Scents of Sandalwood and Rain Page 6
With love, Nuo Fang
Shan Xianyan smirks at the letter he received. It's late September now and Liu Zuan is getting heavy enough that he walks funny and his robes can't hide how big his belly is getting at all (If his robes couldn't hide it a month ago, they definitely can't now). Shan Xianyan can't believe that there's a little over two months left in the pregnancy before he and Liu Zuan will officially be parents. It's a bit daunting if Nuo Fang's warning of the lack of sleep means anything.
Right now, Shan Xianyan can hear Liu Zuan rummaging through the pantry but that has become a common occurrence since it seems Liu Zuan is always hungry. Must be the pregnancy because Liu Zuan also will fixate on different foods every week, too. Not that it bothers him but Liu Zuan has also gained weight besides the actual pregnancy and he knows that his mate will be determined to lose it as soon as possible. Because of that, Shan Xianyan has tried to encourage his mate not to snack and wait until meal times to eat whatever he likes. Naturally, all Shan Xianyan gets is an annoyed stare and completely ignored by his mate.
Reading over the letter once more, Shan Xianyan decides to take ink to redact the information about Wu Xinshi not being able to sire a child before he presents the letter to Liu Zhashi or anyone about the wedding plans. He will respect Wu Xinshi's privacy as one Alpha to another. Stuffing the letter in his pocket, he checks to see what Liu Zuan is eating this time.
When he enters the kitchen, he's not sure how to feel about what he sees. There's rice being cooked in a pot over a flame, chopped bok choy and broccoli on the table, and Liu Zuan is using a knife to scrape seeds out of a red pepper. He can't stop himself from saying, “What the fuck?”
Liu Zuan hears him and turns to look at him. When Liu Zuan sees him, he says, “Oh good, you can help me cook dinner.”
Shan Xianyan approaches to see there's enough rice for more than two people but what really catches his eyes are the peppers. He says, “I thought the healers said you shouldn't have peppers. I thought you hated spicy food.”
Liu Zuan stops in the middle of chopping them to give him a blank gaze. He says bluntly, “It's your fault.”
“My fault? For what?!” Shan Xianyan responds, scandalized and confused what he's being blamed for.
“... Pregnancy cravings are making me want peppers. If I were having any other Alpha's child, this wouldn't happen.” Liu Zuan has no true bite to his words but he's not entirely happy about craving something he normally hates.
Shan Xianyan can't help but smile because he counters with, “Would you really want it to be any other Alpha's child?”
“No.” The answer is quick and absolute. It makes Shan Xianyan's heart beat faster and makes him really happy to hear. Then, Liu Zuan asks, “What is the news from Honglian Lakeside?”
Shan Xianyan answers, “Nuo Fang says he will be getting married in the spring. That means you and I will be married in the summer. He and his Omegas will be visiting around the time you're expected to give birth.”
Liu Zuan lightens up, saying, “Elder Brother will be here?”
“Yep, he's on the verge of waking up so he must be mostly healed.” Shan Xianyan is a bit enthusiastic to keep his mate from being reminded of what happened. He doesn't want Liu Zuan to worry about giving birth again just because of what happened to Liu Zhaoxian.
Liu Zuan smiles gently and comments, “That's good. I will need my brother during that time... I still don't think I'm ready to be a parent.”
Shan Xianyan frowns and reminds him, “I will do my best to help you. Your father and the midwives will be helping us. It's not like we're having more than one child either so what do we have to worry about?”
The stare he gets from Liu Zuan is ominous but soon, his mate ignores him and returns to cooking. Shan Xianyan makes himself useful and stirs the rice before burning another flame so he can heat up the wok they own to cook the vegetables with rice. When the rice is ready to go in the wok, Liu Zuan adds the peppers he cleaned and chopped along with the vegetables. Hell, Shan Xianyan can tell this is going to be really spicy and will most likely cause his mate stomach problems later in the night. Liu clan members are not used to spicy food like Shan Xianyan is so he is mildly concerned for his mate. But, he figures the baby will be fine since they are of his bloodline.
