Work Text:
They say, to truly know a man, you need to live with him first.
To Shao You, Shen Wenlang was three things above all else.
Stubborn.
A fool.
And, as of the past month, absolutely infuriating.
Not a single day went by that the other Alpha wouldn’t bring up Hua Yong’s recent rise in popularity.
“Shao You,” he would start, his smile smug. “Another confession today. Hua Yong might actually agree this time.”
And in turn, Shao You never let him forget how irritating it was.
But today went differently.
Shao You sat on the couch, nestled into a pale gray hoodie.
He pretended to focus on checking his WeChat.
His fingers tapped rhythmically on his thigh, waiting.
And then the gaze was back, digging into him with quiet vengeance.
“Shen Wenlang.” Shao You looked up, his tone icy. “If you have something to say, then say it.”
Wenlang's eyes darted back to his phone.
“W-why would I have anything to say?!”
Their living room soured as Wenlang’s iris pheromones thickened with— anxiety? Guilt?
Shao You wrinkled his nose.
Idiot.
He subtly buried the lower half of his face into the thick fabric of the hoodie, holding back a growl.
The scent he wanted was beginning to fade, replaced by tangy orange blossom.
“Then stop staring.”
Shao You tucked away his phone, fabric rustling as he stood.
“I’ll be at Hua Yong’s place.”
I need another hoodie.
Wenlang’s scent suddenly spiked.
“No!”
Shao You cast a questioning glare over his shoulder.
He watched as Wenlang slumped against their couch, groaning with frustration.
He shifted, instincts flaring.
“Are you and Classmate Gao well?”
Wenlang froze.
The refrigerator hummed softly in the kitchen, the only sound in the room.
“Of course we are.”
Shao You’s back relaxed.
“...This is about Hua Yong.”
“What?”
Wenlang casually looked away, clicking his tongue.
“It’s probably nothing. Just another rumor.”
Shao You gritted his teeth.
“Tell me. Now.”
“Ai, alright! Don’t get like that.”
Wenlang easily folded one leg over the other, his arm slung over the back of his seat.
But Shao You knew him well enough to notice the stiffness in his shoulders.
It’s just. I heard someone say—on the class group chat—that some omega confessed to Hua Yong.”
That’s it?
A tide of relief washed over him.
A confession.
That was normal.
The way Wenlang was acting wasn’t.
Shao You’s eyes flicked over his roommate’s expression.
Something tightened around his chest.
“That’s all?” He scoffed. “Are you trying to drive me to an early grave?”
No snide reply came.
Wenlang hesitated.
“People are saying that Hua Yong…accepted.”
“...What?”
Their aging heater rattled against the wall. With a trailing shudder, it fell silent.
Shao You's jaw was taut with the effort to rein in his pheromones.
“You- pig brain—”
“Oi!” Wenlang's face twisted. “I was trying to help you!”
“Wenlang, is your head just for decoration?!”
Shao You huffed.
“That’s ridiculous.”
Hua Yong wouldn’t do that.
His phone pinged in his pocket.
Tuning out Wenlang’s theatrics, he checked his WeChat.
The corner of his mouth tugged up.
There was a photo showing a small spread— braised pork belly, stir-fried greens, and a pot of soup still steaming.
There was a single message underneath.
See you soon ^^
“I’m going to Hua Yong’s.”
Shao You didn’t look up from the phone.
“Don’t wait for me.”
With that, he was gone.
***
To Shao You, apartment 143 of the Beichao complex was like a soft cotton blanket.
The moment he stepped inside, he greedily inhaled.
The warmth of a home-cooked meal wrapped around him, mingling with the orchid scent that lingered on every surface.
Finally.
“Senior Sheng.”
Hua Yong was watching him, unblinking.
Shao You flushed under the intense stare.
“Hua Yong.”
He forced himself to look away, toward the kitchen.
“You cooked?”
Hua Yong hummed, eyes darting to Shao You’s reddened ears.
His lips curled into a knowing smile.
“I did. For you.”
Shao You felt a thrum of pride at the words.
He raised an eyebrow.
“Again? Are you trying to make me indebted to you?”
Hua Yong's smile sharpened.
“Of course not, Senior Sheng.”
Shao You stiffened as Hua Yong bridged the gap between them.
“I only ask for one thing.” Hua Yong hooked his fingers around the hem of Shao You’s hoodie. “Isn’t it time you returned this to me?”
“Right.”
This was expected. Familiar.
Shao You quickly tugged off the hoodie and handed it over to Hua Yong.
Hua Yong took it readily, pulling it up to his nose with a mischievous grin.
“Ah.” He inhaled. “Our Senior Sheng smells so good.”
“You—”
The blush Shao You had finally stamped down returned with vengeance.
“Stop saying such shameful things.”
Hua Yong laughed quietly.
“Go sit down. I’ll serve the food. Stay put.”
Hua Yong tossed the hoodie over his shoulder.
“I bought a blanket. You get cold too easily.”
***
There was the gentle clatter of plates as Hua Yong worked in the kitchen.
Shao You sat on the couch, back straight. He didn’t spare a glance at the blanket draped over his lap.
It was fine— downy, smooth, and gently weighted.
But it was new.
His nose twitched with dissatisfaction.
They already missed one day together because Shao You had a presentation.
One day, and I’m already like this.
Usually, Hua Yong would have his hoodie ready, warm, and pumped full of his orchid scent before they went out or curled up together in Hua Yong’s room.
Not today.
Probably busy with the food.
He stood with a huff.
He looked towards the kitchen one last time before heading down the narrow hallway.
Shao You had been surprised the first time he saw Hua Yong’s room. The room looked bare, too plain.
Like a hotel room.
Even Shao You had a few photos of family and friends on the walls, awards from his many certificates from competitions, leadership commendations he’d been proud of.
