Chapter Text
At twelve Shen Yuan presents, waking up late in the morning to the sound of his youngest sister scolding him for sleeping in. The pup had crawled into her older brother’s bed after having a little scare involving the loud thunderstorm the night prior while in the nursery. Since having developed past the early stages of speech and mobility the girl is among the first to rise in the Shen estate.
A rather grueling reality for the preteen who had made a bad habit of staying up late ingesting any and all forms of floral and bestiary literature he could get his hands on. Mix in the fact that the boy could never refuse the pup—especially when her pretty brown eyes got glossy with unshed tears—Shen Yuan more often than not woke up with tiny fingers pressing painfully at his side as a toddler yells at him.
Though this time something was off, his skin felt clammy and there was an uncomfortable buzzing just beneath the surface that was both off putting and exhilarating.
Regardless, Shen Yuan pushed the discomfort aside, thinking it nothing more than a minor ailment from his poor sleep schedule or maybe even allergies. He begrudgingly wakes up and goes about his morning routine like some slow fierce corpse after shooing the toddler away, barely even opening his eyes enough to ensure he doesn’t stumble too grievously.
It’s when he’s soaking in his usual scalding hot bath does he suspect something may be up, while it wasn’t unusual for him to feel a little lightheaded from the steam, it felt like that lightheadedness struck a lot faster and harder than usual.
That ‘out of it’ feeling seemingly amplified with the heat and the boy stumbles out of the bath, no longer finding comfort in the looseness of his muscles. Instead feeling as though he’s moving through honey, his body responding even slower than his already cotton stuffed brain.
He can’t help the pained whimper that escapes his panting mouth, fearful tears welling in his eyes as he crumbles forward as a louder whimper escapes. He can hear the sound of his bedroom door opening before a voice and footsteps grow closer.
He slips in and out of consciousness, the strange feeling within his body surging with a vengeance, making him delirious as he tries to find anything to relieve the discomfort, clinging to a familiar scent as he buries his face against it. Refusing to lessen the iron grip on the fabric, he barely even registers the uncomfortable ache of clenching his fingers for too long.
He comes to sometime late in the afternoon, sniffling and whimpering against his mother as she hums a calming melody, her warm earthy scent surrounding him like a blanket and a cool hand against the sweaty flesh of his exposed nape.
“My silly Yuan-er," she sighs as she pushes his bangs off his sweaty forehead before pressing soft kisses against the clammy flesh. “Of course my most troublesome child would present so early.”
“Mmn—a-niang, what happened,” Shen Yuan’s throat feels raw as it gives an uncomfortable click when he swallows, his entire mouth dry from panting. The older woman hums as she pulls back just enough to grab a cup of lukewarm water before holding his head up and pressing the rim against his chapped lips.
He finishes a cup full and another before his thirst is finally sated, he slumps heavily against his mother’s side as his head reclaims its previous place at the juncture of the older omega’s shoulder. With that pesky mental fog clearing up some more Shen Yuan quickly realizes his state of undress, clad only in a sweat soaked under robe and his long dark brown hair free from its usual braided bun.
He cringes at the wet feeling between his slender legs, growing slicker towards the source of his quivering hole that had been stuffed full with a jade pillar with an engorged knot at the base. The ache and stretch are delicious as he squirms slightly, giving a breathy moan as the smooth surface rubs against his clenching walls.
The omega hums as she strokes his hair before answering, “you presented, Yuan-er.”
The boy blinked, slowly digesting her words, “…oh.”
The woman chuckles softly before planting another kiss against his forehead, “and from the smell of it you may be a prime omega, your scent is quite potent. Your siblings got even more insistent to see you after having smelled the change, obviously worried about their troublesome brother.”
“I’m sorry, a-niang,” the boy sniffles, feeling uncharacteristically emotional as he clings to his mother.
“Hush now silly boy, this is a blessing that will help many people find peace with themselves.”
He spends his early teenage years learning the ins and outs of his secondary gender, learning to control the immense power he holds. Adjusting to his long heats, preparing to spend a week in the middle of it completely delirious with lust as he fucks himself raw and gaping.
