tofu over ribs

Tak, tak, tak.

Pause.

Tak, tak, tak, tak. Pause. Tak, tak, taktaktaktak.

The CEO stopped typing on his laptop and let out a tired sigh. His hand, which had been resting on his keyboard, immediately shot up to catch his head, gently massaging his eyes. Maybe it was the time he’d spent in front of his screen or something else, but he felt tired. The tightness in his chest was steadily expanding like a bomb that wanted to go off, and the back of his neck felt like it was on fire.

Stress was not something new to Ken. He was the CEO, after all. He wouldn't have become so successful if he didn’t know how to handle at least some degree of pressure. Even with all the meetings and proposals he had to go over throughout the day, he kept his back straight, his face stern, and his smile permanent. Not even the steepest decline in stocks could faze him. For he was a supreme alpha.

But even the said supreme alpha had an Achilles’ heel. A vulnerability. A soft spot. In Ken’s case, it was his husband—the tall, stern, yet gentle omega, Josh. In the years they had been together, the foreman had made Ken do things he never thought he would. Josh could make Ken laugh out loud at a party and forget about his dignity. Josh could make Ken cry just by sitting in front of the window and looking at the cityscape. And his pheromones. Josh’s zesty, citrusy pheromones could make Ken swing between crazy with need and docile as a cat under the blankets.

Most of all, Josh was one of the few that could make Ken lose control of emotions. While it did not happen often, the pair does fight over things. Sometimes, it would be small, easily repairable with an apology and a few smooches. Rarely, their arguments would be bigger, ending with a cold shoulder and tense exchanges. Their fight just a few minutes ago was the latter. And Ken knew if he didn’t respectfully ask to leave the bedroom, they would have ended up shouting at each other.

He sighed again.

He wasn’t feeling like shit because he was mad. He was feeling like shit because Josh was sad. And whenever the foreman was angry-sad, Ken always loses the fight.

The careful footsteps made Ken lift his gaze. The sound came from the wide staircase to his right. On it, descending carefully with every step he took, was Ken’s very serious and very pregnant omega husband. A small smile flashed on Ken’s face seeing how slow Josh took his steps, one hand on the railing and the other protecting his belly. He would have liked to watch and adore his husband like that, but the foreman looked in his direction, and Ken was quick to wipe the smile from his face.

It took some time for the omega to get to the foot of the steps and disappear somewhere to the kitchen. Out of sight, clangs and squeaks interrupted the silence on the first floor, like pots and plates were being rearranged. The CEO had to pause and wonder what his husband was doing. He wanted to call Josh and ask what he was doing… but he stopped himself. Just this time, Ken wouldn’t reach out first.

The CEO immersed himself in his budget reviews, trying hard to ignore the noise from the kitchen. He was getting into a good momentum when he noticed a figure from the corner of his eye. Josh was standing near one of the trophy shelves, watching him. Ken gave his husband an apathetic glance look before turning to his laptop again.

Tak, tak, tak.

Josh shuffled over to the L-shaped couch where Ken was, fists clutching the hem of his oversized shirt. Hesitation danced in his pheromones, just the slightest hint of nervousness. He stared at the CEO.

“Yes?” Ken asked in his CEO voice, a deep rumble in his chest. He didn’t look up at Josh but continued typing on his keyboard. All gibberish, really. He just wanted to try giving his husband the cold shoulder.

It seemed to be working.

The foreman didn’t reply and just walked over to sit on the couch. He curled up into a ball close to Ken’s thigh, lying there, quiet as a cat. It took every bit of strength for Ken not to pull his husband in a bone-crushing hug. He held it in. He reined in his pheromones, for impressions’ sake.

When Josh brushed his crown on Ken’s leg, the CEO pulled away. But the omega just inched closer and snuggled next to him again.

“Are you trying to get out of trouble, Mister Foreman?” the CEO asked.

“I’m not trying to get out of trouble,” he mumbled.

“Is that so?”

Josh hummed.

“Then, why are you being clingy all of a sudden?”

“I’m…” He paused. “Pregnant omega things.”

“There’s no such thing.”

“There are.”

“And what would they be?”

“The baby… He’s craving.”

“Is he?” The CEO paused from typing. He fought back a giddy grin.

Josh nodded. “Yes.”

“And what is he in the mood for?” Ken asked. He finally reached over to rub his hand on Josh’s stomach. His mate’s belly wasn’t too big yet at three and a half months, but it was noticeable enough to make a bump through Josh’s clothes.

Josh crawled on the couch and laid his head on Ken’s lap.

“Ribs,” he replied in a hesitant and shy tone. “From The Third.”

“You hate ribs from The Third, angel.” Ken placed his laptop on the side and began toying with his omega’s fringe. “You said it was too sweet.”

“I did. But… But the baby wants it.”

“You mean, you’re craving it.”

“It’s the baby.” Josh pressed his face on Ken’s thigh and took a deep breath. “I just need your pheromones.”

“Hm.”

They stayed like that for a while, Josh breathing deep from the fabric of Ken’s pants and Ken lazily caressing the foreman’s arm. It was the first time Ken had seen his husband like that. Clingy and needy, even though he was embarrassed. Just less than an hour ago, they were arguing like they were in court. Now, they were squeezing into a tiny space despite the enormity of their home. Ken liked to think that no matter how bad they argued, they loved each other more than they wanted to prove a point. That Josh, even though he was stubborn as a rock, knew when to step back when he was wrong.

It was obvious they both wanted to talk; they wanted to talk about their differing opinions. But neither of them brought up the cause of their argument in the first place. Instead, they stayed in that moment of just feeling each other’s warmth, perfectly content with not fighting.

“Do you want me to drive to The Third and order ribs, angel?”

“No. I already ordered. It’s on its way.”

