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White Tea.
It was the only thing that could get his thoughts in order. That could solve his throbbing eyelid problem and finish his damn notes before the sun made its appearance, invading the blinds and illuminating the entire room. Damn Hua Yong for suddenly deciding to play boss after years of total neglect.
Wenlang lowered his notebook, his head resting on the headboard of the sofa as he realized the biggest problem. He was the one who should do it, waking Gao Tu wasn't an option, but a sin.
The omega was asleep in his room, having decided to go to bed early due to extreme fatigue now that he was in his third trimester. Wenlang promised he'd join him soon, but the hours passed, the reports seemed to double in page count, and here Wenlang was, stuck on the sofa.
With Gao Tu finally accepting maternity leave, HS was in shambles, Wenlang could say so openly, as he couldn't even enjoy a cup of tea. This must have been the real reason for the feeling of being hammered repeatedly in the head. Damn migraine.
After all, when was the last time he drank such good tea? Ah, Gao Tu's. Made months ago, shortly before he discovered he was carrying Lele, when his life was a roller coaster, but Wenlang was grateful that in the end, the ride was worth it, as he now had Gao Tu and Lele under his roof.
Reluctantly, Wenlang got up and headed for the kitchen. There was nothing left to wait, not when the numbers and names began to jumble in his mind.
The sudden bump against the sideboard made Wenlang question whether being awake at this hour was a good idea. He curses, obviously, but it's much quieter than he'd like. He won't wake Gao Tu because of the stupidity of whoever designed this damned hallway without decent lighting at night.
He'd need to check this in the morning, Wenlang thinks as he grabs his foot and massages the sore spot, if it were Gao Tu instead of him? Being nearly full term, his omega could afford to hurt himself or bump into something.
He'd deal with that tomorrow.
The walk to the kitchen is endlessly long, and if worry weren't plaguing his mind, Wenlang would surely have given up and gone to his room. Ever since he marked Gao Tu, his inner alpha enters a cycle of anguish at not being near the omega, even if the difference is as minimal as a few meters.
He repeats to himself, Gao Tu is fine, sleeping next to his unborn child. Tonight, Lele decided to give his father a break. After all, at almost nine months old, there wasn't much room for little Shen anymore.
He would make some tea, finish checking the reports, and go back to bed that was enough. The tea wouldn't take more than a few minutes. Wenlang touches the back of his neck, repeating to himself like a mantra.
If it weren't so late, he could ask a servant to serve him tea, but right now, not even the sun dared wake him it was just Wenlang, in a large, too-bright kitchen, a stove lit, and a kettle full of water.
He grabs the tea bag from the cupboard and looks at the collection of tea bags. He closes the box again and turns it sideways. Did this thing even have a damn instruction manual?
Wenlang growls and rolls his eyes. The water is already boiling by now. He needs to be quick, it's cold as hell, and returning to Gao Tu's arms is what he needs most right now. Eyes heavy, Wenlang picks up five or six tea bags and pours them into the kettle, hoping they will somehow deliver something similar to the delicious tea Gao Tu always served him.
He takes a deep breath, barely able to keep his eyes open, his entire face burning, needs to finish these reports soon.
The sheer number of tea bags makes him question if this is really right. Well, it seems so, the teas Gao Tu offered him were strong, hot, the perfect balance. But he's not Gao Tu.
Wenlang turns off the stove and pours himself a cup. It's hot, almost burning his fingers. Wenlang blows on it, and when he turns, he sees the omega leaning against the kitchen island.
"Tutu?" Wenlang barely has time to take the first sip, the boiling tea hits his tongue, and he groans in pain and surprise.
How had he not noticed Gao Tu's presence? Apparently, the secretary was still able to remain stealthy, even with the awkward gait that pregnancy had given him.
Not awkward, but cute, and now, Gao Tu looked even cuter, with his hair messy around his face, wearing pajamas, his hand tucked behind his back, supporting the weight of his protruding belly. However, Wenlang doesn't like the tired look on his omega's face at all.
"Why are you still awake?" Gao Tu whispers, rubbing his face. "You said you'd come to bed soon."
