you feeling?”

How is he feeling? He scans through his body and swiftly ignores whatever feeling is twisting inside his stomach. “I’m good, probably just hungry. Haven’t eaten a lot in the past few days.”

Zhou Zi Shu looks concerned, a subtle crease between his eyes. He studies Wen Ke Xing’s face until he spots something that makes his eyes widen and a subtle blush spreads up that delicate neck.

“What?” he asks, slightly uneasy at being scrutinized.

“Um, we never really talked about marks on you,” Zhou Zi Shu says, eyes flickering down towards his neck.

His hands move automatically towards his throat. He had spotted them during his shower. The bite marks from all of Zhou Zi Shu’s insistent nibbling are blooming across both of his scent glands. He’s never really had anyone react that way to him before and it’s flattering. The fact that his slightly unusual alcohol scent can turn someone on to the extent that they even nibble on him in their sleep.

“It’s the price I pay for being irresistible,” he says and smirks, feeling a bit more back to himself all of a sudden.

Zhou Zi Shu scoffs, the blush deepening beautifully, “Well, let me know if you want me to help you cover it up before we go to the studio. Or if you want to stay at home until they are gone.”

“Let’s see what they look like when it’s time. I don’t really care, but if we both show up with marks right after your heat, it will be hard to deny any rumors,” he says and is surprised at the twinge of disappointment.

“Good point,” Zhou Zi Shu responds and nods. They stare at each other for a moment, both smiling and looking at the marks on the other person. It’s a strange feeling again, but it somehow feels okay.

The alarm on his mobile goes off and he walks to the oven. The buns are golden and smell incredible. He’s barely closed the door before Zhou Zi Shu is hovering next to him, sniffing appreciatively, a wide smile on those plush lips. Wen Ke Xing can’t help but remember how it feels to kiss them, silky smooth, wet and hot against his. He has to physically hold himself back from leaning to the side to kiss the omega and he almost drops the pan.

“Hey, let me sort this out. Go and sit down again,” Zhou Zi Shu scolds from behind him, snaking his arms on each side of his waist to slowly guide the pan down on the stove. Just having those arms wrapped around him, that smell in close proximity sends his blood rushing in his ears.

He nods and steps away. He would rather pretend to be physically exhausted from the past few days, than have the omega know that he’s a mess internally. He will not give the man the satisfaction of knowing just how affected he is. He’s not the one that is supposed to be like this. He was supposed to play it cool. Let the omega take what he wanted, what he needed, what he had been chosen to deliver. And then come begging for more.

The omega is the one that picked him. The omega is the one that took one sniff at him and said that he was the match. The omega is the one that is supposed to be forced to eat his own words about young alphas not performing. The omega is the one that is supposed to be affected after his master performance.

“Wu de tian a,” he hears and looks up and his mind goes blank.

Zhou Zi Shu is nibbling at the corner of a steaming hot bun. The meat juices are dripping down on the plate he’s holding but the smile is radiant. Wen Ke Xing feels something dislodge inside his chest and start rattling.

Addictive.

>ᴗ<

Chapter Text

“Do you want to join me? It might do you some good to relax in the spa for a bit?” Zhou Zi Shu asks and watches a shadow flash across Wen Ke Xing’s face before the man smiles and shakes his head.

“I think I’ll have a nap. If you’re still there when I wake up, I’ll join,” Wen Ke Xing responds and doesn’t wait for him to say anything before he turns and walks up the stairs.

Zhou Zi Shu watches him until he disappears around the corner. Not wanting to get caught standing there, should the man choose to walk back downstairs for whatever reason, he hurries towards the pool.

He throws the robe on one of the lounge chairs and slips into the hot water, turning on the jets. He wiggles into the perfect position and relaxes back against the headrest, sighing as he closes his eyes.

Something is weird. Or maybe not weird, per say, but Wen Ke Xing seems to be a bit off. The heat had been intense and the man had performed way beyond expectation. He had performed so well that there were even large chunks of time where everything was a hazy, horny blur of very satisfactory orgasm after orgasm. He was used to remembering the majority of his heats, so this was new.

He had felt seen, heard, stuffed full and cared for. It was… surprising. He had always suspected that Wen Ke Xing would be an expert in bed—and outside of the bed. A particularly hot session against the bookshelf on the way between the shower and the bed flashes in his mind and his cock twitches at the memory. He had not expected that the heat would be that intense. Not just physically but also emotionally.

He guesses that the matching algorithm at OPP really does work, and concludes that what he is going through must be the result of Wen Ke Xing’s specifically matched alpha pheromones. It’s just that, well, Wen Ke Xing seems exhausted. Had he been too full on? Weren’t younger alphas supposed to be viral with great stamina?

From memory, the younger alphas he’s slept with had performed better than older ones when it came to endurance, though maybe lacking a bit in technique. Wen Ke Xing though, he knew it all. The man was fully in tune with his every want and need, reacting to every sound and movement as if he was inside his head, listening in.

However, he seems to be bouncing back a bit slow, appearing perfectly fine one minute only to tune out the next minute, almost dropping the pan with their breakfast. The thought that he might have actually worn out the hot-headed alpha makes him smile. It’s a smug feeling knowing that he had wrung out every single drop from the man.

But there is the other side as well. Maybe it hadn’t been good for Wen Ke Xing? Maybe he is acting a bit weird because it’s awkward now? Maybe he even wants to leave? Maybe Zhou Zi Shu had actually acted like one of those needy older omegas that Wen Ke Xing had talked about weeks ago, and now the man wanted to run for the hills—even though Zhou Zi Shu knows that he technically can’t.

If that’s the case, he would probably release the man from his civic duty and find another one. There was that other man with the earthy, woodsy scent with a hint of ginger amongst the donors. Maybe he hasn’t been snatched up by someone else yet?

His phone pings from over by the robe. In his hurry to get into the spa and away from the feeling watching Wen Ke Xing walk away, he’d forgotten to bring it with him. He turns his head, opening his eyes and wonders if he should retrieve his phone to read the message, but decides against it. The jets are working their magic on his lower back and the water feels comforting around him.

He takes a deep breath and relaxes back, closing his eyes, and whilst he doesn’t fall fully asleep, he lets his mind and spiraling thoughts rest for a while.

(ᴗ˳ᴗ)

He’s slightly nervous as he walks into the studio. It’s his first table reading and it’s the first time meeting his co-lead. He wants to make a good impression, and he hopes that they will have a good working relationship. Up until now they have done their martial arts training separately. Starting now, they will both read and train together.

He’s only seen Xie Wang on TV before. The actor had his breakthrough playing the male lead in the live action adaptation of his favorite book Hanging Ghost. The man had embodied the essence of the serial killer. And he looked really good doing it. Zhou Zi Shu would be lying if he didn’t admit to wanting to see what the man would look like in the black-ops uniform.

“Zhou laoshi,” the producer, Ye Bai Yi, greets. “Come sit over here.” Ye Bai Yi gestures towards the empty seat next to where Xie Wang is sitting.

He smiles and walks around the table, nodding in greeting towards all the staff watching him. This, he’s used to. People are always watching him. They have been watching him for fifteen years, and when he’s on stage, tens of thousands of people are staring at him.

Still, the nerves flutter at the base of his spine as he takes the seat, turning towards his co-lead. “Xie laoshi, it’s great to finally meet you.”

Xie Wang smiles and tilts his head, not saying anything for a slightly too long moment . “Sorry, I’m a bit nervous. I’ve been a big fan for many years and I couldn’t quite believe it when I heard that you had joined this production. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you for a few months now, Zhou laoshi.”

“Oh, thank you. I’m glad you like my music,” he says automatically. He just assumes that it’s the music people talk about when they say they are a fan. He’s very good at ignoring the dream boys—and girls—who are stanning him for his looks.

“I know all of your songs by heart,” Xie Wang says and his smile widens.

“And I have seen all of your movies,” he retorts, which earns him a laugh.

It’s a nice laugh. He wonders if it’s real or fake. It’s not that he would mind if it’s performative. It’s hard to stay authentic when you’re constantly in the spotlight, so he gets it. He is usually able to see straight through people, but this time around he can’t tell. His gut feeling seems to be glitching. He’s always a bit wonky the first week after a heat so he will just have to wait and see. At least the man seems pleasant.

A few more of the cast join around the table and Ye Bai Yi starts the morning off with a short speech, before they dive straight into the script. They work their way through some of their first interactions, through to some of the more emotional ones. It’s a little bit awkward at first, mostly because Xie Wang is reading off the script whilst he has already memorized all of their first scenes. But they do a few unplanned scenes, and with Ye Bai Yi’s guidance he can feel some connection, a bit of chemistry, an easier flow as they slowly immerse themselves into their characters.

It's a long day but he’s grateful that all he has to do is sit on a chair and talk. His body is still a bit tired but his muscles aren’t as sore anymore, ready for another round of stunt training tomorrow.

“This went well, I’m looking forward to working with you,” Xie Wang says as he stands up, his assistant collecting all of his belongings.

“Yeah, same. Today was good,” he responds and packs his own things. Zhang Cheng Ling snatches the bag from him before he can put it over his shoulder. “I’ll see you in the studio for practice tomorrow.”

He nods towards Xie Wang, and towards the rest of the crew, before they head out. His phone rings as soon as he’s in the car and he wrangles it out of his pocket.

“How did you know?” he answers.

“Zi Shu, I can smell you all the way across town,” Jing Bei Yuan responds and snickers. “Or rather, I can’t smell you anymore.”

“Asshole,” Zhou Zi Shu says, which earns him a look from Zhang Cheng Ling.

“Zi Shu, we are coming over for dinner tonight,” Jing Bei Yuan continues. “Don’t worry about anything, we will bring food. I’m assuming you can’t drink alcohol?”

“No…” he responds and feels the craving for some good whiskey for the first time since he started drinking that stupid tea.

“I’ll see what I can find without alcohol,” Jing Bei Yuan says. “Does your match like spicy food as well?”

Right, they will be meeting Wen Ke Xing if they come over. “He made some baozi that were quite spicy, so I think so. Maybe not my level though.”

“No one is on your level,” Jing Bei Yuan throws back, continuing, “The rest of us like to actually taste the food and not just burn a hole in our stomach. Wait—he made you meat buns? How often has he cooked for you now? He’s really spoiling you.”

“He’s not doing it for me. He likes cooking,” Zhou Zi Shu responds and catches the giggle from Zhang Cheng Ling.

“Sure, whatever you need to tell yourself. You really did meet your perfect match,” Jing Bei Yuan says. “Are you on your way back?”

He ignores the first part and responds to the question instead, “Yeah, I’ll be home in about thirty minutes.”

“Great, we’ll see you in an hour,” Jing Bei Yuan says and hangs up.

He locks the screen on his phone and turns to stare out the window. The sky is turning a golden pink. Perfect match. The words tingle at the tip of his tongue and he swallows them down, only to have them flutter around in his stomach instead. Are they? He’s been so focused on all the things he is supposed to do in OPP that he hasn’t paid much attention to anything else.

Is Wen Ke Xing a good fit for him? There is no denying that the man is a perfect fit physically. And there must be a brilliant mind behind that handsome face and irritating personality, or he wouldn’t be able to write such amazing books.

Zhou Zi Shu has bought them all. Well, through his connections, he actually gets a signed copy delivered to him even before it officially goes on sale. But Wen Ke Xing doesn’t need to know that. They are right there for the world to see in his library. He’s sure that Wen Ke Xing has spotted them with how much time he’s spent in there writing. He's not embarrassed. He loves those books and he has told the man that they are amongst his favorite ones. He had just never thought that his favorite author would be this young or have this kind of personality. However, he is more pleasant than their first meeting indicated.

And the man does know how to cook. He has always said that he would only settle down with someone that could feed him.

He unlocks his phone and swipes into WeChat until he finds the chatlog with Wen Ke Xing. He holds on the microphone icon and speaks, “Two of my closest friends are coming over for dinner tonight and they will bring food with them. They will be there in an hour. You don’t have to join unless you want to, but if you’re up for it, they want to meet you.”

He realizes that he wants them to meet Wen Ke Xing just as much as he wants Wen Ke Xing to meet them. And this is even though he knows that he is in for one hell of an evening. There is no telling what will happen when Jing Bei Yuan is present, but he has a feeling that Wen Ke Xing might be up to the challenge.

He watches the voice message get delivered and read, and he waits. He can see Zhang Cheng Ling smiling next to him but ignores his perceptive assistant and instead turns to look out the window again. The sunset is very beautiful today.

The phone vibrates in his hand and he turns to look at the response on the screen.

(˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)

He unlocks the gate through the app on his phone and pulls on a sweater. Foregoing the usual spa session after work, he’d taken a shower and quickly dried his hair so that he would be ready in time. He hurries down the stairs and catches Wen Ke Xing walking out of the library just as the doorbell chimes.

“They are here,” he says, a little out of breath. Why is he nervous again? And this feels even worse than this morning. Maybe he should have rested one more day after his heat before going back to work.

“The doorbell kind of tipped me off,” Wen Ke Xing responds and smirks. This guy really is as cheeky as they come, and it seems like he’s back to his normal self as well. Zhou Zi Shu rolls his eyes and walks to open the door.

“Zi Shu!” Jing Bei Yuan exclaims and launches himself into an octopus-hug—a flurry of arms and takeout bags—as if he hasn’t seen his friend in years, rather than just a few weeks.

“Bei Yuan,” he says and leans into the hug, because his best friend sure does give good hugs.

“Zi Shu,” Wu Xi greets from somewhere just outside the door and Jing Bei Yuan detangles himself to drag his husband into the hallway.

“Da Wu,” he says and smiles towards Wu Xi. The omega is even more pregnant than the last time he saw them. Whilst he’s still quite slender, his stomach seems to have grown exponentially.

“And who do we have here,” Jing Bei Yuan says with a voice that tells Zhou Zi Shu his best friend is up to no good. “You must be the lucky match I have heard so much about.”

“Whatever he’s said, I’m sure it’s all true,” Wen Ke Xing responds and reaches out to take the bags from Jing Bei Yuan’s hands.

“Wen Ke Xing, this is Jing Bei Yuan, my closest friend. We go way back,” he says and motions to Jing Bei Yuan before reaching out to take the bags from Wu Xi’s hands. “And this is Wu Xi, Bei Yuan’s husband.”

Wu Xi smiles in greeting and looks down at his feet. Within moments, Jing Bei Yuan is in front of him, holding him steady as he toes out of his shoes and slides into a pair of slippers. For all the shenanigans his friend pulls, he is an extremely devoted and doting husband.

“Bei Yuan, Da Wu, this is Wen Ke Xing…” My donor? My match? What should he call Wen Ke Xing without sounding like an idiot, or too clinical about the situation?

“… The alpha who made your brain go brrr,” Jing Bei Yuan supplies and laughs.

He can’t help but look towards Wen Ke Xing and that smirk is definitely smugger now than moments ago.

“No need to be embarrassed. That’s how I met the love of my life,” Jing Bei Yuan continues and wraps an arm around Wu Xi’s waist. “Speaking of, how was the first heat?”

“Shut up,” his brain supplies unhelpfully and he flees towards the kitchen. The problem is that the kitchen isn’t going to save him, since everyone is heading that way.

“That good, huh,” Jing Bei Yuan snickers behind him.

Wu Xi smacks him on the arm, admonishing, “Let’s not scare Wen Ke Xing away in the first minute please. I’ve been looking forward to meeting him.”

Wen Ke Xing, however, doesn’t sound scared in the slightest. Quite the opposite in fact. “I didn’t hear any complaints,” the alpha says right as Zhou Zi Shu rounds the corner into the safety of the kitchen.

He gets a moment to breathe and shoves his head into the fridge to cool down. “What do you want to drink?” he asks and feels his heart rate slow down and the heat subside on his cheeks.  

“He’s hot,” Jing Bei Yuan whispers just above his head, a bit too loudly for Wen Ke Xing to not have heard it. “I can see why you picked him.”

“I didn’t even know what he looked like,” he says, a bit too defensive, refusing to pull his head out from behind the fridge door.

“You didn’t know what his face looked like,” Wu Xi corrects somewhere in the distance, and he hears Wen Ke Xing laugh. From one omega to another, they both know just how much they see and it’s hard to pretend that he didn’t have a full visual of Wen Ke Xing’s very attractive and tall body.

“I’ll have literally anything except for that wile OPP tea. Been there, done that, not doing that again,” Jing Bei Yuan says and walks behind him to collect glasses.

Zhou Zi Shu takes a deep breath. Why did he want the three of them to meet again?

(〃▽〃)

“Are you comfortable talking about yourself?” Jing Bei Yuan asks Wen Ke Xing, displaying an unexpected level of maturity. “I might be nosy, but I respect the rules of OPP. And I know what it’s like to just move away and into someone else’s place where you have never been and where you don’t know anyone.”

“Feel free to ask away and I’ll answer what I can,” Wen Ke Xing answers and Zhou Zi Shu realizes that he doesn’t know that much about him.

Has he been rude? He’s hurled Wen Ke Xing into every part of his life, even dragging the poor man to work a few times a week, and will be doing that for the rest of their match. But other than that, they haven’t talked much about his past and who he is. Other than knowing the man is an author and has a little sister, he doesn’t know much else about the man who has a laugh that tingles under his skin.

“Where did you grow up?” Wu Xi asks and reaches for some of the braised chicken. Jing Bei Yuan is quicker and starts piling up food in his husband’s bowl.

“Chengdu,” Wen Ke Xing responds.

“No wonder you can cook,” Jing Bei Yuan says and smirks towards him. “Everyone knows that in Sichuan, it’s the men that cook.”

“I’m a man,” Zhou Zi Shu says, a bit offended.

“Yes, but you are not from Sichuan, nor should you be let anywhere near a stove,” Jing Bei Yuan continues, before going back to ignoring him. “I’m surprised that you’re still single. Zi Shu won’t shut up about how much he loves your food.”

That is a bit of an exaggeration, isn’t it? He hasn’t talked that much about how he liked coming home from a long day of training to home cooked food. Or getting a spicy breakfast whenever he wanted. It’s only been a few weeks. Surely he’s only mentioned it a few times. Five tops.

“It’s been easier to stay single,” Wen Ke Xing says and shrugs. “I’ve got a little sister and we both moved here when I finished university. I’ve focused on raising her and on my career.”

“Oh, you’ve got a sister? And you’re raising her by yourself?” Wu Xi says and subconsciously rubs his round bump, a worried crinkle between his eyebrows.

“I can understand why you chose OPP instead of the military,” Jing Bei Yuan continues and fills up their glasses with apple juice.

“Yes,” Wen Ke Xing responds and chews on his chicken for a moment. “She moved to the dorms at university when I moved here. She’s studying computer science.”

It’s clear that there is a lot more to the story of these two siblings, but true to their word, his friends don’t pry. If Wen Ke Xing doesn’t want to share, he doesn’t have to. It’s not like they are sharing their deepest darkest secrets either.

“Zi Shu has been really cagey about what you do for a living,” Jing Bei Yuan says and glances accusingly towards him. “Are you a spy?”

“I wish,” Wen Ke Xing says and chuckles. “That might have helped me with my work. I’m an author.”

“Anything we’ve read?” Wu Xi asks, the worry is gone and his eyes are wide with excitement.

Wen Ke Xing takes a sip of his apple juice and seems content that it’s not tea. He looks up at Wu Xi and responds, “I write under a pseudonym, but the most popular book series is called Ghost Valley.”

Jing Bei Yuan’s eyes instantly snap to him. He’s never going to hear the end of this is he? Probably not. Zhou Zi Shu sends a silent prayer to anyone that might be listening, that the man doesn’t out him for his obsession with this book series.

When they had made Hanging Ghost into a movie a few years ago, Zhou Zi Shu had repeatedly dragged his friends to watch it, almost getting caught by fans more than once. It was a standing joke in their little friend group that it was ghost-mode whenever they went to the movies these days. Black hoodie, black face masks and black cap. They had also teased him over the fact that he had said yes to starring in a movie opposite the male lead from that movie. He keeps reminding them that he signed on before Xie Wang did.

“You’re Zhen Yan?” Wu Xi giggles next to him, and he guesses that no one heard his prayer.

“Of course you are,” Jing Bei Yuan says. “Of course our Zi Shu could sniff you out.”

“Behave,” Zhou Zi Shu says.

“For what do I live, but to make sport for my friends, and laugh at them in turn?” Jing Bei Yuan says, looking between Wen Ke Xing and Zhou Zi Shu with a smirk on his face. He contemplates throwing the piece of chicken he’s holding, across the table. However, Wen Ke Xing already knows that he’s a huge fan. His friends will not totally out him. They are not that mean.

“Guess how many times he's seen the movie?” Jing Bei Yuan says, and Zhou Zi Shu realizes that he’s wrong.

“The movie?” Wen Ke Xing asks and raises an eyebrow. “You mean Hanging Ghost?”

“Yes,” Jing Bei Yuan confirms and jolts, probably from Wu Xi kicking him under the table.

“Twice…?” Wen Ke Xing guesses and glances towards Zhou Zi Shu.

“Eleven,” Jing Bei Yuan confirms with a shit-eating grin, and Zhou Zi Shu throws the chicken.

(•`~'•)∿︵ ᕥ

Chapter Text

Wen Ke Xing stacks the last of the bowls in the dishwasher and turns to find Zhou Zi Shu watching him from the doorway. After the dinner they have just had, he decides to wait the man out. It had been excellent food, and the company had been hilarious. He very much likes Zhou Zi Shu’s friends but they had certainly not left their friend with a lot of dignity.

He did know that Zhou Zi Shu likes his books. The man had told him so during their first dinner. And he had seen the books neatly stacked on the shelf in the library. He had even noticed that they were a bit scuffed, indicating that Zhou Zi Shu had likely read them multiple times. Either that, or he had dragged them along on his various tours over the years. Either way, it was clear that Zhou Zi Shu liked his books.

He just hadn’t realized how much. But watching Zhou Zi Shu throw a chicken drumstick across the table—hitting Jing Bei Yuan square in the face—had been priceless. It had also told him that maybe Zhou Zi Shu liked Zhen Yan a bit more than he initially thought. He is clearly a fan. The thought that Zhou Xu, this god amongst men, is his fan, sends a shiver up his spine and he can feel that same rattling in his chest again.

“Well, that was my friends,” Zhou Zi Shu finally says. His expression is relaxed but his eyes are slightly wild and the sweet scent is slowly filling the kitchen. It makes his skin hot and his throat dry.

“They’re funny. I like them,” he responds and turns on the dishwasher before picking up his cup of daily tea, still leaning against the kitchen bench.

“Mn,” Zhou Zi Shu says, lips pressed together.

“Do you have an early start tomorrow?” he asks, taking a sip.

“Normal 8am start. It’s back to martial arts for the rest of the week,” Zhou Zi Shu responds and glances towards his cup.

He turns to grab a second one and pours the omega his daily tea. “Here,” he says and holds it out towards Zhou Zi Shu.

The omega walks across the kitchen and grabs the cup, “Thanks.”

The scent is more potent this close and it’s hard to not think about the last few days. They had slept separately for the past two nights and it had been a bit like going cold turkey. He’d been restless the entire night, plotting how he could perhaps borrow a piece of used clothing from Zhou Zi Shu for the next night. Having some of the scent close would probably help calm his alpha down a bit.

He hadn’t, of course. Stealing, even if it’s more like borrowing, isn’t really his thing. He should be able to just ask the omega for some clothes, or to scent him. It’s why they are living together. It’s normal. But he just can’t bring himself do it.

“Are you coming with me to the studio tomorrow?” Zhou Zi Shu asks. Still calm but there is a slight quiver in his voice.

“Yeah, I can do that,” he responds. “I was supposed to see A’Xiang tomorrow, but she canceled on me. She’s got some deadlines before end of semester, so I’ll see her later this week instead.”

“A’Xiang is your sister?” Zhou Zi Shu asks, taking a sip, and for the first time since they met, he smiles at the tea.

Finally, he’s found the sweet spot for honey to tea ratio. “Yeah,” he responds. “She banned me from going to see her at university when my photos leaked, but it seems like the assistant cover is working so I was unbanned today.”

“She sounds delightful. You should invite her over,” Zhou Zi Shu says.

“She’s a menace,” he responds and finishes off his tea. “And I love her more than anything.” Not sure why he blurted that out, he sips on his tea. “So…” he starts, not sure what to say. He wants to tease, but there is also something dangerous lurking under the teasing now.

“So…?” Zhou Zi Shu says and finishes his tea in one go and puts the cup back on the bench. So much for trying to make the man enjoy the tea.

Zhou Zi Shu is standing close now. All he would have to do is lean closer and breathe in that wonderful scent. He could wrap his arm around that lithe waist and pull him close. Maybe lift him up and sit him on the bench so that he could let his hands wander all over that fantastic body whilst nibbling down that neck.

“How about a movie?” Zhou Zi Shu asks, interrupting his spiraling conceptual thoughts.

“Huh?” his brain unhelpfully supplies.

Zhou Zi Shu steps closer, now looking slightly up at him. There is a glint in his eyes and a subtle smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “Since I don’t have to get up before dawn tomorrow, I thought I might watch a movie. It’s been a while.”

“I hear Hanging Ghost is on iQIYI,”[i] Wen Ke Xing counters and watches Zhou Zi Shu’s eyes widen before the man scoffs.

“Why not,” Zhou Zi Shu says and continues, “I haven’t watched it with the author sitting next to me.”

“I didn’t write the script,” he says and puts his cup down. Turning towards the fridge, he grabs the only remaining bottle of citrus flavored water. The tea to honey ratio that Zhou Zi Shu likes is a little bit too sweet for him.

“Were you part of the production?” Zhou Zi Shu asks, reaching in through the gap between his waist and the door to grab a watermelon flavored bottle of water. His arm brushes past his hip and it sends an electric jolt through him that leaves his blood humming.

“I worked with the director and the scriptwriter at the start,” he responds.

It had been his first time on a movie set and part of a production like that. He always creates in solitude whilst that kind of art requires hundreds of people. He secretly loved it and was excited when the license to a few more of his books were bought by the same production company—Five Lakes Alliance—as well.

“So you’ve been on a movie set before this,” Zhou Zi Shu states more than asks and nods to himself.

He watches the man walk over to the pantry and grab a bag of snacks, the salty, spicy kind. He supposes that Zhou Zi Shu is still recovering from the heat.

“Actually…” he starts and mentally scans through the NDA he’d signed a few months back.

“Mn?” Zhou Zi Shu hums and grabs another bag before closing the door, turning around.

Wen Ke Xing finds himself catching his breath. He gets to see the superstar this way. Zhou Xu with baggy clothes, no makeup yet flawless skin, messy half-bun, carrying large snack bags, and excited to have a chill movie night. It feels surreal. He thinks back to the videos, documentaries, advertisements, and live streams that he’s seen with the man in front of him. Styled to the teeth in exquisite clothes and perfect makeup. Not that they aren’t the same man, because they are. It’s just that one is fully aware and cautious of his surroundings, and this one, this one is somehow just his for the moment. No filters. No worries, other than what snacks to eat and what movie to watch.

“Actually, The Reapers are about to start production,” he concludes.

“The second book? White Grim Reaper?” Zhou Zi Shu asks, eyes wide and sparkling with hidden excitement.

“And Black Grim Reaper. They are working through the two scripts and will start casting soon,” he says. As of last week, he is allowed to say that much.

“Are they filming in Nanjing? Just like the books?” Zhou Zi Shu asks and gestures for them to start walking towards the home cinema room.

“Yeah, as far as I know,” he responds and follows close behind.

(￣▽￣)

Despite his best efforts—and talking his way through the start of the movie—Zhou Zi Shu dozes off about halfway through and Wen Ke Xing finds himself with a lap full of sleeping omega. At least the head part of him. The man had just slumped against his shoulder, and then snuggled down into his lap. He’d been out within seconds.

The movie is over, and has been over for a while, but he finds that he doesn’t want to move. He doesn’t want to wake Zhou Zi Shu up. He looks so peaceful sleeping, more relaxed than before and more relaxed when compared to when he slept during and after the heat. That had still been dosed with hormones with stirring and whining. This is just serene.

Part of his hair has fallen out of the bun, framing his face. Wen Ke Xing reaches out to gently brush a strand away from his eyes. The skin is just as soft and smooth as he remembered. He wants to brush his fingers down the cheek and over those lips, but he removes his hand and fists is next to him on the couch.

What is he doing? What on earth is going on? Is he still high from all the pheromones? Is he really that sleep deprived?

He leans back into the sofa and rests his head, closing his eyes to sooth the rattling.

(ꍞ ◡ ‿ ◡)(◡ ‿ ◡ ꍞ)

It’s dark outside when he opens his eyes. The projector screen has automatically turned off after not having been used for long and the house is silent. Zhou Zi Shu is still sleeping peacefully in his lap, now turned towards him. However, sleeping like that or on the couch isn’t healthy and he has stunt training in the morning.

Wen Ke Xing holds Zhou Zi Shu’s head up with his right hand and slides out from under him. The man stirs a bit and mumbles something incoherent but doesn’t wake up. He reaches down and slides his arms under Zhou Zi Shu’s back and knees, lifting him up and walks out the room. The last time he carried Zhou Zi Shu bridal style up to his bedroom was at the start of the heat. The man had smelled incredible—still smells incredible—and had been just as soft and pliant in his arms.

When he puts Zhou Zi Shu down onto the bed, the man wakes up and stares at him for a moment before he smiles and says, “Thank you.” Zhou Zi Shu is still half asleep, eyelids heavy and his voice a bit raspy.

“Get some good sleep for tomorrow,” he says and tries to pull away. Zhou Zi Shu tightens his arms around Wen Ke Xing's neck, not letting go or allowing him to let go. Instead pulling him closer.

“How about you sleep here,” the omega asks, blinking slowly and smiling softly. It’s a dangerous look. Before Wen Ke Xing can respond, Zhou Zi Shu continues, “Just sleep. Nothing else. I just like having you around me.”

Did he hear him right? Surely the man meant having his scent around him?

“I’ll stay,” he says, and Zhou Zi Shu lets go.

He watches the omega wiggle out of his sweater and pants, leaving his oversized t-shirt on, and then snuggle down under the covers whilst making room next to him. He swallows, his throat dry, and removes his shirt and jeans, leaving them on the floor next to the bed. He’s barely crawled into bed before Zhou Zi Shu snuggles up next to him, pressing his face against his scent gland and draws in a deep breath.

So he had meant his scent after all. There is a small pang in his chest and the rattling feels a bit broken.

(O˳o)

The strange feeling is gone by the time he wakes up and he feels like he’s finally recovered from the heat. Zhou Zi Shu is next to him, typing on his phone and he reaches for his own. It’s still early and about two hours until Zhang Cheng Ling will pick them up. There is plenty of time to cook come congee.

“Sweet or savory?” he asks, turning towards the man next to him.

Zhou Zi Shu glances back, pursing his lips, and responds, “Sweet, please.”

“Sure thing,” he says and slides out from under the covers. Is it strange that they have a morning routine? Is it strange that he for the most part cooks breakfast these days?

He takes a proper shower and dresses nicely before heading towards the kitchen. He’s in a deep red turtleneck with a thin, black blazer over the top. It’s nicer than what he usually wears to hang around the studio, but he needs to cover up the lingering marks.

When the congee starts smelling just right, a humming Zhou Zi Shu wanders into the kitchen, dressed in his regular outfit of tight sweats and oversize hoodie.

“Just what I need before a long day of spinning in the air,” Zhou Zi Shu says and walks up next to him, sniffing in the air like a cat.

“You really should eat more,” he says. The man doesn’t eat nearly enough but he’s on some strict diet for the movie.

“Give me two months into production and then I can start eating again,” Zhou Zi Shu responds and accepts the bowl with a dramatic bow before zooming towards the table.

“Water or tea?” he asks, but ignores the response and grabs both, putting them on the table between them.

“Anything I should be aware of today?” he asks, just like he always does when he’s tagging along. Mostly for appearance so that he doesn’t make a fool of himself. Plus it seems to be working since the rumors have died down.

“Today is the day I start training with my co-lead,” Zhou Zi Shu says and shovels so much congee into his mouth he looks like a squirrel. Cute.

“Who’s your co-lead? I don’t think I know,” he asks, trying not to stare at Zhou Zi Shu’s glistening lips.

“You know him,” Zhou Zi Shu responds in between chewing.

“Oh?” he says and looks up at the man across from him.

“Xie Wang,” Zhou Zi Shu says, and shovels more conge in before he’s even swallowed the rest.

He wouldn’t say that he knows the actor, but he’s met him several times during the production of Hanging Ghost. He’s a decent actor and did bring out the psycho in his serial killer just the way that he had envisioned it in his book. The man was a bit of a dick though, from memory. Or at least he was back then. As far as he knew, the production had paid to suppress some rumors. He might have changed his attitude since he’s famous now. Having a bad attitude would get him canceled in the long run.

“He’s a good actor,” he says instead. “I can see the two of you working well together.” Even though he might not have liked the man, he is a good actor and since Zhou Zi Shu seems to be perfect at everything, he’s sure that they will be a good team for the movie.

And then it hits him, “Is this going to be a problem?”

“What do you mean,” Zhou Zi Shu asks in between bites.

“Xie Wang knows who I am,” he clarifies. “He’s still under NDA, but it will be hard to make him believe that I’m just your assistant.”

“It will be fine,” Zhou Zi Shu says and shrugs, reaching for the tea. “There have been multiple rumors of me writing memoirs so we can just make something up around that.”

He tilts his head, not sure he’s following. “I’ve never been a ghost writer.”

Zhou Zi Shu smirks, “Lao Wen, you are literally a ghost writer.”

The nickname crackles through him like the end of a bonfire, glowing hot and comforting. “I guess we could say we are working together, me on a novel and you on your memoir,” he responds, and reaches for his tea.

c( O.O )ɔ

A few of the production staff greet him as he walks into the studio behind Zhou Zi Shu. He’s not sure what possessed him to join first thing in the morning instead of heading for the trailer to write, but here he is.

“Morning,” Rong Xuan says and walks up next to Zhou Zi Shu with a harness.

“Morning,” Zhou Zi Shu responds and stops, holding his arms out. Three more staff swarm around him and Wen Ke Xing watches the man get strapped into the harness in less than a minute. Is that even safe? Shouldn’t they do more checks than that?

“Zhou laoshi,” he hears from somewhere behind him and Xie Wang walks past him, not giving him, or the other two, so much as a glance. His eyes are glued to the omega. “Are you ready for today?”

He sees Zhou Zi Shu break out in a smile, eyes a bit challenging as he throws back, “Are you?”

“I’ve been looking forward to this for weeks,” Xie Wang retorts. Wen Ke Xing can’t see his face but he can hear the smirk.

“I’ll remind you both how eager you were to do this when you’re tired and in pain in a few hours,” Rong Xuan says and nods towards their stunt doubles to get started. Both he and Zhang Cheng Ling step to the side and out of the practice area. Qin Jiu Xiao hovers closer with his trained eye on everything going on.

What follows is intense training where Zhou Zi Shu and Wang Xie are learning how to use the skills to fight together as a pair. Slowly and methodically, they mimic what their doubles are showing them. They move around each other, learning each of the movements out to their very fingertips.

Wen Ke Xing notices how the rest of the crew gathers around to watch. It’s the first time their main leads are working together in front of the staff and everyone is eager to watch, some even speculating and commenting on their chemistry.

“They look so good together,” someone says to his right.

“I hear Xie laoshi is a big fan of Zhou laoshi. He only agreed to join this project when he found out that Zhou Xu had signed on as the other main lead,” someone else responds. Then there is some giggling followed by hushed voices speculating whether or not their main leads will get together during filming. Stranger things have happened, and Zhou Xu does date younger alphas. It’s a known fact.

He tries to ignore the gossip and instead observes the training. They do look good together. They have a similar aura of softness, yet powerful, each of them different but complementary. The only thing that’s not perfect is the fact that Xie Wang is a fraction shorter than Zhou Zi Shu. He can’t help but straighten his back a bit. It’s not like he can be proud of having been gifted with genes that made him grow tall, but it leaves him with curious fluttering in his stomach. Though, watching the two of the actors training together, along with all the touching that naturally follows, makes his stomach feel more like it’s filled with snakes.

He nudges Zhang Cheng Ling on the shoulder, gesturing that he will head out, and hands the assistant the bag with snacks and drinks before turning his back on the training couple.

Safely back in the trailer, he throws himself into his writing, his fingers flying at an unusually high pace over the keyboard. He ignores the sounds outside the trailer, his beeping phone and the snacks prepared on the table. Instead, he kills off three people on the screen before his fingers slow down.

He looks at the mobile, having one voice message from Gu Xiang and one photo with today’s lunch. He’s also got a missed call from his publisher, Luo Fu Meng. Since she is probably only calling to check on the progress of his novel, he ignores it and decides that he can call her later or tomorrow.

He grabs a bottle of watermelon water and walks back towards the studio. He should make an appearance and Zhou Zi Shu should hydrate.

( ˘▽˘)っ

The duo is high in the air, spinning inside their special harnesses as they swing together towards the ground. Zhou Zi Shu sets the landing with perfection, looking powerful and strong where he stands holding the gun in his right hand. Xie Wang misses his step and tumbles forward, crashing onto the safety mats and dropping his weapon. A flurry of people rush towards them to check on the actor whilst Zhou Zi Shu is stuck in his harness where he stands, unable to move.

Xie Wang stands up, seemingly more embarrassed than injured from the mishap. His own assistant hands him a towel and he uses it to dry his face and neck. Wen Ke Xing can sense the instant the scent blocker patch detaches from the alpha’s neck because there is an instant earthy, gingery scent around them.

It’s not an unpleasant scent, and he guesses that it’s normal for the actors to lose their patches from time to time doing what they do. What is not normal is Zhou Zi Shu’s reaction to the scent. The omega drops the water bottle Zhang Cheng Ling has just handed to him, his eyes slightly narrowed and focused on Xie Wang.

Zhou Zi Shu is trying to be discrete, but since he’s watching the omega, he can clearly see how the omega takes several deep breaths. Does he recognize it from somewhere? Does he like it? And if he does—does he like it more than he likes Wen Ke Xing’s? And the one question that feeds those snakes in the pit of his stomach—would he prefer it over his scent?

Before he knows it, his feet have already walked him over to Zhou Zi Shu and his team. Zhou Zi Shu looks up at him and smiles, it’s a little bit forced.

Wen Ke Xing hands him the bottle of water and the smile melts into something real. “Thanks, I was really craving watermelon,” Zhou Zi Shu says, gulping down half the bottle in one go.

“Careful or it will slush around in your stomach during practice,” Qin Jiu Xiao says, probably an expert in physical training.

“Okay, everyone, let’s take a break,” Rong Xuan announces and Zhou Zi Shu looks grateful to be stripped out of his harness.

“Let’s go have some lunch,” Zhang Cheng Ling says and picks up the dropped bottle of water.

“Good plan, I’m hungry,” Zhou Zi Shu says and wiggles his body, stretching slightly. “That was fun, but intense.”

They have only taken a few steps towards the door when Xie Wang walks up in front of them, eyes locked on him. “Wen laoshi…?”

“Xie Wang,” he responds and nods. “I heard that you were the other lead on this movie.”

“What are you doing here? Are you working on a—” Xie Wang continues, but Wen Ke Xing cuts him off by raising one eyebrow.

“He’s on my team,” Zhou Zi Shu says and doesn’t expand.

“Right,” Xie Wang responds and looks between the two of them. “Let’s all have dinner later this week to catch up.”

He’s not really in the mood for it, but the man is Zhou Zi Shu’s colleague. And it really is up to Zhou Zi Shu if he wants to or not, so he glances down towards the omega.

“Sounds good,” Zhou Zi Shu says and nods, glancing up at him.

“Let’s make it Saturday. It’s a date,” Xie Wang says, looking at Zhou Zi Shu with a sweet smile and dark eyes.

Wen Ke Xing can’t help but think that the alpha does look a lot like some of Zhou Zi Shu’s exes. The omega likes his men pretty with a slim waist and broad shoulders, and whilst he’s not that tall, Xie Wang is certainly a pretty alpha.

Zhou Zi Shu’s phone rings and saves them from anymore conversation. The omega excuses himself, picks up the call and starts walking towards the trailer, the three of them trailing behind him. Zhang Cheng Ling watches him with interest, clearly wondering why Xie Wang would know him. The bodyguard doesn’t seem to care and walks ahead, right behind Zhou Zi Shu.

ε=ε=┌( >_<)┘

He spends the following two days avoiding the production studio, instead catching up with Gu Xiang and writing on his novel. It’s the first time since she moved into the dorms and it actually looks like she’s gained a bit of weight. He’s not sure if it’s the company of other young omegas that’s doing her some good, or the fact that he’s conned her into eating three times a day. Either way, she looks both happy and healthy. He walks away from their lunch feeling less guilty over having left her, instead looking forward to watching her spread her wings further in the coming months.

He doesn’t sleep together with Zhou Zi Shu during the nights, like they had after the movie night. He hasn’t asked to be scented, and Zhou Zi Shu hasn’t asked either. In fact, they haven’t talked at all about the heat or any new expectations, what to keep doing or what to change.

He’s wondering if the omega still wants to try to induce his rut for the next heat, in which case the more time they spend together, together, the better it would be. But he’s not going to force the matter. As per the deal, everything is up to Zhou Zi Shu.

On the evening of their unavoidable dinner with Xie Wang, Zhou Zi Shu comes home early. Apparently training is done for now and they start filming for real on Monday.

Instead of being excited, Zhou Zi Shu looks a bit restless, heading straight for the spa after popping his head into the library to say that he’s back. At least it’s only the sweet omega’s scent. He would rather drink that horrible dirt tea without any sweetener for the rest of his life than admit that he has been checking for that earthy scent every day when Zhou Zi Shu gets home from work. And both days, he has caught a hint of it. It leaves him and his snakes feeling unhappier than they should.

He finishes about half the chapter he’s on before he gives up and heads towards his room and the shower. Time to get ready to meet that annoying alpha that Zhou Zi Shu has been smelling of in the past days.

( ◡̀_◡́)ᕤ

Chapter Text

“We will be back in two hours to pick you up,” Zhang Cheng Ling says when they drive through the gates.

“You can head home, I only need A’Xiao and the car,” Zhou Zi Shu responds and smiles.

“Are you sure?” Zhang Cheng Ling asks. “You can always call if you change your mind or send me an SOS if you need an excuse to get out.” Always the perceptive, overachiever his little assistant.

“I’m sure,” he confirms and waits for Qin Jiu Xiao to walk around and open the door. “I’ll see you in two hours?”

“Yes,” Qin Jiu Xiao confirms and watches him walk up the stairs and open the door before getting back in the car.

He’s tired and his body hurts from today’s training. He picks up a bottle of water, lets Wen Ke Xing know that he’s back and the time for the dinner, before he marches towards the spa and slips into the pool. He’s looking forward to a day off tomorrow before they start filming on Monday.

They are starting with action scenes straight out of the gate and he’s grateful that they are going full steam ahead instead of trying to ease him into it. He hates special treatment and he wants to be considered a professional. And so far, there hasn’t really been any difference between him and Xie Wang.

It’s been a confusing few days though, since he started interacting with his co-lead. More than once has Xie Wang sweated off his scent blocker. And each time, Zhou Zi Shu had been dosed with his earthy scent before another patch had been attached over the gland. According to the staff, this is pretty common so he rolls with it. It’s not an unpleasant smell.

He hadn’t been fully sure that first time, because Wen Ke Xing had been present with that wonderful whiskey tone. But the second time it had happened, they had been up in the air, practically tied together, and he’d been certain. Xie Wang is the alpha that he had picked out as a backup plan. Xie Wang is in OPP and they had almost matched.

He’s sure that the alpha doesn’t know. Mostly because anonymity is guaranteed before the match is done. But also, since he’s on the VVIP list, even higher precautions are taken when it comes to where the alphas and omegas meet, such as no other staff on the floor other than the two assigned to him.

He’s not really sure what his thoughts are yet. The man is definitely charming and handsome. He’s a good actor, at least from what Zhou Zi Shu has seen on the screen, but also from working with him during the past days of stunt training. The man seems dedicated to his role and to learning and improving. Plus, he does smell good and is apparently single.

There is also the fact that Xie Wang is flirting with him. Not full on, hardcore, in your face kind of flirting. But subtly, like a highly intelligent predator stalking its prey. It’s a game that he enjoys to indulge in once in a while. Sometimes, when it’s more about the sex part than the feeling part of a relationship—if you can call fuck buddies a relationship—he would enjoy getting hunted and then allowing himself to get caught. It used to feed into his fantasies of finally meeting a man that doesn’t just put him on a pedestal, but also fucks him raw until he can’t take it anymore—and then fucks him some more.

His alarm vibrates to let him know it’s time to get ready, and he finishes off the bottle of water before getting up out of the pool. He pulls the robe on and walks up to his room. He can hear Wen Ke Xing in the shower and for a brief moment he contemplates joining him. He’s craving that scent and sleeping next to Wen Ke Xing a few days ago was fantastic.

He hasn’t done it again after that, and he’s not sure why. He just can’t bring himself to ask for scenting, or suggest they start having sex. Especially since Wen Ke Xing has been a bit strange after the heat. Whilst the sex had been fantastic, maybe it hadn’t been for him? Maybe he can’t measure up to those young, energetic omegas, no matter how round and pretty his ass is.

There is also the fact that he’s come home in the past few days in clothes smelling slightly like Xie Wang. He would be lying if he said that he hadn’t contemplated putting those clothes in the bed to mix with Wen Ke Xing’s scent. He had wondered if he would like that? If maybe he would have liked having them both? What would have happened if he had picked the Poly Package? However, in the end, he’d dropped those clothes in the hamper and happily snuggled with the pillow that Wen Ke Xing had slept on.

He sighs and ignores Wen Ke Xing’s room, instead heading for his own shower.

〜(＞＜)〜

“So,” Xie Wang starts and looks between the two of them. “Were the rumors true then? Are you two an item?”

He doesn’t give Wen Ke Xing time to process the blunt question before he answers, “We are helping each other out. My studio is pushing me to think about memoirs, and he is doing research for his next book. I’m not sure who thinks that I can write a book just because I can write song lyrics, but here we are. Since no one knows the real person behind Zhen Yan, we agreed he would be my assistant for a while.”

“My agent called in a favor and reached out to his studio to see if any artists were willing to put up with me as a shadow for a while. And they somehow teamed us up,” Wen Ke Xing supplies.

“Your next novel is about actors?” Xie Wang asks, clearly skeptical.

“My serial killer has a taste for famous omegas this time around,” Wen Ke Xing responds and sips on his water. “I thought it would help my writing if I got some insight into how celebrities live their daily life.”

Zhou Zi Shu has no clue if what Wen Ke Xing is saying is true or not, but it really doesn’t matter. “It was good timing for both of us,” Zhou Zi Shu says.

Xie Wang calls in the waiter to signal that they are ready. “I’ve already put in an order for food,” Xie Wang explains and reaches for the bottle of wine.

Neither of them can drink, or well, they can, but they are not supposed to. Or at least he isn’t supposed to. He must admit that he hasn’t fully read through all the dos and don’ts for alphas during matching. Maybe Wen Ke Xing is allowed to drink a bit? He hadn’t had any alcohol since he had moved in.

He shakes his head when Xie Wang offers him some, “I never drink when I’m working.”

“You’re not working tomorrow,” Xie Wang probes, but he just shakes his head and calls in the waiter back to ask for some tea instead.

“What about you? I know you drink when you’re working,” Xie Wang says with one raised eyebrow.

Wen Ke Xing nods and Xie Wang fills up the glass and then his own. He waits for the waiter to return with the tea before holding his glass out for a toast.

“To a successful production and to a great partnership,” Xie Wang says and drinks. Next to him, Wen Ke Xing takes a sip and puts the glass down. He drinks from his tea and as he puts the cup down, the food arrives. The one good thing about not being pregnant yet, is that he can at least eat whatever he wants, with the exception of raw meat or food with high amounts of sugar. And since he’s still recovering from his heat, he doesn’t have to follow his strict diet.

They eat and chat, and he notices that Wen Ke Xing masterfully distracts Xie Wang and only ends up having that one glass of wine. The dinner itself is so wonderfully superficial, like only these types of dinners between strangers forced to build rapport can have. He doesn’t find it easy to talk to people he doesn’t know, but it’s a skill that he has been forced to learn due to his profession.

They start by talking about his singing career, Xie Wang confessing to having gone to almost all of his tours. The glint in Xie Wang’s eyes tells him that it’s probably true. Wen Ke Xing, as it turns out, has also been to a few of his concerts. Somehow, he knows that that is true without even looking at his alpha. There is a slight tingle at the top of his ears, but he thinks it probably has to do with the spicy food that he’s eating.

They talk about the Hanging Ghost production, about the Window of Heaven production so far, and about the food. Nothing more and nothing less. By the end of the night, Zhou Zi Shu isn’t quite sure why on earth Xie Wang wanted to have dinner. Had it really all been to suss out if he and Wen Ke Xing were an item? Or was he just trying to build a good working relationship? Because Wen Ke Xing didn’t need to be there for that.

When it’s time to say goodbye, Xie Wang leans forward, and for a moment Zhou Zi Shu thinks that he’s about to either get hugged or kissed on the cheeks like the French. But the alpha just leans close and smiles, says goodbye, and leaves behind a subtle scent of earthy ginger. He hasn’t fully been scented, but he also kind of has been. The scent is pleasant, comforting, but it does not send his blood boiling the way that Wen Ke Xing’s does.

Wen Ke Xing stands next to him as they wait alongside Qin Jiu Xiao for the car to arrive. Wen Ke Xing has a crease between his eyebrows and looks irritated. It’s cute and he wonders if the alpha doesn’t like that he now smells of someone else.

The car arrives and as soon as he climbs into the backseat next to Wen Ke Xing, that tangy whiskey scent surrounds him like an affectionate undercurrent that pulls on him until he gives in and sinks into a peaceful sleep all the way back home.

(◡ ‿ ◡ ꍞ)

He deliberately walks past Wen Ke Xing on the stairs, only to slow down in front of him. He’s in fitted, cream-colored pants and a soft, black knitted sweater that hugs his curves in all the right places. He knows what he looks like from behind. He wants Wen Ke Xing to look at him.

He continues to walk slowly down the corridor and drapes himself against the wall next to Wen Ke Xing’s door. He looks up at Wen Ke Xing, this tall man with a fitted shirt which highlights his strong shoulders, and dark slim jeans which pull focus towards those long legs and perky little ass. The man is irritatingly attractive with a matching personality. He can’t help but glance towards that mouth which had hungrily kissed and bitten every part of his skin just a week ago.

Wen Ke Xing licks his lips and smirks. Clearly caught, Zhou Zi Shu raises his eyes to look back at Wen Ke Xing. There is a glint in his eyes that Zhou Zi Shu hasn’t seen in almost a week. It’s an invitation, a question, and a dare.

Not fully in control, he lets his hands wander up Wen Ke Xing’s torso until he reaches the shoulders, pulling on them slightly. Wen Ke Xing steps closer, willing under his subtle pull.

His breathing is a bit off and his pulse is quivering with desire in his throat. They haven’t had sex outside of his heat yet. He knows that Wen Ke Xing is giving him time to adjust and take initiative. He’s grateful, but also a bit disappointed. Wen Ke Xing is supposed to be the seducer, an alpha who fucks omegas until they cry, so why isn’t he putting in the moves that he so clearly possesses. He had seen some of it right before his heat, but absolutely nothing this entire week.

However, he would really like to start early this time, because he wants to experience Wen Ke Xing’s rut. If the alpha can perform like that during a heat without being in a rut, he can’t even imagine what a rut would be like. A soft whine escapes his throat and he swallows it down too late.

Wen Ke Xing is looking down at him, eyes slightly narrower with clear interest. As if he’s wondering what Zhou Zi Shu wants, but whatever it is, he is into it. As if he wants this just as much as Zhou Zi Shu does. As if this week’s strange behavior was all in his own head and now it’s back to business of doing their thing during the day, and then doing their thing before bedtime.

“There you are,” he says, circling his hands around Wen Ke Xing’s neck to scrape with his fingernails through the undercut.

“Here I am,” Wen Ke Xing says, his voice so deep it sends chills across his skin.

“You have an unusually long recovery time after spending a heat with an omega,” he teases and looks up at him from under his eyelashes, pouting.

“I could have gone your full seven days, and then some,” Wen Ke Xing challenges and leans down towards his neck, only to crinkle his nose slightly and pull back. The movement stings in his throat and his fingers stiffens. Doesn’t he smell nice? Oh—

“You don’t like my scent anymore?” he teases, swallowing down whatever feeling that was, focusing on the question if the alpha will admit to not liking when Zhou Zi Shu doesn’t smell of him. Then again, he had found it slightly off-putting when Wen Ke Xing had smelled like another omega the other day, but had felt silly after realizing it was his little sister’s scent. Once that had been filed and stored in his internal scent bank, he found that the sweet and spicy cinnamon scent was quite adorable.

However, he wants Wen Ke Xing to say the words out loud, to ask for him, demand him, want to scent him to erase Xie Wang’s scent. Or ask to be scented himself—something that hasn’t happened yet.

His mind whispers that they are not dating. Wen Ke Xing isn’t here to take what he wants. He’s here to give Zhou Zi Shu what he needs. But what he needs is for Wen Ke Xing to stop tiptoeing around him and just ravish him. The man is a walking advertisement for hot sex, it’s time that he delivers.

“I was thinking,” he starts, keeping his eyes steady on Wen Ke Xing’s.

“About?” Wen Ke Xing prompts and holds still, however the increase in scent betrays his feelings.

“We should put in some effort to sync your rut this time,” he continues.

“I’m open to that,” Wen Ke Xing confirms and takes one final step towards him, molding himself against Zhou Zi Shu’s body. It’s an effective and not-so subtle way to replace any other scent on his clothes. To help things along, he moves his hands gently forward over Wen Ke Xing’s neck.

The alpha closes his eyes for a moment, before opening them, “I need you to scent me.” Wen Ke Xing tilts his head to the side, giving him permission to start nibbling on his gland like he usually does.

He pushes up on his toes to lean closer to Wen Ke Xing’s neck and stops with his lips but a breath away from that milky skin. The scent is stunningly potent and he greedily breathes it in. However, he’s supposed to scent and not get scented. He licks the scent gland once, feeling Wen Ke Xing shudder against him, and kisses it admiringly before pulling away to look up at his alpha.

Keeping his eyes locked on those dark ones, he moves his wrists in slow, deliberate circles on both sides of Wen Ke Xing’s neck, and breathes in their mixed scents. He sees the man close his eyes, a subtle smile at the corner of his lips and his pulse thuds at the view of the alpha liking it.

Wen Ke Xing opens his eyes and leans in to nuzzle against his neck, making soft little growls as he coaxes his gland to release more scent. Zhou Zi Shu pushes against that hot mouth, asking for nibbles. He likes it when Wen Ke Xing bites him. He’s generally not into marks, but his inner omega is definitely preening under Wen Ke Xing’s attention and appreciation of his scent.

Unable to stop the mewling sounds leaving his throat when Wen Ke Xing scrapes his teeth in that way that only he does, he drags his hands slowly down the back of the alpha until he reaches where the shirt has been tucked into those indecent jeans. He tugs on the hem until it’s pulled free and slides his left hand under the t-shirt and over that milky skin, rubbing his wrists over the curve of Wen Ke Xing’s hips.

“What else do you want from me?” he asks, his voice thick as he leans into Wen Ke Xing’s nibbling. “I’m giving you permission to take initiative on what you need, sleep in my bed, fuck me when you feel like it, whatever you want,” he babbles and grabs the door handle behind his back. He just needs to hear the words. He likes it when a man tells him what he wants, and it’s extremely sexy when Wen Ke Xing in particular tells him what he wants. Wen Ke Xing is assertive, not aggressive.

“Whatever I want?” Wen Ke Xing asks against his neck, and nibbles carefully to not make any new marks.

It’s frustrating, but probably for the best. He really shouldn’t get any new marks right before filming on Monday. He’s almost irritated at Wen Ke Xing for holding back. The man is infuriatingly in control at all times.

“I told you, I’m not going to break. I’m quite bendable,” he concludes, smirking up at the alpha, and pushes the door open behind him in a clear invitation considering the large bed in view behind him.

Wen Ke Xing looks back at him, not surprised, but rather a bit smug. As if this was exactly what he wanted. As if he was being tested and he somehow passed and failed at the same time. Like prey that has just walked straight into a trap.

ヾ( ˃ᴗ˂ )◞

“I want to—” he starts, already breathing heavily, his hands fisted into the blanket under him.

Wen Ke Xing’s mouth and tongue stills on their path over his abdomen and he feels Wen Ke Xing’s lips brush against his skin when the man prompts, “You want to…?”

That expert tongue does a few kitten licks right next to his erection but without touching it, stopping at the crevice of his hip. He twitches and his nails scrape against the fabric, his mind starting to fog from want.

“I haven’t,” he starts again, not sure how to say this. Thinking back to last weekend, he had not tasted Wen Ke Xing. The man is, as it turns out, a very generous lover. In fact, now that he really thinks about it, the man might have an attitude, but he’s generous in everything that he does. Maybe this is why he has been a bit awkward. Maybe he thinks that Zhou Zi Shu is a selfish lover, and a selfish housemate.

