Chapter 15

THE ROOM SMELLED faintly of orange rum and blossom, not harsh. Mild.

An indication to the end of a rut.

When the last cuff on his hand clicked open, Shao You did not lurch forward to attack him; instead, his gianomous frame collapsed onto the enigma’s lap with a soft thud, a low, broken sound vibrating in his chest.

Even when taken aback, gently, Hua Yong threaded his fingers through his soft hair, his soothing pheromones blanketing him. Shao You’s arms tightened around his waist, burying his face impossibly deep in the enigma’s thighs.

Hua Yong felt it. The hot ragged breaths hitting his skin, the alpha inhaling his scent.

“Good boy,” Hua Yong hummed, his tone like the calm after a storm. “You’ve behaved so good for me.”

A whimper escaped Shao You’s parted lips again, his chest rising and falling with the overwhelming exhaustion. With that, the suffocating scent of orchids intensified, coaxing the last bit of frayed nerves out of his being.

They stayed like that for a while. Shao You, nose deep into Hua Yong’s skin. Hua Yong, wrapped around him like a cocoon.

Until Hua Yong tried to pull away. The hands around his waist only tightened.

Shao You whined.

His grip did not loosen even when the enigma tried to peel him off.

“Shao You-let go,” the enigma let out a chuckle, before successfully pulling him away with one last tug.

Held at arm’s length, Shao You’s eyes peeked up to search his, then down. His lip curled into a small pout, tearing up a little.

“Hey, no.” Hua Yong cupped his face in his palm and leaned in to place a kiss on the tip of his nose, before pulling back to look him in the eyes. “I’m not going anywhere, baby. But you need to have a bath and some food. You’re too weak. Okay?”

Shao You did not answer. He sniffled, hand coming up to rub his nose adorably.

“Okay?” Hua Yong repeated, stroking his cheek with a finger. Once. Then another kiss.

On the mouth, and this time, Shao You gave him a small nod, eyes wide and shining.

Hua Yong’s finger found his jaw, tilting his head up. His lips ghosted above the alpha’s.”So well behaved.” He murmured against his lips. “I’m going to give you a reward.”

And then as a reward, Hua Yong pressed him against his chest once again, allowing the alpha a bit more time. To get as impossibly close as he’d like. Shao You purred in content, easing into his embrace.

When Hua Yong finally broke their cuddle session, Shao You was less whiny now.

“Come on,” Hua Yong draped a hand under his thighs and yanked him up into his arms, carrying him bridal style. A omega-like mewl tore out of the alpha at the suddenness of the action.

Hua Yong peered down at him, head tucked under his chin. Shao You’s hands were locked around his neck.

Was that a smile?

He couldn’t really tell what that curl of his lips was. Maybe a bratty pout. But he looked a bit embarrassed, and that made the enigma even the more eager.

To see that bright colour in his cheeks, he could go to any length. Any length.

You’re too cute, Shao You. Too cute, he thought.

Hua Yong walked into the bathroom with him, slowly easing onto the tiled floor while he turned to check to temperature of the water in the bath tub.

“It’s cold enough. Shao You-“

His words died in his throat, mouth hanging open. His throat went dry in shock upon spinning back around.

Shao You was standing naked behind him. Clothes pooled around his feet on the floor.

How did he get naked so fast?

Hua Yong’s eyes traced his toned chest and his buff build, trailing down to his long perfect legs while simultaneously trying to ignore the rod hanging between his legs. Built at an inch or two taller than he was.

But much more than the smooth, glowing skin, he was most impressed by its clearness. Devoid of any marks.

Something he was secretly pleased with himself for.

If Shao You had spent his rut alone, unchained and unfulfilled, because well Hua Yong would rather encure his wrath than let him sleep with someone else, he’d have been with a lot of marks now.

Marks on his arm. On his chest. On his neck, and especially on his neck. Marring the dark obsession that was his body.

Hua Yong, he hated any mark that wasn’t his doing. Only one hands could touch his man and that was his.

His and his alone.

Alphas’ ruts are as intense as enigmas. Chaining him up was the best thing he could have done for him.

Aside abstinence.

The alpha only acknowledged him with an indifferent raise of one brow, stepped out of his clothes and sank into the bath tub.

Hua Yong’s eyes followed him like a puppy to its owner. Behaved like one.

Shao You trembled a little at the cold water drowning him, while Hua Yong stood close by, shamelessly gawking. Shao You’s hands came up to hold either side of the tub, sinking further into it.

