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Hong-er was a knight, nothing else and nothing more. 

He had to remember that. 

He had been lucky to have been selected among his peers to serve under his highness' grace. All thanks to the fact that he had never presented once he turned 14.

Since the prince had presented as an omega from a young age, he was not allowed near any alpha, and so his guard was all conformed by omegas and betas. 

So after having trained hard since the day he joined the army, and having proven himself as a competent soldier, he wasallowed the honor to stand by his highness' side. 

That had been his goal ever since he met the prince when they were younger, barely 6 and 11 years old. 

The young prince has found him, curled over a flower as some older kids threw rocks at his head, wanting to stomp the bloom simply because he thought it was pretty and they didn't like him because they thought him cursed. His highness has stepped up for him, yelled at the other kids, gently coaxed him out from his protective stance over the tiny white flower. 

He had dried his tears, looked at his red eye peaking behind the bandages in his face and called it beautiful. He had made the physician look over his wounds and brought him a warm meal, staying to talk with him until he had to go away, but not before he had made sure he someone would escort him home.

He didn't have a home. But perhaps he didn't need to have one. 

That day he swore his life to his prince, whatever needed to keep him safe and happy he would see it done. 

That's why he enlisted in the army as soon as he looked old enough to do so, why he trained until his bones ached and then went out to work some more to earn a few coins, why he considered himself immensely lucky to be picked as the prince's guard. 

He had thought the prince wouldn't recognize him, since a few years had gone past, his red eye remaining hidden behind new bandages.

But his prince, bright as the sun, kind and clever, had surprised him just like that day. 

Smiling at him when they informed him he was a his new bodyguard, set to accompany him from now on. They hadn't given him his name and yet the prince called "Hong-er." his eyes glinting with recognition his voice softer and sweeter than any treat. 

The prince had favored him between his other guards from the star, choosing to bring him everywhere with him. 

Small strolls through the palace's gardens, smalls visits to the nearby towns, escapades to the forest.

His highness took him everywhere, keeping him close, saying he enjoyed his company. 

None of the other guards complained about it, they were all older than him and grateful to not have to follow the overactive prince around. It was only occasionally that he had to deal with the judgeful gaze of his highness friends. Feng Xin, his highness old bodyguard, who had been pulled from the position when he presented as an alpha, only glared at him, looking at his bandages with suspicious, squinting when he walked too close to the prince. Mu Qing, his servant and an omega, was worst. He was allowed near the prince just as much and spent the time glaring at every little movement he did, rolling his eyes everytime he dared answer one of his highness' questions. 

He didn't let him bother him, basking instead in his highness' presence. 

It was quite easy, when the prince shined like the sun, blinding and demanding every bit of his attention. He was like a moth to a flame, unable to tear his gaze away for even a moment, stealing glances every time he could. 

It was only a few weeks into his position that the prince pulled him into his room, pushing him to sit on his bed, sitting side by side. 

"I hadn't had the courage to ask... but Hong-er, why do you cover your eye?" he had murmured, stressing his bottom lip between his teeth as he turned to look at him. "I remember, vaguely... you have a red eye. I said it was beautiful, I still think it is, why do you hide it?" 

He pressed his lips into a line. "Your highness... although I'm quite honored, my eye I- it's cursed, that day... you shouldn't have seen it." 

"Cursed?"

"Yes... since I was born people have told me that I'm a curse because of it. It's a bad omen, it-" 

The prince smacked his palms on both his cheeks, making him freeze as he looked at him with a fierce expression. 

"Don't say that again!" 

"Your highness..?" He murmured, refusing to but feeling like shriveling under his gaze. 

"Don't ever, ever! Say you're a curse, okay? You're not!" 

"But your highness-" 

"You're not!" He said, his voice strained with emotion but firm on his stance. "I don't care what anyone said to you about it, you're not!"

Hong-er shivered, his prince hands still on his cheeks. 

"You- are such a blessing." He murmured, pulling his face closer to press a small kiss to his forehead. "A blessing, Hong-er, not a curse. Understood?" 

"Your highness-" 

The prince leveled him with a look, making his words get stuck in his throat. 

"I understand, your highness." 

The prince smiled, pressing another kiss to his temple. "Good, don't forget. My Hong-er is nothing but a blessing." 

The guard's cheeks heat up, and he found himself unable to tear his gaze away from the prince.

The prince's cheeks flushed in turn, seeing his staring, looking to the side, the hands on his cheeks loosening and dropping to his shoulders. 

"I know you're used to it by now..." Xie Lian whispered. "But at least, when it's just us... would you take your bandages off?"

The prince's hands shook, even though he had nothing to fear, since his guard would fulfill every request of his. 

Instead of answering, he brought a hand behind his back, untying the bandages underneath his high ponytail. They fell from his face and when his right eye opened... his highness was already looking at it, his gaze awed and fond. 

The prince brushed his thumb just underneath his eye, pushing upwards to press a kiss on the eyelid. 

That made three kisses his highness has given him that day, thrice too many for someone like him. And the way he stared at him too, his golden eyes half lidded, glancing between him and his lips, the words escaping him before he could stop them- 

"Isn't this improper...?" 

The prince seemed didn't say anything for a moment, before offering a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"What is?" 

"Your highness this close to me... and giving me kisses... a man of my station-" 

"It's not improper," the prince hurried to say, his cheeks flushed and his gaze averted. "You're a beta, and I'm an omega ... so it's okay." 

"It is?" 

"Yes." He whispered.

"Okay, if your highness says so." He said a small smile on his lips. 

Xie Lian turned to look at him, studying his expression before smiling and proudly declaring- "I do say so." 

They both chuckled, looking at each other. 

"How about we take a stroll around the garden?"

-

The prince seemed to grow closer to him ever since then, doing everything in his power to escape from the palace for a while and pulling him with him so they could spend a while in the forest training with each other, his highness teaching him to use a saber or simply laying on the grass, his prince demanding he braid flowers in his hair or make them into a flower crown for him, messing his hair, unintentionally making Mu Qing upset on the prince's part. 

Hong-er wouldn't complain, not that he got to spend more time with his prince.

Thought there was always this feeling of helplessness that came each time he was with him, an ache, a wanting for more that he knew was not only forbidden but impossible. 

It was useless at this point to deny the feelings he held towards his highness weren't romantic.

But he knew it was impossible for something to bloom within them, for Xie Lian was a prince and he was a soldier and to make things more impossible, Xie Lian was an omega and he was only a beta. 

Even if somehow a soldier like him could be with the prince, their secondary genders completely shattered that hope. For Xie Lian would need to marry someone, an alpha, who could give heirs to Xianle, and betas were infertile in that sense. 

If heirs weren't a problem perhaps they could be together, but he would never be able to fully satisfy his prince, for he had no way of scenting him, something he knew necessary from how others guards talked about it. Scent was everything to an omega, to be able to let out a scent that would indicate his moods his needs, an scent that Hong-er could only imagine.

He didn't know the scent, couldn't notice it, he had only heard about it through the older omega guards. A lovely scent, something close to magnolias and camelias, some of the marked omega's said it even had a hint of something close to maple bark.

It was one of the moments where he regretted not presenting as an alpha. 

Though he didn't regret being a beta a month later, when the prince invited him into his chambers as his heat began. 

Usually Mu Qing stayed with him as a heat guard, but his mother had fallen I'll and so he had gone to take care of her, and Xie Lian had chosen him as a temporary guard for his heat. 

He saw as the prince nested, pulling mountains of blankets and pillows into his bed, the canopy hiding his form as he worked. 

Inviting him over to the nest, something he heard was considered special, not everyone was allowed in an omega's nest. So he expressed how grateful he was as he climbed over the nest, immediately being embraces by the prince, who used him as a glorified teddy bear, pressing his wrists along his face, his arms, his neck; where his glands, although useless, were. 

The prince talked to him about everything and anything, nuzzling his face in his chest as they cuddled. He was sure this would be highly improper in any context aside of the prince being in heat, and he considered himself lucky to be able to be with his prince in this vulnerable moment. 

The feeling only lasting as long as it took for the heat to fully hit Xie Lian, making dizzy and filling him with pain.

"H-hong-er..." He moaned between gritted teeth, clinging onto his robes, pressing closer to him, a small sob pulled through his throat. 

"Your highness," he asked, voice tight with concern since he never knew heats were painful for his prince. "what should I do?" 

The prince climbed up his lap, trembling arms holding tight into his neck, burying his nose on his neck. 

"Just.. hold me?"

The soldier did just so, holding the prince as tight as he could, burying his face between silly brown hair as Xie Lian panted in his skin. 

Once more he was hit the helpless feeling, if only he had been an alpha he could help his prince better, he could help him through his heat, as disrespectful as that was tho think. But no, no. He had to remember he was only allowed so close to the prince because he was everything but an alpha. 

He held the prince tighter when he hissed in pain, a whine falling off his lips. 

"It's alright, your highness." He murmured, patting his hair over and over. "I'm here, I'm here." 

"H-hong-er.... Hong-er..." He murmured, his nails digging into his back. "I need you..." 

"I'm here, your highness." he whispered into his hair. "I'm right here." 

Xie Lian whined, pressing closer to him.

He didn't know what to do but hold the prince as he panted, in pain and aroused. He couldn't smell the pheromones but he could feel them permeating the air, suffocating even though there were no traces of them for him. 

"H-hong-er!" He sobbed into his shoulder, and the soldier held him tighter. 

From one moment to the other the prince starting moving, shifting his hips and rubbing himself along the soldier's thigh. 

"Y-your highness?" 

Xie Lian moaned, making a small little pleased sound.

The prince sighed, continuing to rub himself against him, soaking his pants with slick. 

Was this normal?? Was this something that happened on his usual heats? When Mu Qing was with him? 

Something unpleasant churned in his stomach, a possessiveness that almost scared him.

No, Mu Qing was an omega, his highness wouldn't do this with him, would he? 

He couldn't help but hold the prince tighter, making him moan as he was roughly pressed against his thigh.

"Hong-er..!" The prince gasped, shuddering and dropping his head on his chest. 

"Sorry! I'm sorry your highness, I didn't mean-" 

The prince pressed a small kiss to his jaw and after that he shook, screaming his name as he came undone dropping then his full weight on him.

"Y-your highness? Are you alright?" He asked, manoeuvering him so he was curled on his lap and he got to see fully the wet patch on his trousers that the prince has left behind, temporarily soothed by his sudden climax. 

And as the prince pressed against him with a purr he became painfully aware of the hardness between his own legs.

 "..."

 — 

Tortuous, that's the only way he could describe helping with the entirety of his prince's heat just sitting there, hearing the pretty sounds his highness left out and the sinful expression on his face as he rubbed against him. 

But the aftermath was even more so. 

Xie Lian's heat was now over, and the prince wouldn't look at him in the eye, wouldn't speak to him. 

His face beet red the moment they stood too close to each other. Stuttering when trying to talk.

It took almost two weeks and plenty of apologies on both sides for things to come back to normal. 

Even thought the prince was still a little skittish when he clung onto his arm as they strolled through the palace, his cheeks flushed as they talked.

"Your highness, there's no need to be so awkward around me... I understand." 

The prince paused, stopping him as he clung into his arm, looking at him hopefully. "You do?" 

"Yes- although I'm a beta, I understand that's something that happens, his highness had no control of it happening nor of his actions. I understand that it was only a natural reaction, it doesn't make me think any less of his highness." 

"Oh..." he said, worrying his lips between his teeth. "You don't think it's ... improper?" 

"Didn't his highness say so? I'm a beta... and you're an omega, so there's nothing improper between us." 

"Ah... I see... I- I guess I did say so..." He murmured, looking into the ground. "I'm an omega and you're a beta...." He said, as if disappointed. "So you're right, there's nothing improper about us." 

"Yeah..." 

He wished there was.

...

"We are beta and omega, so it isn't improper." The prince said as he clung on to his arm or held his hand as they walked through the garden or near the forest line. 

"It isn't improper." He would whisper, cheeks flushed, as he pressed a kiss to his cheek.

"It isn't improper." He murmured while inviting him back into his chambers, this time outside of his heat, in the wake of night, insisting he stay til morning, to keep the bed warm. 

"It isn't improper." He said, as he asked Hong-er to reciprocate his practiced affections saying he needed to practice for when his future husband would try to court him. 

"It isn't improper" became an excuse Hong-er learned to expect. The words, while lovely spoken by his prince, set a heavy weight on his heart. 

He loved his prince, not just in the way everyone came to love him, the future queen of their kingdom, the star that would give them heirs to keep the nation stable. 

No, he loved him. 

Bright and lovely as spring sun, kind and gentle as the autumn breeze. A flower in a garden he was not supposed to have access, and yet it bloomed the strongest around him. 

He couldn't say he was ignorant of how the prince returned his feelings, Xie Lian smiling brightest around him, seeking him out whenever he could, finding every excuse to get closer to him. 

And while he loved to indulge him, he also knew it was a dangerous game they were playing. 