Liu Zuan and Shan Xianyan watch the food cook with Liu Zuan stirring the contents in the wok. Shan Xianyan gets them both a plate and their personal sets of chopsticks that the neighboring sect sent to both of them as a congratulatory gift on their pregnancy (he's sure that Nuo Fang and his mates also received sets as well). Both sets are made of cherry wood and have each of the names of the couple carved into the wood. When the food is ready, they split the contents between them to fill their plates and leave whatever is leftover in the wok for later. They extinguish the flames used for cooking and meet at the table to eat across from each other.
The most amusing part is seeing Liu Zuan pause after eating a whole piece of pepper, slowly chew it and swallow, then stare at his plate for a good minute before he keeps eating. Shan Xianyan has to ask, “Is it good?”
“Yes,” says Liu Zuan between bites. “It's very good.” However, Shan Xianyan can see his mate start to sweat and chuckles. Liu Zuan glares at him and says, “I mean it, Shan Shui.”
“I don't doubt you. You just look funny trying to hide how it's affecting you.”
“...”
They keep eating and Shan Xianyan makes chit chat about their lessons with Liu Zhashi. Liu Zuan can't do most of the physical training for their lessons but he can still meditate and learn new techniques in theory. In fact, Liu Zuan is trying to develop a theory on qi manipulation while he's unable to train his body right now. So far, he proposes in his theory that animals can be communicated with connecting qi between two life forms. He has been testing his theory on the chickens he keeps as pets but has yet to show any success. Shan Xianyan is quite proud of his mate for keeping himself busy even while he's pregnant. Shan Xianyan has been getting stronger simply because Liu Zhashi is punishing him for impregnating Liu Zuan, making him train twice as long as the other disciples. It's quite exhausting but he's rewarded by coming home to a mate who to tend to his tired body.
Shan Xianyan isn't sure how the conversation makes this turn but Liu Zuan is the one to bring it up. He asks, “When I have my child and my heats return in a couple years, how will we prevent another pregnancy? Will I have to go on suppressants or will you go on them?”
That is a good question but suppressants really mess with a cultivator's qi. It would take either one of them at least six months to two years to fully regain control of their powers if they go on suppressants. If they learned anything from Wu Shenxin, he had trouble using his qi because of the suppressants he was on and that isn't optimal. Shan Xianyan really considers it and decides, “I could go on them. I'm willing to step down from my studies in order to focus on our child. Besides, it's not like I'm a very important cultivator in the first place. I might be good at it but perhaps my fate is to focus on being a parent.”
Liu Zuan gives him a concerned look, as if he disagrees. Shan Xianyan questions, “What? Is that a problem?”
“I have a suggestion that means we both don't need to be on suppressants... but you might not like it.”
That makes Shan Xianyan blink in surprise. What is he suggesting? Shan Xianyan leans forward in curiosity and responds, “Go on.”
Liu Zuan takes a deep breath before suggesting, “What if we just have sex without you penetrating me? I'm not saying I dislike having you inside me but we don't plan on any more children.”
“You mean... handjobs and blowjobs?” Shan Xianyan is mildly disappointed but he could live with that if they have to.
“No,” Liu Zuan says and goes red in the cheeks as he continues, “I'm saying you should take my cock inside you instead of the other way around.”
Oh. Shan Xianyan gets it now and he's oddly into the idea. Look, he grew up in Youshen where Alphas were expected to b
e dominant and the tops in the relationships but living in Anxiang Valley, where Omegas are treated as equals, has changed Shan Xianyan's thinking a bit. Also, he imagines it. Liu Zuan pinning him under him and thrusting into him. He has never masturbated by fingering himself so he's not entirely sure if it feels as good as Liu Zuan makes it look but the idea of his Omega giving him pleasure and dominating him makes his Alpha eager to let it happen. It goes against what he thinks should be his inner Alpha's instincts but he suspects it's because the two have the mating bond. It's the instinct to care for each other and compromise that overrides the instincts of what will cause breeding.
Feeling himself get half-hard, Shan Xianyan swallows and says, “That can be arranged. We can try it. If I like it, I think we can do that instead of suppressants.”
The thing about having the mating bond is that they can feel most of what the other is feeling. Liu Zuan knows that Shan Xianyan is hard from the idea. Both men are mostly finished with their meals so it's no surprise when Liu Zuan stands and starts to make his way around the table, Shan Xianyan allows it to happen because he's standing himself now. Shan Xianyan feels himself backed against a wall as Liu Zuan leans in to kiss his neck, knowing that the mark where the mating bond is will still be sensitive. Normally, they would be able to grind against each other but Liu Zuan's belly is in the way. Shan Xianyan can't even care because he can't stop the moans from his mouth as his Omega nips at the mating mark.
