Chapter Text
At the end, Wenlang ended up falling asleep too, working in his draft had required more mental energy he thought it would, specially the omega’s testimonies was the hardest part to go through. When he woke up, the sun had already moved, probably around 16:00, it had been a pretty decent nap. He looks down at his chest where he doesn’t find Gao Tu, just a blanket covering him, then a smell fills his nose; its food, he yawns and gets up lazily walks up to the kitchen where he finds Gao Tu stirring a pot.
“What are you doing?” he asks, yawning again. Gao Tu looks at him and laughs “What’s so funny?” Gao Tu gestures to him to lean down his face, he does.
“Your bedhair is crazy” gently Gao Tu tries to accommodate Wenlang’s hair, some of his hair being rebellious refuses to go down, making him chuckle. Wenlang is staring at him, the dedication he uses just to brush his hair with his hands; it moves him “There… i think? Fix the rest when you wash your face”
“Why don't you fix it for me?” he looks at him with round eyes tilting his head, Gao Tu just looks at him with resignation and gently pats his face.
“No” Wenlang pouts “I'm not doing it, go” he pats him one last time before going back to the pot. Wenlang gives up and leaves the kitchen.
When Gao Tu woke up he took time to stare at Wenlang’s sleeping face, he seemed calm and deep in sleep, shyly he extended his arm towards his face and feel his cheek, Wenlang moved slightly at the contact, Gao Tu moved his hand but didn’t part it completely, after Wenlang had accommodated himself Gao Tu continued, with even more care this time; used his fingers tip and traced Wenlang’s nose, then his chin. It really was Shen Wenlang, the very same man that seemed so unreachable behind his desk, the man with harsh eyes and foul mouth was right there with him, holding him. The same man whose, just with his stares, could be quite mean had been looking at him with extreme tenderness and care, his voice which he would use to say really cruel and foul things had only been saying sweet words to him.
It was a complete change, he was going with it but part of him was a bit resistant to take this change. It's been years with him, with his mean side to be more precise, but he hasn’t always been mean to him… except when his alleged omega partner was mentioned in the conversation, he would even consider Wenlang nice person, definitively rough in the sides or was he too blinded by his feelings? He sighs, feelings are hard.
“Do you want to sleep with me tonight?” clank, Gao Tu had dropped the ladle, he looked at Wenlang who's standing in the entrance with his hair now fixed.
“What?” mumbles “president Shen you are moving way too fast” he says with his hand on his neck. Wenlang blinks and frowns, what was that reaction?
“But we already slept together, twice” he pointed, Gao Tu sighs, relived “What is that?”
“It’s nothing” Wenlang blinks, he realizes what Gao Tu was thinking, he feels his ears burning.
“That’s not what I meant!” Gao Tu raises an eyebrow “I haven’t even thought about it” Gao Tu crosses his arms “Okay, fine, I did think about it, but not now” Gao Tu shakes his head.
“Pervert” Wenlang’s shoulders drop as he sighs and places a hand on his forehead.
“That’s not- Baobei, I just want to share the bed with you” he says it and then realizes the wording isn’t helping at all, sighs again, whenever is about Gao Tu it seems like his brain barely cooperates "Yesterday and today's nap were great, both times I had you in my arms, that's all” Gao Tu knows, it had been the same for him too “this is embarrassing"
“Okay” he agrees, but before Wenlang could say anything he adds “just today” he sees him pursing his lips and nodding.
They set the table as they wait for the food to be ready. Then again, this sensation of ‘home’ rises in them, everything feels comfortable almost meant to be.
“I have some work to do after lunch” mentions Wenlan as he helps Gao Tu with the dishes.
“Ah… will you be going to the office?” Wenlang shakes his head. He didn't catch Gao Tu's subtle change in his voice.
“No, I'll be at the study,” Gao Tu nods.
Wenlang was determined to continue with the development of this protocol and upgrade the policies within the company, was it basically guided by his feelings towards Gao Tu? yes, yes it was. Was this enough to repair his past wrong doings towards omegas? Probably not, but it was a way to change the balance of things, trying to make them more fair.
After lunch he did the dishes and told Gao Tu to just rest, if he needed anything he would be at the study. At the beginning Gao Tu sat on the sofa and tried watching anything, but nothing could get his attention. An hour went by like that, then he was scrolling on his phone and that worked better… it was hard for him to find something to do, at the hospital it wasn’t like this since he didn’t really feel great at all and slept most of the time when he didn’t have visitors. His life is basically work then go home and repeat, ah, and visit Gao Qing… Gao Qing, he will have to tell her at some point. He tried texting Sheng Shaoyou, but the only reply he got was him telling him he was sorry, but he was busy with work. Another hour went by, at that point Gao Tu got up and went to the kitchen, he brewed Wenlang’s favorite tea and went to the study, he knocked first and as he heard the confirmation he entered.