Because as much as he'd like to tell the prince, to have his feelings and affections returned. He knew it was only a matter of time for the prince to get engaged. 

There was already talk about it on the halls of the palace, suitors lining themselves at the king and queen's door since Xie Lian was already of age, everything from low nobles to foreign crown princes and princesses searching to bring alliance among their kingdoms. 

And it was only a matter of time before it all fell down. To indulge in their feelings now would mean to have to see them crumble down later on. 

For Xie Lian would have to get engaged, and he wouldn't be able to stop it. For his prince was an omega and he was a mere beta, a soldier at best and a commoner at worst. 

He would have no right to the prince.

He could be allowed to stay as his guard, and he would if permitted. 

But it was only a matter of time before the prince's responsibilities grew too many, before he had no time to spare him, before he was kicked out from his chambers at night, having someone else to warm the cold nights away for him. There would come an alpha for him, suited or not. 

And how could a beta compete for the affections of an omega against an alpha? 

It wasn't fair, a selfish part of him would cry, but he would shut it down, letting himself enjoy the prince's attention while he still had it. 

He should've kept a distance that would help them keep their hearts intact. But he couldn't help indulging in himself. 

His heart was damned and doomed, there was no salvation, only Xie Lian. 

His prince, his sun, his love. 

He couldn't help but court him, buying small things for him everytime they were outside. He didn't have much money and there wasn't many things he could give someone who could have it all. 

But the prince seemed to love each time he bought him a pretty hairpin, or a new hair comb, or even a little sweet treat.

He smiled so sweetly, so blinding, his cheeks flushed as he immediately insisted Hong-er put the pin on his hair, switch his golden pendants for the simple ones he got him, share the small treat he bought with him. 

And what could be do but do as he asked?

Sitting on the grass as he made the prince's hair again, this time with his new hairpin, a simple one with a silver butterfly perched on its side, what could be do? But take a bite of the sweet bun his highness eagerly offered with both hands, holding it for him and making him bite exactly where he had, licking his lips as if he could savor the prince's on them, drinking from the jar of wine his prince had acquired, watching as the prince took it back and placed his lips firmly on its rim. 

And what could he do? When the prince, tipsy and sleepy asked him to spend the night in his chambers again, fearing he might get cold through the night if his little soldier wasn't around to hold him, uncaring of how many pillows and blankets the bed, his prince's nest, had. 

He could only obey, following the prince inside the nest, taking off his boots and the prince's off, taking of Xie Lian outer robes and letting him sleep more comfortably, discarding his own along his armor so the prince could snuggle comfortably on him. 

A routine they had memorized by now, the prince falling into his chest with a content hum.

The night was hotter than usual, even with winter fast approaching. 

Hong-er thought it was probably the wine on his system, he usually didn't indulge so much, wanting to take care of his prince but that night the prince's already half drunk had pressed the jar into his face, insisting he drink with him, upset that he had heard his father talk about an engagement with the Wuyong' king. 

Xie Lian pressed closer to him, a little whine escaping his throat. And Hong-er felt the increasing beat build inside him. He wasn't sure now, but he could've sworn he hadn't drunk as much to make him feel like his insides had began to melt and rearrange inside him, making his lungs collapse on themselves, making him bite down gasps and pants. 

The prince shifted in his arms pulling himself apart to look at him.

His sun stared at him with surprise in his eyes, golden orbs turning halflid the moment they found his, and he, for some reason couldn't help but think that he looked like sin incarnated. As his beloved shifted again and his inner robe slid down his shoulder, exposing the expanse of his neck, that scent glad usually hidden now exposed and pooling his oils, something deep inside him wanting to lick at the pale jade skin and bite. 

He didn't know what was wrong with him, not until it hit him. 

The scent of camelias and magnolias, a scent he only had heard described to him. 

There were no flowers in the room, not right now, only the faint rose scent of the recently washed covers, so the scent could only come from one source. 

The prince, who looked at him with pupils dilated in the moonlight, a faint blush on his cheeks.

"Your highness..." He murmured between gritted teeth, the heat in his body coiling near his lower abdomen. His hands, that were holding the prince gently suddenly tightening their grip, making Xie Lian whimper softly. "Your highness-" he panted. 

The prince whined, his breathing starting to become labored as his own. 

Another scent suddenly hit him, a musk like maple bark and cinnamon, as nothing he had smelled before as the prince's arms wrapped around his neck, his eyes infected with molten heat. 

"Alpha..." He whispered.

He was presenting. 

He was presenting as an alpha, years after the age he was supposed to.

It shouldn't have made sense, and yet. It felt so right, like pieces of a puzzle slotting together perfectly as if things became just the way they were supposed to be.

If he had the brain to think about it maybe he would blame his late presentation on the years and years he spent on the streets as a child, malnourished and weak. Or the months he spent on the training grounds, working himself to the bone, training until his limbs ached and his muscles screamed in protest. Neglecting himself in favor of being closer to his prince, eating only what rations they gave him and sleeping only when he couldn't keep his eyes open anymore. 

If he had the mind he would've realized that his months in the palace he had spent not only by his prince side but taken care by him. Had he paid attention he would've realized how the prince would take him on walks more often than he asked to spar with him, how he shared the food and small snacks he got, sometimes even asking for more just so he could eat plenty. How the prince had invited him into his chambers to sleep, seeing the eye bags on his young eyes and wishing them gone, forcing him to keep a healthy sleep schedule while holding his sun.

He would have realized that and more, small little signs of the prince's care that led to his body growing healthy and safe enough to make him present. 

But he had no mind for that right now. 

The prince was on his lap, halflid eyes staring at him, their breaths mingling as they both panted, so close to each other. 

"Hong-er..." The prince whispered.

"Your highness...?" 

"You smell so good." He whined, dropping his head to lean on his shoulder, breath fanning over his neck and his very sensitive, recently developed, glands. 

Hong-er held his breath, his body shaking under his highness'. He had followed one rule under his stay with his prince, Xie Lian could do whatever he wanted, but he wasn't, if he did nearly a fraction of the things he desired he would've been taken out of his position faster than it took him to blink. 

But now- 

Now he desired so strongly, to touch, to kiss, to bite...

He panted thorough his mouth, hot air exhaled into the price's ear, making him shiver 

"You're presenting..." The prince said, nuzzling into his neck, taking a deep breath to catch more of his incoming smell, as if he wanted to keep it from being spread into the air, as if he wanted to be the only one who ever caught a whiff of it. 

"Y-your highness..." He whimpered and the omega cooed. 

"Shh shh it's alright, little soldier it's alright." He said, pressing a kiss into his jaw, brushing the sweaty hair out of his brow. "You're doing so good."

He panted as his prince spoke, a whine falling off his throat as his hands found his way along the omega's waist, sliding into his lower back and pressing him closer to him. 

"Omega..." 

"Alpha..." The prince shivered, nuzzling his cheek against his.

The alpha growled, pressing the prince even closer to him, burying his face in the prince's neck wanting to get drunk in such a lovely scent. 

The omega gasped, trembling in his hold a shy smile appearing in his face, as he wrapped his arms tight around his neck.

"Alpha, alpha... I can help." He murmured as Hong-er started to press fevered kisses into his neck. "Can I help?" 

"Omega." Hong-er growled, rolling them to pin the omega to the nest of pillows and blankets. His alpha registering just now that they were in the omega's nest, a fact delighted him greatly, making him let a pleased rumble. 

"Alpha, Hong-er..." The prince whined. 

Xie Lian opened his legs for him and he easily slotted his hips inside, pressing even closer than they were. He didn't know what he was doing, what he was supposed to do, but he let his instincts take over, hopefully it would be right and they would be kind to his sun. 

He had heard the stories of alpha's in ruts going rampage, of them taking without asking and doing so painfully.

 That's why the prince had a guard, that's why none of them were alphas, why most were unmated omegas, protection and bait for the nation's adored omega prince. 

An unknowingly wolf in sheep's clothing. A beta turned alpha, laying with the omega on his clutches, ready to be devoured. 

The last thing he wanted was to hurt his beloved and so he clung with the last of his strength to his rationale. But it was hard with the prince looking up at him halflid, cheeks flushed, mouth open and panting, chest rising up and down so enticingly, his legs wide open around him. 

Sin incarnated, forbidden fruit presented to him in a golden platter. 

"Alpha..." He sighed, pulling him by his chest pressing their faces together. "Let me help." 

"I- y-your highness... I shouldn't-" He gritted, his voices a painful whisper. 

"Let me either way." He begged, shifting his hips so they could press together, making him gasp. 

The alpha growled, a small warning. 

I won't control myself if you do that again. 

The prince seemed to turn deaf at it, ignoring it completely, tugging his neck down, down, until their lips brushed against each other.

"I've always... wanted to kiss you..." he whispered against his lips. 

And Hong-er groaned, unable to stop himself from pressing his lips against the omega's, feverishly devouring them, sucking and biting until they both had to come back for air. 

But Hong-er didn't want air, no. 

He wanted Xie Lian.

And so without waiting a beat he went down to kiss his jaws, his neck, pressing open mouthed kisses on the sensitive skin, nibbling on it and delighting himself with the pleased sounds the omega let out. 

Soft sighs and whimpers each time he licked the expanse of his collarbone, bit the skin of his neck. 

Clumsy hands traveled upwards into the prince's chest, undoing his inner robes and exposing the milky white belly and perky buds in his breast. A small brush on them making the omega gasp, pressing closer into his hand. 

Hong-er growled.

"You like when I touch you?" 

"Mn yes...!" The omega purred shifting their hips together once more, rubbing against each other, trying to get him to move too and making the alpha groan. "I do! I do, alpha! Hong-er, please...!" 

"Omega..." He moaned, licking down towards the prince's stomach. Pausing only to flick his tongue a couple times against the flushed nubs. 

"Hong-er!" 

He bit into the soft flesh, his prince singing with moans. And then he descended, fevered and ravenous to the place he was aching to see, to touch, to devour.

He practically tore the prince's pants apart, making him gasp, half scandalized half excited as that part of him, already wet and dripping was exposed. 

The alpha licked his lips. 

He whispered, voice rough and intoxicated by the scent, "Your highness, let me make you feel good."

Everything was blurry after that, a sea of sensations and emotions to much to bear his mind driven by instinct and instinct alone, having no space for a single coherent thought. 

His alpha chanting Omega and Sweet and Good. 

His ears only registering the soft little sounds the omega below him let out, small whines and whimpers and pretty moans as he drowned in the sensations of pale milky skin heated underneath his fingertips, sweet on the side of his mouth, soft as his teeth sank into its expanse. 

Divine nectar that he gathered with his tongue, making the omega sing high and loud. The warmth and tightness of the prince as he squeezed around him. 

Perfect, absolutely perfect. 

His mind melting on the outsides as he thrusted his hips forward, running into release, a knot, the faint taste of copper coating his tongue.

Ecstasy. 

He woke up abruptly. In a foreign bed, his limbs throbbing, his mind a mess as he struggled to comprehend the world around him. 

His prince was nowhere near and as he lifted himself off the bed he heard the voices just outside the room. 

Whispers he couldn't really comprehend in his state, his sensed numb and syrupy.

It wasn't long until he could comprehend what happened. 

A guard came and then another, seeing him awake and looking at him with disgust. 

They stripped him of his guard duty, saying he was no longer allowed near the prince nor near the palace. Cold water to his disoriented mind. Sobbering him up in an instant. 

He had presented, had his first rut ... and defiled the prince. The only reason he was allowed to keep his head the fact that everyone knew it to be an accident, for he had been checked a million times before entering the guard and had no signs of being an alpha. 

He had been paid for his silence, even though he swore he wouldn't say a thing, and he was sent to the borders. 

His value as a soldier too grand to outright banish him. He wanted to fight, to scream, to yell and demand for a last chance to see his prince, to have him say to him that he didn't want to see him any longer as the guards claimed he did. The reason he didn't because it would be too painful to bare if it were true. 

He wouldn't be able to keep living if his prince cursed his existence as well. 

No matter how willing and sweet his sun had seemed in his memories, he couldn't trust them, and if he had forced himself on Xie Lian and he resented him for it he would hate himself forever. 

So without further word he packed his things and left for the border. 

The journey there was tortuous, the distance a bleeding wound he had no option but to ignore. It was back to his training days as soon as he arrived, hours upon hours of restless work. The new guy had to work for his place after all. 

He didn'tcomplain. Working and training without end, if only to keep his mind occupied and not think back of his prince. 

The image of him undressed, flushed and teary, looking up at him, haunting his waking thought, creeping to the front of his mind as soon as he let it.

No one bothered him, no one approached him if it wasn't necessary, his scent, burned maple bark, cinnamon and withered camelias, putrid with his emotions deterring anyone from approaching him. It was just fine like this, he had no time to waste for anyone but his prince, and said prince would never want to see him again. 

... 

He was coming back from training in the field, swiping sweat from his brow and walking near the river when he heard two soldiers. 

"Didn't you hear? The king is working in an alliance with Wuyong, we might be able to go home soon, at least for a bit, without the threat of them looming on here." 