He’s not sure what’s happened. He loves giving blowjobs during heats. Drinking down hormones is like catnip. He knows what Wen Ke Xing’s cock looks like. He knows what it feels like inside him. Just imagining his throat forcibly stretched by that girth makes his jaw flex in preparation.

Still a bit breathless, he says, “I want to suck you off.”

There is a puff of air against his skin, cool against the wet marks left by the tip of that tongue, and his toes curl. Wen Ke Xing is clearly finding him amusing, and he thinks that he flushes. He wants to squirm. Asking for what he wanted was easier before and during the heat. Now—under the full weight of his alpha—he’s all nerves.

“How about we both get what we want?” Wen Ke Xing continues and drags that large, warm palm over the inside of his thighs, following it up with a few nips with his teeth.

“Aahh— Both…?” he breathes and arches as his legs tremble.

“Both,” Wen Ke Xing confirms, nips one more time before kissing his way back up his body. This time, he licks a long stripe over his erection, dips the tip it into his belly button, plays with both of his nipples, and finally licks into his mouth.

It’s their first kiss since his heat and it’s different now that his mind is free from chemicals. Or maybe Wen Ke Xing is kissing him differently? It’s slower, deeper, the tongue curling against his own is warm and wet, gentle yet demanding.

He’s rolled to his side and Wen Ke Xing nips at his scent gland before pushing up on all four and turning around, laying himself down on his side as well. And just like that, he’s face-to-face with that magnificent cock that he’s been daydreaming of for a week, probably more if he’s honest. It twitches, like it’s begging for his attention.

Up close, it’s even thicker than he thought, a thatch of wiry hair at the base, shaved on the sides and neatly trimmed, the tip poking out from the foreskin, dark and inviting. He breathes in the smell from the beading at the slit and feels the blood simmer under his skin. It pulls him in and he noses against the base to take a few more deep breaths.

Wen Ke Xing licks a long stripe up his erection before taking his cock down his throat. He can feel the man swallowing around his tip, holding him as deep as he can, closing his airways. It’s not the first time that Wen Ke Xing does that. It’s equally as hot every time, knowing that Wen Ke Xing is savoring him, knowing that his alpha is enjoying it. He hadn’t known that blowjobs could be this erotic until this man had come hurling into his life.

Wen Ke Xing moans around the tip and the rumble sends shivers all the way up his spine, tingling at the top of his head. And then Wen Ke Xing starts moving and the moan that leaves his lips is absolutely filthy. Wen Ke Xing’s mouth is wet and deep, hungry for all of him. It’s fascinating how many new sounds this alpha pulls out of him.

Out of sheer embarrassment and to shut himself up, but also because he is basically drooling, he mouths up the shaft. It twitches against him and he licks the underside of the tip and up the slit before taking it into his mouth, the cock smooth as it slides along the flat of his tongue until it hits the back of his throat.

He swallows and flexes his jaw, pushing himself forward and further down before pulling back and starts bobbing his head, alternating between shallow and deep throating. It’s been a while and he has missed this. The ache in his jaw is pleasant and his lips are wet but firm against the cock as he moves. He might not be able to fit all of it now, but he is eager to try, and to keep practicing.

“Mnn—Aaah—” Wen Ke Xing grunts and stutters in his bobbing. The cock twitches and finally starts leaking down his throat. The taste of Wen Ke Xing is potent and he eagerly swallows, not caring that he’s drooling down his chin and the cock.

He moves his left hand to fist around the base of the shaft and huffs in frustration when he realizes that he can’t fit his whole hand around it. He wants to make it good for Wen Ke Xing, but there is no way he can wiggle his other hand up, so he does the best he can. He closes his eyes and strokes at the same pace as he bobs, losing himself in the movement, the tip sliding down his throat, how heavy it feels against his tongue.

His ears are ringing from lack of air and he understands why Wen Ke Xing always starts by doing this. It’s addictive. It closes off the rest of the world, leaving nothing but the cock, the taste, him and what he can offer in pleasure. 

Wen Ke Xing’s moans vibrate around his cock and keep him grounded on the bed as they get louder. If he wasn’t so busy sucking, he would be smiling, because he is the one making the alpha sound like that.

Wen Ke Xing suddenly stutters and tries to pull away. He follows the movement with his mouth, holding onto Wen Ke Xing’s hips to keep the cock in his mouth, almost rolling on top of Wen Ke Xing in the process. There is a guttural sound and then Wen Ke Xing is coming. Hot gushes of delicious alpha cum spill partway down his throat and he shifts to catch it all, swallowing happily, feeling smug that he made the alpha come first.

There is a low rumble from further down the bed before Wen Ke Xing’s hands circle around his hips to grab onto the meat of his ass and roll them fully over, Zhou Zi Zhu braces on all four on top of Wen Ke Xing.

“Fuck my mouth,” Wen Ke Xing says, his voice raw and a bit distant.

He pops off the softening cock and looks down towards his own erection. Wen Ke Xing is watching him in the gap between his thighs, eyes as black as they had been that time in the pool. They send a cold shiver down his spine and his knees almost buckle.

“Remember, I need you to come down my throat,” Wen Ke Xing continues and kitten licks at his tip.

He sinks down into that hot mouth once more and moves shallowly, slowly. Wen Ke Xing fixes his hands in a vice grip around his hips and then starts to guide him down his throat. It’s so incredibly hot, he can’t help but groan before starting to thrust. It’s impossible not to when Wen Ke Xing is moaning louder the faster and deeper he goes.

Just like that first time, Wen Ke Xing moves one of his hands over the cleft of his cheeks and drags it through his slick. Two digits massage his hole and he feels himself clench, his hips stuttering again before continuing to thrust. Wen Ke Xing’s moans are absolutely indecent by now and when those fingers slide inside him, brushing against his prostate, his vision goes white and he comes.

ヾ( ˃ᴗ˂ )◞

Chapter Text

It should feel strange waking up in his bed with Zhou Zi Shu draped over him. But somehow it’s not. Instead, Wen Ke Xing watches the omega’s face where he rests on his chest. It’s peaceful, the corners of those plush lips are tilting upwards and he wonders if Zhou Zi Shu is happy sleeping there, or if he’s dreaming about something nice.

He tightens his arms around the omega and thinks back to the day before. The way that Zhou Zi Shu had told him to take what he wants, whenever he wants. The man had given him the go ahead to fuck him whenever he wanted. Did Zhou Zi Shu not know what he looks like? What he does to the people around him? How much he wants him? Wen Ke Xing is pretty sure that there isn’t a person alive that doesn’t want to fuck him.

Zhou Zi Shu has been voted the sexiest man by Vogue more often than not ever since his debut almost fifteen years ago. If he could, he would fuck the man multiple times a day, make sure that he doesn’t wear any clothes around the house, and is just lying wrecked and sated in his nest at all times when he’s not working.

His cock twitches in agreement. He tells it to calm down and closes his eyes to meditate, because even though he’s been given a sex pass, he should ask for consent before fucking the man awake.

Zhou Zi Shu shifts in his arms and there is a soft nibble on his scent gland. It both feeds and hurts his pride that the man seems to be unable to stop nibbling on him. He had set out to make the man beg for him, and in a sense, that is what had happened yesterday when Zhou Zi Shu had asked him to take whatever he wanted. It’s clear that the omega prefers his scent over other alphas’. But that might be all that he is—an appealing scent and satisfying cock.

It’s also clear that Zhou Zi Shu doesn’t dislike that horrible dirt ginger smell, but there is something more to it. He can sense it. His inner alpha is threatened and it makes him uneasy. What if Zhou Zi Shu finds someone that he likes and wants to have a relationship with? What if that person is Xie Wang? The man had watched the movie with the actor eleven times. Maybe that had been more about Xie Wang than Zhen Yan. Will he just be kicked out? And so what if he is? Why does he care? He’s only here to do his time, so why does the feeling of being replaced make him uneasy?

“Lao Wen, stop being distracted,” he hears Zhou Zi Shu mumble against his skin and he realizes that the man is awake and nibbling with purpose around his gland. “That twitch earlier promised a good time and yet…”

He huffs in frustration, rolls over so that Zhou Zi Shu is on his stomach with himself on top, his cock perfectly nestled between those fat ass-cheeks. “Just so I know for future reference,” he says and breathes into Zhou Zi Shu’s right ear, just to feel the man shiver under him. “Are you okay with being woken up by my mouth?”

“Definitely,” Zhou Zi Shu pants against the sheet and wiggles his ass until the tip of Wen Ke Xing’s cock catches against his entrance. It’s already wet and he reprimands himself for having been so lost in his spiraling thoughts that he had missed the obvious invitation.

“What about my cock?” he asks, slowly pushing the tip inside and letting it rest there, teasingly grinding in very slow circles. Zhou Zi Shu wiggles under him, seemingly frustrated, trying to slide down to push himself further onto the cock. It’s extremely hot to know how much the omega wants him.

“You can wake me up anyway you want, as long as you make me come,” Zhou Zi Shu says breathlessly and turns his head, looking up at him with eyes that are both frustrated and challenging.

Unable to hold back, he leans down and kisses Zhou Zi Shu. He kisses him gently, slowly, deeply but searchingly. He kisses him with every question that has swirled in his head since he woke up, and with every question that he will have until he’s answered. Zhou Zi Shu mewls into his mouth and the little sounds crackle through his cells and leave them buzzing.

His hands search for Zhou Zi Shu’s and find them beside the pillow. He interlinks their fingers to brace, pushing inside with one long slide. Zhou Zi Shu moans satisfied and he swallows it down, along with any other sound that the omega makes as he starts to thrust.

He takes his time with slow drags of his cock against Zhou Zi Shu’s prostate. Each push and pull is matched with Zhou Zi Shu arching and pushing, grinding in slow circles when he’s fully inside, and little gasps when he’s almost fully pulled out.

The omega moans and drools but doesn’t stop kissing him. It’s intoxicating and he finds himself lost in it. Normally, he enjoys talking during sex, unless his mouth is filled with that glorious omega cock. Now, however, all he can think about is curling his tongue against Zhou Zi Shu’s.

Zhou Zi Shu’s mouth constantly searches for him. Every time their lips part, there is a needy little mewl until he closes the gap again. It’s addictive and he finds himself pulling away, pulling the tip almost all the way out, just to hear that little soft, pleading sound and waits for the mouth to reach towards him, searching for his lips. And the content little sigh when he pushes all the way back inside and licks into that soft, wet mouth.

He loses track of time until those familiar pants come closer and closer together. He shifts angle and feels Zhou Zi Shu rock against the sheet under him, breathing heavier, until he comes with a broken gasp that Wen Ke Xing swallows down, and then comes as well.

Still draped over Zhou Zi Shu’s back, he kisses the nape of that slender neck until his head stops spinning and his soul returns to his body. Zhou Zi Shu is breathing slowly under him, his eyes closed, a definite smile on his lips.

Addictive.

c (˘ ˘ ˘) ɔ

After spending one extremely satisfying Sunday in the spa pool, the sauna, and in Zhou Zi Shu’s large bed, he decides to tag along to set on Monday morning. It’s the first day of filming and he’s surprisingly excited. What he’s forgotten though, is the fact that the first day means the booting ceremony, which means a lot of people, including a lot of fans from each actor.

The majority of Zhou Zi Shu’s fans recognize him with mixed feelings, but he plays his part and stays at the back with Zhang Cheng Ling, Qin Jiu Xiao hovering closer to the superstar. Soon, he’s forgotten and the crowds cheer along all of the speeches until the whole thing is over.

He watches the actors line up for the obligatory photos with their hongbaos[i], the Window of Heaven logo as backdrop. Zhou Zi Shu is in full special ops outfit, black tight cargo pants, black softshell jacket and the strap for his gun is wrapped around his right thigh. The only thing missing is the actual gun.

There is a photographer there from Zhou Zi Shu’s studio, Wen Ke Xing has seen him once before during martial arts training, and an official photographer from the production. They take a few photos before Xie Wang walks into the frame, throws an arm around Zhou Zi Shu’s shoulders and says something into his right ear that makes the omega nod. He likely wants a duo-photo. It’s nothing out of the ordinary, but those snakes curl irritated at the pit of his stomach. He doesn’t like how easily the alpha just touches Zhou Zi Shu, and he doesn’t like that Zhou Zi Shu hadn’t even reacted, even smiled up towards the man.

A few moments later, they get the go ahead from the photographers, and Zhou Zi Shu walks towards them and they head towards the trailer. The snakes keep curling, nipping at whatever flutters in his chest that he had during the morning. It’s uncomfortable.

“Zhou laoshi,” he hears from behind and sees Xie Wang and his team catching up. The actor walks past them, winking at Wen Ke Xing as he passes, and slows down to walk next to Zhou Zi Shu. “Ye laoshi asked us to go straight to set to go over the lines for the first scenes.”

“Sure,” Zhou Zi Shu says. “Just let me go grab my script.”

Xie Wang nods and turns towards the warehouse where the first few scenes will be filmed. He and his team disappear through the doors whilst Zhou Zi Shu walks into his trailer and grabs his script. He’s in and out before the rest of them have even caught up, with the exception of Qin Jiu Xiao. The man is a shadow.

Deciding he needs a short break, he nods towards Zhang Cheng Ling and he heads into the trailer whilst the assistant and bodyguard follow their boss into the warehouse. He needs to calm down, and there is nothing better than to immerse himself into Lovelace and stalk or kill off a few people.

໒( ᓀ ‸ ᓂ )७

Because he is a fully mature and grown-ass man, he eventually gets over himself and makes some tea just the way that makes Zhou Zi Shu smile softly after he takes the first sip. He also picks up a box of strawberries and texts Zhang Cheng Ling to ask if he should bring anything else. He gets a thumbs up on his choices and a short message saying that they are in the far corner wrapping up the last of a fighting scene, and to watch out for the wires spanning across the warehouse.

The crew nods towards him as he walks inside, zigzagging between crew and equipment until he spots Zhang Cheng Ling and Qin Jiu Xiao. They are both looking high up in the air to where Zhou Zi Shu and Xie Wang are dangling.

“Remember to relax your face,” one of the directors yells from somewhere behind the cameras and Xie Wang nods.

“They’ve been at this for several takes now,” Zhang Cheng Ling says and smiles at him when he stops next to them. “Shifu is doing great!”

To hear that Zhou Zi Shu is already a pro, not that he had expected anything else, makes him regret not following along first thing in the morning. Having been there for the first takes would have been sensible. Both as his assistant but also as his…? His… friend?

He feels bad and the rattling in his chest starts back up. He needs to get over whatever bad mood he is in. Maybe he should have had some snacks.

He looks up and spots Zhou Zi Shu watching him. He nods and motions to the tea and strawberries and gets a smile in return. His response is instant and the rattling stops. Something soft and warm wraps around his heart and squeezes gently. He smiles back.

“Okay, everyone ready?” the director yells, and someone counts down from three.

For each number, Zhou Zi Shu molds himself into someone else. It’s still him, but it’s also not. His eyes are hard but his face is relaxed, lips partly open and the bow of his upper lips is still as soft as ever. His body is tense yet as he travels through the air, fighting against Xie Wang, each movement fluid like water. Zhou Zi Shu’s body control is absolutely flawless.

Magnificent.

The scene looks interesting, like something from Mission Impossible. It’s clear that there will be a dramatic backdrop since everything around them is either blue or green. Maybe he should ask Zhou Zi Shu for a peek at the script so that he knows what the movie is about. Surely that’s not against the rules since he’s on site and essentially part of the production?

“Cut!” the director yells, and everyone around them smiles and starts lowering Zhou Zi Shu and Xie Wang towards the ground. He guesses that means that they finally nailed the scene.

The staff surround the two of them as soon as they land and he sees a scent blocker patch being attached to Xie Wang. How often do they fall off the man? Every scene? No wonder Zhou Zi Shu keeps coming home reeking of the alpha. He clearly needs to use a different brand. Wen Ke Xing knows a few with good adhesive that he’d used when he trained for a triathlon a few years back.

Zhou Zi Shu walks up to them and makes grabby hands towards his tea. It’s a good thing the man is cute because he stinks of ginger. He also pats himself on the back for having made iced tea because Zhou Zi Shu is sweating profusely.

He holds out the box and Zhou Zi Shu grabs it and a handful of berries, sighing in between chewing. “I think it’s one more hour until lunch.”

Hair and makeup staff swarm around the omega and start to pat him down, touch up his makeup and fix his hair. A few wild locks have broken free from the half-bun and Wen Ke Xing wishes that he had a photo because he looks absolutely breathtaking.

Zhou Zi Shu finishes the tea whilst the makeup artist expertly works around his movements. It’s fascinating to watch since Zhou Zi Shu doesn’t seem to even notice that they are there.

“What’s for lunch?” Zhou Zi Shu asks.

“Jin Management sent over catering for the crew. Skewers I think,” Zhang Cheng Ling says and Zhou Zi Shu’s eyes sparkle. He should look into making some BBQ the next time Zhou Zi Shu has a day off or finishes early enough in the day.

“I hear lunch is on you today,” Xie Wang says, materializing right behind Zhou Zi Shu. “Zhou laoshi takes such good care of us already, you put me to shame.”

“Got to set the bar high,” Zhou Zi Shu says, as if he had always known that his management company would do this.

Xie Wang laughs and throws that same arm around him, reaching for some of the berries. That rattling returns as he watches Zhou Zi Shu smile and hold the box up, offering the alpha more. It’s obvious that he doesn’t mind that smell, or Xie Wang.

Not able to watch, because clearly he’s not as mature or grown-up as he thought, he excuses himself to Zhang Cheng Ling and heads back towards the trailer and his novel. He dives deep into his serial killer, forgetting to even step out to have lunch. He only realizes what time it is because Zhou Zi Shu arrives with food, along with the other two.

A plate with food appears in front of him and he looks up to see Zhou Zi Shu watching him with a smile. “Writing going well?”

“I’ve got a deadline,” he says, because he does. He is supposed to send off the first ten chapters along with the full outline to his publisher and editor, Liu Qian Qiao, in a few days.

“Have some food, it will help keep the brain going,” Zhou Zi Shu continues and nudges the paper plate towards him along with a bottle of water.

“Thanks.” He closes the laptop and straightens up, reaching for the water. “How are things going?”

“As well as I could have hoped,” Zhou Zi Shu answers and nibbles on a chicken skewer.

“Shifu is killing it!” Zhang Cheng Ling pipes in from the other end of the trailer. “Everyone says he’s a natural.”

“They have to say that,” Zhou Zi Shu says calmly and continues eating.

From what he had seen earlier, Zhou Zi Shu is a natural. At least at the fighting scenes.

“You’re not the one causing retakes,” Zhang Cheng Ling defends.

“It’s the first day, there will always be nerves before we find a rhytm,” Zhou Zi Shu says, continuing, “Besides, who knows. Maybe tomorrow it’s me who isn’t nailing every scene.”

He reaches for a lamb skewer and takes a bite, telling himself to chill out. Zhou Zi Shu is acting normal, so why is he freaking out? It’s just a scent blocking patch. It’s a good thing that Zhou Zi Shu doesn’t repel every time it falls off. It would be horrible if he had to work so closely with someone he thinks stinks. And even if he did, Zhou Zi Shu isn’t rude. Reacting badly wouldn’t be professional. He just has to keep telling himself that it’s just acting. That everything is fine.

໒( ⇀ ‸ ↼ )७

Everything is not fine. The car reeks of dirt and ginger and he refuses to release his pheromones like the overgrown child that he is. He knows that he’s petty, but he can’t help himself. If he is going to be forced to sit in this stench, he is going to be grumpy about it.

And it’s clear that Zhou Zi Shu knows that he is irritated. The omega is watching him with a level of amusement that fuels his snakes even more. Everyone else is quiet in the car. They probably all know what is going on, but Wen Ke Xing doesn’t care. He’s tired, he hasn’t eaten enough, and it stinks.

Zhang Cheng Ling doesn’t ask if they want dinner but judging from the vibrations from his and Zhou Zi Shu’s phones during the car ride, they have already discussed food.

As soon as the front door closes behind him, and it’s just the two of them, his mouth just can’t stay shut anymore. “Do you like his scent?” he asks without permission from his brain.

“What?” Zhou Zi Shu says, innocently, and toes out of his shoes and into his set of blue slippers.

“Xie Wang, do you like his scent?” he says, because now that he’s brought up the subject, he might as well get it over with. It’s better to know what he’s working with than to live in the unknown.

Zhou Zi Shu shrugs and walks towards the kitchen, forcing him to get out of his own shoes and into his own slippers. He feels like shaking an answer out of the man but settles on just walking behind him. It’s too late to play it cool, but he doesn’t need to make it worse. He’s not pathetic.

“Yes, it’s a pleasant smell,” Zhou Zi Shu says, and sits down at the table.

His gut feeling tells him that there is something more, something that Zhou Zi Shu isn’t telling him, so he takes a deep breath and calms himself down. He is well aware that this is a him-problem. “And…?”

“Are you sure you want to know?” Zhou Zi Shu asks and turns towards him, eyebrows high on his forehead.

Does he really want to? Not really, but now that he's aware that there is something else to know, he can’t stop himself. He’s not a coward, because what is this alpha to rocks and mountains? He can take it. Even if it means getting kicked out of here and back home to his place. At least A’Xiang would be happy about going back home. Though, he might need to do some thinking over why he isn’t happy about the prospect of moving back home.

“Yes,” he says and continues to wait.

“I am fairly certain that Xie Wang was one of my other potential matches at the Omega Center that day,” Zhou Zi Shu says and the snakes grow spikes along their spines. It feels like shards of glass in his stomach.

“Why didn’t you pick him?” he asks, swallowing down the sour taste in his mouth, and sits down opposite Zhou Zi Shu.

“Because you were my match,” Zhou Zi Shu says simply, as if there is nothing else to explain, and the shards hurt.

Zhou Zi Shu tilts his head and purses his lips. “Lao Wen, I’m going to go have a shower and then get into the spa. My muscles are sore and I need to relax before tomorrow. Food is on the way and will be here in forty-five minutes.”

Zhou Zi Shu stands up and walks out, leaving Wen Ke Xing on his own, feeling like the petty little alpha that he is. Has he just proven to Zhou Zi Shu that he is young and immature? That he really doesn’t have what it takes to be a good fit for older omegas who know what they want?

Not only is Xie Wang an attractive and successful actor, working and living in the same world as Zhou Zi Shu, but apparently he would even be a good match to produce babies. Maybe even start a family. It hurts to breathe, and it only gets easier when his mind reminds him that Zhou Zi Shu had said that he was his match. That means that Zhou Zi Shu picked him over Xie Wang. At least when scent was concerned.

He sits for a moment with his thoughts, hearing the shower start and then stop upstairs. He hears footsteps down the stairs that disappear into what he assumes is the spa. After a few minutes, he hears singing. Zhou Zi Shu is singing. It’s the first time he’s heard the man sing, other than the occasional humming, since he arrived. It’s just as beautiful, if not more, than he’s heard on the radio or during concerts. It's one of Zhou Zi Shu’s first ballads, slow and emotional.

He follows the melodic voice, through the ground floor and into the spa. Zhou Zi Shu is in his usual spot in the pool, relaxed in the corner with the jets on. His voice is clear and powerful. This is the singer that sells out stadiums every year, and whatever product he endorses sells out within a few hours. He’s a superstar. And he’s here, naked in the spa pool, releasing his tension and emotions after a tough day at work.

And Wen Ke Xing had made everything worse. Probably ruined his memories of his premier as an actor on set. All because he is petty and immature and insecure.

“Are you just going to stand there or are you going to join me?” Zhou Zi Shu asks without even opening his eyes.

He strips out of his clothes and leaves them on one of the lounge chairs. He slowly gets into the spa pool and sits down next to Zhou Zi Shu, who still hasn’t opened his eyes. Instead, he starts singing another song. This one is a bit faster, happier, also from one of his earlier albums.

Wen Ke Xing relaxes back and closes his eyes as well. He takes a deep, silent breath, forcing whatever is going on in his stomach to stop, and breathes out all of the tension in one go. He’s determined to enjoy this one-on-one performance.

Once Zhou Zi Shu finishes, Wen Ke Xing turns his head to his right. Zhou Zi Shu still hasn’t opened his eyes, but his face is soft and the corners of his mouth are turned up.

“I’m sorry,” he says. He really means it.

“Do you know that you smell even better when you’re jealous,” Zhou Zi Shu asks and smirks. He doesn’t respond. What can he say?

Zhou Zi Shu opens his eyes, climbs into his laps, and stares down at him with pursed lips. “It’s really hot,” the omega continues, before he leans in and kisses him.

c( O.O )ɔ

Chapter Text

Zhou Zi Shu wakes up nestled inside strong noodle arms, little spoon to Wen Ke Xing’s big octopus-spoon. The slow and steady breathing at the nape of his neck tells him that Wen Ke Xing is still sound asleep. He loves waking up like this, all safe and held.

He doesn’t usually wake up before Wen Ke Xing, and they don’t always sleep together even though it’s been more often than not since the booting ceremony a few weeks ago. So even though this is reoccurring, it’s still unfamiliar.

He yawns and wiggles slightly to stretch his legs. He should get up and have a shower. Maybe try his hands on heating some congee to make some breakfast for Wen Ke Xing for once. However, everything feels so wonderful. Wen Ke Xing is warm around him and the bed is soft and comfortable.

He yawns again and decides against getting up, wanting to stay in this little bubble for a bit longer. It’s such a great bubble.

As slow and careful as possible, he turns inside Wen Ke Xing’s arms until he’s facing his alpha. Wen Ke Xing has a subtle pout on his lips and Zhou Zi Shu can’t help but smile. The man is so fierce at all times, tall and strong, with a filthy mouth that loves to banter. Like this, he’s just soft and irresistible.

He looks at Wen Ke Xing’s handsome face and worries that he might get used to this, used to having Wen Ke Xing here in his bed and in his life in general. Whatever he had thought about joining OPP, about matching and then living with an alpha, it definitely wasn’t this. He hadn’t expected to feel like this. Definitely not after having matched with that irritating young alpha.

Wen Ke Xing has certainly surprised him. He isn’t the prejudiced asshole that Zhou Zi Shu thought at first. Behind that arrogant façade, he is caring and gentle. In addition to catering to all of his sexual needs, he has also fed him, washed him, coaxed him and cuddled him. He has asked about preferences, remembered them, and then followed through in every single aspect. And he has done it in silence, seemingly automatically, not claiming any credit during or after.

However, Zhou Zi Shu has noticed it all. From the way he kept testing tea and honey blends until he found the perfect ratio that Zhou Zi Shu liked. To cooking food that caters not only to his chili-loving palette, but also to his current diet. Wen Ke Xing has somehow figured out what he wants and when he wants it. From food to relaxing in the spa to sex. He just knew it all.

At the start it had been infuriating that someone had him all figured out. Especially when this person was someone who openly didn’t even like omegas like him. Now, he can’t seem to get enough of Wen Ke Xing’s attention. It’s scary. Because he feels seen. And being seen for the first time, seemingly effortlessly, makes his heart flutter.

Whenever Wen Ke Xing does something caring, he finds himself wanting to reach up on his toes, fist his fingers through that silky hair and kiss the man until he makes those little sounds that he does when they kiss after sex.

The thing is, whilst he had chosen the Instinct Package it didn’t mean that he had a boyfriend for hire. The whole purpose of living together is so that they sync their hormones, get to know each other and hopefully, it will help with conceiving. Getting used to each other’s scents and pheromones was more about scenting and knotting. It probably didn’t include make-out sessions because Wen Ke Xing cooked extra spicy noodles for dinner or got him watermelon slices during his break.

Unable to stop himself, he reaches with his left hand and traces the ridge of Wen Ke Xing’s nose with his index finger, barely touching it. He slides over the tip and down the philtrum, stopping at the arch of that full upper lip. It’s so hard to not lean in to kiss them, wake Wen Ke Xing up and then just stay in bed kissing for a long time. Maybe he should have added kissing to ways of waking the other up. Then again, Wen Ke Xing had asked if he could wake him up with his mouth. Technically, that could be interpreted as mouth anywhere, not just blowjobs.

Before he can decide, Wen Ke Xing nips at his finger, sucking it in before releasing it with a pop and a wide grin. “I’m so handsome even the great Zhou Xu can’t keep his hands off me even when I’m sleeping.”

“What do you want for breakfast?” he asks, because responding to that statement, or asking for a kiss, is out of the question. And it’s too late to pretend to be asleep.

“A’Xu,” Wen Ke Xing says and tightens his arms around Zhou Zi Shu, pulling him on top.

“A’Xu?” he asks, his heart rabbiting in his throat. It’s not like they haven’t had sex in the morning before. And it’s not like Wen Ke Xing hasn’t woken him up with his mouth, hands or cock since he was given permission. It’s just that the way he said his name, made his skin tingle. Even though it wasn’t really his name, his head still swims at the nickname being said by his alpha.

“A’Xu is what I want for breakfast,” Wen Ke Xing responds, looking at him with sleepy, half-lidded eyes, arms still tight around him.

Without thinking, he leans down and kisses him. And they keep kissing. There is no heat, no raging passion roaring through his veins, no hunt for release like other times. It’s slow, deep, and soft. It’s lips slowly moving against each other, tongues licking and curling, soft little gasps and mewls escaping them both. It’s gentle. It’s tender. Like this is precious. And he worries. Worries of why he is like this, of why he is craving this softness instead of passion.

With Wen Ke Xing’s arms still secure around his lower back, and even though he could stay like this all day, he pulls away and looks down at the alpha. His hair is tousled, his lips are puffy and wet, his eyes are still soft and sleepy. He’s absolutely breathtaking.

“I’ll heat up some breakfast, you can sleep a bit more if you want,” he says, unable to move yet. “I know you were up late writing.”

Wen Ke Xing nods and purses his lips, “I’ll get up in a moment. The alarm will wake me in time.”

“Sure,” he says and tries to pull away, but Wen Ke Xing holds him firmly. More firm than he would have thought from someone that tired. “You have to let me go, for me to make breakfast.”

Instead of letting him go, Wen Ke Xing pulls him down and nibbles a few times on his scent gland. He nuzzles with his nose and takes a few deep breaths, before loosening his grip. “Fine.”

The butterflies in his chest can’t handle the cuteness, and he flees into his ensuite and a cold shower.

(^◇^；)

“Have some more chicken,” Wu Xi says and pops some food into Zhou Zi Shu’s half-empty bowl.

It’s early evening on a weekday, but Zhou Zi Shu didn’t feel like going straight home after his visit to the Omega Center. Since the filming kicked off four weeks ago, his schedule has been extremely tight with no time off and he hasn’t been out for dinner nor seen his friends since their dinner.

However, today was his first in-between-heats check-up at the Omega Center. As scheduled, he had the afternoon off and thus, the evening as well. Instead of heading home, he had called his friends who made time for him. He’d messaged Wen Ke Xing the name of the restaurant and asked if he wanted to join, but Wen Ke Xing had said he was still hanging out with his sister. Zhou Zi Shu was refusing to acknowledge the disappointment weighing his butterflies down.

“You need to refuel to keep up with that young alpha of yours,” Jing Bei Yuan says and wiggles his eyebrows.

He huffs and stuffs the crispy chicken, along with some rice and chili, into his mouth. It’s safest to chew so that he doesn’t end up saying something weird, like that he can keep up with his alpha. Or that Wen Ke Xing likes it when he’s all fucked out, unable to move a single muscle. And that he likes that too.

“Conceiving on the first try is unheard of,” Jing Bei Yuan says and pats him on the shoulder. “You know what it was like for us. It took us until now, and even this little one is a blessing.”

He does know. His friends have been trying for many years, always optimistic and enthusiastic. He is very happy for them and can’t wait to become an uncle. He might have already gotten a few gifts for the little one when she arrives.

“There is a reason for why OPP exists in the first place. Be kind to yourself,” Wu Xi says and tilts his head.

He does know. And to be honest, he’s not even that upset that the test came back negative. He had expected it. He feels like his body is getting ready to ovulate and move into heat in a few weeks. He feels fine. Normal. The tests had even shown that his body is responding well to his alpha and his hormones are stronger than ever—whatever that means in OPP language. He probably should read up a bit more on the pamphlets he’d been given.

It's just…

He’s not forcing it. If it happens, it happens. Whilst his body is in good condition, and everything seems fine, the odds are against him. There is a reason for why OPP had been introduced in the first place. Second gender is declining and omegas are having a harder time conceiving. That’s just facts. Pretty much every baby born from second genders is a miracle baby. So even if he is knotted by Wen Ke Xing for the rest of his life under prime conditions, with virile Olympic grade swimmers, there is a big chance that it still might never happen.

So, he doesn’t have high hopes. He just doesn’t want to live with regrets. He doesn’t want to wonder—what if. What if he was one of the lucky ones? What if he could have a child of his own?

What if…

What if he could have a little family again. What if he wouldn’t be alone anymore. What if he could continue his family line and give his child all the love that he had gotten from his parents in his childhood.

There is a pat on his shoulder and Jing Bei Yuan slides next to him in the booth. “You know that we are your family right? And you are about to be an uncle! There is no getting out of babysitting even if you’re a superstar. Get ready to change diapers in those fancy clothes of yours. And baby proof your house.”

His friend, whom he’s known since he was a toddler, looks at him with warm, knowing eyes. He nods and stuffs another piece of chicken in, because again, chewing is easier than feelings right now.

“Besides, you like trying for a baby right? The longer it takes, the more you can enjoy your alpha,” Jing Bei Yuan concludes and winks down at him. He shakes his head but can’t help smiling since he had said something very similar to Jing Bei Yuan all those years ago.

“Why are you smiling?” Jing Bei Yuan continues and looks at him with narrowed eyes.

“I bet I know,” Wu Xi says and studies him with a knowing smile. “I bet he has been told how well his hormones are responding to that little alpha of his.”

“That’s a thing?” Jing Bei Yuan asks and looks between the two of them. “You never told me that!”

“I didn’t think I had to since we decided to mate after two heats. It was kind of obvious how I reacted to you,” Wu Xi says, a bit exasperated, but lovingly. “That, and I loved you.”

“Well, we were made for each other,” Jing Bei Yuan says, slides back into his seat and pats his husband on his stomach. “And I have very much enjoyed the baby making part.”

“Eww,” Zhou Zi Shu says and sticks his tongue out. “No need to overshare.”

Jing Bei Yuan scoffs, “Well, since I have been successful in impregnating my omega, maybe I should give Ke Xing some pointers.”

“Stay away from him,” Zhou Zi Shu says, trying to swallow the chicken that is threatening to get stuck in his throat.

“Not even let him know what position finally did the trick?” Jing Bei Yuan continues and giggles.

“Fuck off,” he says, and stuffs another piece of chicken in as he tries hard to not visualize his two friends naked.

“So,” Jing Bei Yuan starts, looking at him with smug eyes, “you’re a good match, huh?”

“We wouldn’t have matched in the first place if we weren’t compatible,” he responds and ignores what Jing Bei Yuan is really asking. He can always hope that his friend will leave him alone for a bit. Maybe he should order some more food? Or ask about the latest with the birthing preparations.

“Yeah, but you seem to be getting along really well even outside of heats,” Jing Bei Yuan continues and smirks.

“We do,” he says, still ignoring the real question.

“So he’s not as annoying as you originally thought?” Wu Xi asks. Clearly his friends are not going to let him off easy.

“He has some good qualities that weren’t obvious when we first met,” he responds and thinks about that first day at the Omega Center. Looking back now, Wen Ke Xing hadn’t been that much of a brat. He had been quite embarrassed, maybe even a bit star struck. There were definitely two different sides of the Wen Ke Xing coin. And since that first day, he often came up with the nice side when flipped.

There is a shutter across the table and Jing Bei Yuan looks at his phone, pleased with himself.

“What are you doing?” Zhou Zi Shu asks, looking around to see if anyone has noticed them. They are in the corner and he’s sitting with his back against the majority of the other tables, but people can still notice him since he’s not wearing a mask.

“Here,” Jing Bei Yuan says and holds out his phone. It’s a photo of him, cheeks stuffed with chicken. “Can you see how happy you look?”

Does he? Well, the food is good and he’s with friends. Of course he’s happy?

“Isn’t he glowing?” Jing Bei Yuan continues and nudges his husband.

“You do look happy,” Wu Xi agrees and nibbles on some chicken.

“Get to your question,” he says, bracing for the point his usually blunt friend is tiptoeing around.

“You like him,” Jing Bei Yuan says.

“That’s not a question,” he says, still not wanting to answer the question that he has refused to think about in the past weeks.

“Fine, asshole, do you like him?” Jing Bei Yuan asks and leans forward. There is no humor anymore. There is no worry or curiosity. There is just hope.

“I don’t know,” he says. “I haven’t thought a lot about it.”

“To be fond of scenting is a certain step towards falling in love,” Wu Xi says, quoting another ad from OPP, eyes bright and with a knowing smile on his lips.

“I don’t want to think about it yet,” he says and takes a deep breath, putting his chopsticks down. “Please, both of you. I’m not ready to think about this right now. I’ve just started shooting a movie, I’ve just been told I’m not pregnant and my body is gearing up my hormones for heat. I’m cranky, sore, and sleep deprived.”

Jing Bei Yuan looks at Wu Xi with a look that says, ‘that’s not a no’. And it’s not. He is aware that it’s not a no. But just because it’s not a no, doesn’t mean that it’s a yes.

“Okay, just know that it’s normal. It’s common. Lots of matches end up together. You don’t need to fight it. Nor do you have to force it. It’s not a big deal. Just think about it,” Wu Xi says. “And you can talk to us if you need to. I’ve been where you are, it’s not always easy to know if it’s hormones or real feelings.”

“I can’t wait for your baby to arrive so that you have someone else to focus on,” he responds, but the smile on his face is grateful rather than irritated. They have been friends for a long time. They don’t need to say everything out loud.

He reaches for his chopsticks and feels his phone vibrate in his pocket.

Home. That word shouldn’t make his heart flutter, because he doesn’t know if Wen Ke Xing really thinks of it as his home, or if it’s just one of those things that he says when he is heading back to the place where he sleeps.

“I bet that was from Ke Xing,” Jing Bei Yuan says.

“I’m not betting against you,” Wu Xi says and finishes off his cup of tea.

“I bet he is going to bail on us shortly,” Jing Bei Yuan continues and reaches for the last piece of chicken.

“I could ask him to come up,” Zhou Zi Shu says, ignoring his friends’ jabs.

“No need, go home and play house with your alpha,” Jing Bei Yuan continues and flags down the waiter to pay the bill.

“And this is the reason why I’m not asking him up,” he responds and types on his phone.

“Okay, let’s go,” Jing Bei Yuan says. “Don’t want to keep your little alpha waiting. Some other omega might snatch him off the streets.”

“He’s pretty heavy to carry,” Zhou Zi Shu responds and puts his phone back in his pocket.

“You’ve tried, have you?” Jing Bei Yuan says and wiggles his eyebrows. “I kind of like it when Da Wu lifts me up against a wall.”

“Eww~” he says and stands up. But now he is thinking about lifting Wen Ke Xing up against the wall, holding him firmly in place and biting that scent gland. He is pretty strong so he could probably do it. Wen Ke Xing isn’t that much taller than he is and he’s certainly the fittest he’s ever been in his life after the past months of strength training.

He hears Jing Bei Yuan chuckle beside him and he just shakes his head, embarrassed of getting caught thinking about sex right in front of the biggest gremlin on the planet.

“Let’s go,” he says and starts walking towards the entrance. He needs some air to cool off and hopes that Wen Ke Xing hasn’t arrived yet.

He steps out onto the sidewalk and instantly hears, “Zi Shu?”

He turns his head and finds himself face to face with Zhu Yao Zhi. They had seen each other for such a short time that it could barely be called dating. They had met through mutual acquaintances and enjoyed each other’s company for about two months—and roughly the same amount of time in bed.

“Yao Zhi,” he says, his brain reeling from being face to face with an ex of sorts, instead of Wen Ke Xing.

“It’s good to see you,” Zhu Yao Zhi says and smiles. He used to find that smile cute, but now all he can think about is Wen Ke Xing’s smile and how radiant his alpha is compared to this man.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Zhu Yao Zhi. He’s somewhat tall, handsome, broad shoulders, firm biceps, and an acceptable scent—honey and green tea. He also has an extremely nice, soft personality though a bit too introverted for Zhou Zi Shu’s taste. They just didn’t mesh well. It was a bit too vanilla, too plain and boring for him. He had found himself telling Zhu Yao Zhi that he was just too busy to date and that maybe they could meet up when things slowed down for him. Though, things didn’t slow down. Instead he signed on for the movie and joined OPP.

“It’s been a while,” he says, feeling a bit awkward for never having reached out again. Then again, neither had Zhu Yao Zhi.

“How have you been?” Zhu Yao Zhi asks, his eyes sparkling and his scent is leaking with happiness. It makes him feel bad. It also makes him wonder if the alpha had been holding back when they had spent time together, because he had never seemed that happy to see Zhou Zi Shu back then.

“Super busy,” he says, lamely, fully aware that his two friends are right behind them listening in and analyzing the interaction. Both of them are aware of Zhu Yao Zhi’s existence, they just didn’t date long enough for him to introduce the alpha to his friends.

“Yeah, I saw the announcement from the booting ceremony,” Zhu Yao Zhi says. “Congratulations! Super exciting with a movie.”

“Yeah, the right script came my way and I just couldn’t say no,” he responds.

“How busy is your schedule with filming? Maybe we could—" Zhu Yao Zhi starts, but is interrupted by someone stepping up next to them.

“A’Xu,” he hears and it’s like his whole body starts sizzling from just that single name spoken by that deep voice.

He turns and is now faced with the man he wanted to see in the first place. Wen Ke Xing is there, next to his two friends, dressed in a tight knitted, dark-red sweater with large black prints, matched with skinny black pants and sneakers. He looks like he’s stepped out of a Louis Vuitton commercial. It really is a wonder that he hasn’t been snatched up yet.

“Lao Wen,” he says and takes an automatic step towards his alpha.

“A’Xu? Lao Wen?” Jing Bei Yuan mock-whispers, and huffs. “I think that answers my question.”

“What question?” Wen Ke Xing asks, body a little stiff and he can smell the whiskey from a few steps away. It’s not strong, but it’s there. And there is a tangy, spicy undertone that his inner omega preens at.

“Oh, nothing,” Jing Bei Yuan says and pats him on the shoulder. “If you want to be in on my teasing, you’ll have to join the dinner next time.”

Wen Ke Xing looks at him with pursed lips, and smiles. “Fair, next time dinner is on me.”

“Um,” he hears from behind and realizes that Zhu Yao Zhi is still there. He’d already forgotten about the man. He takes a step to the side and turns so that he doesn’t have his back towards anyone. He wishes he was already at home, in bed with Wen Ke Xing. Wen Ke Xing, however, is staring at Zhu Yao Zhi, some silent alpha communication going on.

“Zi Shu, do you want to—” Zhu Yao Zhi starts again, but is stopped by a commotion across the street.

“ZHOU XU! Over here! How was dinner? Who are your friends?” a woman’s voice is heard and then there are flashes from several cameras.

Suddenly he’s fully aware that he’s forgotten his face mask in his hurry to get away from Jing Bei Yuan’s prying eyes and probing questions. Most of the time it doesn’t bother him when daipai or fans find him when he’s out. But right now Zhu Yao Zhi is there, and this will be trending on Weibo tomorrow. It’s not a big deal, but it’s a headache to deal with because now the rumors will start back up again.

Before he can fish out his face mask, Wen Ke Xing steps in front of him, shielding him with his tall stature. “We’ll head off, do you guys want a ride?” Wen Ke Xing says.

“Nah, he’s all yours now. We live around the corner,” Wu Xi responds.

Wen Ke Xing’s steady hand snakes its way down his lower back and then he’s guided into the backseat of a car.

“Pick a place, and next time’s on me,” Wen Ke Xing says and he hears Jing Bei Yuan and Wu Xi say goodbye before the door closes and the taxi drives off.

“Thanks,” he says.

“Sure thing,” Wen Ke Xing says beside him and there is something strange in his tone. “I wasn’t sure how you normally deal with these things.”

“It was perfect,” he says and looks out through the window as the streets pass by. “By the way, I have a few cars in the garage behind the house. You’re free to borrow one if you need to go out. It’ll give you a bit more privacy as well. Keys are in the cabinet by the door.”

“You don’t even know if I can drive,” Wen Ke Xing teases. “But thank you, I might take you up on it.”

It’s only a short ride back to his house and now that he’s heading home, he feels how tired he is from the day. He leans back against the seat and sighs.

“I didn’t realize you were having dinner with your ex,” Wen Ke Xing says. His voice isn’t harsh or accusing. It’s not at all like it was when he had asked if Zhou Zi Shu liked Wang Xie’s scent. But there is definitely something lacing his words because they make his butterflies stutter.

He’s in so much trouble. He generally hates it when alphas get possessive over him. However, he realizes that he doesn’t mind it when Wen Ke Xing is jealous. He even likes it. He likes the way the man’s scent gets stronger, spicier, tangier. He likes the way those warm eyes darken with irritation and want. He likes the way Wen Ke Xing crowds him against the nearest surface and scents him when he comes home from work smelling of Xie Wang. And he likes the way Wen Ke Xing fucks him breathless until everything around them smell like just them. And he liked it the way he had stepped in front of the cameras, and in between him and Zhu Yao Zhi.

“I wasn’t,” he responds. “I ran into him outside the restaurant.”

How did Wen Ke Xing know that Zhu Yao Zhi was an ex? Had Wen Ke Xing looked him up? Looked up previous alphas that he’d been linked to? Is that why he offered to be one of the long line of boytoys? Does he believe that Zhou Zi Shu has actually been with all the men that he’s been linked to over the years?

Wen Ke Xing nods, and remains quiet.

(o.o)

The driver drops them off around the corner, Wen Ke Xing having been thoughtful enough to not let a stranger know his home address. He still puts on a face mask before getting out of the car and hands one to Wen Ke Xing as well.

They walk the final block to his estate, through the security gates and along the lit path towards his house. Wen Ke Xing is still silent beside him. It’s unnerving. Wen Ke Xing is rarely quiet. Not like this. He’s been quiet from anger, jealousy or just stubbornness before.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, nerves skipping on his tongue.

“Nothing,” Wen Ke Xing responds, his voice low and more subdued than normal.

He wants to shake the man to make him to talk, tell him what’s wrong, but he doesn’t have the right to do that. They aren’t dating. Wen Ke Xing doesn’t have to share his private thoughts. They are already sharing a lot more than he ever thought. He shouldn’t claim more. Even though he wants to. He wants to so badly.

A bird chirps in a tree next to them and suddenly Zhou Zi Shu finds himself being lifted off the ground, pulled into the shadows and pushed up against it. Wen Ke Xing rips his own mask off and then Zhou Zi Shu’s before crashing his lips against his.

Oh.

Is Wen Ke Xing worried? Worried and jealous? Zhou Zi Shu’s butterflies soar through his veins, and he tightens his legs around those angular hips, clinging to those strong shoulders.

He’s in so much trouble.

(｡o_o｡)

Chapter Text

"Ah~ Just like that," Zhou Zi Shu gasps and pushes back against him. "Keep—just like that."

Wen Ke Xing groans and drives deeper into that wet puffy hole. He’s got one hand locked in an unyielding grip around the omega’s neck and the other around his hips, fingers digging into the meat of those perfect hips.

They really shouldn’t be doing this out in the open. Even though they are hidden from view and it’s pitch black, Zhou Zi Shu is leaking so much the sweet scent of slick is thick in the air around them. What if someone can smell them?

It’s just too good. The way Zhou Zi Shu moans his name from where his face is smushed against the tree. The way Zhou Zi Shu is arched in front of him, the plush ass pushing back against him to meet each thrust. The way the tight hole leaks and clenches around his cock as he drives deep into the soft heat, the slick dripping down his thighs, staining his pants.

Addictive.

He leans forward to lick the column of the omegas neck, stopping to bite on the scent gland, soaking up the needy, broken moan escaping Zhou Zi Shu as he turns his head to seek his lips. He can’t see him, but he knows that the man has unfocused eyes and an open mouth, lost in his hunt for release. He is always a vision.

“I’m—close—ah,” Zhou Zi Shu mewls, and Wen Ke Xing closes the gap to lick in between those plush lips. The omega’s tongue is heavy in his mouth, demanding and messy.

He feels the knot quiver and he leans back, fucking faster, chasing release before the knot can expand and lodge itself—because that’s definitely not a good idea right now.

Zhou Zi Shu arches to brace and throws his head back, moaning louder. And whilst he very much enjoys hearing how much pleasure he gives the omega, someone might overhear them. He lets go of the neck and stuffs two fingers into that perfect mouth.  Zhou Zi Shu moans around them and starts sucking. It’s absolutely filthy and the clench in his thighs increases rapidly.

He lets go of the hip, reaching around to fist his hand around the neglected, weeping omega cock. Using the precum to slick it up, he strokes it hard and fast.

“Come for me, A’Xu,” he whispers into the darkness, and feels Zhou Zi Shu bite his fingers as he shakes apart under him, coating Wen Ke Xing’s hand with warm cum. The punched-out sound ripples through him, pushing him over the edge and he bites down on Zhou Zi Shu’s shoulder to muffle his groan as he comes.

A bird chirps from a few trees away but other than that the night is quiet around them. He calms his breathing and circles his arms around Zhou Zi Shu, pulling him close and holding him tight.

Zhou Zi Shu huffs and leans his head back against Wen Ke Xing’s shoulder, “So hot for me, you couldn’t even make it inside, huh?”

"We’re not done yet," he responds and quickly fixes their clothes before dragging the omega towards the front door.

(˘ ˘ ˘)

Wen Ke Xing comes with a growl that rumbles through him as if chasing the orgasm from cell to cell. Zhou Zi Shu is flushed and panting with his face down and ass up in front of him, a pool of cum on the sheet below. The arch of his spine is both filthy and elegant, and Wen Ke Xing drags his fingertips along the curve, the beads of sweat pooling in the dimples. He can’t help but smack that meaty ass cheek, gently, just to watch it jiggle. The corresponding huff from Zhou Zi Shu is worth it, because it’s a happy puff of air. Zhou Zi Shu is proud of his curves and likes it when Wen Ke Xing worships them.

Since he hasn’t knotted the omega this time—they don’t really have time as Zhou Zi Shu is getting picked up for work in just ten minutes—he slips out. He wraps his arms around Zhou Zi Shu and rolls them sideways, curling with his limbs around that toned body. He just can’t get enough of him. That flawless skin, the softness of the curves, the strength in those legs and arms, the lines of the obliques, the wild hair, wanting lips and broad shoulders.

“Are you coming with me today?” Zhou Zi Shu asks, still out of breath.

“I’m meeting my publisher today, to chat about my progress,” he responds and bites along the column of Zhou Zi Shu’s perfect neck. “And she had some other news to share as well.”

Zhou Zi Shu wiggles in his arms and whilst he wants to tighten them, hold Zhou Zi Shu even closer, he lets go. Zhou Zi Shu turns around, a bit awkwardly to avoid the wet spots on the sheet, and looks up at him. His hair is tussled, his skin is flushed beautifully, and he’s pouting which means that he wants something. It’s still a mystery to Wen Ke Xing that Zhou Zi Shu still thinks that Wen Ke Xing won’t just give him whatever he wants. He’s never said no to anything—nor does he want to.  

“When can I read your draft?” Zhou Zi Shu asks, and the man has the audacity to increase the pout and turn on his puppy eyes. Wen Ke Xing wonders if the omega really has no clue of the impact he has on him. He’s absolutely lethal.

He makes a show out of thinking hard, struggling and sighing whilst rolling his eyes. Zhou Zi Shu doesn’t even blink, instead waiting patiently with the same expression.

“When can I read your script?” he responds, and tucks a strand of hair behind Zhou Zi Shu’s ear.

“I’ll let you read the script if you let me read your draft,” Zhou Zi Shu challenges, raising his chin and tilting his head.

“I’m only halfway through, and I’m not telling you the ending,” he says, his voice a bit hoarse. “But I’m open to outside feedback.”

He’s not sure that’s true. He’s actually a bit nervous about what Zhou Zi Shu will think about this one. It’s slightly different, mostly because he really has let himself be influenced by his life. Writing about a serial killer stalking a male celebrity omega whilst abducting and murdering omegas that look like him. He wonders if Zhou Zi Shu will find it creepy, or maybe think that he has unhealthy thoughts.

Zhou Zi Shu’s eyes widen and he practically jumps up on top of him, thick thighs clenched around his hips, soft, sticky cock resting against his stomach. Even like this, the omega is magnificent. “Deal,” Zhou Zi Shu says and looks smug.

Wen Ke Xing knows that he’s just missed out on an opportunity to ask for more, to negotiate something in his favor, but he just doesn’t want to. He likes it when Zhou Zi Shu looks this happy. He wants to keep making the man happy.

Something expands in his throat and he swallows around it because Zhou Zi Shu hadn’t been happy yesterday. Not that he had said anything, the man never did. Not about those kinds of things. Zhou Zi Shu was one fierce and magnificent omega, who knew what he wanted and went for it. But he wasn’t always open about feelings. Not when it came outside of the bedroom anyway.

Not that he owed Wen Ke Xing anything. They weren’t dating. He’s not even sure if he’s allowed to call himself a friend. He’s a match. An assigned alpha to help the omega get pregnant.

And that was the thing. Zhou Zi Shu had worked nonstop for weeks ever since the booting ceremony, and then all of a sudden had half a day off. The omega hadn’t told him where he was going, nor had Wen Ke Xing asked. He could guess. It wasn’t rocket science—it was biology. Zhou Zi Shu was going to the Omega Center to check how things are going. Either the man would be pregnant and he would be kicked out, or Zhou Zi Shu’s body would start preparing for heat.

And based on Zhou Zi Shu going out for dinner with friends, and him still being here, he is fairly certain that they are heading for another heat. He doesn’t mind. He is looking forward to it. He can feel the changes in his own body and his sense of smell is keener than last time. It’s honing in on Zhou Zi Shu for each day they spend together. He might even be able to smell it when Zhou Zi Shu finally ovulates.

He is fairly certain that his rut will trigger this time around. He just hasn’t told Zhou Zi Shu yet because he doesn’t want to get the omega’s hopes up and then not be able to deliver. He doesn’t want to disappoint him.

He kind of feels like he hasn’t done what he’s supposed to do as a match, even though he knows the odds. He knows that the chances are small, especially since he’s only here for 3-4 heats. But he wants to give Zhou Zi Shu what he wants.

Zhou Zi Shu interrupts his thoughts by bending down and giving him a kiss, “You better have that draft ready by the time I get back.”

He lifts his head and pecks Zhou Zi Shu’s lips, “As long as you have your script with you, you can have anything.”

“Anything?” Zhou Zi Shu asks, leaning in closer to bite softly around his scent gland.

“Anything,” he breathes out, wanting nothing more than to wrap his arms around the omega and lie here for the rest of the day.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Zhou Zi Shu says, pecks his lips and jumps off the bed, heading for the ensuite.

(˘ ˘ ˘)

“What’s new in your life?” Luo Fu Meng asks and looks at him with narrowed eyes.

“What do you mean?” he asks, innocently.

“I read the chapters so far,” she continues and leans back in her chair. “They are a bit different.”

“Don’t like them?” he asks. He knows that she likes them. Whilst she’s a little bit scary, he can still read her like an open book. The problem is that she can read him as well. She always has been able to see right through him.

“You matched,” she says, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Yes,” he confirms and tilts his head.

“Tian a, you really matched with Zhou Xu?” she exclaims, jolting forward towards her desk, her eyes wide and her mouth open in disbelief. “I saw the photos trending on Weibo, but I didn’t believe it was you,” she continues and nods to herself.

Officially, he can’t answer that question. He’s not allowed to give away the identity of his match. He would get kicked out of the program if he did. However, it’s impossible with the leaked photos and the lame excuse of him being an assistant. The people who knew him and knew what he did for a living, would see through it. Or at least Luo Fu Meng would. Maybe they should have opted for dating instead. Then again, that would have sent netizens digging into who he was, and he would prefer to keep himself away from the spotlight like that.

“Tian a…” she repeats in disbelief and laughs. “Wasn’t Zhou Xu the one who overheard…?”

“He sure was,” he confirms. He cringes when he thinks back at the insults that he had hurled out of frustration that night. He’s lucky Zhou Zi Shu didn’t just slap him at the matching and then picked Xie Wang instead.

Luo Fu Meng laughs out loud and slumps back in her chair, “Wow, just wow.” She sighs and tries to collect herself. Under his NDA with OPP he is only allowed to share that he’s matched with his employer. This is mostly to allow people to go on extended leave or make adjustments to work if they relocate. It’s all government funded as far as Wen Ke Xing knows, but since it doesn’t affect him, he hasn’t looked into it. He can work from anywhere and since Zhou Zi Shu lives locally, it hasn’t affected anything in his work.

“What’s your match like?” she asks and he thinks for a bit. He needs to be careful so that he doesn’t violate any clauses. He can’t share anything really. Nothing personal, and what is there that isn’t personal when it comes to matching, living together, scenting and fucking?

“He’s more beautiful in person,” he responds.

“Yeah, I bet he is,” she says and giggles. “Good luck with getting that big foot of yours out of your mouth.”

“So, what was it you wanted to talk to me about?” he asks to change the subject.

