Archive of Our Own ^beta

Liu Qingge is in deep shit. Truly. He always thought he knew how to handle things. He’s always been handy, a reliable guy who can fix things. From a very young age, he had invested a lot of time and effort into becoming physically strong. 

That also means he’s usually out of depth when it comes to emotions. 

Even then, he somehow found an equally emotionally constipated partner for himself at his workplace, of all places. 

Shen Jiu. The former bane of his existence. The current and forever love of his life. 

The thing is, Shen Jiu isn’t exactly emotionally constipated. It’s just that his feelings manifest in a different way—sharp words and scathing remarks. Liu Qingge had spent over two years trying to get through them to understand what his tsundere boyfriend actually meant to say. He likes to think he has Shen Jiu more or less figured out. 

Until, of course, Shen Jiu shoved a positive pregnancy test in his face one day. It wasn’t that they were totally thrown off by it. It’s to be expected when you’ve been doing it raw for months right? They didn’t even bother with protection after completing their bond and giving each other the bite. 

Liu Qingge knows that Shen Jiu has always yearned for a family—having not had one of his own. But he also knows that Shen Jiu is scared. He’s anxious about being a good parent and Liu Qingge knows for a fact that Shen Jiu will be an amazing parent. He has softened over the years and Liu Qingge sees him secretly spoiling all the young Liu cousins and nephews and nieces during the Liu family gatherings. Shen Jiu can’t fool him at all. 

But, pregnancy? That’s something that has Liu Qingge feeling besides himself. A pregnant Shen Jiu is a force to be reckoned with. Every day is a challenge, not only for Shen Jiu, but also for Liu Qingge himself, who’s desperately trying and failing to understand the mood swings of a pregnant omega. 

Like now, Liu Qingge was simply stretching before his usual morning workout and Shen Jiu came out of their bedroom, with an adorable bedhead, rubbing his eyes with one hand and rubbing his tiny baby bump with another. And then he looked at Liu Qingge and poof! His mood took a turn for the worse!

“Do you have to be so big? I just know the baby is going to inherit your strength and height and I’m going to go through hell pushing them out! Your mom even told me how fat you were as a baby!”

That’s how Liu Qingge was body-shamed at seven in the morning. But it’s hard to feel insulted when it’s Shen Jiu saying it with a cute frown and his usual-morning-puffy-face. And he’s only getting cuter as he moves further along his pregnancy. If Liu Qingge could, he’d pull Shen Jiu’s cheeks but he’s afraid of getting his hands cut off—a very real possibility when it comes to Shen Jiu. 

And there are other things too. Shen Jiu has also been feeling a little insecure about his appearance. His waistline isn’t what it used to be like and his usual date night outfits don’t fit him anymore. He can’t wear heels either (Shen Jiu totally didn’t start wearing them more often just to feel as tall as Liu Qingge) because of how swollen his feet can get at times. 

Shen Jiu is someone who takes his appearance very seriously. In Shen Jiu’s words, growing up in ragged hand-me-downs for half of his life can make a person vain when they’re older. Liu Qingge doesn’t think Shen Jiu is vain at all. In fact, he sees Shen Jiu putting efforts into dressing up as an art within itself. He knows it means a lot more to Shen Jiu than just appearing well-dressed. It’s a statement. It means that Shen Jiu has worked hard to have the comfortable life he’s living now. 

So, when pregnancy makes it especially harder to get up and get dressed, and because he thinks that most of his clothes aren’t even fitting him or flattering his features, Shen Jiu gets upset very often.

And of course, there are other things like the upcoming maternity leave that Shen Jiu isn’t looking forward to at all. For a workaholic like him, it’s more like a sentence than a gift. Every time Shen Jiu looks at the date on the calendar that marks the beginning of the generous maternity leave he got courtesy of their boss Yue Qingyuan, Liu Qingge knows Shen Jiu is cursing the older alpha in his head. 

Yue Qingyuan really can’t win. Damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t. Liu Qingge would feel bad for the guy if he didn’t harbour feelings for his boyfriend even after all these years.