"Why would Wuyong' ally with Xianle? Is it because of our gold?" 

"No, didn't you know? Heard the king promised the prince's hand in marriage to the king there." 

Hong-er paused. His limbs freezing in place, his blood running cold. 

What? 

"Isn't the king like twice the prince's age?" 

"I think so, but what is he to do? He's an omega, so he has to go through with it anyway, he can only be married of, were the crown prince an alpha maybe things would be different."

Married off... His beloved prince, married off, to some old guy he probably had never met. 

He couldn't fathom the thought. 

Xie Lian, bright as the sun, his beloved, given off like cattle for the sake of the kingdom. It was as things should be, how they had always been, how he knew they would end. 

His prince engaged, married off, but he wasn't his guard anymore and he couldn't stay by his side and protect him in another's home. 

And it ached. 

His fists curled into the river's edge, dirt digging into his nails, his scent turned even more sour.

Not later after the rumors of the prince's engament reached the camps another one followed. 

Hong-er didn't know which should worry him more. 

The prince had not left the palace in a while, confined to his room by none other than himself. 

He was sick some said.

He was upset, thought others. 

No one really knew what was going on with the prince, only that the bright sun, who loved to spend time with his people, and outside, training and parading through the gardens... had not been seen outside his chambers in weeks.

Hong-er worried. 

He worried for his prince, how he was fairing, what had him so upset. Was he eating? Was he sleeping well? 

He didn't know. 

And that tore at his insides, his alpha screaming and pleading for him to go back to his side, forbidden as it were. 

He wanted to listen to it, knew he shouldn't but was tempted not to care. Only stopped by the reminder that Xie Lian maybe didn't want to see him again. Unbeknownst to him that in the palace Xie Lian wept, the order to send him away not his, ordered in hopes that the bond formed by the mark in his neck wouldn't settled. The prince knew it already had, how could it not when he loved and trusted Hong-er more than anyone, more than anything, the separation only cruel on his instincts ... and to make it all worse they planned to marry him off.

"We're lucky he'll take you as you are, defiled, as long as the mark never settles and you give him pups in the future it should be alright." His father had said, uncaring of how much he didn't want to go through with this. 

He had bound himself to his room in protest, not really having the energy or the will to leave his nest. 

The prince curled in the blankets, missing Hong-er's warmth, he had grown so used to his presence that were he not his alpha, he would've still gone mad missing him. 

He wasn't feeling well, feeling nauseous all over. It had been a few weeks like this, when he woke up and threw up, and couldn't eat well the rest of the day. Initially he had thought it a symptom of their separation ... but doubt began to creep in his mind, and the longer it went on the more hope and dread danced in his heart.

He sought out a physician, the best in the nearest town, had heard lots of her and after sworing her to secrecy he let her examine him. 

His heart not knowing whether to soar or break when she spoke. "Your highness, you're pregnant." 

He didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Pregnant, the world echoed in his mind the whole travel back. 

He was pregnant, with child, the questions who's not even that, since who else's could it be but Hong-er? 

For his little soldier had stolen his first and only night, no... not stolen. It was freely given.

When Xie Lian first had realized he was in love he had thought it impossible to be together. Were he not royalty he wouldn't have given though about Honger being a beta and he an omega, for he had fallen deeply with him, his love all consuming. But who had heard of a crown prince and a beta? The fact that he was the first omega crown prince in Xianle history making it all the more unheard of. 

So he had been surprised, that night, when Hong-er started to present. His scent of maple and cinnamon so alluring to his omega that he was turned bold, climbing over the newly presented alpha only so he could smell him better, his mouth watering and his sex dripping with slick. 

Shameless. 

He had been so shameless, but how could he help himself when the alpha had looked at him like that?

Like he wanted to devour him while at the same time looking like he had hung the starts in the sky? Of course his legs had parted to fit the alpha, of course he had let him used his sacred body as he pleased, of course he had bared his neck for the alpha to bite.

Now specially the bonding mark in his neck burned, a secret only he held, he had sat pliant under the alpha, loved and sated, Hong-er having passed out after licking the mark clean, resting over his chest, when someone found them. The guards had been called, his alpha taken from his arms, and he had wailed and whined and complained instincts going haywire. 

He had bit Feng Xin in the arm, and almost scratched at Mu Qing. He hadn't allowed anyone to touch him. His hair, damp with sweat, hiding his mark. 

He had yet to allow anyone to touch him.

Choosing to bathe himself for what everyone thought it to be him disgusted by being touched, but was him flustered and unwilling to let anyone else see the fading love marks on his skin, unwilling to let anyone know about the one in his neck.

He dressed himself simply, only allowing Mu Qing to fix some of the outer robes, not letting him touch his hair more than to brush it and keeping it down the whole time. He was aware, that he looked a mess, his robes simple and his hair in none of the fancy styles he used to wear.

But he refused to share this with anyone. For his alpha had been sent away, he forbidden to see him, he was terrified that they'd find a way to take this from him too. 

As he returned to the palace, his hand couldn't help but lowering into his stomach, the life he carried inside him, heavy in its smallness. 

He was promised to someone, engaged to the king of Wuyong... but he refused to marry him, his resolve strengthen with the weight of his future. 

He wouldn't allow them to take this away from him, his mate, his pup. He wanted a life with them, to have otherwise heartbreakingly impossible. 

He had to see Hong-er, he had to tell him. 

"Xianle." the voice broke through the his mind, his instincts alert, his skin breaking into goosebumps. 

He turned around, finding an older man, an alpha, standing behind him.

"Your majesty..." He bowed. 

"I've been waiting for you all day, your father couldn't tell me where you were so I've come to find you, where have you been? It is improper to leave your fiancee waiting." 

"Apologies your majesty, but there has been a misunderstanding. As I've told my father, I will not be marrying you." He bowed, preparing himself to leave, uncaring of property at a time like this. 

"Xianle Xianle, do you think you hold the say in this? I know the king and queen dote on you, but you cannot be foolish enough to believe you can choose who to marry." He clicked his tongue, "Not with a war about to break on your borders." 

"... I'll take my leave your majesty." He bowed, not waiting for an answer, walking away until he couldn't be seen no longer, breaking into a sprint into his chambers, snapping the door closed.

Torn between duty and love he fell into his bed, clinging into the only pillow he had managed to hide, still faintly clinging into the alpha's scent. 

"Hong-er." he murmured, tears burning behind his eyes. "I'm carrying our child ... won't you come back?" he sobbed.

Once the worst of the tears had passed he decided he needed to do something, if he couldn't know were Hong-er was, if he couldn't tell him, then he'd write a letter to him, have some one find him. It was urgent, he needed to see him.

Meanwhile Hong-er spent days and nights training, frustration and worry bubbling inside him like a raging volcano about to explode. 

A nameless soldier, since he refused to be called the name that only belonged to his beloved, that rised in ranks seemingly over night.

Fighting attacks to the border that increased as days passed by. He knew now why Xianle had secured an ally with Wuyong, through means of marriage. It made sense, logically speaking, however his anger persisted, unable to comprehend why his kind and gentle sun would share a destine with cattle sold for land. 

Weeks passed by and the rumors of the prince confined to his chambers only grew worse, at first it was just that, then came the rumor of the pale skin and sick mornings, of the prince looking like a ghost in his own home, no more radiant smiles nor soft words. 

They said he looked like a widow, always wearing white and staring longingly to the horizon, worsening the closer the date of the wedding came. 

And Hong-er ached, wanting nothing more than to run to his prince side, to figure what was wrong and fix it, to take the choice of his future back for him. 

The border was viciously attacked, nations wanting to conquer Xianle before it got the protection of Wuyong, weeks upon weeks of constant assault, barely any break from battle before there was another.

He was tired, aching, but he persevered. For he longed to the a glimpse of his prince again, even if broke him completely. 

Hong-er hadn't been specting a visitor in the camps, let alone someone who wished to see him. He was surprised to see his highness friend, Feng Xin, coming out all the way here. And despite how much he wished to shooed him away this was his only chance, his only source, so he could maybe ease some of his worries. 

"You." He spoke, approaching the guard, resisting if only barely the urge to hold his collar and shake him. "How is his highness?!" he demanded. 

Feng Xin examined him with disgust, eyeing him down like he wanted to know what was on in his brain. 

"I shouldn't answer you that, isn't it all your fault?" He sneered, furrowing his brow with suspicion.

He paused, seeing something on his face, maybe pure unadulterated fury, ready to tear him to pieces if he didn't comply, maybe raw and awful worry in his features, as if a second to get on his knees to have anything on his prince. 

But he sighed, crossing his arms.

"He... isn't well, I thought he'd get better after you were gone, but he is only been getting worse. I think he's sick, with what I don't know. He hasn't let any of the palace's physicians to see him." He took a letter from under his armor, handing it to him. "He basically begged me to give you this, I was about to give up, this is the fourth camp I've checked for you. Was hard coming by you with no name and only your description." 

He almost ripped the letter out of his hand, containing himself last second to gently take it.

"I didn't open it, he wouldn't let me." He said, huffing when he eyed him suspiciously. 

He wasted no time opening it, reading it immediately. His sun's beautiful calligraphy stealing his attention for a moment before the contents truly hit him. 

"What does it say?"

He immediately set out for the horse that had been given to him, ignoring the setting sun and Feng Xin's yelling as he rode back into the palace. He urged his steed forward as quick as it was able to run, leaving Feng Xin behind.

As soon as he neared the palace he tied down his horse, and he snuck between the walls of the palace that Xie Lian and him used to sneak out from, his feet guiding him into the prince's nature almost like second nature.

He snuck through the balcony, his chest heaving for breath but trying to be quiet, he knocked on the door there once, twice with a faint "Your highness-" gasped through his lips. 

The door nearly slammed open, sliding with a speed he hadn't seen before, and then before him was his prince, and where he expected to find anger or disgust, his sun looked at him like he had seen a loved one's life be saved. 

"Hong-er!" He whispered, his eyes tearing up and immediately launching himself at him.

"Your highness." he murmured, relieved, catching the prince of his arms and holding him as if he'd never get a chance to do so again. 

"Hong-er." The prince sobbed, holding him even tighter. 

"Your highness." he sighed, easily lifting his prince and taking him inside until he could sit in the divan, his prince clinging to him and sitting on his lap. 

"You came..." He whispered, burying his face on his neck, taking a deep breath. 

"Of course, his highness called for me." He said softly, brushing his hair back. "What's wrong? What was so urgent that you had to send for me like that?" 

He pulled the prince back, looking at him fully, he was on his inner robes, his hair made a mess, as he was as usually when he just woke up, just now there were a heavy tiredness lingering in his gaze, dark bags starting to show in the pale skin.

"You didn't say on your letter, but I hurried back, what's wrong, your highness?" He insisted, cupping his face and brushing a thumb to his cheeks.

And his sun began to cry. 

Gentle tears streaming down his face.

"Your highness?! Your highness what's wrong?!" He asked, holding him gently. 

Xie Lian grabbed the wrists of the hands that cupped his cheeks, holding them with gentle strength, as if afraid he'll somehow disappear.

"Hong-er..." He whispered, letting go only to clutch his hands to his chest, freeing himself from his grip only to bury his face once more against his neck. 

"Your highness..." he murmured, brushing his hair back. It was only when his hand brushed against the soft skin of his nape that he felt it, small marks near- no on the prince's scent gland. 

He gently but frantically pushed the hair away, horrified when he he found what he had feared. 

A mark, on the prince's neck there was a mating bite. 

"Your highness-" He chocked, the words the only ones that would come to mind. Was it his? Did he bite the prince? Was it some one else's? His betrothed?

No, no it couldn't be... the scent of camelias with a hint with maple too familiar for it to be anyone's but his.

 Mine, mine his alpha chanted. How could I? Hong-er thought. 

"This..." He murmured, the word gasped. "Did- .... I'm sorry..." He sighed, his voice shaky.

The omega curled even closer to his chest. 

"Don't, don't say that." His voice came out shaky, muffled in his robes, his fingers curled tighter on his clothes almost tearing them. "Please... please don't regret it, not now."

"Your highness... please don't cry." He soothed, holding the prince closer, pressing him against him, gentle arms with soft strength pressing him closer. The omega deflated against him. "I didn't mean to upset you... it's just- are you alright?" 

"Hm?"

"Are you really okay with this?" He asked, brushing a hand to the mating mark, his sun curling closer into that hand instead of flinching away at him touching such a sensitive part. "I didn't... I don't remember asking you..."

"Hong-er," the prince sighed, separating to now be him the one that cupped his face. "You are the only alpha I'd let mark me." 

"Your highness..." 

"I love you, little soldier, don't you know?" He gently reached one of his hands, untying the bandage that covered part of his of his face, letting show his bright red eye. "You must know. Alpha, my alpha." He pressed a kiss to his cheek, his nose, his forehead, above his eye. 

"Your highness... I love you too." He sighed, as his sun kissed his jaw and the omega purred, his kisses descending down his neck. 