“I see. I’ll prepare the dining table, then.”

Josh gripped the fabric of his pants. “Do that later,” he said. “Stay.”

Ken caressed his hair.

“Do you want to talk?”

“Later… Later, I promise.”

Ken nodded.

While he waited for ‘later’, Josh closed his eyes and took drank deep of Ken’s pheromones. Meanwhile, the CEO went back to enjoying how Josh’s ebony locks were smoother now that he was pregnant. They used to feel quite stiff between his fingers, but now Josh’s hair felt silky and healthy. Maybe it came with being an omega. Maybe it was the fact that Josh stayed home a lot more and was not as exposed to dirt and sun and the dangers of working as a foreman.

Ken pushed the thoughts aside again. He was getting close to thinking about the subject of their disagreement. To distract himself, he let his hands wander to Josh’s. Let his long digits curl around the smaller but rougher hands. Let his lips press tiny kisses on every fingertip.

Josh smirked, but he didn’t pull his hand back.

The foreman’s vibrating phone interrupted the domestic moment Ken treasured very much. The alpha almost whined at the rude intrusion. The delivery man had informed Josh that his orders just arrived. Hesitantly, the omega began to stand. But Ken pulled him back down to the couch.

“I’ll get it. Why don’t you set up the table, love?” he told his husband, smiling.

“Thank you,” Josh replied, smiling shyly.

Ken naturally gave him a small kiss.

A few minutes later, Ken placed Josh’s orders on the table. He put the baby back ribs and the side of potatoes on a plate and pushed it closer to Josh. His husband had ordered lemon glazed chicken for him, and Ken placed it closer to his side of the table.

Despite the delectable dishes, however, Josh’s expression crumpled to a grimace.

“What’s wrong, angel?” asked the alpha. “Is it the wrong one?”

Josh shook his head.

He pressed his lips tighter and stood up with a groan.

“Sorry, I gotta—”

The omega couldn’t even finish his sentence as he bolted to the counter and vomited into the sink. Surprised, Ken rushed after him, soothing him and rubbing large circles on his back.

When he finished retching, Ken fetched a glass of warm water for him to drink.

“What’s wrong? Are you okay?” he asked, pushing Josh’s fringe from his forehead. It beaded with tiny drops of sweat.

Josh slowly finished the water from the cup. Leaning back on the sink, he looked up at Ken, frowning.

“The ribs smell awful,” he said.

Ken blinked. “Awful? They’re fine, love. I checked.”

“No, but it smells funky.”

“I’m pretty sure that’s how it’s supposed to smell, angel.”

“Ugh… This is probably—”

“A pregnant omega thing?”

Josh nodded. He gave Ken an apologetic smile.

“Sorry. I said I’d eat it.”

“No, no. It’s okay. I’ll put it in the fridge and eat it tomorrow,” Ken assured him, sighing. “But you know this will just keep happening from now on, right? And more.”

Josh frowned at him.

Still trapped between the counter and the alpha, he cradled his burgeoning belly with both arms and looked up at Ken again.

“I love my job,” he told the alpha.

The CEO nodded and sighed. He would not let them fight again this time.

“I know, angel. Of course, I do. And if you still want to work after you give birth, I’m here to support you. Anything you want to do.” He put both hands on the foreman’s arms and added, “But while you’re with child and the site is a dangerous place for you to be in, I’ll stand my ground. I can’t let you work construction.”

“But I need to work. We’re saving up for a baby!”

“And I’m saying it’s okay…”

“You’re not going to pay for everything. I’m not leeching off of you.”

“Love,” Ken said firmly, “you’re not. This is more than the expenses. It’s about your safety. And if you’re really concerned about the money, we can use our joint savings account. Just… you need to do something less taxing on you.”

“I can’t just up and leave my job, KJ.”

“Okay, but what then? You’re not allowed to carry heavy things, not allowed to do strenuous tasks, and I certainly won’t let you go thirty flights of debris. And even your paperwork is stressful.”

“Come on… Don’t wave your fourteen ‘don’ts’ at me right now.”

“The doctors agree with me.”

Josh rolled his eyes, beginning to get annoyed again.

“Okay, okay. Fine. Don’t quit. But how about a leave, hm? Omega’s paternity leave. Please. Just until you give birth.”

Josh crossed his arms.

“I don’t know, KJ. It’s too early for that.”

Ken smiled at him. “Alright. Fine. But think about it? Please?”

The foreman chewed on his lower lip. He glanced up at Ken, then laid his forehead on the CEO’s clavicle, nodding.

“Please don’t force me to quit.”

“I won’t. I’m sorry. But please try to work from the office more?”

“I’ll think about it. I’m sorry, too.”

Ken kissed his temple.

“That’s my foreman. Now, shall we eat? The chicken’s still okay to you, yeah?”

“Uhm…” Josh pushed off and looked into the alpha’s eyes. “I… I think I want something else.”

“What is it?”

“I’m craving… fried tofu.” He stuck out his lower lip. “Your fried tofu.”

Ken chuckled. “Tofu over ribs?”

“I’m pregnant.”

“Alright. Sit down, sir. I’ll need some time.”

Josh gave him a handsome full smile with the slightest hint of a blush.

“Thanks.”

“Most welcome, Mister Foreman.”

The foreman pinched his cheek and sat down on the table while Ken got to work on frying his tofu. They didn’t talk about the matter of Josh’s employment again for the rest of the night. Ken was still of the opinion that his husband should work a little less heavily. On the other hand, the foreman believed he would be okay, at least for a few more months.

They still haven’t met halfway about it yet. Ken knew they would have to talk about it again once they had more time to think about it. But that was still in the future. For now, they agreed to disagree, enjoying each other’s company with tofu over ribs.