“Well, this might not be great timing, but the Producer of the Reaper movies has reached out. They were hoping you would work with the scriptwriter, and then join them up in Nanjing to look at shooting locations, go over characters with the actors etc. The same sort of thing that you did for Hanging Ghost.”

“When?” he asks. As long as it doesn’t coincide with Zhou Zi Shu’s heat, there shouldn’t be any problems.

“Next month,” she says.

“I’ll need to check what my schedule looks like and then get back to you,” he responds.

“So, you’re a live in alpha?” she asks, not even trying to contain her giggles.

“Yes,” he responds. He is allowed to answer that. He just can’t say where. And that has nothing to do with Zhou Zi Shu being famous.

“Wow,” she repeats and shakes her head. “You must have saved a country in your previous life.”

“Is there a script I can look at now?” he asks, still trying to steer the conversation away from Zhou Zi Shu. Partly out of obligation, but also, he doesn’t want her to see through him and start asking difficult questions. He is not ready for that yet. Or maybe ever.

“I’ll forward it on to you this afternoon,” she says and her professional persona is back. “Have a read through it and let me know what your schedule looks like. I’m sure we can work something out with the production company. They are only scouting right now. Filming doesn’t start until November. But they need to start applying for permits with the city, so they would prefer sooner rather than later.”

November. The word sticks in his throat like dry crackers and he suppresses a cough. He doesn’t usually celebrate his birthday that much, but he always looks forward to it these days since Gu Xiang usually plans something fun for the two of them to do. However, November this year comes with other consequences that he doesn’t want to think about right now. And definitely not in front of his publisher.

Though, he’s done the math. Zhou Zi Shu’s fourth heat should be mid-October, if everything keeps on schedule. Which means that there wouldn’t need to be any need for him after that. Unless Zhou Zi Shu asked for him to stay. And that he definitely doesn’t want to think about right now.

“I’ll have a look and get back to you tomorrow,” he responds and smiles. It’s a bit forced, but it’s the best he can do. At least Luo Fu Meng gives him the grace of pretending that it’s genuine. She also knows when his birthday is, and the consequence of turning twenty-eight. She went through that herself around the time they first met. She had matched, and then gotten rejected by her omega. She’d been in love and he hadn’t wanted anything else from her. He still doesn’t know if there had been a baby from the match.

“Let’s chat tomorrow then,” she says and stands up to walk him out. “And keep up the good work with the draft. It’s the best one yet.”

“You haven’t read the ending yet,” he teases.

“Then get to writing,” she says, and pats him on the back and all but pushes him out the door. Always the loving boss.

¬‿¬

He swings by campus on his way home and treats Gu Xiang to dinner and two full bags of snacks and fruit. She complains the whole time, but he can see that she likes being cared for. He’s missed her and says that he will try to visit once per week from now on, assuming it works with her summer schedule. She huffs and puffs, but he can tell that she’s missed him too.

However, she’s more jumpy than normal and there is definitely something that she’s keeping from him. He wonders if she’s failed a course and ponders if he should reach out to talk to her academic supervisor. But he also trusts her. He has to. She has to grow up, and this is the whole purpose of pushing her out of the apartment. He wants her to experience life, see that she is strong enough to stand on her own two feet, that she can do anything and everything she sets her mind to.

As he leaves, she takes a few jabs at him, teasing with the new hashtag trending on Weibo that Zhou Zi Shu has gotten back together with his ex. Considering there could have been far worse headlines created last night, he’s just grateful for some untrue dating rumors.

When he gets home, he can smell that Zhou Zi Shu is home. The scent leads him into the spa where Zhou Zi Shu is singing to himself. It’s another song that Wen Ke Xing has never heard and wonders if there is a new album coming later this year.

“How was your sister?” Zhou Zi Shu asks without turning around.

“She’s either dating, or she’s flunked a course,” he says and sits down on the chair next to the spa. “I’m not sure which is worse.”

Zhou Zi Shu turns to look at him, lips pursed, “Maybe you should invite her over. I still haven’t met her.”

“Are you really sure you want to? She is a handful,” he responds.

“From what you’ve told me, she sounds delightful,” Zhou Zi Shu says and leans back against the headrest. “You could invite her over for dinner this weekend if you want? I can always invite Bei Yuan and Da Wu over as well. Less pressure on her.”

It’s not the first time that Zhou Zi Shu has told him to invite his sister over, but isn’t that breaking some kind of OPP rule? Then again, he has met Zhou Zi Shu’s friends, and all his co-workers. He’s integrated into every part of the man’s life. If Zhou Zi Shu says that it’s fine, who is he to say no? He’s not against the two of them getting to know each other. But it also means exposing Gu Xiang to this world. What if she is photographed? What if she gets attached to Zhou Zi Shu and wants to keep him in their lives after this? What if she can tell…

“I’ll ask her,” he concludes. He will need to have a proper talk with her if she wants to come over. She would really need to understand the responsibility of it all.

“By the way, I’ve been wanting to ask this for ages,” he continues. “Where did the nickname Da Wu come from?”

Zhou Zi Shu laughs and shakes his head, “You’re not ready for that story yet.”

He feels a bit offended. He’s ready for anything. He prides himself on being ready for anything. “What do I need to do to get ready?” he asks instead.

“You need to be initiated,” Zhou Zi Shu says and huffs. “And you can’t be initiated until Da Wu has had the baby.”

He’s not sure what the baby has to do with the nickname, but he can wait. The baby is scheduled to arrive in August, not even two months away. He can wait.

“There is something I wanted to talk to you about,” he says.

“What’s up?” Zhou Zi Shu asks and turns around to face him, his eyes suddenly focused.

“Something came up at work today,” he says, wondering why he’s a bit nervous. He feels like he’s asking for leave or something.

“Ah, the mystery thing your publisher wanted to talk to you about?” Zhou Zi Shu asks and turns on the jets, sighing happily.

“The Producer for the Reaper movies want me to go to Nanjing,” he continues and watches Zhou Zi Shu snap back to attention.

Even though he sort of knows how much Zhou Zi Shu loves his books, and the first movie, it’s another thing to see it in real life like this. He tries to ignore whatever is happening in his chest and swallows around the fluttering pulse in his throat. “They want me to work with the script writer, but also work through the characters and some shooting locations.”

“When?” Zhou Zi Shu asks, eyes suddenly sparkling.

“Next month,” he answers. “I would time it after your heat.”

“Mn,” Zhou Zi Shu hums, looking like he’s doing math in his head. “How many days do you have to go?”

“I’m not sure yet, not more than a week? I don’t have to be there to work with the scriptwriter. I can start doing that right away,” he responds, wondering what’s going on behind that crease on Zhou Zi Shu’s forehead. Does he want him to stay? Is he worried it will affect his hormones if he’s gone that long?

“Would you—” Zhou Zi Shu starts, and then stops. He bites on his bottom lip, some form of inner dialogue going on.

“Do you want me to say no? I can if you think it will affect you,” he says. He’s not obligated to, he is free to move around between heats. He’s not a sex slave. However, he would drop it in a heartbeat.

“No, it’s—” Zhou Zi Shu says and then presses his lips together.

“… It’s?” he prompts, feeling like jumping into the spa pool to shake the words out of the man.

“Can I come?” Zhou Zi Shu finally asks and averts his gaze.

Wen Ke Xing is stunned. He wants to come? Why? Zhou Zi Shu wants to travel with him? Is he that nervous about not being exposed to his scent for a few days?

“I can scent everything before I go,” he starts, and watches the light go out of Zhou Zi Shu’s eyes.

“Oh,” Zhou Zi Shu says and sinks back into the water. “Sure. Yeah.”

“Do you want to come? Can you take time off?” he asks, not sure what just happened.

“I don’t want to be in your way,” Zhou Zi Shu says, not looking at him, instead adjusting the speed of the jets.

Something curls into a huge knot in his gut and those flutters he felt just moments ago fade. “A’Xu,” he says, swallowing before continuing, “You can come with me if you want to. But can you take time off? How would it work if you go with me? Wouldn’t you be exposed?”

“I could…” Zhou Zi Shu starts, still not looking at him. “… We could go for my heat. And then I could take the full allocated week off. It wouldn’t disrupt the schedule.”

Is he for real? He is essentially going to play hooky just so he can go with Wen Ke Xing to Nanjing? “What if you’re spotted?”

Zhou Zi Shu shrugs, “I have time off to recover. They won’t say a word about what I do during that time. We are already a week ahead of schedule since I returned a week earlier than expected from my last heat. Everything is going well. I’ll talk to Ye laoshi.”

“You want to spend the heat there? Or here and then go?” he asks, his head reeling from what is happening right now. Traveling together seems more like a boyfriend thing to do rather than an OPP-matched thing. He ignores the war between the knot and the remaining butterflies and licks his lips.

“I’ll get Cheng Ling to sort out a secure house and we can spend the heat there. I’ll travel better before my heat than right after,” Zhou Zi Shu says, the edges of his eyes sparkling again.

“That means we are going at the end of next week?” he asks, just to confirm that he’s not having some strange hallucinogenic reaction to too much OPP tea.

“Check with the production company if that works,” Zhou Zi Shu says. “If they are on board, then I’ll get Cheng Ling to make all the arrangements.”

“I…” he starts, since it’s come to this, he should probably say something. This house is fine, but if they are going away, Zhou Zi Shu should know.

“Mn?” Zhou Zi Shu says and looks up at him with bright eyes. He looks happy again.

“I’ll probably go into rut,” he says and watches the word ripple across Zhou Zi Shu’s face. Shock. Realization. Excitement. Lust. Longing. Hunger. It’s all there on full display and a subtle pressure settles around his chest. Now that the words are out, he will have to deliver.

“Are you sure?” Zhou Zi Shu asks, unable to contain the anticipation in his voice.

“I’m not one hundred percent sure, but I’m showing signs that it might happen. I just wanted you to know,” he concludes. If he goes into rut, the heat will be extremely intense and he wants Zhou Zi Shu to pick a place where he will feel safe and comfortable.

“Don’t worry, I’ll sort out good accommodation. Is there something specific you need? I’m not sure what—” Zhou Zi Shu swallows his last words and blushes. It’s been some time since the omega blushed and he looks delicious.

What isn’t he sure about? Could it be that… He blinks a few times before he asks, “Have you ever spent a rut with an alpha before?”

“No,” Zhou Zi Shu answers and the blush deepens.

Oh.

His throat is suddenly dry and his heart is performing a one-man-band concert in his chest. He will actually take one of Zhou Zi Shu’s firsts. The thought makes his head spin and his cock fill out.

“I just need you,” he says. It was supposed to come out with confidence, but his voice shakes on the last word. His brain means omega, whilst his heart means A’Xu. He’s not ready to listen to the latter. But he knows that his heart doesn’t flutter for its own amusement.

Zhou Zi Shu watches him with dark eyes, that sweet fuck-me scent is strong in the room and he should probably get naked. “Let me know if there is something specific that you crave, or anything you want to drink, and I’ll sort it out.”

“Sure,” he says, stands up, and divests his clothes within a matter of moments.

He walks into the pool and doesn’t stop until his lips are on Zhou Zi Shu’s, and his hands are digging into the meat of that curvy ass. He tells himself that he needs to douse himself with as much Zhou Zi Shu as possible before the end of next week. He tells himself that he is doing this to make sure that he goes into rut.

His heart doesn’t believe him.

(˵˘ ³˘˵)

Chapter Text

“Absolutely not. Are you crazy? I forbid it.” Han Ying closes the door to the trailer behind him with a bit more force than required, and stomps up the few steps. “Are you trying to give me a heart attack? If you two are caught, it will be a PR nightmare. And what about Five Lakes? What are you planning on telling them? That you’re just there for fun?”

Zhou Zi Shu sighs internally. Han Ying has been behaving so well since filming started, but he should have seen this coming. Maybe he should have gone to see his manager instead of letting Zhang Cheng Ling and his studio deal with it. Maybe it would have saved this trip to set.

“My contract is up in a few months,” he says calmly from where he is perched on the sofa, eating a sad looking seafood salad. Only a few more weeks of this, and then, as his character changes and they move into the second half of the story, he can finally start eating more. “How about I don’t renew with Jin Entertainment. Would that work for your heart?”

Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Wen Ke Xing look up from the laptop and glance towards Zhang Cheng Ling, who is standing beside him with wide eyes and mouth open. His assistant should be used to this by now. They argue all the time and Zhou Zi Shu threatens to change management companies a few times a year. Maybe he should just open his own company and cut Jin Entertainment out of his life. He’s given them enough money through the years. He doesn’t feel like he owes them anymore.

“Don’t be so dramatic,” Han Ying says, and closes his eyes, taking a deep breath.

“Oh, I’m the one being dramatic?” he asks, and stabs a shrimp. He can’t wait for his heat to arrive so that he can eat some of Wen Ke Xing’s baozi. If they didn’t make him burn through calories like rocket fuel during a launch, he wouldn’t know what carbs taste like.

“You can’t just go on a holiday when you’re filming,” Han Ying says, and slumps down next to Zhou Zi Shu. “You’ll ruin your reputation. They will think you’re not being serious. It’s your first movie! Help me out here. I know how hard you’ve worked for this and how important this is to you.”

He sighs internally. It’s only a half-empty threat to Jin Entertainment. And he knows that Han Ying only ever has his best interest at heart.

“I’ve already talked to Ye laoshi about it,” he says and pats his agent on the shoulder. “We are ahead of schedule. And it turns out that Xie Wang has booked in some endorsement appearances, so he’s away as well. They are shooting other things that week, so I’m really not needed.”

“Oh,” Han Ying says, and Zhou Zi Shu can see the exact moment the wheels start turning. “Where are you going again? Nanjing? Maybe we could schedule an appearance at Deji Plaza[i], since you’re already in town.”

“Only one endorsement,” he agrees, hiding a smirk by stuffing the shrimp into his mouth. “And it’s already been arranged. I’m making an appearance to endorse the new line of jewelry from Tasaki.”

Han Ying glares at him, more out of annoyance of being left out, than of anger. “You know, you could have just told me this from the start.”

“Did you read the attachments in the email?” he asks, raising an eyebrow before picking up more shrimp. To be fair, he hadn’t read the attachments himself, but he knows Zhang Cheng Ling and the rest of his staff, and they are extremely competent and detail oriented.

“Not all of them,” Han Ying admits, pressing his lips together. Zhou Zi Shu ignores him and stands up to go sit by Wen Ke Xing. That’s where the snacks are.

He’s barely sat down before Wen Ke Xing pushes the box of sliced watermelon his way, not even looking up from the screen. The man still hasn’t let him see the draft, but he’s been promised that it will be delivered for the drive up to Nanjing.

“So, what are you going to tell the production company? It’s not like you can just turn up,” Han Ying asks, looking a bit sad over being abandoned.

“He will sign an NDA for now,” Wen Ke Xing says, and continues to type on his computer.

This is news to him, but Wen Ke Xing had said that he would take care of it, and Zhou Zi Shu trusted him.

“That’s it?” Han Ying asks with skepticism.

“Well, my agent told them that I’m working on a novel and following Zhou Zi Shu’s life for inspiration.” Wen Ke Xing continues. “And since he will be in Nanjing for an endorsement, and is a huge fan, I asked if he could join. To be honest, she told me that they are mostly just excited to meet the great Zhou Xu.”

“Maybe we should have just said that you two were dating,” Han Ying mutters. “It would have been more believable than whatever this chaos is.”

Zhou Zi Shu is beginning to feel the same way. Not that he’s ever going to tell anyone that, especially not the two alphas in his trailer.

(⌒_⌒;)

He’s used to reading whilst traveling, but the four hour drive to Nanjing goes faster than expected. He’s been so immersed in Lovelace that he’s all but inhaled it.

Forcing himself to turn off the tablet instead of reading it for a second time, he glances towards Wen Ke Xing. The alpha is sleeping in the seat next to him. They had left straight from the set, only stopping for dinner, and it’s almost midnight. Wen Ke Xing had fallen asleep as soon as they hit the motorway. Zhou Zi Shu isn’t sure if it’s the approaching rut, or if it’s the late nights with writing that he’s put in this past week that’s worn his alpha out.

He glances back at the tablet. There’s about one hour left until they arrive in Nanjing. Plenty of time to re-read his favorite parts of the story so far. His heart thuds in his chest just thinking about a few specific sections. He knows that this is a book about a deranged serial killer, but there are aspects of the celebrity being stalked that have strong resemblance to himself. Not that he thinks that Wen Ke Xing is stalking him, but the thought of Wen Ke Xing basing a character on him, in one of his books, makes his heart flutter. He’s also having feelings about being observed this way. Of being prey.

Whilst he doesn’t want to be followed or hunted, nor had he found joy in any of his stalkers over the years, or even in the overly friendly fans who think they are entitled to all aspects of his life, he doesn’t want to be treated like a star all the time.

So far, whilst Wen Ke Xing doesn’t put him on a pedestal, he is also not fully letting go of his control. He doesn’t let out his alpha to ravish him the way that Zhou Zi Shu longs for. He’s not only pushing for a rut to create optimal conditions for conceiving, but also because he wants to experience a rut just once in his life.

It’s something that he hasn’t let himself think about, since he hasn’t been in a relationship long enough—and there was no way he was going to try out a rut with a random alpha. But from the very start, when he had first smelled that tangy whiskey scent, his body had been humming with the desire of triggering a rut. A rut with his match. His alpha.

His heart thuds again and he drags his right palm over his chest. He really needs to stop thinking like that. He blames Jing Bei Yuan for putting all these thoughts in his head.

To distract himself and his racing pulse, he taps on his tablet and scrolls back up to the start. A young omega is sexually assaulted and murdered in a botanical garden, and Zhou Zi Shu can’t help but wonder about the hydrangeas that the omega is left on. He has those flowers in his own garden. Maybe Wen Ke Xing wasn’t lying when he said that he’s drawing inspiration from following him around. Lies always work best when mixed with truth.

Everything the man writes is pure magic. The way he draws the readers in, makes them feel everything the murderer is experiencing. It’s always a mix of horror, disgust and curiosity. It’s not about glorifying violence, but rather taking readers on a journey of criminal insanity. He’d always wondered what kind of mind could conjure up these stories, and still, even after meeting Wen Ke Xing, he is not sure what goes on inside that brain. The man is an enigma.

But he also understands that there is a difference between the man and the persona, personality versus author, Wen Ke Xing versus Zhen Yan. For the past months, Wen Ke Xing has been writing on this draft. And then closed his laptop to go cook dinner or walked onto set to give him snacks and water. Or that one time last week when Wen Ke Xing had manhandled him onto the table in the trailer as soon as he walked in, and enthusiastically sucked him off during the lunch break. Twice.

“You haven’t finished yet? Surely, it’s not that bad,” Wen Ke Xing says, startling him. His voice is deeper than usual and raspy from sleep. It’s a great voice that tingles all the way down his spine and up the crown of his head. It’s a good thing the man doesn’t do his own audio books. The fans would perish.

“It’s definitely not bad,” he says, ignoring the heat spreading on his cheeks. He doesn’t have to turn towards Wen Ke Xing to feel the man’s gaze on him.

Wen Ke Xing huffs and reaches for a bottle of water. “Are you re-reading?”

“Maybe,” he says, refusing to turn his head. Scared of what Wen Ke Xing might see in his eyes.

“Not too violent then?” Wen Ke Xing asks, and Zhou Zi Shu can’t help but glance towards him because his voice is a bit hesitant. Is he worried? He’s a world famous, bestselling author. Even the standalone novels he’s done have gone into third and fourth print.

“I think this might be my favorite one so far,” he says, honestly. Whilst Hanging Ghost will always have a special place in his heart, since it was the first he’d read by Zhen Yan, he feels like he’s a small part of this one.

There is another huff and Wen Ke Xing leans in close to look at his screen. “Who knew that the famous, pure and worshipped Zhou Xu, was into reading this stuff,” Wen Ke Xing says but can’t quite hide how proud he is.

He’s not offended, because he knows that Wen Ke Xing is only teasing. However, he’s not sure what to respond. It’s not like he can say that he’s wondering where it all comes from. “What can I say,” he responds, “Maybe I like being scared.”

“Scared, huh,” Wen Ke Xing says and nuzzles along his jaw. The whiskey scent thickens in the car and his skin is tingling. Not that he can be sure, but something tells him that the rut isn’t far away.

“Or something,” he says, automatically tilting his head, biting his bottom lip to keep a moan from escaping as Wen Ke Xing graces his teeth around his gland.

Someone clears their throat, and he comes to his senses. There are five people in the luxury van. If it had only been the two of them and the driver he would have told the man to pull over and then let Wen Ke Xing fuck him at a rest stop. But Zhang Cheng Ling is sitting behind them, and Qin Jiu Xiao is next to the driver. He’s plenty shameless, but everyone is tired and he can’t delay them further just because he’s horny.

Wen Ke Xing laughs and pulls away, a wide smirk curling the right side of his lips. The man is a menace.

Zhou Zi Shu likes that.

(˘ ˘ ˘)

“Are you sure you have everything?” Zhang Cheng Ling asks for the fifth time. His assistant is fidgeting by the door. It is his first heat away from home since that one time years ago, when he was on holiday and had a malfunction of his suppressants.

“I’ll be fine, Cheng Ling,” he says and walks to pat the kid on the head.

Zhang Cheng Ling looks up at him with a small pout on his lips, “Shifu, just call me if you need anything. Or Wen-shu can call me.” Wen-shu? When had those two gotten so close?

He glances towards Wen Ke Xing who is nodding. “Don’t worry, A’Ling. We’ve got more stuff here than we did at home,” Wen Ke Xing responds.

Zhou Zi Shu’s heart stutters when he hears him calling his house their home. It’s not the first time Wen Ke Xing has done this, and he really shouldn’t be hung up on that single word. It’s normal to call the place where you live and sleep your home. Even if it’s temporary. It doesn’t have to mean anything. Nor is he scared to self-reflect over if he wants it to mean anything.

“Security is in place,” Qin Jiu Xiao reports as he walks in through the front door. “Everything is set up and cameras outside are live. The team will monitor to make sure that no one gets in. Though, not even your studio knows where you’re staying, so it shouldn’t have leaked. We’re next door, should anything happen.”

“Thanks, A’Xiao,” he says and turns back towards Zhang Cheng Ling, ruffling his hair. “I’ll call in a few days.”

“Okay, Shifu,” Zhang Cheng Ling responds and tries to fix his hair. “Let me know and I’ll drop off more supplies.”

“Go have fun! There is plenty to do here,” he says and steps back.

“Mn,” Zhang Cheng Ling responds and the two of them head out, finally leaving them alone.

The phone rings and Wen Ke Xing picks up. From what he can hear from his side of the call, it’s the scriptwriter calling to confirm their appointment for next week. He hasn’t asked, but based on the plans, he suspects that the rut will only last a few days, likely in tune with his heat. He probably should have asked. It’s just, he feels a bit shy over the way he’s been pushing for it, encouraging it, basically throwing himself at Wen Ke Xing begging for it. He's embarrassed enough.

He yawns and Wen Ke Xing looks up at him, “Tired? Maybe you should rest.”

He is tired. He hadn’t gotten much sleep the night before, having not been the only one horny after the car ride. Wen Ke Xing had first knotted him and then milked three orgasms out of him whilst that big alpha cock was still lodged deep inside. It was still inside him when he had fallen asleep, blissfully fucked out. It had been filthy and absolutely glorious.

But, since the heat is arriving within a matter of hours, he’s sluggish. He’s impressed that he had energy to deal with Zhang Cheng Ling going through all the supplies and security measures that are in place. Not that it was a lot to go through, but it was still more than his low-feverish brain wanted to deal with.

“Yeah, I think I might go lay down for a bit,” he says.

“Do you want me to join you?” Wen Ke Xing asks.

“Let me sleep for a bit,” he responds. He really should get some sleep and replenish energy. He doesn’t want to be completely out of it during his heat.

“Okay,” Wen Ke Xing responds, “Let me know if you need me. I’ll check in on you in a few hours.”

He spends a long time under the hot-water spray, letting the fancy settings in the smart shower slowly work their way into his sore muscles. He’s a warm puddle by the time he crawls into the bed. To his surprise, Wen Ke Xing has scented it while he was in the bathroom. He’s also left his sweater folded by one of the pillows. It reeks of pheromones that are spicier than anything he’s ever smelled from his alpha. There is also a bottle of water and a tumbler of what he assumes to be tea on the nightstand.

His heart clenches and he swallows around the sudden plum-sized lump in his throat. Why is the man like this? How is he supposed to remain unaffected by it? How is he supposed to ignore being cared for? How is he supposed to not get used to this? Look forward to this? Want this?

He hears Wen Ke Xing tapping on his computer down the hall and it takes a lot of restraint to stay in bed instead of going to his alpha, pull those pants down and sit on that wonderful cock until he comes.

He really does need sleep.

(ᴗ˳ᴗ)

He wakes up breathing in whiskey scent. His face is smushed against the sweater and he knows that he’s drooling. Even though the bed is warm, it’s not the warmth that he wants. The heat is descending rapidly and he feels feverish. Suddenly, Wen Ke Xing seems far away, however, the distance is nothing when one has a motive.

Moving sluggishly, he slides out from under the covers and walks with bare feet towards the lounge. The air is cold against his bare legs and the oversized t-shirt feels rough against his skin, but the scent clings to him, urging him to hurry.

Wen Ke Xing is still writing on his laptop, a bit more frantic than usual. He’s in a t-shirt and sweatpants and looks warmer than usual, his skin a bit flushed. He’s wearing a new pair of reading glasses that Zhou Zi Shu hasn’t seen before. The glasses have slid down on Wen Ke Xing’s nose, but the man either hasn’t noticed or doesn’t care.

He can see the exact moment the man can smell him. Those dark eyes snap to him instantly and a shiver runs up his spine from what he sees. There is a new level of hunger that leaves him breathless. He loves having his alpha’s attention solely on him. It’s heady and his heart rattles the ribs of its cage.

As if pulled by some magnetic force, he floats towards the couch. He climbs into Wen Ke Xing’s lap and slides his fingers until he can properly fist them inside that silky soft black hair.

Wen Ke Xing is silent, his lips slightly parted from where he’s looking up at him, a wild look in his eyes. It’s almost unfair how attractive the man is even when he’s a bit disheveled. Those reading glasses make him even more attractive, because he looks like a hot nerd. And apparently, Zhou Zi Shu has a thing for that now. Or more likely, he just has a thing for Wen Ke Xing.

Pulling slightly, he tilts Wen Ke Xing’s head and crashes his lips against that plush mouth with an embarrassingly needy sound. Wen Ke Xing is hungry under him. Hands wandering over his bare legs until they dig into the meat of his ass. He grinds down and gasps when the alpha’s erection pushes up against his soaked boxers.

He knows that he’s trembling, but he can’t stop himself. The heat rolls through him like a flashflood, responding to whatever is happening inside Wen Ke Xing. He had wanted to just sit in his lap for a while, nuzzles and bite on that scent gland, and snuggle his way into heat. Instead he finds himself thrown onto his back, Wen Ke Xing ripping his few bits of clothes into smithereens.

There are no cuddles, no soft lingering touches, no searching kisses. Wen Ke Xing isn’t asking for permission or what he wants like he did last time. Instead, Wen Ke Xing’s hands circle his ankles and lifts until he’s folded in half, his hole on full display and leaking onto the couch. Wen Ke Xing doesn’t even strip, just pulls his sweatpants down and that fat alpha cock springs free.

“I hope you got some rest,” Wen Ke Xing says as he pushes the head of his cock against his hole, coating it, before he thrusts all the way in.

He doesn’t pause or grind a bit to adjust but sets a brutal pace straight from the start. Zhou Zi Shu feels like he’s being split in half, as if Wen Ke Xing is trying to rearrange his organs or trying to see a bulge on Zhou Zi Shu’s stomach.

It’s glorious.

Wen Ke Xing isn’t blinking, instead watching him with intense, dark eyes as he fucks hard and fast, with a low growl rumbling deep in his chest. “Look at you, so pretty around my cock. You’re going to look even better around my knot.”

Wen Ke Xing leans forward to tower over him, releasing his ankles and he wraps his legs around his hips, arching upwards to keep the angle, desperate to meet each thrust. All whilst Wen Ke Xing is biting around his scent gland, babbling the most insane filth that Zhou Zi Shu has heard from the man. And they have had a lot of sex in the past two months.

He wonders if Wen Ke Xing has been holding back who he really is in bed, or if this is the rut speaking. Either way, it’s hot as fuck and he’s down for it. He files those thoughts away for after his heat, because he wants to be present for this. And also—Wen Ke Xing is literally fucking his thoughts out of his brain with each thrust.

Each moan and growl reverberates up and down his spine making him twitch. The cock is mercilessly dragging against his prostate and he’s leaking around Wen Ke Xing and onto the couch. He’s already sweating and everything is slippery, reeking of the two of them. It’s a good thing that the cleaners coming in after this will have no clue who has been here.

“Why aren’t you thinking about me? Am I not fucking you well enough?” Wen Ke Xing whispers into his left ear and it feels like a threat. A very promising threat.

Wen Ke Xing circles his right hand around Zhou Zi Shu’s throat, tightening it slightly, but not enough for it to affect his breathing. “Is my cock not good enough to keep your thoughts present?”

He increases his pressure slightly, slamming his cock in harder than before, and Zhou Zi Shu comes all over his stomach. He’s caught completely off guard, and he pants his way through it as his vision blurs with white and black spots.

“Look at you,” Wen Ke Xing hums pleased above him, dragging his free hand through the mess. Zhou Zi Shu opens his eyes right in time to see the alpha lick his fingers clean. “So good for me.”

His mind is still spinning, not really sure what on earth just happened. With a frustrated sound, Wen Ke Xing braces on his knees and pulls Zhou Zi Shu up in his lap using the hand around his throat. He knew that Wen Ke Xing was strong. The alpha has shown that on multiple occasions, mostly when fucking him against various walls back home. But this? It doesn’t even hurt. It makes him wonder how often Wen Ke Xing does this, since he’s apparently an expert. How many other omegas has he fucked during his ruts? Maybe even multiple omegas at once.

Wen Ke Xing smirks up at him, as if he can read his mind. “No need to be jealous,” he whispers and pulls him close, staring into his eyes. His heart is beating fast and his cock is already chubbing again. He’s trembling and his limbs are heavy. He’s completely at Wen Ke Xing’s disposal, just as he has longed for.

“I can smell the vinegar on you,” Wen Ke Xing says, licks across his scent gland and slowly fucks into him, one long heady slide of his cock. A whine escapes his mouth, and Wen Ke Xing licks across his lips. “You’re irresistible when you’re like this. Pliant. Wanting. Horny. Fucked out, yet begging for more.”

He’s unable to respond with the pressure around his throat. Not that he tries. He doesn’t want to try. He wants his alpha to tighten his grip and fuck him until he forgets his name.

Ever the mind reader, Wen Ke Xing moves his free hand around his back, holds him in place, and starts fucking with purpose again. Moans spill from his lips as he stares into Wen Ke Xing’s eyes. He watches them glace over as his alpha goes into rut. He wonders if he looks like that when his body succumbs to the heat. He usually feels something in him snap.

“A’Xu, you’re so beautiful,” Wen Ke Xing mumbles and crashes his lips against his mouth. The kiss is all tongue and teeth, but it’s just what he wants. It’s everything that he needs.

Wen Ke Xing fucks him at a steady pace until he feels the knot starting to catch against his entrance. Wen Ke Xing growls into his mouth and he grinds down as hard as he can on the erection until the knot lodges inside, thick against his prostate.

He’s fairly certain he hears Wen Ke Xing growl, “Mine,” the word lodging itself straight at the center of his heart, and his whole world starts spinning. The alpha sinks his teeth around his scent gland and bites, drawing blood. He comes with a sound pulled from the very depth of his bones, and he closes his eyes, feeling the alpha fill him up.

(≧ᵕ≦)

Chapter Text

The rut slams into Wen Ke Xing like a blast wave from a chemical explosion, leaving every part of him saturated with pheromones and his hormones humming.

He fucks the breath out of Zhou Zi Shu, folded in half on the couch, and then bouncing him in his lap, until his knot lodges in place and the omega stains the cushions with his sweet-smelling cum. Still locked together, he carries the omega towards the bedroom, the puffy hole clenching around him. Halfway down the hall, the pheromones seep through his skin and with a growl clawing up his throat, he fucks Zhou Zi Shu against the wall, the omega whining around his deflating knot catching on the leaking entrance.

He throws Zhou Zi Shu onto the bed, pulls those muscular legs around his neck and eats the omega out until his whole face is glistening with slick and cum, his every breath a constant, low growl. And then he fucks the omega from behind with rapid, precise thrusts, one hand on the hip and one around the neck, until Zhou Zi Shu is panting in front of him from hypersensitivity with tears in his eyes. With his teeth around Zhou Zi Shu’s scent gland, he comes and his last thread of sanity snaps.

As his instincts take over, he goes through various degrees of lucidity. There are long stretches of time when everything except Zhou Zi Shu is muted and monochrome, his whole being hyper fixed on this sole omega. He can feel it all deeper, he’s more receptive, more in tuned with every minute movement or sound. As his inner alpha tries to absorb, inhale and learn the omega inside and out, he fucks Zhou Zi Shu in every imaginable way. And every single one is tattooed into his soul like a filthy, explicit manhua^[i].

Zhou Zi Shu during rut is the same, sounds the same, tastes the same, moves the same, yet everything is different. Because he’s different. Instead of soaking up the heat radiating from Zhou Zi Shu, it’s like he oscillates to the same frequency, every sense heightened to the point of overwhelming. He’s more assertive, unable to hold himself back, and as the heat roars through his veins to fuse with his rut, he pushes forward and takes what he needs. All whilst his lips are babbling the most indecent filth as they move over the omega’s skin or mouth. And Zhou Zi Shu basks in the attention, demands it. He fucks faster and harder, knots lasting longer and longer, then stuffs the cum back inside when the omega inevitably starts leaking.

At some point, they pass out from exhaustion, curled up in a heap of limbs, stuck together, skin to skin.

(ꍞ ᴗ˳ᴗ) (ᴗ˳ᴗ ꍞ)

Wen Ke Xing wakes up feeling wrung out and heavy, Zhou Zi Shu is asleep half on top of him, teeth nibbling on his scent gland along with sleepy little puffs of air. The force from the rut is ebbing out and he’s almost back to his usual self, feeling more in control and less desperate.

He reaches for his phone and sees unanswered messages from Zhang Cheng Ling, asking if they need supplies. It’s Sunday evening, which means they have been lost in each other for three days. And whilst they’ve managed to drink and eat a bit, they’ve lived on cold food, snacks and fruit. They need to eat and hydrate properly, especially Zhou Zi Shu. Flashes of how aggressively he’s fucked the omega for the past days, rarely letting him sleep, play before his eyes and he decides that it’s time for some warm food.

He peels the omega off him and covers him with the wrecked duvet before walking into the bathroom. When he spots himself in the mirror he freezes. The marks on his body look like battle scars. Zhou Zi Shu is a biter, and quite possessive as well. Even without Wen Ke Xing holding on to the omega during the rut, he’d stuck to him like an octopus the entire three days, either whining or sleeping restlessly with one hand or foot always touching him.

He runs his fingers over a particularly visible bite mark on his left scent gland and can’t help but shiver, remembering the look in Zhou Zi Shu’s eyes after making it, as if he was proud, as if he was really marking Wen Ke Xing as his. If it wasn’t for the tea, they would have mated.

Just thinking the word and looking at the mark makes his head spin. His heart quivers, skips a few beats, and restarts at a different pace. To calm himself and his breathing down, he stands under the cold water spray for a long time—washing away days of sex, heat and rut—until his mind finally clears enough for cooking food.

Remembering the hisses from last time, he doesn’t dare draw a bath for Zhou Zi Shu, at least not yet. He’s not sure if the man is still in heat or if it’s subsiding. Instead, he grabs a cool, damp cloth and takes his time cleaning the worst off of Zhou Zi Shu. If the omega wakes up more lucid, then maybe he can coax Zhou Zi Shu into a shower and food.

He drops the cloth on the floor and watches Zhou Zi Shu sleep. He has kicked off the blanket, his hair is tousled with strands sticking to his face, and his lips are kiss bitten. Zhou Zi Shu’s curvy, slender body is littered with marks all over that creamy skin. And there are beautiful handprints blooming on those lush hips. His very first bite, the one that had drawn blood, has started to heal.

Sighing, which honestly comes out more like a content purr, he pulls on a fresh t-shirt and sweatpants, and drags himself out to the kitchen. After emptying two bottles of iced tea, he takes out two packages of baozi.

He’s just put the lid on the steamer, when warm arms circle around his waist from behind and Zhou Zi Shu nuzzles against the nape of his neck. The sweet scent—the remains of the heat but a subtle undertone—encloses him like a warm hug and he leans into it, his body whispering things in response that he’s not able to grasp.

“You left me,” Zhou Zi Shu accuses, with more longing than irritation in his voice.

“You fell asleep on me,” he responds. He’s fairly certain that it was the other man who had fallen asleep first, sighing contently whilst leaking around his deflating knot.

“I’m awake now,” Zhou Zi Shu counters, and runs his nose through Wen Ke Xing’s undercut before kissing the spot right behind his right ear.

He shivers from the gentle touch and tilts his head slightly, used to Zhou Zi Shu aiming for his scent gland. But the man steps back and it leaves him feeling a bit cold. He turns around and has to catch his breath. Zhou Zi Shu is naked and leaning against the kitchen island, the soft curls of his hair in disarray, his eyes are teasing, and his skin is flushed with the remains of the heat. The sun is setting outside and his skin glows in the golden light filtering in through the laced curtains. He’s absolutely breathtaking. He’s so beautiful that something clenches in Wen Ke Xing’s chest, and he fights to swallow around feelings twisting in his throat.

Wen Ke Xing walks forward, pulled by the force that is his omega, and circles his hands around the hips. He squeezes lightly before lifting the man up to sit on the marble bench. Zhou Zi Shu gasps against the cool stone, then smirks and leans back, letting his legs fall wide apart. Wen Ke Xing can see the slick glistening on the inside of Zhou Zi Shu’s thighs, the streaks changing direction to drip against the striated stone.

“Did you miss me?” he asks, his voice a bit hoarse, and drags his fingers through the mess.

“You left me,” Zhou Zi Shu repeats with a jutted bottom lip. He’s so cute when he wants attention. Wen Ke Xing wants to look at him forever and never close his eyes.

“I’ll make it up to you,” he promises, and leans in for a kiss. He teases the pout open with kitten licks at the seam and then curls his tongue around Zhou Zi Shu’s.

It starts off slow, methodical, with broken little moans as they breathe awkwardly, not wanting to stop break contact. His hands wander over Zhou Zi Shu’s inner thighs, stopping when he finds the loose, wet entrance. He pushes two fingers into the third knuckle, curling them upward, and chases Zhou Zi Shu’s gasp with his mouth as the omega throws his head back, arching beautifully.

The omega’s cock twitches against his stomach, demanding the promised attention. He can’t help but smile into the kiss and Zhou Zi Shu huffs in frustration, wiggling under him.

“My A’Xu, always in a hurry,” he muses and thinks back to the first orgasm three days ago, when it was him that had been in a hurry. The omega had moaned prettily, even though he was being choked, and had come all over himself faster than he’d ever done before. Knowing how much Zhou Zi Shu wants him, reacts to him, pants for him—is flattering. Intoxicating.

Addictive.

Thrusting with his fingers, he pulls back and watches Zhou Zi Shu squirm under him as he slowly lets his other hand wander over the obliques, over the hips, and over the curve of Zhou Zi Shu’s ass.

“Mn~~ Ah~~” Zhou Zi Shu moans, rocking against the marble to meet his fingers.

“Always in a hurry,” he mumbles, smiling, and presses his fingers against that spot that makes Zhou Zi Shu close his eyes and moan.

With little nipping kisses and licks, he takes his time down the sculpted chest and the ridges of perfect abs before nosing against the erection, taking a deep breath, the scent filling his lungs and carbonating his blood. He suckles on the tip before swallowing it down and is rewarded with a dragged-out guttural moan from the man under him. He feels the cock swell to full hardness on his tongue, blocking his airways slightly. Zhou Zi Shu’s fingers snake their way into his hair, searching for a grounding point. He can’t help but shiver when those fingers fist and start pulling.

“Aah—So good—Aaah,” Zhou Zi Shu babbles above him, thrusting cautiously to meet each bob of his head, abs shaking as they lift him up.

Wen Ke Xing can’t help but smile, scraping his teeth along the base, causing Zhou Zi Shu to hiss and tighten his grip. He pops off the dick and licks a stripe up the length in apology and waits until Zhou Zi Shu opens his eyes to look back at him.

“Fuck me like you mean it,” he says and kisses that cute birthmark below the tip. “I like it when you fuck me raw. I want to feel it.”

Zhou Zi Shu looks at him, eyes half-lidded but surprised as he bites his bottom lip, shaking his head slightly, “Tian a, that filthy mouth of yours is gonna kill me.” There’s a sparkle in Zhou Zi Shu’s eyes as he braces with his heels against the benchtop, gripping Wen Ke Xing’s hair harder to hold his head in place and then thrusts inside.

It’s slow at first and he enjoys the feeling of his throat giving way, stretching to accommodate the length, his lips firm against the silky-smooth skin. As the pace quickens, Zhou Zi Shu’s breaths are coming out in little pants in that way that Wen Ke Xing loves, the way that means that his orgasm is building. He flexes his jaw and hollows his cheeks, drooling and bobbing his head. He loves this. Loves when Zhou Zi Shu is leaking down his throat. He loves knowing that he is giving the man pleasure, that he is enjoying it.

Sooner than he would like, Zhou Zi Shu starts twitching and he grabs the hips firmly to hold him against the bench, bobs his head to take the cock deep and pushes his fingers against the prostate. The tip twitches and Zhou Zi Shu spills down his throat with a punched-out groan. The sound echoes through him along with the fresh dose of pheromones.

He licks the cock clean with a satisfied growl, and looks at the man lying sprawled and in fucked-out bliss across the kitchen island. He leans forward and whispers into Zhou Zi Shu’s right ear, “Did you like my apology, A’Xu?”

Zhou Zi Shu wiggles and stretches, still with his eyes closed and a content smile on his lips, “I might need a few more.”

“I’ll give you as many as you want, if you eat something,” he responds and straightens up, smiling down at the omega. Zhou Zi Shu huffs just as the kitchen timer goes off. The baozi are ready.

(๑ᵔ⤙ᵔ๑)

For the first time in Wen Ke Xing’s adult life, he’s embarrassed, and slightly nervous. Whilst the Omega Center had told him that no rut is the same with different omegas—and it had been the best sex he’s ever had—he cannot believe that he fucked Zhou Xu like he had. The omega has multiple choke marks, and more bruises than the last heat. It’s the middle of summer and the poor man is forced to walk around with a turtleneck and scarfs. It’s a good thing that he looks amazing dressed in anything—the man could probably walk the runway in a garbage bag, and it would still sell out. Though he is fairly certain that Zhang Cheng Ling suspects something, considering the smiles the kid has been trying to hide. Especially when the assistant arrived yesterday morning.

He should have fought his hormones for more control. He shouldn’t have let himself get swallowed whole by the rut. He just hadn’t expected it to feel like that. It had never been like that before. This, with Zhou Zi Shu, had been all-consuming. And somehow, he still remembers most of it.

Zhou Zi Shu had been honest about not having spent a rut with an alpha before, that this would be his first. Maybe he should have been honest as well. Told Zhou Zi Shu that whilst omegas can help induce his rut, he’d never actually spent a rut with anyone before. But the omega had looked so hopeful, as if he was an expert and would take care of him. He didn’t want to seem inexperienced. He really wanted to give Zhou Zi Shu whatever experience he was after. Even though it’s not a requirement for an in-house alpha, when someone signs up for the Instinct Package, it’s inherently presumed that a rut will happen at some point during the year.

He had gone through a rut early in the year, so he wasn’t anticipating another one until after he turned twenty-eight. And whilst he had no doubt that he would keep Zhou Zi Shu safe, he hadn’t known just how much his inner alpha would react to Zhou Zi Shu’s heat.

Was he too aggressive? He’d never fucked Zhou Zi Shu that hard before, and he had certainly not choked him either. What if Zhou Zi Shu had been scared? What if he had gone too far? Would Zhou Zi Shu even dare to tell him? He should ask, but just the thought of bringing these things up makes his heart thud and his palms sweaty. And he never gets sweaty palms. He doesn’t get nervous.

He even blushes when he thinks about all the filthy things he babbled to the superstar, explicit details about how the man looked around his cock, his sounds, how he felt, that delicious body. Tian a, he had talked so much about how much he loved Zhou Zi Shu’s body. He’d even moaned his name when he knotted him, or just kissed him. At least he hadn’t said something completely inappropriate like how much he wanted to fuck a baby into the omega. He had managed to keep some things inside his head.

“Lao Wen?” Zhou Zi Shu says.

He blinks, realizing that everyone is looking at him as if waiting for something. They’ve only rested a day of which he’d spent most of the time reviewing the script for his upcoming meeting. Zhou Zi Shu had spent most of it sleeping, eating and soaking in the bathtub. The omega had also spent some time sleeping with his head in Wen Ke Xing’s lap, claiming that he needed his scent to sleep well. Wen Ke Xing is pretty sure he just wanted to peek at the script.

“What?” he asks, like an idiot.

“We’re done with the promo photos. Let’s go,” Zhou Zi Shu says and smiles, tilting his head slightly.

Zhou Zi Shu is dressed in black slacks, a sleek white, fitted shirt accentuating his curves to perfection, a long string of pearls wrapped multiple times around his neck and pearls in his ears. He’s got black eyeliner and glossy lips. He looks expensive, exquisite, and unreachable. This is the man that Wen Ke Xing has seen on TV and on billboards. And this is the man that the fans will see when today’s photos are posted on Weibo.

Zhou Xu.

His eyes can’t help but glance towards Zhou Xu’s neck, which has SFX grade make-up on it to hide all the marks under the jewelry. He takes a deep breath, swallowing down the possessive growl, and tries not to think about all the marks he’d put there, or the way the makeup artist had looked when she had spotted them. It’s a good thing she’s worked with Zhou Zi Shu for many years and wouldn’t leak anything.

“Yeah, let’s go,” he responds and nods.

(˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)

“Let’s welcome Zhou Xu,” the MC[ii] says, and Zhou Zi Shu walks up on the temporary stage. Qin Jiu Xiao walks behind him, stopping at the bottom of the stairs, eyes scanning over the people behind the crowd control barriers.

“Hi everyone, I’m the global ambassador for Tasaki, Zhou Xu,” Zhou Zi Shu says, bowing with his head and waving as he looks around.

The fans are screaming louder than anything Wen Ke Xing has ever heard, outside of a concert that is. But it’s not far behind, or maybe it only seems like that because the acoustics are different inside the Deji Plaza atrium.

“It’s usually more crowded,” Zhang Cheng Ling says, smirking up at him as if he can read his mind. “We only announced it last week so many fans didn’t have time to make travel arrangements.”

He looks up at the people crowding against the balustrades on every floor within the atrium, holding up cameras, phones, signs and posters. He can’t imagine that they could even fit more people into this place. He also can’t believe how many people are here just to watch Zhou Xu. The man is a superstar.

He knew that the man he’s living with is Zhou Xu. He’d certainly felt it in those first weeks. He just hadn’t realized how much he’d gotten used to the man he was spending all his time with, compared to the persona standing at the center of the stage with sparkling eyes and contagious laughter. They are the same person, yet they are so different.

Zhou Xu is a radiant siren with a soulful voice and alluring eyes. He’s got a good sense of humor and plays along with most things thrown his way, whether it’s livestreams or variety shows. His persona is down to earth and honest in his approach to everything. It’s just that he gets to see Zhou Xu when he wakes up in the morning, slightly grumpy before his first iced coffee. He gets to see the look on the man’s face when he takes that first bite on his favorite spicy dumplings, or Wen Ke Xing’s homemade pork baozi.

Zhou Zi Shu sparkles as well. They way he laughs and ruffles his assistant’s hair. The way he dives into everything he does with full focus and all of his heart. The way he banters with his friends when they tease him. And the way he looks at Wen Ke Xing when he grinds down on his cock and climaxes.

“Yes, I wouldn’t mind trying my hands at diving for pearls,” he hears Zhou Zi Shu respond to a question and the crowd laughs. He has no doubt that the man would learn deep sea diving if he got the chance. He’s seen Zhou Zi Shu do laps in the pool at home and he’s an excellent swimmer, probably even faster than himself.

“How is the filming of Window of Heaven going?” the MC asks and wiggles his eyebrows towards the crowd. “Can you tell us anything juicy from behind the cameras?”

Zhou Xu smiles secretively and winks towards the camera following his every movement, “I can tell you that I had martial arts training for almost three weeks straight!”

The crowd oohs, and the MC laughs. “We’ve all seen your concerts and know how good you are in wires. Are you going to show us some new moves?”

Zhou Xu laughs, “Well, I do have a gun this time, does that count?” The crowd laughs along with him.

“He’s good, isn’t he?” Zhang Cheng Ling says and looks up at Zhou Zi Shu with admiration in his eyes.

“He’s a natural,” he agrees.

He spends the following twenty-five minutes watching Zhou Xu on stage, laughing and answering questions in a cheeky but honest way that only he can do. This is the man that he knew from before, the man he’d watched in his teens and then from time to time when he and Gu Xiang found time to go to a concert.

He watches Zhou Xu take a few endorsement photos before lining up with a few lucky fans for selfies and autographs, and he watches Zhou Xu chat with the team from Tasaki, everyone happy with the day’s live endorsement. Little over an hour after they arrive at Deji Plaza, they are escorted by security through the circulation space towards the back where their car is waiting.

The crowd is pushing against the wall of security staff, phones recording and taking photos from every possible direction. Zhou Zi Shu doesn’t seem to notice, walking slowly behind the staff member leading the way and walled in between his bodyguard and assistant. Wen Ke Xing feels overwhelmed by everyone looking at him, even though they are not really looking at him. It’s a good thing that he’s got both Zhang Cheng Ling and Qin Jiu Xiao in front, shielding him from the worst of it.

Finally in the car with the doors closed, Zhou Zi Shu turns towards Zhang Cheng Ling, pouting, “I’m hungry.”

“I’ve booked a private room for you,” Zhang Cheng Ling says, not looking up from his phone.

“What are we eating?” Zhou Zi Shu asks, poking at his assistant to get his attention.

“Roast duck,” Zhang Cheng Ling responds, leaning away from Zhou Zi Shu’s fingers digging into his ribs.

“You know me so well,” Zhou Zi Shu says, and melts back in his seat, sighing happily.

“Do you like duck, Lao Wen?” Zhou Zi Shu asks, turning around to look at him. His expression is soft, and his eyes are smiling. He suddenly wants Zhou Zi Shu to always look at him like this. Like he matters.

With his heart pounding in his throat, he swallows before answering. “Yeah, I like duck.”

“You’re in for a treat,” Zhou Zi Shu says and winks. The impact of it leaves his heart trembling with longing. He is beginning to feel the danger of paying Zhou Zi Shu too much attention and having too much attention from the same man.

( > o < )

He spends the dinner trying to focus on the food and the conversation happening around him. And he spends the drive home pretending he’s asleep, listening to Zhou Zi Shu and Zhang Cheng Ling make plans for the following day, when Wen Ke Xing is meeting the scriptwriter. He takes a shower by himself, trying his best to ignore all the marks on his body, even though some of them sting when he washes with soap. But it’s impossible to ignore his heart when a newly showered Zhou Zi Shu slides under the blanket next to him and curls around him as if it’s the most natural thing in the world.

His heart thuds happily at its new pace and he kisses Zhou Zi Shu when those plush lips come searching, accepting the fact that this is his reality.

( ˘ ³˘)

Chapter Text

Zhou Zi Shu is being clingy. He just can’t stop himself. He’s never been this needy after a heat before, but he chucks it down to it being the aftermath of having spent a rut with an alpha. His hormones are probably still clinging to whatever they had been drenched with. He can’t say that he blames them, because it has been both amazing and devastating to be fucked like that. It was just as he had thought—Wen Ke Xing fucks. But also, Wen Ke Xing has clearly been holding back on him.

He wonders if Wen Ke Xing thinks that he’s too needy, like those older omegas the man had talked about that first time, because the man has been a bit absentminded since the rut. He spaces out from time to time, lost somewhere far away in thoughts that he’s not sharing. Not that Zhou Zi Shu is asking. The man is entitled to his privacy.

So, he worries that Wen Ke Xing is pulling away because of it. It’s not like he’s obligated to cater to everything that Zhou Zi Shu needs. Cuddling, whilst encouraged, isn’t mandatory. However, even though he spaces out, Wen Ke Xing doesn’t seem to mind when he wants closeness, opening his arms when Zhou Zi Shu wants to snuggle in his lap, and doesn’t push him away when he wakes up plastered to the man like an octopus.

Zhou Zi Shu observes Wen Ke Xing from across the breakfast table. He hasn’t said much since the live event yesterday, and he hadn’t eaten as much as he should after his rut. He feels a bit ignored even though he shouldn’t. The man is right there. They had slept together all night, and he had woken up as little spoon to Wen Ke Xing’s big spoon, strong arms holding him tightly.

“Didn’t I need to sign something?” he asks. Mostly because he does need to sign that NDA so that he can go with Wen Ke Xing to meet the team from Five Lakes tomorrow, but a tiny bit of him is restless from the loss of not having Wen Ke Xing’s attention. He wants to slap himself from how clingy he is, but it’s not like he can do anything about his hormones. There is a reason he matched with Wen Ke Xing. This is what the alpha does to him. He just has to accept it.

“I think my team sent the final version to A’Ling this morning. He said he would be by later, after your studio had looked at it, to go over it with you,” Wen Ke Xing responds.

“Okay, sounds good,” he says, nodding. “When are you heading out?”

He’s not sure why he’s asking. He knows that Wen Ke Xing is leaving straight after breakfast and will be away for most of the day. Maybe the man will feel better after he gets out for a bit, meet the scriptwriter and be away from the spotlight, and his clinging. Maybe the alpha needs some space. He knows that his life is a lot and the live event had been intense. Or maybe the alpha just takes longer to recover after a rut. He remembers how strange Wen Ke Xing had been after the first heat. Maybe it’s something similar now. The man must have fluctuating hormones as well, and that rut had been powerful to say the least.

Besides, he’s going out as well. Zhang Cheng Ling is coming to pick him up and then he is going for a nice run. It’s been ages since he went for a proper jog outside, and the mountain tracks are supposed to be fantastic. At least according to Rong Xuan and his personal trainer, who both have been encouraging him to work more on his stamina than his strength for the rest of filming.

“In a bit,” Wen Ke Xing responds and grabs another helping of congee. At least the man is eating now. “I’m not sure how long I will be today,” Wen Ke Xing continues and looks at him.

“Take your time, it’s work,” he responds, smiling back. “I’m just sad that the NDA didn’t include the script.”

Wen Ke Xing huffs and shakes his head, teasing, “The great Zhou Xu, a fanboy.”

Zhou Zi Shu huffs back and raises an eyebrow, “I didn’t realize us oldies could be considered fanboys.”

“I’ll make an exception for you,” Wen Ke Xing says and leans forward, pinning him down with a stare that makes his heart flutter.

“Gee, thanks,” he responds, intelligently, whilst his mind is busy doing that brr that Jing Bei Yuan always teases him about. Maybe he needs some time apart from this alpha as well because his mind is currently conjuring up questions for him, which he does not want to answer.

Wen Ke Xing’s phone vibrates, and he stands up, “The car is here.” For a second, Zhou Zi Shu thinks that he’s about to get a goodbye kiss and his heart tries to break out of his chest in sheer anticipation.

Wen Ke Xing blinks a few times and says, “Call me if you need anything. And call me if there are any issues with the NDA that you need me to sort out.”

“I’ll see you later,” he says and waits until the front door has closed to run a soothing hand over his chest.

(ᵕ—ᴗ—)

On days like these Zhou Zi Shu wants to adopt his assistant into his family. Zhang Cheng Ling had not only found him a fairly deserted fifteen-kilometer track with great scenery for his run, but he had also worked his magic and found the place that serves the best fried dumpling in all of Nanjing.

He’s starving after his training, and a little miffed that he couldn’t lose Qin Jiu Xiao during the run. He’s not supposed to leave his bodyguard behind, but it hurts his pride that he’s not faster anymore. He’s focused too much on strength and clearly his bodyguard has been training in secret.

Zhou Zi Shu has made little to no effort in styling himself after his shower and walks into the restaurant wearing one of his favorite We11done tracksuits, a bucket hat and black facemask. The marks on his neck are starting to fade, but he pulls the zipper on the high-collar, oversized hoodie all the way up to conceal them.

“Zhou laoshi?” he hears and turns to find himself face to face with Xie Wang and his assistant.

“Xie laoshi,” he says and sighs internally. Instead of having a quiet lunch with his team of two, he will now be forced to smile and provide small talk—and also worry that his marks will show. He should have thought this through a bit more. He just didn’t think that he would run into anyone he knew during the few steps between the car and the private room.

“I guess you’re here for lunch as well?” Xie Wang asks with a bright smile. “Would you care to join me?”

Well, it’s not like he can say no, can he. “That sounds good,” he responds and smiles politely. “I’m warning you, I’m hungry. I just finished a long run.”