But Hua Yong’s was just empty.
But one change had been made.
Shao You’s eyes softened imperceptibly.
On the nightstand was a framed picture.
Shao You was staring at a bowl of beef noodles, red lanterns and a ginkgo tree behind him. Hua Yong wasn’t in the frame, but he’d been there. Across from him, watching.
Silly little Alpha.
He turned away, finding what he wanted almost immediately.
Ah.
A hoodie was tossed carelessly on the bed, where Hua Yong’s scent was the strongest. The white cloth was peeking out from under the bedsheets.
Shao You smirked, grabbing it and slipping it over his head.
He buried his face into the fabric, filling his lungs with the heady orchid scent he’d been craving.
Finally.
Then, something poked his stomach.
Shao You reached into the hoodie pocket, pulling out a folded piece of paper, creased one too many times.
He paused, fingers stilling as he unfolded it.
A letter.
His eyes fell on the first line.
“Hello! You may not know me, but I think you’re amazing. I was too shy to tell you directly, so I hope you’ll accept this…”
His jaw tightened as he read through the rest of the letter.
A timid, cowardly attempt at asking someone out, complete with showered praises and nervous confessions, signed off lovingly with a clumsily drawn heart.
Why did Hua Yong have this?
…People are saying that Hua Yong…accepted.
Shao You’s grip rumpled the paper.
He folded it haphazardly, shoving it in his pocket as he hurried out of the room.
Hua Yong was standing by the dining table, setting out the food.
Hua Yong’s eyes lit up when he saw him.
“Senior Sheng.”
Shao You’s hoodie was still slung over his shoulder.
Something in Shao You’s chest tightened.
“Hua Yong.”
Hua Yong’s expression darkened.
Before Shao You could protest, the younger Alpha closed the distance between them.
“Hey—”
“You’re upset.”
Shao You’s words trailed as a wave of comforting pheromones washed over him.
Slender fingers wrapped around his wrist, rubbing circles into his pulse.
“Tell me what happened.”
Shao You’s throat bobbed.
“It’s nothing. I-I have to go.”
A trace of displeasure crossed Hua Yong’s face.
“Why?”
“Wenlang needs me to help—”
“That’s not it.”
“Wenlang has Gao Tu.” The words were light, contrasting with the grip on his wrist. “Why are you trying to leave? Senior Sheng.”
Shao You bit his lip.
“Why does it matter to you?”
Silence.
Something eerily close to hurt flickered across Hua Yong’s eyes.
Then, it was gone.
The hand fell away.
The tide of orchid pheromones receded, leaving nothing but the faint aroma of pork and wonton soup.
“I see.” Hua Yong smiled, a bit too wide. “I won’t take up any more of Senior Sheng’s time.”
Shao You didn’t move when Hua Yong stepped away.
He watched the Alpha return to the dishes, as if nothing had happened.
The shift of fabric and footsteps felt deafening.
His instincts urged him to apologize, to comfort his Alpha, but how could he?
The creased letter burned in his pocket.
He couldn’t apologize— nor did he want one.
He just wanted reassurance, a promise that Hua Yong’s gentleness belonged to him, and only to him.
He swallowed.
“Hua Yong.”
Hua Yong stilled. Dark eyes fixed on Shao You.
Shao You pulled out the letter, holding it up.
“This note— I found it in your pocket.”
He steeled his voice.
“Why do you have it?”
Hua Yong stared. Then, his face broke into a smile.
He laughed, the sound thick with relief.
Shao You’s shoulders fell, the tension draining from him.
“Senior Sheng.”
Hua Yong stepped closer, his arms slipping around Shao You’s waist.
“Senior Sheng.”
Shao You’s hand instinctively rested on the Alpha’s back.
Hua Yong’s nose brushed against Shao You’s scent gland as he nuzzled closer.
“Senior Sheng.”
Shao You’s breath hitched at the contact.
“Hua Yong.”
He pulled back, forcing a frown.
“Explain yourself.”
Hua Yong leaned back, smile not fading.
“The note wasn’t for me.”
“What?”
Hua Yong hummed. His scent sharpened for a fraction of a second before evening out.
“An omega from my marketing seminar. She asked if I would pass it to you.”
He growled, pulling Shao You closer to him.
“It’s good I read it first.”
Shao You blinked.
Oh.
“The confession was for me.”
Bit by bit, his lips tugged into a teasing smirk.
“So why didn’t you give it to me?”
Hua Yong buried his face into Shao You’s shoulder, drawing him closer by the waist.
“You know why.”
Shao You’s smile deepened.
He pushed Hua Yong away just a bit, forcing him to look up.
“Say it.”
“Because you’re my Alpha.”
Shao You let out a bark of laughter, leaning in closer.
“Am I?”
The scent of orange blossom sweetened, wrapping around them.
Hua Yong nodded seriously.
“You are. And I’m yours.”
There was a pause.
“Hua Yong.”
“Senior Sheng—”
Shao You bowed his head, placing a firm kiss on Hua Yong’s lips.
He pulled back quickly, attempting to school his expression.
“Never keep something so stupid away from me again.”
Hua Yong stared at him.
Slowly, he ran his tongue over his bottom lip.
“Whatever Senior Sheng wants.”
Shao You looked away, feeling his ears burn.
He was about to step away, but the arms around his waist jostled him closer.
“Going somewhere?”
Then Hua Yong’s lips were on his, soft and eager.
His arms encircled Hua Yong’s neck.
The letter slipped from his fingers, swirling to the floor.
Shao You’s face was red by the time Hua Yong pulled away.
“Senior Sheng.”
Hua Yong grinned, brushing the corner of Shao You’s mouth with his thumb.
“Our food will get cold.”