Chapter Text
Wenlang is displeased. Extremely displeased.
The nice hotel, the idea to hold the latest X Holding & Consortium meeting here, the remote location with the swooping, snowy hills and privacy for miles, all of it was a trap. Granted, not one designed for Wenlang, but one he is now stuck in all the same.
"You know very well that the last thing I want to do is pretend to chase an Omega that I don't even know", he grumbles. Hua Yong smiles at him. That's not a good sign, it never is.
"I can reassure you, you won't be chasing a stranger. You'll be chasing me." He sounds delighted by the idea. Wenlang doesn't even try to hide his displeasure. Even if the modern hunts have little to do with the archaic traditions, Wenlang has never had a desire to participate. Not even to pretend, not even for fun. Having to follow some Omega scent for God knows how long is the exact opposite of fun for him.
"No." Previous experience has taught him that trying to argue with Hua Yong is a doomed endeavor, but he owes it to his own pride to at least try.
"But of course, how else is Mister Sheng going to rescue me?"
Sheng Shaoyou. Of course. Whatever insane scheme Hua Yong comes up with, Sheng Shaoyou is bound to be in the middle of it. Wenlang makes an annoyed sound in the back of his throat. "Rope someone else into your perverted little schemes."
His friend gives him a pitying look. Like Wenlang is an obstinate little child and not a fully grown man.
"Alright", he says, all sugar and spice, "I'll do that and you pay me back the fifteen million I gave you to leave your father's shadow and build HS Group. At seven per cent interest, shall we say? You are a friend after all."
Wenlang glares at him. Hard. But he does not try to argue any longer. Hua Yong knows as well as he does, better, perhaps, that HS Group is years, potentially decades away from having that sort of cash flow.
The Enigma rightfully interprets his silence as agreement and claps him on the shoulder. "Splendid."
It is in that moment that Gao Tu joins them. Wenlang quickly shakes Hua Yong's hand off his shoulder. Gao Tu looks good. Well, he always does, though lately, he looks exhausted more often than not. Wenlang hates it and hates that useless partner of his even more for putting so much pressure on him. They do not know how to treasure the gift that is Gao Tu's love, making his live perpetually harder instead of easier.
If Wenlang... if Wenlang was allowed... he chases that thought back where it belongs, into the farthest recess of his mind. Wenlang is not allowed, has not been allowed for the last ten years and will probably never be allowed.
The best he can do is steal little pockets of time here and there, like he's done now with this business trip. Did Gao Tu need to come along? Probably not. Did Wenlang absolutely want him here and therefore insisted? Maybe.
"Secretary Gao", Hua Yong greets him in his patented I am a meek little Omega voice. Wenlang wants to roll his eyes so hard, but of course, he cannot out Hua Yong in front of his secretary. "You look well. Did you have a good night?" Even though the words are harmless, it sounds sly. Maybe that's just Hua Yong, forever intent on making Wenlang's life as difficult as possible. Or maybe it's Wenlang, hearing innuendo where there is none when it comes to Gao Tu. He takes a deep breath and makes extra sure that his face looks stony and betrays nothing. Gao Tu's eyes wander towards him and he straightens up a little, clasping his hands behind his back like he's standing at attention. Wenlang wants to tell him he doesn't have to be this courteous just because of Hua Yong, but he keeps quiet.
"Thank you, Secretary Hua", he says, polite as always. "I slept very well, the bed here is so comfortable."
"Ah", Hua Yong says and by that little word alone, Wenlang knows he's going to say something terrible. Something that will embarrass Wenlang. "Do you not have access to comfortable beds at home?"
Wenlang tries his very hardest to look as calm and unmoved as the snow outside, but he can practically feel the heat creep up his neck, his hormones threatening to spike at the mere though of Gao Tu in... a more comfortable bed. Of Wenlang's providing. Thank god Gao Tu is a Beta and also busy fielding Hua Yong's weird and inappropriate questions, so he does not notice.
"I... well", Gao Tu falters for just a second before his professional persona is back in place. "Shouldn't we make our way to the conference room then?" Smart, saving himself a mortifying answer by concentrating on work.
Except.
"Oh, did President Shen not tell you?" Hua Yong says sweetly. "We'll be leaving for the Hunt shortly."
You told me five minutes ago, Wenlang wants to say and can't because why would his "secretary" have this information sooner than him?
Gao Tu's slightly confused but overall good-natured mood practically drains from his face, leaving him looking haunted and slightly freaked out. "Hunt?" he echoes and for a moment, there's a spike of... something in the air. But it's gone before Wenlang can get a good read on the scent. Must have been someone passing by.
