Omegaverse

@☭ Wang Yibo "I like it too," Zhan said. more interested in watching Yibo admire the forest than watching the forest itself. The farther they walked, the more sparse the wall became, until there were only a few people left. Zhan stopped them, helping Yibo remove his hat and mask and smooth down his hair before doing the same to himself. He chose a slightly older couple, hoping there would be less of a chance they would be recognized, and asked them to take a photo for him and Yibo. While both their arms were long enough for selfies, it was different to have someone else take it for them. Seeing the woman agree without too much fuss or even any recognition in her eyes, Zhan was more than comfortable enough to put his arm around Yibo's waist, drawing him close for the photo.

@☭ Xiao Zhan Yibo used to pride himself in his own stamina. His ability to walk for long distances and endure hours of long training were all part of the reason why he was able to compete with the likes of alphas and betas whose odds were all higher than his. So, when Zhan suggested that they exert themselves just a little more to get to a safer place where they'd be able to get a picture of themselves, Yibo was very eager to follow through. "Oh we definitely can," he said. When it was just the two of them, he still felt a sense of youthfulness that sometimes couldn't be afforded to him in front of everyone else. Yibo looked around, admiring the view of the Great Wall's two contrasting sides. "I like it," he said, "A sea of green is really calm." As they began to scale their way through the Great Wall, Yibo swung their arms lightly, happy to have some quiet time by Zhan's side.

@☭ Wang Yibo Yibo was always a quick thinker. Trying to be discreet as possible in public, Zhan often forgot to take pictures. As a result, there weren't many with just the two of them in it. "Okay," he agreed, clutching Yibo's hand just as tight when he felt his mate squeeze his hand. "We'll walk a little farther up the wall. There's a section not a lot of people go up because it's not restored, but I'm sure we can handle it." They found quickly, though, as they walked up the steps that connected the trail to the Great Wall itself, most people were more preoccupied with taking their own photos than paying attention to the two of leaving, leaving Zhan unwilling to let go of Yibo's hand for even one second. "Wow, we're high up," Zhan said. "It's all greenery if we look on this side, away from the city."

@☭ Xiao Zhan "Well I can't just forget about him for a week!" Yibo said, "I already promised him I'll call every day." Yibo was a little surprised to hear himself say these words when they quieted down from the conversation. He had once been worried that it would be /Zhan/ giving all of his attention to their pup. Not once did he ever consider that he might also fall into the same trap that was Yuning's charm. By the time they arrived at the hotel, Yibo had already received three text updates from his mom that showed Yuning eating his breakfast, teetering to get himself a new toy, and kicking back on the couch back home to watch some TV. Yibo made sure Zhan saw all the pictures once they were back on the road to the Great Wall.

The trail that led up to the Great Wall was a steady ascent that looked rather long to Yibo. He gladly accepted Zhan's offer and secured his hat over his head as they began to walk along the trail. There was a group of people in front of them that he could see, and two groups that eventually joined them from behind, though there was a significant distance between them. Squeezing Zhan's hand as they took their time up the trail, Yibo asked his mate, "If there is no one around later, let's take a picture without our masks, okay?"

@☭ Wang Yibo "Don't," Zhan said with a frown. "It's supposed to be just the two of us! Just pretend Yuning doesn't exist for a week or so." Yibo attention should be solely on Zhan, not always wandering to their pup, who was inevitably being spoiled by his grandparents. Yuning didn't need the two of them for the week, and so all of Zhan's pampering would go straight to Yibo, who should be appreciative instead of worrying about their pup. Once they arrived, Zhan dropped all their luggage off with the hotel reception before they continued the last bit of drive left to one of the parking sites close to the Great Wall. They would have to walk up a bit of a trail before they reached the wall, so Zhan volunteered in carrying a bottle of water for them. Once they were masked, both with a hat on, Zhan was much more confident in offering his hand to Yibo.