He kept pressing kisses along his skin, soft lips pressing against him pulling soft moans from him. Small little fangs suddenly latching on to his neck, his scent gland, biting harder and harder until the skin broke, making him hiss.

Then the omega pulled out with a pop, his tongue giving tiny little kitten licks to clean the fresh wound. 

"There... " He said, panting for breath, but a pretty putting sound coming out his throat. "Now we're even." He smiled at him, cheeks flushed a pretty pink, blood smeared on his lips. 

Hong-er couldn't help himself from pushing forward and stealing the prince's lips in a kiss, tasting his own blood on the tender skin, sucking and biting gently, making the omega sigh and moan, pushing his tongue inside his parted mouth to have a better taste.

Then they parted for breath and his sun looked so pretty, teary eyes, flushed cheeks, swollen bitten lips. Cute, so cute and yet sparking something forbidden deep down in his gut. 

"Hong-er... I have- I ... we need to talk." He murmured as he pressed kisses to his jaw.

"Aren't we talking?" He sighed into his cheek, a smile brushing the skin. The prince's chuckled, pressing a chaste kiss to his lips. 

"We are, but this is something serious..." His face shifted, from playful to solemn, pulling away only to see his sun. 

"Was this why you sent for me?" 

"Yes ... I couldn't reach you myself, so I sent Feng Xin. I didn't want to tell you on a letter... and I didn't want you to find out another way." 

"Find out?"

"It's... it's not obvious now but..." he grabbed the hand that cupped his face, gently lowering it down into his stomach. His eyes widened, feeling the faint bump on his belly. "I-I'm pregnant..." He said, voice trembling and eyes refusing to look him in his face, staring into he hand on his stomach, as if afraid of his reaction. 

There was silence for a moment, as he proceeded the words that were spoken in hush whispers, a secret only for the two of them. 

Xie Lian started trembling the longer the silence stretched, clinging to his hand on top of his belly. 

"Your highness..." He sighed out a laugh, cupping the small baby bump in his hand, his free one coming down to hold the prince's chin up. "Are you really...?" 

"Y-yes..."

He huffed a small content sound, looking at his prince, his omega, his pregnant omega. 

"Your highne-" 

Xie Lian whined, pressing a hand over his mouth. "Don't call me that anymore, it makes it sound like we're not close ... you'll be the father of my child! How could you sound so distant?!" 

Hong-er's eyes widened for a second, taking in that statement, and then his features softened with fondness. Holding the hand on his mouth to take it off it, not before pressing a soft kiss to the palm, looking at his sun with eternal adoration.

Then he murmured, "Beloved." into the silence of the night. 

Xie Lian visibly melted, his expression pleasantly surprised, his cheeks a lovely shade of pink, illuminated by moonlight and the faint light of a candle somewhere in the room. 

"Hong-er..."

"My beloved." He sighed, coming to press a kiss on the prince's forehead, then his cheek, then the corner of his lips. "You're pregnant." he laughed softly, completely enamoured by the idea. 

"I am..." He said shyly. "You... you want this child?" He asked hopeful but nervous, as if the answer could be anything but yes. 

He pulled the prince closer, his beloved's thighs bracketing his hips. "You're the only one I'd ever want a family with." He murmured into the space between them. "Yes, yes I want this child, is ours, how could I not want them?How I could I not want you?" he pressed a kiss to the corner of one teary eye and the prince smiled, soft and bright, his shine rivaling the sun now more than ever under the starry sky. "Have you been eating well? Are you taking care of yourself?"

He couldn't help but ask, after all the rumors he couldn't help but worry, now with the news more than ever. 

Xie Lian chuckled. "I try." He sighed, "Sometimes it's really hard to stomach food and I throw it up in the end... but I try, I don't want anything to happen to our child ... and though I miss you endlessly I try to take care of myself." 

The prince cupped his jaw, looking at him with eyes that spoke of wonder, his gaze soft, as if thinking he was only a figment of his imagination and would shatter at any second.

"We never got the chance to really talked about anything ... about us. I thought it was too impossible." His sun whispered as he came to press a kiss to his cheek. 

"Me too." He whispered back, after all it had been a wild dream until now, a beta and a commoner no less, marrying a prince? If he had ever voice that fantasy they would've called him insane. 

And although he could never change his background, his secondary sex had changed, he was an alpha. 

They had mated.

He had mated with the crown prince, marked him as his own and had been marked back. 

"It feels like I'm dreaming, to have you as my mate. My alpha. To have a child on the way that is ours, I must be dreaming." 

"You're not, you're not." He sighed, pressing a kiss to his temple, tightening his arms around his prince. "Though I understand, my beloved, my sun, the mother of my child." He smiled pressing a kiss to his jaw. "My beloved wife."

The prince's cheeks turned even rosier, and he hid on his chest. He laughed softly until the omega's scent turned sour, and while he still was new to scents, he could discern he smelled... sad. 

"Beloved? What's wrong?" 

Xie Lian's fists curled over his robes, tightening as if any moment now someone might come into the chambers to pry him from his arms.

"I ... I want to be your beloved wife..." He said, voice soft and shaking, limbs trembling. 

"Beloved-" 

"I- I want to marry you... I want to be your wife! I don't want-" he sobbed, "I don't want to marry someone else."

He clung tighter into his robes, hiccuping into his collarbone. 

"Your highness..." 

"It's not fair! It's not- why can't I just marry you?!" 

Hong-er sighed, prying Xie Lian's face from his chest, cupping his cheeks and pressing their foreheads together.

"My sun, I've loved you since I was young, since I met you all those years ago, a kind prince that didn't scorn such an unlucky child as myself-" 

"I don't understand," the omega cupped his cheek, "how could anyone treat you unkindly, my little Hong-er."

"I'm not so little anymore," he chuckled. "I'm taller than you now." 

"I know..." he sighed, pressing his temple to his collarbone, resting there. 

"I love you," He continued, "I love you so much I don't know what to do with it all."

"Me too. I love you, Hong-er." He said, pressing even closer to his chest, a small chocked sound stuck in his throat. 

"Marry me." He blurted out, unable to keep it to himself.

"Wh-what?" The prince pulled from his chest to look at him astounded, mouth slightly agape. 

"Your highness, marry me." He asked again, taking in his hand his sun's hand.

"I- I-" the prince stammered, his face a little pale, his cheeks flushed, eyes darting to the sides to avoid his gaze and to keep his tears at bay. "I-I'm already engaged- to the king of Wuyong, how could we-?"

"I don't care, your highness, beloved. Please let me be your husband." 

His sun cried but nodded. "I'd love that... I'd really love that." He sobbed. "I want that more than anything but... how could we get married?"

"I'll find a way." He kissed his hand, the palm, his knuckles. "I promise you beloved I'll find a way. Nothing could keep me from you, not now, not ever, specially not when you're pregnant with our child." He swore.

Xie Lian sniffled but nodded again, then more fervently, wanting so hard to believe his words. 

"Okay..." 

"We've already mated, I've marked you, you're already pregnant, that has to help with something, right?" He pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Does anyone know?"

"No. No I didn't want them to know, not about your mark, not about our child, not yet ... though I think Mu Qing has started to suspect." 

He hummed, nosing along his cheekbones, staying there for a moment, his mind running, planing, calculating. He hadn't had to think of a plan this elaborate since he had tried to get close to his highness after first meeting him, lying about his age, joining the army, saving up for rare treasures to buy for him doing work in shady places on his free time, the fact that he hadn't presented and was chosen to be his highness' guard a strike of luck, but he wouldn't have stopped if that had never happened, if he had actually presented when he should've he would've stopped at nothing to be close the omega.

In part it was because of that that he already had a plan, he had sat one night pondering about what he should do if he presented one way or another, if had presented an omega, or if he was an alpha.

That's why he already knew what to do, somewhat, modifying his old teenage plan to fit their circumstances would be trivial. He had to climb a ladder, high enough so he could stand at the height his mate had been born at, build each step on his own.

It wouldn't be hard, he had already been doing so fighting on the borders, rising ranks without really meaning too. 

He had just been trying to lay low, afraid of his prince's rejection, he just hadn't expected to be more competent than when he had first joined the army, those training sessions with his prince must've really helped. And now that he had the exact oposite, his mate wanting him back, it would be easy to keep climbing the ranks. 

In a stable position, maybe noble or close enough to that they could demand the court to let them marry, there was little they could do unless they wanted a scandal to break out, the prince was marked, pregnant, they could do little to change that, and if someone touched his mate he would cut out their arms.

"You don't have to worry beloved." He promised, kissing his forehead, "I'll take care of everything, I'll become someone worthy to marry a crown prince." 

Xie Lian huffed, understanding but still offended. "You're already worthy."

He chuckled softly. 

"Don't keep such low expectations of me, you deserve only the best ... and I'll become it." He kissed his cheek,"For you... and our child." 

"Hong-er..." he sighed, pressing a soft kiss to his lips, gentle and timid, both of them still new to their found intimacy.

"Beloved wait for me, I promise I'll figure this out." He pressed a kiss to the corner of his lips and the prince sighed, melting into his arms. 

"Okay... okay, we'll wait." He smiled at him, soft features already holding that pregnancy glow, his skin illuminated by moonlight.

A god descended from heaven, blessing him with a child, sitting on his lap, soft rosy lips enchanting him, a heat pooling on his gut. 

He held tighter onto his hips, bringing him closer, making the prince gasp a moan at the friction.

"H-hong-er..." 

"Beloved, my sun." He groaned, surging down to capture his lips once more, licking into that soft mouth until it parted open for him, letting him swallow down each of the pretty sounds his prince let out.

The omega gasped as he pulled him even closer, holding his thighs as he lifted him up, standing up and walking towards the prince's bed.

He softly lowered him down into the soft covers, laying him on his bed, the one they had shared many times before, a single one in a similar night, straddling his hips as he knelt above him.

"Yes?" He asked, because the last time he wasn't able to give them both a choice. 

"Yes." The omega sighed. 

And then they were back against each other, lips pressing together and wandering hands touching wherever they could.

Fervent touches and kisses that marked each other further, the prince's collarbones holding a plethora of blooming roses by the end of the night, their bodies pleasantly spent and light.

The prince laid on top of his bare chest, his cheek resting against his collarbone, seemingly lulled by the sound of his heart.

His beloved had always seemed to sleep easier resting where he could hear his heartbeat, as if it was the sweetest lullaby, not that he minded, not one bit, appreciating the closeness of their bodies, basking in their shared warmth.

Sunrise was starting to approach and he'd have to make it back to camp before anyone really noticed his absence, he would need to start working as soon as possible to achieve his goal before his highness gave birth, rising to the top before he even started to show would be ideal, since he wasn't that far along and his belly has still small. 

Difficult but still achievable, he could only hope to have enough time.

He watched the prince, his body rising and falling with his own, breaths synchronized, his soft belly pressed against his side, carrying the life they had created.

Their child, he still couldn't believe it, as he looked at Xie Lian, his features relaxed in the afterglow of their lovemaking he couldn't help but smile, his heart swelling with the love and affection he held for him, his mate. 

He pressed a soft kiss to his temple.

"Beloved." he called. 

"Hm?" The omega hummed, voice a little hoarse and carrying hints of drowsiness, his beloved was tired. 

"I have to go." He murmurred, nosing along his hair, taking in the soft scent of soap and the camelias of his mate.

The omega looked at him then, clearly displeased, holding tighter to him. 

"What?" Xie Lian whispered, confused. 

"I need to be back in camp before they know I'm gone." He murmured, delighting in the drowsy eyes and pouty lips that looked up at him, he pressed a soft kiss on them, just because he could. 

"Do you really need to?" He whined, holding him tighter, curling closer against his chest.

He huffed, a soft endeared sound. "Yes, the sooner I deal with this, the sooner I can return to you." 

The prince hummed. 

"You should sleep some more..." He tried to coax, words drawling.

He chuckled, "Maybe, I can do that later though... I have things to do now." he said, carefully prying soft fingers from his body, lifting himself off bed as his sun whined. 

"I don't want you to go..." He murmured. "I never wanted you to go in the first place." He whispered, his golden eyes filling with tears. 

"I don't want to go either... but if I want to become someone worth standing by you, to sire your child, then I must go." he said, holding his hand and kissing his knuckles.

"You're already worth it." He huffed under his breath and he laughed, kissing that sleepy, teary face anew. 

"As long as I'm worthy in your eyes then I'll make sure everyone thinks so."

The prince stood up then pulling the covers close to his naked body. 

"Must you really go?" 

"I can't be found with you like this again either way, they'll truly have my head then." He chuckled, "So I'm afraid so."

"You'll be back?" He pouted, looking at him beneath his lashes. 

"For you? Always." He vowed, kissing his hand again.

The omega smiled, a faint blushing on his cheeks.

"Okay ... if you really need to go... You should take something." 

"Oh?" 

The prince rised from the bed, taking a blanket and covering himself with it as he walked over to the vanity, opening a small box and taking a couple of jewelry from it, and taking a handkerchief from one of the drawers.

