Work Text:
I am coming to visit your company next wednesday. Be prepared.
Nothing more, nothing less. Just two sentences on familiar stationery, glaring at him from the paper.
Wenlang had felt the awful twisting of his stomach immediately when he had seen the letter, laying on top of other mail that morning. It had been sent straight to the office, and partly he was glad about that - he didn’t want Gao Tu to see it. He had always vowed to himself that he wouldn’t let his past touch Gao Tu or Lele, and he was going to keep that promise even if it killed him.
Not to mention his mate was now a little under six months pregnant, already on leave from work - Wenlang’s idea - and having enough trouble from the pregnancy without the appearance of an unwelcome in-law. The nausea he previously had was no longer a bother, but the mood swings, aches and pains and just general discomfort had now replaced it. The alpha, of course, gave massages, took on the household chores and did everything in his power to make him more comfortable, even if he was sometimes on the receiving end of the omega’s mood swings. It was nothing a few kisses and reassurance didn’t fix.
And truth be told, he was afraid of the possible stress and shock would cause harm to his mate and unborn baby, so in the end it wasn’t difficult to decide to keep it from him. He’d get through the visit swiftly, and then he or his family wouldn’t have to worry about his monster of a father bothering them.
Part of him did however wonder what the visit was about - it wasn’t like they had any unfinished business between the two of them. He had swiftly left the house of his father as soon as it had been possible, settling on his own and only staying in touch for the necessary amount. Which was regarding business, nothing more. There weren’t birthday wishes, no congratulations on successful business acquisitions, no inquiries about his personal life. Only demands about business, of keeping the family reputation clean and pristine. It was something he was used to, even welcomed now, so the thought of his father wanting to connect personally… It scared him. More than he wanted to admit.
Still, as he returned home from work he said nothing of the letter, just embraced his mate in front of the stove. ”Rough day at work?” Gao Tu hummed, lifting a spoon up to his lips to offer him a taste of the dinner he was cooking. ”Just long”, he mused, gladly tasting the offering. ”Tastes good.”
His omega smiled, stirred the pot on the stove and then turned around to face him. ”We missed you too, today. Lele has a loose tooth”, Gao Tu said, other hand fiddling with his hair. ”He wanted to show you immediately when you got home.”
”Our little boy is growing”, Wenlang smiled, pecking his partner on the lips. ”When was the next appointment again? To find out the sex of our little dumpling?”
The omega peeked at the calendar hanging on their kitchen wall. ”Two weeks from now”, he confirmed, ”are we still agreeing on wanting to know the sex?”
”Yes”, he chuckled, ”I want to know if they’re going to be daddy’s little girl this time.”
His sentimentality always made Gao Tu laugh, the sound reminding him of little bells twinkling. The omega’s voice was low, and still so light and bright, like sunshine. It always made Wenlang’s heart soar.
He was glad to have a place where he could be sentimental and silly, a man who carried the first ultrasound picture in his wallet - a man who was surrounded with love and affection instead of darkness. If his father was trying to make that change, then he’d fight against it tooth and nail.
Every day he received the pure and bright love from his family cemented his resolve even more to keep the upcoming meeting a secret. He hid his fears, his anxiousness and only basked in the light of his son and partner, blaming hectic workdays and long hours for the changes in his scent and demeanor. Sometimes he feared Gao Tu saw past him, asking him suspiciously if that was truly the case, only to seem satisfied with the answer when Wenlang assured him there was nothing else. He did feel bad for lying, but… The end justified the means, right? He only did it because it would only cause harm for his family if he didn’t, the stress and anxiety far too strong for his pregnant mate. That’s what he presumed, at least.
So he kept the meeting from being marked on any agendas or notes, knowing his omega still liked to weigh in on work related issues despite being on leave. It was an honourable attribute of the man, and Wenlang always loved hearing his thoughts on anything he found interesting. It also gave him the chance to have him sit on his lap, his hand resting on the beautiful curve of the omega’s stomach and the baby residing within. The bump was his obsession - most evenings spent pressing his cheek against it, talking softly to their child and caressing his lover’s supple skin. It was his saving grace, his safety, his buoy keeping him afloat when the darkness wanted to claim him.