So, anyway, Liu Qingge is at a loss. 

“Ge, I think you should check one of those forums. Maybe Reddit. If you manage to avoid the incel subreddits, I think you might actually find a solution,” Liu Mingyan says as she bites into the burger Liu Qingge got for her. Of course, she never gives her two cents without a bribe. Liu Mingyan is a lot richer and goes to sleep with a fuller stomach ever since Liu Qingge and Shen Jiu got together because she’s always demanding something in exchange for advice. 

Really, it’s Liu Qingge’s fault for not having friends. 

Anyway!

“Why am I getting you this greasy food, then? I thought you'd give me advice!”

“I'd have to get an omega pregnant and then I’d know what to do. You okay with that, ge?”

“Hell no! You’re still in college! Keep it in your pants!”

“That’s what I thought,” Liu Mingyan says, rolling her eyes. “Anyway, weren’t you supposed to get something for your boyfriend?” 

Liu Qingge groans. He’s not a big fan of Shen Jiu’s pregnancy cravings of late, because all the omega wants is greasy junk food, something Liu Qingge would have a heart attack just thinking about. 

“Just because your body is a temple doesn’t mean you don’t get me my cheesy burgers, Qingge! Shut up and get me three of them. It’s your damn fault for getting me pregnant anyway!”

One would think Shen Jiu isn’t happy with his pregnancy but only Liu Qingge knows how much Shen Jiu had quietly cried in happiness on the car ride back home from the appointment. One of his biggest concerns had been about the pup’s well-being, owing to the fact that Shen Jiu couldn’t afford to take care of himself for half of his life. Cheap suppressants, scent deprivation, poor nutrition and whatnot. Despite them all, the doctor reassured them that the baby was healthy. 

Liu Qingge’s concerns are mainly due to Shen Jiu’s moods. And insecurities. He just wants to be there for his pregnant partner and try to be as supportive as possible. He could ask his father but the man is as useless as him, no offence. And his mother? She can’t keep things to herself to save her life. She’ll end up blabbering about it to Shen Jiu because, apparently, they’re best friends now. And Liu Qingge doesn’t want Shen Jiu to think he’s a Mama’s boy at the grown age of 29. 

So, here he is, scouring through different subreddits and trying to find an answer. And Failing to get one. 

Oh well, looks like he’d just have to post something himself. Ugh.

That took an interesting turn. Liu Qingge doesn’t understand why hgjs-wifi and angry-grape are dragging each other in his comments but he chooses to focus on what hgjs-wifi is saying. They’re making sense and Liu Qingge decides to take notes. He’s sure Shen Jiu would appreciate a foot massage or two. 

Why does this sound like a couple he knows? That pipsqueak from the Logistics department, also one of Shen Jiu’s friends. What was his boyfriend’s name again? 

Nah, that’s too much of a coincidence, probably. Anyway, Liu Qingge decides to focus on the content. There’s some sound advice there. He already keeps up with the tracking apps, so he’s good there. He could definitely cuddle more but Shen Jiu can get so fussy nowadays. Gone are the days where he’d visibly drool at the sight of Liu Qingge’s sweaty, post-workout body. Now, Liu Qingge is expected to be thoroughly clean and not sweaty if he wants to even entertain the idea of touching Shen Jiu. 

Sigh. He really does miss them getting down and dirty right after his workouts. Like hgjs-wifi mentioned before, Shen Jiu’s sexual drive comes and goes and if Liu Qingge catches Shen Jiu at a bad time, Liu Qingge can kiss the idea of getting laid goodbye for at least two weeks. 

Not that he minds. He loves Shen Jiu for more than his body. And he doesn’t enjoy sex if Shen Jiu doesn’t. It’s not fun if Shen Jiu doesn’t want it, and isn't driven to the point of begging Liu Qingge to make love to him. He likes when Shen Jiu is made to voice out his desires because seldom does he get vocal when it comes to these things. And there’s something about Shen Jiu making his desire for Liu Qingge known.

