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It has been six weeks since he and Pei Ming had their… encounter. Six weeks in which things appeared to be normal between them, no changes at all. At first, Feng Xin had been concerned if Pei Ming would treat him any differently now, but nothing of the sort happened. It was relieving to know that Pei Ming was a man of his words.
However, one thing changed.
Feng Xin felt nauseous almost every morning, irritable for no reason, and his chest was far too sensitive. It couldn’t be his period, that felt different. And he doubted that it would suddenly change after eight centuries of being a consistent pain in the ass. Fortunately, not literally.
If I don’t think about it, it will go away. That was his thought process on the matter, a stupid one in hindsight. Another week passed, nothing changed. Nausea, unreasonable irritation, sensitive chest.
There weren’t many people he could talk to about this, much less who had enough medical knowledge to actually confirm his concerns. One, to be precise. And he hates to approach him when he feels like this, mostly because they have been fighting constantly, more than usual.
But Mu Qing was his best choice, everyone else would ask stupid questions or make fun of him.
Mu Qing would too, but without ill intent. That was what he had learned about the younger martial god, even if his tongue was the sharpest knife Feng Xin knew.
Entering Xuan Zhen Palace was nothing too uncommon - that he did so without his voice hollering some accusation, however, was incredibly uncommon.
“General Nan Yang, can I help you?”, Liu Guiying, one of Mu Qing’s middle court officials, asked with a polite bow.
“I’m looking for Mu Qing.”, he answered, trying not to be too nervous. Luckily, the girl knew to keep her distance, and she wasn’t too feminine. At first, Feng Xin had taken her for a man. When he learned the truth, he freaked out for a solid hour.
“He’s in his study. Over there, please knock before entering. He is doing reports.”, she gestures the way, before she leaves to do whatever she had been doing before. Feng Xin, meanwhile, walked over to the door, and knocked like Liu Guiying had asked.
There was no answer, though, that was not new. He enters, and Mu Qing eyes him with a questioning look. “If you’re here to fight, I don’t have time. Find someone else to shout at.”, he starts, and Feng Xin sits down on a chair on the opposite side of the table.
“No, I don’t want to fight. I… I have a favor to ask.”
“A favor?”
Mu Qing puts the brush down, and gives Feng Xin a closer look. There doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with him, and normally, Feng Xin can solve his problems on his own. It’s obvious that Mu Qing has no idea what he wants from him.
“Yes. And… you must stay silent about it, don’t talk to anyone about it.”
“...What do you need?”
Feng Xin looks down for a moment, before his amber eyes meet Mu Qing’s obsidian hues again. He’s nervous, he hates it. He knows Mu Qing can see it, and he knows that this makes everything just so much worse.
“I… need you to check if…”, he begins, ends up in inaudible mumbling.
“I didn’t understand. What do I need to check?”
“If… I’m… pregnant.”
This leaves Mu Qing silent, staring in disbelief.
“...Pregnant. You. You’re kidding.”
“No, I- Fuck, can you just check!? This is difficult enough!!”
“Calm down. It’s just hard to believe. What happened to »I will never let a man come inside me«?”
Mu Qing gestures for Feng Xin to follow him as he speaks.
“I didn’t even plan to let him fuck me, do you think I wanted any of this?! I’m a martial god, what do you think pregnancy will do to my training?!”
“You will have to take it slow, and stop for the last four to three months. Then, after the child is born, you’ll need another few weeks to recover from birth.”
“Yes, yes, I know. This… I’ve seen it with women before.”
“I know. Sit down, let me take your pulse.”
Feng Xin sits down on the cushioned divan, handing out his arm to Mu Qing. Soft fingers press onto his wrist for a minute, and they sit in silence for the entire time.
“Alright. Lay down. I’ll check your energies.”
“Plural?!”
“Yes, plural. And before you freak out, no. I am not certain yet if you’re pregnant or not.”
“Don’t scare me like that, Mu Qing!”