Xie Wang laughs and puts his arm around his shoulders. “I’m sure I can afford to feed you until you’re happy.”

“I didn’t realize that your endorsement was in Nanjing as well,” he says as they follow the hostess leading the way.

“It’s tonight,” Xie Wang responds and holds out the chair for him. “And then another one in two days.”

“Busy man,” he responds and sits down.

“Got to make the most of it when I have a few days off,” Xie Wang says.

Zhou Zi Shu smiles but cringes internally, “Very true.”

Whilst it shouldn’t be awkward, it is. The entire production crew knows his heat cycles. It’s not a big deal and famous omegas deal with this all the time, he’s not the first. And it can be more embarrassing for alphas. He was scheduled to do a guest appearance at one of Jay Chou’s concerts a few years back, but the man had gone into an unexpected rut and had to cancel the entire show. It’s a good thing everyone loves that man, because he didn’t get any backlash at all from all the people who had to rebook their travel plans.

“Shall I order a little bit of everything for you?” Xie Wang’s assistant asks and they both nod.

(๑ᵔ⤙ᵔ๑)

It’s a surprisingly pleasant lunch. Zhou Zi Shu finds himself enjoying both the food and the company. Xie Wang is a good storyteller, happily sharing tales from previous productions, tips and tricks of what to do and things he has learned the hard way. Not that Zhou Zi Shu is a newbie by any means, but there are some valuable tips when it comes to immersing himself into a character, but also, how to get out of that character. He will have to try and see what works for him, and it might not be the same every time or for every character.

Xie Wang looks at his assistant, who is fidgeting with her phone, “Is it time to go?”

“Yes, the styling team just arrived at the hotel,” she responds and stands up. “I’ll sort out the payment.”

Zhou Zi Shu watches her leave and glances towards his team. Unfortunately, since it had turned into a business-style lunch, his team hasn’t relaxed and he’s not sure if Qin Jiu Xiao has eaten anything at all. There is also a small part of him that feels guilty for having this food without Wen Ke Xing, especially knowing how much the man loves dumplings.

“Cheng Ling, can you get a wide selection of dumplings to go?” he says. Zhang Cheng Ling picks up on what he wants and zooms out of the room without a word.

“Still hungry?” Xie Wang asks with a smirk.

“I’ll have a nice breakfast tomorrow,” he responds. It’s not like he can tell the man that he wants to bring some back for his alpha.

As soon as Zhang Cheng Ling returns, he indicates to Qin Jiu Xiao that it’s time to leave. “Thanks for lunch,” he says and smiles towards Xie Wang. “My treat next time.” And he finds that he wouldn’t mind a next time. He’s surprisingly relieved that they get along this well outside of work, and it’s always good to be on friendly terms in his line of work.

“I’ll take you up on that when we’re back in Shanghai,” Xie Wang says just as his assistant returns.

They end up walking out together and are met by an army of daipai. Not prepared to face the invasive masses with zoom lenses, he pulls up the collar to hide the lower part of his face, only leaving a sliver between the top and the hat. Qin Jiu Xiao steps in front to shield him from view and he nods towards Xie Wang before power walking towards his car.

(o_O)

“Shifu…” Zhang Cheng Ling says twenty minutes into the car ride, just a few minutes away from their accommodation. Judging by the tone, it’s not good.

“They have identified Xie Wang?” he asks and sighs.

“Yes,” Zhang Cheng Ling responds, and looks up at him, eyes flickering towards his neck, “And one of them managed to get a shot of your neck at an angle where your marks are somewhat visible. It’s not super clear from the photo since you’re pulling up the collar, as in it could be shadows, but the speculations are running wild.”

Fuck. He can just imagine the trending topics on Weibo even without looking at his phone. He picks it up anyway and turns on silent mode. “I can’t deal with Ying’er. You call him and explain what happened. They will need to monitor the fallout in the coming days. Depending on how it goes, we may need to reach out to Xie Wang’s studio to see how they want to deal with it.”

“Sure thing, Shifu,” Zhang Cheng Ling responds.

His assistant doesn’t waste any time and calls the manager straight away. Zhou Zi Shu listens to the call, and it doesn’t seem as bad as he thought, or as it could be. At least not yet. Han Ying doesn’t even seem to be scolding Zhang Cheng Ling.

They drive in through the security gates and Qin Jiu Xiao turns back to look at them, “I’m gonna sweep the premises and outside, just to be sure.”

He remains seated in the car but removes the belt. Just another day in his life. He’s used to this. Every time he has dinner with anyone that is male, if they are spotted, the person is added to the long list of his supposed lovers. However, with the current co-lead being in the same city during a break in the filming schedule, matched with the marks on his throat, this could turn into a doozie.

The door opens next to him and Qin Jiu Xiao peeks in, “Everything is secure, you can head inside.”

His legs are starting to protest from the morning run and he feels a bit sluggish. Maybe he had overdone it considering he just came off his heat. He’s just not used to taking it easy and he loves training. Then again, his body is definitely not used to getting fucked like that, either.

“I’m gonna go rest, you can head out if you want,” he says to Zhang Cheng Ling.

“I’ll be by later with dinner and an update,” Zhang Cheng Ling says and stays in the car.

Zhou Zi Shu is tired, and he feels cold. He misses his sauna but since Zhang Cheng Ling knows him well, their accommodation has a spa pool in the enormous bathroom. He would have liked to open the window to the garden, but right now, he’s worried that daipais might have followed him and are climbing the trees outside. And he would prefer to not have any nudes posted online, marks or not.

Leaving his clothes in a pile on the tiled floor, he sinks down into the hot water and lets the jets work their magic on his tired muscles and worried mind.

(„ᵕᴗᵕ„)

He’s half-asleep under a warm blanket when there is a knock on the front door. It opens shortly after and Zhang Cheng Ling calls out, “Shifu?” from down the hall. “Food is here.” He doesn’t respond. He doesn’t want to get out of bed. It’s dark outside and Wen Ke Xing isn’t even back yet.

He wants cuddles. He wants Wen Ke Xing to hurry back home, lay down next to him and let him sleep on his chest the entire night. He wants those strong arms around him, and he wants that scent. The house has been cleaned and he had only found a t-shirt that smelled of whiskey. It’s currently next to his pillow with barely any scent left.

He’s desperate and clingy. He’s really not looking forward to whatever is happening on Weibo, but since he’s hungry, he drags himself out of bed towards the kitchen.

“I got you spicy noodles, extra chili,” Zhang Cheng Ling says and nods towards the containers on the dinner table. His stomach growls so loudly even his assistant hears it and giggles. “And I got you some dark chocolate.” Zhou Zi Shu thinks he might cry.

“You really are the best,” he says and plops down on a chair.

“You taught me well, Shifu” Zhang Cheng Ling responds and nudges the food in his direction. He picks up a pair of chopsticks and an empty bowl and fills it with the various noodles.

“Isn’t Wen-shu back yet?” Zhang Cheng Ling asks and looks towards the door and then back to him.

“Not yet,” he answers with a mouth full of noodles.

“Do you know when he will be back? I got him food as well,” Zhang Cheng Ling says and droops. Seriously, when had those two gotten so close? How much time do the two of them spend together when he’s filming?

“Let me check my phone,” he answers and fishes his mobile out of his pocket.

Just as he unlocks it, there is a beeping sound from the hallway, someone punching in the code, and a few seconds later Wen Ke Xing walks into the kitchen, carrying containers that smell similarly to what he’s currently eating.

He looks at his phone and sees the message notifications on his phone. Wen Ke Xing has tried to get a hold of him, asking him what he wants for dinner, and then letting him know what time he would be back. He looks up at Wen Ke Xing with a pout, “I was sleeping.”

“I figured,” Wen Ke Xing says and eyes the food on the table, before putting his in the fridge. He grabs a bottle of water and sits down next to Zhang Cheng Ling. Zhou Zi Shu tries not to pout about it. He does have some self-respect, at least in front of other people. If they had been alone, he would have already crawled up in his alpha’s lap and demanded attention. He needs some energy.

“Did something happen?” Wen Ke Xing says with a crease between his brows and looks between the two of them.

“There was an incident,” Zhang Cheng Ling says and reaches for a pair of chopsticks.

“It wasn’t an incident. It’s all lies,” Zhou Zi Shu grumbles and stuffs more noodles into his mouth. Wen Ke Xing looks at them and waits.

“Daipai caught Shifu and Xie Laoshi walking out of a restaurant after lunch,” his assistant says and fills his bowl with some of the less spicy noodles.

“They caught—” Wen Ke Xing starts and then turns to look at him. “You were not having lunch with Xie Wang then?”

Something twists inside him and he continues to mope over his noodles. “I did.”

“Then what are the lies?” Wen Ke Xing asks and opens his bottle of water.

“One of the photographers caught a glimpse of…” Zhang Cheng Ling starts and then blushes. It’s cute how innocent the kid is even after a few years following him around.

“… Of?” Wen Ke Xing prompts, his lips pressed together.

“Of…” Zhang Cheng Ling says and gestures towards his neck.

Wen Ke Xing huffs and takes a few sips. “So, they know you’re kinky, what’s wrong with that? Most omegas are like that.”

Firstly, he is not kinky—it was Wen Ke Xing who bit him. Secondly, why is Wen Ke Xing telling him about what all his other omegas like? He doesn’t want to think about them, thank you very much. Thirdly, do they have to have this conversation in front of his little innocent assistant? Whilst the young omega sees him both before and after his heats, there are some things that he would like to keep separate from everyone not present during the biting.

“That’s not…” Zhang Cheng Ling starts, beet-red in his face and stuffs his mouth full of noodles to avoid speaking.

“Not what?” Wen Ke Xing asks and reaches for a pair of chopsticks.

“He was with Xie laoshi when the marks were spotted,” Zhang Cheng Ling mumbles somewhat incoherently in between chewing.

Wen Ke Xing’s eyes widen at the realization, chopsticks frozen mid-air. “Right, of course. Xie Wang has now replaced me as the current toyboy.”

It stings more than it should, because he knows that Wen Ke Xing doesn’t mean it that way. At least he thinks that the alpha doesn’t mean it a hurtful way. Considering he wasn’t a toyboy, then that statement would mean that Xie Wang isn’t a toyboy either. Not that it matters. Because he’s not involved with his co-lead.

“So, what now?” Wen Ke Xing asks and reaches for the same noodles that Zhang Cheng Ling is eating.

“It looks like the fans are divided. Half are defending Shifu, saying that they should leave him alone. The other half is buzzing with excitement, feeding on the trope of two celebrities, cast in the same movie, and end up falling for each other. It’s currently drawing a lot of attention to the production, but it looks like it’s in a good way.”

“So, no need to make a statement then?” he asks. He would prefer to not make statements about his love life. He had tried to stay away from making statements about his personal life throughout his career, he would like to keep it that way.

When it came to his professional life, he would go live on Weibo to clarify any rumors if he had to. But for his private life? The netizens knew enough about his childhood, how he was an orphan, and then became a singer. They have enough of him and he doesn’t want to give them more. And they know how protective he is of his personal life.

“Not if you don’t specifically want to,” Zhang Cheng Ling says. “Xie laoshi’s studio reached out as well to check our strategy and we seem to be on the same page.”

He huffs at that, “Of course, because when has it ever been a bad thing for an alpha to be linked to me.”

Sometimes he feels bitter over the double standard in the world. It’s changed over the course of his career, but it’s still a while away from treating omegas equal to alphas. Then again, that goes throughout society, not just his job.

Wen Ke Xing is quiet, nibbling on his noodles, the crease is still there. He wonders what is going on behind that handsome face, and if Wen Ke Xing will ever start sharing. Not that he shares that much himself.  

“Everything is sorted for tomorrow,” he says and reaches for more noodles. He still has a few days of leeway on his diet, since he needs to replenish after the heat. He intends to take full advantage of it.

“The team is very excited to meet you,” Wen Ke Xing says and smiles. It’s one of those soft smiles that feels like warmth against his skin and leaves his heart tingling. He’s missed his alpha all day.

“Especially the female lead and the scriptwriter,” Wen Ke Xing continues. “They are huge fans. I have a feeling we are going to have a long day tomorrow.”

“As long as I get to see some of the places where it’s going to be filmed, and if you feed me, I can even write autographs and smile for selfies,” he says and smiles back. He would do that—for Wen Ke Xing.

Zhang Cheng Ling hoovers down the last of his noodles and looks flustered, “Well, that’s all I had to report.” The assistant stands up and shifts on his heels, “It was clear that I’m not allowed to follow along tomorrow, but Qin Jiu Xiao will pick you two up at 8am. I’ve left some breakfast for you in the fridge.”

“Thanks, Cheng Ling,” Wen Ke Xing says and Zhang Cheng Ling zooms out of the kitchen, the front door slamming shut shortly afterwards.

He’s too tired to talk, so they eat in a silence that feels a bit heavier than normal. He should probably let Wen Ke Xing finish his noodles before he crawls into his lap in the hopes of being carried back to bed for some snuggles. He’s too tired for anything else.

“Rough day?” Wen Ke Xing asks and puts down his chopsticks.

Zhou Zi Shu looks up at him and responds, “Not all of it.”

“Which parts were good?” Wen Ke Xing asks and leans back in the chair.

“Everything was fine up until the daipai showed up,” he says and can’t help but pout a bit.

Wen Ke Xing stands up and starts clearing the table, “So you had a nice lunch with Xie Wang then?”

“It was good food,” he responds and stands up to help out. “I brought back some dumplings for you. I think you’ll really like the vegetarian ones.”

“Mn,” Wen Ke Xing hums but doesn’t turn around, instead puts the empty containers into the trash.

He grabs the bowls and walks to put them in the sink. He doesn’t mind doing dishes, but there are cleaners coming tomorrow and he has more important things to do. “We can heat them up for breakfast if you want.”

Wen Ke Xing turns to look at him with a bit of heat behind those dark eyes. He’s pretty sure that the alpha is jealous, because the scent that is finally spreading throughout the kitchen has a tiny bit of spice that appears whenever Xie Wang is around.

He can’t help but sigh. He’s been having withdrawals all day. He’d read about it in the information package. It’s a good thing. It means that his hormones are in tune with his match, that they are syncing, that he is adjusting as expected. He wonders if this means that he will need to keep a scented t-shirt with him at all times from now on. It’s not like he can drag Wen Ke Xing with him everywhere.

He looks up at the alpha and without much thought, or any at all, he reaches out and grabs Wen Ke Xing’s collar and yanks. Wen Ke Xing crashes into him with a thud and a gasp, eyes wide in surprise. He’s not sure why the alpha didn’t see it coming. It’s not like he’s never initiated a make-out session before. What is weird, however, is the icky smell coming off the sweater he’s just buried his nose in.

It smells like omega.

Instinctively, he pushes Wen Ke Xing back a few steps and swallows down the sour taste in his mouth as he stares at the floor. He can feel Wen Ke Xing’s gaze boring into him. Maybe he can play this off as a joke? He’s really not in the mood for this.

“Sorry,” he mumbles and sighs. “You stink.”

“What?” Wen Ke Xing asks and shifts, sniffing his shoulder. “Oh~”

That Oh jolts through Zhou Zi Shu and leaves a little crack at the edge of his heart. He feels embarrassed. And a little hurt.

“That’s Gao Xiao Lian, the scriptwriter,” Wen Ke Xing says and pulls off his sweater, throwing it onto the chair. It doesn’t help, because Zhou Zi Shu can still see it. It’s still in this house.

“Did you have a good day?” he asks, trying to hide the annoyance clinging to the inside of his throat.

Wen Ke Xing sniffs his t-shirt and pulls that off as well, throwing it over the sweater. He moves closer with searching eyes and pursed lips, until he’s caged him against the sink. It’s annoying how handsome he is with those stupid puppy eyes.

Wen Ke Xing reaches forward and sniffs, scrunches up his nose and steps back, tilting his head. “You stink as well.”

Does he? He hadn’t noticed any smell from Xie Wang, but it’s very possible that it’s there anyway. He hasn’t showered since he got back home.

“How about we take a shower?” Wen Ke Xing asks, pouting.

Without waiting for a response, the man steps back and shimmies out of his pants and boxers right in front of him. The cock is soft against his thigh and Zhou Zi Shu swallows down the sudden want on his tongue. Wen Ke Xing smirks and walks out of the kitchen.

Zhou Zi Shu realizes that he hasn’t spent enough time looking at that naked body from behind. It’s a very nice back with broad shoulders, tapered waist, and a perky little ass that he should maybe taste in the not-so-distant future.

He wonders if Wen Ke Xing would like that, if he’s one of those alphas that can be vulnerable enough to be eaten out, or even penetrated—even if it’s just a finger. He’s never tried it himself, nor knows if he would like it, but he has a feeling he would like most things when it comes to sex with this perfect specimen. Maybe it’s something he should ask for the next heat.

He hears the water turn on and Wen Ke Xing is humming. He can’t really make it out, but it sounds like one of his songs. He turns and looks at the clothes on the chair and wrinkles his nose. Wen Ke Xing better throw that stinky pile out as soon as he gets out of the shower.

(ᗒᗣᗕ)՞

Chapter Text

Zhou Zi Shu has the most beautiful laugh when he’s happy. Wen Ke Xing is trying really hard not to stare. It would make it obvious—make the fact that he’s smitten by Zhou Zi Shu obvious. But it’s difficult, like standing on a beach with his back against the sunrise.

The omega is in deep conversation with the director, Lu Tai Chong, talking enthusiastically about one of the murder scenes. It feels surreal. Like this isn’t supposed to be his life. And in many ways, it isn’t. His time with Zhou Zi Shu is just borrowed. Or, more accurately, it’s the other way around—he is the one that is borrowed.

“What’s it like working so closely with Zhou Xu?” Gao Xiao Lian asks and looks towards Zhou Zi Shu and Lu Tai Chong.

“After I got over the shock of being branded as his new boyfriend, it’s been pretty cool,” he says, acting his part to perfection. And technically, he’s not lying.

“I bet,” she says and giggles. “At least there is a new one taking the spotlight off you.”

Years of practicing not showing emotions saves him from flinching. He hasn’t fully forgotten the fact that Zhou Zi Shu is now linked like that to Xie Wang, or that they had apparently had a good lunch together.

Not knowing the turmoil her offhanded comment has caused, she laughs again before changing the subject, “Thank you for all the comments on the script. They really helped me get into the mind of the Reapers a bit more, especially the White Reaper.”

He looks down at her and smiles, grateful for the change in topic but also feeling good about having helped with his few suggestions. “I’m glad I could help a bit.” The script is excellent and he’s looking forward to seeing the end result on the big screen.

“You helped more than a bit,” she says and leans closer, nudging him with her elbow. He can smell her now, that subtle scent of melted marshmallows that Zhou Zi Shu had wrinkled his nose at in a cute, jealous way. It’s way too sweet for him, but even if he had liked the smell, it wouldn’t have made a difference. However, there is no way for Zhou Zi Shu to know that. All he thinks is that Wen Ke Xing prefers young omegas, and Gao Xiao Lian is definitely young and pretty. But she’s a woman and he prefers men, and he had solely offered himself as a match to men. Should he tell the omega of his preferences? Does it matter at this stage?

“Can I call you if I want to chat about any specific scenes?” she asks, still looking up at him with a smile that tells him that she probably has thoughts of other things than just work.

“I’ve agreed to be available for all work-related calls,” he says and hopes that she gets the hint.

“Talking about the script that I’m not allowed to read?” Zhou Zi Shu asks and appears in front of them alongside Lu Tai Chong. His face is soft and professional. This is Zhou Xu partly working and partly being a fanboy. It’s a confusing mix for his poor, quivering heart.

“The premiere will be all the more exciting for you,” he says and tilts his head.

“Am I invited?” Zhou Zi Shu asks, and part of the mask slips off, exposing even more of the excited fanboy.

“I have it on good authority that we are both invited,” he says and ignores all the feelings that slush around in his chest by thinking about where the two of them will be by the time the movie is released in two years.

“I heard that same rumor,” Gao Xiao Lian says and smiles up at him.

If he hadn’t been watching or been so familiar with every micro expression on the omega, he would have missed it. There is a sudden flash of black behind those bright eyes and a subtle stiffening in the lips, before Zhou Zi Shu breaks out in his signature smile.

“Then thank you in advance,” Zhou Zi Shu says, turning towards Lu Tai Chong.

“Shall we get going to the other locations?” Lu Tai Chong says and claps his hands, excited for all the attention he’s getting today, and probably a bit smitten with Zhou Xu as well.

The rest of the morning continues the same, and they make it to three different locations where they discuss pro’s and con’s for how to stage scenes in the right way. It’s always difficult when filming in cities, with road closures, and netizens watching.

He’s really enjoying this part of productions and contemplates if he should maybe get into script writing. He might like it. He’s definitely no expert, but maybe he could try his hands at writing the script for one of his books. He would never force it, just for the sake of doing it. He prefers to enjoy writing, rather than feeling as if each word is like pulling teeth.

He ends up sitting next to Gao Xiao Lian during lunch and Zhou Zi Shu is snatched away by the director and one of the producers from Five Lakes. However, it is like it should be. The two top people on the team should take care of Zhou Xu. It’s what a superstar like him deserves.

The afternoon is similar, except they make it to four locations before calling it quits and talking them into a team dinner. This time, Zhou Zi Shu makes sure to sit next to him, all whilst talking, laughing and eating. As Zhou Xu, he thrives being the center of attention and he looks good there, like he belongs there. The man is made for this.

After thanking the team for their time and promising that he will return when filming starts, just like he had for Hanging Ghost, they say their goodbyes and head back home.

He’s barely made it in through the door before Zhou Zi Shu pulls the jacket and shirt off him and throws them across the hallway. He’s pushed up against the door and Zhou Zi Shu’s lips are instantly against his, hungry, aggressive, biting.

One thing is clear—Zhou Zi Shu is jealous. He’s not sure how he feels about that, but he’s leaning towards positive based on how fast his cock fills out.

“Everything off,” Zhou Zi Shu commands in a voice that makes his skin hot.

“Always in such a hurry,” he muses, but does as he’s told.

“Take it as a compliment,” Zhou Zi Shu says, his own eyes widening at his words. Wen Ke Xing’s heart thuds in his chest. It’s not like he didn’t know that Zhou Zi Shu enjoys sex with him. Every moan, every tremble, every clench, every nibble, he can feel it all. The way that Zhou Zi Shu looks at him before, during and after. Wen Ke Xing knows. It’s just the first time he’s heard it out loud like that.

Zhou Zi Shu paws at his belt and he slaps the hands away. The omega pouts up at him, genuine hurt in his eyes, and he can’t help but lean in for a peck against those cute lips.

He spins them around and expertly undresses both himself and Zhou Zi Shu. The omega is just as hard as he is, a bead glistening at the slit and he wants to drop to his knees and open wide. But that’s not what Zhou Zi Shu needs right now. His hormones need comfort.

He grabs those thick thighs and hoists Zhou Zi Shu up. The omega yelps and clings to him, instantly nuzzling happily against his neck. Each little nip is like turning up the heat on a stove, his blood sizzling by the time they reach the bedroom.

Addictive.

Instead of laying Zhou Zi Shu on the bed, he lets him down onto the floor, still holding him close. “I would like to scent you,” he says and leans close to Zhou Zi Shu’s ear. “And I would like you to scent me, too.”

Even though it’s dark in the room with nothing but the soft lights from the hallway, he still sees the omega do a full body shiver. He’d never really thought about what it would feel like to be matched, to be with someone that reacted this way to his pheromones. He had always prided himself with taking good care of the men that he slept with. He very much enjoyed sex and considered himself quite the expert. But nothing even compares to how Zhou Zi Shu behaves, to the way he reacts, to how demanding or pliant he is. How fast his skin flushes when he nibbles on his scent gland or takes his cock deep in his throat.

Stunning.

He lets his hands wander up the sides of Zhou Zi Shu’s creamy skin until they reach that exquisite neck. He rubs his wrists over the scent glands and scrapes his nails against the nape of Zhou Zi Shu’s neck. The omega melts in his arms, leaning in with that searching mouth until he finds his scent glands. For a moment, there is nothing but silence as they touch each other with their mixed scents lingering around them, seeping through their skin and fusing with their blood.

Soon, Zhou Zi Shu reaches up on his toes and mewls in between nibbling. His fingers snake up to fist in Wen Ke Xing’s hair, pulling him closer as his mouth gets more demanding.

Mesmerizing.

When he smells the slick, he pushes Zhou Zi Shu onto the bed and chases the man all the way down. There is a scramble as they search for each other’s lips and Zhou Zi Shu wraps his legs around his hips, arching up until the head of his cock catches on the omega’s puckered hole. He wraps his right arm under the small of Zhou Zi Shu’s back to hold him steady and thrusts inside with a single slide and a moan that leaves him trembling.

“Fuck me like you mean it,” Zhou Zi Shu says and pulls him down to lick into his mouth, his ass wiggling around his cock, demanding that he starts moving.

It’s desperate from the start. Both of them wanting the other’s full attention, biting on scent glands, moaning and kissing. It’s wild, fast, and aggressive. It’s just what they both need after the last two days of fluctuating hormones, and not having had sex since the heat and rut stopped.

Zhou Zi Shu bucks desperately against each of his thrusts, eyes wide and mouth panting. Remembering his rut, he wraps his hand around that delicate throat, squeezing lightly to ground the omega, looking deep into his eyes to let him know that he’s here, that it’s only the two of them, that he will give him everything that he wants. And Zhou Zi Shu clings to him.

Enchanting.

All he can feel is Zhou Zi Shu moving around him, his hole clenching, the slick leaking, the cock dribbling between them when he drags against the prostate, the way the pupils dilate when he squeezes around the throat. All he can see is Zhou Zi Shu, flushed and desperate. All he can hear are those pretty little pants and moans. All he can taste and smell is burnt sugar and cherry blossom.

Zhou Zi Shu fists his hands and pulls him closer, mumbling words that he can’t fully hear against his lips. He shifts his knees and drives deeper at a different angle and Zhou Zi Shu shudders, coming in long ropes between them. The sweet, musky scent clings to him and sends him over the edge.

Mine.

>ᴗ<

He spends two more days with the production team in a more workshop-style setting, with the directors and the scriptwriter. They bombard him with questions about the characters and specific thoughts around the whys inside the murderers’ minds. He always finds it fascinating to throw out the most vulgar or explicitly violent response, and watch people react to it. People hate and fear a murderer, yet they are hooked, line and sinker, on what goes on inside that very same mind.

Zhou Zi Shu doesn’t go with him since he’s not allowed in on the script details. And he finds himself a bit restless without the omega. Not that he needs Zhou Zi Shu next to him at all times, but he feels more at ease when he’s at least in sight or smell. Clearly he’s having some form of withdrawal after the rut.

Zhou Zi Shu, on the other hand, seems to be enjoying himself. Now that the netizens know that he’s stayed in Nanjing after the live event, it’s like they have eyes everywhere. Wherever the superstar goes, they find him. Wen Ke Xing doesn’t even need to check his phone, or wait until he gets back to their accommodation to get an update because the production team is buzzing with excitement over all the rumors.

Zhou Zi Shu is spotted out running, shopping, and eating lunch. Speculations are running wild since Xie Wang is also in Nanjing, and apparently there is a hashtag trending on Weibo with their couple name. No one dares to ask him any questions, but he feels them staring at him, as if he holds all the answers to Zhou Xu. Which, in their eyes, he probably does.

It takes him a lot of willpower to not search the hashtag on Weibo and he makes it almost the entire week. It’s not until they are in the car heading back to Shanghai, and Zhou Zi Shu is sound asleep next to him, that he finally caves, puts in earplugs and dives into Weibo with a sour taste in his mouth.

He comes up empty, because there doesn’t seem to be anything to find, other than those old photos. There are photos from the Window of Heaven filming, some in between takes with the two of them laughing. For some of them, he had even been there in the side lines, watching them and playacting assistant. Had he missed something? Could there be something going on?

He mutes the hashtag, turns off the phone and stares into the darkness outside the window. At least there are no new photos of the two of them in Nanjing, and the omega hasn’t smelled of dirt since that one lunch, so he’s pretty sure that there hadn’t been any more dates. Though he’d been too proud to ask.

Zhou Zi Shu, on the other hand, hadn’t been that discrete. The omega had sniffed him the moment he stepped inside the house, wrinkled his nose and all but ripped his clothes off, throwing them into the spare bedroom, and demanded his full attention.

They had fucked in the shower with Zhou Zi Shu pushed face-first up against the glazed wall, fogging it up with his moaning. Wen Ke Xing had been pushed down onto the bed and Zhou Zi Shu had braced his hands on his chest and fucked himself on his cock, until he’d wedged himself on the knot and come all over Wen Ke Xing with a beautiful whine.

He glances towards Zhou Zi Shu and takes out his phone again, this time putting on music to drown out his thoughts.

(〃▽〃)

“How was Nanjing?” Gu Xiang asks him when he videocalls her on Sunday, the day after they have arrived back in Shanghai.

“It was good, busy,” he says and glances towards Zhou Zi Shu over by the fridge.

“Yeah, I bet it was,” she responds. “I saw you during the live stream.”

“You should be studying, not watching live streams,” he says, automatically.

“I finished the semester, remember? I’m a research assistant for the next few months, ”she says and snickers. “Besides, how can I study when there is so much love happening in front of my eyes?” she says and wiggles her eyebrows.

“What?” he asks, wondering what on earth the other omegas are doing in her dorm. Maybe they are a bad influence. She really should be focusing on her studies or her summer job.

“Da-ge, have you watched it?” she says, smirking.

“The live stream? No? I was there, why should I watch it?” he asks, confused.

“You should watch it,” she says, pressing her lips together. “But I took a few screenshots, I can send them to you.”

“Sure,” he says, absentmindedly, because Zhou Zi Shu is gesturing with his hands, signaling as a reminder. “Oh, what are you doing next weekend?”

“I need to check with my professor, but I think I’m free,” she says, narrowing her eyes.

“Want to come over for dinner on Saturday? Or we could go out to dinner if that’s better,” he says, not sure why he’s feeling restless all of a sudden.

Gu Xiang’s eyes widen and her mouth drops open, “To Zhou Xu’s house? For dinner? Will he be there? Can I meet him?” The questions hurl out of her mouth faster than he can answer them, so he just waits her out.

“Yes, to his house and yes he will be there,” he responds when she’s done, because those are the two important questions. “Unless you prefer to go out for dinner. You might get spotted by daipai if you come here. But that is also a possibility if we go out. It’s up to you.”

“Oh, I’m definitely going to his house,” she says with a stubborn determination that only a teenager can muster. He wants to hug her. It’s been weeks since he last saw her. He needs to correct that.

Zhou Zi Shu is still gesturing and he rolls his eyes. “We’ll send a car to pick you up from campus.”

“Oooh, fancy!” she says, trying not to sound impressed, but he can see that she’s a bit nervous already.

“Do you want to have lunch on Wednesday as usual?” he asks, wondering if maybe he should see her beforehand and they can chat about any questions she might have.

“No need, I’ll see you on Saturday,” she says and waves goodbye. “And don’t forget to look at the photos I’ve sent you.”

“I will,” he says, already having forgotten what she was sending him, and then she’s gone.

The phone vibrates from the incoming messages and he clicks on the album. The first two are zoomed in screenshot of himself, standing next to the stage. The other three are from when they are arriving at Deji Plaza, also zoomed in on him. The five photos have something in common—he’s watching Zhou Zi Shu. His entire face is soft, eyes focused and warm, a subtle smile on his face. His stomach does a swoop and the phone slides out of his grip and into his lap.

“What’s wrong?” Zhou Zi Shu says, walking up to him with a concerned expression on his face.

“Nothing,” he lies.

He picks up his phone, turns the screen off and looks up at the man, and for once he’s not certain what kind of expression is on his face. He thought he was in control of his emotions. He believed he was good at hiding, not showing his thoughts, but clearly he’s starting to slip. And he’s slipped to the point where Gu Xiang has noticed it and brought it up with him. There is no escaping that conversation. Maybe he should go see her on Wednesday anyway, just to make sure that she doesn’t accidentally say something on Saturday.

“Are you sure?” Zhou Zi Shu says, looking at him with slightly narrowed eyes that tells him that the man doesn’t believe him for a second.

“Just a long week,” he says and stands up. “How about we take the drinks into the spa?”

Zhou Zi Shu sighs and shakes his head, “You just want to see me naked, don’t you?”

“If that’s all I wanted, I would just strip you here and fuck you on the table,” he responds and pulls the omega close, stopping with their lips just a breath apart.

“Promises, promises,” Zhou Zi Shu says, twists out of his grip and walks out of the kitchen.

(O.O)

He usually loves the heat but today, his thoughts are in disarray and his skin feels hot and too tight. The humidity inside the sauna is suffocating, like a constant pressure assaulting him from all sides. Closing his eyes, he leans back against the towel to relax. He purposely slows down his breathing, in through his nose and out through his mouth, just like he’d been taught all those years ago. Clearing his mind and just focusing on the now, on his breathing, on the soft fabric against his neck, the sweat running down his back.

He takes a sip of the cold apple-juice, the ice-cubes almost gone, and sighs. Zhou Zi Shu chuckles next to his ear, and a finger gently runs up the length of his torso, starting at his belly button all the way up to the dip of his throat. It tickles and he shivers, feeling the goosebumps leap across his skin.

 “Maybe you should join me in my next endorsement,” Zhou Zi Shu says and runs his fingertip over his upper lip. It’s still wet and he opens his eyes to see Zhou Zi Shu lick his finger and smile. “I bet we could sell a lot of drinks.”

Unable to stop himself, he leans in to kiss that smile. He eagerly swallows down the surprised huff Zhou Zi Shu lets out when he pulls the omega into his lap to deepen the kiss. The omega melts under his touch and it scares him. It scares him how fast they have molded themselves to each other.

The program is doing exactly what it’s supposed to, it’s working. But does that mean that what he’s feeling is real? Or is it just a hormonal reaction? Or is that what love is? Are they following where the process is supposed to lead them, or have they gotten here on their own? Are their actions real or is this all just in his head, dictated by the OPP process? The questions snowball, and it is absolutely necessary to interrupt them now, before it turns into an avalanche.

He stands up with Zhou Zi Shu wrapped around him like a koala, giggling against his neck, “Who’s impatient now?”

“Me,” he responds, forcing his voice to be steady.

He carries Zhou Zi Shu into the shower and swallows that pretty omega cock as deep as he can. He grounds himself in the light tugging of his hair, the cool tiles against his knees, his hand in a tight fist around his dick, the soft moans from above.

Swallowing around the tip, he hollows out his cheeks and Zhou Zi Shu comes down his throat, moaning, “Lao Wen~”

His name melts through him and wraps around his heart, soothing his mind and his racing pulse. He comes with a gasp and a silent A’Xu, echoing through him.

(〃▽〃)

When Wen Ke Xing wakes up the next morning, he feels back to himself. He goes with Zhou Zi Shu to work a few times throughout the week, trying his best to ignore all the gossip about Zhou Zi Shu and Xie Wang that the staff doesn’t think he can overhear. He dives back into his writing—the first draft deadline being just a few weeks away. And he bugs Gu Xiang every day until he gets evidence of her eating habits.

He looks forward to the weekend and their dinner date with his sister, even though Zhou Zi Shu is working through it, either morning or evening shoots.

>ᴗ<

Chapter Text

“Don’t forget to send a car to pick up Gu Xiang,” he says during their lunch break, probably not for the first time based on the smile his assistant is trying to hide.

“Yes, Shifu,” Zhang Cheng Ling says, nodding with his lips pressed together. “The car will pick her up at 4pm from her campus. Your driver has her number and I sent her the registration plates for the car as well.”

“Good, good,” he responds, and stuffs a fist full of blueberries into his mouth to have something to chew on.

His phone vibrates from an incoming call, and he reaches for it, chewing and swallowing before picking up.

“Do you miss me?” he asks his best friend. He hasn’t seen Jing Bei Yuan for a month and feels kind of bad for being one of those people who gets swept up in a relationship when a new partner comes along. Not that he and Wen Ke Xing are in a relationship.

“I do, but the baby seems to miss you more,” Jing Bei Yuan responds, sounding a bit flustered so his joke doesn’t land as well as they usually do.

“Baby? Da Wu wants a cuddle?” he asks, jokingly, reaching for more berries.

“No one cuddles my husband but me,” Jing Bei Yuan says, huffing. “The baby is a few weeks early. We’re on our way to the Omega Center.”

“WHAT?” he exclaims, and Zhang Cheng Ling startles enough to drop his phone.

“Apparently our little girl didn’t want to wait for the scheduled c-section. She’s arriving now,” Jing Bei Yuan says, nerves causing his voice to break at the end.

“Are you okay? Is Da Wu okay? Do you want me to come?” he asks and sits up straight, dropping the berries back in the bowl. “I only have one more scene to shoot and then I’m all yours.”

“I’m not sure what’s gonna happen when we arrive, or how fast this will go,” Jing Bei Yuan says. “I’ll text you when I get a moment.”

“Give Da Wu a hug from me,” he says. “Now go become a dad!”

“Thanks,” Jing Bei Yuan says and hangs up.

Zhou Zi Shu’s head reels, processing what’s happening and also what needs to happen. He clicks into his WeChat with Wen Ke Xing and calls.

“What’s up?” Wen Ke Xing answers on the other end. Wen Ke Xing sounds happy and it makes him smile.

“Bei Yuan and Da Wu’s baby is arriving now,” he says, continuing, “Would you mind if we postpone your sister until next week? I really want to be there for them.”

“Absolutely,” Wen Ke Xing says. “I’ll call her and let her know.”

“Thanks,” he says, relieved. “I’m not sure when I’ll be back tonight, but I’ll let you know.”

“I hope it all goes well. Give them my best,” Wen Ke Xing says.

There is a moment of silence and Zhou Zi Shu almost asks the alpha to go with him to the Omega Center, but he doesn’t want to impose on his friends. Nor does he want to put pressure on Wen Ke Xing to go with him. Not everyone likes hospital environments, or the Omega Center.

“Give my apologies to your sister,” he says. “You know my schedule in the coming weeks, so please book something in with her. If there is anything specific, you can always check with Cheng Ling.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll take her out to dinner instead,” Wen Ke Xing says and they hang up.

“Shifu?” Zhang Cheng Ling says.

“Change of plans. The baby is arriving and I’m going to the Omega Center straight from work. You can cancel the car for Gu Xiang and sort things out here,” he says and stands up, heading out the door to get ready for the last scene. It’s an emotional one which could take a long time, but he will do his absolute best to make sure that he performs perfectly. There will be no retakes unless they need different angles. He needs to be there for his friends.

(≧▽≦)

It’s early evening by the time he’s allowed into the suite where his friends are resting after the birth.

“Meet Mei Qi[i],” Jing Bei Yuan says and holds out a little bundle wrapped in a yellow blanket. All he can see is a scrunched up little face, eyes closed and mouth pouting. She’s so small and delicate, he doesn’t dare accept the little fluffy burrito.

“Are you sure? I’ve never held a baby before,” he says, his hands hanging awkwardly in the air halfway towards a little loaf of baby.

“Then sit down,” Wu Xi says from over in the bed and smiles encouragingly. “It’s easier if you sit down.”

He plops down in one of the chairs next to the bed and Jing Bei Yuan places the baby in his arms. She’s sleeping, face twitching once in a while, and he instantly feels like he would slay all those mean nightmares for her if he could. He holds her a bit closer and leans back in the chair. Maybe it’s not so scary to hold a baby. He can get used to this. He would like to get used to this.

“She’s beautiful,” he says without looking away.

“Of course she is, she’s got us as her parents,” Jing Bei Yuan says and sits down on the bed.

“Clearly she takes after Da Wu,” he shoots back.

He stares at the baby and can’t help but wonder what his and Wen Ke Xing’s child might look like. Would it grow as tall as Wen Ke Xing? Have his warm eyes? Lethal pout? His dark hair? That giggle.

There is a huff, and he tears his eyes away from that sweet little face and sees Wu Xi hide his laugh behind his hand, and Jing Bei Yuan with a raised eyebrow. “Already picturing what yours will look like, huh.”

He can’t throw the baby, so he just glares. Which causes his friends to laugh at him some more.

“I don’t blame you. He’s a very handsome man,” Wu Xi says, which earns him a pout and a flick on his forehead from Jing Bei Yuan.

“No looking at other men,” Jing Bei Yuan mock-chides, but only partially.

“I’m not blind,” Wu Xi says and sticks his tongue out. “He’s not as handsome as you, though.”

“That’s more like it,” Jing Bei Yuan says.

“Speaking of,” Wu Xi continues. “Do you want to invite him over?”

“Here? Now?” he asks, heart suddenly fluttering up his throat. Does he want Wen Ke Xing here at the center? Looking at the baby and him? What would he think? Would he get scared? Think that Zhou Zi Shu is trying to rope him into a relationship? Baby trap him? Guilt him into staying if there is a baby?

“Um,” he says, intelligently.

“You don’t have to,” Jing Bei Yuan says and takes Wu Xi’s hand. “But you could if you wanted to. I’m not going to fight any alpha that comes near us.”

“Good to know,” he says and can’t help but smile.

His friend has never been the violent type, but there are alphas that get so hormonal when they see their child and omega for the first time after birth, that they get irrationally possessive. Zhou Zi Shu wonders what Wen Ke Xing would be like, catches himself mid-thought and squashes it instantly, yeeting it out of his head before it can root somewhere it doesn’t belong.

There is a little hiccup from the bundle in his arms and two little black eyes stare up at him, nose scrunched up.

“We should try feeding her some more,” Wu Xi says, and Jing Bei Yuan takes the girl from his arms. They feel empty and his heart trembles with longing.

“I’ll give you some privacy,” he says, and walks out of their suite.

A bit restless out in the corridor, he takes out his phone and texts Wen Ke Xing. It’s not really his choice to make. He can only deal with his own emotions.

Still restless, he puts on a face mask, takes the lift down to the café and orders a tea for Wu Xi and two iced coffees for himself and Jing Bei Yuan. By the time he gets back, the baby is sleeping again, nestled against Jing Bei Yuan’s chest, who is also dozing off.

“Here,” he says, handing Wu Xi the tea. “I thought you might be tired of their dirt tea so I got you some bael fruit tea[ii]. The nurse told me it would be good for you.”

“Thanks,” Wu Xi says and takes a few sips. “How are you feeling?”

“Don’t worry about me, how are you? Do you need anything? I didn’t even ask, I just got into the car and got here as soon as I could,” he says, like the newbie that he is. He really will need to learn to be a better shushu[iii].

“It’s okay to have feelings about this,” Wu Xi says and pats him on his hand. “I’ve been where you are, remember.”

He swallows around the baby sized lump in his throat and takes a sip of his coffee, forcing it down the same way. He takes a deep breath and looks at the little family of three in front of him, “I’m fine, I really am. It’s just…”

“You wonder what yours and his baby would look like? What you would name them? If he would stay in the picture?” Wu Xi asks, eyes soft but the questions slice mercilessly through his heart. “You should talk about it. Don’t keep it all inside. If you don’t want to, you can just come over when you want and spend time with us. Whatever you need, Zi Shu.”

He feels like crying. All these hormones going on in this room aren’t healthy for him and his heart. He is not ready to answer any of those questions, or even hear them. But he understands his friend’s worries. That’s why they are friends. They are here for him just like he is here for them.

“Lao Wen will be here after his dinner with his sister,” he says. It’s sort of a response and a deflection all-in-one.

“I see,” Wu Xi says and smiles.

“Don’t read too much into it,” he says, defensively.

“Maybe you should start reading things into it, you idiot,” Jing Bei Yuan says without even opening his eyes. “Have you told him you like him yet?”

“If you weren’t holding my favorite niece, I would kick you off the bed,” he responds, and glares over the rim of his coffee.

“She’s your only niece,” Jing Bei Yuan responds with a smirk, and cracks one eye open. “I will take that as you haven’t told him.”

“Zi Shu, sometimes it’s a disadvantage to be so very guarded. If you conceal your affection from him, you might lose the opportunity to keep him,” Wu Xi says and looks at him from behind the teacup.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” he says, stubbornly.

“Fine, I won’t argue with you, but only because I don’t want her to wake up,” Jing Bei Yuan says, and snuggles the bundle closer to his face, making some form of parental noise.

“When can you go home?” he asks.

“A few days,” Wu Xi responds and sips on his tea. “Depends on how fast I heal.”

There is a tiny gurgle from somewhere inside the yellow blanket and he feels relieved that the two new parents’ focus return to their newborn.

(ㅅ´ ˘ `)

An hour later, there is a knock on the door and Wen Ke Xing walks in, carrying two giftbags and a fruit basket. His smile is wide but Zhou Zi Shu senses something else behind those eyes, and suddenly he wishes that he hadn’t asked Wen Ke Xing if he wanted to drop by. The man had obviously felt forced and now he’s uncomfortable.

“Ke Xing!” Jing Bei Yuan exclaims and gets out of his chair. “You really didn’t need to get us anything.”

“It’s not for you, so you have no say in the matter,” Wen Ke Xing says with a huff, and walks to stand next to the bed. “It’s for you two.” Wen Ke Xing pulls out a box of expensive, dark chocolate and puts it next to the fruit basket on the table.

Wu Xi lets out a happy sound and his outstretched grabby hand makes Jing Bei Yuan snort, “I see how it is. The handsome man has arrived with sweets and I’m instantly abandoned.”

“Handsome man?” Wen Ke Xing asks with a smirk and looks at Zhou Zi Shu with a raised eyebrow.

“Beware of the omegas in this suite,” Jing Bei Yuan says conspiratorially. “They are hormonal and there is no telling what they might do to a handsome alpha.”

Wen Ke Xing laughs his signature ha-ha-ha and all the nerves in Zhou Zi Shu melts away. “I’m a fast runner,” Wen Ke Xing responds.

Jing Bei Yuan barks out a laugh so loud it wakes up Jing Mei Qi, the mix of a surprised hiccup and irritated shriek instantly drawing the four adults’ attention. Since Zhou Zi Shu’s the closest to the crib she’s sleeping in, he reaches down and picks her up like the instant-pro that he feels like, holding her against his chest, rocking slowly.

“Hello, xiao bao[iv],” he hears behind him and Wen Ke Xing’s head pops over his right shoulder to look down at the baby in his arms. The whiskey scent is subtle but calming and he breathes it in without even thinking about it. The feeling of having his alpha behind him as he holds a baby ripples under his skin and irreversibly reshapes him. It’s so strong it catches his breath, and he tries to focus on the grunting of the sad girl in his arms.

The head of a tiger soft toy appears over his left shoulder, and Wen Ke Xing’s voice is by his ear, “I got you something, baobao.” The endearment leaves his head tingling and he needs to stop Wen Ke Xing from saying that ever again or his heart will evacuate his chest and run away.

“Mei Qi,” he says, his voice unsteady. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees his two friends watching them and sharing knowing smiles. This was such a bad idea. Why did he invite Wen Ke Xing over? He will never hear the end of this. He’s going to need stunt wires to doge their questions.

“Hello, xiao Mei Qi,” Wen Ke Xing repeats and holds the tiger closer to her. It’s not a soft toy, it’s a baby blanket, one of the corners transmuting into a tiger’s head. It’s adorable. Why is Wen Ke Xing even good at baby gifts? He hadn’t even asked if they needed anything before rushing to the clinic. Clearly, Wen Ke Xing is a better parent than he is. Maybe even a better friend and uncle than he is. All he got was tea.

“Zi Shu,” Jing Bei Yuan says, voice light, probably able to read his mind like an open book. “How about you let Ke Xing hold the baby?”

He turns around and stands inside Wen Ke Xing’s arms for a moment before stepping back to look up at the man. He holds the baby out, ready to instruct Wen Ke Xing on how to hold an infant. But before he can open his mouth, Wen Ke Xing scoops her up like a pro, cooing and blubbering at her in what sounds like her own language. The baby gurgles back like she understands him. He glances towards the new parents and shrugs, Wu Xi grins like an idiot and Jing Bei Yuan can’t hold back a snort.

He’s not sure how he feels, but it’s probably mostly relief. Things aren’t weird and Wen Ke Xing doesn’t appear to feel forced. Quite the opposite by the way he’s hogging the baby.

Jing Bei Yuan sits down next to Wu Xi on the bed and wraps his arms around his husband. Zhou Zi Shu sits down in his chair and grabs a bottle of juice. They silently watch Wen Ke Xing rock the baby until she goes quiet, and then gently put her back in the crib. She gurgles and Wu Xi twitches but Jing Bei Yuan holds him, murmuring that he needs to rest and not move around. Wen Ke Xing holds the tiger blanket above the girl and murmurs something they can’t hear, whilst gently rocking her with one hand on her tummy until she goes quiet.

“Zi Shu,” Jing Bei Yuan says when Wen Ke Xing turns towards them for the first time since he snatched the baby. “Did you know that your alpha was a baby whisperer?” Zhou Zi Shu feels himself blushing and focuses on finishing off his juice.

“That wasn’t your first time,” Wu Xi comments, snuggling inside Jing Bei Yuan’s arms.

“I spent part of my childhood at an orphanage before going to a foster family. And I used to volunteer at that same orphanage until we left Chengdu,” Wen Ke Xing responds with a shrug as if he’s just told them something light, like he used to go to space camp. “Sometimes, infants were dropped off.”

His heart does that quivering thing again. Wen Ke Xing—is an orphan. He lived at an orphanage which means he was a child, younger than Zhou Zi Shu had been when he’d lost his own parents. And then Wen Ke Xing had grown up to volunteer at that same orphanage, with children in need of care and comfort. Zhou Zi Shu had been emancipated, considered himself an adult and focused on singing. This alpha certainly had hidden qualities he would never have known about, had he rejected him during matching based on their first meeting.

“I might snatch you up myself,” Jing Bei Yuan says after a moment of silence, and Wu Xi shakes his head. “Are you into male alphas?”

Wen Ke Xing huffs and picks up the chocolate, handing the box over to Wu Xi before sitting down in the chair next to Zhou Zi Shu. “How are you feeling?”

“Everything went well, she just wanted out I guess,” Wu Xi says and stuffs a praline into his mouth. “It’s common for male omegas to go into labor early so we were prepared.”

“She looks happy and healthy,” Wen Ke Xing says just as there is a tiny snort from the crib. All four of them turn to watch the sleeping little girl.

⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Zhou Zi Shu says as they drive back home. Wen Ke Xing is zipping through traffic with one hand on the steering wheel and one hand holding his, resting against the center console.

“It was a long time ago,” Wen Ke Xing responds. “I barely remember my parents.”

“I’m still sorry,” he repeats. “I was older when I lost mine. I can’t imagine losing them as a child.”

“I’ve got A’Xiang, I’m not alone,” Wen Ke Xing responds with a softness that Zhou Zi Shu only hears when the alpha speaks of his sister.

“How did you two meet?” he asks. He had kind of figured that they weren’t blood related since they didn’t share the same surname, but he hadn’t wanted to pry too much about things that weren’t any of his business.

“She arrived at the orphanage when she was eight,” Wen Ke Xing says. “She followed me around for a year. She was a feisty little thing, but I knew she was all bark and no bite. I applied for guardianship as soon as I turned eighteen, and then I took her with me when I left Chengdu.”

“Thank you for sharing,” he says and his arms twitch from wanting to hug the man. There is probably more to the story, but he’s grateful that Wen Ke Xing feels comfortable enough to reveal even the short version of it.

The car stops at a red light and Wen Ke Xing turns to face him, squeezing his hand, “It was a long time ago. For both me and A’Xiang.”

“Did you find a new time for her to come over?” he asks, carefully changing the subject.

“We did,” Wen Ke Xing responds, and shifts into gear when the lights turn green. “She’s slammed with her new job in the coming two weeks, but after that she gets her weekends back again. And you don’t have any resting days at all in the coming month.”

“I guess I’ll just have to wait,” he says and sighs over his never-ending schedule. He knows the studio has been struggling to book an endorsement for Nivea and a photoshoot for Vogue.

“I tentatively booked her in for Saturday in three weeks. Looks like you’ve got night shooting all that week, including weekend, so I told her that we would see how you feel. We could have lunch instead of dinner?”

“Sounds like a plan,” he responds and looks out the window. He’s tired. Even though it’s not been a physically challenging day, he’s emotionally drained. He can’t imagine how his two friends are feeling, sleeping at the Omega Center with their beautiful little girl.

“You can sleep if you want,” Wen Ke Xing says, running his thumb over his wrist. “We have another twenty minutes before we’re home.”

Home, he thinks and leans back against the headrest. He hums and closes his eyes, wishing he was in bed already. His hormones needs some snuggles after today.

(ᴗ˳ᴗ)

“Lao Wen,” he moans and leans back, trembling in Wen Ke Xing’s lap as he fucks himself on the cock slowly. With one hand braced behind him, and one hand around Wen Ke Xing’s neck, he arches his back and rolls his hips with languid, precise movements, snapping his hips when he’s at the very bottom to make sure he’s fully stuffed.

The knot is slowly thickening at the base and he can’t help but wiggle when the cock is fully sheeted, pressing it against his prostate. He’s leaking more than usual and both Wen Ke Xing’s thighs and the sheets are drenched with slick.

He feels intoxicated, their mixed scents thick in the air around them. He’s moaning, loudly, louder than usual, but it feels so good, feeling Wen Ke Xing so deep inside him feels so good. He clenches his hole and Wen Ke Xing groans, wraps that large hand around his neck and pulls him in for an open-mouthed kiss that is all greedy tongue and needy pants.

“A’Xu~~” Wen Ke Xing breathes into the kiss and stares up at him, dark eyes unblinking. He inhales and feels the sound of his name tingling down his throat to lodge itself at the center of his heart. Wen Ke Xing is calling him, moaning his name, looking up at him like he loves this, like he’s precious.

“Lao Wen~ Ah~ I’m close—” he says, and rolls his hips in a circular motion, grinding himself further down as the knot expands and catches on his entrance. “I’m so close—”

Wen Ke Xing’s hands slide down his sides and takes a firm grip around his hips to help him move, lifting him up and then dropping him down, whilst fucking up and into him with a snap.

“You’re so beautiful like this, leaking all over me,” Wen Ke Xing says and reaches up to bite along the column of his neck.

He feels the knot expand to full size and lodge itself deeper inside him than he thinks it’s ever been. This is a good angle, his mind thinks before he wraps his fist around his cock and whites out, coming all over Wen Ke Xing’s abs. The orgasm rolls through him, curls his toes and he pants through it. Wen Ke Xing nibbles on his scent gland to urge him on.

The knot pulses, once, twice, thrice, and Wen Ke Xing bites and comes. He can feel the alpha hold himself back from biting harder, and he wants to tell him it’s fine, to just bite, but he’s too far gone in his bliss to form words.

(˘ ˘ ˘)

Chapter Text

“Please~~” Zhou Zi Shu drawls and looks up at him with big, bright hopeful eyes.

“No,” he stands firmly. He has already told Zhou Zi Shu no on multiple occasions in the past week. He will not budge on this.

“Come one, pretty please,” Zhou Zi Shu repeats, and pouts. The combination makes his heart tremble, and for a moment, he almost wavers. Zhou Zi Shu is playing dirty. He knows Wen Ke Xing can’t resist it when he pouts.

“You’re going to have to wait for the rest of the book until it’s done,” he says and pats Zhou Zi Shu on top of his head.

“Isn’t there anything I can do to persuade you?” Zhou Zi Shu says with a new glint in his eyes, mouth curling into a sly smile.

Zhou Zi Shu pulls on the belt for his robe, and opens up, exposing the expanse of his toned, curvy body, creamy skin that is freshly showered and smelling both of cherry blossom and sugar, but also of the moisturizer he endorses. Zhou Zi Shu takes Wen Ke Xing’s hand and drags it slowly down over those perfect pecs and abs, leaving it on his hip. The omega reaches up on his toes until he’s the same height as Wen Ke Xing and tilts his head, leaning in to nuzzle against his scent gland, biting lightly. “Anything you want.”

Suddenly his throat is dry and he struggles to swallow, his fingers flexing around that lithe waist. If someone would have told him last year, or even just at the start of writing the book, that the great Zhou Xu would be begging to read the draft to the point of offering up himself as a tasty little snack, he would have probably thought it was a particularly smutty dream and fucked the omega on the nearest surface, then handed him the draft.

“I promise, as soon as it’s been edited and approved for printing, I’ll give you the proof copy,” he says, but can’t help leaning into the nibbling on his neck.

The soft little bites tingle down his spine and his cock is definitely voting for handing over the draft now. It’s just that he really wants Zhou Zi Shu to read it when it’s finished, see the cover, the dedication at the start, rather than the raw, unfinished product with the inevitable spelling mistakes. Besides, he hasn’t fully perfected the dedication yet, and he wants it there, he wants to watch Zhou Zi Shu read it.

“You’re so stubborn,” Zhou Zi Shu says, but doesn’t stop nibbling on him, instead he pushes him towards the bed until the back of Wen Ke Xing’s knees catch against the frame and he falls backwards, the omega falling on top of him with a delighted laugh.

You like that about me, almost slips off his tongue and he bites it back to instead pull Zhou Zi Shu into a kiss. A kiss that soon turns wet and panting. Their clothes end up on the floor, and he takes the omega from behind. He thrusts hard and fast, just like he knows Zhou Zi Shu likes it, with his left hand in a vice grip around the omega’s hip and his other one tangled and fisted in those soft curls.