@☭ Xiao Zhan Seeing how Zhan softened up with Yuning over the phone, Yibo felt much better about leaving his baby in his mother's care. At least he was reminded that no matter how harsh Zhan could /sound/ sometimes, he always cared about his family. Yibo couldn't wait long before he yanked the phone towards himself, letting Yuning see him. "Hi Ah Ning!" he cooed at his son, earning a happy giggle in response. "Good morning," he greeted, waiting for Yuning to repeat it back. He made small talk with Yuning, trying to bear with the choppy noise as his mother walked around in public. With both parents on screen, Yuning was easily placated and his face will filled with smiles as he babbled his baby talk in response to both Zhan and Yibo's questions. Only when he could see that Yuning was fully awake did Yibo finally address his mother, "Ma, I'm going to hang up now. Zhan-ge has to keep driving if we're going to make it in time." Once they hung up, Yibo had to admit to Zhan, "It'll be our first time leaving Yuning at my parents' for so many days...I think I'm going to miss him more than I thought I would..."

@☭ Wang Yibo Zhan pulled into a parking spot on the side of the road so he could give Yuning his full attention. He did feel a little bad he scolded Yuning before leaving him the day before, and when Yuning's chubby face filled the screen, Zhan was all smiles. "Ah Ning," he called as his pup blinked sleepily through the screen at him. "Are you being a good boy for Grandma?" Yuning nodded sluggishly, then rubbed his eyes. Mrs. Wang explained, "He cried for a while last night, and didn't sleep till late. He didn't want to sleep in this morning, and said he wanted to help Grandma with groceries!" Zhan felt a little pity for his son, but a night or two of sleep deprivation wasn't going to kill him. "Ah Ning, you miss Mama and Baba?" he asked, pushing the phone so Yibo could join him in the frame. "Don't worry, we'll be back very soon."

@☭ Xiao Zhan "Oh...you know, if they follow...they might just 'accidentally' fall over the edge of the boat, with their pictures and everything," Yibo hummed casually, a little smile on his face he also humored Zhan's question. A cruise sounded more and more appealing to him, and since Zhan had planted the seed in his head, Yibo was going to make sure his mate followed through on his words. They continued their drive for another hour and a half, with the sun rising higher in front of them. Yibo checked his phone and decided that it was time to check in on Yuning. He called his mother, and was surprised to find that she was already up and about. "I'm bringing Yuning to the market right now!" she reported, excitement heavy in her voice, "Here, I'll let you say hi to him!" Yibo held the phone out to Zhan, letting his husband see their pup first.

@☭ Wang Yibo "If it makes your mom happy and gives her company, I wouldn't mind," Zhan said. He almost offered to combine their cruise with Yibo's mother, but then who would watch Yuning? It wasn't that Zhan didn't trust Mr. Wang to watch his grandson, but... Yibo's mother did do most of the childrearing when her kids were young. "Mm... yes, but what if the paparazzi follow me onto the boat?" He was teasing, of course — paparazzi or not, Zhan would be going on that cruise with Yibo. "Ah... I can't wait until Yuning is a little older," Zhan said. "His first Disneyland trip... I can't wait!"

@☭ Xiao Zhan "No, I'll make my Dad go," Yibo said, waving a hand to dismiss Zhan's suggestion. As much as Yibo wanted his mother to have a good vacation that she deserved, he didn't believe in spending /his/ mate's money on other people. "You work hard to make money, there's no need for anyone else to partake in using it." He grinned a lopsided grin when Zhan pointedly clarified that he would go on a vacation with him if it was on a cruise. "Okay, then I want you to go on a cruise with me. Like...for our next vacation." Yibo hummed happily at this new exciting prospect, "Let's go all around Asia and just stop at the big cities for a few days each. Plus, if you're on a boat, there won't be paparazzi following you around everywhere.

@☭ Wang Yibo Zhan raised a brow. He knew Yibo's father was the more sullen type, but he couldn't imagine letting Yibo go on vacation on his own if he was in that situation. "Then, if your mother wants, she should invite some friends along. I'll pay for it all." It was no issue to Zhan's wallet, of course, and he would take any opportunity to impress his mate. He looked over again at the stoplight, wondering if Yibo was trying to hint at him about what he wanted. "Of course I would," Zhan said. "Don't phrase your questions like that. You should say, 'I want you to go on a cruise with me'. You got that? Of course I'd want to go on a cruise with you."