Wenlang was behind his desk with papers on top and typing in his laptop, he looked quite serious about what he was doing, he didn’t even lift his eyes from the screen when Gao Tu entered, that was Wenlang in work mode.
“President Shen, your tea” Gao Tu leaves the tray on the desk.
“Thanks” without lifting his eyes he takes the cup and drinks from it before placing it again in the tray “wait” he looks at the cup then looks at Gao Tu who is looking at him with expectant eyes and a smile “Did you just call me President Shen?” Gao Tu snorts and covers his mouth with two fingers.
“Well, I saw President Shen” he replies as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Wenlang shakes his head softly “What are you working on? Need help?” there's this subtle glow in his eyes when he looks at him, he means it.
“You should rest, not work, you are on leave” Gao Tu’s face drops slightly.
“But…”
“No buts, go rest” he notices how Gao Tu doesn’t move and switches his weight on his legs and purses his lips. Part of him feels bad for sending him away, but he truly needs to recover “do you want to pick a book from the shelf?” he asks, Gao Tu looks at the shelves without moving “if you want to stay, the sofa is free” Wenlang pointed to the sofa in the room, he had a sofa in his study in which he would mostly take short naps as breaks from his work.
“Thanks, but I will read in the living room” Wenlang nods, it would be a lie if he said he wasn’t a little disappointed. Gao Tu picks a book and leaves.
As he reads, Gao Tu’s mind wanders back to the office, to work… How are things going to be moving forward? He can’t use inhibitors anymore, that means he will have to go under his heats and compatibilize his work load with his cycles… he isn’t sure about it, he has been pretending to be a beta since he presented… going to live as an omega would change everything? He keeps questioning himself, are things going to be too different for him? Yes he still took days off when his heat was uncontrollable and his absence is most known in the office. Would that- the office, he… would have to tell everyone he is actually an omega? How are they going to take it? It stresses him. He doesn’t want his professionalism to be judged just for who he is. Wenlang’s words repeat in his head ‘I still have known you for years. You are still the same hardworking Gao Tu that I know, aren’t you?’ It comforts him, the toughest judge had forgiven him for hiding it, even more, he asked him to be with him despite that lie… he loves him despite having tricked him, but why? Why does Wenlang love him? Since when? These questions build up in his mind… he will ask him, he wants to know. Gao Tu doesn’t doubt Wenlang’s sincerity or his feelings, but why? Why does he love him?
A buzz interrupts his thoughts, a message.
Shen Wenlang: What do you want to have for dinner?
Homemade or delivery?
He stares at the screen, this side of him is just… cute.
Gao Tu: Who’s homemade?
Shen Wenlang: Mine, of course.
Gao Tu: Aren’t you tired? You have been there for a while, it seems intense.
Shen Wenlang: I can manage it.
So, which one is it?
Gao Tu: I can cook something.
Shen Wenlang: No, it’s okay. I’ll go cook something quick.
Gao Tu: Are you done?
Shen Wenlang: Almost, I think.
But I need a break.
Gao Tu: Do you want some fruit? I can cut some for you
Shen Wenlang: Maybe after dinner.
[replying to: Do you want fruit? I can cut some for you] Would you feed me?
Gao Tu: Last time I checked you were able to eat by yourself.
Shen Wenlang: You are being mean.
[crying wolf sticker]
Gao Tu: [sighing rabbit sticker]
He hears the door of the study closing and turns to see Wenlang coming into the living room, he seemed tired.
“I can make dinner, you know? You look quite tired” Wenlang shakes his head.
“No, I’ll do it, you already did lunch and I'm supposed to take care of you” Gao Tu pats the empty side next to him on the sofa, Wenlang walks up and drops in the sofa.
“What are you working on?” Wenlang looks at him and a faint smile draws in his lips.
“Just optimizing protocols, had to deal with HR corrections. They are the most tiring of all” he sighs it had been tiring, HR was reluctant to take the new norms at the beginning, it was ridiculous to Wenlang after all everything was rather on a favorable side.
“HR drained you this bad?” He really doubted it.
“Is just… they requested more things instead of just taking it. So troublesome” indeed, HR had requested training for this new project. He didn’t see why it was so necessary at the beginning, in the back and forth they ended up deciding to have around five training seasons and the number might go up again. He sighs “Anyway, what do you want to eat?” he asked, pulling out his phone.