But he lays down, sighing deeply. He closes his eyes when Mu Qing lets both his hands hover over his body - chest and lower abdomen - and the spiritual energy flows through him.
Feng Xin doesn’t know how long this lasts, he’s certain he dozes off for some time. When he opens his eyes again, Mu Qing still lets energy flow through him, only stopping when their eyes meet.
“So?”
Mu Qing nods while Feng Xin sits up. “You’re pregnant. Do you know who the father is?”
“Fuck…”, Feng Xin curses, running a hand through his own hair, sighing deeply. “Yes, I know. I.. only slept with him, and… Fuck, I’m stupid.”
“...He’s a heavenly official, too, right?”
“It’s Pei Ming.”
“I… I don’t know if I’m surprised or not. Will you tell him?”
“He deserves to know. Not that I think he’ll care much. How many kids does he have?”
“Enough, I assume.”
“Yeah… Anyway, thanks. And, really. Please don’t tell anyone yet.”
“I won’t. This isn’t my secret to spread.”
“Thanks. I’ll- I’ll take my leave.”
“Do that. And Feng Xin?”
Feng Xin was just about to leave through the door, looking back over his shoulder.
“What is it?”
“If you need any help, medical or not, you… you c-can ask.”
“...Will do.”
He leaves then, back to his own palace, where he uses the moment to train, indulge in some archery before he gets something to eat and calls it a day.
Days pass, until he finally approaches Pei Ming. It’s almost been a week since Mu Qing told him that he is pregnant, and really, he doesn’t feel any better. Still nauseous, still always irritated, still insecure, and he’s spent far more time in the bathroom than anywhere else. By now, he would’ve known himself that it’s pregnancy and nothing else.
“General Ming Guang, a word?”, he asks when he meets Pei Ming by chance before Ming Guang palace.
“General Nan Yang, of course. I was to descend to the mortal realm, if you wish to join me? I could take you for lunch as we talk?”
“Lunch sounds good. As long as we go somewhere private, there is something I need to tell you. Only you.”
Pei Ming’s eyebrows rise in curiosity, but he nods and gestures for Feng Xin to go with him. Together, they descend into a neat little village in the north. The restaurant they enter is big enough that not many people will question their appearance, if any at all. Pei Ming orders for them to have the separate room - he’s been here before, Feng Xin realizes.
Quickly enough, they’re seated, ordered something to drink and eat, and Pei Ming smiles charmingly at Feng Xin.
“Now, tell me what you wanted to talk about. Or- Let me guess. It’s about the night we shared?”
“Yes. Or, what came of it.”
“Mh? What do you mean?”
“The contraception didn’t work.”
“You’re with child?”
“I am. Mu Qing confirmed.”
This statement brings Pei Ming to laugh wholeheartedly, knowing of the difficult relationship he has with him.
“Oh, I did not expect that you’d let him check if you’re pregnant! He’s sure?”
“He’s my friend. As difficult as he may be, he knows his business. He’s sure. I wanted you to know. You don’t have to take any responsi-”
“Stop right there, what makes you think I’d abandon you and our child?”
“Well, are you not doing this with everyone you’re bedding?”
“Oh, no. Don’t think of me like that. I have a lot of children, yes. But whenever I knew before the child was actually born, I was there. Or I provided financial support or whatever was needed.”
“I do not need support, that’s not why I told you. I just wanted to let you know.”
“And now you think I’ll congratulate you and call it a day? Oh, Feng Xin, you’re mistaken. This is my child as much as yours. I’ll take care of you two, if you’ll let me. You’re not just anyone to me.”
Before Feng Xin can answer, their food is brought, as well as their drinks. They each thank the young waiter, and when they’re on their own again, Pei Ming continues to speak.
“I do not demand of you to let me take care. I know of my reputation, and I know that you might not want anyone to know it is my child.”
“That’s not it! I just thought that you might not want to be associated with a child within the heavenly realm!”
