Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The doorbell rang.

“Ah! My precious daughters have returned!” cried a middle-aged man as he was embraced by two pairs of arms.

“Happy Mid-Autumn Festival, Baba!” they chorused in unison.

“Come in and take your shoes off! Your mama is in the kitchen cooking your favourites!”

After settling around the kitchen table and sipping from warm cups of tea, the elder daughter said, “I’ve got an interesting story to tell you, Baba.”

“Oh? What sort of lunatic passed through your ER this time, ah?”

“Funny you used that descriptor, Baba. So, two weeks ago, an S-class Alpha male was brought in who had apparently collapsed at some work conference. His blood pressure was insane at 200/95, heart rate of 100; it’s amazing none of his blood vessels had burst, though his carotid was very visibly throbbing. His labwork came back with several irregularities that pointed toward prolonged distress from scent bond-severing. There was noone in the room with him because it was his secretary who’d brought him in. I found the man—a Beta—in the sitting room with an Omega male that he introduced as a colleague, so I brought them into one of the triage rooms and asked about symptoms. The secretary confirmed that the patient had been having frequent headaches for two to three months now and often looked overheated. When asked about any hand tremors, the man asked me how I knew. Well, no mistaking the signs. So, I asked if the patient was recently divorced or separated from a partner but was told he was single. I asked if there was an Omega he’d been with and the Beta actually snorted and said the patient despised Omegas.

“He asked what was wrong with the patient, but I told him he was not kin, so I was not at liberty to discuss his medical condition. The Omega surprised me so much by asking if the patient needed soothing Omega pheromones that I said ‘yes’ before I could stop myself. He gave the Beta an odd side glance and then said, ‘I’m his omega.’ Well, needless to say, I practically dragged him into the room. His scent filled the room even before he arrived at bedside to grab the patient’s hand. The monitors immediately showed a drop in BP and HR and stopped beeping soon after. I called a nurse in to grab another vial of blood for testing, and it’s while I was waiting for the blood to be drawn that I finally noticed that the Omega was pregnant. His awkward bending over the bed made his baby bump so obvious that I admit I was ashamed I didn’t see it until then. I went and rolled in the comfiest office chair from the nursing station. And when I returned, that’s when my diagnosis was further affirmed: I could smell the faint aroma of caramel that was mingling with the Omega’s scent. I told him the patient’s vitals had stabilized but I wanted to wait until he awoke to discuss his condition; told him to stay put and press the bell if the patient woke up or was in any distress.”

“Mn,” hummed the father. “You definitely made the correct diagnosis. I’d just seen one of my Alpha patients who’d lost his omega wife to cancer two weeks ago. Poor man was in a bad state: must’ve lost ten kilos in that short time.”

“Well, I went to examine two other patients and was going to see a third when one of the nurses told me the new lab results were back for the scent-distressed Alpha. Everything was normal. So, I thought I’d pop in to see if he was awake. Well, he definitely was. He was also clinging onto his omega for dear life and sobbing like he’d just lost every single member of his family. The poor Omega looked so uncomfortable with his back arched, legs apart, and knees pressed into the hospital bed mattress—it was the only pose he could adopt to prevent his pup from being squashed against the bed. But he didn’t even seem to notice the discomfort, he was so focussed on giving comfort. And the caramel scent was even stronger now that the Alpha’s scent was present.”

“It was distinct from the Omega’s?”

“Yep.”

“Mn, then it is only a scent bond and not a full mating bond.”

“Yep. Anyway, I left them alone and closed the glass sliding door. They definitely needed to talk. So, I set the timer on my phone to check in on them in an hour.”

“Still holding to your hard and fast rule, then, Jiejie,” said the younger daughter with a smirk.

“Haven’t found an exception yet, so I maintain that any couple who can’t even begin a conversation, no matter how awkward or angry, within an hour will never salvage that relationship.”

“Tell Baba what happened when you went back.”