"It's tradition", Hua Yong says in his sweetest voice. Gao Tu does not yet know it's all fake, but he looks freaked out all the same. "Surely you'll join us, Secretary Gao. Right?"
"Don't talk nonsense", Wenlang intervenes. "He's a Beta. Obviously he does not need to join your... this silly game. What would be the point."
Hua Yong smiles in the way Wenlang hates the most. His I know something you don't smile. And I'll use it against you later in new and unspeakable ways.
Sometimes, Wenlang really wonders why he's still holding on to this friendship. Then he remembers the debt and the fact that – when he's not being crazy, possessive or downright scary – Hua Yong is one of the two most interesting people he knows, only superseded by Gao Tu.
"He could still join. You are such a cruel boss, President Shen. Let him have some fun."
Before Wenlang can blurt out something in annoyance and give away more than he should have, Gao Tu speaks up. His tone is measured and polite, as always, but also firm and he's put himself a little between Hua Yong and Wenlang. As if to shield him. As if he stood a chance at doing so. It's very endearing. No doubt why he's kept this friendship going for ten years.
"Please do not talk like that, Secretary Hua", he says with the composure of a man completely in the wrong but unaware. "President Shen is only looking out for me. And I could not participate anyway. Because of my asthma."
Wenlang is so, so fond of him! He desperately wants to reach out, but he doesn't. They are not like that, touching, being physical with each other, even in the most platonic sense. Gao Tu has never initiated it and he's shied away from Wenlang's touch often enough for Wenlang to get a hint.
They are friends.
Best friends.
But not like that.
So Wenlang holds back so he doesn't make him uncomfortable.
Hua Yong, heartless stone that he is, does not. He keeps giving Gao Tu that unnerving smile and leans in. It takes everything in Wenlang not to yank him back. He has no business looking at his friend so intently. Like he's about to pierce him with his gaze and his fake smile.
"Asthma", he echoes like he's never heard of the concept. When Wenlang knows he finished two medical degrees just to better understand the research for the medicine that is supposed to safe Sheng Shaoyou's father. "You should still keep us company then. Go get your coat."
Hua Yong is in no position to give Gao Tu orders, or at least, he should not be. A junior secretary, freshly started, normally far below an experienced colleague who's been here since the first hour. But Gao Tu is too polite or still too stunned to argue. Wenlang watches him go and does not like how hunched his shoulders look. He should tell him to stay back, there's no need for Gao Tu to suffer Hua Yong's nonsense beside him. He could rest, eat more of the delicious food that comes with a five star kitchen, make use of all the amenities a luxury hotel has to offer and his hole-in-a-wall-flat does not.
A row of flashy cars pull up. Not the usual limousine style, but heavy-set all-rounders with huge tires. Sturdy enough to carry them through the ice and snow. Fucking hell, where does Hua Yong plan on taking them. Wenlang had hoped this would be a short, almost performative thing, just a little moment to give Shaoyou the chance to step in and save the poor little newbie. This does not look like that.
Wenlang can feel Gao Tu appearing next to him even though the man barely made a sound. It's like the air, chilly and biting and promising snow, is warmer all of a sudden, his sour mood slightly lifted.
Gao Tu has that effect on him, which is why Wenlang prefers to have him there in challenging meetings. One look at him and he feels less inclined to rip the heads off of very demanding customers. Or his unreasonable board of supervisors that he's pretty sure Hua Yong hand-selected to be as difficult as possible. No matter what happens, with Gao Tu in the room Wenlang has at least one man in his corner.
When he turns his head to look at him, he frowns though.
"What are you wearing?" It's comes out harsher than he meant to. Gao Tu freezes for a moment before visibly composing himself. He straightens the worn, way too thin leather jacket like that will do anything to make it look less used. As if that is Wenlang's problem and not the fact that this is in no way weather-appropriate.
"Didn't Hua Yong tell you to get your coat? You'll catch your death wearing-"
"Gentlemen, please come along", Hua Yong's right hand man interrupts them. He gestures towards the cars. Hua Yong and Shaoyou are already climbing inside. Hua Yong is shooting Wenlang a look, clearly not in a mood to be kept waiting. Gao Tu hurries to comply, so Wenlang has no choice but to follow him sullenly.
They drive.
And drive.
He intended to keep track of the route, but by the hour mark, it becomes clear that even if Wenlang could remember where they came from, there is no way Gao Tu would make it back all this way. Not in the snow and the cold. And Wenlang is obviously not going to leave him to Hua Yong's tender mercies, who has eyes for nothing and no one but Shaoyou.