“Silly. Do you not realize you’re special to me? Before you, I always only ever bedded women. You’re the first man I ever wanted, and likely, you’ll be the last.”
Feng Xin stares at him, no words on his lips this time. The first. And the last. This doesn’t exclude women, of course, but Feng Xin never expected Pei Ming to fall for him, much less to be monogamous.
“What… What are you implying?”
He feels stupid for asking this, but there’s little other choice. If he’s learned one thing in the past few years, he needs to ask before just assuming things - especially with people who are hard to read.
“I am not implying. I am saying, that you’re special to me, the most important star in the night sky. We can raise this child together, and make sure they will have everything they need.”
Swallowing thickly, Feng Xin nods before he even notices. “What will- We can’t have sex when I am pregnant. Will you go to someone else?”
“Feng Xin, please. You wound me. Of course not. I’m a man of loyalty. And if I decide I’ll give someone my full attention because they captured my heart, I will not have eyes for anyone else.”
They continue discussing things - about their shared future, about the child, about their roles as gods when they enter a relationship, and how their believers will see them. It’s a lot and new for both of them, and there are many things still uncertain. However, they work well together. They did so before, and they’re both mature enough - mostly - to talk about their struggles.
And for now, nobody needs to know about this beside them, and their closest friends.
Ling Wen’s reaction is kept to a minimum, a congratulation to both of them, and a teasing wish of good luck for Feng Xin. Keeping a man like Pei Ming isn’t easy, she said.
Xie Lian - and by extension, Hua Cheng as well - are genuinely surprised, but do offer support where it is needed, especially once the child is born.
Mu Qing continues to take care of everything regarding the medical care Feng Xin needs - except the birth itself, as they discussed early.
Through it all, Pei Ming is by Feng Xin’s side. He cares for him, their palaces in the rebuilt heavenly capital are now connected and people start worshipping them together after a few carefully spread rumors. Sharing the north, leaving Mu Qing to be worshipped in almost all of the south now.
In week twenty-one, a sunny morning, Feng Xin rests his head on Pei Mings bare chest, groaning.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s kicking.”
This catches Pei Ming’s attention, and his hand wanders to the slightly round belly of his beloved, caressing the skin underneath the loose sleeping robe. At first, there is nothing. Then, a sudden movement, and he exhales in excitement.
“That’s our kid.”, he says, and Feng Xin hums. “My mother said I kicked a lot. The little one might have that from me.”
“Oh, wonderful. My mother complained a lot when I was older that I kicked almost every day, she was barely able to move halfway through pregnancy.”
Though, Feng Xin knew pain. He could handle it. And Pei Ming’s gentle caresses seemed to soothe the baby, kicks slowing, until they stopped entirely. Their eyes met, exchanging gazes, pure love and devotion in them.
“Breakfast?”, Pei Ming asks, slowly getting up and prepping Feng Xin onto the mountain of pillows, making sure he’s comfortable.
“Please. No meat, I can’t take the smell.”
“I know, don’t you worry. I’ll make you something nice and easy to eat. Rest some more, you need it.”
A few more weeks passed, and Feng Xin realizes, this will be the first and last pregnancy he will go through. He feels tired non-stop, everything upsets his stomach, and his chest hurts more than his back and legs do. He had to stop train two weeks ago, limited to just a few walks through the palace gardens, carrying around his growing belly.
“Feng Xin.”, Mu Qing calls out as he approaches him and Pei Ming.
“Ah, Xuan Zhen. What’s the matter?”, Pei Ming takes word, arm wrapped around Feng Xin’s lower back to support him.
“It’s time for another examination. We can do it in your palace, the place doesn’t matter.”, Mu Qing answers, obsidian eyes straying to Feng Xin again. “If you want, Ming Guang can be there.”