"Keep this one." He said as he returned to the bed, pressing a single coral bead into his hand. "I'll keep the other." 

"Oh? What's this for?" 

"I- it's- um ... those were the earrings I was wearing that... that night, so- so think of it as a good luck charm! And it'll... make me feel close to you while you're away."

His heart swelled, and he brought the prince close in an embrace.

"Alright, thank you beloved." He murmured pressing a kiss to his temple. "I'll keep it on me at all times." 

"And oh- here... can you scent this for me, please?" He begged and oh how could he refuse him anything? Even more so something as simple as that, if he had it his way he would give him the whole sky.

He took the ornate handkerchief his prince offered him, thoroughly scenting it until it was drenched in his scent.

The prince sighed as he received it, smiling at him and pressing a kiss to the fabric.

"Thank you."

"For you, the world." 

The prince's cheeks blushed even further, and as he stood to dress up the prince jolted.

"Ah! Hong-er!" 

"Hm?" 

"O-one last thing!" He pulled out one of the hairpins he had bought him, the very first one in fact, a commissioned one with an intricate silver handle with a butterfly on its end, with a small dangling ruby on its side. It had cost him a small fortune back then, but it was so worth it to see the smile on his mate's face once he had found the courage to give it to him.

He approached him, kneeling behind him on the bed as he sat down so the prince could do his hair, messily bringing it up into a bun, securing it with the hairpin.

"What's this beloved? You don't like this gift anymore?" He teased and the omega lightly hit his shoulder.

"I do! I do!" Delicately he held the small ruby on his palm for a moment. "It is my favorite one." 

"Yeah?" 

"Yes." He murmured, letting the stone fall again. "I'm letting you borrow it." He huffed.

The alpha turned to face him then. "Oh?" 

"Y-yes so that means you must come back and return it to me." He puffed his cheeks.

"I see, then I'll keep it safe until I can return it to you." 

He pulled the covers that were falling off his shoulders, revealing his slender form, and the prince let him, this way under the first rays of sunshine it was easier to spot that it had been the night before. The small bump in his highness' belly, still so incredibly small, barely noticeable if one wasn't paying attention or didn't know the prince's slightly smaller complexion. 

Hong-er found it completely captivating, pressing a hand to his stomach.

"I still can't believe it..." He sighed. "My mate, carrying our pup." He chuckled. "I must be dreaming, your highness. Don't wake me up." He pouted.

The prince's laughed.

"You're already awake my little soldier, this isn't a dream." He murmured as he brought the naked form of his beloved into his lap, he was already dressed, but the urge to take it all off again to repeat the night was strong, such ethereal beauty, truly a god descended into the mortal realm to bless him.

He pressed a kiss so his shoulder, then his neck, his cheek, until their lips pressed together. "I should go..." He sighed defeated, completely believing that if he stayed any longer he might be compelled to never leave the prince's bed.

The prince hummed.

"You should go back to sleep beloved, is still early and you need all the rest you can get." He pressed a kiss to the corner of his eye, carefully manoeuvering him until his omega was back in the bed, gently tucking him beneath the covers. "Don't pout sweet, I'll be back for you two." 

With a final kiss they parted, as he went back into the camp on the border and his beloved stayed in the palace.

Days passed by quickly, between battles and raising ranks, he often went back at night to visit his beloved, now unable to stay parted for long, spending the nights together, whispering affections and sweet words, talking about their days, about the good and the bad.

Day by day their child grew inside Xie Lian, making him sick in the mornings, throwing up with every little thing, the nausea preventing him from eating much and with little to no cure Hong-er found himself staying with him longer, holding his mate as he heaved the contents of his stomach into a basin, keeping the hair from his face and patting his back until the morning sickness had subsided, then holding him a little longer until he felt better and he had to go back.

There were nights when they simply held each other, unable to part, breathing in each other's scent, fingers tracing along each other's mating bites, chaste kisses traded until they fell asleep together.

The small rhythm they had learned to follow thrown the moment Xie Lian first felt their baby move inside him. A small little movement that would've gone unnoticed in the tranquility of the night, under the soft moonlight and drowned by sound of his alpha singing to him a small lullaby, a hand pressed into his stomach, softly caressing it. If he hadn't been focused on that small point of contact then he would've probably missed it, but he hadn't, stilling the moment he felt their baby, grabbing onto his mate's arm, who stopped in his singing.

Worried eyes looking at his own teary ones until the biggest smile broke from his face. Pressing his mate's hand further into his stomach, he couldn't feel it, not yet, the life inside him was still too small, but he knew what that meant, that their pup was nice and safe, steadily growing within him.

Everything was perfect, too perfect.

In hindsight they should've known everything they couldn't keep flying so high, they were bound to crash.

Unbeknownst to the lingering eyes on the prince's balcony that morning when they parted goodbye. 

Hong-er was getting there, rising higher in the ranks, he was captain of his own troops, still answering to someone else above him but the goal was closer, clearer than ever before, he was determined to make it to the top, to get the highest rank possible so he'd be able to honorably ask for the crown prince's hand. 

Every second spent on the border was a moment that he missed spending with his mate and growing pup, and even though he went there every night and didn't return until sunrise, now that his beloved's morning sickness have subsided he had no good excuse to delay getting back, working harder to get back to them one day, to be able to kiss and touch his mate outside of the secrecy of his bedroom, to marry him, to raise the small bundle of joy that was their still unborn pup together.

He was on the training fields, battling with the men to keep themselves in shape, when he heard it, a battle horn, then a man coming from the woods, their scout.

"General! They-!" an arrow had pierced his throat before he even said another word. Hong-er watched along with the other man for only a single second, immediately summoned by the general to his side, the soldiers who handled the shields grabbing a sword to battle in front while everyone got their bearings together.

"An ambush!" He had shouted, ready to command the men into the fight, but it had been too late, arrows shooting from the sky into their camp, immediately piercing some of the unprepared soldiers. 

Fear gripped his heart for a second as the men charged in with a battle cry, and they were left to fight, as unprepared as they were, their incomplete armors hanging on to his body since they were just beginning their day and he was meant to be only training with the men in the fields, no need for the heavy armor or a battle yet.

Their enemy didn't came unprepared, quite te opposite, they came with heavy armor and cavalry, their archers charging into battle as well with swords that looked brand new.

He was immediately attacked, having no option but to retaliate, clashing swords with two people at once, trying his hardest not to get hurt. 

It was impossible, with little to no armor against heavily armored soldiers, but he tried anyway.

He moved lower blocking one of the soldier's sword from slashing his ribs, turning around to clash his sword his the other, breaking the grip of the soldier on it, throwing it away and slicing their throat, immediately turning back to kick the other soldier, stabbing his sword through their chest with brutal strength.

They were dead but that didn't matter, soon more came to take their place, wearing him down, but the ache in his bones just made him work even harder, pushing to his limits, there was only a single thought in his mind. He had to survive.

He had to live to tell the tale, escaping right now would be near impossible, he was near the center of the fight, if he started running he would be shot down or attacked mid way, but fighting at least half a hundred soldiers sounded equally impossible. 

But he had to live, no matter the way, he had to make it.

Xie Lian was waiting for him.

He was pregnant and waiting for him, he had to be there for the birth of their child, he just had to.

So he fought and fought, ignoring cuts and bruises that left him aching and weak, simply pushing through it all. 

He panted, his lungs burning.

It was taking everything in him to fight soldier after soldier.

But just then he spotted something, one of the soldier fighting him, his armor, was wrong. It didn't resemble any of the enemy nation's army's uniforms, it had a strange symbol, one that he had seen one somewhere.

He blocked another attack, trying to leave the thought for later for when he could freely give chase.

He killed another soldier and another replaced him... this one with the same strange symbol.

He had seen it somewhere, but where-?

...

Wuyong.

He remembered now, parring another sword, smashing his boot against their stomach.

His prince had taught him once about politics and foreign countries, the knowledge imperative in his race to the top, between one of those nations there had been Wuyong, a northering kingdom, the one where the King who had come to marry Xie Lian had been from.

He stole a quick glance around him.

There were more of those soldiers...

Wuyong was attacking Xianle's borders?!

Wasn't he looking for an alliance with his prince's kingdom? What did this mean?

A sword almost going through his neck snapped him back into the fight, yet he couldn't stop thinking of it.

What was Wuyong after Xianle's border?? 

Why was he seeking to marry Xie Lian while invaded his kingdom? 

...

He didn't want Xie Lian no, he wanted his kingdom... had the plan always been to invade Xianle? Distract them with a wedding? Weaken them out in the meanwhile?

If so they-

Xie Lian was in danger! 

He needed to go back to him! He needed to warn him, he needed to-! 

It would have taken a single mistake for him to die.

...

He must have been born one.

It had been a few days since he had last heard of Hong-er, it wasn't unusual, for him to be missing for a while and not tell him, usually too busy to come back at night or needed somewhere he couldn't sneak out to meet him, it was a price they had to take, his mate had reasoned out that it was only natural that he was busier the higher the rank he got, but he still made as much time to come back to him when he could...

But it had been almost a week, a week with no news.

It was usually one or two, the amount of days Hong-er said he refused to go by without seeing him maxed out at three. And it had been almost a week.

He couldn't help but worry.

Though he reasoned with himself that it was probably because he had risen again in ranks, and he would soon come back to him with the good news. 

It was just that he missed him endlessly, he could always fall asleep a bit easier when in his arms, those night where he lulled him out with his voice, calming their energetic pup still on his stomach.

Their child missed him just as much, he could tell.

Even more now that King Jun Wu had become too pushy. Exasperated, probably by Xie Lian's lack of response and his refusal to meet him.

It left Xie Lian agitated, and in turn, his pup.

But he would be gone soon.

Once Hong-er came back he would surely say he had been promoted to a general! The highest rank he could achieve, and after that they could fight both his father and the council to allow them to marry.

They could be together finally, no more need to hide their shared affection. As he walked down one of the corridors near the garden he thought of how wonderful it would be to share this path again with his little soldier, this time as more than just a guard and his prince, but as mates, hopefully- as husbands.

He clutched at his stomach, one day they would walk these very same corridor, the one to his favorite garden, with their little pup, hand in hand as one beautiful little family.

Ah, how he longed for that.

He had been delightfully distracted, but his attention had caught nonetheless by a single dangling ruby. He didn't know why he stopped in track, not until he turned around.

There, in one of the noble women's hairdo was a single dangling ruby ... hanged by a silver chain to a silver butterfly hairpin.

His heart dropped to the floor.

He knew that hairpin. Hong-er had given it to him, he- he had let Hong-er borrow it. It was unique, that much he knew, his alpha had commissioned it for him, the craftsmanship immaculate, the silver butterfly appearing as if it were real, the base carved with Xie Lian's own name hidden among the flower petals.

It was unbecoming, of a person and most of all of a crown prince.

But he couldn't help it.

He had almost ran to the woman, so close to ripping her hair off as he yanked of the hairpiece of her head.

"Ow-! What are you-?!" She paused once she saw him, surprise etched in her features, "Y-your highness?!?" 

He didn't pay her any mind, inspecting the hair piece in his hand, he could've sworn he heard his heart shatter when he found his name in a tiny flower petal, almost impossible to find if you didn't know where to look.

He suddenly couldn't breathe.

"Where... where did you get this hairpin...?"

"Your- your highness, I don't know-" 

"WHERE DID YOU GET THIS?!" He demanded his voice wavering with tears that he refused to shed.

"M-my husband, my husband gave it to me!" 

"Where did he find it?!" His heart was beating hard and loud in his chest, as if trying to escape his ribcage to go find the reason it beat.

"He- I-..." The woman had shrunk into herself and the other women accompanying her had backed away from them. 

"SPEAK!" He chocked out.

"He brought it from the border! A-a camp was recently attacked there and he found it n-near one of the fallen soldiers! I swear I know nothing else I-" 

It couldn't be... it couldn't!

It was impossible! There- there must be some other explanation.

"W-what happened to that camp?" He asked, his voice barely carrying above the hushed whispers of something about bad karma and stealing from the dead.

"H-huh?"

"What happened to that camp?" He asked his hands trembling as he held tighter into the hairpin "Did- were there any survivors?" 

"... no, your highness. My- my husband said that they were all dead by the time his troop made it their camp they- your highness?!?!" 

His knees had buckled down making fall into the ground, he covered his mouth with his hand, feeling bile rise in his throat and he clutched at the floor.

"Your highness?!" 

"Your highness, are you alright?!" 

"Quick! Call a physician!" 

He sobbed into his palm. His limbs trembling.

No.

No, no, no,no,no,no,no! NO!

No! His Hong-er couldn't be dead! He just couldn't! 

His mate he-

Tears spilled from his eyes at the reminder and he lifted the hand on the ground to his stomach.

Their pup- 

He could leave them he couldn't! He couldn't be dead!

He clutched the hairpin tighter, knuckles white with strain.

"Your highness-!" They cried.

But he couldn't hear them above the ringing of his ears nor see past the clouds gathering in his eyes.

Hong-er...