Liu Zuan pulls back enough so they can meet eyes. Shan Xianyan, despite how horny he is now, teases, “Premarital sex is prohibited in Anxiang Valley.”
“That rule can go fuck itself. We're goddamn mates.” Liu Zuan rarely uses foul language but Shan Xianyan doesn't even mind. “I want you. I want to show you how good you make me feel.”
Eager, Shan Xianyan responds, “Take me to our room. I trust you to make it good.”
◆◆◆
Shan Xianyan had no inkling in his life that he would ever be in this position. Naked and on his hands and knees on the bed, he's waiting for Liu Zuan to prep him. He's a little nervous because he never has been in this situation with anyone. He expected his inner Alpha to reject the idea and refuse to accept having an Omega have him in this position but all there is is the jitters. Besides the mild nervousness, there's excitement as he watches over his shoulder to see Liu Zuan shed out of his robes. His mate is so beautiful that he almost can't believe they're together.
When Liu Zuan catches him staring, his cheeks turn red and says, “Don't look at me like that. I know I'm not as... thin as I was before.”
Shan Xianyan props himself up more suggestively before countering, “I'm staring because you look so handsome. Are you going to get something inside me or not?”
Having reassured him, Liu Zuan seems to relax and gets the bottle of oil that was given to them as a gift from a neighboring sect. Well, he should say that it was a gift from his Beta friend that he can't remember the name of but he knows the poor Beta doesn't want to admit their knowledge about sex. The Beta wanted to give the couple a gift that would be useful, claiming in the letter they sent along with the oil that they figured the couple certainly would be having sex outside of mating cycles so lubrication would be a must. Shan Xianyan makes a note to personally send a gift back to them as a thank you for their foresight. Shan Xianyan licks his lips as Liu Zuan rubs oil on his fingers and tries to relax in preparation for Liu Zuan's fingers.
Liu Zuan's left hand, the one without oil on it, grips Shan Xianyan's hip and he asks, “May I put them in?”
“Yes,” says Shan Xianyan before resting his head on the bed and looking away to add an element of surprise to the touch. It seems to take forever but then he resists a gasp as the finger brushes his rim. He tenses at first but then relaxes again as Liu Zuan's finger circles the hole, not quite pushing in. They're both reading each other through the mating bond and qi flow. Closing his eyes, he focuses on the bond and both of their energies. The presence of Liu Zuan is like a flowing of a mountain river, powerful yet calming, while his own energy is like flames in a hearth.
When Liu Zuan finally pushes in one finger, he opens his eyes but he can still feel the flow of energy from his partner. He cannot just feel Liu Zuan but also the qi of their child growing inside him. It's gentle like sunlight at dawn, like two twin energies- wait. Why are there two sources of energy? He doesn't have much time to think about it because his focus is broken when Liu Zuan brushes his prostate and brings a gasp to his lips.
“There it is.” Liu Zuan almost sounds smug. Shan Xianyan looks over his shoulder to see the soft smile on his mate's face as he pulls his finger out enough to be able to add his other finger. Shan Xianyan forgets for now what he was concerned about because Liu Zuan's fingers seem to aim right for his sweet spot and he can't think as his mate's fingers stretch him and massage inside him. The problem is that Liu Zuan's fingers are too good because he's already feeling his orgasm building and he can't even say coherent sentences to express how good it feels.
Luckily, Liu Zuan feels how he feels through the bond and asks, “D-Do you think you can take me in? I really want to be inside you.”
Shan Xianyan nods fiercely and Liu Zuan removes his fingers. With a bit of a breather to regain his composure, Shan Xianyan looks over his shoulder again to watch his mate line up to breech him. He swallows because Liu Zuan is a lot larger than himself. In fact, it would be intimidating if he wasn't stretched and did not know a bit of what it feels like from his bond with Liu Zuan. He remembers when he first fucked Liu Zuan outside of a heat. That was about two months ago but he remembers having to stop because he could feel Liu Zuan in pain from the initial stretch. It's not like a heat where Liu Zuan's body is prepared for sex naturally. Sure, Liu Zuan assured him he was fine and they continued but it was enough to teach Shan Xianyan what to expect himself. However, he knows his mate's large cock will most likely stretch him a lot more than he stretched the Omega so this might not go well.