@☭ Xiao Zhan Since they were in no hurry to get to the Great Wall, the coffee detour was much appreciated by Yibo. He held onto his cup of tea, letting the heat from the cup warm his hands as Zhan continued onto the road. Since Zhan didn't accept his offer to drive, Yibo kicked his shoes off and crossed his legs on his seat, reclining back just a little more as he enjoyed the moving scenery. "Oh, that's not a bad idea. I dunno if my dad can be convinced to get on a boat though. He's oddly weird about vacationing, but I bet my mom would really like it." He chuckled as he waved a hand nonchalantly, "She'd probably still go without him." He remembered the last time that Zhan had gotten his mother an extravagant gift for her birthday - they had not even mated yet! And during that time, Mrs. Wang was not the most fond of her potential son-in-law. Time had really brought them closer together, and with a little help from Yuning, they mutually appreciated each other now. "Would you go on a cruise with me?" he asked Zhan, curious if he'd have to pull a move like his mother in the future.

@☭ Wang Yibo "I sure hope so," Zhan said. If Yuning fussed too hard, he was scared even Mrs. Wang wouldn't be able to handle him. They were called the 'terrible twos' for a reason. When Yibo offered to drive, Zhan pointedly continue to look out into the road instead of toward Yibo. Where would Zhan's pride go if his omega mate drove him around? Even if no one saw, it was extremely bruising to his ego. "I'm fine," Zhan said. "I just need a coffee." He pulled them into the next drive-through he saw for his drink, along with a tea for Yibo, and they were back on the road. "After our vacation, though, and after Yuning's party, I was thinking of sending your parents on a cruise or something. What do you think?"

@☭ Xiao Zhan Since it was morning, Yibo was content to just rest his head against the headrest of his seat and stare blankly out the window. He held onto Zhan's hand as the older drove down the clean and empty streets that led up to the highway. "He's probably not awake yet," Yibo murmured. "Yuning usually wakes up around 8. I'll call my mom in about an hour, so we can check on him." Yibo smiled as he said this, already thinking of Yuning's cute face in his mind. "I bet he'll be pouty that we left him behind, but he's going to have a good time with my parents," Yibo rambled to himself. Turning his head over to look at Zhan, who was bare-faced yet still so incredibly handsome, Yibo tilted his head and admired, "You sure you don't want me to drive? If you're too tired, just tell me! I can take over."

@☭ Wang Yibo Although Zhan was the one who suggested they head out early, he was still quiet in his sleepiness for the first leg of their drive. "Mm, that's right," he murmured. The sun was barely peeking out from above the horizon. At least, by the time they started climbing the Great Wall, there still wouldn't be that many tourists. "I wonder if Yuning is awake right now," Zhan yawned, reaching across the centre for Yibo's hand. "He always sleeps lightly if one of us isn't home for the night."

@☭ Xiao Zhan "Hey! Five wasn't an option!" Yibo scolded Zhan and laughed as his alpha always received an inch and tried to take a mile. He did like the pep talk about getting his championship though, so he didn't pursue the matter. "Well, if I become champion at this year's MotoGP race, then I still have at least 2 prime years to go," Yibo said, calculating his opportunities seriously. Swept away by the thoughts of his racing prospects, he momentarily lost sight of his mission to seduce Zhan, and was thus promptly coaxed to sleep by his mate.

The next morning, they woke in the early morning, just as the sun was rising. It was better to drive when the roads weren't too congested yet. Yibo woke up with a grin on his face, as he had replayed his victory on the race track many times in his dreams, and he was ready to reward himself for it by going on this trip with Zhan. Once Zhan fixed them a simple breakfast and loaded their belongings into the car, they were off. "We're going to the hotel first, right Ge?" he asked, "When are we gonna go see the Great Wall?"

@☭ Wang Yibo "Well... it would be nice to hear you tell me you want them too, once in a while," Zhan admitted between kisses scattered all over Yibo's face. Glad that Yibo seemed to be coming around again, Zhan allowed his fantasies to run wild. "Five more would be nice," he said with a grin, chasing after Yibo's lips each time he moved. "At the rate you're going, you're going to finish your championship in no time. Our pups would like having Mama home all the time." As much as Zhan wanted it immediately, he knew there was no point in trying if Yibo wasn't in heat. He simply would not fall pregnant. "We'll figure it out when your heat returns, baby. For now, get some sleep."

@☭ Xiao Zhan Zhan's suggestion was both surprising yet kind of expected by Yibo at the same time. He knew his alpha had some kind of baby fever that flared up extremely when Yibo was going into heat. Yibo had not gone into heat since Yuning had been born, which was fortunate for him as he continued to put his career first, but clearly Zhan was missing some aspect of his alpha instincts when he wanted to talk about pups again. Ever since having Yuning, Yibo was not so adverse towards having other pups too. "Eo..." he said, thinking for a moment, trying to digest Zhan's request. "Gege wants me to beg you for pups don't you?" he asked, raising his brows playfully, "How many do you want me to carry for you then? Two? Three? Or four?" Yibo asked, clearly indulging Zhan for the first time in this matter.

