Chapter Text
Sheng Shaoyou hummed around his glass of wine, staring up at the night sky.
The day was just ending on his beloved son's 8th birthday party, where they had invited everyone they knew and loved (and who Peanut wanted, of course), including Shen Wenlang, his son's godfather still pale but noticeably more lively as the children went on about what happened at school and what they want to do and everything else that children wished to do.
So while the man was happily entertaining the children alongside an amused Gao Tu, the S-class Alpha realized that his own mate was missing.
He had only relaxed when he heard noises from the kitchen, Hua Yong clearly wishing to end the day with his famous cookies that Hua Sheng still loved the best, proudly stating that no cookies could ever compare to his Baba's.
And while sweet, it gave his Papa some breathing room to go outside and think, letting the fresh air wind through his hair.
He wanted a second baby.
No, he wanted more children with his Enigma, period.
True, while their son was still a toddler, Sheng Shaoyou did playfully tease and question if they would have more, remembering the other man vaguely bringing up all the names he used to think of for their future children, but Hua Yong was adamant that, due to almost losing both his mate and his child, that would be that and he would ensure it never happened again.
Luckily for the Alpha, they tended to stick to birth control and other more 'regular' means, nothing drastic, nothing... permanent.
The Enigma was so good with Peanut, in his own way of course, so Shaoyou was well aware what happened was probably the only thing holding his mate back, not a lack of wanting more children. With a small grin, he took out his phone, eyes zoning in on all the words his research team was sending him throughout the week, all of them more than confident that they were on their way (if they haven't already) to finding a treatment that would ease pregnancies for Alphas, make them more viable, less... dangerous.
Of course, it wasn't perfect and never would be but, at the very least, any potential future pregnancies would be on the same level of danger as that of a healthy Omega man, and that was all that the Alpha wanted.
A fighting chance for them and their family.
In the last five years since their last conversation regarding this matter, Sheng Shaoyou had kissed Hua Yong's pout away, but a small part of his mind was already on the matter of calling his team the next morning, wishing to get started on this research as soon as possible, no matter how long it took.
Naturally, the Alpha being who he was, plans to ensure that the treatment (once suitably tested) would become public and affordable for everyone.
So the wish to have more children was there, yes, but he was also helping others in a similar position to himself (as well as Omega with health issues who didn't have the back up of a high compatibility mate like Gao Tu had back then) and Sheng Shaoyou couldn't be happier or prouder of himself and his team than he was in this moment. They would do it. They are making it possible. His dreams, the dream of so many out there, was going to come true at last.
"Mr. Sheng?"
The Alpha jumped a bit, having expected Hua Yong to be still occupied by the cookies or the party a bit longer, but he should have known his mate would come and seek him out as soon as he noticed his absence. His heart did stop for a bit once he realized that the Enigma could read what was on his phone, the man's facing growing pale in worry.
"Mr. Sheng, what is that?"
"Look, I know what you will say." Shaoyou continued before the other could speak up. "I know you expected me, probably I mean, to forget about it and move on after our conversation all those years ago but... I couldn't. My team has spent all these years working on this, it's almost done, they just need a few more monhs, ideally but..."
"Shaoyou."
Said man took a deep breath. Even to this day, his mate rarely called him by his first name unless he wanted to say something serious. It got to him all the same.
"... look, it's not just for myself. For us. It's for others too. I just... it might be silly, but I still remember that day when you showed me how difficult it was to take care of babies - although I will say Hua Sheng ended up being quite the sweet child but I digress - how you went on about what plans you had for their names... even if I didn't fully believe it at the time, now..."
The Enigma stayed silent for a bit but then moved closer, arms wrapping around him as he buried his nose in the Alpha's neck, taking a large gulp of that lovely orange scent he adored.
He could never get enough of it.
"Alright." he cut Shaoyou off from his rambles, having moved away from his nape a bit. "I will have my team double, no, triple check everything. Then I will do the same. Of course I want to have more children with you, Mr. Sheng, but I said goodbye to that dream after what happened... if your research truly can help make it more.... bearable for an overly worried Enigma, then we will do it. I want to grow our family, yes, but I will not put your life on the line. Ever."
Hua Yong chuckled, but it was humorless.
"This time it's not just me, Mr. Sheng. It's Peanut as well. I can't bear to have him lose you or even both of us so young... and I don't wish to put such concerns on Wenlang again, not while he is still in the process of healing. Is that doable?"
"It is." Shaoyou nodded, leaning in to give his overthinker mate a peck on the lips. "It won't come to that. We will have more children, we won't concern Shen Wenlang too much, and Peanut will be dealing with both of us until he is elderly himself if I had a say in it."
"Poetic as ever." the Enigma was amused, a small smirk playing on his lips. "Shell we get to practice? Or does this treatment of yours require pre-pregnancy care?"
"W-wait, hold on! I planned for the best effectiveness to be before, like with diet and such but... sheesh, Hua Yong, the party is still ongoing!"
"I know, I know..." Hua Yong gave him another kiss, this one deeper and longer before pulling away. "... can't blame me for wanting to get started though."
Shaoyou rolled his eyes, fighting to keep his blush back.
"Yeahhh... later, when our existing child is asleep, you are truly a pervert you know?"
"For Mr. Sheng? Always."
Shaking his head, the Alpha pulled him back inside, the party winding down, but they still had to thank and say goodbye to any remaining guests.
Still, it was exciting, knowing that maybe, just maybe, their dreams weren't so unrealistic after all.