Liu Zuan gently brushes the tip against his Alpha's entrance and leans down to lay a kiss on his mate's back before saying, “If you need me to stop, I will. I know it's going to be a tight fit.”
Their eyes meet and Shan Xianyan encourages, “Do it. I want to know what you feel.”
With that, Liu Zuan closes his eyes as he pushes in. It stings for Shan Xianyan at first but he can also feel the pleasure Liu Zuan feels as he's in the tight warmth. Shan Xianyan takes deep breaths and finds that the sting and stretch isn't that bad when he can also feel Liu Zuan's pleasure through the bond and the brush against his own prostate. If anything, he's close to orgasm just from the stimulation from before. It's a little embarrassing how bad his stamina is with Liu Zuan because normally, it would take him a while to get off on his own. His mate just has that effect on him.
Liu Zuan is fully in and Shan Xianyan can feel his mate's belly pressed against his back and their thighs touching. There's a moment for both of them to enjoy each other's closeness. They can't quite kiss on the lips at this angle but Liu Zuan can leave kisses down his Alpha's back. A low growl comes from Shan Xianyan because his Alpha likes the kisses and he can smell Liu Zuan's Omega release a submissive scent at the sound. Liu Zuan asks, “May I move?”
Shan Xianyan gives him a nod and that's how it starts. Liu Zuan's thrusts are rough and messy from inexperience, much like Shan Xianyan's were when they first made love, but the roughness actually encourages Shan Xianyan to meet his thrusts because he wants that friction. Liu Zuan's hands grip his hips in a vice grip and he searches for that sweet spot again. When he finds it, Shan Xianyan loses all coherency because he's desperate for release.
With pants and desperate moans, Liu Zuan can't stop himself from saying, “You look so good on my cock. I might get addicted.”
“I don't- mind!” Shan Xianyan manages to get out, his eyes closed and almost drooling on the bed. “Please, I want to- ah!” He can't finish the sentence because Liu Zuan starts fisting his cock with a hand and Shan Xianyan
soon orgasms. His eyes are half-lidded and he's vaguely aware that his mate his still thrusting into him with seemingly more desperate vigor. When he finally recovers enough to look back at Liu Zuan, he gets to see his mate's face as he fills Shan Xianyan with his release. Liu Zuan's eyes are closed and he's almost rigid before he relaxes and rubs Shan Xianyan's hip in a comforting fashion.
Now that he's aware, Shan Xianyan notices he made a mess of Liu Zuan's hand and the bed under him. Regardless, it doesn't stop Liu Zuan from pulling out and encouraging Shan Xianyan to turn over so they can lay together and cuddle. It feels weird being filled with Liu Zuan's release and feels messy as he lays down and lets Liu Zuan cuddle him.
After holding each other for a while, scenting each other, Liu Zuan asks, “How was it?”
“Good enough that I would do it again.” Shan Xianyan smirks as he says that. He's telling the truth because his Alpha is way more satisfied than he thought it would be. He turns so they're facing each other and can exchange kisses. It's bliss but then Shan Xianyan remembers what he sensed before and asks, “Are... Are you expecting twins?”
When Liu Zuan's scent turns stressed and there's a bit of fear in his expression, Shan Xianyan knows the answer. Liu Zuan is a bad liar and even if Shan Xianyan is dense, he can acknowledge when Liu Zuan has been caught in his hiding of the truth.
Blinking in surprise, Shan Xianyan can only say, “Wow... was not expecting that.”
Liu Zuan blushes and responds, “I didn't want to scare you when I was already terrified myself. I didn't expect you to sense it so soon...”
Shan Xianyan thinks about it and realizes there's nothing they can do about it. If anything, it's a blessing and good luck to be expecting twins. He does realize this means that it will be twice the work but he doesn't really mind. He pulls Liu Zuan close and assures, “I'll care for you and our children. I'm surprised but that's life. I wish you had told me sooner instead of me finding out this way.” He almost sounds whiny towards the end in a teasing way.