“I found the Omega cuddled in the Alpha’s lap. They didn’t even hear me clear my throat. When I finally got their attention, I told them that I didn’t want to know what had gone wrong between them to result in their separation, but whatever the reason, I hope they could work things out because, like it or not, they are scent-bonded, and the longer they stay apart, the worse things would get. I very pointedly told the Omega that he is endangering their pup and that he’d be lucky to survive the birthing. Told him I was sure his endocrinologist had already told him that his was a high-risk pregnancy without the constant support of the Alpha father, given how pale and thin and haggard he looked. I told the Alpha about the results of the second blood draw and said that if he felt able to stand on his own two feet, he could leave within the half-hour.”

“Well, I really hope they work it out. Omegas abused or abandoned by Alphas after one-night stands, raping, or other cruel encounters have a hard-enough time dealing with resulting pregnancies,” said the father. “A scent-bonded one has it almost as bad as one who is fully mate-bonded, in my experience, because they feel more insecure that it was only a partial bond, and that added stress can make the pregnancy and birthing very difficult and fraught indeed.”

“Wait ’til you hear the clincher, Baba,” said the younger daughter with a sly look.

“There’s more?”

“Oh yeah,” replied the older daughter. “I didn’t really register it at the time, only that the two scents were unusual. But it’s after I got home and started telling Meimei about the case that I realized just how unusual they were. And then Meimei confirmed my suspicions after giving me an update on one of the patients she’d seen the same day.”

“Can you guess, Baba?” said the younger daughter.

“How can I guess? There are so many different scents and combinations.”

“Well, do you remember a former patient of yours you used to come home and rant about, the one with the severe pheromone disorder caused by years of abusing suppressants?” At his widened eyes, his younger daughter continued: “Well, he moved to Country O and followed your suggestion to find a new endocrinologist at Hospital E. Guess who was assigned to be his doctor?”

The father grabbed his daughter’s wrist. “How is he doing? Did he stop using those damned suppressants? What treatment are you giving him to stabilize the pregnancy?”

“He did stop using suppressants and I started him on a high dose of artificial pheromones. It doesn’t fully replace those of the Alpha father, of course, but he has a sister who is an Alpha, so the addition of a family member has made the treatment more effective. The pup is healthy, if a bit on the smaller end of the growth curve, but we know that babies show a remarkable tenacity for survival, even at the expense of the mother’s health. Provided that they aren’t exposed to any really harmful environmental stressors, of course. And idiotic as this Omega may be, he really loves the kid, so he’s definitely doing everything he can to make sure the pup is as healthy as possible.”

“Well, I’m very glad to hear that he is managing.”

“Did he ever tell you what his Alpha smelled of?”

“No.”

“Jiejie?”

“Irises. Which is what I smelled mingled with sage and caramel in that ER room.”

“You mean—?!”

Both girls smiled at their astonished father. The younger daughter said, “I won’t be seeing him again for at least another month, but I’ll be sure to update you if I see any remarkable improvements to his condition, Baba.”

Chapter Text

Gao Tu was smiling to himself as he exited the clinic, rubbing his swell fondly.

“Se-secretary Gao!” said a surprised, familiar voice.

Gao Tu looked up and locked eyes with Qin Ming. “Head Secretary Qin!”

“How—how are you?” The flustered man couldn’t help staring at Gao Tu’s mid-section but then realized how rude he was being and looked up. “Uh—I—congratulations… um…”

Gao Tu nodded and smiled. “Thank you.”

“I—I—uh…”

“I… had to hide my… designation. It was for my safety.” Gao Tu said, softly. “I… didn’t mean to lie to you.”

“Oh, oh, no, no, if your life was in danger because of… of… then of course it only makes sense to pretend to be a Beta. But it must have been so hard on you. No wonder you were always so thin and tired-looking.”

“I got used to it. I could not have worked in HS Group if…”

Qin Ming cleared his throat, understanding what was left unsaid. “Well, I’m… I’m very happy that you don’t have to hide it anymore. Not working at such a stressful job is good for the baby. I hope… you’ve found a kind boss.”