When the promised day came he was keeping his mind on all the softness and gentleness for his whole morning, sitting in his chair and staring at nothing. He thought about the future, about his father staying away and them welcoming the new addition to their family. It was something he wouldn’t let Shen Yu tarnish with his touch, not even let him close enough to touch. He had ruined one childhood and driven one omega to death, and there wouldn’t be any more.
When the time was near, he smelled his father before seeing or hearing him. The bitter oak seemed to permeate in the building, penetrating his office door and surrounding him several steps before his father set foot in the room. Like before his father’s face was emotionless, posture rigid, unwelcoming. He didn’t even greet him, just stopped in front of his desk and sized him up with his cold, calculating gaze. ”It’s been a while, son”, he then said, looming over him in his dark wool overcoat. His hair had strands of grey, reminding him of the humanity of the man - something he never felt when he was younger. ”I didn’t expect you now, either”, he replied honestly, pushing all childish feelings of fear and anxiety down and keeping his face as emotionless as his father. ”To what do I owe the pleasure?”
His father merely hummed quietly, gaze fixing on the photo of his family on his bookshelf. ”I have heard of your current family prowess”, he mused, ”a firstborn son and an omega mate with a second one on the way.”
Wenlang refused the instinct to freeze or growl defensively. ”That is correct”, he just admitted, other hand grabbing the hand rest harder than he wanted to admit. ”Here to see your grandson?”
A chuckle emerged from the older man, not a happy or positive sound, more like mocking. ”I have no need for a grandson”, Shen Yu said coldly, ”I only have a need for an heir. I must admit I did not anticipate you handling that part by yourself.”
Wenlang shot a steely look at his father. ”I told you years ago I wouldn’t take a random omega just to make them carry a child.”
”That you did. And like then, I’m telling you now that you’re a fool.”
”I fail to see how.”
”Of course you do”, Shen Yu scoffed. ”You’re far too engrossed in trivial family matters than business. You still have no idea how to prioritize, my son.”
He could only clench his hands tightly in fists, resisting all urges to yell, throw punches or otherwise show his emotions. He knew it never affected his father in any way, only made him seem weaker in his eyes.
”See, I appreciate my only son making sure the lineage continues”, his father drawled, pacing slowly on the carpet of his office. ”I do not, however, endorse my son throwing out our reputation by playing house with some desperate, arrogant little omega.”
”Keep him out of your mouth”, Wenlang said, ”you don’t know anything about him.”
”Oh, but I do. I know everything about him and his lineage, of the touching little story of you two.”
He felt his stomach twist in discomfort, every instinct screaming to stop the man from talking about his mate. ”And?” He only said, determined to get the conversation to end and for the man to leave.
Another chuckle, filled with disdain. ”You’ve represented the company with him and the child”, Shen Yu sneered, ”made our reputation filled with weakness and softness. I taught you better than that, Wenlang.”
Out of his father’s mouth his name sounded like a curse, tarnishing it with his vile mouth. It felt like he didn’t want for his mate to say it ever again, out of fear of the poison seeping into him from just saying it. ”If you’re here to tell me to leave him, it’s not going to happen”, he growled, ”the business is fine, my omega is a capable one and there’s nothing wrong with my family. It doesn’t take one appearance to ruin a reputation.”
”It only takes one weak link to destroy an empire that was built on respect and power!” His father almost shouted, face still cold, but eyes blazing with something akin to hatred. He remembered those eyes from his youth, glaring at him with contempt before the next lash on his back. ”I am warning you, Wenlang”, Shen Yu said in a low voice. ”Recognise what’s good for you, or I’ll do it for you.”
He was going to respond to the clear threat without hesitation, when the commotion outside his office reached his ears.
”Mr. Gao, you shouldn’t-”
His office door burst open, and there stood his beautiful, heavily pregnant omega with a fire blazing in his eyes.
”Gao Tu”, he said, standing up but stopping when the omega pinned him to place with his eyes. ”Shut your mouth and sit down”, Gao Tu growled, stomping forward and setting himself without hesitation between him and his father, much like when he had put himself between Wenlang and Sheng Shaoyou. The smell of sage was tainted with bitter notes, milkiness weighed down by the force of clear anger.