So, all Liu Qingge can do is test Shen Jiu’s limits, just like one would with a cat. He’ll keep approaching him until Shen Jiu finally lets him back in. 

Liu Qingge wonders if omegas are truly this vocal on this website because how come they’re so comfortable talking this freely about…sex? Even Liu Qingge is blushing at the thought of having to spare some details about his sex life to a stranger on the internet. Then again, he did ask for advice and this kind person gave it to him for free, so he’ll take it. He’ll look up how pedicures work and try to give Shen Jiu one if he’d want it. And he can definitely do compliments, but it’s Shen Jiu who can barely handle them. It’s almost funny how flustered and snappy he can get when Liu Qingge praises him to his face. 

Maybe…he can praise him while talking to somebody else? That could work. 

Oh? He didn’t expect any alphas in the comment section but he’s pleasantly surprised. He like user whitecats-husky ’s idea of having dates at home. He’s sure he can arrange a candle light dinner at home. And maybe even watch something together, something they do very rarely now after Shen Jiu secretly ended up watching the rest of the episodes of a show they were watching together, all because he couldn't handle the suspense. In hindsight, that’s one of the stupidest fights Liu Qingge has picked. 

The next comment from king-of-curses is quite helpful too. They raise a good point. Shen Jiu is giving his whole body up for this. He’ll be growing a human inside him, for god’s sake. The least Liu Qingge can do is appreciate him. He can’t hide behind the fact that he’s not good at words. He has to get better at both verbally expressing and showing his love and appreciation for the gift Shen Jiu is bestowing upon him. 

“I think Liu Qingge has lost his mind!”

Shang Qinghua blinks, confused at Shen Jiu’s sudden outburst. They’re currently in the breakroom and Shang Qinghua is trying to just sneakily eat the noodles that he doesn’t tell his husband about. What Mobei won’t know won’t hurt him, after all. 

“What did he do?” he asks, trying to entertain this moody pregnant omega friend of his. He wonders if he can negotiate a raise out of this. Being Shen Jiu’s target of ire, rants and complaints, he’s helping to uplift the office morale! Surely, Yue Qingyuan can consider giving him a raise?

“He’s being so overbearing. I think he just hit his head somewhere and now he won’t leave me the fuck alone! Do alphas get this clingy when pregnant?”

“I think this is a you problem , my friend. I enjoyed how clingy mine got,” Shang Qinghua says, grinning at the thought of his husband following him around like a silent puppy. 

“None of us at work enjoyed that, by the way. It was pathetic,” Shen Jiu snaps. Shang Qinghua simply clicks his tongue. He knows not to take a pregnant Shen jiu’s insults personally. Besides, he doesn’t even get the worst of it. Liu Qingge is truly god’s strongest soldier. 

“Anyway, he’s also suddenly obsessed with cooking me food and he has almost burnt down my kitchen thrice this week!”

“Damn, you really are the “who the fuck is burning down my kitchen?’ to his “making breakfast for my beautiful wife’. Tch tch.”

“Shang Qinghua, your internet access needs to be revoked.”

“You hate me!”

“Sometimes I do, yeah.”

“Eh, I’ll live. Anyway, what else did he do?”

Shen Jiu turns a few shades of red, his eyebrows and nose scrunching up in an expression of confusion, embarrassment and anger. By now, Shang Qinghua knows how to categorise Shen Jiu’s expressions. 

“I think he has a…” Shen Jiu clears his throat as he scoots closer. Shang Qinghua watches, curious about Shen Jiu’s sudden need for proximity when he’s normally aloof even with people he knows. “I think he has developed a foot fetish.”

Shang Qinghua bursts out laughing, almost spitting out the noodles in his mouth. Shen Jiu moves away, scowling and calls him a ‘heathen’. He has called Shang Qinghua worse. 

“Now, how did you come to that conclusion?”

Shen Jiu plays with the salad in his box. He doesn’t exactly enjoy divulging information about what he does with his alpha in his bedroom, but truly, he has never seen anything like this. And Liu Qingge just had to go crazy right during his pregnancy? Couldn’t he have waited for a while?