“Yes. She is very generous and understanding. I work for Xi Corporation now.”

“Oh, the one headed by the Omega Dowager that only employs Omegas? I hear she’s as formidable as an Alpha!”

“I’ve only met the CEO once in a company-wide meeting. She does not suffer fools, certainly. But she truly cares for the well-being of all her employees.”

“Oh, you don’t work directly for her?”

“No, I’m the assistant of one of the managers. I requested it.”

“Ah well, with the baby on the way, that makes sense.”

“What brings you here, Head Secretary Qin?”

“Oh, aiya, it’s Shen-zong. He collapsed at this tech conference we were attending. He’d been grumbling about how Mr. Hua failed to show for the morning sessions even though he was supposed to be interested in some new venture. Then Mr. Hua and Mr. Sheng caused a commotion when they suddenly walked in together. I didn’t even get to see what the fuss was about as people swarmed around them. The next thing I knew, Shen-zong was lying on the floor. He’s in the emergency room.”

Gao Tu had grabbed Qin Ming’s forearm and now asked in agitation, “Is he alright?”

“Don’t know yet. Still waiting to be seen by the doctor. We’ve been here for over an hour but no word yet. I’m not family, so I’m not allowed inside. Got tired of sitting on those hard chairs, so I decided to stretch my legs.”

“Do… do you mind if I wait with you? I’ve finished my appointment and I have the rest of the afternoon off.”

“Sure. I wouldn’t mind some company.”

When a doctor finally came out with questions, Gao Tu couldn’t help but want to learn all that he could about Shen Wenlang’s condition. He only hesitated for a moment, glancing uncomfortably at Qin Ming for yet another deception, before telling the doctor, “I’m his omega.” He didn’t dare look at Qin Ming again as he followed the doctor into the depths of the emergency department.

But all thoughts were evicted as soon as he entered the room and saw the pale and unconscious figure in the bed. He nearly tripped as he ran forward, grabbing at the limp hand. “Wenlang,” he choked out and then forcibly centred his focus on releasing calming pheromones. He sighed in relief as he saw the knit of Shen Wenlang’s brow ease and his breathing slow and deepen. He barely remembered to thank the doctor when she brought him a chair and to assent to her request that he look after Shen Wenlang. His grip loosened as he tried to find a comfortable position in the chair and startled when his hand was grabbed. He scanned Shen Wenlang’s face anxiously but saw no indication that the Alpha was waking up; with his free hand, he rubbed his thumb over the back of the hand that held his in a vise and let out a relieved breath when the beloved face relaxed and the head sank back into the pillow.

A light kick broke his trance, and he patted his swell and murmured, “Lele be good. Your baba is unwell. Mama is helping him feel better.”

Because of the sudden interruption, Gao Tu almost missed the unsteady gulp of breath and fluttering eyes. Then the shapely head snapped toward him and those piercing eyes recognized him.

“A-Tu!”

Gao Tu suddenly found himself with a weeping Alpha clinging desperately to him. “I’m sorry!”, “Don’t leave me!”, and “Please!” burst out repeatedly between heaving sobs. Gao Tu wrapped his arms around Shen Wenlang and rocked him back and forth, shushing and humming as he rubbed soothing circles over the Alpha’s back.

The crying gradually calmed. Eventually, Shen Wenlang let go but only to gently cup Gao Tu’s face in his hands. He stared, as if disbelieving his eyes. Finally, he intook a deep breath and said, tremulously, “I love you. I… please, I… Come back.”

Gao Tu felt as if he’d been punched. A jolt of pain sliced his chest and his heart pounded against it. Those three words that he’d too often dreamed would leave those lips had finally been voiced, and he was terrified. A choked sob escaped. Then another.

Shen Wenlang’s face came closer, and he said in a panicked voice, “Ah, Baobei, please! Please don’t cry! I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! I was such a fucking dickhead!” When the weeping only intensified, Shen Wenlang manouevered the Omega so that he was tucked against the crook of his neck. He soothed and petted the precious head, holding the shoulder blades firmly. “I’m so sorry for all those asshole comments. They never applied to you. I could never hate you.” He pressed kisses. “I’m sorry you felt belittled by my prejudices. I’m sorry I called you a manipulative bitch that night in X Hotel.”