”You”, he said, ”leave.”
”What an insolent omega you are”, Shen Yu sneered. ”I am visiting my son, and I’ll leave when I’m done.”
”No, you’re leaving right now”, his usually sweet, unassuming omega barked back. ”You’ll leave right now, or I’ll call security to drag you out within seconds without a care in the world. Leave.”
It was almost amusing, the contrast between his serious, commanding voice and the way he was bundled up in a soft sweater with his bump. All softness and rounded edges, but voice and eyes emanating steel, cold fury. His nearly six months pregnant, soft and kind mate was holding his own against his father, the alpha who was responsible for his ruined childhood and the trauma for his back tattoo.
The minutes of silence between the two felt like forever to Wenlang, until his father chuckled darkly. ”I’ll be seeing you”, he promised ominously, finally sailing away from them and out the office. Both of them looked after him, and only after they heard the accusing ding of the elevator did Wenlang finally manage to get up from his seat. ”Gao Tu, how are you-”
”I am so angry at you”, the omega snarled, furious eyes now turning back to him. His other hand was splayed against the curve of his stomach, and Wenlang wondered if it was to protect or to ground.
”You deliberately kept me out of this”, his mate continued, ”kept this a secret and let me think everything was okay! I asked you every day if there was something going on, Wenlang!”
”I know, I’m sorry”, he said, apologetic eyes staying on Gao Tu as he rounded his desk. ”I didn’t want to cause you extra stress, with the baby-”
”Extra stress? You think me having to hear from the other secretaries that your fucking father was visiting didn’t cause me stress?”
Ah. Of course it was the other secretaries, who saw the post it notes for his day, and who frequently still bothered his lover with their questions.
”I wanted to protect you from him”, he admitted, placating hands raised up. ”Protect-” Gao Tu choked, anger turning slowly into disappointment in his scent. ”I’ve told you multiple times that I am not weak, and asked you to not keep things from me”, he growled, ”you promised me you would let me protect you as well.”
”I’m sorry, I just-”
”No”, his omega interrupted, ”no. I am so angry with you and I am not having this conversation with you now, I’m too pregnant for this bullshit.”
He didn’t get another chance to apologize or placate his mate, before he stormed out of the room as quickly as he had arrived.
Wenlang could only sigh deeply, slump in his seat and wonder if there was anything a sorry alpha could do to pacify a furious, pregnant omega.
His heart honestly hurt, the disappointment of his partner still hanging in the air and making him hang his head in shame. It was far from what he had wanted - he had only wanted to protect, to save from anxiety, to keep away the darkness. He hoped Gao Tu would understand that.
Like the responsible businessman he was, Wenlang finished his work like any other day. He focused as best as he could, but the buzzing of worry stayed at the back of his mind. Was Gao Tu home? Would he be angry when he got home? He didn’t know, and as he finally left work he was filled with uncertainty. On the way home he did stop by the flower shop to buy an apologetic bouquet of flowers, just something to show some more how sorry he was. He just hoped his omega wouldn’t whack him with the flowers.
When he arrived the apartment was quiet, no happy squeals from his son or a gentle welcome home from his mate. The lights were on in the kitchen and there was a plate of dinner on the table for him, so surely someone was still home. He decided against digging into dinner yet, setting the flowers on the kitchen island and ventured deeper into their apartment.
He stepped into their bedroom, where he found his mate lying on his side in their bed, and Wenlang could see him stroking his belly gently despite being faced away from him.
He bit his lip and carefully stepped closer, kneeling softly on their bed.
”I am very upset with you”, he heard Gao Tu say dryly, voice tired and almost missing its usual softness. ”I know. I’m sorry, love”, Wenlang said, settling on his side behind his lover and wrapping his arms around him. ”I shouldn’t have kept it from you.”
”Then why did you? After all the times you’ve said you didn’t think I’m weak, why did you choose to keep me out of this?”
The alpha bit his lip, leaning his forehead against his mate’s neck. ”I was afraid”, he mumbled, ”that the stress would harm you or the baby. That he would tarnish what we’ve built together. That… That he’d somehow take you three from me if I let him too close.”
