Chapter Text
It all started on a movie night.
The lights had been turned off. The TV was set at a low volume so as to not disturb Hua Sheng and so they’d be able to hear him if he ended up crying.
Hua Yong had picked up extra blankets and pillows, setting them up on the couch and bringing in popcorn and snacks. He had put on a historical drama.
Shaoyou glanced at Hua Yong seated beside him. The faint colours from the TV reflected beautifully across his face, dusting his cheeks in shades of purple and pink. Shaoyou's breath caught in his throat.
There was a distance of two pillows between them.
Too far.
It had been four months since they had sex.
Three months since Hua Sheng was born. Three months of waking to soft midnight wails, warming milk half-asleep, and sleeping at odd hours whenever Hua Sheng granted them peace.
If Shaoyou was being honest, he had been grateful at first. Hua Yong always left him utterly wrecked the day after. He had welcomed the rest. Welcomed the chance for his body to reset.
The doctor had told him to wait six weeks after childbirth before doing anything ‘strenuous’.
But nearly twelve weeks had passed now, and Hua Yong still had not touched him like that again.
He still kissed Shaoyou on the forehead every night before bed. Still kissed him before Shaoyou left for work in the morning. Gentle, lingering presses of lips against skin.
But never deep. Never consuming.
Not like before.
During the pregnancy, Hua Yong had touched him like he could never get enough. Even thinking about it now made heat creep up the back of his neck.
Black hair damp with sweat, hanging low over his forehead, moving back and forth with his thrusts. Hands gripping Shaoyou’s thighs tight enough to leave marks. Soft gasps filled the room as he moved deep inside him.
Every time Shaoyou glanced up through teary eyes, Hua Yong would already be looking at him, gaze fixed on his face like he was trying to memorize every expression. Then he’d lean down to kiss him, swallowing every sound whole.
Shaoyou blinked back to the present, suddenly aware of the familiar heat coiling low in his stomach.
He really, really wanted to do it.
Hua Yong, however, rested against the couch like he had no idea, calmly watching the TV and munching on popcorn.
Shaoyou swallowed, then tried to focus on the TV again, only for the dialogue to blur and his attention to drift back to Hua Yong again and again.
He removed the pillow, settling it on his stomach instead. Right over the scars from the caesarean. He scooted closer. His eyes were fixed on Hua Yong now.
He rested a hand on the pillow between them, fingers sinking into the softness. He leaned in, until only inches separated them.
Hua Yong turned.
Shaoyou wished Hua Yong would just get on top of him and–
“Sheng xiansheng,” Hua Yong smiled sweetly and held out the bowl in his hands.
“Did you want some popcorn?”
Popcorn?
“Yeah.” Shaoyou nodded quickly, his earlier confidence melting into embarrassment. He
grabbed a handful of popcorn and chucked it piece by piece into his mouth, sinking lower into the couch. He wanted to bury himself.
Hua Yong chuckled. The sound echoed softly in the room. He then picked up a piece of popcorn and brought it to Shaoyou's lips.
“Sheng xiansheng, if you wanted me to feed you, you could've just asked."
Fine. Hua Yong wanted to act oblivious. Shaoyou would too.
Shaoyou turned and bit the popcorn, holding Hua Yong's gaze. But he didn't stop there. Instead, he took the two fingers holding the popcorn into his mouth. His lips closed around them past the second knuckle. He swirled his tongue, licking them up thoroughly. It tasted of salt and butter, like popcorn.
Hua Yong's breath hitched so softly Shaoyou almost missed it.
His fingers flexed against Shaoyou’s tongue, thin and long.
He kept his eyes fixed on Hua Yong's, feigning innocence. For a moment, Shaoyou saw Hua Yong's eyes darken like they did whenever desire took over them.
But it was gone as soon as it had come. Hua Yong turned away sharply. Then, he pulled back his hand.
Disappointment flashed openly across Shaoyou's face. But he quickly steeled himself. No. He wasn't giving up just yet.
"Hua Yong," Shaoyou drawled. "I'm cold."
Then he swallowed and dropped his voice a little lower.
"Can you warm me up?"
Shaoyou wanted to add alpha at the end, but he hesitated and let it go.
He stared expectantly at Hua Yong and watched his throat bob.
For one hopeful second, he thought Hua Yong would finally kiss him.
Before Shaoyou could react further, he was tugged flush against Hua Yong's chest, his face pressed against him
The soothing ghost orchid pheromones flooded the room, enveloping Shaoyou in a tender embrace. His eyes felt droopy almost immediately, reacting to his mate's scent. A thick blanket landed over Shaoyou’s shoulders.
This is so unfair. Hua Yong knew exactly what his scent did to him.
Shaoyou really didn't want to sleep.
But Hua Yong’s chest was warm against his cheek. His scent curled around him, soothing and grounding all at once. The blanket was soft. The room was dim.
Shaoyou wanted kisses that stole his breath. Wanted Hua Yong's lips. Wanted–
Sleep dragged him under before he could finish that thought.
Hua Yong watched Shaoyou sleep and smiled to himself. Shaoyou had gotten softer after pregnancy. He turned off the TV and gently shifted them both sideways on the couch.
Mr. Sheng hadn't slept properly in a while. Insisting on taking care of the baby when they could've hired a nanny instead.
His hand came up slowly to brush the loose strands of hair away from Shaoyou’s forehead. The dark hair was soft beneath his fingers. A little messy from sleep. Pink lips parted with soft puffs of air against his chest.
Beautiful.
His hand raised towards Shaoyou’s waist. Then he froze.
Shaoyou's shirt had ridden up, showing the scar across his abdomen.
Hua Yong's heart clenched painfully tight.
It was almost fully healed now, but the gash still rose faintly against Shaoyou's skin. Enough to drag Hua Yong straight back to that dreadful day.
A shiver ran down his spine.
Please don't leave me, Shaoyou.
Then he lowered his hand and wrapped both arms around Shaoyou’s shoulders instead.
He kept them there all night. Afraid Shaoyou might disappear if he loosened his hold.
And he never once let himself touch beyond Shaoyou's shoulders.