Work Text:
The loss of Xianzhou Yaoqing to the battle of the remnants of the Swarm disaster left some aspects of the government in disarray. General Feixiao as the heroic savior of the battle zone sighed in her quiet room. The large window overlooking the scenery of downtown Yaoqing displayed an unmistakable somber gray color. The Alchemy Commission had submitted a proposal for the repair of their buildings and facilities to Yaoqing because of the damage done by the remnants of the Swarm disaster. I wonder how many times Feixiao sighed as she held a tablet displaying the identities of well-known foxian families in the Alchemy Commission.
"Moze, I have no other choice but to unite the two sides to strengthen Yaoqing." Feixiao walked to the end of her spacious workbench and stared at a hazy figure with a purple-dominant silhouette near the entrance.
The Alchemy Commission's position at the moment was very worrying, since the rebellion that occurred by the Bosirin and then the case of the head of the Alchemy Commission who escaped by embezzling the Commission's operational funds made the Yaoqing residents strongly demand accountability from General Feixiao. at the same time the Yaoqing citizens had already cursed the son of the head Yaoqing Commission to pay for all the losses caused by his father.
"Is there no other way?" The man in the dark violet robe began to show himself and sat down on one of the chairs.
"By wiping out the entire Jiao bloodline as payment for Alchemy's overdue credits? No and sorry. I can't do that." General Feixiao replied with a flat face.
Everyone knew that General Feixiao had never made a wrong decision in Yaoqing's affairs. And this cold-blooded young alpha who is General Yaoqing's right-hand man was beginning to doubt the essence of the foxian's intelligence in front of him. Moze gazed at the ancient ornate walls and ornaments of Xianzhou Yaoqing that were filled with the freedom to pursue dreams.
"Jiaoqiu. That clever omega and only son of the fugitives is now being targeted by the masses citizens. Long before all this happened, I had already thought of this marriage. But who would have thought that his father would dare to defraud funds when Yaoqing is going through such a crisis. Huh..."
Feixiao briefly inhaled the aroma of green tea and then drank it slowly. Moze still remained silent and simply watched the General who was so well respected in Xianzhou Yaoqing. Tomorrow is the wedding ceremony between him and that omega. He and Jiaoqiu had only crossed paths once when General Feixiao personally came to the Alchemy Commission to ask Jiaoqiu to make the herbal medicine that General Feixiao used to take. From his first impression at that time, Jiaoqiu was the only one omega researcher at Alchemy Commission who always had a warm smile for everyone. And his very delicate pheromone scent was able to soothe Moze's mind which was noisy with his workload as Yaoqing's high-end safeguard, making him feel calm when he met Jiaoqiu. The omega had a graceful stature and was slightly shorter than him and after the case became public, many citizens wanted to destroy and burn down the foxian's residence. The information he had at the moment was that the omega foxian couldn't get out of his second home in the Alchemy Commission dormitory, his whole beautiful face had been spread all over Xianzhou.
On the next day, Yaoqing's weather was better than before, although there were still remnants of the smell and pollution from the destruction it did not make the beautiful sights in Yaoqing disappear. Moze walked right behind General Feixiao who was now wearing a sea-blue colored robe with diamond ornaments that she had personally ordered from Luofu. Meanwhile, he was ready in his red sacred robes with a long sword decorated with beautiful cherry blossoms. Moze didn't feel nervous and walked like he was leading a dark life because he always had faith in what would come out of Feixiao's mouth.
The courtyard of the Alchemy Commission was still quiet and only a few people were sent by Feixiao to organize the wedding ceremony. A woman with purple robes and a very graceful aura seemed to be waiting for these two new arrivals. Fu Xuan, that's her name, she is the Master Diviner of the Xianzhou Luofu's Divination Commission.
"The ceremony will be very simple because of the drastically changed situation. Alpha Moze will be placed in a room and then wait for the omega bride to enter the room. Inside the room will be guided by me personally but I would like to ask you to clear your mind and carry out this ceremony solemnly." Fu Xuan said and then walked alongside Moze to enter the small temple that had been decorated very simply but pleasing to look at.
Fu Xuan adjusted some of Moze's crooked ornament and walked towards the back of the room that stood firmly in front of the center of the shrine. Moze followed everything Fu Xuan said, his scar-filled hands lightly rubbing his damp wrists. As the temple door opened, a foxian with a citrus pheromone scent that was strangely stronger than before made Moze turn his head slightly. The jingling that sounded along with Jaioqiu's steps was melodious to both of his ears. Jiaoqiu sat next to this coldly handsome alpha. Fu Xuan immediately recited the ritual and then instructed the bride to bow three times and slice a little of their palms and drop their blood into a small gold tray.