The sobbing stuttered and Gao Tu struggled out of Shen Wenlang’s embrace. But Shen Wenlang refused to let go. When he managed to pinion Gao Tu’s arms against his chest, he forced the panting Omega’s chin up so that they made eye contact. “I’m sorry I was so rough with you that night.”

“How… how did you find out?”

“Hua Yong showed me the picture. And slapped me. That lunatic actually slapped me! And told me to man up. He’s here with his boy toy. I knew he was up to something when he didn’t even bother to show up for the opening ceremony of the conference. All that bullshit about looking for new business ventures. He just wanted the whole tech industry to bear witness to the fact that he’s knocked up Sheng Shaoyou.”

“He—what?”

“Those two psychos are having a baby. Can you imagine?”

“But… you and Mr. Hua…”

Shen Wenlang scoffed. “I can’t believe you fell for that, too.” He shuddered. “Ugh, just thinking about it makes me want to hurl. Don’t worry, I was just a tool for Hua Yong to arouse Sheng Shaoyou’s jealous streak. And the idiot fell for it, hook, line, and sinker. Well, they’re both freaks that deserve each other, I suppose.” He paused, then intook a deep breath. “A-Tu, I know I don’t deserve you. But please, come back. I’ll make it all right, I promise.”

“But—”

“You can have anything you want. Do you want a family? You’d be a great father.”

“But you said… when I asked about the… the Omega having your child…”

Shen Wenlang closed his eyes and sighed. He opened them. “My omega father spent his life trying to possess my alpha father. To him, I was just a piece of my alpha father that he had successfully taken possession of. He didn’t love me and he abandoned me.”

Gao Tu gasped in dismay and wriggled to free his hands to caress Shen Wenlang’s face and smooth away the pained expression.

“So when you talked about that pregnant Omega, all I could think about was my omega father. But I wouldn’t mind having kids if it’s with you.”

“You—you’re sure?”

Shen Wenlang huffed a laugh. “When I saw Sheng Shaoyou strutting in with that belly of his on display and that smug Hua Yong with his creepy arm around his waist, I was so… so angry that I guess I passed out from it. I just remember thinking before I lost consciousness that I want that.”

“You… you want…” Tears sprung to Gao Tu’s eyes, which had lit up with sudden hope. He then slowly disentangled from Shen Wenlang’s embrace and brought the Alpha’s hands to his lower abdomen. There was an excited kick.

Shen Wenlang stared. He burst into tears. Gao Tu held him as he wept against his sternum. He also cried happy tears.

When they were all cried out and at Shen Wenlang’s insistence, Gao Tu pressed the button to lower the hospital bed so that he could carefully—and awkwardly—climb onto the bed and cuddle against his alpha.

After the doctor discharged Shen Wenlang, he texted Qin Ming to have the driver pick them up while Gao Tu messaged his sister to ask if she had somewhere to stay for the night. When he answered that Shen Wenlang had shown up and they needed a quiet place to talk, she had replied with “Fine. But if he makes you even a little bit sad, I will cut him to pieces to feed to the dogs!”

Their arrival at the small flat coincided with the thoughtful delivery of dinner that Gao Qing had arranged. Shen Wenlang insisted on having Gao Tu in his lap while he fed him stir fry with rice intermingled with kisses.

They settled onto the couch and Shen Wenlang brought up the subject again of returning to Jianghu. Gao Tu expressed his concern about disrupting Gao Qing’s life when she was finally healthy enough to start having a life of her own: she was enrolled in the local university and already had an established set of friends. Shen Wenlang pointed out that Country O was only an hour’s drive from Jianghu. Gao Qing could stay put and the siblings could see each other all the time.