Then at sixteen Shen Yuan bids his family farewell and travels to Cang Qiong Mountain Sect, answering a summons to help an unruly peak lord find his peace.
The first few meetings were less than ideal to say the least, the proud alpha obviously incensed with the idea of needing something of a caretaker. Even Shen Yuan was feeling off, still adjusting to what may become his new home if the alpha accepts him as his comfort omega. It’s a lot for the teenager to adjust to.
Regardless, he tries his best to show that he means no harm, that no, he’s no less an alpha because his biology got screwed up somehow during his adolescence. That—the alpha’s past—Shen Yuan knows not to attempt to dissect, to simply show that the omega only wants to help.
The half a shichen they spend together a day is mostly filled with silence, only the sound of them doing their own task—Shen Qingqiu reading and sometimes responding to inconsequential letters about the sect, Shen Yuan reading a fauna atlas he’s still fascinated with even after having read it twice over. The two sat across from one another, maintaining a respectful distance as Shen Yuan carefully filled the room with his calming scent.
As far as the omega can tell it seems to be slowly easing the tension in the alpha’s shoulder whenever he lets his guard down, the amount of time it takes for that to lower lessen with each session.
That is until the fifth day of their planned week long meetings that decide whether or not they are fit for each other, that Shen Qingqiu hands the omega a bestiary he had yet to get ahold of. The alpha explains that it was of his own making, a simple compilation of the many beasts he’s come across during his travels. Shen Yuan gratefully accepts, curiously looking through its contents with barely hidden furor before quickly realizing that many of the beasts described have been one’s he’s already been acquainted with in previous reads.
Instead, he focuses on the impeccable illustrations, the smooth brush strokes and minimal coloring adding life to the creatures in a way that even his mind couldn't even conjure. When he turns his attention back towards the actual description of the black-tailed spider money, a demonic beast with a nimble set of eight limbs that only feasts on small rodents and specific birds, he notices that some of the information is totally different from what he’s previously read.
“Those books are dated, an abundance of new information has been revealed since their last publishing,” Shen Qingqiu loftily explains as if reading the boy's mind—when really it was his thin face and lack of scent control that gave his confusion away—gently fanning himself as he stares at the bright eyed omega.
When Shen Yuan returns to the guest housing he’s momentarily calling home, he’s barely removed his geta before he hears knocking. He opens it to see that it was that one young pup that often brought their tea and snacks during their sessions, Ming Fan was his name.
“Shen-gege, this disciple has come to inform you that Shizun has come to a decision,” the boy sounds somewhat breathless, as if he had rushed across the peak to inform him. Shen Yuan nods, silently urging the boy on who takes a breath and seems to puff up his chest, “Shizun would like for you to be his omega!”
Shen Yuan is taken aback by the boy’s obvious excitement at the declaration, brown eyes bright before contently closing as the omega pets his head in praise. Mind reeling from the acceptance—one that he never thought would happen given their previous meetings—he’d have to write to his family about the news, his heart aching at the realization that he may never see them again. But maybe the peak lord would be kind enough to indulge this sentimental omega every so often.
Shen Qingqiu coldly ignores the omega kneeling beside him, at least appearance wise he was. In actuality, the alpha was acutely aware of the small boy listening to Mu Qingfang discuss his very future, even now the omega was pumping out calming pheromones that even had the beta doctor loose limbed.
Mu Qingfang’s voice is as calm and inviting as it always is, especially when it comes to talking with little omegas. Or rowdy alphas, hence why Shen Qingqiu was so familiar with the tone.
“—and with that settled you will be under Shen Qingqiu’s care from here on out.” The alpha gives a noncommittal hum as he continues to gently fan himself as he watches Shen Yuan bow gratefully after standing to walk the physician out, taking the sweet scent of peaches, osmanthus tea and something else that Shen Qingqiu can’t name but has quickly come to associate it as the omegas own distinctive scent.
Saying his thanks before shutting the door to the bamboo house, Shen Qingqiu listens intently as the omega’s delicate socked feet pad along the wooden floor back towards him. A modest white hanfu wrapped around his lithe form, the long skirt and sleeves—longer than what would be convenient—fluttering slightly despite their straight cut as Shen Yuan flitters across the room.
