Chapter Text
The whole ride to Madam Cai's apartment passed in a blur for Ji Xiangkong. The warm press of Cai Ding's chest against his back and tightening of arms around his waist was the only comforts for the alpha. They zoomed through the streets and main roads in silence with Cai Ding resting his cheek on Ji Xiangkong's shoulder as the older man tried to come up with a confession speech to come clean to Madam Cai.
The alpha's heart thumped loudly inside his chest, wild and erratic. The usually homely building seemed more and more like a haunted house the closer they got. Shaking his head at the ridiculousness of his own fearful thoughts, Ji Xiangkong berated himself, ' You just have to tell your not-yet-mother-in-law that you knocked her precious son up Xiangkong! What's the worst thing she could do huh? Make a dish out of your chopped balls? '
An involuntary shiver ran down the alpha's spine at the thought and he stopped in his tracks, prompting a questioning sound from Cai Ding who was excitedly dragging the alpha towards his impending doom. " Just wondering what kind of side dish I will end up in ", Ji Xiangkong answered with a wry smile and the omega gave an incredulous laugh, muttering a soft, "Silly alpha ", continuing dragging him forward.
Now, standing in front of the door of Cai’s residence, the only thing separating him from the wrath of Madam Cai, Ji Xiangkong tried to think of something to delay the inevitable. A smirk made its way on the alpha's face as an idea popped inside his head. Turning Cai Ding - who was about to ring the bell (What a save thank god!) - towards himself, Ji Xiangkong held his omega's small hands his own larger ones and speaks with full seriousness.
" A-Ding, my love, if this alpha of yours doesn't survive today please do tell our child that their father was a brave man who tried his best but ended up beaten to death by a frying pan - courtesy of their nainai "
Cai Ding blinked slowly once, twice, and a few more times before baring his teeth at his stupid alpha who was trying to contain his laughter. Lifting his tiny fists, the omega started hitting Ji Xiangkong, " Why are you always so dramatic Kong-ge? My ma won't turn you into a dead, beaten pulp of an alpha! ", Cai Ding said scoldingly before adding a soft and unsure, 'maybe' at the end.
The alpha broke into a full-blown laugh, pulling his pouty omega in his arms and muffling his uncontrollable giggles in his sweet omega's elegant curve of the neck. Ji Xiangkong's laugh was so infectious that Cai Ding was only able to give a small whine before his own lips curled up in a soft smile and he clutched his alpha just as hard, baring his neck a bit more as the alpha scented him. They just stood there, basking in each other's presence.
The alpha and omega were snapped out of their world when an elderly feminine voiced rang in the corridor, " I was wondering who was making noises right in front of my house, turns out it's just my son and his stupid alpha boyfriend ", the tone was teasing yet carried a sharp undertone and Ji Xiangkong felt his soul leaving his body. Cai Ding pulled away from the terrified alpha and glomped his mother in hug with a cry of, 'Ma!!'
The alpha had his back to the mother and son so he turned around with slow jerky moments, not unlike the jock who always got killed first in a horror movie, only to bear the full brunt of Madam Cai's glare. The woman was way older and far weaker than him yet Ji Xiangkong could do nothing to suppress the chill that seized his body. Madam Cai gave the alpha one more glare before pulling away from Cai Ding.
" Since you two are here already, why don't you come inside? ", with that Madam Cai stepped to the side again, making a way for her son and entering herself, not waiting for the alpha. Ji Xiangkong sighed before sending silent prayer to heavens and stepping inside the demoness's aka Madam Cai's lair. The alpha hopes he'd survive this visit and live long enough to marry Cai Ding and see his kids grow.
Madam Cai's apartment was small yet warm and seeing it the way it had been during his past visits made Ji Xiangkong smile happily, irrespective of the fear coursing through his veins. Cai Ding had immediately moved towards the kitchen, making sure Madam Cai was properly stocked with basic necessities. The omega was followed by his beta mother and now they were bickering about having a healthy life.