At Gao Tu’s continued hesitation, Shen Wenlang pressed a kiss to his temple and said, “If you’re worried about having to deal with your father, don’t. He’ll never bother you again.” At the astonished look, he said, “I guess we owe another debt to Hua Yong. He’s… disposed of the scumbag. Apparently, he’d seen your father confront you outside of HS Group and had a private investigator find out who he was. He showed me the final report and the pictures of what little remains were still left. I’m… I’m sorry you had to deal with all that shit for so long. I… now I understand why you had to hide yourself.” He sighed. “I’m sorry I made it worse.”

“No, it’s not your fault. It was never your fault. I promised my mother that I would keep it secret. She… he let other Alphas take her when she was in heat for money. She didn’t want that to be my fate.” As Shen Wenlang snarled in outrage, Gao Tu pressed light kisses about his face until the growling dissipated. “It was easier to give him money if it meant he would leave A-Qing and me alone.” Gao Tu ducked his head in shame. “I’m sorry I lied to you all this time.”

“Not your fault!” Shen Wenlang said fiercely, gathering his omega close. “He totally would’ve made you suffer like your mother. If it were up to me, I’d make sure to torture him for weeks until he begged for death!” Gao Tu hummed against his chest. “A-Tu.”

“Mn?”

“I promise I’ll always keep you and our pup safe. They’d have to be a psycho Enigma to even prise my dead body away from protecting you.”

Gao Tu looked up at him and smiled. “I love you, Wenlang.”

Chapter Text

Shen Wenlang was gulping the last dregs of his fifth—no sixth… eighth beer? He looked blearily at the empty bottles lined up on the coffee table, gave up trying to count them, and took another swig. His phone pinged again. Huffing, he moved the screen towards then away from him several times in an attempt to read the message.

Hua Yong: Shen Wenlang, if you don’t open this door right now, I will have it broken down.

What does that psycho want now? But he struggled to his feet and meandered unsteadily toward his front door.

Hua Yong’s sharp eyes swept him from head to toe and he scoffed, wrinkling his nose.

“What do you want?”

“Is this how you treat a distinguished guest? By making him wait in the filth outside your door?”

“No one told you to come. Why don’t you piss off?”

“Believe me, if there was no threat to my shares in your company as a result of your increasingly disgusting state of moroseness, I would not come within ten kilometres of you. But I don’t like my investments to go to waste, so if making you snap out of it is the only way, so be it.” Hua Yong slapped first one cheek, then the other, then the back of Shen Wenlang’s head, finally flicking his forehead so hard that there was a small echo.

“You fucking lunatic!” Shen Wenlang lashed out but only found thin air. A moment later, he found himself flying through the air and landing in a heap on his couch, Hua Yong looming over him.

“You are no longer a child. Stop sulking like one,” the Enigma said. “If you miss Secretary Gao that much, then get off your ass and find him and grovel for forgiveness.”

“Who says I miss him?!”

“Your behaviour these past three months. You’ve fired six secretaries over the stupidest trivialities, stormed out of two board meetings, and could have caused my Mr. Sheng irreparable damage in that silly pheromone standoff if I hadn’t intervened. I don’t care if you want to dig yourself into an early grave, but if you harm a hair on my alpha, I will make you dig it twice as deep before burying you in it alive.”

“Then why don’t you just let me be? It sounds like you actually care.”

“Hardly. I am merely protecting my interests. And preventing your depressing aura from potentially harming Shaoyou.”

“Then fuck off. If you’re nowhere near me, you won’t get contaminated.”

Hua Yong sighed deeply. “I still have use for you. So, I can hardly let you waste away.” He unlocked his phone and thrust it into Shen Wenlang’s hands.

Shen Wenlang squinted at the grainy photograph. “What the fuck is this?”

“This is the picture I took that night at X Hotel.” Hua Yong grabbed his phone back.

“Why the fuck should I care?”

“Because the man in that picture is Mr. Gao.”

Shen Wenlang stared, slack-jawed. He finally spluttered, “What?!”

“The Omega that you rutted with that night was Gao Tu.”