Working at the Alchemy Commission definitely deals with other medical matters including blood but that doesn't mean Jiaoqiu is strong with pain plus slicing his palm with force makes both his hands tremble slightly when holding the dagger. Moze noticed the change in Jiaoqiu's distressed pheromone, he placed his hand on the dagger Jiaoqiu was holding.
"Breathe in slowly, let me do it."
Both of Jiaoqiu's hands stiffened then his entire body felt calmer as this alpha pheromone wafted very close. Jiaoqiu's face which is still covered by the bride's veil only nodded his head slightly. Moze's muscular hands lightly rubbed Jiaoqiu's palms before starting to make small cuts that brought out a little blood, he guided Jiaoqiu's hands to the golden tray and then helped him wipe away the little blood that had come.
Jiaoqiu's cheeks warmed slightly at Moze's gentle gestures to him. The ceremony was over and the two of them walked outside the temple with Moze gently holding Jiaoqiu's wounded hand. Feixiao, who had been waiting outside, smiled broadly when she saw the bride walking gracefully toward her.
"There's no need to be like that. I'm glad you're okay, Jiaoqiu..."
"Thank you, General..."
"Ah! I have a blessing for you. I built a house near the border between Yaoqing-Zhuming for you two. Consider it as your wedding gift." Feixiao said.
"General, that's too much-" Before Jiaoqiu could finish speaking, Feixiao cut him off by patting Jiaoqiu gently on the shoulder.
"Ah-Qiu... I've sworn to myself to take care of you but the strings of fate are clearly laid out in my eyes and this is the only way to make you happy."
Happy? Who knows, since his father's corruption case made the entire Yaoqing citizenry curse his bloodline, he had no other hope but to survive with his medical knowledge that he could implement for the Alchemy Commission. This marriage could be described as rushed and forced. At the time, Jiaoqiu was locked up in his dorm room because he did not want to give his life to the people of Yaoqing. Then, a letter from General Feixiao along with a string of fate was sent to him. The message from Madam Fu Xuan seemed urgent and urged the marriage between Jiaoqiu and Moze to be arranged. Jiaoqiu wanted to refuse but he still had some face and remembered General Feixiao was still kind enough not to hang his head in central Yaoqing.
Jiaoqiu is neither stupid nor weak but right now he is simply tired of all the situations that happened to him at the same time. After the wedding ceremony, Moze took him to the house that Feixiao had given to them. This alpha seemed to have no burdens in his life as his face was flat and lacked expression. Throughout the entire walk, Moze never let go of Jiaoqiu's hand and Jiaoqiu was speechless. So what should he do to break this awkward situation.
Moze glanced at Jiaoqiu's restlessly moving tail and somehow it made him smile slightly at the sight. Jiaoqiu was very beautiful today, he's not a hypocrite because his partner is truly an omega with exquisite, graceful sweet features. Thinking of that made Moze clear his throat slightly.
"Jiaoqiu... Are... Are you hungry?" Moze asked in a thoughtful tone. Jiaoqiu paused a bit then replied yes to him.
Did his alpha just ask him if he was hungry or not? Wait, "his" alpha? Ah, shit.
"Hm, I'm hungry, I'll see if there are any ingredients to cook if not then I'll go to the grocery store to buy them."
It's the nature of omega that once married their duties will not be far from serving their partners, cooking, keeping house, and taking care of the children. However, deep inside Jiaoqiu's tiny heart, he still hoped to work at the Alchemy Commission.
"You will not go alone."
It seemed like his alpha was very worried about his new omega staying alive to serve him. Jiaoqiu had already guessed that the alpha would never be far from his lust to dominate the omega completely and claim the omega as a valuable property to satisfy his sexual desires. Somehow, Jiaoqiu felt sick.
Arriving at their new home, Jiaoqiu immediately went towards the room to take off the bridal robe and only wore a thin robe underneath and then rushed towards the kitchen, well, cooking is his passion, he loves to explore various menus to try and taste. The fridge in their new house was fully stocked and even all the other equipment was secured. The two of them were truly in deep debt to General Feixiao.
Moze, who had not yet changed his clothes, followed Jiaoqiu's every move in the kitchen. Moze took one of the chairs near the dining table and sat not far from the pantry.