His head fell back, eyes rolling shut as the cold water worked its magic.

But his actions came on more slutty than therapeutic.

He was doing it on purpose. Hua Yong was sure of that.

Hua Yong went on his knees beside him. His finger skimmed Shao You’s waist, shamelessly close to his v-line. “Can I?” he offered in a tone an octave lower, punctuating it with a smug arch of his brow.

A beat. Then Shao You’s head lifted to look at him. He bit his lip.

A careless move. Why did he have to be this sexy? If he wasn’t going to take his cock in his mouth and suck him off with those same lips?

“Okay.” Shao You hummed, colour creeping up his neck.

Hua Yong cracked a smirk, jumping back up.

Here he thought Shao You was still non verbal. Turned out he was just shy.

Which was crazy considering Hua Yong had not began yet.
Because when he was done with the man in front of him, shyness would be the last of his worry.

His name. His scent. His voice. Him. Those would be all Shao You would want.

Just like it was for him the other way around.

Hua Yong quickly stripped naked too and got in behind Shao You in the bath tub, instantly wrapping his arms around the flushed skin of the alpha. He pulled him flush against him, relishing in the almost subtle way the alpha’s being shook at his touch.

He shifted, legs moving up to tangle with Shao You’s. And even when the other man was doing a damn good job at trying to keep his cool, they were both aware of how this micro action had his hard cock poking the rare entrance of Shao You.

It was amazing. Whatever this was.

They didn’t even have sex. Didn’t need to.

It was already enough that Shao You would let him hold him like that. Touch him like that. Feel him like that.

It was already intimate enough.

Hua Yong continued holding him impossibly close to his chest.

Shao You didn’t fight when Hua Yong washed his hair. He didn’t even flinch when soapy hands rubbed all over his body. He just tipped his head back, eyes closed and trusting.

Trusting.

Six days ago he would have bitten those hands off. Now he was just relishing in its tenderness.

Like it was made to hold him.

He couldn’t have wanted it any other way.

They finished bathing and Hua Yong carried him back to the room, grabbing a towel to help dry Shao You’s hair.

He placed the alpha on the bed, holding him up to a sitting position before easing behind him at the edge, locking their legs together.

The alpha didn’t need grounding of any sort. Hua Yong was just clingy like that.

He ruffled Shao You’s wet hair gently with the towel. He spoke, “We’re going to have dinner after this. I made chawanmushi. Do you want anything else?”

No answer.

“Rice?”

No answer.

“Dumplings?

Shao You shifted. No answer.

Unperturbed, or rather, unaffected, the enigma rambled on. “The doctor said to feed you healthy meals and make sure you get the best of rest. You’re so tired, hm? So I don’t think just congee would be enough. See, I didn’t think you’d be out of your rut this soon. But you are and look like you never were in one. You look so good.”

Still no answer.

He pressed his lips together in premature resignation. He did a mental shrug, resuming his concentration on drying Shao You’s hair. Maybe Shao You didn’t want to talk to him anymore.

That was fine. He wasn’t sad.

But then he felt a strong tug at the end of his shirt. He paused, eyes darting down to Shao You who was trying to get his attention by pinching the end of it.

Hua Yong saw his mouth move but he was too lost in how good the alpha from that angle. Then as an even bigger punishment, he had to have that deep, seductive voice as a bonus.

Sheng Shao You was the epitome of perfection.

Snap out of it, dumbass.

Hua Yong tilted his head, confused. “What was that?”

Shao You turned his head, looking over his shoulder. “Rice.” he repeated.

Oh.

Hua Yong perked up.

“You want rice?”

Shao You nodded.

“Sure. I’ll make it for you.” He gave Shao You’s hair a final pat and tossed the towel to his side. “Anything else?”

Shao You shook his head.

Hua Yong pinched his cheeks. “Okay.”

With a satisfied hum himself, Shao You turned away from him. Hua Yong unhooked their looped limbs and slid down from the alpha’s back.

“All done,” he said. “Let’s go have dinner now. Your tummy keeps talking.” He paused and giggled, “Time to feed you, baby.”

He stretched out a hand to the alpha but all he got was an unimpressed frown.

Shao You did not budge. He scowled at him. He wasn’t getting up. Why wasn’t he getting up?

Then it clicked.

“Do you want me to carry you?” Hua Yong’s tone had a little tease to it.

Shao You fixed him with an insatiable nonchalance. “Don’t you?”