The alpha sighed fondly as he looked over his omega, saw how Cai Ding's eyes were bright and how his lips were threatening to pull up in a smile, even Madam Cai sported the same expression. They were just arguing for the sake of arguing, reliving a once regular part of their lives after it being missing for so long. After missing each other for so long.
" Ma, we have to tell you something ", Cai Ding says it out of the blue and Ji Xiangkong almost trips while standing still. He had kind of forgotten the purpose of coming here. Madam Cai raises an eyebrow in inquiry, she also wanted to know why her son was wearing a scent blocker. Cai Ding had never been one to hide his scent or secondary gender, wearing it proudly every time.
The beta woman's eyes narrowed suspiciously as her son gestured for his pale-faced and jittery alpha to come forward. Many thoughts filtered through Madam Cai's mind and each one blew her away. So it was a given when a, " Have you two eloped and claimed each other without telling me? ", rushed out of her mouth without a second thought. To Madam Cai's relief, however, her son started denying.
" What!? No ma! We haven't ", Cai Ding replied incredulously, eyes wide and hands gripping one sleeve of Ji Xiangkong's leather jacket. The alpha looked torn between laughing or crying the beta woman sent him a stink eye. Looking at the mother and son duo, Ji Xiangkong sighed, taking it upon himself to deliver the news. " Ayi, why don't you sit down first? ", the alpha's voice was high-pitched and shaky and so suspicious that Madam Cai's left eye twitched in annoyance.
To Ji Xiangkong's credit, however, the beta woman obliged and slid into one of the chairs around the dining table, looking at her son and the alpha curiously. Ji Xiangkong cleared his throat, thankful for the warm press of his omega against his side. " Ayi, we are here to tell you that- that ", the alpha fumbled before ducking his head, " caidingispregnant ", he said in a rushed breath, arms coming up protectively.
When no reply came from the seated woman and Cai Ding's grip grew tighter on his jacket, Ji Xiangkong peeked out lightly from the protection of his arm to look at Madam Cai. The elderly beta was looking at him unblinkingly and the alpha gave a nervous chuckle, " Are you - ", before Ji Xiangkong could complete his sentence, Madam Cai stood up and made her way towards the kitchen without speaking anything.
The alpha looked at his omega with questioning eyes only to find Cai Ding deep in thought, his eyebrows furrowed together and a deep pout on soft plump lips. Suddenly, the omega's eyes widened and he turned fully towards his alpha, whispering only one word, " Run ", the panic was so evident on Cai Ding's face that the alpha felt himself panic too and just when Ji Xiangkong was about to grab his omega and make a run for it, Madam Cai came back again.
" So, is it the reason why my Ding'er is wearing scent blockers? ", her voice was pleasant and an unnatural crescent eyed smile on her face as she stood in the middle of the living room with her arms behind her back. Gulping some saliva, the alpha nodded, clinging to Cai Ding for any sort of protection. The switch in Madam Cai's demeanor was quick as she pulled out the rolling pin she was hiding behind her, leveling Ji Xiangkong with the same saccharine smile and predatory eyes.
No, the alpha did not squeak in horror looking at the elderly woman who was a beta and barely reached his chest. Nor did he run around the small apartment with the said woman on his tail. If anyone tells you that then they are lying , It's not the truth and never will b-- ok, maybe it was a close thing and maybe Ji Xiangkong found himself kneeling in front of her and holding his ears in apology after an hour of jogging around the apartment.
Sue him for caring about his life and not wanting to die.
" You are not going to leave him now, are you? ", Madam Cai's tone was no-nonsense, and given that she was Cai Ding's mother, she had all the right to question Ji Xiangkong. It doesn't mean that her sharp and accusing words didn't cut through the alpha's heart though. He and his omega had been in a relationship for more than 3 years and the alpha wanted a forever with his omega if allowed.