He sobbed and hiccuped, holding the pin tight against his chest.

He was suddenly out of breath, a piercing pain cursing through his body, originating from his stomach.

"Ack-!" 

"Your highness!" 

"Where's the physician?! The crown prince is in danger!" 

He clutched his stomach.

Please, don't take them from me his last thought a prayer before the world went black around him.

Xie Lian opened his eyes slowly, he was back in his bed, back in his room, as he regained his bearings he noticed there were people surrounding him.

He first noticed his mother, holding his hand with a sorrowful expression, then his father, keeping an exasperated face. Then a man that he recognized as one of the palace's physicians.

He was pressing his hands along his arms, feeling for his meridians.

"W-what...? 

Then he noticed it, in the hand that his mother was holding there was still the silver hairpinz and his heart shattered anew.

"Mother...?" His voice wavered.

She looked at him with sadness and his breath caught in his throat, expecting the worst, the dreadful news that he had lost both his mate and his pup in a single day.

But they didn't come.

Instead he received his father's harsh glare.

"Well?" His father asked, exasperated.

"Your highness, are you aware that you are pregnant?"

He took a second, then he nodded, his mother squeezed his hand, surprised while his father gasped in indignation.

"Xie Lian! How could you?!" 

"Is my pup okay?" He hurried to ask, ignoring his father.

The physician glanced at the king once before replying, "They are well, they were just under a lot of stress when your highness passed out but both his highness and the pup should be stable." 

He sighed, relieved, his mother holding his hand impossibly tighter.

"You're not carrying that pup to term!" His father shouted.

"W-what?! No! You're not touching my child!" 

"Is it that soldier's?! The one who desecrated you?" He spat, "How could you even dare carry that beast's child?! Where did I fail with you?! You're already engaged! Do you want Wuyong to declare war on us because my unfilial son is a slut?!"

"Your majesty!" His mother gasped, "You are well aware that that boy's rut was an accident, it wasn't Lian-er's fault!" 

"Silence! You spoiled that child so much, that's why he pulled this on us! My decision is final! You, will get rid of that child! You will marry king Jun Wu as it's been promised and you will bare his pups! Know one has to know this little stunt of yours."

"No. No you will not touch my child!" He snarled, fangs peeking out of his mouth.

"You-?!!" 

"Y-your majesty, if this humble servant may speak... t-terminating the pregnancy is ill adviced at the moment... his highness is already so far along... terminating his pregnancy now would risk him becoming unable to bare child again." The physician spoke, and his father's fist curled in rage.

"So you mean to say he has to birth that mutt's child?!" 

The tension in his soul began to snap within the omega.

"You will not talk about him like that." He hissed, curling the hairpin tighter in his hand, the engravings digging painfully into his skin. "You have no right to speak about him like that!" He sobbed, brows furrowed and fangs bared.

"Quiet child! Is this how a crown prince should act?! Did your education failed or was that all that horrid soldier's fault too?!" His father spat.

"You have no right! No right! To talk about him like that!! You exiled him to the borders when he did nothing wrong! You killed him!" His voice broke at last, and a sob tore through his form. "You killed him..." he whispered, and his mother placed a hand on his back, rubbing it up and down, trying to soothe him.

It didn't work.

His father stood quiet for a moment and tension bleed into the room, the queen and the physician suffocated by his father's furious pheromones and his own devastated ones.

His father then turned towards the man.

"No one must know about this, understand?" His father snarled and the medic nodded fervently. "I want no one to know of the existence of that child."

He said sending him a glare before storming out of the room.

The medic left soon after giving him some instructions of how to properly take care of the pup, to not have another instance like that.

Only his mother remained after a while, rubbing circles on his back still after he had exhausted all his tears. 

"Lian-er." She called to him softly, squeezing his hand.

He didn't respond, sniffling quietly, a hand on his stomach.

"My child..." she sighed. "Won't you talk to your mother? Tell her what's on your mind...?"

Xie Lian stood quiet for a moment, looking at the hairpin on his hand, turning it one way and the other before squeezing it tight again.

"He promised me he'd marry me..." He whispered, his voice barely carrying even in the silence of the room, his eyes digging holes into the silver carvings.

His mother hummed, prompting him to continue.

"He- he gave me this hairpin... when he was still my guard." He sobbed "He visited me... after I found out I was pregnant ... h-he was happy," He sobbed, "he wanted our child. He said he'd work hard to marry me... even though I was already engaged." His hand trembled, and he brought the hairpin closer to his chest. "I let him borrow it ... so he could return it to me when he came back... but it's now here... and he's not." 

His mother stayed silent, squeezing his arm in silent comfort.

"H-how long has it been...? How long ago did it happen?! How could I not know?! How long has he been dead and I didn't know it?! He's my mate! Shouldn't I know it?!?" He screamed, but then it took him a second, his eyes widening and he slapped the hand on his stomach to his mouth, looking at his mother.

She was watching him with knowing eyes, a hand coming up to cup his cheek, then pushing back his hair to the side, exposing the mating bite to the air.

"Mother I-" 

"Shhh, I know Lian-er, I know." She pulled him to her side, hugging him. "My child, I know." She murmured, pressing a kiss to his hair.

He sobbed, hugging her tight, curling into her side as if he were little again.

"Mama..." He hiccuped, fisting into her robes.

"Oh my poor baby..." 

He sobbed, and sobbed and sobbed, he had thought he had no more tears and yet they kept pouring out of his eyes. 

His mother let him cry, rubbing soothing circles on his back, whispering sweet words on his hair.

"Hong-er... my hong-er," he hiccuped his voice breaking. "he can't be dead... he can't, even if there were no survivors he had to have made it..." 

"I'm so sorry my child." 

He hiccuped, hiding his face on her shoulder.

"What's going to happen to me? To my pup?" He gasped. "I don't want to marry king Jun Wu mother, I really don't... I don't want to be separated from my child!" 

"..." 

"What could I have done differently? What could I have done that would make hong-er still be here?" He sobbed. "It's not fair... he didn't do anything wrong! Why is he punished with death?! He didn't deserve that! It's not fair! It's not fair!" 

She sighed, pressing a kiss to his hair.

"I'm sorry my boy, I am so sorry." Her voice shook "It's not fair, and I'm so sorry..." 

...

Days seemed to slow down after that, he had been confined to his room by his father, the reason unspecified to everyone but clear to him. Only Mu Qing and his mother were allowed to see him.

And he passed the time sat on the divan, staring out the window of his room to the gardens, a hand on his belly, rubbing it soothingly. Waiting for someone who wouldn't be back no more.

His mother came to visit him more often now, to check on him and the pup, making sure he took care of himself when he forgot. 

She was there the first time the baby kicked and could be felt from the outside. 

He couldn't help but break out bawling at that. Hong-er had never gotten to feel their baby, and he would never get to see their child like they had dreamed.

Hong-er used to tell him how he was scared, how his father hadn't been a great example and he was scared that he would be like him. He could've never. He was too sweet, overexcited about every little thing about their baby, imagining they would look like Xie Lian, swearing to him that although he didn't know how to be a father, he would love their child endlessly as he loved him. He would've been a wonderful father, he knew it.

And now he would never get the chance to even try.

The nights were particularly harsh. 

When their child was the most active, already so spoiled, tossing and turning inside him and unable to fall asleep used to their baba singing them a lullaby to settle down... but there would be no more of that and Xie Lian was left struggling the whole night, no gentle arms to hold him, no soothing voice to lull them both to sleep ... only the cold empty nest and his own broken humming voice.

...

The wedding would be soon, Mu Qing told him, his father had already arranged everything with the king of Wuyong. He had apparently sent his wedding dress beforehand, so he could try it on.

They had different traditions in Wuyong and so the wedding dress looked particularly ... plain, boresome, with little to no decorations and an abundance of white accessories. Nothing like he had imagined his wedding dress to be, but- in a way ... it felt fitting, a mix of traditional wedding robes overcame by funerary garbs. 

He would marry... but not who he loved.

Mu Qing was tasked with making it hide his belly. Which he didn't particularly like, he was opposed to hide his child, if it were up to him he'd proudly announce his and Hong-er's child, would never let anyone forget of how brave his mate was. 

But he couldn't, only he would keep his memory alive.

His stomach hadn't grown so much, he would've worried that meant something was wrong if his baby wasn't an energetic ball of sunshine, the only good thing left to look forward to.

"Your highness..." Mu Qing had called again, after he couldn't remain still again. It wasn't his fault, really, his feet were just a little swollen because of the pregnancy and it was a bit uncomfortable to remain standing for so long so that the omega could adjust his robes. 

He sighed, escaping to that place in his mind where his mate would've been there. Hong-er would stand right to his side, taking his hands and pressing kisses to his face, and if he even displayed the minimal amount of uncomfort Hong-er would've insisted on carrying him everywhere.

He could almost imagine his voice, softly chiding him and insisting he didn't push himself too hard, that he had to take care of himself. He would place him in the bed and massage his feet and tell him about wonderful things...

But that could be no more, for his mate was dead, and when he looked back in the mirror he only found himself, dressed in elegant mixed robes. He would marry in a month, so close to his due date, he dreaded it ... the wedding and the birth both.

For he didn't know what would happen after, he didn't know what would happen to his child, would they even give him a chance to hold them? Would he be allowed to keep them? Or would they tear the small from pup from him as soon as they could? 

Mu Qing squeezed his shoulder as soon as the first tears started to appear. A small "It'll be alright" pulled from his lips, even though even Xie Lian could tell he didn't fully believe that.

He couldn't blame him.

Xie Lian didn't either.

A sword fell down into his face, slashing into his right side, through the bandages and through his cursed eye, there was blood- so much blood, he almost couldn't see.

Almost.

He had managed to parry the attack that would cut his neck, if just barely...

But there was no chance of reprieve. No chance to stop, so he pushed through, not like he wasn't used to already to be missing an eye.

But there were simply too many people, exhaustion might kill him before the soldier ever could.

He fought and fought without break. 

He had to get out of here, there were simply too many people, there was no chance he could fight them all, and as he saw how the rest of his men fell he decided he definitely couldn't take them all alone.

An attack was blocked from behind him, avoiding it piercing his stomach, he didn't have to turn around to know who it was.

"Captain!" Yin Yu, a younger soldier he had saved a couple of times before, yelled, the sound barely making it past the screams and clashes of swords.

He parried another attack, blocking and kicking down the opponent.

Yin Yu was a competent soldier, he had planned to appoint him as his right hand man when he became general. Between the two they manage to create a bit of space, not to breathe nor to rest but to create an opening to escape. 

He ordered him to run beside him, he would break past the soldiers in front while he defended their backs. 

They had to make it out. 

Gods, he had to make it out.

An arrow breezed through his shoulder and he turned around only for someone to yank his hair. With all the strength he could muster he swung his sword, cutting their hand and kicking them back, leaving them bleeding and screaming as he ran back with Yin Yu.

Agonizingly they made their way to the tree lines, some of the horse where there, and Yin Yu make a break for the single one that had a mount already on, Hong-er's own since he had forgotten to unmount it after the last time he had visited Xie Lian.

Hong-er stood behind clashing swords with the enemies until Yin Yu freed the other horses, creating an stampede and a big enough distraction for the soldiers to leave him alone and for the young soldier to ride pass and help him up the horse. 

With the help of it they made it away from battle, Yin Yu at the reigns urging the steed forward. 

It was only when they were at a safe enough distance that he realized his hair had fallen out of the bun it was on, swinging wildly as they rode, no longer held up by the hairpin he had vowed to return. 

"Shit!" 

He could not turn back for it, not if he wanted to keep his life. He was sure his beloved would understand, once he could go back to him he'd gift him a thousand hair pins.

He'd find that one back if he could since his highness had said it was his favorite but not now, not right now.

He felt dizzy and lightheaded the bloodloss and his injuries making themselves known once the adrenaline started to fade back.

Yin Yu rode them until they were far enough to not be followed nor found, only the slowing the steed's gallop turned to a stop near a river.

It was almost midnight by then.

He dropped off his horse, his knees almost giving out, but he stubbornly remained standing.

"Captain-"

"I'm fine." 

The young soldier dropped down too, leading the horse to rest near the bank, keeping a hand on the reigns instead of tying them ... just in case.

"Your eye-"

"..." 

He sighed, exhausted and turned to the bank too, under the faint moonlight he could barely see his reflection, but it was clear enough to notice the copious amounts of dripping blood. The wound was deep, and it had started to hurt almost unbearably, most of the adrenaline having faded away.

But instead of thinking of treating it, his first thought was instead something like "What would Xie Lian think?". After all, his beloved had adored his red eye, what everyone had seen as a curse, his mate thought it a blessing. 

He couldn't understand him, half of him was glad it was gone and the other half dreaded his beloved's response to it missing. Not that he would ever do his sun the disservice of thinking him a shallow person. But still, the voice of his insecurity was sometimes so loud. 

A hand offered him some bandages.

"Captain, we should treat that before it gets infected." 

Yin Yu was right, it would be downright humiliating if after surviving all that he ended up dying from an infection.