After they placed the order Wenlang still seemed a bit off, invested on his thoughts.
“Ah so troublesome” he complained before pulling his hair back.
“Wenlang?” He looks at him and extends his arm to Gao Tu’s hand.
“Is just… things aren’t going as I thought” complains while he plays with Gao Tu’s hand. The shutdown HR did on what he thought were the strongest points; that had annoyed him, they were right, but still, it made him feel like he didn’t understand anything of what he read. Gao Tu pats his hand with his free hand.
“It’s okay” Wenlang nods absent-mindedly.
After dinner each of them took a bath and met in Wenlang's room, Gao Tu observed it, is not like he hadn’t been there before, he had, but this time felt different.
“You didn’t dry your hair properly,” he told Wenlang, sending him back to the room’s bathroom. Wenlang tried to protest, but Gao Tu just pushed him softly in the bathroom direction.
Gao Tu doesn’t get in the bed, he is still standing, timidly looking around and questioning himself why did he agree, well he knows why, he liked sleeping with Wenlang, he was quite warm and it was easy to fall asleep. But still, it feels too rushed doesn't it? Well in retrospective almost everything felt rushed, why the sudden change? The sudden confession? It’s a lot.
“Im done” he hears Wenlang walking in the room and looks at him, he is looking at him with a confused expression “you were waiting?” Gao Tu nods “You could just have gotten in bed, Baobei” and that nickname, it didn’t bother him, but again, why so sudden?
“Can we talk?” Wenlang freezes, something in his tone doesn't sit well with him, but nods. He sits on the edge of the bed and Gao Tu does the same “Wenlang” he calls him and doesn’t look him in the face right away, instead he holds his own hands “I appreciate your feelings, I really do. I know they are genuine” shit, Wenlang feels like the floor under his feet is crumbling, is this a break up speech? This soon? There's so many things he still wants to do with him, places to visit it can’t be “But, why?” Wenlang blinks that sudden question pulls him out of his loop, he looks at him, confused and a bit panicked.
“Why what?” Gao Tu looks at him and locks eyes.
“Why do you love me?” Wenlang lets out a big sigh and puts his hands on his face.
“Thank god” he mumbles “You scared me for a second, I thought you wanted to break up” he sees him through his fingers then removes his hands, Gao Tu shakes his head surprised “I wouldn’t have agreed” mentions and sighs again, he takes one of Gao Tu’s hands and brushes the back of his hand with his thumb, gently “I just do, your hardwork, your determination, your face, your existence. I love them very dearly”
“Since when?” Wenlang changes his focus to the wall then looks back at Gao Tu.
“Probably since for a long time” Gao Tu looks at him confused, and tilts his head slightly “I didn’t know right away” he admits “I have been… blind. But I clearly have been loving you for a good while, I have been jealous before even knowing it” he pauses “That day at the hospital, when you were inside and the doctors were stabilizing you” his voice subtly changes “I felt extremely uneasy, especially knowing that I had been the cause of your collapse… the more I thought… the thought of not having you with me, the possibility of you disappearing from this world… it just crushed me. That desperation I felt… it made me realize I couldn’t do anything without you, I was lost… and that… made me realize I had feelings for you” his voice breaks as he opens up to Gao Tu, his biggest fear had been uncovered that night; not having Gao Tu.
Wenlang doesn’t mind having or not having others by his side, it's okay, no one is indispensable, with only one major exception… When it comes to Gao Tu is something he can barely handle, even the days he was absent from the office felt terribly long and kept waiting to see him the next day, despite knowing he was on leave and might not see him anytime soon, his thoughts always wandered back to him, his presence.
Gao Tu didn’t find the words right away, he just caressed Wenlang’s cheek, his expression had turned completely vulnerable. Wenlang showing him his vulnerable side moves him, he feels his heart ache seeing that sadness in his eyes when he told him how crushed he was… he wraps Wenlang’s neck with his arms pulling him close in a comforting hug, Wenlang slides his arms around his waist, squeezing him. Almost as if he were scared to let him go. And for the first time, Gao Tu willingly releases soothing pheromones as he caresses Wenlang’s hairs. The wolf doesn’t comment on it, but hides his nose in Gao Tu’s neck trying to feel them deeper. They stay like that, hugging, comforting. After a while Wenlang pulled apart and kissed Gao Tu’s head and rested his cheek on top of his head.