But even if he cared, even if he paid attention to anyone else, Wenlang would not trust him with Gao Tu. He'll say something to turn his head against Wenlang. Or worse, mention Wenlang's pathetically obvious crush, that Gao Tu is kind enough to pretend not to know about. Wenlang would wither of humiliation if he was ever forced to address that. They've been like this for ten years now: Wenlang hopelessly in love and Gao Tu firmly in the arms of someone else. They do not need to talk about it. If they do not talk about it, they can continue this friendship and that is way too valuable to Wenlang to ever risk it.
The cars finally stop and they get out. Right besides them, the forest looms, black, barren trees against a pale morning sky. A scenery to slit your wrists. Next to him, Gao Tu turns the collar of his jacket up and stomps his feet. Behind them, Hua Yong, Shaoyou and the rest of the guests get out. The air is filled with pheromones, most of them exited. For a business meeting, this is an unusual bit of fun and even if nobody is actually going to find any life long partners here today, people are happy to not be stuck in yet another conference room.
Only once or twice does Wenlang catch a more subdued scent, a little more anxiety, sticking out in the cloud of excitement like an off note. But among all the people, it's impossible to identify the source. When he lets his eyes wander over the crowd, everybody seems in good spirits.
"I'll stay here then", Gao Tu says, voice perfectly even, tone professionally neutral. "While you go... hunt." For a second, Wenlang thinks he hears an undertone of sadness in there, but when he turns towards him, Gao Tu just looks at him with steady eyes. He doesn't seem to have much of an opinion on what's going on around him. He also looks painfully pretty against the snowy landscape, cheeks and nose already reddened by the cold. Wenlang doesn't feel it, his body running warm naturally. But his Beta secretary has no such hormonal protection.
Without hesitation Wenlang undoes his scarf and wraps it around Gao Tu's neck. Twice. There's something thrilling, almost primal in being able to provide for his friend. Even if Gao Tu doesn't really need it. Or if he does, he does not want it from Wenlang.
Luckily, he's too stunned to object and by the time he does, Wenlang has already stepped back.
"I cannot possibly", Gao Tu still tries. "You'll be cold."
"I'll be just fine. Keep it warm for me."
He wants to stay. Actually, he wants to get into the car with Gao Tu and drive back to the hotel, have some precious hours for just the two of them, far away from the company's obligations or Hua Yong's scheming. He wants to be... on vacation with him. Alone, nobody there to interrupt. It takes effort to turn around. Only to be stopped dead by the lightest of touch: Gao Tu's hand on his arm.
"Don't get hurt", he says, then he hesitates before continuing: "And don't hurt anyone." The words sound sour from his mouth. Wenlang wants to tell him that re-enacting outdated mating rituals was not his idea, that he wouldn't participate in any of this if it was up to him. That this is hardly his idea of a good time and that he'd much rather spend his time at the hotel with Gao Tu. Who wants to chase Omegas around a snowy forest? Not Wenlang!
But he can't because then he'd have to explain who Secretary Hua really is and Hua Yong would never forgive him for mucking up his great, terrible plan.
So all he can say is: "Of course not. Stay here, I'll be back soon."
He has every intention to be. And then they can go back to the hotel and do something normal, go over the business plan for that plucky little start-up that's gotten a little too comfortable blatantly stealing HS Group's patents and needs to be acquired now (or sued into oblivion, but Wenlang would much rather take over an enemy than crush them). Maybe he can convince Gao Tu to have dinner with him. Maybe, possibly even a late night drink – even if the Beta is not one for alcohol.
For any of that to happen though, he needs to find Hua Yong first.
It's not difficult. Well, it's not like Hua Yong is hiding from him. Wenlang has been following the obnoxiously sweet orchid scent for less then ten minutes when he finds him. Casually leaning against a trees, wearing just a thin silk shirt. He doesn't look like the cold bothers him at all. Wenlang hates him. A bit.
"Let's get this over with then", he grumbles. But as he comes closer, Hua Yong dances out of reach. Wenlang gives him his most annoyed stare. "I thought you needed me to keep your hare-brained scheme of being an abused Omega alive. So, stand still and let yourself be abused."
Hua Yong smirks but eventually stops evading him and then does not fight back when Wenlang closes his hand around his neck, fingers digging into the soft skin. Nothing happens.
"You'll have to press a little harder if you want to leave a mark, my friend", the Enigma taunts. Not for the first time, Wenlang wonders what he did in his previous life to be cursed with a friend like this.