The omega was a pretty, young thing with his long ebony hair pulled up into a flattering bun with the short hairs along his hairline flowing freely as they framed a lovely face. Almond eyes soft with elegantly long lashes that contrasted against the healthy flush of his cheeks, a nose both cute and ornate and a pleasing pair of lips plump and ripe for the taking. There was a small collection of beauty marks, a mole beneath the right corner of said lips, another beneath his left eye and another just above his right eyebrow.
The overall symmetry being broken up by those beauty marks pleasing the artistic side of the peak lord.
“This one will begin his duty as your comfort omega, alpha,” his voice silvery and soft as he sat right beside the taller man, his scent quickly enveloped Shen Qingqiu’s entire being with just a simple inhale. Nimble hands no longer hidden beneath too long sleeves teasingly drag along his shoulders, their warmth seeping through the many layers of silk leaving goosebumps in their wake before wrapping loosely around his neck.
Shen Yuan hums as one of his hands begin to gently message the flesh of Shen Qingqiu’s nape—the alpha almost regrets having chosen to wear one of his high collar robes—the gesture incredibly intimate as those deft fingers slowly vanquish the bone deep rigidity from his posture. Shen Qingqiu could feel something deep within him come unknotted, no longer feeling tangled and pulled taut.
Shen Qingqiu couldn’t help the relieved sigh that escapes before his touched starved body quickly begins to crave more than just the omegas hands against him. Between one moment and the next he has the pretty omegas exposed thighs bracketing his waist as his opulent rear is planted firmly atop the peak lord’s lap. Quickly recovering from the surprise of such easy strength Shen Yuan wraps his arms around the alpha’s neck and begins nuzzling against the curve of his throat, a quiet purr rumbling within his chest as he leans bodily against him.
Sizable hands appreciably rub along rumpled fabric covering meaty thighs up towards the sensitive sides that make up a small waist just barely wide enough where an inch or so prevents long fingers from touching. His hands move slowly up and down as his brain is filled with fluffy cotton and his very soul is on the brink of slumber, with that in mind and the rest of his afternoon free he decides that a nap is in order.
With much reluctance he breaks the intimate peace with voicing his plans, hearing the clear distress of separating for the short time it takes to undress for sleep the omega can’t help a quiet giggle that has Shen Qingqiu’s heart skipping a beat before the warmth blanketing his front is lost.
Despite having just met, the power of the omega’s scent is overwhelmingly welcoming. A presence that Shen Qingqiu never realized he had been missing until it had already been filled.
Within a week the two settle into a routine, waking a shichen before dawn to begin their morning ritual. Shen Qingqiu wakes to the omega’s gentle snoring, practically buried in the peak lord’s bed, now layered with a large variety of soft cushioning to suit the omega’s preferences.
The sight is terribly endearing and the alpha can’t help but stare, during the first couple of days since Shen Yuan moved in Shen Qingqiu didn’t dare overstep, going against his very instinct to pull the young omega close and bask in his warmth.
The last thing he wanted was to make the omega uncomfortable, make his already difficult job even more unbearable because some sorry excuse of an alpha couldn’t keep his hands to himself. Just like those bastards who took advantage of him when—
Shen Yuan’s cute nose scrunches at the bitter stench of ozone and anxiety, a smell that had been thoroughly coating the alpha beneath the haughty stench of anger and venom. Still very much asleep, the omega groans as he scoots close, startling the peak lord out of his dour thoughts as the pretty boy threw a slender arm over and tugged the much larger alpha on top of him.
With Shen Yuan now lying on his back and the alpha half on top of him worried about crushing the petite boy under his weight, a hand begins gently stroking the loose hairs at the base of Shen Qingqiu’s nape, nails gently scraping and soothing. His other hand gave similar treatment along the stretch of clothed back that his lazy fingers could reach, both working in tandem to ease the tension in the alpha’s body and mind. All while he releases calming pheromones that quickly subdue any critical thinking on the alpha’s part, the omega obviously lacking his usual control given his slumbering state.
Despite never being one to overindulge in his more human necessities, like sleeping or eating, Shen Qingqiu almost wants to fall asleep again. With the gentle rhythm of a living, breathing body beneath his cheek the alpha feels pleasantly numb, an unusual vibration deep within his chest that he slowly realizes is his own purring.