Zhou Zi Shu is moaning beautifully, bracing himself with one hand against the shelf as he arches and pushes back against him, the puffy hole leaking and clenching. A few books fall off the shelf and Zhou Zi Shu laughs, the sound seeps through his skin, through his flesh, through the soft shell of his heart where all of his walls used to be.

Mine, his alpha whispers.

(˘ ˘ ˘)

“You’re late,” Luo Fu Meng says and raises an eyebrow as she looks him up and down from behind her desk.

“Only by two minutes,” he responds and drops the USB drive on her desk. There is a sense of ritual handing the final draft over personally rather than just sending an email with a link or attachment.

“That’s twelve minutes later than usually,” she says, and leans forward to snatch the USB drive to connect it to her laptop. “Enjoying matched life I take it?”

He’s not sure how to respond. His life has turned into something that strongly resembles domesticity—horny domesticity. It’s daunting how easily and quickly they adjusted to living together.

They almost always wake up wrapped in each other’s arms. After breakfast, he either goes with Zhou Zi Shu to work, or stays at home to work. He finds himself being an assistant more often than before. Whether or not it’s because he wants to spend more time with Zhou Zi Shu, and just look at the magnificent man in action, or keep an eye on that slimy co-lead, doesn’t really matter. Or rather, he actively avoids thinking about it.

“That great, huh?” she says, leans back in her chair and smiles.

“He’s filming at night, which has thrown off my schedule a bit this week,” he responds. Which is true. Zhou Zi Shu has woken him up most mornings by crawling into bed naked and wet, after which they shower and have breakfast together, before Zhou Zi Shu goes to sleep and he writes.

“Yeah, I bet it has,” she says.

She has an uncanny ability to read him even when he tries to lie or keep some things to himself. When he had met her during his time in university, she had instantly taken him under her wing, mentored him and soon became both a mother figure, and a big sister.

“Let’s focus on the draft,” he says, instead of answering what she really wants to know.

He can’t even bear to form the questions inside his head, let alone listen to someone ask them out loud. It feels too real, too scary, too overwhelming. He already knows that he will have to deal with Gu Xiang when she visits the following day. He should probably pick her up himself so that they can have the conversation in the car and not in front of Zhou Zi Shu, or anywhere he could potentially overhear.

“You know the drill,” she says and clasps her hands, she’s in publisher mode. “It will take about six to eight weeks for editing and proof-reading. I’ve sent through a few concepts for the cover, so have a look and give your feedback. The sooner—”

“—The better, I know,” he says and mock-sighs.

“This is why you’re my favorite author,” she says.

“I’m the author who brings in the most money,” he throws back, and watches her roll her eyes and stand up.

“Come on, let’s go eat our usual celebratory lunch,” she says and puts her phone in her pocket. “Hotpot?”

“As always,” he responds, and holds up the door for her.

( ˘▽˘)っ

He navigates the Audi through traffic, listening to the radio and tapping with his fingers on the steering wheel. He always feels buzzed after having turned in a completed draft. It’s a relief to have the hardest part done, but his brain is turning, the next story already starting to take shape. He will have to mull it over, poke and prod at it until the new serial killer shows their inner demon to him. There is no stress. They haven’t locked down a timeframe for the remaining three books in the series and he usually takes a few months off in between, unless he gets inspired.

Letting his mind rest for a bit, he turns up the volume and hums along to some K-Pop song that is playing on the radio, courtesy of Gu Xiang blasting it non-stop. And as if summoned, a text message from Gu Xiang pops up on the screen, confirming the time for picking her up tomorrow.

His stomach swoops as if he’s jumped off a ledge with a bungee cord strapped around his feet. To say that he’s nervous would be an understatement. He knows his sister. She will read him like an open book and just hurl comments as she sees fit, to poke and prod and make him react. He is not ready for that, or what some of it could mean. Especially in front of Zhou Zi Shu, because if Gu Xiang can see it, maybe he can too?

He’s conflicted about their lunch tomorrow, but at the same time he longs for the two of them to meet. He knows that he has fallen for Zhou Zi Shu and he wants the two people in his heart to get along, hopefully even more than that. But at the same time, it’s weird. Zhou Zi Shu isn’t his partner, they are not dating, they were matched through OPP. Who in their right mind introduces their match to friends and family? So what are they doing?

Zhou Zi Shu has been wanting to meet Gu Xiang for a while, and he’s scared to even hope that it means what he wants it to mean. Then again, he had been invited by Zhou Zi Shu’s closest friends to meet their daughter on the day she had been born. That’s crossing a lot of boundaries as well.

He thinks about the image of Zhou Zi Shu with the little girl in his arms, those bright eyes soft and longing, and his heart thuds. He shoves the image to the very back of his mind, not ready to process the thought of Zhou Zi Shu potentially holding a baby they made in the future—their baby.

The lights up ahead turn red and he slams the breaks just in time. He needs to get a grip. He turns the volume to loud and spends the remainder of the drive back home singing and drowning out his thoughts.

c( O.O )ɔ

Gu Xiang just smirks at him when he stops in front of the gates to her campus. “Nice car,” she says when she opens the door. “What happened to public transport is good for the environment?”

“You can take the subway if you want,” he says and rolls the car a few centimeters forward.

“I’m just saying,” she says, and jumps in, buckling the seatbelt.

He turns on the indicator and pulls out in traffic. “How is the research going?”

“Good,” she responds as she taps through the menus on the screen to turn on some music.

“Good?” he repeats. When it comes to her that can really mean anything from she’s finding the work enjoyable, to she is bored and is secretly trying to hack into nuclear launch codes.

“Piece of cake,” she says and flashes him a big smile, flipping her hair. She’s always been smart and a few steps ahead of her peers, so he’s not surprised that she got asked to help one of the PhD students with his research. He’s grateful she’s found something that has kept her interest and if she keeps this up, she’s got a bright future ahead of her.

He stops at a red light and looks up at a billboard to their left. Zhou Xu stares back at him with a bright smile, holding up a tube of the newest whitening technology from Colgate.

“Wow, I guess I was right,” she says and giggles.

“A’Xiang…” he starts, but he’s not quite sure what else to say. There really is no denying how he feels when he sees the man, or his smile. Not in front of her. Partly because she knows him too well, but also—they just don’t lie to each other. Ever.

“Ge…” she says, her voice careful.

“I haven’t told him,” he says. The lights turn green and he turns his focus back on the road ahead.

She watches him for a moment and he can see that she’s biting her bottom lip. He waits her out. “You’re not sure if you’re going to tell him at all,” she concludes, her eyes wide. When he doesn’t respond she takes a deep breath, “Ge—”

“I haven’t decided yet,” he responds, turns on the indicator and merges with the traffic on the motorway heading east.

“Why?!” she asks. “Who are you and what did you do with my da-ge? The one who eats omegas for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And then goes in for dessert.”

“It’s complicated,” he responds.

Firstly, he doesn’t even know if his feelings are real or if this is just a reaction to the bonding created by OPP. Secondly… Secondly… What if Zhou Zi Shu doesn’t want the same? Things would get very awkward and he would have ruined things. He has a duty to stay until his birthday, so he shouldn’t rock the boat until then. And the snakes in his stomach don’t want to think about his birthday.

“Ge…” she says, pressing her lips together.

“A’Xiang, can we please have a nice dinner? And be on your best behavior,” he says.

“Pfft, between the two of us—you’re the fanboy. You dragged me to concerts, remember? Not the other way around,” she says and giggles.

As if on cue, one of Zhou Xu’s singles starts playing on the radio and Gu Xiang turns up the volume. “The universe is telling you something,” she says, snickering.

“Tell me about your research,” he says, trying to tune out the wiggle his heart is doing in reaction to the voice floating from the speakers.

“You already know everything! I eat, sleep, and write code,” she says and kicks with her feet. “What else do you want to know?”

“Hmm,” he says and glances at her. “Who is this post-grad student you’re working with? Are they nice? It seems like they’ve given you an awful lot of work.”

“It’s government sponsored research,” she says and keeps kicking her feet, dodging his gaze. “I can’t talk about it. But it’s a lot of fun! Way more fun than classes.”

He nods and they chat about her life from teenage drama with her roommates to her favorite canteen on campus running out of dumplings. By the time they drive over the bridge and into Pudong, his heart has calmed down.

(^O^)

For all of her playing it cool in the car, when Zhou Zi Shu walks out to meet them, Gu Xiang does something that Wen Ke Xing has never experienced before—she turns shy. That mouth of hers that’s always bantering and hurling jokes, shuts and she blushes, stepping behind him. He gets it though. It’s the Zhou Xu effect. The man is as beautiful and radiant as the sun—if you stare at him for too long you’ll cause permanent damage to your heart and it will leave an everlasting imprint of the man on your iris.

“A’Xiang, this is Zhou Zi Shu,” he says and steps to the side so that she can’t hide. He looks at her and sees that little girl he had met twelve years ago, uncertain of her worth and if she would be welcomed. “A’Xu, this is my sister, Gu Xiang,” he continues.

“A’Xiang!” Zhou Zi Shu says and smiles. “Can I call you that?”

“Mn,” she responds and something sparkles at the edges of her eyes, a clear indication that she’s returning to herself. “Can I call you Zi Shu-ge?”

Zhou Zi Shu laughs, “Absolutely.”

Wen Ke Xing’s heart lurches at the way she says his name so easily. He hasn’t even called him that yet. He reaches out and flicks her on the forehead. “Manners!”

“But you call him A’Xu,” she counters with a sly smile. “And Zi Shu-ge said it was fine.”

Zhou Zi Shu shakes his head and waves at them to come inside. As soon as Zhou Zi Shu’s head turns away, she sticks her tongue out towards him. She’s going to be a menace.

“Do you want a house tour?” Zhou Zi Shu asks, handing her a pair of slippers.

“Yes, please,” she says and toes out of her sneakers. “I’ve only seen da-ge’s room and the library.”

“He practically lives in the library,” Zhou Zi Shu says and looks up at him.

“Well, he is a book nerd,” Gu Xiang responds and blinks up at him.

“This book nerd is paying for your university,” he says and glares at her.

“Should I sort lunch and you take her on a house tour?” Zhou Zi Shu says, imitating Gu Xiang and blinking up at him.

His heart does something strange as he looks down at his two favorite people, and he breathes around the rattling. He glances towards Gu Xiang and she winks at him. He trusts her. She might tease him a lot, but she won’t say anything.

“I’ll start lunch and then join you,” he says.

He watches them walk down the hall towards the library and he turns towards the kitchen, determined to join them as soon as he possibly can.

>ᴗ<

“How about we eat outside? In the solarium?” Zhou Zi Shu says as he peeks over Wen Ke Xing’s shoulder. He hadn’t heard them come into the kitchen and guesses that he’s missed the house tour.

“What’s for lunch?” Gu Xiang asks and peeks over his other shoulder.

His heart does that strange rattling thing again and he ignores it, asking, “What about daipai?”

“I’ve got one-way window film on the glass,” Zhou Zi Shu says and nods to himself. “I like being able to sit out there without people watching me.”

“Maybe you should have been sitting out there when you were writing instead of the garden da-ge,” Gu Xiang says and tries to snatch a piece of chicken from one of the pans. “That way you wouldn’t be trending on Weibo.”

He swats at her with the spatula, more out of habit than actually trying to hit her, “I’m not trending anymore.”

“That depends on where you search,” she says and snickers. “Besides, I have screenshots of it all.”

“You do?” Zhou Zi Shu says and Wen Ke Xing can tell that the man is also eyeing the chicken. “Can you send them to me? I never actually saved the photos of Lao Wen out in the garden.”

“Lao Wen?” Gu Xiang repeats and then laughs. “Well, he is old.”

“I’m older,” Zhou Zi Shu says and looks mock-hurt.

“Yes, but you’re prettier,” Gu Xiang says and steps back. “And you look younger.”

“I have a better skincare routine,” Zhou Zi Shu says and smiles at Gu Xiang. Clearly, the two of them have bonded during their tour and they seem to be getting along just fine. Not that he was worried, though his sister can have an attitude if she doesn’t like someone. Or when she’s close to her heat.

“I’m pretty sure that you’re not supposed to be mean to the person cooking your food,” he says and turns back towards the fish, taking the tongs and popping it on a plate next to the chicken dish. He pours the sweet and spicy sauce over it and deems the lunch ready. The two menaces behind him to him just laugh and take out bowls and drinks to set the table.

⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝

“A’Xiang,” Zhou Zi Shu says once they are seated outside, “Are you enjoying being a research assistant over the summer break?”

“Mn,” she responds and Wen Ke Xing can see the little sparkle in her eyes. He’s happy that she enjoys it so much.

“Is it just you or are there other research students?” Zhou Zi Shu asks and reaches for the fish. Without even thinking about it, he plates food into Zhou Zi Shu’s bowl. He does see the small smile on the omega’s lips at the gesture. Well, both omegas’ lips, because Gu Xiang also notices.

“It’s just me,” she responds and glances up at him with a knowing smirk.

“I don’t know a lot about university since I didn’t go myself,” Zhou Zi Shu continues with a smile that tells Wen Ke Xing that something is up. “So it’s just you and the postgraduate student then?”

“Yes, but Professor Zhao oversees it all,” Gu Xiang responds.

“Is the grad-student nice?” Zhou Zi Shu asks and Wen Ke Xing realizes that Gu Xiang hasn’t told him anything about who she’s working with. She’s been dodging his questions and skillfully diverting their conversations to other things.

“Yes,” she responds, and stuffs some chicken into her mouth.

“Always a plus to work with good people,” Zhou Zi Shu continues and nibbles on his fish. “Is he in your department as well? That’s how you met?”

“He was a teaching assistant on one of my courses,” Gu Xiang responds, starting to squirm slightly in her seat.

“You must have made an impression for him to ask a freshman to be his assistant over the summer,” Zhou Zi Shu continues.

Gu Xiang chews a bit slower and narrows her eyes at Zhou Zi Shu, who just looks innocent and happy eating his fish. Wen Ke Xing can see through both of them. He’s probably enjoying this way too much, even though the conversation is heading somewhere he hadn’t thought it would. Putting her on the spot like this when she’s keeping his secret might blow up in his face. Though, his sister is pretty good at setting boundaries towards people, no matter who they are.

He turns towards Gu Xiang and raises an eyebrow. She squirms. He raises the other one and she looks away. There is a twinge in his chest at the realization that his little sister has gotten herself a boyfriend—without telling him. He reaches out and pats her on the head, “I expect to meet him soon.”

“Mn,” she says and chews on her chicken, eyes darting between the two of them.

“I bet he’s really cute,” Zhou Zi Shu says and puts some chicken in Gu Xiang’s bowl as a peace offering.

“Mn,” she responds, and looks at Zhou Zi Shu, eyes still narrowed. Zhou Zi Shu is smiling softly and happily back at her. It’s impossible to resist those big, dark eyes and naturally pouty lips. Gu Xiang huffs and picks up the chicken with her chopsticks, slowly accepting the gesture.

She turns to look up at Wen Ke Xing, whispering, “I get it. He’s a huli jing[i]. You never stood a chance.” Then she smiles, one of her mischievous ones, and Wen Ke Xing gets a feeling that she’s about to throw him under the bus in revenge.

“Huh?” Zhou Zi Shu hums across the table, tilting his head.

“Did da-ge tell you that he’s a dream boy?” she says instead, throwing him under a completely different bus. At least it’s the lesser of two evils. He kind of deserves it and is currently unsure if it was worth it.

“Dream boy?” Zhou Zi Shu says, now turning those piercing eyes on him instead. He feels like he’s caught in headlights with his pants down. Quite literally.

“He’s been to all of your tours,” Gu Xiang says, pops more chicken into her mouth and smiles. Wen Ke Xing can practically see the horns growing on her forehead.

“Really?” Zhou Zi Shu says with a smug smile on his face. He is fairly certain that he had the same expression on his face when Jing Bei Yuan told him that Zhou Zi Shu had seen Hanging Ghost eleven times.

“I like your music,” Wen Ke Xing says, but it comes out more like a question than a statement. This is karma. He knew he shouldn’t have joined in on teasing Zhou Zi Shu over being a fan.

“Enough to get us the best seats for almost every show,” Gu Xiang says and blinks up at him, clearly pleased with herself. “I also found some old magazines with you on the cover when we moved to Shanghai,” Gu Xiang continues, and Wen Ke Xing drops a chopstick.

She had never told him that. He had forgotten about those magazines. He had been in his teens when he had bought those, and Zhou Zi Shu was by far the prettiest omega he had ever seen—and he still is. Besides, after Zhou Xu’s breakthrough, he had been plastered everywhere. It had practically been impossible to buy a magazine that didn’t have the man on the cover. It was just that, well, he had kept them.

“Well, well,” Zhou Zi Shu says and leans his elbows on the table, resting his hands on his clasped hands. “You liked older omegas when you were young?”

Wen Ke Xing knows that Zhou Zi Shu doesn’t mean it like that, but he still feels the jab straight through his heart. Partly because it means that the man really doesn’t know how he feels about him, but also because it means that Zhou Zi Shu still doesn’t know that he didn’t mean it that way. That he never meant it that way. Then again, why should he, it’s not like they have talked about it.

He swallows around the delicate bubble in his throat, very aware of the two omegas watching him with interest. “You have always been very beautiful,” he says, wishing to say something more sensible, but didn’t know how.

Zhou Zi Shu hums in response, tilting his head. “Enough for you to keep the magazines, it would seem.”

“And go see all your shows,” Gu Xiang happily reminds them.

To divert focus from himself, he drops some fish into Gu Xiang’s bowl and then fights with her for five minutes when she refuses to eat it. But at least there are no more secrets being revealed.

(≧ᵕ≦)

Chapter Text

Zhou Zi Shu is a mixture of buzzed and restless. It had been lovely meeting Gu Xiang. The girl is a breath of fresh air, like a mini-version of Wen Ke Xing but with both softer and spikier edges. He wonders what his alpha was like in his youth. If he was more like her, rough around the edges with a youthful rebellious but intelligent attitude, rather than the arrogant, sexual aura he exudes now.

He ties the robe around his waist and looks out the window from his room—for the nth time—and finally spots the Audi drive into the garage below. Wen Ke Xing is back. Instead of heading for the shower or getting ready for a long evening and night of filming, he slowly walks down the hall.

He spots Wen Ke Xing when he reaches the bottom of the stairs. He looks happy, similarly to what he looks like after he’s had one of his lunches with his sister. But there is also uncertainty simmering at the core of those warm eyes. He wants to prod at it, nudge it, pull it out and relish in it. Because apparently, this little alpha has always found him beautiful.

“Magazines, huh? Any good ones?” he asks and leans back against the balustrade. “Did you buy the one with the underwear endorsement on the front?”

Wen Ke Xing narrows his eyes and the omega in him squirms and revels under the attention. Wen Ke Xing moves close and leans down slightly, leveling their eyes, their lips but a breath apart, “Yes. And my favorite, the one you did for Tiffany—wearing nothing but gold and diamonds.”

His throat is dry and he might be blushing. He remembers that photoshoot. It was after his breakthrough, when he was young and hotheaded. It had been extremely evocative back then, all toned muscles and smooth skin, covered in nothing but diamonds and wrapped in body chains. The sexy, soft and masculine photos had matched his new style and his new album, hard and dazzling.

Wen Ke Xing’s eyes darken and he leans in closer, his lips brushing against Zhou Zi Shu’s as he whispers, “You have always been the most beautiful man I have ever seen.”

Wen Ke Xing has always thought he was beautiful? No matter his age? He leans back and tilts his head, looking up at Wen Ke Xing. Those brown eyes are still warm but the uncertainty has been replaced by determination at the very core.

“But you sai—” he starts, but Wen Ke Xing cuts him off with a kiss, open mouthed and demanding. He licks into Zhou Zi Shu with intent, with frustration, and with reverence. He contemplates pulling back, thinking that it’s best that they settle this once and for all.

“I didn’t mean it,” Wen Ke Xing whispers between their lips. “I didn’t mean what I said back then. It was stupid and I’m sorry.”

He hadn’t known how much he’d wanted that apology until it had been spoken. The words hadn’t even been said to him or specifically about him, yet he had carried them around for months like a thorn that stung when he breathed too deep.

“You’re forgiven,” he whispers back.

Wen Ke Xing pulls back, lips kiss-slick and his eyes sparkling with a promise that tells him he might be late for work. He bites his bottom lip and opens up his robe, letting it slide off his shoulders to pool around his feet. He can swear that he hears a low growl before Wen Ke Xing lifts him up and he smugly, but happily, wraps himself around the tall alpha. The wind knocked out of him as he’s pushed hard up against the wall is swallowed down by Wen Ke Xing’s hungry, wandering lips, those big hands already sliding up his legs to kneed his ass.

“Already wet for me,” Wen Ke Xing mumbles against his neck and he whines when the teeth graze over his scent gland without so much as a nibble. “You’ve got work,” Wen Ke Xing says, sounding both apologetic and longing.

He wiggles and tilts his head. He knows that the man is right. It wouldn’t be smart to show up with fresh bitemarks even though they are filming under the cover of darkness. But that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t want at least a little bit of gentle nibbling. His makeup artist can easily cover that up.

He wiggles again, too busy nipping on the alpha’s scent gland to voice that he wants either fingers or dick. Wen Ke Xing huffs next to his ear and fumbles with his pants. Within moments, that fat cockhead is pressed against his rim and he pushes down on it, wanting it inside him, wanting to feel that exquisite stretch and slide.

Wen Ke Xing finds his mouth and pushes inside, slowly, too slow. He arches back against the wall and braces. The stretch burns beautifully and he pants into Wen Ke Xing’s mouth.

“Always in such a hurry,” Wen Ke Xing mumbles and he can feel those plush lips curling into a smile.

“Shut up and fuck me already,” he counters, kissing back with relief and hunger, and Wen Ke Xing’s eyes darken to the point where his spine starts tingling in anticipation.

Without warning, Wen Ke Xing slides his arms inside Zhou Zi Shu’s legs and lifts until his hands are braced against the wall next to the omega’s shoulders. Zhou Zi Shu finds himself folded in half, hanging from Wen Ke Xing’s upper arms by his knees, when the alpha cock thrusts deep inside him and sets a ruthless pace.

He loves this feeling. Of being unable to move, wedged between the solid wall and the hard cock. And all he can do is take it, whilst desperately holding on around Wen Ke Xing’s neck even though he knows that the alpha won’t let him fall. Wen Ke Xing is holding him up with ease, those powerful alpha muscles working hard in full view under the t-shirt.

He’s moaning, desperately, happily, dizzily. His mind is swimming and his cock is leaking where it’s bouncing between his thighs and abs. It’s aching from neglect, dribbling from the prostate being milked by this glorious angle. There is a clench in his thighs and his skin is tingling.

“You really were made for me,” Wen Ke Xing mumbles against his neck and finally nibbles on his glands.

Without warning, the orgasm rolls through him in unyielding wave after wave, leaving him  boneless and panting against Wen Ke Xing’s shoulder.

He doesn’t come to until he feels movement. Wen Ke Xing is carrying him up the stairs, the cock softening inside him. He hears his mobile ping from over on his desk just in time for Wen Ke Xing to carry him into the bathroom.

Maybe he won’t be late after all.

<(￣︶￣)>

In the week that follows, he goes back to filming during the day. He tells Wen Ke Xing to not come to work and instead enjoy a week—or two—of vacation after finishing his draft. The days feel longer without his company, but maybe it’s just because his body is about to ovulate. Zhang Cheng Ling is with him, always attentive and taking good care of him. It’s business as usual. He’s molded and adjusted to production life and enjoys it.

At the end of the week, a photo taken during the morning break leaks on Weibo—a photo of him and Xie Wang, the alpha’s arm slung around his shoulder and head tilted so that it looks like they are kissing—and now, the crew is buzzing with excitement.

It’s not that he hasn’t noticed the staff watching him and Xie Wang since they got back from Nanjing, or heard the gossip of how the online rumors are drawing attention to the filming and increasing the anticipation of the movie. But up until now, there hasn’t been anything tangent to talk about. Not that the photo is anything real either.

He decides that it’s time to grab the bull by the horn and walks up to where Ye Bai Yi is eating his lunch and sits down. He will likely have to make a statement now and want to chat to the producer before he chats with his studio. They will have to reach out to Xie Wang to coordinate as well, if that’s what’s decided.

They don’t often have lunch together. He’s not sure what is expected during production, and he doesn’t want to bother the producer too much. And the few times they do eat together, it’s because he has questions about the script, or wants to discuss his thoughts around his character or an interpretation of an upcoming scene. They have never talked about something personal. And this feels like it’s personal.

It’s luckily just the two of them, Ye Bai Yi having a reputation for being blunt and having a dark sense of humor. Whilst anything he directs ends up nominated for awards, he generally scares away most people that approach him. However, Zhou Zi Shu has been around people like that for all of his adult life, and he appreciates people like that. Sometimes, Ye Bai Yi feels more like an uncle or a nagging dad, rather than a colleague of sorts.

“Is this about the photo?” Ye Bai Yi asks, looking up from his food.

“Yes,” he responds, not surprised that the producer can read him so well. The alpha has been studying his expressions and body language in minute detail for months. His throat still feels a bit dry and he takes a few sips of his tea.

Ye Bai Yi looks at him, glances around and then leans forward, “Are you two fucking?”

Zhou Zi Shu spits out the tea and starts coughing.

“That’s what I thought,” Ye Bai Yi concludes with a smirk and leans back in his chair, his focus returning to his noodles. “Don’t worry about rumors, there will always be rumors when an omega and alpha are paired up like this. Hell, there are even rumors where they are two omegas or two alphas, people just love to gossip.”

“That’s not…” he starts, scolding himself for not thinking this conversation through before sitting down. “Is there anything specific that the production wants to include in my statement?”

“We won’t interfere with your private life,” Ye Bai Yi says, noodles hanging out from his mouth before he bites them off. “And that photo only brings more attention to the movie.”

“Okay, good,” he responds and tentatively takes another sip.

“Besides, if you wanted to, you could just leave it. Having the rumor out there will take focus from you and that tall assistant of yours,” Ye Bai Yi says, but this time Zhou Zi Shu manages to swallow the tea down.

“How…?” he starts, meeting the steady gaze from the man across from him.

“Please, I’ve been studying people my whole life, give me some credit,” Ye Bai Yi says and continues to slurp down noodles. “Anyone with a functioning brain can see what goes on between the two of you.”

“I certainly hope not,” Zhou Zi Shu mutters, and the older man laughs a full belly laugh.

“Don’t worry too much,” Ye Bai Yi says. “My definition of functioning doesn’t apply to many people on the set.”

He shakes his head and starts picking at his salad. He should make more of an effort to get to know him, not just for the connection in the industry, but genuinely.

“I thought your diet was over?” Ye Bai Yi says and looks at Zhou Zi Shu’s food with pity in his eyes.

“It was, but someone wanted to do a retake of one of the earlier scenes next week,” he responds, fully knowing that it’s the man across from him that wants the retake and forcing him to quickly get leaner.

“I’ll take you out to dinner afterwards,” Ye Bai Yi says apologetically.

“I’ll hold you to that,” he responds, and pokes at his veggies.

(⌒_⌒;)

They don’t talk about the photo, but it’s clear that Wen Ke Xing has either seen or heard of the trending hashtags by the way he gets fucked when he gets home. Or rather, when Wen Ke Xing gets home. The alpha comes charging in through the door, likely having gone for a long run based on his workout clothes and how sweaty he is.

Zhou Zi Shu is swept off the floor and carried into the shower where he is thoroughly fucked against the tiles, cleaned up, and then fucked again against the sink when he starts leaking cum.

Afterwards, Wen Ke Xing wraps him up like a blanket burrito in the home cinema room and brings him snacks and tea, and they finally watch Hanged Ghost together. It’s a bit awkward considering Xie Wang is in it, but Wen Ke Xing lets out a satisfied growl when the serial killer is inevitably caught in the end.

That night, he is scented on every part of his body to the point where he thinks he might float away, before Wen Ke Xing wraps his octopus limbs around him and holds him close the entire night.

( ꍞ ᴗ˳ᴗ)(ᴗ˳ᴗ ꍞ)

“How are you feeling?” Lan Ming asks a few days later, during his regular checkup.

“Good,” he responds.

He’s less than two weeks from his heat and he’s feeling maybe slightly off. He hadn’t really felt the ovulation the way that he usually does, it was Wen Ke Xing that had mentioned it whilst eating him out. Apparently, he tastes differently but in a way that makes the alpha eat him out multiple times a day. And this time it’s not to induce a rut, because that ship sailed his last heat. He will likely not get to experience another one.

“I see that your match had a rut recently,” she says and smiles warmly. He can feel his cheeks heat up. “I can tell by the blood test,” she clarifies. “Your hormones are humming.”

“Humming?” he asks, his curiosity stronger than his embarrassment.

“They are at optimal levels, the perfect sweet spot,” she says. “Some omegas can stay there for a while, the longer the more ruts they are exposed to.”

“Oh,” he says and looks away.

“That’s why you matched,” she continues and turns off the tablet she’s holding. “This is how it’s supposed to be.”

He wonders if that’s true. Is he supposed to fall in love with his match? Or is what he’s feeling only his hormones humming? Is this something he should talk to her about? Maybe there are pamphlets he can get, or maybe he should just search it up online.

“Everything looks fine, your heat should arrive on time,” she says. “Do you have any questions?”

“Um,” he starts. If he can’t ask her, who on earth can he ask? Surely she sees a lot of this.

“Yes?” she prompts and waits, still with that warm smile on her face. As if she already knows what he is about to ask. He doesn’t even know how to form the words himself.

When he still doesn’t say anything she unlocks the tablet again, looking down at it instead of him, giving him the illusion of privacy, or maybe just time to collect himself. “Do you want me to send you some information about how your body reacts to spending a heat with an alpha in rut?”

“Yes, please,” he says, grateful. That might be a good place to start. He will read through that and maybe he can chat with her next time. Maybe he should chat with Wu Xi, who has firsthand experience of going through this. Or maybe he should do both.

“Do you prefer email or printed copy?” she asks, looking back up at him.

“Email, please,” he responds. That way he can read it when he wants to and there is no risk of Wen Ke Xing accidentally finding it and figuring out that yet another omega has fallen for him.

He shakes his head, trying to remove the thought from his mind. Wen Ke Xing had apologized, said that he hadn’t meant those words, and he had believed him. Whilst he hadn’t asked for further explanations, at the time he hadn’t felt it was needed. Wen Ke Xing had had enough secrets revealed and he had handled it well.

“Call or email me, or anyone else on your team, if you have any questions after you’ve read through it,” she continues. “A lot of things happen during this process. We also have counselors on call if you feel like that is something that you would like.”

He had read that in the information package, but he had just as quickly forgotten it. He doesn’t feel like it’s needed right now, but who knows in the future.

“Thanks,” he says and stands up.

(o^▽^o)

Just like last time, he goes from the Omega Center to see his friends. But instead of going out for dinner, he collects takeout and heads to their place for a chat and snuggles with the baby girl.

“I feel like I’ve been replaced,” Jing Bei Yuan says.

“You have,” he responds and snuggles the bundle of hiccups closer to his chest.

She’s been fed and burped, and he had the pleasure of watching her vomit all over his best friend. He wished he had a video of it. In lieu of comic clips, he had taken the opportunity to snag the little baby for some cuddles.

“She is the new love of my life and I will treasure her always,” he continues and sticks his tongue out at Jing Bei Yuan.

“So you admit that I’m the love of your life,” Jing Bei Yuan says, fixing the collar of his new sweater and sits down on the sofa opposite them.

“Da-ge, you’ll always be the platonic love of my life,” he admits, shaking his head.

He does love Jing Bei Yuan like a brother, just like he loves Wu Xi and his little assistant. They are all his family in every way that matters.

“What about your Lao Wen?” Wu Xi asks, delivering a well-aimed sneak attack from behind before joining his husband on the couch.

“There is nothing platonic about that man,” he scoffs, and wonders if he should cover Jing Mei Qi’s ears.

“So you admit it?” Jing Bei Yuan says, leaning forward, suddenly very invested in the conversation.

“Admit what?” he asks innocently and watches the sleeping baby for a moment before he stops rocking her.

“That you like him,” Wu Xi fills in, holding back a smile.

“I do,” he says, the word love more prominent in his heart now that he’s admitted his feelings out loud. He looks up at his friends, who in turn looks stunned. “What?”

“We never thought you would admit that you were in love,” Jing Bei Yuan says, eyes wide and filled with both excitement and hope. It’s a strange and rare look on him.

“Well, I came to the conclusion that I need to get over myself and talk to someone,” he says, leaning back against the couch and resting his arm against the pillow to the side.

Jing Bei Yuan takes a deep breath, but before he can hurl out whatever questions have been building in his chest over the past few months, Wu Xi gently asks, “What do you want to talk about?”

“How did you know that what you were feeling was real and not just hormones?” he asks, feeling weightless now that the question is finally off his chest.

He’d read through the information email whilst waiting on the takeout food, but that hadn’t provided what he needed. It had just talked about the importance of synchronizing cycles, how his hormones would react to a rut, to allow himself more rest than after a normal heat. Things like that, things he already sort of knew, but nothing of importance to what he actually wanted to know.

“I’m not sure,” Jing Bei Yuan says, honestly, pursing his lips. “I just knew I wanted to spend every waking hour with Da Wu. I wanted him to be happy, take care of him, travel with him, make babies with him.” Jing Bei Yuan wraps his arms around Wu Xi and pulls him close, resting his chin on top of his husband’s head.

“How did you know that wasn’t just your hormones talking? Wanting to take care of an omega that you match well with?” he asks, trying to remain calm to not wake up the baby by accident.

“You have to ask yourself if you see a future with him,” Wu Xi says. “How do you feel about him potentially leaving in a few months when he turns twenty-eight?”

Just the thought of Wen Ke Xing leaving clenches his heart and he struggles to swallow. “I’ll miss him,” he concludes with a hoarse voice.

“You have to figure out what it is that you will miss, and then why you will miss those things,” Wu Xi says. “Are you going to miss him because you won’t have his scent anymore? Coming home to someone after being alone for all these years? Or are you going to miss him because it’s him that you come home to? Him that cooks for you? Him that goes with you to work to play-act an assistant and bring you a bottle of water?”

“Him that gives you that sweet, sweet alpha cock?” Jing Bei Yuan concludes, and he feels like throwing the pillow but doesn’t want to wake Jing Mei Qi up, so he presses his lips together and glares instead. Wu Xi smacks Jing Bei Yuan square in the chest, and his friend laughs and wiggles his eyebrows.

His friends do have a point though. His life has been chock-a-block with work and he’s just molded himself to his new schedule and his match. He’s been enjoying spending time with Wen Ke Xing, of not getting enough of everything that is his alpha, that he hasn’t really thought a lot about why he likes those things. He likes being cared for. He likes that Wen Ke Xing seems to know so much about him. And he’s fairly certain that he does like all of it just because it is Wen Ke Xing that does them. The annoying little alpha has wedged himself inside his heart and it will be difficult to yank him out of there.

“Tell me,” Jing Bei Yuan says with curiosity in his eyes. “When did you start falling for your little alpha?”

He looks at his friend with narrowed eyes, “You have a bet going, don’t you?”

“Only with Da Wu,” Jing Bei Yuan responds and winks. At least Wu Xi has the decency to look a bit guilty. His friends are the worst.

“What’s in it for me if I tell you?” he asks.

“We won’t make fun of you when you bring Lao Wen for our one-month celebration for Mei Qi,” Jing Bei Yuan counters. His friends really are the worst.

“It’s been coming on so gradually, that I don’t know when it began. But I believe it started the moment I realized he was Zhen Yan,” he says, honestly, like the shallow, nerdy little fan that he is.

Jing Bei Yuan laughs out loud and holds out his hand, wiggling his fingers. “I told you! Pay up!” Wu Xi glares at Zhou Zi Shu in disappointment, and then up at his husband, clearly having lost the bet.

“I was sure it started when he scented you the first time,” Wu Xi says. “That’s when I fell for my man.” Wu Xi pouts at his husband until Jing Bei Yuan decides to interlink their fingers instead of demanding whatever monetary prize he is owed.

“I bet your other little alpha is devastated,” Jing Bei Yuan says and smirks.

“What other alpha?” he asks, confused. It’s not like he has any other men in his life. “You mean Zhu Yao Zhi?”

“No, the one you are trending with on Weibo,” Jing Bei Yuan says and wiggles his eyebrows. “That kiss looked pretty steamy.”

“Clearly, you need glasses,” he says as the little girl in his arms wiggles.

“I’m surprised you haven’t taken it down. You usually handle those things quickly,” Wu Xi says, his eyes fixed on his daughter.

“It’s bringing positive attention to the production,” he responds, hoping that she’s not waking up because he would like to sit here for at least another hour. “It was decided to leave it for now since it’s not doing any damage.”

“But…?” Jing Bei Yuan prompts, always able to read him like an open book.

“It was the Producer who sort of told me to leave it, since it would divert attention away from Lao Wen,” he says, gently rocking the blanket loaf in his arms.

Jing Bei Yuan laughs out loud again and this time, the baby girl wakes up with a tiny grumble.

(•`~'•)∿︵ ᕥ

Chapter Text

Wen Ke Xing looks around the high-end restaurant, at all the people dressed in expensive clothes. Everyone is laughing, chatting, and celebrating. And everyone has a red-colored egg[i] next to their wine-glass. Over in the corner is a table stacked with gifts, such as baby clothes, toys, children’s books, and Hongbaos.

It feels oddly surreal and domestic to be part of Jing Mei Qi’s Man Yue celebration[ii].

Is it okay for him to be this integrated into his omega’s life? Shouldn’t he at least pretend to be more of an assistant today to keep up appearances for Zhou Zi Shu? Qin Jiu Xiao is lurking over in the corner, but Zhang Cheng Ling isn’t here. Though, it doesn’t seem like anyone cares who or what he is to Zhou Zi Shu. He’s been received like a friend and treated like a friend. Apparently, he’s the only one having feelings about this.

It’s not Wen Ke Xing’s first time going to one of these celebrations. He has a few acquaintances with children. But those celebrations had not been this extravagant. He suspects it is not only because Jing Bei Yuan is filthy rich, but also because this is a second-gender baby. And even though she’s just a baby, she’s a rare one, a miracle child. Omegas don’t give birth that often and Jing Bei Yuan and Wu Xi have been trying for many years.

He glances towards Zhou Zi Shu and wonders how he’s feeling. He looks happy, laughing and bantering with his friends over where Jing Bei Yuan is holding the baby girl like a proud father. But there is also something else in his eyes. Not sadness. Not jealousy. It’s more like longing.

He feels a pang in his chest where the rattling has become a constant rhythm and reaches for his wine glass. He’s allowed to have one drink once in a while, though he feels like he needs a few bottles to wash away the thoughts that are starting to make a permanent home in his head.

Like a baby.

A baby with Zhou Zi Shu.

A baby that is half him and half Zhou Zi Shu.

Of Zhou Zi Shu holding their baby.

Would their baby look more like Zhou Zi Shu or like him? Would they have the omega’s beautiful smile and bright eyes, or his own angular face and childish laughter. Would they grow up to be an artist like their parents, or maybe something completely different like a doctor, or lawyer, or engineer. Or maybe a racecar driver.

The rattling in his chest is so loud his head hurts and he chugs the last of the wine, setting the empty glass down next to the bright-red egg.

“I know that look,” Wu Xi says, and sits down next to him, a glass of alcohol-free champagne in his right hand. “I used to see it in Bei Yuan’s eyes in our early days.”

What look? Has he been caught? Is he that easy to read now? Zhou Zi Shu doesn’t seem to see it. Or worse—maybe he does and just doesn’t bring it up.

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell him,” Wu Xi continues and refills Wen Ke Xing’s glass with wine.

“I really shouldn’t have more than one,” he says, weakly, head filled with fear about what Wu Xi is really saying.

“You can have three, just double the tea for the next week. And make it extra strong,” Wu Xi continues and smiles. “Trust me. I’m a doctor.”

He takes a hesitant sip and wonders if the extra glasses are worth it considering how awful the tea is normally. He watches Zhou Zi Shu laugh and make grabby hand towards the baby, and decides that it’s worth it. “Thanks.”

“Just don’t make it a habit,” Wu Xi says and sips from his flute.

He turns his focus away from Zhou Zi Shu—who has managed to snatch the baby—to Wu Xi. The omega is smiling as he looks around the room.

“What was it like for you back then,” Wen Ke Xing asks, not sure what his actual question is, or where his sudden bravery—or more likely insanity—is coming from. He really shouldn’t meddle or encourage this line of questions.

“When Bei Yuan moved in?” Wu Xi asks, and he nods in response. Wu Xi takes a sip and giggles, holding up his hand to not spit out the champagne. It’s a novel look on the usually very calm omega—his face lit up and his eyes sparkling. Wen Ke Xing thinks that this is what Jing Bei Yuan brings out in him.

“The man is a menace,” Wu Xi says, closing his eyes for a second and huffs under his breath. When the omega opens them again, they instantly fall on Jing Bei Yuan and his smile widens. “He came into my life like an overconfident hurricane and swept me off my feet. I didn’t stand a chance.”

He wants to ask how Wu Xi knew it wasn’t all just his hormones talking. How he knew that it wasn’t just his reaction to the pheromones that OPP had decided were the best match for them both. But that wouldn’t be respectful. And it would open up the door to more questions that he doesn’t want to answer yet. At least not out loud.

Wu Xi looks at him with soft eyes, “My advice is to let your heart guide you.”

Before he can answer, someone slaps him on the shoulder from behind. “Ke Xing!” Jing Bei Yuan exclaims, and plops down into a chair next to his husband and scoots as close as he can. “I’m happy you decided to join us!”

“You just want a baby whisperer,” Zhou Zi Shu says, rocking a grumpy baby girl in his arms.

“Yes, but also, he’s good eye candy,” Jing Bei Yuan throws back and smirks. “Besides, you’re the one who wanted to walk over here to get your Lao Wen to make her stop crying.”

“And you just wanted to be next to Da Wu,” Zhou Zi Shu says and unceremoniously hands over Jing Mei Qi to Wen Ke Xing before sitting down, reaching for his own glass of alcohol-free champagne.

“I’ve just had some practice,” Wen Ke Xing says and breathes around the odd thump in his chest. He shakes off the feelings left by his brief conversation with Wu Xi and tries to focus on the baby in his arms. She’s such a cute little girl with her round cheeks, curious eyes, and tiny little hands. He wraps the blanket a little tighter around her and pats her on her tush. She goes quiet almost instantly and her eyes start drooping. She’s asleep in less than a minute.

When he looks up, the three of them are staring at him with looks varying from smug to curious.

“Are you available for nanny duties?” Jing Bei Yuan asks, sounding like he’s genuinely asking.

“No,” Zhou Zi Shu says, a bit possessive, earning a look from both his friends.

“Oh come on, Zi Shu! Have some compassion for my adult time,” Jing Bei Yuan says and clenches his hand over his heart in a mock-dramatic gesture.

“You mistake me, my dear Bei Yuan,” Zhou Zi Shu responds with a dramatic expression mirroring his friend. “I have a high respect for your adult time. They have been described in such detail to me over the years, I sometimes feel like I’m there.”

“What about an evening?” Jing Bei Yuan negotiates, shifting his focus towards him instead of Zhou Zi Shu. “I want to treat Da Wu to a date night,” Jing Bei Yuan continues with an impressive pout before kissing his husband on the cheek. “My man needs pampering now that he has somewhat recovered from giving birth.”

“Sure,” Wen Ke Xing says, pre-empting anything that Zhou Zi Shu might respond. “Just give me a heads up a few days before.”

“And me,” Zhou Zi Shu says, a bit accusingly. “It’s my house and you didn’t even ask me to babysit.”

“He can come to us. Besides, where one of you is, the other will follow. No need to ask both,” Jing Bei Yuan says and gestures with his hands towards them before narrowing his eyes. “We can wait until after your heat so that we don’t interrupt any important stuff.”

“How—” Zhou Zi Shu starts, but bites back his words, seemingly regretting saying anything.

“Zi Shu, I can smell you from across town,” Jing Bei Yuan says and smirks. “Especially now that you’ve got yourself an alpha.”

Wen Ke Xing watches a familiar look flash through Zhou Zi Shu’s eyes and the alpha is probably lucky the omega isn’t holding anything this time.

(•`~'•)∿︵ ᕥ

Zhou Zi Shu’s hands wander over his thighs all the way back home after the celebration, the car thick with the scent of slick. It’s distracting to the point of dangerous—especially when Zhou Zi Shu opens the buttons on his pants and slides his left hand into his boxers to fist around his half-hard cock.

The omega teases with non-stop descriptions of everything he wants Wen Ke Xing’s cock to do to him, with explicit descriptions for every hole. All whilst warm fingers move agonizingly slow over his erection, thumb sliding over his slit. At one point, Zhou Zi Shu withdraws his hand to lick the pre-cum off his fingers. Wen Ke Xing thinks he might have whimpered.

Even so, he manages to not speed or run any red lights—or off the road—but he forgoes reverse parking the Audi into the garage. Before the ignition is even off, he shifts his seat all the way back and yanks the omega into his lap.

“That mouth of yours! You’re such a menace,” he breathes against Zhou Zi Shu’s neck before he bites.

Zhou Zi Shu just laughs in victory and grinds that round ass down on his cock. The omega leans closer, eyes challenging and his scent seductive, “Either shut me up by putting it in my mouth or fuck me until I can’t remember words.”

“How about both?” he asks, holding himself back from breaking skin with his teeth.

Zhou Zi Shu tilts his head, “Promises, promi—"

With a growl, he rips those flimsy, expensive designer-pants off the omega and with a vice grip around each of Zhou Zi Shu’s cheeks, he guides the omega down his cock until he’s fully sheeted. Braced against the floor, he fucks into the omega’s leaking hole, until the windows fog up, his thighs are sticky with slick and the omega comes all over his shirt with a muffled moan around his fingers.

〜٩( ╹▿╹ )۶〜

The room is dark and the spot next to him is cold when he wakes up. The house is too quiet for Zhou Zi Shu to be in the bathroom. Thinking that the omega might be in the kitchen he waits for a while. But after what feels like forever, and Zhou Zi Shu still hasn’t returned, he slips out from under the blanket. Wondering what’s going on, he pulls on boxers and walks out of the bedroom.

The floor is nice and cool under his feet as he wanders through the kitchen, the library, the gym, the spa, and the home cinema room without finding his omega. For a second, he wonders if Zhou Zi Shu is out in the garden or has gone for a midnight run before he hears a faint sound from an area in the house he hasn’t spent any time in at all—the recording studio.

Even as he walks up, he can still barely hear anything from inside. The studio is sound proofed and from the brief house tour months ago, he knows that the door to the right is the control room, and the door on the left is the live room.

He can make out that Zhou Zi Shu is singing, but he can’t quite make out the melody. He probably shouldn’t be eavesdropping. What would happen if he knocked? Or walked in? Would Zhou Zi Shu think he’s intruding? Too nosy? Butting in where he doesn’t belong? Even so, he stands outside the studio for a while, the melodic voice accompanied by a guitar faint through the door.

Zhou Zi Shu is working on a new song.  There are random breaks in the melody and parts that are repeated over and over. Both worried that he might get caught intruding, but also to respect Zhou Zi Shu’s creative boundaries, he turns towards the kitchen.

Moments later, he leaves a tumbler with chamomile tea on the small table outside the studio and walks back up to the bedroom. The bed feels too big and his arms empty without anyone to wrap them around, but eventually he falls back asleep. He’s only faintly aware when the bed dip and Zhou Zi Shu snuggle up behind him, a cool arm circling around his waist. There is a subtle kiss at the nape of his neck before he drifts back to sleep.

>ᴗ<

Wen Ke Xing almost drops the pot when Zhou Zi Shu walks into the kitchen the following morning. Not because of how tired the omega looks but because he’s wearing Wen Ke Xing’s clothes. A soft, tired and a bit messy Zhou Zi Shu—with hair sticking out in places that are normally combed into at least a half-bun—wearing too big track pants and hoodie is a vision. Something warm wraps around his heart and he has to force himself to take a long breath.

Mine, his whole body whispers and his fingertips twitch from the echo.

“Sorry, your clothes smelled too good to resist,” Zhou Zi Shu says, a subtle blush dusting his cheeks, and sits down at the table, his whole body drooping.

“Did inspiration strike in the middle of the night?” he asks, turning to fill up two bowls of chili crisp congee. Zhou Zi Shu always wants something spicy when he’s tired.

“Doesn’t it always?” Zhou Zi Shu grumbles and leans his forehead on the table, hair falling like a curtain around his beautiful face.

“My characters tend to wake me up in the middle of the night to talk about what they want to happen next in the novel. During my first books I would have full arguments with them,” he confesses, huffs at the memory, and puts one bowl of congee next to Zhou Zi Shu. “I’ve learned to tell them to leave me alone until I wake up.”

“Does it work?” Zhou Zi Shu asks, his voice muffled against the table.

“Not always,” he responds. “But I just threaten to have them killed off.”

“That doesn’t work with music. It’s all about feeling, moments, senses,” Zhou Zi Shu says and sits back up, a cute pout on his lips. Wen Ke Xing can’t help but smile.

“I have to capture it right away or I won’t sleep at all. Sometimes I stay up for days,” Zhou Zi Shu continues and sniffs in the air, suddenly very interested in breakfast.

“Sounds rough,” he responds, takes the other bowl of congee and sits down opposite Zhou Zi Shu.

“Mn,” Zhou Zi Shu responds and shovels congee into his mouth, chewing slowly with closed eyes and lips slowly curling upwards.

“Do you need anything to make it through today?” he asks, already reaching for his phone to text Zhang Cheng Ling.

“I’ve already messaged Cheng Ling,” Zhou Zi Shu says with congee-stuffed cheeks. “He knows to bring the emergency kit.”

“Do you want me to come with you today?” he asks, not sure if he can actually help with anything.

Zhou Zi Shu looks at him with a pout and nods, “Having you there would help, if you wouldn’t mind? Since I can’t wear your clothes all day.”

Wen Ke Xing takes a shaky breath and responds, “Whatever I can do to help.”

>ᴗ<

The emergency kit is, as it turns out, an extra-large, Deerioca brown sugar pearl milk tea, some form of vitamin shots that are so green Wen Ke Xing can smell the spirulina from across the trailer, and dark chocolate portioned throughout the day. He feels a bit sick just thinking about it but watches with fascinated amusement the well-rehearsed routine between the star and his disciple.

Since he’s turned in his draft, he quickly runs out of things to do in the trailer. He looks through the concept covers and provides feedback before finding himself next to Zhang Cheng Ling, where he spends most of the day. Unfortunately, it puts him in prime earshot of listening to all the gossip that is now running rampant throughout the production, though with hushed voices.

Every interaction between the two co-leads is assessed. Every touch, every smile, every laughter in between takes is scrutinized. Since they are out in the open, filming right in the central city, it’s not like they can prevent the general public or daipais from take photos or videos. The more they are out in the open, the higher the hashtags are trending on Weibo.

Even though he can see for himself the interactions between Zhou Zi Shu and Xie Wang, his snakes are still upset. They calm down during each break when the omega cuddles with his sweater, or kicks everyone out of the trailer and climbs into his lap for a slow make-out session that is more cuddles than scenting. He really shouldn’t scent the omega on set. Having the faint smell from his clothes or letting him rest his head on his shoulder and nibble on his scent gland is one thing, but rubbing himself all over his costumes is definitely not advisable.

Xie Wang still looks at him with a raised eyebrow and a smirk after lunch but he does his best to pretend to be oblivious. They are in the same trailer. It’s not strange that part of his scent clings to Zhou Zi Shu. No one else on set is paying attention anyway. They are too focused on shipping the leads than they are about what is actually going on.

He spends the entire day, and the following week leading up to Zhou Zi Shu’s heat, ignoring what is actually going on.

(O.O)

Wen Ke Xing is woken up early in the morning by the omega sucking his cock to fully erect and then climbing on top. Judging by the thick scent of burnt sugar around them and the warmth radiating off the man above him, Zhou Zi Shu’s heat has descended on them quicker than the other two times.

“Finally,” Zhou Zi Shu breathes, and then arches his back, sinking down on his cock in one slow, smooth motion with a dragged out moan ending with a sigh and satisfied wiggle. “You’re so thick.”

Zhou Zi Shu holds him down firmly on the bed with one hand on Wen Ke Xing’s chest and the other around his cock, and rides him until that sweet-smelling omega cum paints his abs. Twice. The smell is almost as alluring as those breathy moans coming from the man above as he continues to grind down in a hazed hunt for his knot.

He looks absolutely stunning like this, those taught muscles and curves glistening with heat as they move in the morning light. “So beautiful,” Wen Ke Xing mumbles and slides his hands over the omega’s creamy skin.

Feeling Zhou Zi Shu’s legs starting to tremble, Wen Ke Xing rolls them over to give the omega what he wants. He circles his fingers around Zhou Zi Shu’s ankles and pulls until the omega’s round cheeks are resting in his lap. He runs his fingers through the cleft, dipping shallowly into the wet heat, and licks his fingers clean. Judging by the taste, it’s a mixture of slick and his own precum.

“Come on already,” Zhou Zi Shu teases, wiggling his ass against his throbbing cock.

Braced on his knees, he takes one look at the man in front of him. His hair is already tussled, his eyes are glossed over and sparkling, his lips are slightly parted and he’s tilting his head, begging for a new bite around that scent gland.

“Look at you opening up for me,” he muses and slides his cock into that puffy, wet hole until he bottoms out.

“Always,” Zhou Zi Shu breathes, winding those long legs around his hips to yank him forward, pulling him down. “Now give me that knot.” He huffs just as Zhou Zi Shu’s mouth comes searching for his, the kiss wet with lots of tongue and broken moans.

Rolling his hips, he sets a fast pace, just like he knows that Zhou Zi Shu likes—and not just at the start of his heats. After his rut, he’s learned just how much this man likes to be fucked until he can’t move.

Even though this is the third heat that he’s with Zhou Zi Shu, everything still feels new. Every sound, though provoked, still tingles over his skin. Every move, though stimulated, still makes him chase after contact with that silky smooth and creamy skin and wet entrance. Every smell, though triggered, still sizzles through his veins.

Mine.

The word fuses with his hormones and his knot quivers. Zhou Zi Shu’s reaction is immediate, legs squeezing harder around him, moaning beautifully under him, “Mn—ah—ah~~”

Driving deep, he searches for Zhou Zi Shu’s mouth, wanting to claim each sound that the man gives him. The knot is expanding quickly, catching on the entrance and the omega groans, coming apart for a third time.

Mine, echoes through him again, and the knot expands fully, lodging itself inside as his vision whites out.

(˘ ˘ ˘)

Even though he’s not in a rut, it feels like it—like time is suspended and all that is in focus is his omega. Every sound, every move, every feeling, he can sense it all, like it’s all amplified and reverberating inside him. He wants the omega so much it hurts.

He clings to Zhou Zi Shu, fucks him every imaginable way, fast, slow, hard, soft, against the wall, on the floor, in the shower, on the bed. And each and every position, every way, every time has something in common—he is looking at Zhou Zi Shu’s face, searching for something he can’t understand but still receiving. His heart aches and flutters at the same time.

He doesn’t fuck the omega from behind, or lying back to front. He feels uneasy when he doesn’t see those dark eyes, or when he can’t kiss those plush lips. And for the first time since his rut, the thought of fucking a baby into his omega is saturating his every though. He has to bite back the words more than once, one time so violently that he’d drawn blood from his cheek.

He's spent so much time fucking omegas during their heat. The thought of being desperately needed with lots of sex for days on end had been hard to resist. He’d been an expert at sniffing out omegas that were ovulating and then fucking them into their heat. And then fucking them through it. It was a conquest thing back then.

This—this is different. This is a different need. This is a need focused on what he can give the omega—other than pleasure—rather than what he gets out of it. This is all about feelings.

Mine, echoes again and he so desperately wants it to be true as he curls himself around a sleeping Zhou Zi Shu and falls asleep as well.

( ˘ ³˘)♥

Chapter Text

Zhou Zi Shu wants to whine. Whilst the bed smells amazing after two days of sex, it’s cold and empty, and Wen Ke Xing is taking his time on his way back from the kitchen with snacks. He would go hunting for his alpha, but he can hear footsteps coming up the stairs—though, way too slow for his liking.

He takes a deep breath, at least he can smell him. Both the man walking towards him, but also the remnants of the alpha on his sheets. Closing his eyes, he runs his fingers down his abs, continuing over the marks on the inside of his thighs. Remembering each of them, how it had felt with Wen Ke Xing between his thighs, marking him with that unpredictable, dangerous and wonderful mouth, he bites his bottom lip and feels the slick starting to leak again. He runs his hands through the wetness before bringing his left fingers to his lips, tasting the both of them with a smile on his lips.

“Look at you making a mess when I’m not even here,” he hears somewhere distant, too busy slipping his other fingers inside him, searching for his prostate.

The bed dips next to him and without opening his eyes, he knows that Wen Ke Xing is moving in over him on all four. He stretches, arching his back and rubbing his weeping cock up against what he thinks is Wen Ke Xing’s thigh.