“I saw him watching pedicure videos online. Not one, two, or five. He watched them for three hours straight. How is that normal? Is this a coping mechanism? Is this because…” Fuck, saying it out loud is so fucking embarrassing, but really, Shen Jiu has had enough. He wants his dumb, handsome boyfriend back! Not this weirdo creep who watches pedicure videos like one watches the daily news!

“Is this because we’ve not been doing anything in bed lately?” 

Shang Qinghua looks like he’s trying to hold himself back from laughing and that is Shen Jiu’s last straw. He gets up, huffing and cursing and has to be pulled back down by the other omega.

“Okay, sorry, sorry! I think spending so much time with him has rubbed off on you,” Shang Qinghua says, trying to get Shen Jiu to feel better. But now that he has blurted his concerns out, Shen Jiu feels incredibly stupid. He really just told his gossipmonger friend about his boyfriend's weird antics. But Shang Qinghua knows better than to spill the details to anybody else. If there’s anybody who knows how sadist Shen Jiu can get, it’s Shang Qinghua. 

“Did you even ask him why he’s watching them? What if he’s just learning how to give you a pedicure?”

“Would I be talking to you if I had asked him already?” Shen Jiu asks, irritated at Shang Qinghua throwing logic at him. Is he not allowed to be a little insane? What happened to allowing pregnant omegas to be hormonal and angry?

“There, there. I forgot how much you guys hate communicating. It’s okay. I personally think he’s just being supportive of you during your pregnancy. Didn’t you say your feet were hurting more nowadays?”

Shen Jiu looks at his feet, currently clad in a pair of flats. He has ditched his heels in favour of flats because Liu Qingge won’t stop bitching at him to stop wearing them at least during his pregnancy. 

“Maybe…”

“I’m sure it’s nothing.”

Shen Jiu isn’t exactly convinced but he’ll consider it a possibility…

That evening, Shen Jiu comes home to a surprise. The second he opens the door, he sees rose petals on the floor, forming a path towards the dining table. On the table, he can see candles lit up and a bunch of covered dishes.

Did Liu Qingge do all this? He told Shen Jiu that he was leaving early because of a meeting!

“Qingge?” Shen Jiu calls out, keeping his bag on the couch as he walks towards the table. While he’s inspecting the table, he feels arms wrapping around his waist and the fresh scent of his alpha pulling him into an embrace.

“Welcome home,” Liu Qingge says, kissing him over the mark on his neck. Shen Jiu turns around in his arms and Liu Qingge pulls him in for a kiss, being so passionate with it that Shen Jiu forgets about the dinner behind him and loses himself in the kiss. It’s been a while since they’ve done anything beyond kissing and tonight, he feels the need to have all of Liu Qingge’s attention on him. 

And not on the feet of strangers. 

So he tries to walk Liu Qingge to the bedroom, only for the alpha to pull away and put some distance between them. 

Oh. 

Okay. 

Shen Jiu tries not to feel rejected by his boyfriend but it’s hard to not let it get to him. But, as usual, he puts on a strong face, especially after Liu Qingge has taken the effort to prepare all this. Maybe Liu Qingge wants him to focus on that. Maybe they can do something later. 

“Why don’t you take a seat and enjoy the dinner I’ve ordered for us?” Liu Qingge says, pulling out a chair for him. Shen Jiu sits down and lets Liu Qingge take the seat in front of him.

“Ordered?”

“Would you rather I burn down the kitchen?”

“Touché,” Shen Jiu says and waits for Liu Qingge to serve him the food, listening to the alpha explain the dishes. And then he watches Liu Qingge pour something into a wine glass. “Qingge-”

“It’s just juice, relax. I know you can’t drink,” Liu Qingge says and Shen Jiu rolls his eyes. 

“You treat me as though I’m a child, not like I’m with child,” Shen Jiu says. 