“But he’s not—”

“Yes.he.is. Even if your single brain cell didn’t realize, your body did. Why else were you drawn to his scent? His is the only scent you’ve ever commented on when you thought it belonged to some faceless, fictional Omega. With other Omegas, you just pinch your nose and storm away in revulsion. And yet you’ve kept Mr. Gao by your side all these years, in spite of his scent. Ask yourself why.”

“I—I…”

“Shen Wenlang, I will say this once: if you love him, then you either find a way to win him back or die miserable and alone in the full knowledge that you drove away the only source of happiness in your pitiful life.”

“But… but…”

“And if the thought of spending the rest of your life with him, possibly even having a child with him, is so repugnant, then by all means: wallow.”

“You—he—I—”

“If you had one last chance to talk to him, what would you say to him?” When he received no response, Hua Yong gave a sniff and said, “Sober up and give that brain cell of yours some exercise before it atrophies. There’s a small tech conference in Country O in two weeks. There are some promising opportunities I want to take a closer look at. I expect you to be there.”

“What the hell for?”

“A change of scenery will do you good. Besides, you might just stumble upon a beneficial alliance.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“You do that. I’ll see myself out.”

Chapter Text

“Please lie on the bed, Mr. Gao, and find a comfortable position,” said the tech. “This is no different from a regular ultrasound, so I'm sure you know the routine.”

Gao Tu nodded, and, with Shen Wenlang's help, he settled onto the bed and lifted his shirt to expose his bump.

The tech placed a disposable padded sheet with a large hole cut out from the middle over Gao Tu’s torso to protect his clothes from being smeared by the gel, which was surprisingly at body temperature. “Alright, shall we begin?”

As the image sharpened on the screen, Gao Tu stopped breathing. There, two feet away, was a clear image of Lele, eyes closed and snuggled in a cozy cocoon. Gao Tu felt Shen Wenlang’s hand tighten around his. Both stared in awe at the screen, drinking in every detail they could see from the 3D ultrasound.

“He looks just like you,” Gao Tu said, tucking his head into Shen Wenlang’s neck. He felt a small kiss atop his head.

“Alright, let's take a few pictures and choose the best one,” said the tech. The three of them agreed that the second picture had the best resolution. “I'll have this uploaded to your electronic patient file, Mr. Gao. And the results of the ultrasound will be discussed at your next appointment with your obstetrician. All the best with the remainder of your pregnancy. I hope you have a smooth delivery.”

“Thank you so much.”

As soon as they were settled in the car, Shen Wenlang gathered his omega to him for a kiss that would've lasted the entirety of the ride if not for their buzzing phones. Grumbling, Shen Wenlang reluctantly let go.

Hua Yong: Well, if there were any doubts about paternity, this certainly removes them. Though did you have to pulverize his genes as completely as you did his virginity?

Shen Wenlang: You're such an asshole! I hope Sheng Shaoyou only births omegas who look just like you!

Hua Yong: Is that meant to be intimidating? I would spoil all such babies that he gifts me. I know how to properly treat omegas, unlike you.

Shen Wenlang: Fuck you!

Beside him, Gao Tu was mentally rolling his eyes at the text he received.

Gao Qing: My poor nephew! To be saddled with such an ugly face for life! I should kill that asshole alpha—first he annihilated your self-esteem, now he's done the same to your genes!

Gao Tu: A-Qing. You know I love him.

Gao Qing: So?! I can continue to hate him while respecting your choice! They're not mutually exclusive! And that settles it: I was going to make sure to be around anyway so that my nephew will learn to be a decent person when he grows up, but now I may have to move in to ensure that looks are the only thing he'll get from that idiot!

Gao Tu: Well, you'll need to start by showing your xiongfu at least some common civility. Kids learn by example.

Gao Qing: I'm perfectly civil! I only put him in his place on occasion if he's being mean to you—and that's something that I want Lele to learn: how to protect his mama when his sperm donor is being a jerk!

Gao Tu: A-Qing!

Gao Qing: Fine, fine, his mama's baby-daddy.