Wen Ke Xing huffs and bites him on the neck, mumbling, “Ah-Xu, you’re quite the handful, aren’t you?” into his ear. He is a handful, and Wen Ke Xing likes that. He has told him, multiple times, whilst punishing him with the most glorious sex after a bit of teasing.

He circles his long legs around the man, opens his eyes, and flips them over in response. He knows that he’s strong—though his legs are still shaking from sitting on Wen Ke Xing’s face earlier—but he never really fights for power with his alpha. He likes it when Wen Ke Xing is domineering. He prefers it. But he’s been wanting to test the boundaries ever since spending that rut with Wen Ke Xing. It had been an eye-opener and showed him all the things that he was missing out on, that his alpha was holding back from him. But maybe, just maybe, if he finds the right button and teases it, pushes it, smashes it, whatever control Wen Ke Xing has might finally snap, unable to return to normal. And now that he’s a little bit more coherent after the majority of the heat has passed, maybe he can nudge things in the right direction.

“My little alpha is too slow, so I had to take care of it myself,” Zhou Zi Shu says, and smirks. Whilst there is no real heat behind the words, he can see the shift behind Wen Ke Xing’s eyes, tugging on his pride and pulling out his alpha.

There is a slight pause before Wen Ke Xing responds, “Oh, really,” and reaches up to circle his right hand behind Zhou Zi Shu’s neck to pull him down, lips millimeters apart. “I didn’t hear any complaints earlier,” Wen Ke Xing continues and bucks his hips. He struggles to remain focused on the teasing instead of the chubbing alpha cock he can feel between his thighs.

Whatever Wen Ke Xing sees in his eyes, the alpha struggles to hold back a smirk, instead tilting his head to bite his neck, harshly, but not harsh enough. It’s annoying how in control this alpha is at all times.

“In fact, you said that I hit just the right spot. Repeatedly. Enthusiastically. Loudly,” Wen Ke Xing continues, and licks up his neck and over his lips with the flat of his tongue whilst thrusting slowly up between his cheeks, coating his erection in a mix of slick and cum. It’s filthy, it’s extremely erotic, and it also tells him that he’s on the right track. The cock catches at his loose entrance and he wants to mewl, arch his back and sit on it until he comes again.  

“I remember,” Zhou Zi Shu responds, his lips brushing against Wen Ke Xing’s, before continuing, “And that’s the thing, I remember… Which means that you still haven’t fucked me properly yet.”

Wen Ke Xing runs one of his hands up the curve of his spine and he has to hold back a shiver, wanting to lean into the touch like a cat in heat. “Tell me what you want.”

“I want you to pin me down and fuck me raw,” he says and watches Wen Ke Xing’s eyes widen. He drags the tip of his tongue along Wen Ke Xing’s cheek and whispers into his ear, “I liked how aggressive you were during your rut. I want you to do all those things that you think about but don’t dare to do, too worried you’ll hurt me, too worried I’ll be upset, too worried I’ll look at you differently, too worried you’ll leave marks. Bite me. Gag me. Tie me up. Choke me. Do all of it. Don’t hold back. I want all of you.”

Leaning back, he looks into Wen Ke Xing’s eyes, arches his back and sinks down on that fat cock in one smooth motion. The whiskey scent is thick in the air to the point where he thinks he might get drunk from just breathing. It’s almost as spicy as the rut, but not really. Not yet.

He stares into Wen Ke Xing’s eyes, unblinking, rolls his hips and runs both his hands over his throat, tightening his grip until he feels the blood rushing through his head. He’s never done that before, and it’s nothing like Wen Ke Xing’s massive hands.

The growl takes him by surprise, but not as much as suddenly finding himself spun around like he’s the merry-go-round and Wen Ke Xing’s cock is the center pole. Without slipping out, his alpha manhandles him face first, ass up, his wrists locked in a tight grip behind his back and Wen Ke Xing towering over him.

“That mouth of yours,” Wen Ke Xing says, his voice lower than he’s ever heard it. With his face smashed against the sheet and Wen Ke Xing’s hand around the side of his throat, he’s already fighting to breathe, but even if he could respond he wouldn’t. He wants to enjoy this.

“You really should have had something to drink first,” Wen Ke Xing says, and thrusts so hard Zhou Zi Shu loses balance, now held up by his arms twisting behind his back. Before his knees can find balance, Wen Ke Xing fucks him into the mattress, punching the breath out of him.

The world blurs as he lets go of everything, focusing only on every point where the two of them are touching. The hard thrust of the cock splitting him in two, rocking him against the sheets. The blocked, throbbing pulse in his wrists where he knows that he will have beautiful marks. And Wen Ke Xing’s teeth biting greedily up his back.

If he could, he would whine when he feels the knot starting to swell. When the knot finally lodges in place, Wen Ke Xing sinks his teeth around his scent gland—this time on the other side—and a threatening, possessive growl rumbles through his alpha, he whites out and comes.

(..＞◡＜..)

At some point they must have both passed out from exhaustion, and when he wakes up his heat has ebbed out. Even though he’s drained, he feels like whining again, because now there is another two months to wait until the next time when there is no work and he can just enjoy a few days of alone-time with his alpha.

Something clenches around his heart—it’s the reminder that the next heat is his last one before Wen Ke Xing turns twenty-eight years old and can leave OPP. He wants to ask Wen Ke Xing to stay, but would he? Is that too selfish? The alpha has done what he can, and if it doesn’t take, then that might just be what fate has in store for them. Maybe he should even let Wen Ke Xing out early? Is there any point of his alpha staying for an extra few weeks to leave in between two heats? However—

—However, he really doesn’t want to let him go. He stretches, a bit restless, not sure where to channel all of the nervous and anxious energy sizzling under his skin.

“Not yet,” Wen Ke Xing mumbles beside him and rolls on top, dropping little kisses between his eyebrows and down over his nose. “You’re not allowed to look this serious this early in the morning. Not when you’re not working.”

Suddenly he feels like crying, the jumbled knot of feelings in his throat too big for him to get any words past it. Why is this alpha so sweet? What on earth is he going to do? How is he going to have this conversation with Wen Ke Xing? When should he have it? Can he be this selfish? Can he keep Wen Ke Xing here instead of moving home to his own place, and letting his sister move back there as well?

Maybe he wants to stay here, a voice whispers from somewhere deep inside him, deeper than the back of his mind, deeper than his heart. Maybe he loves you too.

Wen Ke Xing licks in between his lips and that expert tongue teases, curls, and demands his attention until the man on top of him consumes his mind. Wen Ke Xing mewls needily in between their lips, and suddenly, nothing seems more important than kissing. Feeling his alpha against him. Feeling that warm skin against his. Feeling those big hands move over him. Feeling those lips against him, saying his name. And watching those dark eyes fill with want and need as they focus only on him, as if he is the only one in the world.

The alpha cock twitches against his thigh and he spreads his legs to wind his calves over Wen Ke Xing’s legs, tensing his core to shift the angle of his ass until he finds the tip. The alpha trembles against him as he pushes in, the softest moan escaping the man above. It tingles over his skin from all directions, heading straight towards the center where it melts through his chest to wrap around his heart, soothing the ache.

Wen Ke Xing rolls his hips leisurely, the length of the cock moving agonizingly slow inside him, barely rubbing against his prostate. Usually, this would drive him insane, but this time it’s everything he wants. He wants this to take time. He wants to feel Wen Ke Xing for as long as he can. No stress, no hunt for climax, no crazed passion. Just—

—Love.

To avoid saying something crazy, like, Please hold me forever, he clings to Wen Ke Xing’s shoulders, closes his eyes and focuses on kissing his man. Softly, languidly, with all the feelings that he can’t put words to or doesn’t dare to speak. This is just kissing, it’s not like Wen Ke Xing can read his mind. The alpha will chuck it up to hormones, end of heat clinginess, or something else.

“A’Xu~” Wen Ke Xing moans between their lips and the word slides down his throat and tangles with all those feelings wrapped around his heart. “You’re so beautiful.”

There is so much he wants to say, words that are pulled back like arrows on a tight bow-string, ready to find their target as soon as he lets go. But he can’t. Not like this. Instead, he responds, “Lao Wen~”, wondering if Wen Ke Xing can hear everything that is wrapped around his name.

Wen Ke Xing nuzzles down his neck to nibble at his scent gland, and his thoughts subside as their mixed scents and pheromones seep through his skin to fuse with his blood. He rolls his hips, meeting each thrust at the increasing speed, and he feels like a beach, moving as the waves come crashing, only to roll back, taking a part of him each time.

“Lao Wen,” he repeats, and Wen Ke Xing finds his mouth again as the final wave sweeps him away.

He wakes up a few hours later, Wen Ke Xing a heavy, secure blanket wrapped around him. The alpha is nuzzling against his neck, but it sounds like he’s still sleeping. He wraps his arms around Wen Ke Xing and wishes that he will stay, forever. He huffs at himself. He’s not used to being a coward.

Wen Ke Xing mumbles, “A’Xu”, in between nibbling on his neck, and Zhou Zi Shu feels like crying again.

(>⌓<)

He heads straight back into work, pushing through several days of sluggishness that he really should have spent at home, with gentle training, relaxing, and plenty of spicy food. Luckily, the days of filming are long, including a few evening scenes, so he eats dinner on set and away from those big, warm eyes.

By the time he gets home in the evenings, he locks himself into the recording studio. For everything that his heart struggles with telling Wen Ke Xing in person, it doesn’t seem to have any qualms whatsoever singing them over and over against the mic. At least in here, his alpha can’t hear him. It feels a bit like practicing in front of a mirror, but instead he can change the words, change the tone, change everything until he finds the right way of expressing himself.

Just when he thinks he is able to breathe in the same space as Wen Ke Xing—outside of when Wen Ke Xing fucks him into the mattress or up against the tiles in the shower when he finally emerges from the studio—a thunderstorm rolls in over Shanghai and postpones the afternoon and evening shoots.

He feels on edge as he walks in through the door, not sure if he can actually get away with spending yet another day in the recording studio. Not that Wen Ke Xing would blame him, god knows the man spent enough days, evenings and nights writing on that novel of his. But he still feels guilty. And he does want to spend time with his alpha. He so desperately wants to be near him. Always.

Saying the words out loud to his friends sure had changed the rhythm of his heart, and there was no putting that love genie back into the lamp. He had wanted a match and that is what had been delivered. Full blooded, perfect in every way, just exactly what he needed.

“You’re early,” Wen Ke Xing says, practically sneaking up on him and his thoughts in the hallway. “What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

“The weather,” he responds, and before he can elaborate, the thunder rumbles in the far distance as if to provide him with an alibi. Not that he needs one. Why does he feel like he needs an excuse to be home? “The shoot is postponed for today.”

 “Oh,” Wen Ke Xing says with a smile. At least his alpha hasn’t sensed that something is off. He really is a good actor. Or maybe his head is just spiraling out of control, whilst in reality everything is fine?

Wen Ke Xing tilts his head and asks, “What do you have planned for today? More time in the studio? Are you hungry?”

Always the caregiver. He really should put some effort into taking care of Wen Ke Xing for a change. If only he was good at cooking. Maybe he should take Wen Ke Xing out for dinner? Or a movie? It’s risky, but it could also be fun. He really hasn’t been out with the alpha at all—not even to his favorite restaurant. What kind of match is he? What kind of friend is he? What kind of lover is he…

“We could go out for dinner if you want?” he asks, surprised by how fast his butterflies turned from nerves to excitement.

“We can if you want,” Wen Ke Xing says, something mischievous curling his smile that makes his butterflies multiply. “Or…”

“… Or,” he prompts, taking a few steps closer to Wen Ke Xing, and not only to be closer to that scent he is addicted to. He still keeps one of the alpha’s sweaters in his trailer for… reasons.

“I have something for you,” Wen Ke Xing says and tilts his head the other way, the smile now crinkling his eyes. He’s so handsome, and Zhou Zi Shu has to physically tell himself to stay put and not throw his arms around the man to snuggle.

“What is it?” he asks, wondering if Wen Ke Xing has already made dinner without knowing that he would be home early.

“It’s upstairs, let me go get it,” Wen Ke Xing says and turns on his heels.

“I’ll come with you,” Zhou Zi Shu says, too curious to wait. Plus he wants to have a shower and change into baggy clothes. Maybe he should ransack Wen Ke Xing’s closet for another one of those huge hoodies. Or better yet, use his pout to charm the alpha into giving him the hoodie that he’s wearing now.

The scent is heavy in Wen Ke Xing’s room, which is surprising considering how little time the alpha sleeps in there, and he can’t help but close his eyes for a moment to take a few deep breaths. There is a low laugh but he doesn’t care. Surely, at this point, Wen Ke Xing knows that he’s got a serious kink for his whiskey scent? And they have been away from each other all day.

“Open your eyes,” Wen Ke Xing says, his voice close to Zhou Zi Shu’s left ear and he has to focus to not climb the alpha like a tree. He can do that after he gets his surprise.

He opens his eyes, ready to stare into those dark eyes, but instead there is a stack of papers blocking his view of that exquisite face. He’s seriously irritated for a second before his eyes focus on the first page, and his hands snatch the draft from Wen Ke Xing’s hands faster than he can ask for it.

“The proof! It’s finished?” he says, eyes wide and probably with a stupid grin on his face. So much for pouting and charming his way into the alpha’s clothes. Priorities.

“I picked it up this morning,” Wen Ke Xing says with a smirk and a shake of his head, his right hand still floating in the air from where the proof had been snatched. “Hot off the presses with the concept cover.”

“Lovelace,” he says, almost reverently, and runs his fingers over the gardenias surrounding the main art like a cold, blue frame. It’s a stark contrast to the central, monochrome ghostly face, covered with a partial mask. “Can I read it?”

“That’s why I gave it to you,” Wen Ke Xing says, and then huffs, “Well, I guess technically I didn’t.”

“Thank you,” he says, which doesn’t even begin to describe the feelings currently dancing inside his chest. This is more than a sneak preview excerpt of an upcoming book, which is all the fans usually get. This is the proof, the finalized draft, that will go into press. This is the full story. All of it. Just for him to read before anyone else—other than the publishing company of course.

“Do you want me to make you some tea and bring it to the library for you?” Wen Ke Xing asks with a smug look on his face, but there is also some nerves and a bit of excitement in his eyes. He can understand that. It’s not easy to hand over something that you’ve created. Even if it’s fiction, it’s like bearing your soul. He feels like that every time he releases over a new song.

Zhou Zi Shu looks out the window—at the dark clouds and the drizzle of rain. When it comes to reading, there is nothing he enjoys more than to curl up under a blanket out on the covered balcony and watch the thunderstorms move over the city. Preferably with a nice bottle of whiskey and some roasted nuts.

“You want to sit outside?” Wen Ke Xing asks with raised eyebrows as he glances out the window. Zhou Zi Shu nods. “Tea and snacks?”

“Juice and snacks,” he responds and takes a few steps forward to plant a kiss on those full lips, managing to catch Wen Ke Xing off guard. “You’re the best.”

There is a certain satisfaction in watching the pink creep over Wen Ke Xing’s cheeks. It’s been a while since he made his alpha blush. He clearly doesn’t give the man enough compliments. Or tease him enough. He should definitely start doing that. It seems like a reasonable first step into preparing for that conversation.

“I’m going to take a shower,” he says and turns, spots a knitted sweater hanging on the chair by the desk and decides to scoop it up before heading out the door. “Thanks!” He can hear Wen Ke Xing’s laughter behind him as he heads towards his room. It’s the best sound in the world.

(˘ ˘ ˘)

It feels wonderfully domestic, sitting quietly on the balcony next to Wen Ke Xing, the two of them reading, surrounded by the clattering of rain against the roof, the thunder still rumbling in the distance.

He had thought that he would breeze through the first part, since he had read it all before, but the dedication—or rather the empty slot where a dedication was clearly supposed to go in the proof—leaves his heart hammering in his chest. It takes him a solid hour to stop glancing over to where Wen Ke Xing is sitting with his hot, nerd glasses, reading an old poetry collection he had found in the library—and had been adorably excited about.

Zhen Yan had never put in a dedication in any of his books. Not in the Ghost Valley series, or any of the standalone novels. Ever. It was a standing joke amongst the fans that the author himself was a ghost and had no-one to dedicate the books to.

He is curious as to what could have changed to the extent that Wen Ke Xing had broken his pattern, and a part of him wanted to ask—but he respects boundaries, because he would want the same himself. Maybe it was a template thing and nothing would go in there, or maybe he hadn’t thought of the exact words yet. A dedication is personal, something from the author to whomever was on the receiving end. But it was also one of those details that the hardcore fans would discuss on Zhen Yan’s super-topic. The fact that there could be one would be groundbreaking.

Fortunately for his nervous and jealous heart, he reaches the continuation of where he’d left off, and is soon absorbed by the stalker’s internal voice through the story, forgetting the world around them, content with sipping on his juice and listening to the rain.

After reaching the end, he puts the proof down in his lap and takes a deep breath, trying to calm himself down from the rush of adrenalin that has just surged through his body. It’s the same rush he gets every time he reads one of the Ghost Valley series for the first time. He loves getting creeped out by himself as he follows along through the murderer’s eyes. Not in the sick, creepy way that the killer does, but from being prey in a way. Especially considering the nature of this book. He doesn’t know how to describe it. Maybe he’s suffering from the same manipulated Stockholm syndrome similar to all the people who watched and loved that Netflix series You. And this story is definitely darker, more violence, more dead bodies—omegas—than in the previous books. Fortunately, the main victim made it through alive, which is also a first.

 He looks out over the garden and the sun setting in the far distance, coloring the remains of the drizzle into a rose-gold mist. He’s fascinated with the creative journey he has watched Wen Ke Xing go on since he moved in, and wonders how that beautiful face and intelligent mind produced this end-product. Is it something similar to what he himself goes through when he produces a new album? Is it cathartic? Draining? Emotional? Fulfilling? All of the above?

Footsteps from the inside pulls him out of his head to realize that Wen Ke Xing isn’t next to him. He hadn’t even noticed when the alpha had gotten up and left him. Within moments, Wen Ke Xing walks out onto the balcony carrying a tray with tea, juice and baozi that smells like the ones that he had baked all those months ago after Zhou Zi Shu’s first heat.

“I love it,” he blurts out like an idiot, not even letting Wen Ke Xing set the tray down. But at least it’s better than saying, I love you, which he instead forcefully swallows down. He needs to get a grip.

Wen Ke Xing smiles and refills his glass with juice, “Have some food. You’ve been sitting there reading for hours.”

“Hours well spent,” he says, already contemplating rereading it. He would have taken it with him to work tomorrow to read during breaks but there is no way he should be doing that. What if someone spots it, or takes it? Not only would the final draft be leaked, but also Zhen Yan’s identity might get revealed as well.

“Still, eat something,” Wen Ke Xing says, sits down and nudges the plate with buns towards him.

With reverence, he puts the proof away, far away from any risk of food contamination, before snatching a baozi. “Can I ask you some questions?” He asks and nibbles on the bun.

“Shoot,” Wen Ke Xing responds.

He looks Wen Ke Xing in the eyes and asks, “Where do you get all your inspiration?”

Wen Ke Xing leans back in his chair and tilts his head, “Are you asking if I’m a psycho like my ghosts?” His voice is lighthearted, but there is also something shivering at the edges.

“No, that’s not it,” he responds, probably too quickly, but that’s not at all what he was wondering. “You just seem to have such a grasp on the dark sides of humanity. Did you study criminal psychology at university? Do you have insiders with the police investigators?”

A shadow flashes across Wen Ke Xing’s handsome face, and suddenly he does look a bit like those ghosts that adorn his books. Though, not in a scary way. Just dark, forbidden, and secretive. There is also something sad at the very core.

“I had a complicated childhood,” Wen Ke Xing says, and takes a sip of his tea before continuing with a voice Zhou Zi Shu has never heard from his alpha before. “Hanging Ghost is based on my adoptive father.”

Oh.

Oh.

Oh, fuck.

It seems so obvious when he thinks about it, and there had been theories from readers that had drawn parallels to the case from Chengdu all those years ago. In particular the end, when the serial killer had committed suicide by cop. He was Wen Ke Xing’s dad? Why did he have to ask and bring all of this up? What business is this of his?

“Don’t look so scared,” Wen Ke Xing says and reaches across the side table to pat him on his hand. “I was only in his care for about six years. And he never hurt me. It’s just that I saw things that I couldn’t forget. I was there when he died. Learning everything about him was a way for me to cope afterwards. Writing my thoughts down, trying to be inside his head, was the best way for me to move on. Who knew that I’d be good at it?” Wen Ke Xing huffs and reaches for a bun, playing with it with those long fingers, “Crazy right?”

“Not at all,” he says, lamely. He’s a bit shell-shocked, but most of all he just wants to be closer to his alpha. So, he stands up and climbs into Wen Ke Xing’s lap, one hand on each of those pale cheeks. “I coped with the loss of my parents by creating my Zhou Xu persona. We all grieve in different ways. You’ve done well with Zhen Yan. And you’ve done even better with Wen Ke Xing.”

He leans in to meet Wen Ke Xing in a slow, tender kiss, and they stay that way for a long time. With his arms wrapped around his alpha, Wen Ke Xing tells him more about his past, his inspiration, his research and process, and Zhou Zi Shu listens to it all without judgement. He feels honored and touched that Wen Ke Xing is opening up.

When he’s out of questions, Wen Ke Xing goes quiet and tightens his arms securely around Zhou Zi Shu. The night has fallen around them, and the storm has passed, leaving behind a crisp, starry sky. Even with the heavy subject, the atmosphere feels romantic of sorts, like they are bonding, getting closer. He can imagine them sitting like this in the future, an old married couple reading books together during the late summer thunderstorms for many years to come.

The thought doesn’t scare him, instead makes him warm. He had heard meeting their match, omegas’ imaginations are very rapid, jumping from admiration to love, and from love to mating and matrimony in a moment. He had just never thought he was one of them. Turns out that he is—at least with the right alpha. Jing Bei Yuan is going to have a field day.

“The moon is very beautiful tonight, isn’t it?”[i] Wen Ke Xing whispers into his ear, and kisses his scent gland.

Zhou Zi Shu’s heart lurches in his chest and suddenly he feels shy. Like he’s not ready. Or more like—he is ready but not fully sure if Wen Ke Xing meant his words literally or as the famous poetic allusion, and he really doesn’t want to spoil this moment by choosing the wrong option if his guess is wrong.

He looks back over his shoulder and up at the sky, the half-moon low in the far distance, the slight curve is like a silver smile. His ears are tingling as he turns back to look into his alpha’s dark eyes. Seeing the answer to his question, all his worries and insecurities melt away like the early morning spring frost. He smiles and tilts his head, responding to the question he hopes he’s being asked, “Yes, very beautiful.”

(ღˇ◡ˇ)♥

Chapter Text

Wen Ke Xing wakes up tangled with limbs and sheets, a naked, sleeping Zhou Zi Shu draped diagonally on top of him, his hair messy and new subtle bitemarks on that delicate neck. Oh. He swallows and closes his eyes, the nervous tingling present around his heart feels oddly comforting, as if it’s reminding him that yesterday did happen.

Zhou Zi Shu, all snuggled up in Wen Ke Xing’s sweater and under the moonlight, had been captivating, enchanting, and irresistible. At that moment, everything had seemed to fall into place. At that moment, the confession that he hadn’t been able to put down on the dedication page suddenly formed on his tongue and it had been impossible not to speak it out loud and tell his omega how he felt. Even if it had been indirectly.

His confession had been growing inside his heart in the past weeks. He had been very aware of that. Not just during foreplay, sex or cuddles, but also during their everyday interaction, when Zhou Zi Shu came home from work, or as they got ready to sit down to eat, or pretty much every single time the omega smiled at him. It was impossible to deny that he was in love, and that he was already in the middle before he knew that he had begun.

What he hadn’t been expecting—but was certainly hoping for—was for Zhou Zi Shu to say those words back. Or at least he thinks that he had said it back. Surely that was what he had done, right? That’s what he had meant?

Before he had been able to ask, Zhou Zi Shu had kissed him within an inch of his life. And it had been absolutely impossible to keep the question long enough to verbalize with Zhou Zi Shu’s mouth moving hot against his, melting the world, and any possible coherent thought, away from his mind.

The omega had mewled his name between their lips, twisted his fingers in his hair, pulling until his head had been tilted just the way Zhou Zi Shu had wanted, and then the kiss had deepened. Aware of the fact that they were out in the open, he had all but beamed them onto the bed, clothes ripped and left wherever they landed.

After that, things got a bit blurry. It had been a race towards the finish line, demanding lips against naked skin, slick everywhere, and his last thought before losing himself in his omega was, that he probably should have closed the balcony door considering how loud they were.

Now, Zhou Zi Shu stirs in his arms and makes a cute sound, as if his whole being is rejecting the idea of waking up. He can smell the dried slick and contemplates if he should draw the omega a hot bath. But that would mean moving, and he really doesn’t want to. Right now, everything is soft and comfortable, and he doesn’t have to face reality just yet. He can push the consequences of his confession in front of him just a bit longer, even though he knows that they will talk about it. He wants to talk about it. He wants to ask what Zhou Zi Shu had meant. He wants to make sure even if it comes off as lame. Surely it won’t ruin the moment?

The alpha in him fuels his heartbeat with confidence, that same confidence that he had in abundance before this whirlwind of an omega had descended into his life and told him he was young and inexperienced—that he had to step it up if he was to stand a chance in this match.

There is a sudden vibration as Zhou Zi Shu’s mobile starts ringing to his left. He can see Zhang Cheng Ling’s name on the screen and notices that he’s woken up later than usual. In the midst of everything he’d forgotten to set his alarm. He hasn’t even made breakfast, something that has become one of his favorite moments since he gets to watch a very tired and grumpy omega hiss and grumble whilst stuffing his cheeks with food, like a feisty little squirrel.

Zhou Zi Shu snakes his arm out towards the nightstand, his hand searching until he finds his phone. “Morning,” Zhou Zi Shu answers, voice dry and filled with sleep. The man stretches and wiggles whilst humming, “Mn,” and “Ah,” in between a few soft kisses dropped on Wen Ke Xing’s pecs. They soothe the nerves twisting around his fluttering heart.

“Okay, I’ll see you in a bit. Bring breakfast, please,” Zhou Zi Shu finishes and then drops the phone on the bed, sighing loudly. “I was having the best dream.”

He wants to ask what the omega was dreaming about, but Zhou Zi Shu shuffles up on his elbows and smiles down at him, hair falling in wild curls around his face, eyes tired but sparkling, and Wen Ke Xing’s words get stuck in his throat.

“Do you want to come with me to work today?” Zhou Zi Shu asks, leans in and pecks him on his lips.

“Yes,” he responds, the soft kiss lingering on his lips. In this state, he would probably say yes to helping Zhou Zi Shu bury a body in the backyard or fly to Paris because the omega has a sudden craving for croissants.

“Great,” Zhou Zi Shu lights up and rolls off him, heading towards the ensuite. The man has handprints on those lush hips and Wen Ke Xing swallows down a growl. And because he knows that they only have ten minutes before the A-team arrives, he heads for a shower in his own room. He stands under the hot water for so long that even Zhang Cheng Ling has to yell at him to hurry up so that they won’t be late.

His heart needed it.

(〃▽〃)

He probably should have thought this through a bit more than just accepting to playact an assistant all day. Not that he didn’t want to spend time with Zhou Zi Shu, but having to live through a full day of constant gossiping about XieZhou is really getting to him. He hadn’t realized how much the rumors had escalated since his last visit to set. The hashtags are still muted on his Weibo account and he has refused to give into temptation to search for it. It's infuriating. Especially today of all days. All those whispering and giggling people, both in the staff and across the street from where they are filming, are getting to him.

He makes it about two hours before he runs away to breathe—and hide—in the trailer. It’s a good thing that he brought his computer, because he can spend some time on the final notes and comments on the Reapers scripts. He resists the urge to just dive into his next book. His brain really does need some time in between to fully release one ghost to make way for a the next one.

“Wen shu!” The door flings open and Zhang Cheng Ling bounces up the stairs. “Shifu is asking for your special tea,” the assistant says with a bright smile and a bit out of breath.

He opens the fridge and asks, “Strawberry or blueberry?”

“He didn’t say, but I think today is a strawberry day,” Zhang Cheng Ling says and hovers next to him. “Not sure why he doesn’t think my tea is as good as yours. I don’t even understand how he can tell who’s made it.” Zhang Cheng Ling pouts, like the overachiever that he is.

Wen Ke Xing can’t help but smile. It’s probably the fact that the tumbler has a subtle scent of whiskey when he’s the one doing it—because he does it on purpose. And disregarding the fact that they are in tune with each other, the man clearly loves whiskey. He’s looking forward to being able to take Zhou Zi Shu to his favorite bar for a few drinks.

“Here,” he says and hands the iced tea mixed with crushed strawberries.

“Aren’t you joining us?” Zhang Cheng Ling asks and looks away, shuffling his feet. “I think he would like you there.”

Oh.

His heart trembles with the words from last night and suddenly he really wants to be near his omega. And by the sounds of it, Zhou Zi Shu wants to be near him as well. Maybe they are on the same page after all. Here he is marinating in his own vinegar, not really thinking about Zhou Zi Shu’s feelings. He needs to get a grip.

“Sure,” he says, and flips the lid on his laptop closed. He grabs the rest of the strawberries and a bottle of lemon water, stuffs it into his bag and follows Zhang Cheng Ling out the door.

It’s hot outside. It’s the first day of Autumn, but it’s still muggy from yesterday’s storm and his t-shirt instantly clings to his skin. Despite being uncomfortable, he wants more of those thunderstorms so that they can sit and read together out on the balcony. He’d seen the infrared heaters up in the roof-structure, which means that they can sit outside when it starts getting colder as well. Maybe even around his birthday, or even after…

“Lao Wen,” he hears and turns to his left to find Zhou Zi Shu, tumbler in hand and already rummaging through the bag until he’s fished out the strawberries. “Thank you.”

The smile beaming up at him leaves him dazed and he has to take a few breaths before his mind is back online again. By that time, Zhou Zi Shu has already popped the container with berries back and scampered over to where his mark is—right next to Xie Wang.

Zhang Cheng Ling is looking up at him with an innocent, yet knowing smile on his face, nodding, “Definitely a strawberry day today.”

“What does that mean?” he can’t help but ask.

“Shifu never favored strawberries before, but then all of a sudden back in May, he said that he preferred strawberries in his tea,” Zhang Cheng Ling says and hides a giggle behind his hand. As if that’s supposed to mean something? Based on the blush creeping up the assistant’s neck, it’s not something he should ask about here where anyone can overhear. But also—now he is really curious about what changed back in May.

His phone vibrates with an incoming call and he nods towards Zhang Cheng Ling before walking away from the crowd and back towards the trailer. “Are you calling for a date?” he says as he answers the phone.

“How forward of you! I’m a married man, but I can always ask Da Wu if he’s into that!” Jing Bei Yuan laughs at the other end of the call and Wen Ke Xing laughs with him. “We could do a double date if you want? I think you still owe us dinner.”

“And here I was thinking that you were calling to beg for free childcare,” Wen Ke Xing responds, aware that he didn’t refute the double date comment.

“Not free! I will pay you anything you want,” Jing Bei Yuan says, partly joking and partly desperate.

“I’m pretty expensive,” he responds, and closes the door to the trailer behind him, finally out of the ruthless sun and away from curious ears.

“I’m sure I can afford it,” Jing Bei Yuan huffs. “I have money, but more importantly—I have inside information on your omega. You pick.”

“Selling out your best friend? I like your style,” he responds through a wide smile, whilst shaking his head.

“I won’t tell, if you don’t. Besides, it’s for his own good,” Jing Bei Yuan laughs. “Are you free anytime in the coming week? Just pick a day that works for you and I’ll schedule everything on my end.”

“Are we talking a few hours? A full day? Overnight?” he asks, not that it really matters. Though his heart might not survive if he has to watch Zhou Zi Shu cuddle Jing Mei Qi for more than a few hours.

“Oh, just a few hours. I don’t think Da Wu could bear to be away from her any longer for the first time,” Jing Bei Yuan responds, though his voice sounds like it might be him that can’t be away from her for longer.

“Let me check with A’Xu and see what he says. I suspect that he will want to be there as well,” he says, and they both know that it’s true. Secrets or not, Zhou Zi Shou would never forgive either of them if he’s left out of this.

“Thank you,” Jing Bei Yuan says. “You have no idea how grateful I am. Really. Zhou Zi Shu will have to fight you for the favorite shushu title.”

Wen Ke Xing has to breathe around the jumble of expanding feelings in his chest. He’s not used to being spoken about like that. Not that his friends or Gu Xiang don’t appreciate him. They do. But this is different. It’s Zhou Zi Shu’s friends unofficially telling him that they approve of him. It’s acceptance into a family of sorts. A family outside of his and his baby sister’s little duo.

“I’ll think about what secrets I want to know,” he says with as steady of a voice as he can muster. “I’ll give you a call tonight.”

“Bye, Lao Wen~~” Jing Bei Yuan drawls before he hangs up with a laugh. The man is a menace. Wen Ke Xing likes him very much.

(^◇^)

The rest of the day is much better, mostly because he has to step into the actual assistant role which is distracting in itself. Despite Wen Ke Xing’s reassurance that his friends will bring everything they need to babysit for a few hours, Zhou Zi Shu sends Zhang Cheng Ling with long lists of everything that needs buying in preparation for babysitting duties. Any thoughts of them going to his friends’ house is out of the question and at one point, Wen Ke Xing realizes that Zhou Zi Shu intends to convert one of the upstairs guest rooms to a temporary nursery. He tries not to think about the fact that it will likely be converted into a nursery anyway if he’s successful—they are successful—with the match.

By the time they head home, he’s hyped up on adrenaline from being at the center of all things during filming and trying to anticipate every facial expression and movement to take the best care of Zhou Zi Shu as possible. Though, to be fair, being so in tune with his omega makes most things pretty easy and he has one leg up on Zhang Cheng Ling in that regard. However, the young assistant has ten legs up when it comes to understanding the world of idols, productions and everything that comes with that.

Arriving home, they are not only met with a dinner table filled with food, there is also a mountain of bags and boxes that needs organizing and putting together. After the three of them have eaten and Zhou Zi Shu heads off for his mandatory relaxation time in the spa, he and Zhang Cheng Ling buckle down and get to work.

For every box or bag that he opens, his heart rattles and he reminds himself that this is for little baby Jing Mei Qi and nothing and no one else. This is not for any future baby that they might have. This is not a representation of Zhou Zi Shu nesting because he’s pregnant.

Once he has that mantra on a loop, putting together this temporary babysitting nursery is fun. He likes Zhang Cheng Ling with his constant rambling, laughter and hilarious inability to put together the most basic furniture. He does get better throughout the evening, and most importantly—he’s great fun to be around, like all those little brothers that he had back at the orphanage.

They have finished the crib and are in the process of disagreeing on how to put together the changing table by the time Zhou Zi Shu shuffles into the room sporting Wen Ke Xing’s sweatpants and hoodie—because apparently that’s just what his omega does nowadays. Without asking. There is something possessive and healing about seeing his match like that.

“Wow, you guys are fast,” Zhou Zi Shu says with an approving nod.

Zhou Zi Shu walks over to rest his chin on Wen Ke Xing’s right shoulder, peeking down at what he is doing. “I just spoke with Bei Yuan,” he continues. “The best day is next Friday. We only have scheduled shooting in the morning, so they will drop her off before lunch. I’ll be home as soon as we finish for the day. You shouldn’t be alone for long, if at all.”

Wen Ke Xing turns his head slightly, their lips close for the first time since the kiss this morning—which feels like forever ago. “Sounds like a plan.”

He stares at those plush lips and wants to lick in between them but he’s aware that Zhang Cheng Ling is still here. He catches a smirk before Zhou Zi Shu closes the gap and gives him a soft kiss. Not sure how to react, since they haven’t kissed in front of anyone else before, he swallows down the intense desperation clawing up his throat.

When Zhou Zi Shu pulls back, he winks before straightening back up to walk back towards the door where an embarrassed Zhang Cheng Ling is hovering. “You’ve worked long enough today, Cheng Ling. Go home and get some rest. Good thing we get to sleep in tomorrow.”

“If you’re sure,” Zhang Cheng Ling says, eyes wide and a subtle blush creeping up his neck. “See you tomorrow Wen shu,” he mumbles and scurries out the door with a wide grin on his face.

Zhou Zi Shu shakes his head and laughs under his breath before turning to look back at him, a new kind of softness radiating towards him. “It’s a nice evening. Let’s go have some wine on the balcony.”

His stomach swoops at the location, because it’s time to talk. “Sure,” he responds and puts the Allen key on the half-finished table.

He follows Zhou Zi Shu down the hallway towards the balcony in the master bedroom. When they arrive, there is a tray with snacks and a bottle of whiskey. He raises an eyebrow when Zhou Zi Shu pours them each a lowball and takes a sip. “Da Wu told me that I can have one glass, and that you can have a few. We just have to live with an even more awful tasting tea for a week. But I think today calls for a nice bottle of aged whiskey.”

Holding back all those words that’ve been nesting in his chest since they woke up this morning—wanting to give Zhou Zi Shu time to express whatever it is that he wants to say—he accepts the glass and they both sit down. For a long moment, they sit in silence and watch the skyline in the distance whilst sipping on their amber liquid. The moon is shrouded behind clouds, but the outline is there, like a subtle, glowing proof of his declaration.

“Your birthday is in less than three months,” Zhou Zi Shu says, eyes fixed somewhere in the distance. “I want to throw you a birthday party.”

 “A birthday party?” he asks, fully hearing what the omega said yet not understanding where this conversation is going. That’s it? That’s what Zhou Zi Shu wants to talk about? His birthday? Wen Ke Xing knows when his birthday is. He’s been fully aware of this from the start, and then more aware for each passing month.

“I talked to A’Xiang earlier today, and she said that she usually plans something for just the two of you,” Zhou Zi Shu continues whilst glancing over at him.

“You talked to A’Xiang?” he asks. Since when do those two talk?

“I did,” Zhou Zi Shu says with a sly smile. “I wanted to see if she had anything planned, but I also wanted to know your favorite cake.”

“I don’t usually—” he starts.

“—have a birthday party,” Zhou Zi Shu finishes. “Nonetheless, I was hoping you would let me throw you one.”

Wen Ke Xing is confused and finishes off the whiskey. Why are they talking about a birthday party? Is Zhou Zi Shu sending him off with a bang? Kicking him out after a bottle of champagne?

“I wanted to make sure that A’Xiang was okay if we started a new tradition for your birthday, since it’s our first one together,” Zhou Zi Shu continues and refills his lowball.

Us.

Tradition.

First one together.

Words that mean exactly what he thinks they mean. An indirect confession, just like his own. And Zhou Zi Shu seems happy with that. With this. “She loves cake, and parties, so I’m sure she was okay with that,” he responds.

“And are you okay with that? With this?” Zhou Zi Shu asks, his voice is steady and his face is soft.

The question, whilst about a birthday party, is definitely not about a birthday party. It’s about them, about a future together, of being okay to be part of his life. It’s the first question to check if where they are heading is where they both want to go. This is who his omega is. Open and vulnerable—like he has been from the start.

Whilst he very much enjoys the hunt, the games, the illusion of power play, or roleplaying , when it comes to this, he wants things to be as clear as they can be in this moment between them. And the truth is—there is nothing ambiguous about what they are talking about. He tells his heart that it’s okay to be nervous about it, of wanting to stay in this fluttering initial stage of a relationship without having to discuss all the heavy stuff that will eventually follow considering who his match—boyfriend?—is. They have time for that. For now, they have decided to have a future. Together.

“I am,” he responds, reaching out to take Zhou Zi Shu’s hand. He smiles when Zhou ZI Shu interlinks them. “Just so you know, I have high expectations for my birthday present.”

Zhou Zi Shu laughs that wonderful, happy laugh, his eyes little moon-shaped slivers, and shakes his head, “I have already sorted out your gift. If you complain, you won’t get any cake.”

“More cake for A’Xiang,” he shoots back. However, he can’t help but feel nervous and wonder what his two omegas have got planned for him. He should call his sister tomorrow.

“I will be very upset if you try to bully A’Xiang into telling you what we are planning,” Zhou Zi Shu says with narrowed eyes, reading Wen Ke Xing like an open book. “She’s coming here next weekend before her second year starts. And she’s bringing her boyfriend so I have promised that we will be nice.”

He huffs but nods. Nice doesn’t necessarily mean that he will go easy on her boyfriend.

( ˘ ³˘)

On Friday, right before lunch, Jing Bei Yuan and Wu Xi arrive with a mountain of bags and with a bright-eyed baby girl snuggled safely inside the car seat capsule.

“Ke Xing! Is Zi Shu back yet?” Jing Bei Yuan exclaims louder than needed.

“Not yet, and I haven’t heard anything so they probably haven’t wrapped up for the day yet,” he responds.

Whilst this whole thing is arranged to allow Wu Xi to have some rest, Wen Ke Xing is pretty sure that it’s Jing Bei Yuan who is the one that needs to wind down. The usually chill and playful alpha is hyper alert and leaking pheromones all over the place.

“Xiao bao,” he says and snatches the carrier from Jing Bei Yuan as carefully as he can. “When is it time for her to eat?” he asks and looks between the two parents. They don’t look as stressed as newly hatched parents can do, but there is a slight frizzle at their edges. It suits them.

“She ate before we left, so she probably won’t get hungry for another two hours or so,” Wu Xi says. “Food is in this bag,” he continues and hands it to Wen Ke Xing, “Nappies, toys, clothes and everything else is in the bags hanging off Bei Yuan.”

“Is it true that Zi Shu made a nursery?” Jing Bei Yuan asks, stacking the bags in a pile on the floor.

“It sure is,” he responds and tries to hide a smile. “I put the crib and changing table together myself. I think he even got some baby clothes.”

“Is he nesting?” Jing Bei Yuan continues with a sly smile.

“Not that I’ve noticed,” he responds. He hasn’t sensed any different pheromones coming off his omega in the past weeks, but he’s not sure how fast he would be able to smell a pregnancy. The thought of detecting a different scent, something that would be a mix of Zhou Zi Shu and their child, makes his ears ring.

“Look at him, already picturing Zhou Zi Shu all round and waddling,” Jing Bei Yuan says and nudges Wu Xi in the side, recovering fast after having dumped his baby girl on Wen Ke Xing.

“We’ll be back around seven with dinner,” Wu Xi says with a knowing smile. “Call us if you need us.”

“Enjoy your afternoon,” he says and lifts the carrier to help the baby wave goodbye.

As soon as the door closes he looks down at Jing Mei Qi, who just stares back with a pouty face. It feels oddly domestic to look after an infant, but what is even odder is that he feels excited about it. He examines the bags of stuff and shakes his head. Just as he thought—there was really no need for Zhou Zi Shu to buy all those things earlier in the week.

Jing Mei Qi coos and he takes her out of the carrier, tucking her against his shoulder as they walk to the kitchen to pick up some tea. He spends an hour entertaining his little guest, playing, cooing, and trying his best to remember some lullabies from his youth. In the end, she falls asleep, drooling happily on his sweater and he sits down, putting his glasses on to read a book in the library.

(ᴗ˳ᴗ)

Chapter Text

Beating his assistant out of the car, Zhou Zi Shu hurries up the stairs towards the front door. He’s called Wen Ke Xing twice, and left a voice message on WeChat, but there is still no response from the man. What on earth can be going on?

Fully prepared to walk into baby chaos, he braces himself and opens the door. Silence. There is a heap of bags next to the shoe rack and a car seat next to it, but other than that, there is no evidence that there is a baby present in his home. Maybe Wen Ke Xing took her out for a walk and forgot his phone?

“Shifu, should I put the food in the kitchen?” Zhang Cheng Ling asks behind him, and he hums in response.

He toes off his sneakers and shuffles into his slippers, eyes scanning down the corridor whilst he strains his hearing. Nothing. Maybe they are actually out for a walk? “I’ll take a shower,” he says to Zhang Cheng Ling. “Just dump the food on the table and head home. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Sure thing, Shifu,” Zhang Cheng Ling responds with a smile, and heads towards the kitchen.

Feeling bummed that he’s missing out on quality time with Jing Mei Qi, Zhou Zi Shu walks the other way towards the stairs. Maybe the traitors will be back by the time he’s out of the shower and changed into fresh clothes.

As he walks past the library, he catches something out of the corner of his eye and turns to peek in through the opening. There, snuggled up in one of the large armchairs, is his alpha with the baby girl, both sound asleep. The baby is nestled safely in his arms and those hot reading glasses have slid down his nose slightly. It’s the most adorable thing he’s seen in his life and his heart tries to melt out of his chest.

As carefully and silently as possible, he sneaks up next to them and takes out his phone, snapping a few photos. He uploads them to the group chat he shares with his two best friends and puts the phone back into his pocket since he’s not expecting a reply anytime soon. Gently, he takes the book lying in Wen Ke Xing’s lap and puts it on the table before he walks out and up the stairs. If they are tired, he should let them rest, at least until he’s freshened up.

Less than fifteen minutes later, he’s walking back down. He’s newly showered and his hair hasn’t fully dried—but it’s dry enough. He’s in another one of Wen Ke Xing’s hoodies and even though he’s starving, he sneaks back into the library. They are still sleeping, and the wet spot of baby drool on Wen Ke Xing’s chest has expanded.

He’s fairly certain that they have been napping for almost an hour, based on the radio silence from his man. So he doesn’t feel too bad for climbing into Wen Ke Xing’s lap and snuggling up on the opposite side of Jing Mei Qi. Wen Ke Xing opens his eyes instantly, eyes a bit foggy and the pout on the man is so cute that Zhou Zi Shu can’t resist leaning in for a quick kiss.

“Rough day?” he asks.

“She fell asleep pretty much instantly,” Wen Ke Xing responds and looks down at the girl on his left arm. “Guess I fell asleep too.”

“Sleep all you want, Lao Wen. At least one of us is working hard to bring in the money and put food on the table,” he teases and watches the fire ignite behind Wen Ke Xing’s eyes. It’s the same fire that has been there ever since that moonlit evening on the balcony. It’s the same fire that is burning in his heart. It makes him excited, nervous and calm all at the same time.

“I can live with being Zhou Xu’s arm candy and sugar baby,” Wen Ke Xing says and winks.

Just as he’s about to say that technically, he has kind of already been that for the past months, there is a gurgle from below and Jing Mei Qi opens her eyes. “Hello, xiao bao,” he says instead, and turns back towards his alpha. “Have you eaten? I brought lunch.”

“Sounds like a good plan,” Wen Ke Xing responds and looks down at the snuggle bundle on his left arm. “It’s time for her to eat as well.”

Zhou Zi Shu wiggles his way out of Wen Ke Xing’s very comfortable lap and takes the baby from his arms, ready to learn how to be a master feeder and baby cuddler. How hard can it be?

>ᴗ<

“You look like shit,” is how he’s greeted by Jing Bei Yuan when he opens the door a few hours later to let his friends in.

“Oh no, was she being difficult?” Wu Xi says with wide eyes and takes off his shoes so fast one of them slides across the hallway until it hits the wall on the other end.

“He’s just cranky that she likes me better,” Wen Ke Xing—the traitor and baby thief—says from behind him.

“He’s cheating,” he defends, because his alpha is most definitely cheating. Or maybe not cheating per se, but he’s got like a gazillion years’ worth of experience on Zhou Zi Shu when it comes to being around kids, feedings and changing diapers, or getting that poop machine to stop crying. At least he could run laps around Wen Ke Xing when it came to singing lullabies—and Jing Mei Qi had seemed to love his songs. Though, his alpha was extremely adorable singing off tune. “Besides, I worked today. All they did was nap until I got home.”

He contemplates snatching Jing Mei Qi from the irritating baby whisperer, but unfortunately his hormones find it extremely attractive when his alpha is holding a baby. He has way too many photos and videos on his phone after the afternoon they have spent with the girl, eating, playing and going on a short walk.

“Good thing we brought your favorite fried chicken,” Jing Bei Yuan says. “The extra spicy one.”

“Did you two have a relaxing afternoon?” he asks, and grabs the bags of takeout food.

“We certainly did,” Jing Bei Yuan says with a purr so telling, Zhou Zi Shu is pretty sure there was no relaxing at all, or maybe afterwards. They were clearly working on baby number two.

“I’m glad she wasn’t too much trouble,” Wu Xi says, his eyes sparkling as Wen Ke Xing hands the baby back.

“Who says she wasn’t?” he says, mostly just to rile them up—because his little xiao bao could never be trouble for real—before he walks off towards the kitchen. He smirks as he listens to Wen Ke Xing answer all the questions from a flustered and worried Wu Xi.

Taking out the food containers from his favorite fried chicken place, he still can’t believe that he hasn’t taken Wen Ke Xing out to any dinners yet. Well, that changes as soon as the production ends in a few weeks.

( ˘▽˘)っ

The dinner is a chaotic, fun mess with jabs thrown left, right and center, mixed with squeals from a curious little girl who demands her fair share of attention to what is going on around her. Zhou Zi Shu can’t stop grinning from how happy he is being here with all of his favorite people, so when Wen Ke Xing leans close to give him the last piece of spicy chicken, he thanks his alpha by kissing him on the cheek.

“Well, well, well,” Jing Bei Yuan says with a knowing smirk and glances towards his husband.

“What?” he huffs and gets up from the table. Not because he’s flustered, but to get some more drinks from the fridge.

“Is there something you two would like to tell us?” Jing Be Yuan asks, wiggling his eyebrows. “Because I can’t remember any kissing happening in front of my eyes before. Not that I’m complaining, though it could definitely have been a bit spicier. Do I need to have a shovel talk with your Lao Wen~~”

He walks back to the table, puts the bottles at the center and leans down to kiss his alpha across those full lips, which part slightly in surprise. He then winks before licking along the open seam, turning back towards his best friend, “If I lick it, it’s mine.”

“Damn, if only I had known those were the rules. I could have gotten myself a hot nanny,” Wu Xi says, surprising everyone, including his husband, who barks out a laugh that startles Jing Mei Qi.

“Just to be clear, I licked him first,” Wen Ke Xing says with a smirk.

Wu Xi giggles and picks up the fussy baby, “I licked Bei Yuan first.”

“You did a lot of things first,” Jing Bei Yuan confirms with a very satisfied look on his face, before he focuses on Wen Ke Xing again. “Shovel talk it is.”

“Bring it on,” Wen Ke Xing says and winks towards the other alpha.

The rest of the dinner continues just as chaotic, and it’s everything that Zhou Zi Shu wants at this moment.

⸜(˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝

Later that night, when he is all snuggled up inside Wen Ke Xing’s arms, he decides to ask one of the questions that has been on his mind in the past weeks, especially since Wen Ke Xing told him that he loves him. “How do you feel about us going on a trip together?”

Wen Ke Xing bites gently on his shoulder and responds, “I think I can be persuaded. Where are we going?”

“Yunnan,” he says. He really wants to take Wen Ke Xing home to where he spent most of the summers during his childhood. “Just the two of us.”

“No A-team?” Wen Ke Xing asks. “Is that even possible?”

“It is where we are going,” he responds. “It’s so rural that no one will know who we are.”

“Rural, huh,” Wen Ke Xing says. “Is this when Zhou Zi Shu—crime fiction enthusiast—takes me to the dumping ground for his victims?”

He slaps Wen Ke Xing on his arm and shakes his head, “As if I would ever tell you where that is located.” There is a huff behind him and a gentle kiss pressed against his neck. “I thought it would be nice to spend some quality time together, away from everything and everyone. Decide how we want to do this.”

“So, you’re not going to lick me in front of your fans during a press conference then?” Wen Ke Xing asks. “Because I might like that.”

“I reserve that for friends and family,” he responds and feels himself blush. He’s never been that shameless in front of his friends before. His alpha is rubbing off on him.

“What if I lick you?” Wen Ke Xing asks, a muffled laugh buried in his neck.

Zhou Zi Shu shuffles around until he’s facing Wen Ke Xing. A part of him wants to challenge the alpha to see if he would actually do it, but he’s fairly certain that the man would call his bluff and truly lick him out in public. And he is pretty sure that he would die from embarrassment.

“I do want to tell the world about you,” he says, continuing, “Are you okay with that?”

“Yes,” Wen Ke Xing says without even missing a beat.

“You do know it comes with the threat of my fans digging up everything they can about you, your past, your family, everything,” he says, putting emphasis on everything. “They might even figure out that you’re Zhen Yan. They can be relentless.”

“I’ll talk to A’Xiang about it,” Wen Ke Xing says. “Wen Ke Xing doesn’t really have a past since I have changed my name. But even if they do make the connection, it’s okay. It will likely happen at some point anyway.”

“Are you sure?” he asks. He’s fine with whatever might come his way. He’s used to it. He’s been living in this world for a long time. But more importantly, he had already prepared for a storm when he decided to join OPP. If Zhou Zi Shu ends up pregnant, it will set off a chain of events either way, and everyone who has been in his vicinity will be scrutinized as the potential father of his child.

“Oh, I’m going to be absolutely shameless about being your arm candy,” Wen Ke Xing says with a wink. Zhou Zi Shu is fairly certain that he means that. He is quite frankly looking forward to having a partner with Wen Ke Xing’s personality. Strong, unpredictable, shameless, smart, and funny. He’s even determined to enjoy that possessiveness, of feeling like he belongs to and with someone. Maybe, now that he thinks about it, he would like to be licked in public.

“Then I’ll get Cheng Ling to arrange our trip,” he says, circling back to his original question. “When do you need to be back in Nanjing?”

“Not until second week of November,” Wen Ke Xing says and leans in for a kiss. “If you’re really nice to me, I might bring you along this time as well.”

Oh, Zhou Zi Shu can be really nice when he wants to. And he wants to.

(˘ ˘ ˘)

After what feels like a wonderfully short week—the production finally slowing down towards the end with shorter days and fewer scenes—Zhou Zi Shu arrives home feeling excited rather than tired. The house smells a bit spicier than normal and it makes his skin tingle. It’s similar to what it smells like when new photos have been posted of him and Xie Wang, but it’s not quite there.

“Hello?” he calls out from the hallway but gets no response, though he can hear sounds coming from the kitchen.

He finds Wen Ke Xing by the stove, grumbling over a stir-fry that smells absolutely incredible. “Lao Wen,” he says and circles his arms around that tiny waist, pushing up on his toes to rest his head on the alpha’s right shoulder. “Everything okay?”

“Did you know that this guy is f-i-v-e years older than A’Xiang?” he says, voice sour but he leans his head to rest against Zhou Zi Shu’s so he can’t be that irritated.

“Well, I kind of figured there would be an age gap considering he’s doing his PhD studies and she’s starting her second year,” he says, trying hard not to smile. Wen Ke Xing is adorable when he’s grumpy, or jealous, or anything that involves that puppy pout really. He’s almost looking forward to a fight so that he can see—and smell—some proper testosterone reek from the alpha. But only almost. Then again—make-up sex.

“I thought he was doing his master’s degree. Twenty-five! He’s almost my age. Do you know what alphas are like at that age? She’s only twenty,” Wen Ke Xing rambles on.

“No, I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me what you were like three years ago,” he says and raises an unimpressed eyebrow. It’s very satisfactory to watch Wen Ke Xing’s eyes widen, the panic evident.

Zhou Zi Shu does not want to hear about what his alpha was like a few years ago. He doesn’t even want to think about it. To be fair, he knows what he himself was like at that age. He very much enjoyed his early to mid-twenties. And his late teens. But he’s fairly certain that Wen Ke Xing has already read all about both his official and his rumored dating activities.

“Beta,” he says and leans in to kiss Wen Ke Xing on the cheek.

“What?” Wen Ke Xing says, confused.

“Cao Wei Ning is a beta,” he explains. Technically, that doesn’t mean anything. He’s dated betas who could be even hornier than alphas.

“Oh,” Wen Ke Xing says, that addictive whiskey scent softening around the edges. “I just assumed…”

“Assumption is the mother of all fuck-ups,” he says, and blows a puff of air against Wen Ke Xing’s face. He’s rewarded with an adorable look of betrayal, a cute pout and a furrowed brow. “I’m gonna go shower and change,” he continues and kisses his man at that spot right under his ear that makes the alpha release a bit of pheromones. He takes a deep breath and bites over the gland before he walks off and up the stairs.

(˘ ˘ ˘)

Cao Wei Ning is a timid, good-looking man. It’s a first, meeting someone that seems less conscious of, or intimidated by, his fame, instead more focused on Wen Ke Xing. The man seems to physically shrink every time Wen Ke Xing so much as glances in his direction. And since his alpha notices that as well, he stares a lot at the poor young man.

“Ge—” Gu Xiang warns with narrowed eyes, and Cao Wei Ning and Zhou Zi Shu watch in fascination how the two siblings have a silent conversation by just narrowing their eyes or moving their eyebrows.

“Do you want me to show Zi Shu-ge my album of screenshots?” she finally threatens. Zhou Zi Shu very much wants to see what screenshots she’s got that she thinks are leverage in this type of situation.

Wen Ke Xing huffs, raises his left eyebrow and then leans over to kiss him. “I’ve already confessed so you can show him anything you want.”

Gu Xiang gasps, her eyes almost falling out of their sockets. Her poor date is blushing, not sure where to look. Not exactly how he had planned to share the news but then again, that is pretty much the vanilla version of how they had told his friends, so it tracks.