@☭ Wang Yibo "Huh...?" Zhan thought he was going to hear it from Yibo. How did Yibo flip the script onto him all of a sudden? He frowned, but got to work thinking anyway. "You know... I really like it when you talk about carrying my pups," he suggested, putting his weight over Yibo and pushing him to lie down, his lips searching for Yibo's neck immediately once they were settled. "I know your heat isn't stable yet... but your alpha can dream, can't he?" He bit down over Yibo's mark, which had faded into a faint scar by now. "Now you know, so say it."

@☭ Xiao Zhan Yibo really didn't put his pheromones to good use, he realized when he saw how Zhan was physically being drawn in by his scent. He kissed Zhan slowly, languidly until his mate pulled away first. Yibo's heart was thumping in excitement when he felt Zhan's touch against his lower back, and the older's hot hand against his thigh, "I did?" Yibo murmured in doubt, trying to think back to any time when he tried to . He didn't think he was good at it though, since he was often trying to give Zhan some grief about coming onto him. "What did I say to you?" he asked to Zhan, letting his naivety play to his advantage. He'd just make Zhan say some dirty things to him instead!

@☭ Wang Yibo Yibo's enticing scent filled the room and settled over Zhan like a thick blanket. Naturally, his manhood stirred in his sleep shorts. When Yibo leaned toward him, lips puckered, Zhan couldn't resist meeting him halfway, massaging their lips together in a gentle kiss. "You have to be more specific, baby," his whispered, stroking Yibo's lower back. He kissed Yibo again, pulling Yibo's leg over his waist this time, making sure Yibo could feel just how aroused he was. "You used to be quite good at , you know?"

@☭ Xiao Zhan Unaware of all the intentional words that Zhan used with him because of Yuning, Yibo felt right when Zhan called him baby. It really had been a long time since they let their parental filters down and just do things together as a couple, in love and without any one else to look out for. "Hm," he said, rolling his eyes up as he pretended to think. Clearly, Zhan wasn't biting on his hook, so Yibo had to strategically rest his hand over his mate's thighs and apply just a tiny bit of pressure, "You know...just the things that we don't normally do." Yibo curled another finger towards Zhan, beckoning the alpha to come closer. He released a single round of pheromones and smirked playfully, welcoming Zhan to kiss him.

@☭ Wang Yibo Zhan was idly watching the TV in their room, the one Yibo chose for them long ago. Although it was a celebratory night for Yibo, Zhan intended on having a calm night before their busy day tomorrow. After all, he didn't want Yibo limping up the Great Wall. Smiling faintly, Zhan brought Yibo even closer, and tapped the tip of his nose lightly. "What does it mean, baby?" His grin grew wider at Yibo's endearment for him. Ever since Yuning started learning to speak, Zhan was forced to call Yibo 'Mama' in front of their pup, lest Yuning learn to call Yibo 'Baby'. "You have something on your mind?

@☭ Xiao Zhan Once Yibo finished the mashed potatoes, he handed the bowl back to Zhan for inspection, feeling like he had earned his keep for the day. The sound of the steaks being seared on the hot stovetop was satisfying, but it was the scent of rosemary and butter basting that really brought out their dinner's delicious aroma. By the time Zhan brought the steaks over to the dinner table, Yibo was already eyeing his plate ravenously. With a big hug around his mate's waist and a kiss on the lips, Yibo giddily yelped a "Thank you, Lao gong!" before digging into his steak.

Dinner was delicious, and their candlelight ambiance was a perfect segue into the rest of the night they had together. The house was quiet without Yuning, but it also meant they could properly pack their belongings and prepare for their trip /and/ cuddle up together in bed after taking a hot shower together. It was just like their honeymoon days. As they laid in bed, Yibo curled up against Zhan's side, he looked up at the older and wiggled his brows, "So...it's just us tonight. You know what that means, /Gege/?"