The scene felt so domestic it made his chest hurt.
Since then Shen Qingqiu is more willing to pull the still sleeping omega close and just relish in the smaller boy’s comfort. Nuzzling against his bosom as a hand flops gracelessly against his head and does its best to comb through his braided hair.
One thing that Shen Qingqui has noticed about the little omega was that he was not an early riser, more than willing to sleep the morning away if given the opportunity. Which makes sense given his still developing body and early presentation, as was common for the rare comfort omega. Presenting is no small task for either secondary gender but comfort omegas have it a lot more difficult when it comes to controlling their scent glands and month long heats.
Shen Yuan groans as Shen Qingqiu lifts him up and carries him into the washroom, working around the clinging bundle to prepare the bathtub. Having already washed up for the morning the peak lord helps the half asleep omega undress, revealing untouched milky skin that colors so easily under the simplest provocation.
The steam fills the room, making a dream like vision as a delicate foot slips into the pale green water. A herbal mixture made to keep skin smooth and supple with a refreshing floral scent, unobtrusive as it gently mixes with the lingering oils that had seeped out of his scent glands as it washes the old away.
The scent oil was like no other oil, it didn’t leave a physical stain on the color or cuffs of clothes, but it might as well be given its primal mark. The oil can linger even after a wash if the proper cleansing isn’t done, especially if scented by a prime omega.
A deep rumbling fills the comfortable silence as Shen Qingqiu carefully messages the omega’s scent glands, starting at the two opposite each side of his slender neck—unmarked and flawless—before moving down his arms. Reaching the scent gland in his inner wrist, the pale skin translucent as pretty green and blue veins show through. The alpha thumbs along the gland, noting the way his scent grows stronger with the stimulus.
Shen Qingqiu has to stop his ministrations when he feels a sudden pang of arousal course through him. He places the boy’s hands back in the water before turning his attention towards the loose length of braided hair hanging outside the tub. The alpha carefully undoing the braid, almost worshiping the long length of wavy strands.
Once Shen Yuan’s hair is thoroughly cleaned and brushed, Shen Qingqiu grabs a towel and helps the now awake omega out of the tub. Shen Yuan is easily moved as needed, the taller man kneeling in order to have easier access to his dripping form.
The omega had never been body shy with Shen Qingqiu, always willing to bless the alpha with his lithe form whenever it came to bathing or changing attire. Even purring whenever Shen Qingqiu handled him, body malleable and dark eyes lidded as large fingers pampered him.
Plush thighs spread enough to allow a cloth covered hand to wipe away at the accumulated condensation beneath the adorably pathetic excuse of omegan cock and balls. The porcelain skin of the shaft was smooth and flushed at the tip, covering the pink of the head. He had forgotten to clean the omegas cock, though given how insignificant it was no one really couldn’t blame him for the fault.
He cups the entirety of Shen Yuan’s genitals in his clothed hand, adoring how they fit cutely in the palm of his hand as he pressed against the sensitive flesh of the omegas taint. An involuntary jerk of his plush hips and adorable squeak eggs the peak lord on. Shen Qingqiu easily maneuvers his hand where he’s able to maintain a constant pressure against the boy’s taint as a clothed thumb rubs and fondles his small sack.
He watches as the boy’s spry body quickly reacts to the stimulus, cocklet standing to attention as its flush tip grows several shades deeper. The heady scent of arousal pours out of the panting omega’s body, filling the room and coating the back of alpha’s throat and brain with its essence. Shen Qingqiu looks up to see the omega’s features pinched and flushed red with arousal, eyes dilated and lidded with spit slick lips parted as heavy pants push pass. His arms are folded into his chest with his delicate hands curled against his neck as soft brown meets devoted green.
Already looking as though he’s about to burst when Shen Qingqiu hadn’t even done much other than gently fondle.
With his other hand he peeled back the foreskin to reveal the glistening pink head, precum already beading at the tip. The skin was hot within the grasp of his index finger and thumb. Shen Qingqiu examines it, unsurprised to see that it was as lovely and clean as the rest of the omega.