“For real?” Gu Xiang says, eyes sparkling and her smile wide. “You’re officially dating Zhou Xu?! Not just trying to get him pregnant?”

“Get him pregnant?” Cao Wei Ning repeats, eyes wide and flickering between all of them. He hadn’t really thought about what Gu Xiang had told her boyfriend before coming over. Maybe he should have asked. Not that it mattered since they are dating.

“Oh, I’m still very much trying to get him pregnant,” Wen Ke Xing throws back, and now Zhou Zi Shu is blushing as well. He must make some form of hissing sound because Wen Ke Xing’s eyes snap to his and he looks apologetic. As he should. That is not an appropriate dinner conversation with his little sister and her boyfriend.

“Ew,” Gu Xiang says and wrinkles her nose. “Are you moving in here? Does that mean I can move back to the apartment?”

“You’re leaving campus?” Cao Wei Ning says with a small voice, looking like a kicked puppy who is about to be left behind.

“Oh, don’t even think about moving in with him,” Wen Ke Xing says, focusing back on his sister.

“For your information, he has his own apartment next to campus,” Gu Xiang responds. “I already stay there a lot.”

Wen Ke Xing clenches his jaw, and Zhou Zi Shu reaches out to snatch Wen Ke Xing’s chopsticks before he snaps them in half.

“A’Xiang,” Cao Wei Ning says, voice cracking and his face beet red. Instantly, the girl’s whole demeanor softens, and she looks apologetic. Even though they are not blood related, she is so much like her older brother. Prickly temper, shameless comebacks but soft to the core, where it matters the most.

“I’m sorry,” she says and bites her bottom lip, reaching out to take her boyfriend’s hand.

Wen Ke Xing leans back in the chair and looks between the young couple. There is no denying that the beta is very smitten with Gu Xiang, going by the way his eyes soften every time he looks at her, or by his goofy smile every time she looks at him. And it’s clear that the young omega likes her boyfriend very much. Just by saying her name, the man had deflated the rising emotions between the siblings. They are very cute. The picture of young, first love.

Finally, Wen Ke Xing nods, as if reaching some internal conclusion or stamp of approval, and takes back his chopsticks, putting some food in Cao Wei Ning’s bowl. “You’ll need your strength to be able to handle her.”

Gu Xiang narrows her eyes, but before she can protest, Cao Wei Ning picks up the food and nods, that goofy grin back on his face, “Isn’t she wonderfully energetic?”

Wen Ke Xing sighs, but Zhou Zi Shu can see that he feels the same way. His big bad alpha is a big softy.

“So, are you moving in here?” Gu Xiang asks, this time without teasing. “Are you going public?”

“Are you worried people at school will find out you’re my sister?” Wen Ke Xing asks.

“You idiot, people already know that. They clocked you the moment you came to campus after you trended on Weibo,” Gu Xiang says with a roll of her eyes. “I get questions all the time if I know Zhou Xu.”

“You do? You never told me that,” Wen Ke Xing says.

“Haven’t you noticed people staring at you when we have lunch? You’re not that hot da-ge,” Gu Xiang says with another eyeroll. “Besides, I don’t mind. Just let me know before you go public so I can prepare myself.”

“We haven’t decided anything yet,” Zhou Zi Shu interjects. Whilst he doesn’t want to keep this a secret, nor does he think they will be able to once they start moving around a bit more together, he doesn’t want Gu Xiang to face scrutiny. Besides, they really haven’t decided on any of it yet. And he never expected Wen Ke Xing to just move in. In fact, he wouldn’t mind if they got a place that was theirs.

“You should really lock him down as soon as possible da-ge,” Gu Xiang says with a sly smile. “Or he might find out about all your bad habits and change his mind.”

Wen Ke Xing scoffs and says, “That goes both ways,” nodding towards Cao Wei Ning.

“So,” Zhou Zi Shu says, catching Gu Xiang’s attention. “What about this folder of yours?”

Gu Xiang smiles brightly and picks up her phone, scooting her chair closer until they are shoulder to shoulder. What follows is a fascinating monologue from the younger sister who has apparently been collecting evidence of her brother’s emotional journey. From the photos in his backyard, to the photos from Nanjing. Even the latest ones from set last week are there.

It's everything that Wen Ke Xing has gone through in the past six months, how he has molded himself to fit Zhou Zi Shu’s busy and somewhat crazy life. And through them all, his heart whispers that Wen Ke Xing had done it for him.

Wen Ke Xing ignores them and just continues to eat, subtly grilling Cao Wei Ning on his background, studies, and future aspirations. It’s by far a quieter dinner than the one they spent with his friends, but it feels just the same. He wouldn’t want it any other way.

⸜(˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝

“Zi Shu?” Han Ying greets, a surprised expression on his face as Zhou Zi Shu walks into his office.

“Ying-er,” he says, sitting down in the chair opposite his manager.

“This is a surprise,” Han Ying continues, looking accusingly at Zhang Cheng Ling. His manager tends to forget that his assistant works for his studio, not Jin Entertainment.

“I wanted to talk to you before I head home,” he says and leans back in the chair.

“Okay,” Han Ying responds, clasping his hands and leaning forward on his elbows. It’s his usual power-pose, the one that he uses when he’s bracing himself internally for bad news but doesn’t want to come across as weak in a negotiation. As if that would ever work on Zhou Zi Shu.

“I’m dating Wen Ke Xing,” he says. Better to be direct and clear to avoid any confusion.

“I know,” Han Ying says, as if this isn’t breaking news.

“You do?” he says and turns towards Zhang Cheng Ling who shakes his head with wide eyes.

“Wait—haven’t you been dating for a long time already?” Han Ying says and tilts his head in genuine confusion.

“No?” he responds. Have they? Not as far as he knows.

“Then why did you go to Nanjing with him?” Han Ying says and furrows his eyebrows.

“Well…” he starts. He wanted to see the movie set? He wanted to be part of Wen Ke Xing’s life a bit?

Oh.

Oh.

“Well, we are officially dating now,” he says. Has everyone really just assumed they were dating all this time and never told anyone? Did everyone see that they had feelings except them? “I am planning on going public with this.”

“I expected as much,” Han Ying says and pulls out a folder. “Here are some statements that we’ve already drafted.”

He feels like laughing, but he doesn’t want to give anything away to his manager. He doesn’t want the irritating man to know that he is more perceptive than others. “I already have a plan,” he continues instead. Because he does have a plan, one that he hasn’t told Wen Ke Xing yet.

“Of course you do,” Han Ying says and puts the folder down on the desk. “Do I need to bring legal into this conversation?”

“No,” he says. “But I’ll need access to another one of the departments.”

“Which one,” Han Ying asks.

“Graphic design,” he says and smiles. His alpha will not know what hit him.

¬‿¬

Chapter Text

Whilst the wrap-up party for Window of Heaven has all the same components as the one for Hanging Ghost, it feels nothing like it. Maybe it’s the fact that it’s taken almost twice as long to film and everyone has gotten much closer during filming. Or maybe it’s just the S-tier budget that allows the production to throw the stars—and everyone else who has worked hard for months—a massive banquet and party. Or maybe it’s the fact that he’s with a special someone this time around.

Where Hanging Ghost went mostly under the radar due to relatively unknown or debuting actors—the majority of fans there to celebrate the live action drama of his novel—this last day of filming has drawn vast crowds on the streets of Shanghai. In addition to the sea of congratulatory flower bouquets, he’s seen banners for Zhou Xu, banners for Xie Wang, and banners for XieZhou.

Wen Ke Xing watches Zhou Zi Shu at the center of a temporary stage with his arms full of sunflowers, and tries not to think about those CP banners he can spot from out of the corner of his eyes. A bigger part than he would like is worried that his superstar boyfriend will get backlash for not providing fan service—even though this story is neither BL nor bromance coded. In fact, he’s pretty sure that Zhou Zi Shu’s character ends up killing Xie Wang’s.

“Last day of pretending to be an assistant?” a deep voice says beside him, and he finds himself shoulder to shoulder with the director, Ye Bai Yi. They haven’t spoken at all before, but Zhou Zi Shu has indicated that the man is aware of their relationship, or at least that there is a situationship between them.

“I’m not sure, I kind of like being an assistant,” he responds. It’s not like he can stop pretending just because the filming is over. If he’s going to be around Zhou Zi Shu, they would need to keep up appearances until they go public. And he’s not sure how long that will take, and if it’s going to be a soft launch or a hard launch. Though, it’s probably going to be sooner rather than later based on how Zhou Zi Shu has been acting in the past few weeks.

“Just make sure that you show up at the premiere on his arm instead of a few steps behind, carrying his water bottle,” Ye Bai Yi says, humor evident in his voice. When he only raises his eyebrow in query, the director continues with a smirk, “A real ship is always better than a ghost ship to drive up the buzz around the movie. Besides, wouldn’t it be fitting for you to sink a ghost ship?”

He takes his eyes off his omega and looks at Ye Bai Yi, who meets him with a steady but challenging gaze. He’s surprised. He thought that he had been very discrete with his writing or that he had flown under the radar in general. Clearly this man sees through everything on set. “Is there anything that you don’t know?”

Seeing as Wen Ke Xing isn’t denying being the Ghost Valley writer, Ye Bai Yi nods and turns his gaze back towards the stage as well. “I’m not one to pry... that much.” Wen Ke Xing huffs in response. Considering nothing has leaked, not even a guess as to his other profession, and that nothing has leaked about him and Zhou Zi Shu, the man can obviously be trusted.  

“I owe my headliner a calorie-rich and expensive dinner,” Ye Bai Yi says after a moment of silence. “You should join if you have time.”

“Filling in any gaps in your knowledge database?” he asks, tilting his head. Ye Bai Yi just laughs and nods before he walks off and up onto the stage to smile and answer questions alongside his actors.

O.o

Wen Ke Xing stays quiet for the majority of the banquet and speeches, trying to blend into the background but not fully able to. On more than one occasion, a production staff swings past where he is standing to ask for his WeChat—clearly with the intent of a hookup or something deeper. It throws him off at first, partly because he wasn’t aware that people had even noticed him after the dating rumors had been quashed that first week, but also because he’s apparently unused to attention, having not been in the dating scene for months—not that he ever truly dated. He used to live off this, feed off this, thrive in these situations. Hell, normally he’s the one out on the prow looking for his next bedmate. The fact that he hasn’t had a single thought about any of this ever since the matching at the Omega Center all those months ago makes him shake his head. How on earth hadn’t he realized his feelings sooner? He prides himself on being insightful and intelligent, yet all of that had gone out the window the moment he spotted that beautiful creature sitting on that couch wearing a floral blouse, a dazzling smile, and a feisty attitude.

He declines all of them. Of course he does. Most of the attempts he cuts off before they even get to a rejection, making it clear that he’s neither interested nor on the market. At one point he hears giggling and spots a blushing Zhang Cheng Ling covering his mouth to hide his amusement. How old is the kid anyway? All he knows is that he started out as an intern but quickly became Zhou Zi Shu’s personal assistant. He’s adorably naïve and inexperienced. He will need to make sure to supervise when the young omega becomes interested in dating. Especially since he heard Zhou Zi Shu talk about getting Zhang Cheng Ling into acting. He’s not going to end up as someone’s snack. Not on his watch.

“What’s so funny?” Zhou Zi Shu asks, materializing out of nowhere in front of him, leaning in closer than he should be doing in public.

“How old is A’Ling?” he asks, automatically.

“Why?” Zhou Zi Shu asks and looks towards his assistant, who is now beet red when faced with both of their scrutiny. “He just turned eighteen,” Zhou Zi Shu responds, casually.

“He didn’t go to high school?” he asks, a furrow between his brows. Education is important.

“Are you insane? He got his diploma last year. He had private tutoring,” Zhou Zi Shu says with a shake of his head. “I still have hopes of him applying to university.”

“Mn,” he hums in response. Maybe he should nudge the assistant towards the same university that Gu Xiang is attending. She would look after him.

He turns to look at his omega. Zhou Zi Shu looks tired but his eyes are still sparkling and his mouth is curled upward. He’s so beautiful like this. No filter, no designer styling, no idol persona, just pure happiness.

“The speeches are over, we are free to go,” Zhou Zi Shu says and wiggles his eyebrows, leaning in closer to hang on his shoulder. If Wen Ke Xing didn’t know that the omega was in OPP, he would have thought the man was drunk.

 “Are you sure? Don’t you want to stay a bit longer?” he asks. He’s sure that the celebrations will go on for at least a few more hours. At least his other one had.

“Nah, I’ve talked to everyone, hugged more people than I can count, and I can’t eat a single bite more. I’m tired, and I want to sleep for a week,” Zhou Zi Shu says and waves his real assistant over. “Can you pack everything up, so that we can head out?”

“Sure thing, Shifu,” Zhang Cheng Ling says and zooms off to collect all the bags and flowers.

Wen Ke Xing makes a move to follow but Zhou Zi Shu grabs his wrist. When he turns back, the omega is looking up at him with an amused smile on his face, “Don’t think I didn’t notice all those people flirting with you.”

He wants to pull his man close and bite him over his scent gland, harshly, but instead he tilts his head and winks, “Better get used to it since you chose this hot alpha yourself.”

Zhou Zi Shu huffs and shakes his head before letting him go. Wen Ke Xing continues towards the assistant to help carry some things. He is an assistant after all.

>ᴗ<

Despite what the omega had said at the wrap-up party, he doesn’t go into hibernation. At least not the sleeping kind. Wen Ke Xing wakes up alone in the bed the following morning, and every morning after that. Zhou Zi Shu spends way more time in his recording studio than Wen Ke Xing sits in front of his laptop when he’s writing a novel. It’s fascinating to watch the man’s creative journey and for the most part he stays out of the way.

However, after three days of leaving food on the small table outside the studio—food that goes mostly untouched—he puts his foot down about the lack of routine meals and sleep. Zhou Zi Shu reluctantly agrees, but only after Wen Ke Xing has wrestled him down onto the floor in the live room and swallowed his cock down his throat. Denying a horny omega release makes for excellent leverage, and he ends up negotiating three full meals and one snack per day. No amount of choking, fingers—or tongue—in that wet hole, hollowing out his cheeks, or puppy eyes gets Zhou Zi Shu to agree to a minimum number of sleep hours.

Instead of spending his days in bed, like Wen Ke Xing had thought now that the omega is freed from his schedule, he ends up spending the National day with Gu Xiang and Cao Wei Ning having dinner at a restaurant close to the university. He also spends the first days of the Golden Week[i] alone reading in the library. Which is what he used to do anyway, but this time he feels lonely.

He looks up the destination in Yunnan on Gaode Map[ii] and it’s not until he uses the satellite view that he locates a blurry image of what might be a homestead on top of a mountain. It’s really rural with the nearest small town being over an hour away by car. And no neighbors. Who on earth used to live there? At least they will have the privacy that Zhou Zi Shu had talked about and seems to crave.

O.O

After over a week in the studio, the day before they are set to travel, Zhou Zi Shu emerges and declares that he’s done. He’s got a surprisingly attractive stubble, but Wen Ke Xing is pretty sure that he’s lost a bit of weight, even with the meals that he’s been forced to eat.

“I thought I was going to have to bind and gag you to get you into the car tomorrow morning,” he says and glares at his boyfriend, before he picks him up and carries him straight to the shower, and then onward towards the spa pool.

Zhou Zi Shu sighs happily as he slips into the hot water, turning on the jets. “I almost forgot how good this feels.”

Wen Ke Xing wants to ask if he’s forgotten how good he feels, but ignores it and instead goes to grab a bottle of sparkling water.

“Thanks for sorting things out with Cheng Ling,” Zhou Zi Shu says when he returns, looking a tiny bit guilty. At least his boyfriend has a smidge of conscience.

“He did everything, all I did was provide my ID and confirm flight times,” he responds and removes his robe, slipping into the water opposite the omega.

“Still… Thanks,” Zhou Zi Shu says and leans forward to take his hand. “I just needed to get this done so that I can relax for the rest of the year.”

“Year?” he asks, a bit stunned. He didn’t know that Zhou Zi Shu was actually taking the rest of the year off. He thought it was just a few weeks.

“Yeah,” Zhou Zi Shu says and smiles, leaning back and closing his eyes. “Album is done so now I just have to wait for the studio to do its thing and wait for the release of the first single. I’ll probably need to do a few appearances when it’s released, but no shows until New Year, and then a tour next year.”

“That was fast,” he says. How on earth someone can pump out a full album in a little over two weeks seems insane to him. He’s almost jealous. Imagine writing a novel in just two weeks? The lack of sleep would be worth it. But he will never tell Zhou Zi Shu that.

“I had inspiration,” Zhou Zi Shu says and cracks an eye open.

“Happy to help,” he says and flutters his eyelashes.

The soft laugh that follows stirs his cock, and whilst he would like nothing more than to devour his man, Zhou Zi Shu needs sleep. They have a full month planned in Yunnan, and they can be as loud as they want there. Zhou Zi Shu better get all the rest he can because as soon as they touch down at the estate, Wen Ke Xing is not planning on leaving the bedroom—other than for food—for at least forty-eight hours. Maybe longer.

“What time is the pick-up tomorrow morning?” Zhou Zi Shu asks, eyes closed again.

“Ten,” he responds and watches as the omega’s head starts drooping backwards.

“Okay,” Zhou Zi Shu mumbles, and within moments he’s out. Wen Ke Xing watches him sleep for another twenty minutes, and then he lifts him out of the pool, wraps him in a robe and towel, before carrying him up to the bed.

Zhou Zi Shu ends up sleeping until Wen Ke Xing wakes him up the following morning, just an hour before Zhang Cheng Ling is set to pick them up.

(ᴗ˳ᴗ)

Wen Ke Xing looks out the panoramic windows of the chartered helicopter and squints behind his sunglasses. It’s early evening and the sun is hanging low in the sky making the forest-covered mountains sparkle a deep emerald-green, and the vast orchards at the valley floor glow a beautiful golden orange.

“Isn’t it heavenly?” Zhou Zi Shu says into the microphone, sighing happily as he leans over Wen Ke Xing to look at their destination that has just come into view on his side. What he thought was a homestead is a massive manor that looks like something out of a xianxia[iii] drama, perched high on the mountain slope, a waterfall a bit further to the right.

“Definitely high enough on the peak to count as heaven,” he responds, and enjoys the hit he takes square in the chest from Zhou Zi Shu’s palm.

“Were you always this sassy?” Zhou Zi Shu asks, leaning in, his mouth now dangerously close. All Wen Ke Xing would have to do is push the microphone away and lick in between those glossy lips.

“Yes,” he responds, and gives in to his intrusive thoughts as the helicopter starts to descend towards a clearing outside the estate.

Moments later, the helicopter touches down with a subtle jolt. The pilot starts flipping through various switches, speaking with practiced ease, “Please stay seated until I’ve walked around to open the door for you.”

Zhou Zi Shu pulls back with a satisfied smile on his glistening lips and unbuckles, right leg already vibrating with anticipation to get out. It’s the most excited Wen Ke Xing has ever seen him, and that includes the time in Nanjing when Zhou Zi Shu was buzzing the entire day they spent with the Reaper production. He’s usually a very laidback person when he’s not in his Zhou Xu persona. Wen Ke Xing finds this new side of him very endearing, almost childlike. This must be his happy place. Like coming home to his childhood home of sorts.

“All clear for you to get out,” the pilot says as he opens the door and walks back around to take out their luggage.

“Thanks,” Zhou Zi Shu says and all but beams himself onto the gravel, turning around with his arms out, eyes closed and taking a deep breath. “Nature. No people. No smog. No construction dust. Just forest and mountain air.”

“I never realized you were part hermit,” he says and jumps out of the helicopter.

“I’m all hermit, Lao Wen,” Zhou Zi Shu says, turning around to look at the view of the valley below. “But for you, I’m making an exception.”

“I’m honored,” he says and walks up behind the omega, circling his arms around that narrow waist to pull him flush.

“You should be,” Zhou Zi Shu says and leans his head back against his shoulder. “I’ve never brought anyone here, except for Bei Yuan and his husband.”

“You should come here more often,” he says and kisses the side of Zhou Zi Shu’s head.

“We,” Zhou Zi Shu corrects him and it makes his heart quiver.

Yes—we.

“I’m all set,” the pilot interrupts, and he turns with Zhou Zi Shu in his arms. The luggage is stacked over by the entrance and the pilot looks eager to leave.

“Thanks,” Zhou Zi Shu says with a nod. “We’ll see you next month.” The pilot nods in confirmation and jumps up into the cockpit, the main rotor blade instantly starting to spin.

They stand in the same spot, his arms secure around his omega, and watch the helicopter fly out over the valley and disappear in the far distance. What is left is silence. It’s like nothing he’s ever experienced before. He’s not sure he’s ever been off the grid like this. Ever. He finds that he doesn’t mind it, not since he’s here with Zhou Zi Shu. He’s not sure what it would be like if he was all alone—like his boyfriend seemed to have been throughout the years—but maybe he should try to write his next novel here.

“Are you ready to see the house?” Zhou Zi Shu says and tilts his head to look up at him.

“Lead the way,” he responds, and lets the omega take his hand, leading him back towards the estate.

Now that he’s really looking at it, the ‘house’ is a massive property. The manor is old, undoubtedly heritage, but there are signs of modernization over the years. Such as structural strengthening, repairs, and various original walls that have been replaced with floor to ceiling glazing. The outer courtyard is still gravel but one of the old reception halls or storage sheds must have been converted into a garage since there are modern looking remote-controlled roller doors to his left.

“Hang on,” he says and pulls his hand free, picking up the bags before they continue on their path towards the main building.

He follows Zhou Zi Shu along various covered walkways, past multiple wings, until they arrive at a massive inner courtyard with ghostly stone statues, and a few blossoming osmanthus trees. The main residence is a large two-story building with a wrap-around deck on the upper floor that looks partially original and partially modern. It’s impressive to say the least, and he grew up in a massive estate outside Chengdu.

“Welcome home,” Zhou Zi Shu says with the softest smile Wen Ke Xing has seen in a while, and unlocks the door with his fingerprint. “Remind me to add you to the lock.”

Home. The word skips down his spine to flip flop around in his belly. Breathing around the feeling in his chest, he nods and steps in through the door, putting the bags down on the floor.

“Hungry?” Zhou Zi Shu asks, turning towards him with big, bright eyes.

He’s not really hungry, but his man needs to eat, “Yes.”

“There should be food in the fridge that we can just heat up,” Zhou Zi Shu says and zooms down the hall towards what Wen Ke Xing assumes is the kitchen.

He takes his time following, too busy taking in the décor and the cultural experience of walking in a house this old, and he may or may not have found a shelf filled with books that he needed to investigate. But it’s easy to find his way because he can smell his omega.

“Stop hovering over those books. Come on,” Zhou Zi Shu yells from down the hall. “One of the large wings we walked past earlier is a library. I’ll take you there after dinner.” How on earth the man knew that he was hovering by the shelf is beyond him, but his man needs food so he heads towards the voice.

When he walks into the modern kitchen, Zhou Zi Shu has multiple food containers open on the bench, and his head inside a cupboard grumbling about lack of snacks. He walks over and looks at the noodle dishes, deciding that they will taste the best if they are properly re-fried in a wok instead of a microwave. So, while Zhou Zi Shu is typing on his phone—hopefully a shopping list and not a reprimanding text to his assistant that is enjoying a well-deserved holiday—Wen Ke Xing finds a large wok and a bottle of oil.

“Where were you when I was here, eating microwaved food for weeks,” Zhou Zi Shu asks and sniffs over the pan.

“Cooking food for my sister,” he responds. It’s way better than saying that he was probably also cooking his way into other men’s pants. He does not want to sleep outside, thank you very much. Though, judging by the expression on his omega’s face, Zhou Zi Shu can read him like an open book, so he leans down to place a wet kiss on that skeptical and unimpressed mouth.

“Two bowls please,” he says, tossing the noodles in the wok back and forth. Zhou Zi Shu just raises an eyebrow but does as he’s asked.

>ᴗ<

Later that evening, after Zhou Zi Shu has eaten more than he’s ever seen, after he’s spent an hour of recon in the library, he finds himself pushed down into a lounge chair on the upper deck. Zhou Zi Shu snuggles down in his lap and together they watch the sunset turn the valley below into a sea of golden pink and purple.

“Thank you for bringing me here,” he says and kisses Zhou Zi Shu’s neck.

“Don’t think I’m a serial killer anymore?” Zhou Zi Shu jokes but tilts his head to give Wen Ke Xing better access.

He drags his teeth along the column of the neck, stopping to nibble on the scent gland, breathing in deeply. “I figured you just push them off a cliff somewhere. Maybe the bottom of the waterfall is filled with skeletons.”

“It’s good fertilization for the orchards,” Zhou Zi Shu answers, a bit breathlessly.

“Sometimes I forget how much you love crime fiction,” he says, smiling as he kisses the spot below Zhou Zi Shu’s ear and leans back in the chair, pulling his omega closer.

Looking out over the valley, only a tiny crescent of silver is left in the dark sky, but thanks to the almost invisible moon the stars shine all the brighter, especially away from all the light pollution. It’s breathtaking just the same.

“A’Xu,” he starts and Zhou Zi Shu leans his head back against his shoulder to look up at him. Those dark eyes are like the night, inviting, mysterious, and sparkling. “A’Xu,” he tries again.

“I love you too,” Zhou Zi Shu says and smirks up at him. “With that tiny excuse of a moon, I can’t really say that it’s beautiful—and get away with it.”

Even though he knew, hearing the actual words rearranges the cells in his heart, as if they now pump to a new rhythm, a pace that is only for the two of them. He leans closer, whispering with a voice more emotional that he knew it could sound, “A’Xu. You have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love you.” He leans in to kiss his omega and for each soft press of his lips, he continues to whisper, “I love you. I love you. I love you.”

( ˘ ³˘)♥

Chapter Text

Zhou Zi Shu wakes up in the early morning hours feeling hot and clammy. Wen Ke Xing is plastered to his back and it feels like the alpha’s skin is on fire. His first thought is that Wen Ke Xing must be sick, but then his brain catches up and he smells it.

Rut.

The whiskey and citrus scent is stronger than he’s ever experienced, or maybe it’s because he’s fully aware this time and not in a state of foggy heat. It’s like he’s bathing in a barrel of exquisite, aged whiskey—the smoky liquid soaking into every pore of his skin, seeping through every tiny crack to saturate his blood and fuse with his hormones.

He turns his head to his right and sees that Wen Ke Xing’s eyes are closed but moving fast behind the eyelids. Whatever the man is dreaming, it looks intense, his breathing strained but matching the slow thrusting in between Zhou Zi Shu’s slick-soaked thighs.

He times the next thrust and arches, catching the tip of the cock in his wet entrance and feels it slide in. Wen Ke Xing lets out a strangled moan against his neck. As soon as the alpha bottoms out, something shifts in the body wrapped around him, a sudden tensing and release, like a ripple through his cells. The arm resting around his hip snakes up his body until the hand is wrapped around his throat and he’s pulled hard against the man behind him.

“Mine,” Wen Ke Xing breathes into his ear, the voice distant like an echo of thoughts, as if he’s talking in his sleep. And then Wen Ke Xing starts thrusting with purpose.

It’s hard and fast, just like last time, the cock dragging gloriously against his prostate as he struggles to breathe. The only difference is that Wen Ke Xing is quiet, bar the intense, dragged out moans against his neck. It’s strange in a good way, like it’s forbidden, like he’s seeing a new side of his man, one that is pure alpha with no consideration for him or his needs.

The knot pulses and swells faster than ever before, and within moments, the alpha shifts his hand to the side and bites over his scent gland with a dangerous growl that rumbles so deeply, he swears he can feel the bed vibrate beneath them.

The alpha comes for a long time, holding him in a vice grip inside his arms, and doesn’t release his teeth until the first sign of the knot starting to deflate. It stings. He’s sure that he’s bleeding since he can feel the sticky liquid trickling down his clavicle. This was a mating bite.

His head starts spinning with the thought of it, that Wen Ke Xing had tried to mate him in his rut induced dreams. He realizes that he needs to speed up the conversation he had planned for them to have during the month here in Yunnan. Such as checking if Wen Ke Xing would be onboard with switching out the tea to one that doesn’t counteract a mating bite.

Before that thought has even settled in his mind, the smell of slick and cum leaking out of his hole fills the air and Wen Ke Xing growls again, desperately, threateningly, and pushes a few fingers in alongside his cock to plug the leak. The movement leaves Zhou Zi Shu stunned, and extremely horny. Everything about his alpha in rut is absolutely indecent.  

He wonders if this is how Wen Ke Xing feels being with him during his heats, and he’s envious. Front row seats to someone lost to their desires, ready for the taking, of wanting everything over, and over, and over again. He’s already looking forward to daylight when he can see every expression on his alpha that is currently hiding in the shadows, wondering if it will be like in Nanjing.

He clenches from how horny he is, his cock weeping from neglect, and Wen Ke Xing’s still rock-hard cock twitches inside him. The alpha moans and licks up the column of his neck, mumbling into his right ear, “I’m gonna fuck you until it takes.”

He turns to his right to look up and finds Wen Ke Xing’s eyes open. And in the golden morning light, he can see that the eyes are glazed over, not fully focused yet somehow piercing at the same time. The alpha in rut is watching him like he’s a snack to be eaten in big, delicious bites.

He automatically clenches again, the omega in him begging for attention, and Wen Ke Xing smirks, whispering, “Always so desperate for me.”

Large fingers circle around his cock, and he comes instantly. The orgasm rolls through him in intense bursts and somewhere in the distance, he hears a laughter that is more like a satisfied growl.

He registers a shift behind him and a knee is nudged in between his thighs and he’s pushed forward, partially onto his stomach. Wen Ke Xing grabs his right leg, lifting it until he’s fully spread open, his ankle resting on the alpha’s shoulder. His cock is still dribbling the last of his orgasm onto the sheet when he feels the alpha cock slam into him again.

All the thoughts about staying focused to fully experience the rut with a clear mind is literally fucked out of him. Wrapped around Wen Ke Xing like a pretzel, he desperately holds on to the edge of the bed as he’s fucked within an inch of his life and he loses track of time.

(〃▽〃)

When he comes to, he’s on his stomach, the alpha balls deep and a heavy blanket on top of him. The bedroom is dozed with an orange glow from the sunset outside, and it looks like a battlefield. Both from when they had stripped each other in a horny race towards the bed the night before, but also from the day’s intense sex-craze. The pillows have been thrown into various corners of the room, and one has even been torn, leaving a snowfall of down across the floor and parts of the bed.

His whole body hurts, like it’s been put through intense exercise without warmup. He turns his head and instantly flinches. The bitemark stings and the scent gland feels swollen. He huffs and feels giddy. This is what he gets for longing after Wen Ke Xing’s rut. And he’s pretty sure that he’s got a few more days of this. He should try and carefully wiggle his way free to have a shower and get some food.

He's barely made his escape and put his right foot on the cold floor when a hand wraps around his wrist and squeezes. He turns to look at Wen Ke Xing and the black eyes that stare up at him send a shiver straight to his groin, making his soft dick twitch.

Wen Ke Xing smirks and raises an eyebrow, making a show out of smelling the air. “Don’t be gone too long, or I’ll come get you.” Wen Ke Xing lets go of his wrist and Zhou Zi Shu makes his escape to the bathroom.

He takes a long shower, but the water feels cool against his skin no matter how much he increases the heat and he leaves for the kitchen with goosebumps on his skin. He heats up some food in the microwave but it just doesn’t taste good. Has he really gotten used to Wen Ke Xing’s cooking? Even if it’s just heating it up in a pan instead of the microwave? He grabs a few bags of snacks and bottles of water, thinking that he can coax Wen Ke Xing into some food once he wakes up, and heads back up the stairs.

Walking into the bedroom is like walking into a wall of pheromones, whiskey mixed with burnt sugar, and their scents cling to him. Since he’s feeling warm, he walks towards the balcony to crack the door open and let some fresh air into the room.

Returning to the bed, he puts the food and drinks on the nightstand. He’s tired, and his body is still aching. Maybe he should have spent an hour in the spa pool since Wen Ke Xing is sleeping anyway? He just didn’t want to be away from his alpha, not wanting him to wake up alone whilst in a rut.

Leaving his robe on the floor, he slips back under the covers and curls up to Wen Ke Xing. His alpha is burning hot and even though he’s feeling warm, his inner omega purrs at the closeness. The soft sound of Wen Ke Xing’s breathing lulls him to sleep within moments.

(˘ ˘ ˘)

Wen Ke Xing fucks him awake with one hand around his throat and the other in a vice grip around his hip. The bed is wet beneath him, his skin is soaked from sweat and his cock is already leaking onto his abs. He thinks that this is his new favorite way to wake up, with the exception of a really deep blowjob—something that Wen Ke Xing excels at.

“Look at you making a mess in your sleep,” Wen Ke Xing says and leans down to nuzzle against his scent gland, the one that doesn’t hurt. There is a wet lick across it and Wen Ke Xing mumbles in that distant voice again, “I could smell you in my sleep. So desperate you’re even going into heat for me.”

Heat, he thinks distractedly, his mind foggy and struggling with forming coherent thoughts. The last thing he wonders before he sinks below the surface of the heat is whether it was the attempted mating bite that induced it, or if he was literally fucked into heat.

(˘ ˘ ˘)

The next time he resurfaces for more than just a few moments, he’s gently being lowered into the spa pool to rest against Wen Ke Xing’s chest. He is parched, aching all over, and there is a stinging sensation in multiple locations on his skin as the water envelopes him.

He must make an unhappy noise because Wen Ke Xing asks, voice worried, “Does it hurt a lot?”

It does. It hurts a lot. But it’s a different kind of pain, one that comes from relief and muscles relaxing. It’s as if he’s just done a triathlon without training properly—or at all—and on top of it, he crashed his bike during the second leg.

“It’s fine,” he responds and tilts his head back against Wen Ke Xing’s neck. It still smells a bit spicy and it’s just what he needs to recharge.

“Are you sure?” Wen Ke Xing asks, and tightens his arms around him.

“Well, if that didn’t get me pregnant, I’m not sure what will,” he laughs, and feels Wen Ke Xing still behind him. He wants to turn around and look at his alpha, but there is no way that he can move his limbs, so he interlinks his fingers with Wen Ke Xing’s and continues, “I’m kidding. Don’t put pressure on yourself. If it happens, it happens. What I meant was—that was amazing. I’m a bit sad that I went into heat though. I’ve been looking forward to experiencing a full rut with a clear mind.”

Wen Ke Xing sighs, it sounds like it’s mostly from relief. “My rut came out of nowhere… Not sure what happened or what triggered it.”

“I’m too hot for you to handle,” he responds and nudges his nose into the crevice of Wen Ke Xing’s jaw. “Or maybe you were just excited to be somewhere you could make all the noise you want.”

Wen Ke Xing finally huffs and it releases a bit of tension that he didn’t know that his muscles could still muster up. “It’s been three days and I’m not really sure how much we’ve eaten during that time. But there were empty bottles of water all around the room and in the kitchen, so I think that we’ve had some water, tea, snacks and fruit.”

Just hearing him talk about food makes Zhou Zi Shu realize how starved he is, and his stomach growls under the cover of the water. “Good thing the fridge and freezer are stocked with food then,” he says and closes his eyes. “There should be some dumplings in there somewhere. I had Cheng Ling get the groundskeeper to stock up on supplies and all my favorites from the nearby town.”

“I’ve got baozi rising in the kitchen,” Wen Ke Xing says, and kisses the top of his head.

How on earth his alpha has managed to come out of rut, bake baozi, and clean him up well enough to be put into the spa is beyond him. It normally takes him a full day after a heat before he functions like a human again. This time it might take even longer.

“I love you,” he responds, because there is no other response to the fact that he will soon be fed spicy pork buns. This man is truly his soulmate.

“Glad your standards are so high,” Wen Ke Xing retorts with an amused shake of his head, and squeezes with his arms.

Zhou Zi Shu sighs. “Speaking of,” he says and musters all the strength he can to run his fingers over the bitemark. “What are your thoughts on switching out the tea?”

Wen Ke Xing is silent for a moment before he manhandles Zhou Zi Shu around to face him, both arms in a strong hold to keep him upright and somewhat relaxed. Wen Ke Xing is looking at him with large, dark eyes and a smile that is part puppy and part wolf. “Which side? Or can I pick the one I want?”

He laughs, and even though his muscles protest with each movement, it’s worth it. “My left side.”

He can tell that Wen Ke Xing knows that his left side is his most photographed side, his good side and his preferred side, by the way the pupils dilate and the low rumble of a growl. The fact that his cock doesn’t even think about reacting is a testament to how depleted he is. Instead, he pouts and makes some form of cute noise until Wen Ke Xing pulls him close and kisses him with all the tenderness of a dire wolf.

(≧ᵕ≦)

It takes them one week before they finally make their way down the mountain and over towards the town further down the valley. It’s a lovely autumn day and the drive is stunning. Wen Ke Xing is in the driver’s seat looking like the hot boyfriend that he is, in dark sunglasses and a bomber leather jacket, and Zhou Zi Shu enjoys this new reality. It’s their first outing as boyfriends, at least one where they don’t have to pretend that Wen Ke Xing is his assistant, or one where they both have to wear face coverings. This time, it’s just them—A’Xu and Lao Wen—out on an afternoon of exploration.

The town is deserted, with only locals left after the weeklong celebrations, but this is what he prefers. He gets enough of crowds during work and he comes here for solitude. Though, he finds that his definition of solitude has changed after this alpha appeared in his life. Now, he can’t imagine ever coming here again without Wen Ke Xing. Even if the alpha is simply sitting quietly next to him, essentially just existing and focused on driving, it’s still the most comfortable he’s been here since his parents passed away. The air is filled with companionship, of sharing a journey, and of course with whiskey.

They park by the river and he snatches Wen Ke Xing’s hand before his alpha has even locked the car. Walking hand in hand is something that he always wanted to do but never had the person to do it with. Either because the man was so hated by his fans that his partner would get hate every time they stepped out in public, or the man was too timid and didn’t want to show any form of public display of affection, or he was tough enough to resist the bullying, but not into soft stuff like holding hands.

Wen Ke Xing, however, not only shifts hand before interlinking their fingers, but he puts his arm around Zhou Zi Shu’s shoulder to pull him close, as if it’s the most natural thing in the world, and kisses him on his cheek. And the best part, well besides the kiss, is that no one around them cares. Whilst there aren’t a lot of people, there are still people along the river walk, and some of them are even younger than they are. But there are no screams, no cameras, no instant gathering of people who want autographs or selfies. No whispers and no pointing fingers.

He's so grateful that he’s managed to keep this place out of the public’s eye and that he’s been able to preserve this safe haven a secret from everyone. Or maybe it’s thanks to the townspeople, the older generations that knew his godfather but also his parents, giving him the grace of not spreading the information. They all know him as Xiao Zhou, not Zhou Xu.

“So…” he starts, leaning against Wen Ke Xing’s shoulder as they walk at a leisurely pace.

“Yes?” Wen Ke Xing responds. Without even looking up, Zhou Zi Shu knows that the alpha has one eyebrow raised and is glancing at him. That’s how in tune they are these days.

“I know you said that you weren’t worried about people finding out who you are,” he continues and looks at the birds that just landed in the river. He guesses they are heading south for the winter, and he kind of wishes that they could just follow along as well. Maybe they can travel more next year. Go somewhere neither of them have been, for Wen Ke Xing’s birthday.

“I’m not,” Wen Ke Xing says, and judging from the tone, the irritating man is enjoying this conversation way too much.

“How would you feel about soft launching our relationship on your birthday?” he asks. It might be more on the hard side of soft launches, but it’s always better to ask for forgiveness than permission. Besides, his alpha doesn’t hold back his feelings these days, so he will be able to gauge his thoughts on the subject based on his answer. And he should get an idea of where it’s going, before he firms up everything. There is an email in his inbox that he really needs to respond to.

“What did you have in mind?” Wen Ke Xing asks.

“It’s a surprise,” he says, honestly, and Wen Ke Xing stops, reaching for his chin and tilting his head up to face him.

“A’Xu~,” Wen Ke Xing says, as sweet as a wolf about to pounce on an unsuspecting prey. “Are you gonna give me a mating bite for my birthday? Remember my right side is my devilishly handsome side.”

He wasn’t, but now he is thinking about what his alpha will look like with his very own mating bite! He huffs and pushes the arrogant man away, trying to hide a blush. “I take it that you’re okay with whatever I do then.”

Wen Ke Xing catches him with irritating ease and he finds himself unable to move inside those strong arms, his alpha smirking down at him, “I think I better call my publisher and tell her that I’m soon gonna be an official sugar baby. Just in case your fans find me so attractive they hunt me and my pseudonym down.”

“You do that,” he responds and sticks his tongue out. But even that one is instantly caught by soft, plush lips, and then he’s pushed up behind a tree and kissed until he can’t remember what they were talking about.

( ˘ ³˘)♥

The weeks in Yunnan fly by faster than usual, probably because he’s got the best company, and they have a wonderful time. They have dinners in nearby towns, go for long walks in the woods, and read in front of the fireplace in the library. And after Wen Ke Xing finds the dirt-bikes in the garage, they spend a few days a week exploring the tracks throughout the mountain and orchards.

Zhou Zi Shu is out on the upper deck when he hears the first sound of the helicopter approaching at the far end of the valley. He takes a deep breath and takes one final look at his home-away-from-home, before walking inside to round up his boyfriend.

He finds Wen Ke Xing out in the courtyard, looking at the statues with interest. “You really have a knack for sniffing out dark things.” When Wen Ke Xing just raises an eyebrow towards him, he continues, “Those are weapons, or well, they used to be a long time ago.”

“These ugly things?” Wen Ke Xing says with clear skepticism, poking at a devil’s head, trying to twist it.

“Defense weapons,” he says and crosses his arms over his chest. “If you’re nice, I might show you the plans next time. But if you write a book about this, you have to promise I can read it whilst you’re writing it. None of this ‘wait until it’s done’-nonsense. And I want a proper dedication!”

Wen Ke Xing laughs, his hearty ha-ha-ha, turns around and kisses him smack on the lips, “Deal.”

“Our ride is here,” he says and glances around for the luggage.

“It’s already out by the entrance,” Wen Ke Xing says and holds his hand out. Zhou Zi Shu takes it, as if he’s never done anything else, and together they walk out to watch the helicopter land.

Soon, they are back in their seats and watching the ground disappear beneath them. He looks at Wen Ke Xing and then down at the golden sea of blossoming osmanthus trees. Early next year, the courtyard will be covered in pink from all the azaleas, and his mind whispers that it would be a perfect setting for a spring wedding.

>ᴗ<

The week after they have arrived back in Shanghai, Wen Ke Xing kisses him goodbye in bed for a very long time and then leaves for Nanjing. Zhou Zi Shu had planned on joining him up there but then decided to wait a week. It’s really the only time he has to get some things done without having to sneak around his alpha, in preparation for his birthday party, and present.

After sulking alone in bed for longer than he will ever admit, he takes an even longer shower, spending the majority of time thinking about his alpha’s large hands. Dressed in one of several whiskey-scented sweaters, he heads downstairs for the breakfast that Wen Ke Xing has left for him. There, at the center of the kitchen table next to the congee is a wrapped package.

Ripping the paper into unsalvageable pieces, he unwraps—what he assumes is—the first copy of Lovelace in all its glory. The cover looks even more magnificent in its accurate color and size, and he runs the palm of his hand over the slightly textured ghostly mask before flipping to the dedication page. There, in black and white for everyone to read; To my very own moon. You will always be the brightest and most beautiful. He traces his fingers over the characters and sends a single heart in the WeChat with his man. He gets the same back and that single emoji wraps around his heart like a warm hug.

He then gets on with his agenda. He finalizes everything for the new album, approves the cover for the first single, and Zhang Cheng Ling escorts him between photoshoots and filming the music video. Whilst he misses Wen Ke Xing—the scented sweaters left behind, or daily video calls not even close to taking the edge off—it’s nice to spend some time just him and his little disciple. However, the days are tiring and even though he doesn’t have his alpha wrapped around him, he sleeps like a log the entire week.

Once everything is wrapped up, the party is planned, and the cake is ordered, he swings by the Omega Center for the mandatory blood test. He had skipped the full check-in last time since they were going on holiday, only calling in for a blood test and to talk to them about Wen Ke Xing staying on past his ‘expiration date’. Lan Ming had not been surprised in the least. He had wondered if it really was that common for matches to end up together, or if she had seen through him the second his hormones started humming and he had asked about reacting to the rut. Or maybe even right from the start at the matching.

Either way, she smiles widely at him as she greets him in the suite. “Your hormones are humming.”

“Yes… He went into a rut again. Quite unexpectedly,” he explains, as if she needs one. She’s probably more aware than him how ruts are triggered. He blushes, hard, collects himself and with the steadiest voice he can muster up with his dry throat, he asks “What are my options if I wanted to go off the tea, in terms of still getting the required supplements.”

She turns off the tablet and puts it in her lap, still smiling warmly at him, “There are plenty of options for you moving forward outside of the tea, though it’s not needed anymore.”

“Not needed?” he asks, confused, leaning back on the couch.

“Congratulations, you’re in your first trimester,” she says, with a voice that is way too calm for delivering the most overwhelming and happy news. Even though he fully understands what she’s saying, it still takes him a moment to process the words, the meaning, the absoluteness of it.

He’s pregnant.

When he opens his mouth to speak, what comes out can probably be described mostly as a sob, like the sound of an overwhelmed and happy pressure cooker. Lan Ming grabs him the box of tissues and a glass of iced tea that tastes like ginger and raspberries. His whole body sighs from the relief of not having to drink dirt anymore.

“How are you feeling, in general,” she asks, still with that warm smile on her face. The woman really loves her job.

“Tired,” he says. He had just assumed it was the travel and getting back into work.

“And your appetite?” she continues, picking up her tablet again.

“Same as always,” he says, thanking the heavens that he’s allowed to eat whatever he wants now, and that there won’t be any more diets in the coming year.

“If your schedule allows, you should take it a bit easy. However, you can still train as usual if you want, just don’t push it too hard,” she says and looks at him with stern eyes. Is she a fan? How does she know how much he trains? He nods in response.

“And there are some food restrictions from now on,” she continues. “The team is preparing a package for you with supplements and general information. I’ll send everything through the OPP app to you, as well. You’ll have access to different features during this part of your journey.”

“Normally, we would do an ultrasound now, but if you want, you can wait until Wen Ke Xing can join you,” she says, as if she’s reading his mind. And whilst he wants nothing more than to see the little bean—or whatever the size it is—he really, really wants his alpha there to experience that with him. He knows that Wen Ke Xing wouldn’t want to miss out on anything in this journey.

“I’ll wait,” he says, biting his bottom lip.

Lan Ming smiles warmly at him, “Then I’ll schedule another visit for next week to do your first ultrasound.”

“Thank you,” he says, thinking that there is something he’s forgetting to ask as he furrows his brows.

“Don’t worry, everything looks just as it should. All your levels are normal,” she says, still reading his mind. “Don’t forget to rest as much as you can, and I’ll see you next week. Call us if you have any questions at all in the meantime.”

“Thanks,” he repeats, feeling overwhelmed and dazed.

She pats him on the arm, “Congratulations, you’re going to be a parent.”

c( O.O )ɔ

Walking out of the Omega Center feels surreal. He had walked in six months ago with Jing Bei Yuan’s encouraging words in his head, telling him, “Do not be in a hurry, the right man will come at last.” Who knew that this was where he would end up? His annoying friends, that’s who!

Unlike all the previous visits to the Omega Center, Zhou Zi Shu does not drive to his friends for dinner. Instead, he has Zhang Cheng Ling drop him off at home and tells him he won’t be needed until they are back, a few days before the birthday party. He then walks straight to his garage, throws the Omega Center package in the backseat of his fastest Audi and sets the GPS for Wen Ke Xing’s hotel, forgetting to even pack a bag.

ε=ε=┌( >_<)┘

Chapter Text

Wen Ke Xing has just stepped out of the shower when there is a knock on the door. Seeing as no one knows where he lives, he assumes it’s the room service he’d ordered for dinner when he got back to the hotel room. With nothing but a towel around his hips, hair still dripping, he opens the door and is greeted by his omega—without a face mask—jumping into his arms, limbs wrapping around him like an octopus, mouth greedily searching for his. With his hands around Zhou Zi Shu’s thick thighs, he backs into the suite and quickly nudges the door closed with his toes.

“I missed you,” Zhou Zi Shu mewls in between their lips, the burnt sugar scent surrounding him like a loving hug.

Sliding his hands until they have a firm hold on that sinful ass, he pushes the omega up against the wall to lick across the scent gland. He leans back to look at his beautiful man as Zhou Zi Shu whines in frustration and pouts. He leans in again and inhales slowly, letting that addictive scent fill his lungs, but something hits differently—surely they haven’t been apart for that long?

Zhou Zi Shu is trying to hide a smile behind that pout—and failing miserably. Oh, how he’s missed his little omega during the past week. But more importantly, “Have you already stopped drinking the tea? Changed the supplements?” The omega smells different. Not much, just a subtle hint of something sweeter, warmer, deeper.

“Nope, and nope,” Zhou Zi Shu says and rests his head against the wall, raising an eyebrow. “Guess again.”

“It’s too early for another heat,” he thinks out loud, then again, it could be an ovulation? The early heat last month might have thrown off the omega’s cycle and hormones. Or maybe it’s a reaction to the rut?

“Won’t be having those for a while,” Zhou Zi Shu says and looks down at him with smug eyes.

He won’t be drinking tea for a while? They told him to just stop? Or—

His mind scrambles and his eyes flicker down towards Zhou Zi Shu’s stomach.

“There we go,” Zhou Zi Shu says and pecks him on his lips. “Congratulations. You really did fuck me until I was properly fertilized.”

He hears the words like it’s an out of body experience. Whilst he’s thought about it, a lot, the pregnancy part was always very abstract. For months it was a goal, something that he was supposed to do, to achieve, he had to perform well. And then suddenly, unexpectedly, the door opened to where a family was waiting. Whilst he’d already stepped into that space, being told that he made it, that they had made a baby, makes it hard to breathe.

He did it.

He finally gave Zhou Zi Shu what he has always wanted. And something that he didn’t even knew that he had been craving as well.

The relief breaks through him like a dam cracking open, ruthless and irreversible, draining all of the pressure he’s felt along with it, out into an open waterfall, there for him to acknowledge and then let go as all of his feelings race towards the ground.

“Lao Wen,” Zhou Zi Shu says and slides off him to stand by himself, putting his hands around Wen Ke Xing’s face. “Hey, are you with me?”

He nods, not sure that’s fully true. Actually, it’s definitely not true, because he can’t even see his future mate behind his blurred vision. Zhou Zi Shu makes some form of cute noise and pats him gently on the cheek before guiding him to sit on the couch, climbing into his lap to nuzzle against his neck. The comfort from the scenting calms him down and when he comes to, he feels embarrassed.

He clears his throat and kisses Zhou Zi Shu on the cheek before asking, “How far along are you?”

Zhou Zi Shu looks like a question mark, and then embarrassed, responding, “I didn’t ask... But it must have happened in Yunnan, so I’m guessing a little over a month? We can ask during the ultrasound next week.”

“Mn,” he responds, and makes a mental note to read every book on the list—titled So you knocked him up — now what?—that Jing Bei Yuan had sent him. The menace had sent him the list via text just the day after the dinner where Zhou Zi Shu had licked him—with the message; Jiayou![i] Wen Ke Xing is pretty sure Zhou Zi Shu’s friends have a bet going for when the pregnancy will occur.

“How are you feeling? Is everything okay?” he asks, pulling his omega in for a hug.

Zhou Zi Shu melts into his arms and nuzzles against his scent gland, mumbling, “Tired. And hungry. I drove straight here from the Omega Center. I didn’t even stop on the way.”

As if on cue, there is a knock on the door and this time it really should be room service. “That’s food arriving,” he says and lifts Zhou Zi Shu onto the couch before answering the door. He takes the tray from the staff member, taking care not to let them see into his room.

When he returns, Zhou Zi Shu is scrolling on his phone with a pout, “So many things I’m not allowed to eat.”

Oh, right, there is that to consider. There better be a book that includes what to feed a pregnant omega or Jing Bei Yuan will get some stern feedback on his book list. “Let me get you the menu, or I can go get you whatever food you want,” he says, and hands Zhou Zi Shu the menu.

“How about we go out for dinner,” Zhou Zi Shu says, pursing his lips. “I have a craving for wonton soup.”

“Let me get dressed,” he responds.

Five minutes later, his hair is dry and he’s put some clothes on. He takes out a black face mask and holds it out towards Zhou Zi Shu, who looks at it like it’s personally offended him.

“Do you want to hard launch our relationship now?” he asks with a raised eyebrow, more as a joke than a dare, but watches Zhou Zi Shu think hard about the question before reluctantly accepting the mask.

“Don’t think this is because of me not wanting to show you off,” Zhou Zi Shu says and glares as much as he can with just his tired eyes showing. It’s still pretty effective. He’s like a cute little hissing kitten.

“Are you sure that you don’t just want me to go get you some soup?” he asks, putting on a mask himself.

“No,” Zhou Zi Shu says and takes his hand. “I know the perfect place. Let’s go.”

When they arrive at the garage, Zhou Zi Shu throws him the key and picks up his phone, sliding into the passenger seat at the front. “Cheng Ling, can you call my favorite place and get me a private room? As soon as possible, please.” There is some mumbling on the line and Zhou Zi Shu responds, “You’re the best! Oh, can you post some of the photos I sent you from Yunnan on the studio Weibo page? Pick some obvious ones and let everyone go searching for me on that side of the country,” and hangs up, already tapping in the address on the GPS.

Zhou Xu is on holiday far away, whilst Zhou Zi Shu is sitting next to him, taking him to his favorite restaurant, outside, just the two of them. He’s looking forward to whatever Zhou Zi Shu has planned for their soft launch. Maybe after that, he will be able to walk around outside with his boyfriend, holding hands and not having to worry about what would happen if they were spotted.

“Okay, let’s go!” Zhou Zi Shu says and leans back in the car seat like the passenger princess that he is. Wen Ke Xing loves him so much.

⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡

Later that night, when they get back from dinner—where he’d spent two hours watching his omega eat more than he thought was possible—he strips the man down and scents him like the beautiful treasure that he is. He also spends an embarrassingly long time talking to his omega’s stomach. Zhou Zi Shu giggles and squirms, but Wen Ke Xing knows that he loves the attention. He always has and always will. He’s transparent that way. He wished that he’d seen it sooner, but grateful that they made it here anyway.

 His hands wander over Zhou Zi Shu’s sinful curves, stopping when he finds dark, perky nipples, twisting the pebbles between his fingers until Zhou Zi Shu gasps and arches off the bed. He can smell the slick, and a part of him wants to take it slow, savor the moment, but Zhou Zi Shu is making it impossible with the way he moans his name.

“Lao Wen~,” Zhou Zi Shu pants, looking up at him with want in his eyes, biting his lower lip. “How about we see if you can taste the difference?”

He does.

(っ˘ڡ˘ς)

They spend a wonderful week in Nanjing, Zhou Zi Shu insisting on getting approval for being on set alongside him—but with a face mask and cap on to avoid drawing any attention. And even though it turns a few heads, the main production crew likely guessing more than they would ever dare to ask, no information or photos leak of the two of them, or even just one of them. Just like nothing ever leaked of him being Zhen Yan. It’s a good team. He likes working with them.

Amongst the hidden smiles and curious looks, the one that glances their way the most during the first day is Gao Xiao Lian. Her attitude towards him had changed the instant Zhou Zi Shu had walked on set, instantly knowing who he was even though he had the scent patch on, covering most of his face with a cap and mask, and hiding inside baggy clothes. There had been a knowing shrug and an impressed nod towards him, before she’d gotten back to her job. Zhou Zi Shu’s eyes had crinkled in a way that told him his omega was both possessive and smug. It was a very pleasant feeling of being claimed—something he never thought he would ever like. He is definitely going to enjoy being Zhou Xu’s arm candy.

During the last day, he takes the Producers, Directors and main leads out for dinner. Zhou Zi Shu sits plastered to his side and doesn’t hide his feelings at all. It’s endearing that the superstar feels so at ease, but also so affectionate in front of essentially strangers, and also gives him an insight into what he can expect in the future. And just like during the week, there are no photos taken, no one even asks for selfies like last time around. It’s respectful.

Whilst people are chatting with Zhou Zi Shu, Lu Tai Chong takes him to the side before they leave to express appreciation for the work on the script, and to ask him if he would ever consider trying his hands on writing a full script, or even just co-writing the next one. He thinks that he might. Assuming his child doesn’t occupy all of his time.

( ◡̀_◡́)ᕤ

“This will be cold,” Lan Ming says, and puts the gelled-up transducer on Zhou Zi Shu’s stomach. His omega doesn’t react other than a slight tensing of his still perfect abs and squeezes his hand a bit.

They both stare transfixed at the screen, not having a clue what they are looking for. At least he doesn’t. He’d tried to look it up online, but those grainy images mostly left him confused, so he’d thought it was better to wait until he had someone to guide him through it and point everything out.

“Well, well,” Lan Ming says, and smiles at them widely. “Say hello to your children.” And then she points at the screen.