Gao Tu: T_T

Gao Qing: Not fair, Ge!

Gao Tu: [bawlingeyes.jpg]

Gao Qing: Fine, I'll call him Xiongfu AFTER Lele's been safely delivered and that asshole has given you a proper wedding and not just a city hall formality!

Gao Tu: <3

“A-Qing squealing over her nephew?” Shen Wenlang pressed a kiss to his omega's temple.

“Sadly, no. She's disappointed he doesn't look like me.”

“Well, I'm a bit disappointed, too. But they say babies’ looks change all the time, so we'll just have to wait and see when he's older.”

“Well, I'm happy that he looks like his handsome baba.”

“Yeah?”

“Mn.”

“Well, then, we'll have to try for another in a few years so he'll take after his mama.”

“You're looking well. I think this is the first time I've seen your face a healthy pink colour instead of that ghastly white bordering on grey,” said the middle-aged doctor. “I see from your obstetrician's report that the baby has reached the 80th percentile, quite an improvement from the 65th when you were being seen at Hospital E. Well, it looks like you're good for something, at least.” That last remark was aimed at the Alpha, who scowled but did not otherwise respond.

Gao Tu squeezed his alpha's hand and smiled at his specialist. “I'm feeling a lot better, doctor. Like I did before I presented.”

“Hmph. Well I hope you'll stay this way from now on. Your bloodwork shows nothing to be too concerned about, for a change. Your pheromone disorder is essentially under control, but don't go feeling complacent! ‘Under control’ is a relative term, given that you're in your final trimester. The real test of how the state of your health will be is after you've weaned your pup. If your body holds up after that, then maybe I can stop worrying.”

“Thank you, doctor, for everything you've done to keep me alive all these years.”

“You just take proper care of yourself. And your pup. That's all the thanks I need.”

“I will, doctor.”

“And you! I have access to drugs that can incapacitate an adult elephant, so you make sure he's happy.”

Shen Wenlang huffed but bit his tongue.

After they'd left the exam room, the doctor sent a text.

Baba: So, I just saw the Omega with the severe pheromone disorder for his first follow-up after moving back. His alpha actually came with him. And they've properly bonded. They now smell of the parasol tree in bloom.

Dabao: Darn! Now I owe Meimei fifty bucks!

Xiaobao: Yes! I knew the woody element would beat the floral.

Xiaobao: How’s the pup?

Baba: In the 80th percentile. The OB is going to be extremely smug at rounds next week, I'm sure.

Xiaobao: Let her! We're all glad things have worked out. I really was psychologically prepared to close his file with “deceased” as the reason.

Baba: I had been expecting a call from you to tell me just that.

Dabao: Hey, Meimei, what say I contribute that fifty bucks towards a celebratory meal with Baba and Mama this weekend?

Xiaobao: Sure!

Baba: I will tell your mama. Looking forward to seeing my beautiful girls!

Dabao: Love you, Baba!

Xiaoyao: Love you, Baba!

Chapter Text

Shen Wenlang smiled as he observed the tableau before him: Gao Tu was asleep, his chin tucked against his suprasternal notch. In his arms, Lele was also asleep, still on the breast.

Shen Wenlang carefully lifted Lele, who wriggled a bit but snuggled against his baba as soothing pheromones were released. His baba pressed kisses atop his head and held him close, swaying gently. Finally, he laid his baby into the crib and made sure to leave his calming scent on the tiny blanket.

Having settled one, Shen Wenlang turned his attention to the other. He lifted his husband gingerly into his arms and carried him to their bed, tucked him in, then settled back into his side of it.

Subconsciously, Gao Tu turned and snuggled against his alpha, nosing his scent gland.

Shen Wenlang wrapped his arms around his omega, pressed a kiss, and murmured, “I love you,” to which a sleepy hum was given in response.

Shen Wenlang allowed himself to be lulled back to sleep by the trace of sage.

Chapter Text

”Wenlang-gege, could I have your phone number just in case Ge and Lele need your help?”