Content with what he sees he pulls back and continues drying, ignoring the boy's obvious arousal and frustrated whines. Shen Qingqiu gives him a stern look when he starts gyrating his hips, obviously attempting to entice the alpha in his own timid way.
Once Shen Yuan was dry enough the alpha grabs the unscented lotion and begins lathering the boy's entire body. Large hands rubbing and massaging along the plush fat beneath pale skin, mindful of the omegas erogenous zones. Having the boy sit as he rubbed the lotion into the flushed soles of his small feet, getting in between biteable little toes with pretty nails adorning them.
Afterwards Shen Qingqiu dresses him in a simple white under robe to match his own before guiding him out of the bathroom.
Shen Yuan remains erect as the peak lord dresses him, hot and bothered as layer after layer of the softest silk and cotton is draped over his form. The weight of it pressing down on its small length.
The alpha has grown fond of the long fabric covering the length of his limbs entirely, allowing a lovely effect of fluttering butterfly wings whenever the omega moves.
“Don’t soil your robes, Shen Yuan,” Shen Qingqiu kindly commands, using his alpha voice the omega is powerless to fight. The boy whimpers as he nods.
A disciple brings them breakfast, Shen Yuan having a much more flavorful display after the omega’s thin face gave away his obvious distaste for the bland spread. They eat in companionable silence, the omega placing a couple bits of lightly flavored pieces of vegetables into the alphas soup bowl.
“I have a peak meeting today and won’t be able to have you at my side.”
Noticing the obvious change in the alphas posture and scent at the fact that Shen Yuan won’t be tailing him like he had been doing, the omega easily slips into his nurturing role.
“It’ll be alright, Shen-ge, you will be alright during the few hours we are apart,” his voice is hushed as he turns his body, Shen Qingqiu following suit, so he can wrap his sleeve covered arms around the alphas neck. It’s always endearing how quickly the alpha melts against him.
His large hands come to rest on the smaller boy's plush hips as Shen Yuan begins peppering gentle, chaste kisses along the little bit of flesh he can reach given their height difference even with them kneeling, whispering words of comfort and praise.
As he works he pulls the long sleeves back to free the scent glands in his inner wrist and begins scenting the alphas collar. Laying the potent oils to ensure that they last during their separation, allowing the peak lord to remain level headed during the stressful situation.
They stay within each other's embrace for a few moments longer before Shen Qingqiu lifts the boy up and places him between his crossed legs. Now back to chest in a much more comfortable position he chooses to ignore his own meal to instead feed the omega, no longer so anxious as he basks in the young boy’s presence.
After breakfast Shen Qingqiu assigns both Ning Yingying and Ming Fan to keep the omega company during his absence, sure that the pups will benefit from the omega’s company as well. The pups and Shen Yuan wave the peak lord off as he flies off towards Qiong Ding peak for the day-long meeting.
The three decide to take a walk around the peak, exiting the entrance of the bamboo forest they walk along the paved paths leading to the teaching areas where a few studious students work on art or their instruments.
“What would gege like to do,” Ning Yingying asks, her doe-like eyes bright and eager to please. Shen Yuan can’t help but coo as he pats the young pup’s soft head of hair, Ning Yingying preening under the attention.
“This one wouldn’t want to impose on your class schedule,” he says with a bashful smile after removing his hand. The pups shake their heads, their dark hair shifting with their vigor.
“No you aren’t imposing, ge, today is a relaxation day Shizun scheduled for the peak,” Ming fan eagerly explains. The omega hums as he considers his options, though he isn’t given the chance to answer.
Upon noticing the special omega who had been following their Shizun around for the past week and who smelled so nice, the younger juniors still adjusting to being so far from home are quick to greet him.
A chorus of greetings are heard as preteens of varying sizes begin to crowd around the omega, seeking comfort in both his welcoming demeanor and scent. Wanting desperately to be scented, craving the comfort and praise their seniors rarely gave.
Shen Yuan can’t help but giggle as he’s guided into the closest classroom and placed at an unoccupied desk and quickly surrounded.