“Children?” Zhou Zi Shu asks, squinting with his eyes in confusion.

Suddenly, the grainy screen is as clear as crystal for Wen Ke Xing. “Twins,” he breathes out.

“Twins,” Lan Ming confirms, pointing towards the first, and then the second. “Give me a moment,” she continues, and moves the transducer around until they hear a clear little heartbeat pumping faster than he was expecting. Zhou Zi Shu squeezes his hand, and he leans in to give his omega a quick kiss. Lan Ming moves the probe around a bit more, and the second heartbeat is heard through the speaker.

“Twins,” Zhou Zi Shu says, blinking up at him, looking as overwhelmingly happy as Wen Ke Xing feels. “Lao Wen, you’re such an overachiever!”

( ◡̀_◡́)ᕤ

On the morning of his birthday, he wakes up from the sound of Zhou Zi Shu throwing up in the bathroom. He’s been doing that ever since they got back from Nanjing a week ago, but according to the books he’s read—thank you Jing Bei Yuan, and very likely Wu Xi as well—that is apparently normal. And it’s only a few times in the morning. The rest of the day, Zhou Zi Shu is eating happily, and more than usual—claiming that since he’s eating for three, he can stuff his face as much as he wants.

Wen Ke Xing just lets him do whatever he wants, because he’s adorable when he stuffs his cheeks full and closes his eyes, chewing happily. The only time he tries to hold his omega back is when he is training. The man swims for an hour every morning after his puking session, and then works out in the afternoon. Though, he’s managed to persuade the man to at least scaling back the intense martial arts training and to focus more on strength. It is a good thing that Zhou Zi Shu’s personal trainer had agreed with him and put the pregnant omega on an adjusted schedule—no matter how cranky Zhou Zi Shu had been. Pouting apparently didn’t work on his trainer. Wen Ke Xing was grateful for the alpha’s stone heart, because he would never be able to say no to his boyfriend.

“Nooo~~ You’re up?” Zhou Zi Shu says from the door, looking as beautiful as a sunrise. It’s unfair how pretty the man can be even with morning sickness. “I was going to get you breakfast in bed!”

“You’re cooking?” he asks, probably too skeptically for his boyfriend’s liking because Zhou Zi Shu sticks his tongue out.

“I said get you, not make you,” Zhou Zi Shu responds, folding his arms over his chest. “Cheng Ling is dropping it off in fifteen minutes if you want to sleep some more.”

“What are you gonna do?” he asks, already knowing the answer.

“Shower,” Zhou Zi Shu says with a smirk. As if his omega doesn’t know that Wen Ke Xing showers with him every morning, wanting a thorough taste of those pregnancy hormones first thing to start his day.

“Sounds good to me,” he says and rolls out of bed.

(っ˘ڡ˘ς)

Wen Ke Xing looks around the living room, the doors are open into the enormous solarium to create a smaller event space. Whilst the place isn’t packed, there are still a few people that he’s never seen before, but there are also a few people from his life, people that Zhou Zi Shu doesn’t know. He guesses that Gu Xiang and Zhou Zi Shu put together the invitation list. But that also means that those people have not only been invited to Zhou Xu’s house, but also that they have likely guessed why they are here.

Is this what his omega had meant by soft launching their relationship? Zhou Zi Shu had warned him that there might be photos in social media during and after this, but since it’s not a full statement from his management company, he guesses that it could be considered soft?

“Long time no see,” Luo Fu Meng says, putting her arm around his shoulders.

“Who knew that someone like you would bag a goddess like Zhou Xu,” Liu Qian Qiao laughs and sips from her flute. “If I’m not mistaken, didn’t he hear your declaration about old omegas back then?”

He ignores her question but looks across the room towards Zhou Zi Shu. His omega looks stunning in a black, bespoke suit, his hair pinned up and sparkling. Though, his whole being is radiant. No one but the two of them know that he’s pregnant yet, thus not knowing it’s that kind of glow, but that doesn’t matter. He’s itching to tell his sister, and he knows that his man is the same with Jing Bei Yuan and Wu Xi, but they agreed to wait just a little bit. For some reason, they wanted to keep it to themselves just a little while longer. Just the four of them.

“Da-ge,” Gu Xiang says as she slides up next to him, Cao Wei Ning in tow. “Feeling old?”

“You better not let A’Xu hear you say that,” he responds, and Luo Fu Meng and Liu Qian Qiao clear their throats, both of them older than Zhou Zi Shu. Gu Xiang smiles lovingly towards his friends, and hands them each a new glass with bubbles, smoothly getting rid of the empty ones.

“Happy birthday,” Cao Wei Ning says—and bows. Luo Fu Meng laughs and almost spits her drink out whilst Gu Xiang pats him on the cheek for a job well done. How can he not approve of the two of them?

“Thank you,” he says, looking pointedly at the other three who have not wished him a happy birthday, instead throwing jabs at him. Lovingly, of course.

“Can I borrow the birthday boy?” Zhuo Zi Shu says, materializing in front of him.

“Sure,” Gu Xiang says, and he is snatched away towards the far corner of the room where Jing Bei Yuan and Wu Xi are waiting.

Before he can ask where the baby girl is, Wu Xi hands him a glass and says, “It’s time for your induction.” The drink looks lethal, like something someone would drink, have some sort of allergic near-death reaction to, and then wake up a superhero—or villain—the morning after. “Happy birthday!”

“Induction?” He asks, looking skeptically at the drink in his right hand.

“Into the world of Da Wu,” Jing Bei Yuan says, and kisses his husband on the cheek.

“You got your nickname from this drink?” he asks, holding it up to inspect the neon-colored liquid.

“We learned the first year they met that he has skills in mixing the strongest drinks you’ll ever have,” Zhou Zi Shu says and wiggles his eyebrows. “And they won’t give you a hangover.”

“You can have three of them,” Wu Xi continues and motions for him to try it.

He looks between the three of them and the drink, shrugs, and downs the whole thing in one go. The liquid has barely passed through his throat before he does a full body shiver from the burn. The drink has a pleasant taste, and the burn is different from normal alcohol. He wonders what kind of herbal spirit it’s made with. “Keep them coming.”

Jing Bei Yuan barks out a laugh and smacks him on the back, “I knew you were the man for Zi Shu the first time I laid eyes on you. Happy birthday, Ke Xing!”

He’s handed a second round of the Da Wu special, and spends some time chatting with his new friends before Zhou Zi Shu drags him along to make the rounds and introduce him to everyone present. Being introduced as his partner sparks something hot in his chest, like something that has been smoldering ever since that moonlit night is now blazing for everyone to see.

There is a birthday cake—dark chocolate and walnut—and it’s delicious. Gu Xiang watches him cut the cake as if she’s watching him cut a wedding cake, with bright, happy eyes and wobbling bottom lip. As if she’s been waiting for him to leave the nest that he had created for her.

“Okay, everyone,” Zhou Zi Shu says and clinks his glass. “I’ve promised Lao Wen a big birthday present, and it’s about time. We’re on a countdown, so bear with me.”

When Zhou Zi Shu stops speaking, the lighting dims and an image is projected onto the double-height white wall at the far end of the room. It’s the countdown of something that will soon start and he can see the online-viewers increasing exponentially for each second, alongside his heart rate.

Five, Four, Three, Two, One…

Once the countdown stops, an image of Zhou Xu pops up. It looks like the cover of his next single and it has a backdrop with a silhouette of two people kissing—their silhouettes. Wen Ke Xing reads the title and swallows around the lump in his throat; Let me kiss you every morning. The title, matched with the cover makes for a very bold statement.

The comments from the viewers are already flying across the screen and he thinks that the people in the room are mumbling, but he can’t hear anything over the buzzing in his ears. Is Zhou Xu really announcing he’s in a relationship to the world like this? He can’t help but giggle and Zhou Zi Shu nudges him with his shoulder. The image fades into black and a music video starts.

The cords are soft but steady, his voice clear but emotional. He thinks it’s the song that he’d heard from the outside that first time when Zhou Zi Shu had locked himself in the recording studio for days on end. The lyrics are slow but passionate, leaving a painful ache in his chest and he has to catch his breath at the words. He wasn’t expecting a confession—a confession that seemingly dates back to when they first matched, based on the evolution of morning kisses described in the lyrics. This is not only in front of their friends, but also in front of the whole world.

And the world is listening. The comments on the screen are screaming with excitement. Not only over the fact that Zhou Xu has dropped a single out of the blue but also that the superstar seems to be in love. There are speculations on who it might be, but he suspects that certain hashtags and words have been banned because there are no mentions of that stupid co-star.

Zhou Zi Shu’s hand finds his, interlinking their fingers and squeezing his hand. The subtle gesture pulls him away from the comments and back to the song. He feels the intensity of the emotions radiating from those warm eyes staring back at him from the screen, as if it’s just the two of them in the room, Zhou Xu singing only for him, to him, pouring all of his warmth into him. This is who his omega is. Always direct and to the point. Brave and strong. Easily sharing his love with the world.

The video fades to black as the cover for the single re-appears. The light returns and the room erupts into chaos, with whistling and applause. Zhou Zi Shu takes it in stride, as if this happens to him all the time. And then everyone shifts their attention towards him, most of them smiling expectantly, waiting for his reaction to this love-declaration-birthday-present. This includes his partner, who is looking up at him with a smug face.

“That’s what you consider a soft launch?” he asks, looking down at his omega.

“What? You did say you had high expectations for your birthday present,” Zhou Zi Shu says with a shrug. The whole room giggles.

“I’m both excited and scared for next year,” he concludes, honestly, then wraps Zhou Zi Shu in his arms and kisses him, open mouthed and hungry.

The room whistles and he avoids looking at his sister after they separate. There is a limit to how much he can take in one day. He’s sure she’s captured all of this on her phone anyway. He is absolutely going to ask for the footage.

“Well,” Jing Bei Yuan says, sporting the biggest smirk Wen Ke Xing has ever seen. “That was hot. You should do that again. You’ll go viral for the first time before the party is over.”

He doesn’t go viral since none of the guests posts any photos or clips from the party, but the hashtag #Who is Zhou Xu kissing in the morning?# trends at number one on Weibo. He feels all sorts of smug and shy about it. His sister teases him for days, and he loves every minute of it.

The day after his birthday, he asks Zhou Zi Shu if he wants to release a statement. His omega responds by crawling into his lap and asking him if he wants to make things public, or if he is more interested in making a bet on when his fans would guess his partner right. With the prize being one wish for anything at all by the other, in addition to bragging rights of course, he obviously goes with the bet.

(˘ ˘ ˘)

Surprisingly, it’s Gu Xiang who cries the most when they share the news about the pregnancy during dinner with everyone, though Jing Bei Yuan is a very close second. And that includes his own very hormonal omega.

Once everyone has calmed down from the initial shock, Jing Bei Yuan ceremoniously clears his throat and looks at his best friend, “An unhappy alternative is before you, Zi Shu. From this day you must be a stranger to one of your best friends. Da Wu will never see you again if you do not make him a godparent, and I will never see you again if you don’t pick me."

“Why do I have to choose,” Zhou Zi Shu says, trying to hide a smile and glancing towards Wen Ke Xing.

“Well, I assume that A’Xiang is going to be the other godparent,” Jing Bei Yuan says, as if that was the stupidest question he’s ever heard.

“Actually,” Zhou Zi Shu says, staring at his friend smugly, as if he’s anticipated this very conversation—and prepared for it. Wen Ke Xing loves his little gremlin-omega so much. “We’ll have two, so one for you and Da Wu, and one for A’Xiang and A’Ning.”

“Two? As in twins?” Jing Bei Yuan says and tilts his head. Then turns his focus towards Wen Ke Xing. “Overachiever, huh?”

“That’s what I said!” Zhou Zi Shu says, looking very satisfied.

Wen Ke Xing just shakes his head, though he’s extremely excited and probably shows it, “You two really are best friends.”

~~THE END~~

Chapter Text

“You’re on in ten,” a staff member announces and disappears out the door to their greenroom, closing the door behind them.

“Are you ready?” he asks, and looks at the radiant omega in front of him that is about to walk on stage to perform at Dragon TV’s New Year’s Eve gala.

Zhou Zi Shu is in a sparkling charcoal suit that reminds him of the night sky in Yunnan. The pants  are so tight they look painted on—showing off the swell of his ass in a way that makes Wen Ke Xing long for when he can rip them off and take a bite. The cropped jacket stops right below his shoulder blades—showing off the curve of his spine and the dimples on each side—and the front is cut in a sharp V to accentuate his hips but still partially hiding his stomach. Whilst he’s still got prominent abs, the baby bump is starting to show and the subtle swell on display is forcing Wen Ke Xing to suppress the alpha in him.

“Never been more ready in my life,” Zhou Zi Shu responds with a very sensual roll of his hips. The man is aware of just how spectacular he looks in that outfit, and he also knows how to move his body to show off the baby bump he’s so proud of.

“Come on, give me a good luck kiss,” Zhou Zi Shu continues and holds his hand out towards Wen Ke Xing.

“Don’t ruin the makeup!” someone yells to their left as Wen Ke Xing allows himself to be pulled close.

Zhou Zi Shu winks up at him and bites his glistening pink bottom lip. “Right here,” Zhou Zi Shu says and tilts his head, showing the white mating bite on his neck. “Kiss me good luck right there.” Which he does, but just a soft peck on one of his favorite spots on his omega. He really doesn’t want to ruin the makeup before the show.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” Han Ying groans somewhere behind him. “It’s a good thing that you’re last of all performers tonight, because no one is going to give a shit about New Year’s Eve, or any other performer, once they take one look at that bite.”

“Wanna bet on how many tags will be trending tomorrow morning?” Zhou Zi Shu says.

“Five,” Wen Ke Xing responds, and lets go of Zhou Zi Shu’s hand to step back.

“Six,” Zhang Cheng Ling says, and moves in between them to pat Zhou Zi Shu where he had just gotten kissed and tidy up the lip-gloss, just to make sure everything looks perfect.

“Eight,” Han Ying responds and shakes his head.

“How about we make a bet on when the world will figure out that Wen Ke Xing is your sugar baby?” Jing Bei Yuan says from over by the couch, Wu Xi half-sitting in his lap.

“Why are you two here again?” Zhou Zi Shu asks, hands on hips and lips pressed together.

“You invited us,” Jing Bei Yuan says and sticks his tongue out.

“I didn’t think you’d actually say yes,” Zhou Zi Shu responds and sticks his tongue out as well.

“We always spend New Year’s together,” Wu Xi says with a calm voice, patting his husband on his thigh.

“We should have invited A’Xiang and A’Ning instead,” Zhou Zi Shu grumbles under his breath.

“We did, they are in the seats waiting to see you on stage,” Wen Ke Xing says. They will catch up for dinner tomorrow instead.

“How about we bet on how many alphas are going to get caught in the crossfire before Wen Ke Xing is exposed,” Wu Xi says with a sly smile. “The one that is closest but not over wins.”

“They are already speculating,” Zhou Zi Shu says, rolling his eyes. “I’m surprised that Lao Wen’s name hasn’t come up yet.” Judging by the crease between Zhou Zi Shu’s eyebrows, Wen Ke Xing thinks that he’s a bit irritated about it.

“Yes, but when they see that little bump of yours, they WILL hunt your alpha down,” Jing Bei Yuan says with a smirk. 

“It’s a good thing we have prepared throughout the month, because it’s going to be a blood bath,” Han Ying says, before continuing, “Twenty-eight.”

“TWENTY-EIGHT?” Zhou Zi Shu hisses, looking ready to throw hands.

“It’s the number of men that’s been officially linked to you since you debuted,” Han Ying says without even skipping a beat, and shrugs. Wen Ke Xing is never going to admit that he knew that exact number as well—or the name of each and every one of them.

“I thought it was more,” Jing Bei Yuan muses with an even wider smirk and a raised eyebrow. Zhou Zi Shu glances around the room and Wen Ke Xing guesses he’s looking for something to throw at his best friend. Finding nothing, he just glares at Jing Bei Yuan, who simply raises the other eyebrow and blinks innocently, continuing, “I’m guessing nineteen.”

“I’m guessing eleven,” Wu Xi says with pursed lips.

“Five,” Zhang Cheng Ling says with a small voice to hide his giggle, avoiding eye contact with his Shifu.

“I knew there was a reason you were my favorite,” Zhou Zi Shu says with an adorable pout and soft eyes as he looks at his assistant.

“So how do we do this?” Han Ying asks. “Because there are already over ten men floating out there after the single was dropped.”

“They have to make it to a hashtag, or we won’t count it,” Wu Xi concludes.

“What does the winner get?” Wen Ke Xing asks to divert Zhou Zi Shu’s attention. “Because when I win, I’m expecting something grand.”

“How about a trip to Sanya?” Zhou Zi Shu responds and glances down towards his little disciple with lips pressed together.

“Who’s paying for that?” Jing Bei Yuan asks.

“Not Jin Entertainment,” Han Ying instantly responds.

“As if you ever pay for anything,” Zhou Zi Shu throws back. “I’ll pay, unless I win. If I win, Bei Yuan pays.”

“What, the winner goes alone?” Wu Xi says and takes a sip of his wine.

“You’re on in five,” the same staff member announces before disappearing yet again.

“I’ll pay,” Wen Ke Xing says, earning himself a look of approval from Zhou Zi Shu. “Unless I win, in which case Bei Yuan pays.” Jing Bei Yuan tilts his head and nods once in agreement. “And I think we should all go together,” Wen Ke Xing continues. “One big family vacation before A’Xu goes on tour might be fun. That is—assuming I’m found out before the tour starts.”

“Then what does the winner get if we all go?” Jing Bei Yuan continues.

“They will have absolute authority for one day during the holiday,” Zhou Zi Shu suggests, arms crossed—which is probably meant to look intimidating but considering what he’s wearing, it makes him look like a centerfold thirst-trap since it only accentuates his curves and exposes his naked hips.

“Why not during the entire vacation?” Wu Xi asks, eyes sparkling with mischief.

“There is no way I’m agreeing to that when there is a small chance that Bei Yuan will be in charge an entire vacation,” Zhou Zi Shu says. “And I’m guessing nine.”

“Then I’m guessing two,” Wen Ke Xing responds.

Logically, the only men that have been linked to his omega in the past six months are him, Xie Wang, and possibly Zhu Yao Zhi. And since he is the only one spotted at Zhou Xu’s house sitting under a tree writing, he’s pretty confident that the fans will figure it out in no-time. He’s not sure why everyone else is going big. “And just so you know, this voids our previous bet.” Zhou Zi Shu purses his lips and nods—which is good, considering the omega was about to win. Thought, Zhou Zi Shu also planned this whole thing, so he was already disqualified for insider trading.

“I’m not joining you,” Han Ying says. “But if I win, I’m going on the trip alone and Zi Shu is paying for it. First class and five-star hotel.”

“Fine,” Zhou Zi Shu responds, looking very much like he doesn’t believe that his manager stands a chance of winning. Or maybe he just doesn’t want to go on holiday with Han Ying.

“And I want a plus one,” Han Ying continues, which causes Zhou Zi Shu to look over his shoulder and towards his manager.

“You’ve met someone?” Zhou Zi Shu asks, suddenly curious instead of exasperated.

“None of your business,” Han Ying responds and walks to open the door. “Come on, you’re on. Let’s go announce to the world that you’re disgustingly happy.”

“I’ll find out one way or another,” Zhou Zi Shu threatens, but follows his manager out the door like a good artist. Wen Ke Xing suspects that he’s too focused on the upcoming set to prod Han Ying any further.

He walks behind Zhou Xu, unable to look away from the exposed expanse of his toned lower back, or how the curve of the ass moves in those tight pants. He’s very much looking forward to peeling them off the omega in a few hours. Normally, he might try to be discrete since they are out in public but considering the outfit, pretty much everyone that they pass on route is ogling Zhou Xu’s creamy skin and sensual curves.

“This way,” Zhang Cheng Ling says, nudging him to the left whilst Zhou Zi Shu disappears to the right. “He’s heading under the stage. We’ll watch from the side.”

He nods and follows the young assistant, Jing Bei Yuan and Wu Xi close behind. The previous artist finishes her interview with the two hosts, and the venue fades into darkness with just a single spotlight aimed at the center of the large stage. He waits with bated breath, because he knows as soon as his mate appears, their world will change.

( ˘ ³˘)♥

Zhou Zi Shu takes a deep breath. He’s used to this and to the stage. He’s been on more than he can count during the past decade, and he’s done New Year’s galas the same number of years. Whilst his entire team is bracing themselves for the hurricane that is about to descend on them with him at the epicenter, he feels like he’s been waiting for this day his entire adult life—the day he tells the world he has mated, and show off the miracles that they have made together. This is one of those moments that he will never forget, and he intends to fully enjoy it.

The platform moves slowly under his feet, lifting him upwards towards the center of the stage and into the spotlight and the thousands of screaming spectators inside the arena. The first notes of Let me kiss you every morning start playing in his in-ear monitor and it pulls him back to his home studio and all the nerves he had felt while writing it. It’s his first time performing it and he really wants to do it justice. He wants to give it the emotions it deserves, and he wants to give the man in his life the best show that he’s ever been to—which is apparently all of them. Though, this is his first New Year’s gala.

Gazing out over the audience, he holds up the mic to his lips and focuses on the camera directly in front of him. He wants to feel everything in this moment, in each of the words that leave his lips, in each beat of the rhythm, and he glances to his left where Wen Ke Xing is watching from the sideline, out of view from everyone but him. The man is always in his view, either right in front of him, or imprinted to the back of his eyelids, projected from his heart. He will never let him go. Not that Wen Ke Xing is going anywhere. The band of diamonds around his middle-finger is proof of that.

Since the song is more on the slower side of R&B, there are no backup dancers or fanfare happening around him. It’s just him and his voice at the center of the stage to achieve maximum impact. And with a solo spotlight aimed at him like a northern star, he walks forward and onto the thrust[i], feeling freer and happier with each step.

The reactions start almost immediately, spectators with wide eyes shaking their friends’ shoulders to point at various parts of him, either stomach or neck, some wiggling their fingers in the air in recognition of a possible engagement ring. He would be lying if he said he didn’t enjoy this. If by tomorrow morning, no one has guessed Wen Ke Xing, then he might throw out the idea himself on his side account just to get the ball rolling. He would like to go on holiday sooner rather than later, even if he’s the one paying for it.

By the time the song ends, he’s at the tip of the thrust, the crowd roaring louder than he’s ever heard, which is saying a lot considering this is one of the smaller venues he’s played. And because he is who he is—just in case there is any uncertainty out there—he ends the song with his left hand on his bump and his right hand with his engagement ring right over his bitemark. He can already see the money-shot that will be plastered online and in print for weeks to come. He might even frame it and give it to Wen Ke Xing as a Valentine’s gift this coming year.

He’s supposed to walk back to his mark where there will be a very short interview before the final countdown to midnight. But he takes a few extra seconds to stand in the dark as the spotlight fades, out of breath and the pulse thudding in his throat. The cheering is deafening, sounding like it’s getting louder for each exhale, and he rolls his shoulders and turns, right as the front lights turns on.

He walks slowly, but with purpose, back towards the main stage as if he was on a runway—swaying his hips and working the outfit. He is Zhou Xu after all. And as soon as Wen Ke Xing comes into view, he throws the man a kiss, before turning his attention to the two hosts that are looking very flustered. Their standard questions probably went out the window and whomever is on the other end of their in-ear monitors is likely scrambling to figure out what they might be allowed to ask.

“Zhou Xu everyone!!” the female host shouts into her mic, and the crowd starts back up again.

“Can you tell us a bit about your new single?” the male host asks, trying very hard not to stare at Zhou Zi Shu’s neck.

“Yes please, it really came out of nowhere and seems to have hidden messages that your fans have been trying to figure out during the past month,” the female host fills in with an expectant smile towards both him, the camera, and the audience.

“I thought the title is pretty obvious,” he responds cheekily and shrugs, blinking innocently towards the cameras. The crowd laughs and whistles.

“Perhaps as obvious as that sparkling ring around your finger?” the female host continues, clearly having been given the go ahead to probe a bit by the producers. He wonders what Han Ying will have to say about that, though the irritating—but supportive—manager is probably just enjoying this.

“This little thing?” he responds and makes a production of showing off the ring to the closest camera, before he sweeps his hand towards the vast audience. “It goes with the outfit, don’t you think?” And then he wiggles a bit to show off the sparkling suit, but also his naked hips, and the subtle bump.

He watches the two hosts’ eyes flicker both towards his mating bite and his stomach before turning to face the crowds, probably having been told to not go any further. Maybe Han Ying is on his side after all? They really shouldn’t be probing too much into personal stuff on live tv like this without having approval beforehand.

“What does 2025 hold for Zhou Xu?” the male host asks, smiling at him.

“Finalizing the last bits of the new album, and then a tour,” he says, already eager to get on the road since he doesn’t want to be touring in his third trimester. And he’s definitely not touring after the babies have been born.

“I’m sure all your fans are as excited as we are to hear that there is an album and a tour coming,” the male host continues as Zhou Zi Shu sees him react to something in his ear.

Behind them on the main screen, a digital clock starts counting down from two minutes, and just like that, the interview is over, and the stage is flooded with all the previous artists. It’s time to sing together as they ring in the new year.

Zhou Zi Shu is lost in thoughts throughout the entire thing, but he does look to his left to meet Wen Ke Xing’s eyes at the stroke of midnight. Next year, there will be no New Year’s gala, unless he's allowed to kiss his man on the stage.

( ˘ ³˘)♥

They get woken up the next morning by Jing Bei Yuan calling over and over, until he picks up the phone. “We are outside, get out of bed and open the door!”

“Go away,” Zhou Zi Shu mumbles, not wanting to move a single millimeter from the warm embrace he’s currently in.

“We are not leaving. We have breakfast and the winner of the bet,” Jing Bei Yuan says

“And a baby that needs a diaper change,” Wu Xi chimes in.

“Already? Who won?” he asks, pouting, and sits up even though every muscle in his body is protesting.

“I’ll tell you once you’ve opened the door,” Jing Bei Yuan continues, and hangs up.

“Who?” Wen Ke Xing asks and looks up at him with warm, tired eyes. They had not gotten much sleep after his alpha had peeled him out of his suit and then worshipped every part of his body for hours—especially his little bump.

“Breakfast delivery with a side of annoying friends, but with a cute, smelly baby,” he says and stands up, snagging Wen Ke Xing’s sweatpants and hoodie as he walks towards the door.

“You go have a shower, I’ll let them in,” Wen Ke Xing says, instantly by his side, steering him towards the shower instead. He could use a warm shower. He’d passed out before a shower the night before. At least his alpha smelled like he had showered before falling asleep.

Five short minutes later, he shuffles into the dining room and the chaos that is a family with a newborn, as they arrange the food on the table. “Well?” he asks, raising an eyebrow and plopping down in his regular seat.

“A’Ling won,” Wen Ke Xing says, looking surprisingly happy over having lost the bet.

“Cheng Ling? Only five?” he says, surprised at how fast the netizens figured it out.

“On top of Xie Wang and Zhu Yao Zhi, people threw Han Ying and Qin Jiu Xiao into the mix!” Wu Xi says and giggles, sitting down with the baby girl on his lap.

Zhou Zi Shu feels offended—because ew—though he really should have guessed. “Who was the fifth?” he asks, because that’s still only four.

“The most handsome alpha in the world of course,” Jing Bei Yuan says, wiggling his eyebrows.

“Second most handsome alpha,” Wen Ke Xing corrects with an unimpressed look. When Jing Bei Yuan huffs at him, Wen Ke Xing continues, “At least in this house.”

“I just lost my appetite,” Zhou Zi Shu says, mock-retching.

“Are you telling me that I’m not the most handsome alpha in your life these days?” Jing Bei Yuan says, acting hurt.

“I don’t think you’ve ever been the most handsome alpha in my life,” he responds and ignores his friend whilst looking out over the table. Why is there no chocolate on the table? Where is his chocolate? Who doesn’t bring chocolate to someone who’s pregnant?

“Good thing we come bearing your favorite baozi,” Wu Xi says and nudges the container towards him.

He scrunches his nose and sighs. Whilst they look yummy, they are not chocolate. But he is hungry. “So how did they figure it out?” he asks, genuinely curious.

“Xie Wang was polling high until netizens exposed that he is very likely in a long-term situationship with an older alpha,” Jing Bei Yuan responds and wiggles his eyebrows. “He never should have tried to fly close to the sun. Your fans shot him down within hours and then moved on from his corpse.”

He shakes his head and tries not to laugh. Sherlock has nothing on his fans. It’s a good thing that Wen Ke Xing has been looking forward to being exposed—even preparing for when he has to go public that he’s Zhen Yan. His poor co-lead, however, was probably using him as a cover, not thinking about the consequences of being linked to Zhou Xu. He takes a big bite of the baozi, and whilst it’s not chocolate, it’s still very tasty.

“After they ruled him out, someone posted a very clear video of a love-sick Wen-shu during the concert—catching that kiss you threw him,” Zhang Cheng Ling says as he walks into the kitchen, carrying chocolate muffins and his favorite extra-large, Deerioca brown sugar pearl milk tea, along with some other options of what he guesses is coffee. His assistant is the best, and he will be treated as a king during their vacation. “And once they started digging into Wen-shu, they analyzed his silhouette and compared it to the cover for the single—which was a match.”

“Apparently, your ship has been sailing strongly in private group chats by fans that have been observing you two during filming. There are now a number of photos circulating on Weibo with you two pining over each other,” Wu Xi says, nudging one of the muffins towards him.

“Lao Wen~~” Jing Bei Yuan drawls, back to wiggling his eyebrows with a mouth full of half-chewed food. “How does it feel to officially be Zhou Xu’s sugar baby?”

Wen Ke Xing takes a seat opposite the second most handsome alpha and leans back in his chair, tilting his head. “You do know that I’m richer than you are, right? So, from now on, Zhou Xu is going to be my sugar baby.”

Zhou Zi Shu nods in agreement and then stuffs a whole chocolate muffin into his mouth, whilst eyeing a second. He does have two little babies growing inside him.

⊂ (▀▿▀) つ

Chapter Text

Wen Ke Xing finishes the final lap of his daily morning swim—a habit he has picked up from his fiancé. Resting his elbows on the edge of the massive outdoor pool to catch his breath, he watches Jing Bei Yuan walk out of the private estate they are renting for two weeks. Their week-long family vacation in Sanya has turned into a two-week long holiday trip to Hawaii before their wedding next month.

Zhou Zi Shu had worked tirelessly during the first three months of the year—with almost war-like strategies on how to finish his Asian tour, including a few stops overseas, on time. He had done all that because there was one thing his fiancé refused to budge on—he wanted to get married in May because he wanted to show off a big belly as he waddled down the aisle, but he didn’t want the happy occasion to happen too close to the date scheduled for their twins’ c-section in June.

“This game was rigged from the start,” Jing Bei Yuan mutters and puts a tray filled with various cut fruit on the table in front of Zhou Zi Shu and Zhang Cheng Ling, who are sitting in a shaded part of the massive garden along with Gu Xiang and Cao Wei Ning.

“Don’t be a sore loser,” Zhou Zi Shu says, smirks, and reaches for a fist full of strawberries.

“Cheng Ling is the one who won the bet,” Jing Bei Yuan continues and presses his lips together, looking unimpressed at Zhou Zi Shu’s strawberry-stuffed cheeks. “Why have I been waiting on you all morning?”

“Because my little disciple loves me,” Zhou Zi Shu responds in between chewing, his eyes big and bright.

“I do,” Zhang Cheng Ling says next to him, and snatches a big chunk of cut watermelon. “If I win, Shifu also wins. That’s just common sense.”

“In which universe?” Jing Bei Yuan questions, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Mine,” Zhang Cheng Ling responds and sticks his tongue out.

Sometimes Wen Ke Xing wonders if Zhang Cheng Ling isn’t Zhou Zi Shu’s child after all with how similar they are. Then again, Zhou Zi Shu’s antics have probably rubbed off on the assistant over the many years they have been together.

He pulls himself out of the pool and pats himself dry enough with a towel, deciding to let the hot Hawaiian sun do the rest, before he walks over towards his family finishing their breakfast. He catches Zhou Zi Shu’s not-in-the-least subtle glance over his naked skin, lingering on the mating bite on his neck, and his spine starts to tingle. If he thought that the omega was insatiable during their matching, that was nothing compared to how horny Zhou Zi Shu had been since he got pregnant. It’s like the omega is on a mission to try and get him into another rut before the babies arrive. Or to quote his soon-to-be husband—the more times, the better. If there is a specific thing that can trigger his rut, he is sure that Zhou Zi Shu will figure it out sooner or later. And with how much effort he is putting in, his guess is sooner. Not that he’s complaining. He is very much enjoying it.

Even though the Omega Center had told him that it’s perfectly safe for the babies, that his inner alpha-sense will not do anything that would inherently hurt the pregnancy, he’s still not fully convinced and had hinted that he might go away should he feel any pre-rut symptoms.

They may or may not have had their first argument as an engaged couple over this very fact. It was a very short argument that ended with Zhou Zi Shu giving him a very dirty, choking blowjob, followed by him drinking himself delirious from the omega’s pregnancy-hormone-laced slick, and ending with Zhou Zi Shu getting fucked hard and fast from behind, bent over the hood of the car with a nice chokehold around that delicate neck. Because yes—the fight happened on their way home from the Omega Center.

“Well, Your Imperial Majesty,” Wu Xi says, walking up next to Jing Bei Yuan, patting his husband on his back, “What do you have planned for today?”

Zhang Cheng Ling tilts his head and smiles brightly, “I’ve prepared matching clothes for all of you.” He then pulls out a piece of golden paper that he ceremoniously holds up like an Imperial Decree. “I have also prepared a lot of fun challenges for you to do throughout the day.”

“Challenges?” Gu Xiang says, narrowing her eyes. She’s been quietly listening so far, sitting happily on her boyfriend’s lap, but now she’s stretching her neck, trying to read what’s on the paper. As if he has eyes at the back of his neck, Zhang Cheng Ling shifts it away from her curious eyes.

Wen Ke Xing thinks that he can see a mischievous glint in the young man’s eyes that borders on evil. He’s impressed. He is sure that he is going to enjoy the day. It’s a good thing that they decided to fly to Kauai[i] as Zhou Zi Shu isn’t well-known here. That is, no one has recognized him so far.

“So… what’s your evil plan?” Jing Bei Yuan asks, and wraps his arm around Wu Xi, pulling him closer.

Zhang Cheng Ling hands the Imperial Decree to Wen Ke Xing, who huffs but accepts it dutifully. The others shake their heads and fold their arms over their chests with a mix of curiosity and skeptical looks on their faces.

He clears his throat and tries to read with his most serious author voice, because he’s no actor. “The Emperor,” he glances towards Zhang Cheng Ling, who is smiling so widely that his enormous sunglasses shift on his nose, “who governs over you all today with the Mandate of Heaven, declares that there shall be laughter amongst friends.” There are a few giggles amongst the gang, and he continues dutifully, “Having triumphed gloriously in the contest of hashtags surrounding Shifu’s sex life, we, The Victorious One, Sovereign of This Vacation, hereby proclaim a single day of joyful chaos, that harmony may arise through shared embarrassment.”

“Is he being serious?” Gu Xiang whispers, and then giggles behind her hand. Cao Wei Ning is trying his best not to laugh behind her.

“Sex life…?” Zhou Zi Shu hisses under his breath and looks like he wants to dump the fruit on top of Zhang Cheng Ling, but changes his mind and leans back in the chair, popping a few strawberries into his mouth. “Who knew you had such a flare for drama?”

“There shall be silence whilst reading the decree, or thou shalt be punished,” Wen Ke Xing jokes, and his fiancé looks unimpressed at him, before blowing him a kiss. “From the rising of the sun to its descent beyond the western sea, all matters great and small shall follow the word of this Victorious One. None shall resist the Imperial command, nor evade the appointed challenges. Those who show reluctance shall receive extra honor through additional tasks.”

“I really should have thought harder before I guessed eleven people. I can’t wait for our next bet,” Wu Xi giggles, and then laughs out loud when Zhang Cheng Ling raises an eyebrow in his direction. Wen Ke Xing is so proud of him. It’s like watching his eldest child spread his wings for the first time.

“Each subject shall wear the garments decreed—costumes befitting this sacred day—or additional challenges will be awarded,” he continues whilst the others groan. “At intervals of the day, the Victorious One shall present trials of courage, wit, and humiliation, the completion of which shall bring amusement to Heaven and laughter to Earth. The Victorious One shall record all deeds so that future generations may marvel at the foolishness of this gathering.” Everyone turns their heads and watches Zhang Cheng Ling nod towards a tripod setup with his mobile phone, recording everything.

He continues to read, “At midnight, the edict shall dissolve like mist upon the sea; rebellion may then resume, and vengeance may be plotted freely.”

Gu Xiang rubs her hands together and narrows her eyes at Zhang Cheng Ling. Wen Ke Xing thinks that he may need to take over the recording after midnight, if he’s sober enough. He has a feeling that Zhang Cheng Ling is going to end up in the sea, which will make for excellent content.

He clears his throat to regain everyone’s attention, “Thus is Our will made known. Let all obey and rejoice—for merriment shared is friendship strengthened. This decree is issued under the Seal of the Victorious One on this most auspicious morning of leisure and mischief.”

“Who knew we had another writer amongst us,” Jing Bei Yuan says. “Are you sure you want to be an actor? Maybe you should be a script writer, or a director.”

“Or all three,” Zhou Zi Shu says, and sighs. “Come on, let’s get changed.”

>ᴗ<

“How can you do this to me?” Zhou Zi Shu whines, pouting exaggeratedly at Zhang Cheng Ling. “I’m going to disavow you. You’re no longer my disciple. You might even get fired for this. Maybe I should enlist you in an idol program so that you learn some manners.”

“No one is getting fired,” Wen Ke Xing says and pats his feisty omega’s stomach that is currently hidden under a hideous and enormous turquoise Hawaiian shirt.

He looks over at Zhang Cheng Ling, who is trying—and failing—to hide a smile behind his hand. His other hand is holding a newly purchased 3-axis stabilizer mounted with his phone. Zhang Cheng Ling is determined to memorialize this day. If he wasn’t such a sweetheart, Wen Ke Xing might be worried about blackmail material. Then again, Zhou Zi Shu’s fans would probably think he’s amazing at doing anything, and that ugly shirt would sell out instantly.

“Lao Wen~~” Zhou Zi Shu drawls, pouting at him.

“A’Xu,” he responds and can’t help but bend down to kiss those plush lips. “He did win fair and square. Besides, look me in the eyes and tell me that what you planned on doing to all of us wouldn’t have been way worse than this.”

“Not to you…” Zhou Zi Shu says, kissing back with soft lips.

“What about Jing Bei Yuan?” he asks, and the smile he feels against his lips is answer enough.

“It’s not fair. How can you look so good in that horrendous red shirt? Even that stupid waist bag looks hot on you,” Zhou Zi Shu says, eyeing him suspiciously as if Wen Ke Xing is somehow cheating.

Before he can respond, he hears Jing Bei Yuan’s voice. “What did I ever do to you, Cheng Ling?” Jing Bei Yuan asks, sounding miserable, and Wen Ke Xing can’t help but laugh out loud when he spots him down the hallway. The alpha is wearing a green shirt with large flamingos printed. The bird’s eyes appear glued on and the pupils bounce with each of his steps. The shirt is matched with pink shorts. It’s definitely a sight that he will never forget. He might need to print off some screenshots of Zhang Cheng Ling’s vlog and frame.

“Looking good, Da-Ge,” he says and hears a snort from Zhou Zi Shu.

“Didi, I think you and I need to have a talk,” Gu Xiang says as she storms out of her and Cao Wei Ning’s room. “I look like I’m wearing drapes!”

“It’s vintage,” Zhang Cheng Ling says, following up the statement with a wicked giggle, this time not trying to hide it. “And you’re matching with Wei Ning-Ge.”

Gu Xiang turns to look at her boyfriend with skeptical eyes, but her face does soften when she sees him standing in the doorway looking like the utter dork that he is wearing a teal and yellow striped shirt with a surfer across the chest.

She turns back towards Zhang Cheng Ling, her eyes narrowing as she slowly tilts her head, “I will get back at you for this. You’ll never see it coming.”

Wen Ke Xing has no doubt that she will get even after midnight. It won’t be mean, but she will get back at him. She’s played plenty of pranks on him ever since she latched onto him all those years ago. She’s pretty adorable when she’s feisty. Like an angry little kitten. Then again, Zhang Cheng Ling is the sweetest little fluffy puppy, so he might need a heads up on what might come his way.

“Lao Wen~~” Zhou Zi Shu whines again and slumps into his arms.

“There is chocolate on the table in the kitchen,” he responds, knowing every single tone on his little pregnant omega by now. He’s got a bag full of candy in his waist bag, but they will be needed throughout the day.

He gets a kiss on his shoulder and then they all watch Zhou Zi Shu waddle down the hallway and towards the stairs.

“Okay, let’s do this,” Jing Bei Yuan says and takes a deep breath before grabbing Wu Xi’s hand and following Zhou Zi Shu downstairs.

Cao Wei Ning kisses Gu Xiang on her right cheek and bumps her with his nose, “At least we look like a couple.” She huffs, shakes her head and they disappear down the hallway.

Wen Ke Xing nods towards Zhang Cheng Ling, who nods back, “Let’s get this show on the road, Your Imperial Majesty.”

ヘ(^▽^)ノ

One hour into their day of joyful chaos, and they still haven’t made it through the first challenge—one by one pretending to be living statues until a stranger gives them money. Surprisingly, a group of Asians in Hawaiian outfits had drawn quite the crowd in central Lihue, and the first few victims had managed to get their money within just a few minutes, including himself. The most fun had been to watch his little sister glare daggers at both Zang Cheng Ling and the crowd until some poor soul had thrown her some money from behind them. He’s pretty sure it was Cao Wei Ning, but he will take that to his grave. Or at least until after midnight.

For now, he watches Zhou Zi Shu—who had waited until last. Not from fear of being recognized by the crowd but rather of being recognized whilst wearing such an outfit.  Although Zhou Zi Shu can’t speak, his internal dialog is as clear as if written on his forehead, which it kind of is—in between his furrowed brows. His omega is in desperate need of chocolate, but there is no way Wen Ke Xing can feed him anything until he’s managed to get a stranger to give him money. Maybe he can secretly bribe someone to donate money?

Suddenly, a younger, American looking woman in an expensive outfit walks up and places a wad of cash in the container in front of his fiancé. “You must be the prettiest statue I have ever seen,” she concludes and sniffs the air, not even a little bit discreetly. Wen Ke Xing feels like growling. “Too bad you’ve already mated,” she continues and winks, before walking off, hips swaying with confidence.

“Excellent!” Zang Cheng Ling exclaims like a young Emperor and pockets the money. “Funds for your next challenge!”

Wen Ke Xing walks over to Zhou Zi Shu—who has the nerve to look somewhat content at having been given a compliment, and also the most amount of money out of all of them—and holds out a piece of Zhou Zi Shu’s current candy obsession. He’s rewarded with a pouty smile and he leans in for a quick kiss.

“What’s next?” Jing Bei Yuan asks, looking surprisingly eager, as if he’s forgotten what he looks like.

Zang Cheng Ling hands them each twenty dollars and says, “You’ve got fifteen minutes. Buy me the tackiest souvenir you can find. Both the winner and the loser will get a reward.”

In a Hawaiian themed blur, the couples all take off in different directions. Since he doesn’t want Zhou Zi Shu to walk fast in his condition, he holds him securely around the waist and steers them around the corner, heading towards the street vendors he’d spotted when they drove past earlier.

“You pick first,” he says when they stop in front of the stalls.

Zhou Zi Shu locks eyes with the third stall down, and waddles over, instantly picking up a surfing rubber duck in sunglasses and a lei around its neck. “How much?”

“Twenty five dollars,” the vendor responds. Without even blinking, he hands Zhou Zi Shu his money and they pay. “Zang Cheng Ling will never know,” Zhou Zi Shu says, looking up at him with eyes that indicate that he needs at least two more candies. Which Wen Ke Xing gives him from his stash.

“What about you?” Zhou Zi Shu asks, almost drooling as he chews on his candies.

He looks around, spots what he thinks might be cheap enough, and walks over. “How much?” he asks, pointing at the shells covered in glitter and glued on googly eyes.

“The small ones are two for ten dollars,” the young girl says. “The big ones are ten dollars each.”

He picks out two small ones; one that matches his red outfit; and one that matches Zhou Zi Shu’s turquoise outfit.

He feeds Zhou Zi Shu another piece of candy on their way back, and when they get there, Zang Cheng Ling is nowhere to be found. All the others are there, trying to hide their souvenirs from their competitors.

“Present your tributes,” Zang Cheng Ling says, having appeared seemingly out of nowhere, holding his camera.

Gu Xiang dramatically steps up first, handing Zang Cheng Ling her souvenir, and says, “This cracked mug represents my will to live thanks to wearing this outfit.” 

Jing Bei Yuan laughs out loud as Wu Xi pats her on her back. “At least you’re not turquoise,” Zhou Zi Shu says with a huff, and stuffs another candy into his mouth. Wen Ke Xing looks at his fiancé, wondering when the man had managed to steal one from his bag. He needs to keep a check on his omega’s blood sugar throughout the day.

One by one, they hand him their souvenirs, laughing at the silly items, teasing each other, and hyping up their own ones. Jing Bei Yuan has managed to score a t-shirt that says I got sunburnt and all I got was this lousy t-shirt. Wu Xi hands over a keychain shaped like a toilet, but with the town’s name—Lihue—on it. Cao Wei Ning unfolds a beach towel with quotes on it. Upon further inspection most of the quotes are either incorrect or misspelled.

Once Zang Cheng Ling has checked them all, he declares Zhou Zi Shu the winner and Jing Bei Yuan the loser. When everyone starts to protest, Zang Cheng Ling just raises an eyebrow and Wen Ke Xing watches in fascination how they go quiet. There is a lot more to Zang Cheng Ling than his innocence.

“What did I win?” Zhou Zi Shu asks, tilting his head, expecting the worst.

“You are spared from the next challenge,” Zang Cheng Ling declares, which results in a little happy wiggle by the pregnant omega.

“What about me?” Jing Bei Yuan asks, lips pressed together, but his eyes are way too happy for him to be upset.

“You will have to wear that t-shirt for the rest of the day,” Zang Cheng Ling responds.

“That’s an upgrade, so technically I won too,” Jing Bei Yuan says and pulls off his pink shirt before he’s even finished speaking. There is a whistle from somewhere across the square and Jing Bei Yuan flexes his biceps, before putting on the t-shirt. Wu Xi just shakes his head.

“Where to next?” he asks and Zang Cheng Ling smiles.

“Lunch,” Zang Cheng Ling responds, and smiles a little bit evil. “And your third challenge.”

¬‿¬

Their lunch challenge is surprisingly simple. All they have to do is close their eyes and point at random items on the menu. The only ones that can order what they want are Zhang Cheng Ling and Zhou Zi Shu.

“Honestly,” Gu Xiang mutters, looking at her cup of coffee and pickled fish, “I’d rather starve.”

“I love your attitude,” Zhang Cheng Ling beams at her, wiggling his eyebrows. “You’ll need it.” Zhou Zi Shu laughs, his mouth full of chocolate muffin and Gu Xiang looks like she might fling herself across the table, the only thing holding her back is Cao Wei Ning’s hand on her thigh.

 “Okay, you little dictator,” Jing Bei Yuan says as he finishes off his loco moco[ii], sighing contently.

“Singing,” Zhang Cheng Ling says and leans back in his chair, slowly pushing one of the chocolate muffins towards Gu Xiang. She snatches it as soon as she can reach it and the steam coming out of her ears subside to a few puffs.

(ᗒᗣᗕ)՞

Throughout the afternoon, they have been forced to serenade strangers, speak only in rhyme whilst asking for directions, walk up to a single person and pretend that they are a long lost friend. It’s been utterly humiliating, but also hilarious. And for all of the grumbling and exaggerated sighing, everyone has laughed through the day, both at themselves and towards the others.

They are now at the final challenge before they head towards dinner and they are surrounded by a huge crowd. He’s heard Zhou Xu whispered multiple times, and people have been taking photos and videos. They have been keeping a respectable distance, which he is very grateful for.

“I don’t know about this,” he says, brows furrowed. His eyes follow Zhou Zi Shu waddling over to a couple that has been watching them for the past half an hour.

“I’m sure that no one is going to try to teach one of the most famous pregnant omegas in the world how to breakdance,” Jing Bei Yuan says, but seems almost as worried as he is.

“Mn,” he grumbles, hearing Zhou Zi Shu talk the couple into teaching him a dance move. So far, Gu Xiang has been taught swing dancing, and Cao Wei Ning had somehow surprised them all by being surprisingly nimble as he was taught hip-hop.

The couple, who clearly know who Zhou Zi Shu is, happily exclaim, “Oh, you’ve come to the right place!”

The three of them walk back to the center of the town square, positioning Zhou Zi Shu between them.  “Ready? We will take it slow, don’t want the babies to pop out in front of all these people.”

No, we most certainly do not, Wen Ke Xing agrees and crosses his arms over his chest. The man to the left of Zhou Zi Shu looks him dead in the eye and smiles warmly. As if that’s supposed to make him feel better? Well, maybe a little.

“Da-Ge, relax. I can smell your irritation,” Gu Xiang says, sliding up next to him. “Nothing will happen. Zi Shu-Ge knows what he’s doing. He’s a dancer for crying out loud.” He’s too focused on Zhou Zi Shu to even scold her for calling him that even though she knows how much it irritates him.

“Step, step, kick, turn!” the woman guides, whilst they both show Zhou Zi Shu what to do.

It only takes his amazing superstar-fiancé a few minutes to learn the steps, and soon the three of them are gliding along to music screeching from a mobile phone on the ground. Watching his beautiful omega move like water, all big-bellied and laughing, makes his inner alpha hum.

“Well, I can smell something else now,” Gu Xiang says and punches him on the shoulder.

The music stops and Zhou Zi Shu bows to the cheering crowd, seemingly forgetting what he is wearing. Wen Ke Xing is not planning on reminding him. Instead, he prepares a candy just in case.

Zhang Cheng Ling looks at Jing Bei Yuan who pouts. Wen Ke Xing thinks it’s the first time he’s seen the alpha really nervous.

“Do I have to?” Jing Bei Yuan whines.

“It will be fun,” Wu Xi soothes, slowly stroking the alpha’s back.

“You know I have two left feet,” Jing Bei Yuan sighs, puffing up his cheeks.

“Yes, both I and my poor feet know this,” Wu Xi teases and then nudges him towards the center of the square.

What follows is one of the funniest things that Wen Ke Xing has ever seen, and something that he will use to torment Jing Bei Yuan forever. He might even put up one of those smart art frames in their lounge, just so he can edit a few clips together and have it on repeat whenever the alpha comes over.

The teenage girl trying to teach Jing Bei Yuan the waltz is showing incredible restraint and patience with the taller man. “He practiced for six months before our wedding, and he still couldn’t learn the waltz,” Wu Xi whispers beside him and Wen Ke Xing feels for the alpha.

He is also grateful that he was born with a little bit of rhythm, because Zhou Zi Shu is also making him learn a bunch of different dances for their own wedding. He does not want to make a fool of himself in front of the gazillion people that will be looking at the two of them on their wedding day. He knows that he will be judged on every single thing. Zhou Xu’s fans, whilst very supportive thanks to how happy they all see that the omega is, are still keeping a close eye on him.

After what feels like forever, but is only fifteen minutes, Jing Bei Yuan finally takes a few steps that are in the right order, and without stepping on the teenager’s feet.

“You’re up,” he says, and Wu Xi heads towards the crowd to find the final willing participant.

(˘ ˘ ˘) ᕤ

“I’m starving,” Zhou Zi Shu exclaims when they enter the restaurant booked for dinner. Instead of the front of house dining room, they are guided down a set of stairs and shown into a private part of the restaurant.

“Pfft, you’re always starving,” Jing Bei Yuan huffs and is rewarded with an elbow to the side.

“I’m extra starving today,” Zhou Zi Shu says with an unimpressed expression before softening and looking around the space. “Fancy!”

“You seem way too excited. We don’t even know what the dinner challenge is going to be yet,” Gu Xiang says, still salty over the lunch challenge.

“You didn’t go hungry, did you?” Zhang Cheng Ling says, a glint in his eyes.

Zhou Zi Shu looks at his assistant with fondness in his eyes, before rolling his shoulders, “Okay, what are we doing? Let’s go, I’m starving! You don’t want to starve a pregnant omega, right?” He turns those big, bright, chocolate colored eyes towards Zhang Cheng Ling who just smiles.

“It’s similar to lunch,” Zhang Cheng Ling starts, and everyone groans. “But this time you will all be able to see what you order. However, the servers will just place the food randomly as it comes out. So you never know what you’re gonna get. So be nice towards each other.”

“Well, that seems way too nice,” Jing Bei Yuan says. “What’s the catch?”

“No catch,” Zhang Cheng Ling says, and sits down at the large, round table at the center of the room. “You’ve all performed well today. This Victorious One is very pleased.”

“This lowly subject is happy, but starving,” Gu Xiang says, rolling her eyes as she sits down opposite Zhang Cheng Ling.

“Let’s order,” Zhou Zi Shu says, reaching for one of the menus, and they spend the following ten minutes arguing about what to order to make sure that everyone can eat everything. It’s a good thing that Zhang Cheng Ling has picked a restaurant with food that he knows that Zhou Zi Shu loves.

(˘ ˘ ˘)

Halfway through dinner, everyone chuckling and comparing notes from the day’s escapades, the room dims. As the laughter fades into curious silence, Zhang Cheng Ling stands up and raises his glass, smiling in triumph, “To the grooms.”

A beat passes before the realization hits the group—the entire day, every absurd challenge, had been part of a carefully orchestrated bachelor party. Shock turns to disbelief, then to impressed whistles and laughter.

Wen Ke Xing, who had been very aware of today’s plans, turns to look at Zhou Zi Shu. His mate is gaping with wide eyes. Zhou Zi Shu hadn’t ever mentioned wanting a bachelor party, his sole focus being on the tour, the holiday, the wedding, and their twins.

When Zhang Cheng Ling had come to him a few months ago asking to throw Zhou Zi Shu a bachelor party during their holiday, and that the only way to get Zhou Zi Shu to do some embarrassing stuff was on his day of reign, he had agreed. But when he had asked about details, Zhang Cheng Ling had said that he would have to wait, considering it was his bachelor party as well. And he hadn’t been able to argue against that. His only comments had been that they probably shouldn’t do it in Sanya to minimize the risk of being recognized, and also to make sure that his pregnant fiancé would be kept safe, hydrated, and fed. Not that he ever thought that Zhang Cheng Ling would put that in jeopardy.

“Cheng Ling?!” Zhou Zi Shu says with clear emotion in his voice and a trembling smile on his lips. He can’t help but circle an arm around his mate’s waist. “Thank you.”

“Anything for you Shifu,” Zhang Cheng Ling responds with a proud smile.

“Now I get why you were filming everything,” Jing Bei Yuan says with an impressed nod.

Multiple waiters walk in carrying everything from balloons and cakes with burning candles, to a portable karaoke machine that they connect to speakers in the corner. Within a few minutes, the space has turned into a proper bachelor party venue, and they spend the rest of the evening eating, laughing, singing, and making speeches roasting each of the grooms. It’s absolutely wonderful, and everything that he could have ever hoped for his lovely omega.

Right before midnight, Zhang Cheng Ling takes out another piece of golden paper.

“Oh, here we go,” Wu Xi says. Wen Ke Xing is amazed that the man still sounds excited after the day they have had.

“Now what,” Gu Xiang says through narrowed eyes.

“By the Mandate of Heaven and this Victorious One, it is hereby declared,” Zhang Cheng Ling starts and they all look at him with amused looks. “Henceforth, let it be known throughout the realm that once each year, when the season turns gentle and the burdens of labor weigh upon the spirit, all subjects—high and low alike—shall hold a Grand Competition of Fellowship.”

“I approve,” Zhou Zi Shu says with mischievous eyes.

“Who are the lowly in this scenario?” Jing Bei Yuan whispers, and gets an elbow to the chest from his husband.

“Let these games be held in the spirit of harmony and mirth, so that laughter may echo across the land and bind the hearts of friends anew,” Zhang Cheng Ling continues.

“I’m definitely gonna win next year,” Gu Xiang says, and Cao Wei Ning pats her on the head.

“Pfft, get in line,” Jing Bei Yuan says. “Next year it’s ON!”

Zhang Cheng Ling shakes his head and continues, “When the contests have concluded, a new Sovereign of Vacation shall earn the noble right to decree the destination of the Imperial Journey of Leisure. All shall then embark together, leaving behind the burdens of rank and labor, to revel in the beauty of the world under Heaven.”

“You’re paying next year,” Zhou Zi Shu says with a nod towards Jing Bei Yuan.

“Why? You’re not paying this year,” Jing Bei Yuan throws back.

“I’m never paying,” Gu Xiang concludes.

Zhang Cheng Ling clears his throat, and concludes, “Thus it is written. Let no one dare contravene this command,” right as the clock turns midnight.

“Finally,” Gu Xiang says, standing up. “Your reign is over Didi. It’s time for the people to rise against the oppression.”

⊂ (▀▿▀) つ