“Thank you, Wenlang” the wolf smiles and kisses his head again “We have a long way ahead you know?” they break apart to look each other, Wenlang nods.
“I know”
“So… try to not rush things, okay?” Wenlang tilts his head, rushing things? It doesn't feel like that for him.
“Huh?” He is confused.
“I'm sorry, don't get me wrong, I like this, but at times it feels too fast” Wenlang blinks as he realizes it has been a bit rushed… well it was faster than what he thought it would be with his courting plan “I do… love you” he mumbles “but you know…”
“Yes I… know” Wenlang is still confused, he had just realized that indeed everything had been fast, his protocol design, changing the way he calls him… but everything feels right so why is it? … is confusing.
That night they still agreed on sleeping together; cuddling. But Gao Tu’s words kept repeating in his head, was it really that fast? so he took his phone and searched: what does it mean when I rush things with my partner. The first result takes him to a Q&A forum.
Rushing things with my partner, I'm an Alpha and he is an Omega.
OP: WildMochi
Hello, I (28) recently got together with my partner (29) and we already moved in together and we are planning a wedding. We have been together for two weeks.
Wenlang gaps, two weeks? That's definitely rushing things no matter how you see it.
We just realized we have been moving too fast after his parents pointed it out when we went to ask them for their blessing. They seemed shocked and I spoke to my friends too. They seemed concerned about my partner taking advantage of me, but he wants to pay for everything. If anything, I would be the one taking advantage of him. Since we got officially together everything felt right and proper, my friends keep saying that something is definitively wrong with us, but is that bad? We thought we were doing fine.
↳CaraV4N:
Two weeks?! That’s definitively rushing! Are you guys pregnant?!
↳WildMochi OP:
No, we are not. We just love each other.
↳FreePotato:
This happened to us too… we are a fated pair tho.
↳Croakdile:
Huh? Aren’t fated pairs just a myth?
↳FreePotato:
LOL no, we are very real. “Fated Pairs” is how people romanticize it. Our compatibility is 100%. OP you should check your compatibility with your partner, if it turns out that your compatibility, depending on your doctor they will recommend you something different.
↳WildMochi:
Thanks for the advice… We already got an appointment.
↳CaraV4N:
Recommend something different? What do you mean?
↳ FreePotato:
Well… It depends, since we were so intense according to the doctor our body developed a need for the other, it has to be with our pheromones, they change just to adapt to the partner. The fastest way for us to equilibrate was a mark…. There is also therapy for it.
[UPDATE] WildMochi OP:
We took a compatibility test; we are destined partners. Currently on pheromone adaptation therapy. Thanks everyone for your responses.
↳GrumpyDurian:
This post is just full of bs, it has to be fake. Is just crazy people justifying a shotgun wedding. Destined partners don't exist. Touch some grass.
Wenlang blinked at his screen, is it even possible? Growing up he had heard about it from classmates, but never took it seriously. It was mostly a cliché phrase some alphas would use to pick up omegas, and some omegas would say they are waiting for their destined partner. He never actually thought about it, because why would he be interested in omegas? That was ridiculous.
So Wenlang spent the next hour researching about destined pairs which turned out to be a really big deal, to the point the concept was mostly used in dramas and movies about impossible loves or love idiots who keep meeting again or idiots who fall in love. He even took the time to read a summary of a popular drama where the leads were destined partners but they were married and marked with different partners, the whole story revolved around how they end up getting together. There was another one about two alpha identical twins who reacted to the same omega as destined partners. Every single summary he read ended up revolving around the same; fated partners and destiny twists. By the end of it he was feeling oddly annoyed, he ended up discovering a whole genre of clichés. However, he did end up finding posts and forums dedicated to only fated partners, turns out around 5% of the population has claimed they are fated partners. According to the medicine it was like that user on that forum said; the pheromones somehow adapt to the partner and change the brain chemistry and clouds their judgement in comparison to a normal paced relationship, their high compatibility doesn’t, by any means, dictate their feelings.
He kept reading going further and further in a loop, he even entered a discussion forum where people were discussing what was enough to be considered a fated partner, some say 90% of compatibility is enough and the most purist ones say it's 100% or nothing, but these are just people on the internet discussing and don't have any medical backup.
But if they were fated partners there's the obvious question then; why i didn't trigger earlier? Could it be… it had to be with the use of inhibitors? or his brain had rotten after reading all of those fated pairs discussions? He has many questions that strangers on the internet can’t solve. He needs to consult with a doctor, seriously. Maybe they could check tomorrow with Gao Tu's doctor, he seemed wise.