“Gege! Gege!” One pup—brown hair pulled up into a ponytail and similarly colored eyes—calls as he scoots himself up close, pushing Ming Fan aside who gives an annoyed sound before settling. The boy is holding a sheet of paper, there is an unfinished watercolor painting of a presumably lovely bouquet of flowers, though that was difficult to tell given the lacking skill.
“Oh wow,” Shen Yuan says as he frees his hands from their confinement and gently takes hold of the rough paper, “this is just lovely, xiao-di, I can’t wait to see when it’s completed.”
The pup practically melts at the praise, leaning against the warm hand petting the top of his tightly bound hair. Seeing how easily the pup had been so kindly gifted with the omega’s attention the other pups quickly scrambled to gather their own works for their share of praise and head pats.
Of course, the omega indulges each and every one of them, always ooh-ing and ah-ing as he either pats their head or gently scratch their scalp if their hairstyle permits it. He spends the next shichen listening to their musings and stories, always attentive to the pup speaking.
Soon a senior disciple comes in to break up the party, chastising them for bothering Shen Yuan. The pups disband with whines and whimpering, the omega coos and promises to eat lunch together as he releases his scent to ease their departure.
Ning Yingying and Ming Fan are more than happy to finally have the omega’s attention back on them.
“This one thinks a walk around would be nice,” the pups happily agreed as they stood up, ready to head off before quickly realizing that the omega hadn’t gotten up. “Er—this one requires assistance.”
“Shen-Shixiong seems much more relaxed these days,” Mu Qingfang states, his tone inquiring as he walks beside the alpha while they exit the meeting hall. Shen Qingqiu hums as he opens his fan with an audible fwip, the paper pale with small rabbits prancing around in bamboo stalks.
“This Shixiong has been doing well,” is all he provides as he walks at a leisurely pace. The meeting had gone on without a hitch, while there was the usual issue of the sect leader and fellow peak lord of Bai Zhan peak neither caused him much irritation. The omega’s scent had worked wonderfully, easing his temper to such an extent that his martial sibling’s couldn’t ignore.
Many taking advantage of his good mood by making inquiries they would’ve never done otherwise, instead choosing to send a letter.
Overall, it was a productive meeting and it absolutely drained the peak lord’s social battery, he bids his martial sibling goodbye before summoning Xiu Ya and taking off towards the town at the base of the mountain. Despite his exhaustion he had a commission ready for pickup.
“Welcome Immortal Master Shen, please come in, come in,” a middle-aged beta woman—short in stature, her dark hair done in a single long braid with few accessories, a large clump of strands colored gray with age—welcomes Shen Qingqiu into the small, hole-in-the-wall shop, one that while aged still maintains an air of wealth and old money. “Allow this one to go and fetch your order, it’ll only be a moment.”
The peak lord watches the beta disappear behind a folding screen decorated with painted imagery of ancient fauna, the brush work satisfactory. He turns his attention to the walls decorated with paintings of various landscapes, several of which were made by the alpha himself. It is only a moment longer until the woman comes out with a hand sized lacquered wooden box, the pale, almost white jade accents decorating the corners of the box. She holds the case out for Shen Qingqiu to collect—it’s heavier than he expected—before unhooking the silver latch and taking a look at its contents.
Happy with the product he pays double the agreed price after placing the precious box into his quantum sleeve, the woman gratefully accepts as she walks the alpha out of the shop with wishes for future patronage.
He returns to Qing Ling peak with time to spare before dinner, despite the excited buzz within his chest he doesn’t immediately dash for the bamboo hut like some excited pup wanting to show it’s mother a pretty rock he found.
Thankful once again for his thick face and his hair shielding an outside view of his rapidly coloring ears in his embarrassment. His disciples are quick to salute him as he passes by, wishing their Shizun goodnight before resuming their way towards the mess hall. Shen Qingqiu decides to follow them, having a feeling that a certain omega will be there.
He enters the large room with a flourish, the quiet murmuring of his disciples coming to a momentary halt as they quickly stand to greet their Shizun. Shen Qingqiu waves them off as he easily spots a small group crowding around who he could only assume was Shen Yuan. As he approaches the table the previously occupied pups are quick to notice his presence and allow him a path to the omega before eagerly greeting him.