“I think more people should treat you like this. You have been burdened with responsibilities since a very young age. Just sit back and enjoy the rest of the pregnancy, will you?” Liu Qingge says, raising his glass of juice for a toast. Shen Jiu feels oddly soft by the alpha’s remark and chooses to indulge him in it, raising his glass as well. 

“To us and our baby,” Liu Qingge says and Shen Jiu simply nods, the knot in his throat leaving him unable to say anything. Damn, these hormones, seriously! Since when did he become such a crybaby?

“Who’s going to clean all that up, by the way?” Shen Jiu asks, pointing to the rose petals on the floor. 

“Me. It’s not like you’re allowed to do any chores right now, anyway.”

“ Allowed ?”

“Relax, A-Jiu. Let me take over for now. You’re literally growing a baby inside you. It’s the least I can do.”

“You don’t know where half of the things are-”

“Then I’ll just have to learn, don’t I? I’ll figure it out. And I promise, I won’t burn down the house. There a few minor mishaps-”

“Sure,” Shen Jiu says, rolling his eyes. He sits back in his chair, feeling the delicious food settle in his stomach. He’s surprised his macho, fitness freak of an alpha is allowing him to eat all this outside food, though.

As if Liu Qingge could read his mind, he says, “Just tonight. From tomorrow, we’re going to follow a healthier diet. I spent the weekend preparing a few charts for the next few months.”

“Boring,” Shen Jiu says, feeling cheeky as he stretches his leg under the table, his toes brushing up along Liu Qingge’s calf.

“A-Jiu.” Liu Qingge says as he startles slightly and glances up at him. 

“What?” Shen Jiu says, fluttering his lashes innocently. “I’m just stretching.”

“Sure you are,” Liu Qingge mumbles and reaches down to gently move Shen Jiu’s foot back to where it belongs, giving it a firm pat. “Finish your meal.”

Oh, so Liu Qingge suddenly likes feet. Just not his.

Still, he needs to test the man further. 

Shen Jiu keeps taking sneaking glances of his man the whole time. Something is definitely different about him now and Shen Jiu can’t put a finger on it.

When they’re done, Liu Qingge begins clearing the table.

“Qingge,” Shen Jiu says, rising from his seat, “maybe we could take a shower together tonight.”

Liu Qingge pauses, turns to look at him, the plates still in his hand. “Sure. I’ll help you wash your back and get you into something comfortable after.”

That wasn’t exactly what Shen Jiu meant. He folds his arms, annoyed. “And then?”

“And then I’ll rub that cream on your belly like the doctor said,” Liu Qingge says, walking over and gently brushing a strand of hair behind Shen Jiu’s ear. “Your skin’s been itchy lately, right? I’ll give you a massage.”

“You’re really leaning into the nurturing husband role,” Shen Jiu mutters, his tone light but his throat tight.

Liu Qingge either doesn’t notice or is pretending not to. After their shower (where Liu Qingge thwarts all his attempts at taking it beyond kissing), Liu Qingge dries him carefully, sets him down on the bed and massages his calves, pressing gently at the sore spots near his ankles. 

Not a single suggestive touch, not even when his fingers slid up the back of Shen Jiu’s thighs to work out the knots. It’s just tenderness. There’s absolutely no lust like there normally would be. When they first started dating, Liu Qingge used to go crazy over the sight of his bare wrists. And now, he has all of Shen Jiu and he isn’t doing anything. And it’s driving Shen Jiu insane .

Shen Jiu melts under the touch for a while, then sits up abruptly. He just couldn’t keep it in anymore.

“You don’t touch me like you used to,” he says suddenly.

Liu Qingge, who is spooning him from the back, gets up a little until his face is hovering above Shen Jiu’s. He looks genuinely puzzled by Shen Jiu’s words. “What?”

“You used to…look at me like you were going to devour me. Now you look like you’re afraid I’ll bruise.”