@☭ Wang Yibo Although he rarely had time to cook, Zhan had an arsenal of kitchen utensils to his disposal in one of the cupboards, including a very expensive meat thermometre. He put both steaks down to cook at the same time, wanting both to be hot by the time he took it out. He removed them both a little earlier than the recommend temperatures, so they would cook in their own heat while Zhan set the table and plated their sides. Once he was finished, he even brought out a candle place between them before they began their meal. "There you go," Zhan said, quite satisfied with himself. "Congratulations again, baby."

@☭ Xiao Zhan Yibo rarely had the patience to watch something that he didn't have the heart to become an expert in, and cooking should've been on his list of things that he'd walk away from. But, with his feet dangling off the counter like a toddler waiting for their parent's attention, along with Zhan narrating each step of the cooking process to him, Yibo felt rather content with sitting there and watching how his dinner came to be. He wanted to help, but then remembered all the times he tried to 'help' Zhan in the kitchen and how that always turned out to be more stressful than helpful. He continued to watch on, sipping on some water while he waited, all the way until Zhan tasked him with the job of mashing the potatoes. "Okay!" he exclaimed, eager to lend a hand. With the tool which he didn't know the name of in his hand, he began to push down on the mashed potatoes, feeling the satisfaction of how the potatoes seemed to become smoother and creamier with each bout. "I want medium!" he said, having learned to not eat steak that was too undercooked ever since Yuning was conceived.

@☭ Wang Yibo "Okay, as much peel as you like," Zhan promised. As soon as they reached home, Zhan lifted Yibo onto the kitchen counter, pressed a kiss to his lips, and put the potatoes down to boil. He talked as he worked, explaining to Yibo his rationale for seasoning only with a little bit of salt and pepper, how to see if the potatoes were ready, and even put the cilantro away in exchange for the couple asparagus stalks he found in the fridge drawer. Once he was near finished, he brought the partly mashed potatoes to Yibo. "Here, why don't you finish mashing these while I cook the steaks? How done do you want your steak?"

@☭ Xiao Zhan Leave it to Zhan to be extra mindful about the smallest details. Yibo didn't quite understand what the difference of having a tendon or not was on a steak, but he trusted that Zhan would make the best choice. "Mm, okay, those two," he agreed decisively, as though he had personally chosen the two steaks that Zhan was placing into the cart himself. Yibo supposed they should be done now, and he turned their cart in the direction of the registers. Zhan's last-minute forgetfulness had his eyes gleaming with excitement though, and he quickly demanded, "Mashed potato!" he exclaimed. Zhan's mashed potatoes were among the best that Yibo had ever had, and he hadn't had some in a very long time. "With the peel partly on, okay?" he added as he let Zhan cage him between the cart again and they headed back to the produce section. Once they had chosen their bag, Yibo pushed the cart over to the register. There, he waited with his hands in his pockets and his arms pressed to his side, watching as his alpha took care of everything on his behalf.

@☭ Wang Yibo "Of course. I listen to my mate for everything," Zhan said, knowing how infuriating he was being at the moment. "Isn't that what you like?" He released Yibo from his hold once they reached the steaks, bending over the freezer shelves to inspect the lot that Yibo were looking at. As expected of his well-pampered mate, he went straight for the most expensive ones. Yibo came from a middle-class family, and in the beginning Zhan struggled to get Yibo to spend his money, but he was extremely happy now to see Yibo using it freely. "That one has a tendon running through it," Zhan said, pointing to the white streak in the middle of the steak. He pulled aside a few wrapped packages before deciding on two finely marbled ones, placing them carefully into the cart. "I forgot to grab potatoes," Zhan said, wheeling them back toward the produce section. In actuality, he hadn't forgotten, but he just wanted to give Yibo a chance to beg for carrots instead of cilantro. "You want a baked potato or mashed potato side?"

@☭ Xiao Zhan Yibo didn't think Zhan's course of action was to call his bluff! Who even heard of cilantro and garlic as steak sides! "You're so crazy Lao gong!" Yibo gasped, watching as Zhan casually chose the vegetables that /Yibo/ requested. "You're really gonna listen to your mate that doesn't know how to cook?" Yibo asked, still itching for an answer as Zhan's arms and back guided him forward. Well, who knows, the combination didn't sound bad in theory, and Zhan could probably make something of it with his cooking skills. Yibo decided to focus on the steaks instead, wanting a big, marbled piece. "That one!" he exclaimed, pointing to a wagyu cut. "That looks perfect!"