He took the bandages from him, since he had lost his old ones with the slash to his eye. He cleaned the blood from his face, and he was a about to wrap the wound up before the young soldier stopped him offering up some salve in a small container. 

"For the infection." 

Hong-er hummed his thanks, applying some to the still bleeding wound before carefully wrapping his face.

"You're resourceful." He should definitely keep him around.

Yin Yu nodded. Going into the forest to grab some small sticks to make a fire for the night.

Once they were settled, the soldier couldn't help but ask.

"What now?"

"..." 

And indeed it was such a good question. 

What now? They couldn't go back to camp, they couldn't risk the enemy soldiers still being there, they would not survive a second time, they couldn't go to another of the camps for the same reason, they didn't know if only their camp had been attack or if multiple sites were, but it was dangerous to lay low, by the time they actually gathered information half the nation could've gone in flames. He couldn't allow that, not because he worried about the people but because his pregnant mate could be of the first to be affected in an attack.

He told the soldier as much, omitting saying anything more about Xie Lian.

But everything but the steed and their swords had been left back on camp. They would need resources and information and they needed them now.

A new 

If Wuyong was planning an invasion ... they needed to act fast. 

And he had a plan.

Someone owed him a favor.

Months had gone by.

The wedding would be the next day.

Xie Lian sat on the divan near the window, a hand on his swollen belly, staring at the setting sun, processing it all, how had life given so many turns for him to end up here ... pregnant and mated and about to be wed to a man he didn't love.

He sighed, exhausted. 

He had made a nest, to help with that, but he found it unbearable to lay down on it, no matter how much he rearranged the pillows, how many soft fabrics he added, how many times he tore it apart to rebuilt it ... it was never enough, something was missing, his instincts crying out each time he tried to lay down. 

Insisting it wasn't safe, crying out for a mate that was long gone.

He could tell his pup felt his distress, his exhaustion, but he couldn't help it, no matter how much he tried to be calm about this whole situation, it was hard to do so when not only his but his pup's fate stood on the edge of a cliff, and he was unable to prevent the fall.

He would be married, he would give birth and- who knows what would happen to his child... after they were born he wasn't sure if he would be allowed to keep his baby, if they would give them up to another family, or worse if they'll decide to abandon the child somewhere they couldn't survive, he was terrified he would be unable to help his baby, that he would lose them too.

Xie Lian didn't know what he should do, what he should've done ... maybe if he had ran away with Hong-er that first night he told him about his pregnancy... or if he had just begged his father, threatening to end his legacy should he not allow them to marry... he should've ran away after he found out about his mate's death... raised his child quietly in some distant village...

But it was too late.

Too late for any of that, by the time the sunset took place again he would be married.

"Hong-er... our child is almost here..." He sighed, his baby kicking softly underneath his hand. "I wish you were here to see them ... if we couldn't be married ... at least I wish you'd keep them safe." He sobbed, gentle tears falling down his cheeks.

"Hong-er, my hong-er, wherever you are please look after our child ... I can endure everything as long as they're safe."

In the end he couldn't really sleep, staring away all night, worried about what it would become of him and his child. 

"My child." His mother came by that morning, gently brushing the hair from his face. "Did you sleep at all last night?"

Xie Lian sighed, looking away.

"I tried but..."

His mother said nothing, helping him up and dressing him.

When Mu Qing and him had insisted that she didn't need to help with his hair, she softly murmured. 

"I don't know if I'll ever get a chance to again." 

They didn't said anything after that.

For Xie Lian would be sent away to Wuyong, and this may very well be the last time mother and child got to see each other.

She tied his sash, did his hair, helped with his make up, and finished it all with a kiss to his forehead.

"No matter what happens, remember I love you, thank you for being such a wonderful son, I'm sorry I couldn't save you from this." She whispered, pulling him into her arms. 

He hugged her tight, a soft "I love you too." falling from his lips.

As they parted his mother handed him a small bundle, hiding it inside of his robe, pressing a last kiss to his forehead before she left, he then took a moment to see himself in the mirror.

He looked like a bride... and like a mourning wife. With white and silver robes underneath, Wuyong's main color, his outer robe was red but even then the white accessories were plenty, to the point it didn't even make the red stand out. 

The robes were fitted to hide his swollen stomach, hide the fact that he was pregnant. 

It looked... wrong... this whole situation was wrong.

He should've been marrying Hong-er.

Sweet, devoted Hong-er. 

His robes should've been as red as that lovely eye of his, his jewelry silver as he had once told him his mother used to love.

Hong-er wouldn't have made him hid, he would've proudly announced their baby, letting Xie Lian parade around with the undeniable proof of their love.

This should've been the start of their lives as a family.

And now it only felt like death.

The death of his hope, his dreams, his love.

He couldn't fathom what his life would be from now on... living in a foreign kingdom, not knowing what would become of his child, forced to mate with someone he didn't love.

"It's time." Mu Qing called, sparing him a saddened look.

He went out of his chambers for the first time in months, palace servants looked at him as if he were a ghost. There was already a palanquin waiting outside for him, it would parade him across the yard before it took him to the ceremony.

The air felt... wrong, somehow... tense. Not only because he was to marry but something felt lingering on the air, like when everything was too quiet on the forest because of a predator lurking around.

Xie Lian looked around as Mu Qing led him to the palanquin, had there always been so little guards around here?

He couldn't be sure, it might be because he hadn't been out of his palace wing where no one but Mu Qing and his mother were allowed but... 

No, that wasn't right ... if anything he might've felt too crowded going out of his chambers, not the other way around.

He looked closer and every guard there was carried the colors and symbol of Wuyong.

"Mu Qing..." He whispered. "Where are our guards?" 

The omega took a look around noticing as well the lack of their own soldiers.

"I had heard a mission was sent to the border because of ... the attacks to camps." Xie Lian flinched, his upcoming tears hidden behind his white veil.

"Right..." 

"Feng Xin was sent too... it looks like everyone was sent." He murmured, holding his hand to help him down the stairs.

The prince hummed, was that right, was that are all there was? Xianle sent all of their soldiers to the border and since he was about to marry for alliance Wuyong sent his soldiers to guard the palace.

"When we're they sent away?" 

"Last night." 

"... I see." The prince held a hand towards his stomach.

He stood quiet as they arrived to the palanquin, the ones who carried it were also only Wuyong soldiers. 

"Mu Qing, you can have the rest of the day to yourself, why don't you go visit your mother?" He said, loud enough to be heard.

"Your highness?"

"It's been a while since you've visited her no? I'm sorry, that's my fault... take a couple days off, thank you for everything." 

"I- okay..." Mu Qing looked at him confused, his brows furrowed, but bowed down and took his leave after helping him up the palanquin.

He sat there unnerved.

Something was wrong... clearly.

But what would come of this he couldn't guess.

Perhaps he was simply imagining things... he was simply trying to find an excuse to not get married but...

He sighed, something felt ... weird, about all this.

There was nothing he could do about it, perhaps a few shouts of warnings but in his state he wouldn't be able to help were something to happen.

It all quickly fell into the back of his mind as they arrived at the place of the ceremony, the reality of the situation fully sinking down.

He would be married ... and not to Hong-er. 

Just the thought brought tears to his eyes, a hand peeked thought the curtains of the palanquin, a foreign scent spreading, like burnt caramel and old wine. 

King Jun Wu.

Was it too late to run? Would he be stopped? 

What would happen to his child? Maybe he could plead with Jun Wu, beg him to allow him to keep his pup... but what alpha would allow their mate to have another's child?

The thought was sickening, him being Jun Wu's mate. But they would be, after tonight ... He would likely bite the same place Hong-er had, trying to erase his mark... he didn't know if he should be enraged or devastated.

"Xianle, don't make me wait." 

Holding tears back he stepped out of the palanquin, reaching for Jun Wu's hand, and as soon as his fingers graced his palm it was like a venus flytrap snaring its prey, grasping into his hand as if he knew he would make a run for it if given the chance.

He yelped but the older alpha didn't care, guiding him up into the ceremonial palace. 

He hurried up, forced to not be left behind and to ignore the slight wobble to his legs, he held onto his stomach protectively, afraid that he would trip and fall.

They rapidly made it to the entrance, where Xie Lian was basically shoved inside, and as he had predicted his feet caught on his robes and he fell to the ground, managing to brace and fall on his knees instead of on his stomach.

His mother, who was inside, hurriedly came to his aid. Xie Lian was stunned for a moment, wondering what had happened, slightly panicked about his child before feeling them kick in an agitated manner, sensing his distress.

The door then was locked behind them, two Wuyong soldiers placing themselves as guards from inside.

More soldiers immediately surrounded them, swords raised at them and his father snarled.

"Jun Wu! What is the meaning of this?" 

His mother helped him up, and his father pulled them behind him.

The alpha kept silent for a moment, gazing at them with contempt, before he sighed and then laughed, much like a cruel lord would cackle at their people's suffering.

"Answer me!" His father growled. "We've treat you with nothing but respect, this is supposed to be a wedding, an alliance! Why does it seem nothing like it?!"

"How foolish." 

"What?"

"A siege planned right under your nose and you were none the wiser." He sighed. "Eager to get your problems out of your hands. Your loosing war, your desobedient son, how truly terrible." 

His mother held his hand tighter, seeming to sense that he would be reckless and say or do something irrational. But he wouldn't, not now, not with so much to lose. He cradled his belly even more fiercely, if he weren't pregnant maybe he would be inclined to try and steal a sword to attack.

But not now, not when it would imply risking the only sign he had left from the life he wanted to have. 

"It was all a lie then..." His father hissed.

"Not all," he smirked, cruelly, looking back at Xie Lian "I truly was interested in marrying your son at the start." 

His mother pushed him behind her.

"Though I'll admit that interest was quickly diminished after I found him kissing that mutt soldier." 

A growl was pulled out of his throat. "Don't talk about him like that-!"

"Such a waste" he clicked his tongue. "Oh you haven't even heard it all." The alpha laughed through his nose. "I saw you received my gift."

"W-what?"

"Did you like it?" He smirked, fangs in display.

"What are you talking about?!" 

"That hairpin you wear, that alpha of yours needed to be taught his place, it was only fair he ended amongst a pile of bodies, turned to ashes." 

"W-what... y-you..."

"En, I sent that ambush to the border, the one that killed your little soldier and many more."

Xie Lian's blood ran cold and boiled at the same time. His instincts wailing for his mate his heart screaming with unadulterated rage.

"You-?!" His mother held his arm tighter. "You are disgusting!!! A monster!" 

Jun Wu's brow furrowed, turning to look at him, really look at him.

"It does not matter to me what you think, you're simply an omega slut just as any other." He hissed, losing his composure for a moment. "Just as that pup of yours would be a bastard." 

Xie Lian growled.

"Xianle, Xianle, such a feisty child. Don't fret, your parents won't have to worry about you for much longer." 

"If you dare lay a hand on my family-!" His father snarled. 

"What? What will you do? You're surrounded you might just as well accept your fate." He turned to Xie Lian. "You might be tainted by that mutt, but you're not completely useless, besides, sending you too with that lowly servant would be a waste." 

Xie Lian felt his mother tighten his grip on his arms, terrified and knowing he was all too ready to claw the eyes out of the alpha.

"I would rather die." He spat.

"Didn't I tell you Xianle, you can't be so naive-" he snarled, his hand reaching out like a viper to his face, yanking him away from his parents with a pained yelp and a shout from his mother. "as to think you'd get to choose." he whispered, close to his face, pressing painfully on his cheeks.

He kept a hand protecting his belly, the other trying to pry away the alpha's grip.

Suddenly a loud commotion could be heard outside, horses and swords clashing, yells and shouts.

Jun Wu tightened the grip on his face.

The doors banged, once, twice.

"Take care of that." He said, and only two soldiers remained inside, the rest barging out to fight whatever was that was outside.

The alpha cackled, his pheromones scratching at Xie Lian's nose, burnt caramel left for too long, sickeningly sweet.

There was a louder bang, a growl, a soldier flying through the door at his feet, making Jun Wu let go of him.

A snarled, "Don't fucking touch him." making the walls rumble.

Xie Lian gasped, looking at the now destroyed door. There was a tall man, hair up in a ponytail, covered in blood and with a black eye patch on his right eye. And he would recognize him anywhere.

"Hong-er..." He murmured, his eyes filling with tears.

Jun Wu snarled, brandishing his sword.

"Damn cockroach! Won't you die?!" 

Hong-er laughed, unkindly.

"You wish! You had to try harder than that if you wanted me dead!"

Xie Lian ached just from hearing his voice, his knees threatening to give up on him after months of thinking his mate was dead. He knew he must've survived.

He had promised he'd come back!

Something inside him settled, even if the situation wasn't completely safe, his mother pulled him beside the again, just in time for both alphas to lunge at each other, swords raised and clashing.

Xie Lian could feel his heart on his throat, he had to do something he had to-

...

The alphas growled and snarled as they went at it, trying to slash each other's throats, unyielding in their movement.