He takes a sip of his tea. It tastes like shit and burns his tongue even more. He throws the mug on the counter, an irritated look fixed on the cup as if it were suddenly becoming aware of its actions.
"I'm finishing some reports, those useless bastards didn't proofread them properly." Wenlang looks away, but still, he notices Gao Tu's heavy gaze toward the kitchen.
"What are you doing, Mr. Shen?"
"Tea." That's all Wenlang can say before giving a long yawn. He walks over to the omega and rubs his shoulder, kissing his cheek. "And you, how are you? Did I wake you, or was it Lele?"
Gao Tu is too focused on the state of the kitchen to answer his alpha's questions.
"What a mess."
Wenlang sighs. Who is he kidding? He, a big-time CEO, doesn't even know how to make damn tea.
"I didn't mean to wake you." The words leave his mouth with a bitter taste. Wenlang closes his eyes, his lips forming a line, as if he wishes he weren't a complete idiot.
Gao Tu hums, warming his heart, though he still feels like an idiot. Gao Tu throws away the absurd amount of strong tea and teabags, refilling the kettle with water to a suitable level, and placing it on the stove. But before turning the knobs, he turns to Shen.
"You can wait over there, sitting," Gao Tu points with his chin, but Wenlang shakes his head.
"No. I want you to teach me."
Gao Tu tilts his head and gives a small smile. Like a good student, Wenlang positions himself behind Gao Tu and nestles his head in the crook of his neck, hands around his waist, where Lele rests peacefully. Gao Tu is stiff at first, but soon loosens up as he takes a single teabag and places it on the kettle.
"See?" he asks, and Wenlang hugs him tighter, turning his face away, trying to hide the shame burning his face.
How could he have considered leaving Gao Tu? Blinded by jealousy for Gao Tu's imaginary omega partner.
Being close, Wenlang takes the opportunity to inhale his omega's sweet sage scent, placing a kiss on his shoulder.
Gao Tu relaxes, his now-free hand sliding to his belly, where both of Wenlang's hands rest. He opens his mouth but decides not to speak. Then their eyes meet, and the omega finally gathers courage.
"I can help you finish the reports, if you want."
"No." Wenlang caresses his omega's belly, Lele responding with a small kick. "You need to rest, Gao Tu. Forget it, your days of staying up all night with me are over."
Gao Tu looks away, the beginnings of a pout forming on his lips. Shen refrains from smiling, damn workaholic bunny.
"There," Gao Tu says suddenly, patting his hands to free himself, but Wenlang isn't ready to let go, not now that all his troubles seem lighter in the face of Gao Tu's calming pheromones, reciprocated by his own, equally calming pheromones.
Back to work? A growl builds inside him at that. Hua Yong could go to hell.
"Mr. Shen?" Gao Tu asks, stroking his hair. Wenlang sinks his face even deeper and reluctantly pulls away from Gao Tu.
Wenlang opens the cupboard, pulling out a tray, where he places the kettle and two cups.
"Let's go to bed." Gao Tu tilts his head in confusion. Wenlang looks away, trying to ignore the butterflies in his stomach at how adorable Gao Tu looks. "I'll sort this out tomorrow. I'm the owner too, aren't I?" Well, Lele just woke up, and if he's anything like me, this tea should calm him down.
"If you're right, it'll be a great discovery," Gao Tu said, accompanying him back to the room. "Oh, do you mind if we bring some cookies?"
Wenlang turns his head, halfway there, nodding, and Gao Tu picks up a single package of rice crackers. But that doesn't seem to be enough, not for his omega, so he grabs two more packages and balances the tray with one hand, while the other is outstretched, desperately seeking his omega's touch.
Gao Tu holds his hand, fingers intertwined while the other caresses his belly.
With the empty, cold cups and the empty cookie packages, Wenlang found comfort in the arms of Gao Tu and his pup, a very effective solution to stopping the twitching of his eyelid and calming Lele. While the calmness of the cub and the alpha himself was likely due to the calming pheromones, the alpha preferred to believe it was due to Gao Tu's miracle tea