The three of them enter the palace, Feng Xin’s and Pei Ming’s private chambers, so Feng Xin can lay down comfortably. Those examinations are nothing uncommon anymore, they happen once a week, and by now, Feng Xin doesn’t feel weird anymore to have Mu Qing touch him. Perhaps it’s the professionality that makes it less awkward. And Pei Ming holding his hand sure makes it easier as well.
After a moment of silence, and Mu Qing checking his energies, pressing down on his belly, Feng Xin makes a pained noise, urging Mu Qing and Pei Ming to lay their hands on Feng Xin’s belly. Another kick, they’re quite frequent.
“That’s too many kicks for one child.”, Mu Qing then says.
“What do you mean, too many?! Are you telling me there are more?!”
Feng Xin sees Mu Qing nodding, and he almost passes out then and there. This pregnancy was entirely unplanned. And while they planned to raise one child, two, or even more (who knows!!) are a completely different thing.
“So, how many?”
“Twins, and their energies are well in sync. That’s why I never could say for sure. I’ve had my suspicions before.”
“Fuck, are you serious?! And you didn’t think we would like to fucking know?! Mu Qing, I’ll kick your ass once I can move again!!”
“Calm down. Too much stress is bad for your children. It’s not like it would’ve changed something if I had told you. It still could’ve been only one, and I really didn’t want to be the bad guy when that would’ve happened. You still have time to prepare for a second child.”
Pei Ming nods, caressing Feng Xin’s cheek, kissing his lips. “He’s right, love. That’s nothing we couldn’t handle. We just have to buy everything a second time. And if I may say so: I am looking forward to two little kids running around our palace halls.”
“I’ll leave you to it then.”, Mu Qing mumbles as he leaves, and Feng Xin nods.
“Fuck, you’re right. I’m just... Emotional .”
“I know. But I’m right by your side, and every struggle I can take from you, I will.”
“You’re sappy, you know that? Who taught you to talk like that?”
“Nobody, I’m a natural. And you enjoy it.”
Engulfing Feng Xin in his arms, Pei Ming peppers more kisses onto his face, cheeks, lips, temple, wherever he could reach. Helping him dress again, he cooks lunch, and then gives Feng Xin a book to read to distract himself from the lack of training.
According to Mu Qing, the pregnancy is pretty normal. The typical symptoms as they should happen, the typical changes to the body. By now - one week away from most likely giving birth - Feng Xin is barely able to move alone, carrying two strong children. Without Pei Ming by his side, he would most likely stay in bed the entire time, unable to do anything.
They fought verbally every other week, a result of the increasing irritation Feng Xin suffers from. Every evening, they make up. The nursery is prepared, and they got an actual nurse and a midwife to deliver the kids once it’s due date as newly appointed middle court officials. A rare occurence but also, a child born from two martial gods is rare.
One day before the day Mu Qing calculated as the due date, Feng Xin’s water breaks while he’s taking a small walk with Pei Ming. After that, everything happens so quickly, neither of them knows how long exactly it’s been. Considering it’s still light outside, it’s less than eight hours, before Feng Xin holds one healthy boy and girl in each arm. He’s tired, and so is everyone else. And still, Pei Ming is at his side, never left once, his face that of the proudest dad in existence.
The following first days are rough, as there is little rest for Feng Xin between caring for himself and caring for the kids. He takes a bath and has to interrupt it because his daughter - Feng Hui - is hungry. She demands much more than her brother - Feng Chao - but they’re both healthy, their laughter is the cutest, and neither Feng Xin nor Pei Ming could wish for a different scenario.
Weeks follow, turning into months, and really, nobody could’ve imagined how happy Feng Xin and Pei Ming would be as parents, now planning their marriage. After all, they should be married, and who cares that it is frowned upon when two men marry? Others did so before them, and others will follow their example.
New statues are built after some time. Feng Xin and Pei Ming standing side by side, both portrayed as masculine and strong, and both of them holding one of their children. Feng Xin carries Feng Chao, Pei Ming carries Feng Hui.
The statues are always smiling, and every statue built after that will be shown smiling as well.