Archive of Our Own ^beta

For almost thirty years, Shen Wenlang had taken his five senses utterly for granted.

At times, they’d even seemed somewhat of a nuisance.

Taste? There truly were astonishingly numerous ways in which one could fail at brewing tea.

Hearing? If Shen Wenlang had to listen to Hua Yong prattle on about Sheng Shaoyou one more time, he was surely going to turn gray before his time.

Sight? The less said about Shen Shaoyou’s arrogant smirk, the better.

Smell? Toilet cleaner pheromones should be illegal in every single province.

Touch? He would consider himself lucky if he never had to touch something in Gao Tu’s run-down and possibly plague-infested apartment ever again.

For almost three decades, Shen Wenlang had only ever consciously noticed his five senses in a negative light.

Then, everything had changed.

Everything had changed and it had all been because of Gao Tu.

Gao Tu.

His joy.

His light.

The love of his life and the man who was carrying his unborn child.

These days, Gao Tu’s beautiful features were the first thing Shen Wenlang saw when he woke up, and he could have spent hours marveling over the way in which the gentle beams of the rising sun bathed the Omega’s face in a soft, ethereal glow.

If Shen Wenlang was truly honest with himself, his gaze had been drawn to his secretary from the moment he’d first laid eyes on him.

Now that Gao Tu had become his mate, however, Shen Wenlang could finally look at him without fear of being caught staring or having to avert his gaze to hide emotions he hadn’t quite been able to figure out himself.

He’d finally, finally figured it out, though – and the sight of his Omega running a gentle hand across his growing belly and softly talking to the little one within had unequivocally become Shen Wenlang’s favorite sight.

In truth, he’d amassed quite a vast number of favorite sights over the past couple of months.

Gao Tu, sleepily blinking in the morning and giving him a soft smile that was only for Shen Wenlang’s eyes.

Gao Tu, blushing prettily and ducking his head with a bashful look each time he wore one of the new outfits in soft fabrics and creamy colors that Shen Wenlang had bought so his Omega could finally explore the soft, sensuous side he’d so long suppressed.

Gao Tu, biting his lip and staring up at Shen Wenlang with blown pupils and undeniable desire when they became one in the most intimate embrace.

Gao Tu, looking content and carefree for the first time in his life.

Perhaps, the sight of a Gao Tu who finally felt at peace was Shen Wenlang’s most favorite sight of all.

Of course, if Gao Tu’s smile was the most gorgeous sight that Shen Wenlang had ever beheld, the sound of his laughter was his new favorite music in the entire world.

He’d always been drawn to the deep, soothing sound of the other man’s voice, but nothing could have prepared him for the warmth of happiness spreading through his entire body when Gao Tu gently cupped his face and whispered “A’Lang.”

Nor could he have imagined the peace it brought him when he listened to Gao Tu sing a soft lullaby to their child while following the baby’s movements with gentle fingertips.

Shen Wenlang also couldn’t get enough of Gao Tu’s soft moans when they held each other close at night, the sound of his little gasps, hitched breaths, and whispered praises driving the Alpha mad in all the best ways.

Holding him at night was just of the many ways in which he’d learned to touch and cherish Gao Tu.

Sometimes, he could spend hours running his fingers through the Omega’s dark black hair, made luscious and soft by the pregnancy and feeling like silk beneath his fingertips.

His heart sang when Gao Tu slipped his hand into his as they took their daily walk outside, holding on tightly as though his mate would slip away if he let him go for even one second.

He also loved caressing and kissing his Omega’s growing belly, feeling scared, excited and overwhelmed with love every time he could feel the little one within move.

Then, there were the touches that were decidedly less innocent, and Shen Wenlang truly didn’t think he’d ever get enough of running his hands across soft curves and supple skin, his Omega’s body no longer frail from neglect and suppressant abuse but healthy and thriving as their child grew and his heart continued to mend.

It was during these nights of soft touches, squeezes, and kisses that Shen Wenlang also discovered a whole new world of irresistible tastes.

His Omega’s mouth, rich and fragrant like a fine wine as their tongues explored each other and he couldn’t stop nibbling on those plush lips.

A thin trail of sweat, running down his Omega’s chest and burgeoning belly and tasting both salty and strangely sweet.

The very essence of him, nestled between his quivering thighs like an oasis of pleasure and beckoning to Shen Wenlang as though he’d been trapped in a desert for days.

It wasn’t just his Omega’s taste that could set his entire being ablaze with desire, though.

His smell.

His sweet, earthy, utterly irresistible smell, the warm scent of sage mingling so perfectly and effortlessly with his own iris scent that Shen Wenlang wanted to weep for all the years in which he’d allowed his own stupidity to deprive him of such harmony.

He knew that Gao Tu still doubted just how much he adored his scent, and Shen Wenlang had fully committed himself to reassuring him for the rest of their days, taking every possible opportunity to nuzzle against his nape, kiss his wrist, or look up at him from between his legs with an expression that he strongly assumed could only be described as that of an utterly love-drunk fool.

Of course, the future held the promise of a treasure chest filled with even more wonders for his senses, and sometimes Shen Wenlang could barely sleep in anticipation of finally seeing the little one they had created, hearing his adorable coos, smelling his soft skin, and holding his tiny body close against his chest to protect him from the world.

Soon, their little Lele would bring them immeasurably happiness.

For now, Gao Tu was all that Shen Wenlang truly needed.