Gao Tu was quiet for a while, then maneuvered his body to a sitting position to rest against the headboard, Wenlang staying on his side and now laying his head on his thighs. ”I know your fear”, his mate said, voice still tight and upset, even if softer now. ”But do you understand how afraid I was when I heard of him visiting?”
The alpha furrowed his eyebrows, looking at his mate curiously. ”You’ve told me what he did to you”, Gao Tu muttered, ”so do you think my thoughts didn’t immediately go to him hurting you in some way? If not physically then mentally, to him dragging you away from us again?”
”I’m sorry”, Wenlang whispered, laying his hand on the omega’s on his belly. ”I… I wanted to protect, not keep you out. I never, ever wanted to imply you weren’t strong enough to meet him…”
His mate sighed quietly, and shortly he felt a gentle hand stroke his head. ”I hate him”, Gao Tu admitted. ”When I saw him there I… I wanted to hit him. I saw red, and I had to stop myself from getting physical. For the baby.”
”You scared even me for a moment there”, Wenlang chuckled quietly, ”I have… Never seen you like that.”
”And I hope you’ll never see me like that again”, his mate scoffed, ”I was so unbelievably angry I got lightheaded.”
Wenlang groaned, shame rolling off him in waves, saturating his scent with it. ”I’m sorry”, he said again, instincts screaming to soothe, to fix all the mistakes he made.
”Stop saying that”, his mate murmured. ”I know you’re sorry. I know your intentions were good, but this was a big misstep from you.”
Subconsciously he whined, a gentle hand in his hair petting him a little harder to let him know it wasn’t the end of the world. The sage scent was still disappointed, but not so pointedly - it soothed him a little, made him less of a kicked dog.
”Wenlang”, his omega said after a small moment of quiet, ”I know you want to protect us. But I can’t keep telling you to let me protect you as well.”
Apologetically he looked at his sweet, loving partner, nodding lightly. ”You’ve let me know about your childhood and the things he did”, Gao Tu continued, ”so let me be there for you, when the darkness tries to return. Promise me you will.”
Wenlang moved up on the bed to lay next to his mate, one hand still resting on the curve of his belly. ”I promise”, he whispered, nuzzling Gao Tu’s cheek and scenting him gently. ”Will you believe me?”
It took a small moment, but eventually his omega sighed and nodded. ”I always do, Wenlang. Because I love you and I know you’d never intentionally hurt us. But I need you to understand that I can’t keep having these conversations with you”, Gao Tu said, soft voice surrounding him. ”Especially when I’m already hormonal and very easily upset at you for trivial things.”
The alpha ventured a chuckle, stroking the bump and feeling the warmth emanating from it. ”You were pretty sexy when you told me to shut my mouth and sit down”, he eventually murmured, earning himself a swat on the shoulder. ”Don’t try your luck. There was nothing sexy about what I was feeling when I marched in there”, his mate scoffed.
Another chuckle emerged from Wenlang’s mouth, and for a moment he just laid there next to his partner. ”Where’s Lele?” He asked as he suddenly remembered the absence of his son. ”Sleepover with Peanut”, Gao Tu hummed. ”I figured it would be better for it to be just us two tonight.”
He just nodded, thinking about it for a while. ”Do they know?”
”They do. Sheng Shaoyou was the one to receive Lele and I might’ve been so angry still that I told him everything. Remind me to apologize to him”, his omega pondered, and Wenlang couldn’t help but groan. He knew Hua Yong would probably remind him for an extended time of the way he made his partner that angry, but… He supposed he deserved it.
”Hey”, Gao Tu said softly, his other hand moving to stroke his cheek. ”This isn’t the end of us, you know? I don’t want you to think this is something we can’t get over.”
Wenlang felt his heart soar again, and he nodded with a soft smile. ”I know”, he promised. ”I’m lucky to have you.”
His mate smiled, pressed a light kiss on his cheek and sighed. ”Just know I will castrate you if you try to keep things like this from me again”, he added, and Wenlang couldn’t help but gulp lightheartedly. Pregnancy hadn’t made his strong partner any less strong.