Liu Qingge’s brows furrow and he moves away a little to turn on the bedside lamp to have a better look at his face. “A-Jiu–”

“I’m not asking for anything,” Shen Jiu interrupts. “Honestly, I’m not even in the mood, if you want the truth. I’ve just been feeling gross nowadays but I just…I want to know you still want me. That you still think I’m–” He cuts himself off, jaw clenched. It’s so fucking pathetic to beg an alpha for validation. It goes against everything that Shen Jiu believes in. 

But…Liu Qingge is his. This is his person. As if Shen Jiu hasn’t laid his soul in front of Liu Qingge, for him to hold, caress, break and destroy. If he can 't be honest with this man, then what’s the point, really?

“That I still think you’re pretty?” Liu Qingge finishes softly.

Shen Jiu turns his head away, embarrassed by how raw the words feel.

Liu Qingge shifts closer, holding him and pulling him into his arms until Shen Jiu is perched upon the alpha’s lap. “I do. Every day.”

“Then why do you act like I’ll break if you so much as kiss me too hard?” Shen Jiu snaps, frustrated more with himself than Liu Qingge. “You keep treating me like some glass doll. I know I’m pregnant, but I’m still me. ”

“I’m not being distant because I don’t want you. I’m being careful because I love you.” And when Shen Jiu opens his mouth to retort, Liu Qingge holds up a hand. “You’ve never let anyone take care of you. Not really. Not without snapping at them or doing it yourself out of spite five minutes later.”

“That’s not true–”

“It is,” Liu Qingge says gently. “And now, you’re going through something massive. Your body is changing. You’re uncomfortable. Vulnerable. And all I want to do is take some of that weight off you. But the second I try, you take it as rejection instead of care.”

“Well, it feels like rejection,” Shen Jiu mumbles, shifting in Liu Qingge arms. He feels too exposed by the intensity of Liu Qingge’s gaze. It’s like the guy can really see through him and it’s both heartwarming and terrifying at once.

“I know. That’s because you’re not used to being looked after.” Liu Qingge reaches out and cups his face. “A-Jiu, you’re not a burden. You’re not less desirable because you’re tired or emotional or changing. You’re just…human. And for once in your life, I want you to let someone love you softly . No conditions apply.”

“It’s hard,” Shen Jiu finally admits. “Letting someone take care of me.”

“I know,” Liu Qingge says. “But you’ve been strong for so long. Let me be strong for you, too.”

The knot in Shen Jiu’s throat finally gives way. He leans into Liu Qingge again, letting his boyfriend hold him as tightly or as gently as he wants. Shen Jiu’s eyes sting, but he blinks quickly and scoffs. “All of that was very poetic for someone who took three weeks to understand that I confessed about having feelings for you.”

“A-Jiu, I was–”

“A dumbass. Yes, you were,” Shen Jiu says, breaking into a small smile. 

Liu Qingge leans forward and kisses him and Shen Jiu lets himself melt into it.

After a while, because Shen Jiu doesn’t like peace—

“Are you just into feet now? Is that it? Is that why you keep watching all those pedicure videos of strangers?”

“What? What are you talking about?” Liu Qingge almost shrieks. Even Liu Mingyan’s voice can’t achieve the high pitch that Liu Qingge’s just did.

“You think I don’t notice? You’re always watching those foot spa clips on your phone. But then when I try to touch you, suddenly it’s ‘go lie down, A-Jiu,’ ‘let me press your feet, A-Jiu.’ Is that all you like now? Do you even like my feet anymore?”

There’s a beat of silence before Liu Qingge finally sighs and says, “I wasn’t watching those videos because I have a foot fetish.”

“Sure.”

“Listen, I was watching them because I’ve been trying to learn how to give you a proper spa day at home.”

“What?” Shen Jiu asks, genuinely surprised.

“I know your feet are swelling more. And your back’s been aching, and you keep muttering about the pain but do nothing much about it–”

“I gave up on heels!”

“Anyway, I thought maybe, instead of dragging you to a salon and having a stranger touch your feet like that, I’d just learn to do it myself. I even ordered a foot soak tub.”