_____

Hua Yong made three other dishes in a span of one hour. He couldn’t let his man be hungry neither could he stand not fulfilling his wish. If Shao You wanted stir fried noodles at midnight, he’d get stir fried noodles at midnight.

He was the reason he learned to cook in the first place. Wasn’t he?

He’d made the chawanmushi earlier due to it being easy on the stomach. Exactly what the alpha needed coming out of a 6 day intense rut.

So as Shao You sat at the dining table, watching him, Hua Yong whipped up the perfect dinner.

Winter melon pork rib soup, soy sauce chicken wings and plain rice.

Hua Yong placed the bowl of rice in the center of the dining table, throwing Shao You a careless smirk.

Was he proud of him?

He was doing all this for him, wasn’t he?

Thinking back on it, it had been one hell of a rut. Shao You fighting him, him loving him. Or at least that was it all summarized.

But now he was glad it was over and they could be together.

Oops, no. The better word was eat together.

Hua Yong eased into the chair next to Shao You at the dining table. He grabbed the leg of Shao You’s chair and pulled him towards him. Until they were just inches apart and in each other’s faces.

Then he began spoon feeding him. And not once did the alpha show a sign of discomfort nor fight him off.

He sat there, opening his mouth and taking each bite as it came. Bites that came with soft praises and head pats. Then smiles and unbreakable eye contact.

Until he was full. So full he could have no more.

After dinner, Hua Yong carried Shao You back to his bedroom. He tucked him into bed and climbed in next to him.

But he didn’t sleep. He just pat his head continuously, coaxing him into sleep.

Staring at Shao You who had his eyes shut, he didn’t want to push. He’d been doing that all week. Pushing at the alpha’s limit.

Now, he wasn’t sure how much quota he had left before reality came crashing down on him.

They’d done things, of course. Even had sex. Still, now, he was suddenly self aware of their intimacy. How far was too far?

If he got under the blankets and held him, would Shao You push him away? Would he tell him to stay away?

Because he’d half expected it all day, and too much confidence doesn’t erase doubt. Just hides it.

Sighing, turned to get out of bed. He would just flop on the couch and keep him company.

But a firm arm grabbed onto his, halting him. Hua Yong glanced back, eyebrow furrowed.

Big, bright eyes stared back, face scrunched in displeasure. “Where are you going?” Shao You demanded.

“I’m not going anywhere. Just-“

In a voice with no room left for argument, Shao You said, “Then get into bed.”

“Huh?”

Shao You let go of him and flopped back onto his back, eyes fixed on the ceiling. His fingers twitched against the blanket. Like he’d grab him if Hua Yong moved. “Don’t let me repeat myself.”

He didn’t have to.

Hua Yong glanced at him who had the blanket up to his neck and leaned back on the pillows, hiding a small smile.

Damn Shao You was hot when submissive. But he was hotter when dominant. Too dominant.

Or maybe this was just his dick talking.

He got in under the covers, pulling the blanket up same but left enough space between them. Shao You’s eyes were still shut, breathing coming out in short huffs. His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm and Hua Yong thought he’d watch him sleep all night.

Only catch, he’d done exactly that in the last seven days. This would be no different.

His lips found the crown where he pressed a quick before pulling back onto his side, leaning on his side. Eyes on Shao You.

It came out in a quiet voice. “Goodnight-“

Hua Yong got cut off by a sudden movement from his side. Shao You inched closer and flopped on him with a soft thunk. He snuggled closer, laying his head on Hua Yong’s stoic chest.

The latter stiffened for a tad second before jerking back to reality. Shao You was really sleeping while hugging him.

SHAO YOU WAS SLEEPING WHILE HUGGING HIM!

And he didn’t even have to initiate it!

Who would have thought?

Shao You wanted him close. His Shao You wanted him close.

Elated, Hua Yong showered him with kisses. Here, there, everywhere within lips reach. One delicate touch after the other until the alpha’s muffled snores filled his ears.

Shao You slept through that! Hua Yong, shaking his head, chuckled and held him tighter.

That was how they ended up in bed together that night. Shao You, still exhausted and fast asleep while hooked around Hua Yong like a koala bear. Hua Yong, arms around Shao You but wide awake for a long time, brain in a ted talk the whole time.

But at least he was happy.

He finally found some sleep at the wee hours of the morning.

______________________________

the next chapter is going to be from my baby Shao You’s POV. I’m so excited ughhh.

Btw, if you think Shao You is entirely submissive, think again. A power bottom if I knew one.

Less than five chapters left 🙁 I’m so sad.

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