"Didn't think someone would find about your plan?! Didn't think someone would dare go against you?!" Hong-er taunted, a smirk on his face as he parried another attack. 

They exchanged blows, the pure sound making the space rattle.

Xie Lian grabbed his shoe, launching it at the alpha's head, unsteading him enough, leaving an opening so that Hong-er could stand in front of him, protecting him and his family, the two soldiers running as soon as he snarled at them.

"You- brat!" Jun Wu snarled, hair made a mess from just that. "I should've killed you long ago! Whores like you should be killed off!"

Hong-er snarled, beared fangs.

Xie Lian's stomach began to hurt, the pheromones in the air making him dizzy, but he could not speak, he would not give Jun Wu an opening to attack his mate, he would simply endure, endure it all and pray that their pup was safe.

"Don't talk to my mate like that." He barked, sword raised and ready to strike. 

"You mutt- how dare you even show your face here?!" He snarled, raising his sword at them.

"Give up now and I might kill you quickly." 

The alpha didn't respond, launching at him.

They exchanged blows for a minute, neither gaining the upper hand

A second, a distraction, an incoming soldier moving closer to Xie Lian and Hong-er was pinned to the ground.

"Hong-er!" Xie Lian yelled, standing next to his parents.

Jun Wu's sword was trying to cut his head, stopped only by hong-er grabbing at the edge of his own sword to block it, his palm bleeding.

"Should've just stayed in whatever hole you hid in, I won't make the same mistake twice!" Jun Wu barked, pressing the sword tighter.

"Xie Lian!" His mother yelled out when a soldier tried to go against him, to no avail as he reached his destination sooner, pulling the small dagger from his robes, the one his mother had given him bundled in cloth, stabbing it in Jun Wu's back.

The alpha groaned in pain, the grip on his sword faltering, Hong-er being able to launch him aside so he could lift himself and use the sword to slash at the soldier's hand that tried to stab Xie Lian.

With a growl he killed them, bringing Xie Lian to his side, just in time for Jun Wu to stand up, sword raised at them.

The bloodied dagger stayed in Xie Lian's grip, the alpha's back bleeding out, crimson pooling at his feet.

"Last chance old man, give up and die." 

"Ha! You don't deserve to stand by his side... a prince and a commoner, what a pair! Though truly that whore might be lower in status than I had first suspected."

Both his mother and Hong-er growled at him, and for the first time he saw the queen bare her tiny fangs.

His mate launched at him sword raised, they clashes only once before the bloodloss made Jun Wu unsteady, making him lose his grip on the sword, allowing Hong-er to slash it off his hand.

Kicking him in the chest and pressing down on his with his boot, putting pressure on the wound that made the old alpha howl.

"I told you, you don't get to talk about my mate like that ." He growled, "You won't get the chance to again."

With his sword his stabbed his throat, ending it slowly and painfully, watching Jun Wu garble and choke on his blood until he didn't emit a sound anymore.

Only then did he step away from him. 

And then Hong-er turned to look at him and all the grief and sorrow he kept bottled up for months came surging forward, his heart finally safe to crumble when his mate was here, all too ready to gather the broken pieces.

He stepped closer to him, bringing him into his arms, and Xie Lian immediately broke, the tears that had gathered in his eyes falling wildly down his cheeks as he ugly sobbed into his alpha's shoulder. Wrapping his arms around his neck as Hong-er carefully hugged him back, mindful of his belly.

"It's okay, it's alright, I'm here now, I'm here, I'm sorry I left." He murmured into his hair, over and over until the worst of the tears subsided.

He pulled back to look at him, really look at him, he was as handsome as he remembered him, features sharpened by the harshness of battle, his wild bangs perfectly framing his face, he was just as he remembered and his heart softened at the sight, his lungs finally able to take a full breath.

"It's you, it's really you." He sobbed, cupping his face, thumbs brushing on top of his cheeks, under his eyes, until he noticed a small trail of scar tissue, coming from underneath his eye patch.

Slowly and carefully he tried to pull the eye patch away, when a hand grabbing his wrist stopped him, softly turning his palm until he was able to kiss it.

"It's better if you don't, beloved. I don't want to scare you." 

Xie Lian exhaled softly.

"I've seen it before, it's alright."

"No it's- it's different this time..." 

"... Sweet boy, nothing of yours could ever scare me. Hong-er, won't you let me see?" 

Gently he pulled his hand back, allowing him to continue pushing the eye patch away, finding the skin scarred, his socket hollow, the eye no longer there, the scar went through the middle of it, not a pretty thing, the cut was obviously not a clean slash, a painful thing that probably bleed a lot.

"Oh... Oh Hong-er." He breathed out, cupping his cheeks and bringing him closer to he could press a kiss around the eye, pressing a single kiss to the scar, unable to know if although healed it was still sensible. "Does it hurt?"

"No, not anymore, not when my beloved kisses it better." He looked at him with a complicated expression for a moment, tying a the eye patch back in his face. "Though... I think I've outgrown my name, don't you think?"

"Hong-er?"

"En..." He pressed a kiss to his brow.

"Is there something wrong with it?"

"No. Nothing like that beloved, I'm just not a child anymore, and I wish my beloved call me something else."

"Oh, something else?" 

"En... I've adopted a new name, Hua Cheng."

"Oh!"

He closed the distance between them pressing chaste kiss to his lips, bringing tears anew to Xie Lian's eyes.

"But if gege permits," Gege? Xie Lian flustered, "I rather he calls me San Lang." he whispered into the space between them. 

"San Lang." He whispered back, before the tears in his eyes couldn't be held back. "Oh, San Lang!" 

He wrapped his arms tight around him, unwilling to let go, for the last time he had done so resulted in months and months of agony.

"I'm sorry," Hong-er... no, San Lang murmured, "I sorry beloved." 

"You came back!" Xie Lian sobbed, "Like you promised!" He hiccuped.

"Always, your highness, I will never leave you."

"That's all I want." 

It was at that time that the pup in his belly decided to make themselves known, having heard their baba's voice and seeming to sense that that ambient was safe, kicking him hard until he flinched.

Hua Cheng's gaze immediately shifted with worry, and he held him tight. Xie Lian could only chuckle wetly, taking hold of one of his hands and bringing it down into his belly where the pup had kicked. 

It was only a single second before they did again, this time softer.

His San Lang's eye widened, his hand pressing more firmly into his stomach, his expression filled with wonder.

"Our child..." he murmured, pressing a kiss into his temple, chuckling at the sensation of the baby eagerly moving. "Oh beloved." 

He pressed a kiss to his brows, his temple, his nose, pressing kisses to his cheeks, his jaw, until he was left a squirming, giggling mess.

Everything was going to be alright.

"Lian-er." His mother gently called after a while, and with great reluctance he parted his gaze from his mate, turning back to her.

He beckoned him closer but he could not part away from Hua Cheng, tightening his hold on him. 

"It's alright, I'm right here." His mate whispered into his temple, pressing a last kiss to the apple of his cheek. 

They approached the king and queen then, together, Xie Lian trying to not think of the worst as they approached his father, it took only a single squeeze of his hand and a look to his mate's eye for him to relax, if only the tiniest bit.

They stopped in front of his parents, and he squeezed his San Lang's hand tighter, clinging to his robes, borrowing the strength and confidence his mate seemed to so easily exude. 

He was not parting again from Hong-er, he was no longer willing to keep secrets, to trade words and touches only behind closed doors, he refused to be apart from his mate for even a minute.

If he had to disown himself to be with his mate then so be it, he had no attachment to the crown, the weight of it so foreign he could not image what it'd be like on his head, the only thing he had been taught since he presented that he was to marry and bare an heir, the only future he had really imagined for himself being one with his mate and pup.

"Father-" He spoke, just as his father opened his mouth. "This is Hua Cheng, my mate." He said, tightening his hold on San Lang's arm so his trembling hands wouldn't betray how nervous he really was.

His alpha pressed a hand over his own, seeming to sense his distress, offering him an encouraging smile as he bowed with a graceful "Your majesties." 

His alpha pressed a hand over his own, seeming to sense his distress, offering him an encouraging smile as he bowed with a graceful "Your majesties." 

He didn't miss the way his father eyed him with such contempt.

"Rise, soldier." His father spoke, motioning with his hand.

Hua Cheng did just so, holding tight onto his hand.

"You saved the lives of my family and defeated the emperor Jun Wu and his army after we had been deceived..." He stood quiet for a while, his brows furrowing, but his mother gently placed her hand on his shoulder and he sighed."I suppose a reward is in order, what would you wish for?"

Hua Cheng stood up straighter, his head lifted high.

"Your majesty, if I may be so bold, the only thing I have ever wished for is your son's hand." Hua Cheng's hand tightened over his own. "It would be my greatest honor, if you'd grant us your blessing and allowed us to marry."

His father stood silent for a moment and Xie Lian began to dread the worst, that he'd refuse that he would be mad and curse.

"That-"

"Father please!" He begged, before his father could even speak. "We're already mated, the heir I'm carrying it's his, he saved the whole nation and made it easier to expand into Wuyong's territory! It's only fair he-" 

His father lifted his hand to silence him and so it did, his words dying on his throat as he curled in closer to his mate's side.

"Is that what you really wish for?" The king asked the alpha. 

"I could ask for countless treasures and endless fame, but truly what my heart desires it's to spend the rest of my life by my mate's side." Hua Cheng responded without hesitation.

His father stood quiet for a moment, and Xie Lian prayed for the request to be granted, it would really hurt him so to have to leave his parents to elope. 

But he would never part from his mate again, he was truly desperate to be by his side, no matter what.

But before he could worry further his father spoke.

"If that's what you truly wish for ... then I can grant you permission." 

Xie Lian let out a gasp, his eyes filling with tears as he looked at his mate who smiled softly at him before turning to the king, his head bowed.

"This humble server thanks your majesty for his kindness."

Hua Cheng then turned around towards him, and gently lifted him up bridal style, the omega's hands instinctively finding purchase around his neck. He spinned him around once, twice and then his alpha showered him with kisses making him giggle and laugh, holding even tighter to him and pressing a few shy kisses back.

He sighed then, finally allowed to relax, it was all over. Exhausted, he curled on his mate's chest knowing it wouldn't burden him if he closed his eyes for a tiny bit, his stomach fluttering as his baby settled down inside him, sensing that everything was finally how it should be. 

....

A quiet ceremony had been held for them a few days after, with only Xie Lian's parents and Hua Cheng's two trusted friends as witnesses, they had bowed to the heavens, to their ancestors and to each other, sharing a cup of tea since Xie Lian couldn't drink wine. 

And then they had parted to what now was their chambers.

Xie Lian was heavily pregnant but that stopped neither of them as they slowly joined as one after months of separation and grief, finding solace and comfort in each other, embracing tightly as the night grew old and a the sun began to shine.

A week later than that the Crown Prince gave birth, after long hours of labor, to a healthy baby girl.

They named her Xie Xiyi.

Their little bundle of joy, their hope for the future ahead.

"San Lang, come hold her." Xie Lian beckoned, and his mate walked closer to them, sitting by his side.

He gently passed the cooing baby into his hesitant arms, but as soon as he was holding her his grip turned secure, firm, an immovable force that would not let her fall. He brought the baby close to his chest and then they baby began to open her eyes for the first time.

Opening them and showing a golden eye just as Xie Lian's and her right one being red, just as her baba had once had.

Hua Cheng looked at him hesitantly, unsure, but all his worries melted away once he saw his mate's face brighten up at the sight, murmuring an awed "San Lang, look!" his smile outshining even the brightest star as he looked at the small pup in his arms. "She's just like you!" 

"Mn, she has your nose."

Xie Lian giggled "She has your hair!"

"The shape of your eyes is the same." 

And the omega smiled, gently before resting his head on his shoulder, a small yawn pushing past his lips and their pup mimicked him with the tiniest of yawns. Oh how he loved her so.

Hua Cheng settled himself deeper into the bed, bringing his mate and pup closer with him, deeper into the plush pillows and soft blankets.

"Rest, I'll be here when you wake up." 

Xie Lian smiled at him, completely exhausted, clinging onto his arm like he might disappear the next second, but after a bit of chuffing and coaxing, the omega fully sank into the alpha's side.

Xie Xiyi followed suit, struggling with limbs she was just learning to use as she curled closer to him with a tiny puff of air.

Hua Cheng basked in the moment, watching as his mate and pup slept soundly, their breathings, the feel of their heartbeats, their perfectly mixed scents, completely content, settled something inside him. 

A year ago he would have never believed he would have all of this, that the choices he made, the paths he took would lead to this. To the person he adored more than life being his mate, and not only that but to the pup, their pup that he held in arms. 

He had been nothing more than a devoted guard, a soldier and a beta ... And he was now an alpha, a husband and a father.

He regretted nothing, and would do it all again if he had to. 

For the life they had created, the little family they had started. He would forever be grateful.

And with a content huff he settled down, watching his mate and pup sleep soundly, knowing he'd enjoy the bright future that awaited them.