Shen Jiu stares at him for a long moment before laughing, soft at first, then loud and wheezy. He can’t believe Shang Qinghua was actually right.

“So you weren’t jerking off to spa clips.”

“I literally watched a thirty-minute video on exfoliating calluses. There was no arousal involved, A-Jiu,” Liu Qingge drawls, rolling his eyes. 

“You’re so dumb,” Shen Jiu says as he buries his face in Liu Qingge’s chest, snickering. 

“And you’re ridiculous,” Liu Qingge murmurs, wrapping his arms tighter around him. “You really thought I wouldn’t want you anymore? And that I would be into looking at random people’s feet? You have the worst opinion of me sometimes, tch.”

They laugh about it for a while and then Liu Qingge mentions almost offhandedly that, “…Some of the spa ideas came from Reddit.”

Shen Jiu, who is drifting toward sleep in the warm embrace of Liu Qingge’s arms, cracks open one eye. 

“What?”

“I…might’ve posted on Reddit. Asking for advice,” Liu Qingge mutters.

“You did what? ” Shen Jiu sits up immediately, looking half-horrified, half-delighted. “You barely even text your own mother back and you managed to ask strangers for advice?”

“Because she calls me almost every day! We do all the talking there, what else do we need to talk about on text?” Liu Qingge says, huffing. “Anyway, I didn’t know what to do and I wanted to be better for you. And I didn’t want to ask Mom because she’d tell you. But yeah, some of the comments were actually helpful.”

Shen Jiu is already snatching his phone from the nightstand. 

“Show me.”

“A-Jiu–” Liu Qingge says, groaning but Shen Jiu cuts him off.

“Show. Me.”

With great reluctance and visible embarrassment, Liu Qingge unlocks his phone and pulls up the post. Shen Jiu reads the title aloud with a smirk. “Tips on how to be more supportive of my pregnant partner?”

As he reads further, his voice comes down to a mumble. “…You wrote this?”

“I said I was desperate.”

Shen Jiu scrolls further, reading through the top few comments. His smirk starts to fade as he sees what Liu Qingge wrote in the post, about how he wasn’t good with words, how they showed love through actions, how he could tell Shen Jiu was hurting even if he didn’t say it. About how he just wanted to make him feel safe and cherished and not alone.

“Oh,” Shen Jiu breathes. “You…”

He doesn’t finish the sentence. Instead, he sets the phone aside and leans forward, pressing his lips to Liu Qingge’s with a surprising softness. The kiss is slow, quiet, and full of emotion that he doesn’t know how to express without breaking down in tears. 

Liu Qingge melts into the kiss, his hands gently sliding to Shen Jiu’s back.

“You’re so dumb and sweet, it makes me want to throttle you,” Shen Jiu says, breaking the kiss and burying his face into Liu Qingge’s neck. 

“Interesting way of showing your partner affection.”

“You knew my violent ways when you decided to be with me.”

“Ah yes, that I did,” Liu Qingge says, the smile in his voice audible enough to make Shen Jiu smile as well. 

“I’m going to screenshot every comment and save them to blackmail you into doing those things for me later.”

“You don’t have to blackmail me, I plan to do all of them and more.”

“Curb your romantic tendencies, Qingge. I can’t even suck you off to show you my love and appreciation. I might actually puke all over.”

“...I’ll curb my romantic tendencies,” Liu Qingge says and Shen Jiu chuckles, feeling extremely soft and warm. Liu Qingge reaches over to turn off the lamp and then pulls him close again. Having had a long day, the alpha falls asleep first while Shen Jiu stares at his handsome face, never growing tired of it. 

Tracing the mole under the alpha’s eye, he mumbles to himself, “I’m lucky. So is our baby.”

And lucky they are. When Shen Jiu gives birth to a beautiful baby girl a few months later, Liu Qingge is beside himself. In a good way. He becomes the most hands-on baby daddy, which is both endearing and annoying to Shen Jiu. Now he has not one but two clingy Lius fighting for his attention. 

But Shen Jiu wouldn’t trade any of it for anything else.