Shen Yuan excitedly calls out to him, “Shen-ge! Welcome back!” Calling a renowned peak lord such a childish name seems rather shameless when done outside the comfort and privacy of the bamboo hut, but Shen Qingqiu can’t help the way his heart flutters at the greeting, amplified by the omega’s floral scent becoming sweeter in his delight. Completely ignoring the offense to instead claim the now empty space beside the omega.
It doesn’t go unnoticed the way the pups scamper off to sit at their own assigned area, leaving only Ming Fan and Ning Yingying. The preteens having done their task of keeping Shen Yuan company well, Ning Yingying happily talking a mile a minute about their day. The omega and his head disciple chiming in every now and again, the latter having run off to fetch his teacher’s own meal upon Shen Yuan’s request.
“It’s not good to skip meals, Shizun” his youngest female disciple states, obviously quoting her Shishu. The omega nods with his cheeks full of thick udon noodles, the sight both endearing and off putting.
Despite the box figuratively burning a hole through his quantum sleeve, Shen Qingqiu doesn’t rush his meal. Instead, silently enjoying the unusual company given that he prefers to have his meals delivered to the bamboo hut when he does decide not to practice inedia. The recent change not entirely unpleasant.
After dinner the pups wish the duo goodnight, leaving them to leisurely walk back to the bamboo hut while Shen Yuan asks about the alpha’s day. Happily relieved to hear that it had gone on without a hitch, his scent sweetening just enough to warm the alpha’s soul.
“I have something to give you,” Shen Qingqiu says once they’re back in the privacy of his home. Even after a week of breathing in their mixed scents after a long day of peak work, it still brings a thrill in his chest that he has to quickly stamp down before it can ignite into something that can easily be scented by the omega.
Shen Yuan perks up as he follows the peak lord into the bedroom before stopping to face the alpha, he watches as he pulls out an expensive looking box. It’s minimalist decoration fetching as it’s offered to him, dark eyes attempt to meet pale green in question but falter at the intensity. With rapidly heating cheeks the omega instead focuses his attention on his hands taking hold of the box, noting how much larger it appears in his own hands than it did in the alpha’s.
He carefully unlocks the case, hyper aware of the alpha’s intense gaze as he does so, opening it to reveal a beautiful collar that takes his breath away. The leather is dyed the palest of greens and adorned with white opulent gems that despite their luster don’t clash with the pale silver bordering the leather.
“You—“ Shen Yuan can’t help the way his voice cracks with emotion, “you got me a collar?” His eyes finally look up to meet Shen Qingqiu’s, his brown eyes wide in shock.
Unable to get his voice past the lump in his throat, the alpha can only nod. Intimately aware of what this means for them should Shen Yuan choose to wear the collar, the expensive accessory an obvious display of possession and ownership. The closest thing to a mating bite that Shen Qingqiu’s willing to go so early in their relationship, he knows it's too soon but the moment he found out that he would be getting a comfort omega—even through the humiliation fueled fury that forced him to lash out only a few months prior—he still put in a commission.
But gods, just the thought of it wrapped around the little omega’s neck makes his head woozy.
Shen Yuan removes it from the plush cushioning it laid on, placing the box on the low table the peak lord sat at as he got the two of them ready in the morning, before holding it out with both his hands.
“Will you put it on me, Shen-ge?”
Shen Qingqiu quickly obliges, willing his shaky hands to remain steady as he grabs where the two ends of the collar meet at an almost seamless connection and slides them in opposite directions. One side up and the other down, removing the bottom one from its compartment and carefully stepping into the omega’s space, getting on his knees like a humble servant worshiping their god. The alpha tries to shake the comparison out of his mind but it quickly takes root, urging more depraved thoughts of worshiping the young omega’s body.
Pale hands carefully bracket a slender neck and the world seems to slow, Shen Yuan’s eyes meet Shen Qingqiu’s and the alpha swears the way he looks at him as though he’s something worth smiling at makes his breath hitch and heart skip a beat. Then the gentle click of the links clicking into place feels like it’s starting to snap them out of whatever trance, but instead Shen Yuan smiles brightly as his arms draped in silk wrap around the alpha’s neck and he begins to rub their noses together.
“Come on, gege, let’s get ready for bed.”