"Maybe you'll have an easier time if you bite me", Hua Yong suggests and offers up his throat. Wenlang reels back.
"I am not going to bite you, are you completely insane? You want to be bonded to Sheng, not me!" It's crazy that he has to be the one to remind him of that. Usually, Hua Yong cannot shut up about his crush.
His friend gives him a truly pitying look. "I trust you are capable enough to not accidentally create a bond. After all, what would poor Secretary Gao say?"
Wenlang feels his hackles rise, even if the accusation is baseless.
"Don't drag him into your filthy schemes." It would be best if he kept far, far away from him, actually. Wenlang likes him – most days, God knows why – but he's also aware of the fact that Hua Yong has quite the mean streak, throwing his Enigma powers around with little regard for who they hurt. Being S-class himself, Wenlang can usually take it and he's yet to be actually hurt by it. But Gao Tu's health is unstable as it is and he reacts with painful Asthma attacks even to Wenlang's pheromones. He'd hate to see him exposed to an Enigmas oppressive scent.
"My filthy schemes", Hua Yong echoes. He seems delighted. "Don't worry, I am well aware that Secretary Gao is spoken for."
Wenlang feels heat rise to his face. He staunchly ignores it. "I have not idea what you are talking about. Now, hold still."
"Of course you don't", his friend replies with all the fake-seriousness of a mother entertaining a mildly stupid child. "Tell me, my friend, where's your scarf?"
Wenlang glares at him. And then rubs his scent glad all over his neck. There, that'll do. Sheng can smell him on Hua Yong and come to his own terrible conclusions. Hua Yong lifts his collar and inhales their mingled scents. Wenlang will admit that it's not the worst combination. They've been friends for years, something that would be impossible if they hated the way the other smelled.
But whenever their scents had mixed before, it's been a lot more subdued. Sharing sleep shirts, lending a towel at the pool, spending time smooshed together on cars and on planes. They way scents mix when friends are close.
This is different. This is aggressive. This is Wenlang deliberately leaving his mating scent on Hua Yong's neck and it... it doesn't work. For him, it does not work. The iris and orchid are too sweet together, almost cloying. There's nothing to ground either and balance it out. There's a reason they've never been more than friends and it's not just that Hua Yong has been obsessed with Sheng Shaoyou since he was a literal child. So by the time his body was ready to maybe seek a mate, his heart was set. There's only ever been one person for him.
Sometimes, Wenlang is a little jealous. It must be nice to know exactly who you want and spend all your energy going after them – even if he thinks that Hua Yong is honestly crazy, the way he pursues Sheng. He still hopes it works out for him and that all the lying, scheming, and strong-arming won't blow up in his face horribly.
"Well", Hua Yong pushes away from the tree he's been leaning on this whole time, "I'll be off then. And I'm sure you have somewhere to be too." He winks at Wenlang. Winks. Wenlang gives him his most displeased glare. Whatever corrupted thoughts are swirling around in his friend's head, Wenlang wants nothing to do with them. He's not like that. ... neither is Gao Tu. Twice the reason not to even think about... about anything. Wenlang is not thinking a single thought, especially not about his best friend turned right hand man. Zero thoughts.
Except for the one that he needs to return to him and then get them back to the hotel. This is as far as Wenlang is willing to participate in this hunt. He's done what Hua Yong asked of him, now he gets to leave. With the only person he's interested in.
Here!
The only person he is interested in here. On this trip. Not in general, of course. Not back at home in their real life. Where Gao Tu has a partner and Wenlang has seen the ruin an affair brings to everyone involved. So he would never! Gao Tu is spoken for and no wishful yearning will change that.
He leaves Hua Yong and his orchid scent behind and turns back the way he came. There's the little snow drift he passed, these are his footprints among many others. Though he is the only one walked back, it seems. Everybody else is still busy with the hunt. Wenlang cannot wait to return to Gao Tu and then spend the rest of the evening in quiet luxury.
Something shifts in the air. Like the memory of a scent, far too faint to be recognised. It rankles, Wenlang feels his heartbeat pick up, his muscles tense. A stress reaction to he's not quite sure what. He fastens his step, cannot wait to reach Gao Tu and take him back. Time to get out of this forest and away from all the pheromone-addled Alphas and Omegas. A Beta has no business being here anyway. Wenlang should have put his foot down and insist his friend stay back. Wanting him to come along was a selfish and, turns out, foolish wish.