"I'll cook a hot pot for us."
"Hm."
Jiaoqiu didn't really need Moze's answer because he was going to cook anyway. Jiaoqiu cooked with enthusiasm and joy, this is the only way he could forget about the trouble he is going through right now. After the simple menu that Jiaoqiu made was finished, he immediately placed the dishes on the dining table. Moze helped prepare the tableware. There was still no conversation between the two of them but the silence of enjoying this delicious meal was enough for both of them.
Moze's taste buds were completely spoiled by the dishes Jiaoqiu had made. Both of Jiaoqiu's ears twitched slightly due to the warm reaction of the hot pot and the combination of spicy flavors in his tongue. Without realizing that his tail was fluttering right and left, Moze knew it was a sign that the foxian was really enjoying their morning meal.
"After washing the dishes, we have something to talk about," Jiaoqiu said as he picked up the bowl and dirty dishes to wash. Moze only replied with a nod.
The dishes didn't take long to wash and the newlyweds sat down across from each other at the dining table.
"I will fulfill all your wishes because this marriage is practically like a postponement of the Jiao bloodline's death sentence for the terrible sin we have committed against Yaoqing. Perhaps, when the time comes, please let me know so that I can prepare myself-"
"Jiaoqiu."
"Huh?"
Moze took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He already knew where this was going. Moze knew very well what was going through this omega's mind, Jiaoqiu regarded this marriage as his punishment for the crimes his father had committed. Jiaoqiu did not deserve this but the message from the Master Diviner's fortune teller was still clearly flashing in Moze's mind and he could sense that Jiaoqiu was the one he had been waiting for all along.
"First of all, I'll apologize that I break your expectations. I'm not the type of alpha you might have dreamed of and this marriage, I've accepted with full awareness to fulfill everything that will happen in the future."
"Is it because of the message delivered by Madam Fu Xuan?"
"Hm."
Jiaoqiu nodded in understanding. After all, Jiaoqiu would not have accepted this marriage if it were not for the advice of General Fei Xiao and the destiny line message given to them by Fu Xuan.
"And also... This is our second encounter and it's very pleasantly surprising. I hope you can take things slowly in this marriage, Moze."
"Of course, I won't cross your limits if that's what you want."
"Heh? You're a different alpha, Moze. That's good. I like that trait of yours. Please keep your word." Jiaoqiu replied with a chuckle.
Moze saw that thin little sweet.
"I have a gift, there should be an engagement process where each couple exchanges a gift they like as a sign of bonding acceptance," Moze said.
Jiaoqiu tilted his head and wondered what this handsome alpha had pulled out from under his wedding robe.
"This is... An expert handmade fan from Zhuming that I purposely ordered for you. The red color reminds me of our first meeting where you looked lovely in your blazing red Alchemy uniform."
Jiaoqiu accepted the fan. It is a very beautiful fan with root decorations on the tip with a pretty little floral ornament pattern. The wide smile on Jiaoqiu's face was unavoidable.
"Regarding the heat cycle, perhaps it would be better if you took a suppressant pill to prevent anything unwanted from happen." Moze said calmly but Jiaoqiu responded with something else.
"What do you mean? We're already married! Then why would I marry you if you don't want to help me during my heat cycle? Seriously Moze, I'm not that cheap to find an alpha out there who can accompany me during my heat cycle."
"I didn't mean it like that. I know we still need to get to know each other better, the pill is useful to control any unwanted pregnancies because I don't want you to be burdened while the matter of your father's case has not been settled and the situation in Yaoqing has not subsided."
Jiaoqiu was still silent.
"Ah-Qiu... I really care about you."
Never mind, Jiaoqiu could not help the blush on his cheeks that he had expected to be currently very red from holding back this sense of euphoria. Jiaoqiu cleared his throat slightly to ease his embarrassment, Moze is such a sweet talker I see.
"To start our second approach, can I kiss you? Alpha?"
Moze didn't have time to answer as Jiaoqiu had already brought their lips together gently but with a charge that left the alpha's entire body in a bit of shock. Jiaoqiu only kissed Moze's lips but the back of his neck was held by the alpha's hands and they deepened their kiss as if there was no tomorrow morning.
"M-moze!"
"Hm? I hope you don't regret this move, Ah-Qiu..."
Jiaoqiu was already sure his bottom was instantly wet at the sound of his alpha's heavy voice that seemed to hold something back. It was a very bold start but he believed that the strings of fate would never be wrong.