How can he ever even dream about leaving his sweet and sassy, soft and spicy boyfriend? Especially when his wish, his dream of having a family of his own with his omega was finally coming true? Realizing that he has been spacing out, Ji Xiangkong clears his throat, looking at Madam Cai with eyes full of determination, he confessed, " I would never leave him if you would give me your blessing, I would love to marry your son. "
Cai Ding looked shocked to hear the bold declaration from the alpha. He knew that it was what they both wanted but hearing it out loud just made everything feel more real and the omega reached out to give the alpha's hand a soft squeeze, smiling at him brightly. " What makes you think I will let you marry my son so easily? ", Madam Cai questioned with a raised eyebrow.
The alpha looks at her challengingly, " I'll prove it to you ayi, you will find no one better than me, no one can take care of your son as I do", Ji Xiangkong's voice is firm and full of confidence, a smirk playing on his face which is only boosted by the nod of Cai Din who's sitting beside him. The alpha won't back down, he always chased what he wanted no matter what and there's nothing that he wants more than having a family with his omega so why would he back down now.
Madam Cai gave him an assessing once over and a slow smirk made its way on the elderly beta's face. Ji Xiangkong shivered at the gleam in her eyes and the alpha swears he could see her demon persona right in front of him. " Fine then ", Madam Cai began slowly, " If you want to prove your worth then who am I to deny huh? ", she said teasingly and the alpha suddenly didn't feel as brave anymore.
What has he gotten himself into?
Ji Xiangkong spends the rest of the day finding out exactly what he had gotten himself in.
Madam Cai doesn't let Ji Xiangkong have a breather for more than a minute, making him do household chores from buying groceries to cleaning the house, from making him do the basic cooking (which he unfortunately sucks at) to taking out the garbage. Madam Cai making him repeat the tasks from the start every time he makes a single mistake. By the end of the day the alpha flops onto her couch, too sweaty and tired to move.
His whole body aches making Ji Xiangkong groan, a small spark of frustration running under his skin at how he messed up so many times. Now he can only dream of marrying his A-Ding. Pulling at his hair lightly, the alpha makes a move to stand up only to be pushed back on the couch. " What do you think you are doing? ", asks Cai Ding, frowning as he keeps his hands on Ji Xiangkong's shoulders to make him stay seated.
" I need to complete the tasks A-Ding ", the alpha says and Cai Ding makes an indignant sound before thrusting a glass of water right under the alpha's nose. oh, he didn't realize he was so thirsty until he started gulping down the water like a parched man. Ji Xiangkong comes face to face with his worried omega once he's done drinking and Cai Din declares, " You are not doing anything anymore "
The omega's tone is absolute and the alpha tries to protest but his words die on the tip of his tongue when he takes in the teary eyes of his omega. Cai Ding has wiped off the scent blocker and Ji Xiangkong can smell his frustrated omega's distress clearly from the rancid milk undertone his scent carries. " Stay seated ", Cai Ding hisses, his eyes getting more watery if possible, " you are in no condition to move. "
The alpha wants to soothe his omega, to hold him and scent him till Cai Ding is warm, safe and happy in his arm, so, mustering all power that's what Ji Xiangkong does. The alpha pulls the agitated omega in his lap, ignoring the spluttering protests of , "I am heavy Kong-ge ", and " You should not exert your body ". Ji Xiangkong buries his nose into his omega's neck, chest rumbling with sounds full of pleasure as the alpha starts crooning.
Cai Ding melts into his embrace and they stay like that for a while, crooning and purring when the pregnant omega breaks the silence, " it's stupid ", he mumbles into the cotton of Ji Xiangkong's shirt. Understanding what his omega means, the alpha pulls away, placing a kiss on Cai Ding's temples he whispers, " It maybe stupid A-Ding, but if it's for you ? I don't mind it not at all "
Cai Ding looks at him with wide eyes and rosy cheeks before burying his face in his chest. Ji Xiangkong laughs, his arms tightening around his omega and he means it, for Cai Ding he'd do anything. The couple falls asleep on the couch like that, with Cai Ding in his alpha's lap and Ji Xiangkong hold his omega protectively.
That's what Madam Cai comes out to. She sighs before covering the omega and the alpha with a blanket and there's a soft smile on her lips as she turns away. Maybe this alpha is the right one for her son after all.