Gao Qing: We need to talk. Meet me tomorrow at [address], 3pm, Room R32.

When Shen Wenlang arrived at the specified address, he realized it was the university’s health clinic. He made his way to Room R32 and went in when he saw that Gao Qing was waiting. He closed the door.

“Sit. My brother is too soft-hearted to tell you what hell you put him through these past few months. Fuck, these past ten years! So, I’m going to tell you because you need to know just how much damage you’ve caused and how much you need to atone for.

“When Ge first asked me about moving, I was surprised, but when he said that the stress of the job was finally affecting his health to a point that the suppressants were failing, I was relieved. I’d been telling him for years to find another job, but he always made excuses, saying it wasn’t so bad, that other jobs didn’t pay that well, that he was lucky to have this one. And because of my expenses, I was in no position to argue. And he went about the whole move with his usual calm efficiency: packing, ending the lease, closing accounts, notifying the various government departments, hiring a mover, setting us up in a hotel. When we got there, he told me he’d even set up job interviews and appointments to go see rental units in the next few days.

“The second night we were at the hotel, he finally told me the truth about why he had to resign: he was pregnant. He wouldn’t be able to lie anymore about his true gender because he wouldn’t be able to hide the pregnancy forever. And he told me he’d need my help with administering the artificial alpha pheromones because without them, he ran the danger of losing Lele. I told him ‘of course’ and let my fat mouth run away when I asked what happened to the father. Ge broke down and blamed himself for not being strong enough and good enough to provide a safe environment for Lele to grow.

“And after he started the treatment but while we were still trialing the dosage, he bled out one night from down there. In the ambulance, all he kept saying was “I’m sorry”, “I want you”, “I love you”, and “please don’t die”. They managed to stabilize him at the hospital and they didn’t let him leave until the right dose was found. Thank goodness he already had a job and had a very understanding new boss, who sent him home with a week of paid sick leave.”

“I’m sorry!” Shen Wenlang said with a choked voice.

“I AM NOT THE PERSON TO SAY SORRY TO! And I don’t accept your apology! I’m going to keep a close eye on you, Shen Wenlang, and if you do anything to upset my brother, I will find people to beat you up! And shut up: I’m not finished yet!

“I knew as soon as I smelled the scent that you were the father, even though Ge refused to confirm it. Ever since I met you, I knew you were an arrogant, spoiled rich kid. So, I knew then and there that you’d molested him, told him you didn’t want the baby, and fired him! Ge never told me, but I hear things from other people. Two of the nurses were chatting outside my room, one gushing over the handsome CEO of HS Holdings featured in some trashy magazine about the most eligible bachelors. The other said to forget it because this CEO was known for his hatred of omegas, that he only hired alphas and betas. So from then on, I knew why my brother was always so stressed out over his job: he was living in constant fear of being found out. I’d been telling him for years to leave and find a less stressful job, but he wouldn’t listen. And then he had no choice.

“And all this time, he never said a word of blame against you about anything. He just took your abuse like he did our asshole father, like he felt he deserved it. And every time the doctor told him that Lele was underdeveloped, that his pheromone disorder was still not under control, that he needed multivitamins because he wasn’t providing enough nutrition for both of them, he blamed himself. He hid in his room and cried himself to sleep because he felt he had to be strong in front of me.

“I’m going to set up a new bank account and you are going to transfer five million dollars into it. If you ever hurt either of them in any way, I’m going to take them away and hide them so you can never find them, and I’m going to use that money to make sure they don’t suffer.

“And you’re also going to seek professional help for whatever mental problems caused you to hate omegas. I don’t want my brother to have to deal with your vitriol and I definitely do not want Lele to grow up thinking it’s perfectly okay to abuse omegas.

“If it were up to me, you would not be allowed within a hundred kilometres of them. But since I have no say in my brother’s abysmal taste in alphas, I’m going to make sure he and Lele are as protected from your shit as possible.”

Gao Qing turned on the ventilation system to dispel the accumulated pheromones and then left the room.

Shen Wenlang had his head in his hands for a long time.