Wenlang leaves the forest and reaches the clearing where he last saw Gao Tu, rosy from the cold and wrapped up in Wenlang's scarf, looking unbearably pretty. What if someone got the wrong idea. What if some Alpha didn't care that he's a Beta and decided to go after him anyway. Dread curdles in his stomach and spreads down his limbs. If someone dared to chase Gao Tu, polite, asthmatic Gao Tu, Wenlang will not be held accountable for his actions.
The scent is back, still faint, but identifiable now and Wenlang's vision goes hazy for a second. Wenlang knows this scent, has dreaded it since they turned seventeen: Gao Tu's Omega. The very scent that clings to his best friend every time he's been cruelly taken away from Wenlang, sometimes for weeks.
The scent that signals he's about to lose him again and soon. What is it doing here?
There's only one explanation: The Omega is here.
But that's impossible. They would have had to fly out to the middle of nowhere, somehow get wind of Hua Yong's harebrained hunt and then follow them all the way to the forest without anyone noticing them. Two S-class Alphas and an Enigma not catching a single whiff of them. And even Gao Tu, with his inferior Beta nose, should have recognised the scent of the person he has spent a decade with.
Unbelievable or not, the scent is there and it gets stronger once Wenlang starts following it. He has no idea what's going on, but his best friend is gone and his best friend's terrible partner is here and Wenlang is about to get some answers!
Also, he's about to meet that mysterious person. Wenlang would never admit to it, but he has been wondering. Especially late at night in the privacy of his own home, when missing his friend turns into a physical ache and Wenlang doesn't even know the reason. He's wondered about this person. About how charming, how beautiful, how cunning they had to be to isolate Gao Tu like this and to have such a strong hold over him. How they managed to keep him trapped for ten years even though they are making his life so difficult, demanding his attention at all hours of the day, putting him in conflict with his work, his boss, his friend.
The mystery Omega of his mind shifts between impossibly alluring to ruthlessly cunning. Wenlang is a little afraid to finally meet them and find that Gao Tu is completely justified in enduring all this for them. That they are more beautiful, smarter, kinder than he could have imagined. Worth it all.
How can Wenlang compete with that?
Knowing his friend is trapped with a terrible partner hurts, but having to admit that Wenlang simply is not and never will be good enough to stand a chance... he's not ready to face that. It's been ten years and he is not ready to face that. It's probably high time to put a stop to this, rip off the band-aid. It's been ten years of pining, maybe meeting this mystery person will give him the strength to move on.
Wenlang scents the air. The smell of wood and snow is the most prominent, of course, but woven in between are the pheromones of the other people. Excitement, disappointment, happiness. And anxiety. It curls around the familiar sage that clings to Gao Tu on the bad days. Wenlang's apprehension rises. Whatever happened between Gao Tu and his partner, it wasn't great.
The trail of sage leads him further and further away from the clearing, slowly getting stronger. Good. At least he's on the right track.
And then he sees him.
Gao Tu is leaning against a tree, clutching his chest like it's difficult for him to breathe (an asthma attack? Wenlang's worried brain immediately guesses; but who or what could have triggered it?).
He's all alone. The scent of sage permeates the air, but the Omega is nowhere to be seen. Maybe they are hiding?
Wenlang looks around, but he sees nothing. And Gao Tu is obviously in trouble. So he puts finding the Omega on the backburner and hurries over to his friend.
Gao Tu startles when he notices him and then, inexplicably, shies away.
"Wenlang", he says. He does not sound happy to see him. At all. "What are you doing here? Don't come closer!" One hand comes up as if to keep Wenlang at bay. Wenlang is shook. What the hell happened that is so bad that his friend of ten years cannot even allow him close? Is the Omega still around? Is Gao Tu in danger? None of this makes sense.
So Wenlang ignores the plea for distance and advances.
The scent of sage thickens.
His eyes dart around, expecting to see the mystery Omega any second now. He can smell them, sage so thick Wenlang can barely breathe. And for the first time in a long time, he feels his own gland throb in response.
Wenlang is mortified. This never happens. On a day to day basis, he can ignore his secondary gender pretty well, can reap the benefits without suffering the downsides. He's never interested in the few Omegas that manage to sneak into his life and he's safe at work, surrounded by Betas and Alphas and most of all, Gao Tu. Wenlang does not suffer the indignities of puffing out iris like some beast in heat, he's never tempted.
He cannot be tempted now. Not in front of Gao Tu. Not because of his best friend's partner! He's better than that. He refuses to carry on the curse that ruined his family.
Wenlang lifts a hand to his nose, like that will help. Gao Tu watches him and there's something in his eyes that is both haunted and so unbearably sad.
And then he bolts.