Chapter Text
The conference room at HS Group was too cold.
Despite being set to 17 degree sharp, the room felt suffocating. Beads of sweat visible on a few alpha and beta executives in the room.
Shen Wenlang sat at the end of the long table, posture straight and calculated. His frustration clearly showing as the CEO’s chair for ShengFang BioTech sat unoccupied. Gao tu was half a step behind him, tablet in hand checking his latest message from Chen Pinming. Sheng Shaoyou was precisely 13 minutes late to their joint project first trimester discussion meeting.
“They just parked, sir” Gao Tu declared, bending forward slightly looking up from his tablet.
Shen Wenlang hummed lightly after nodding. A few in the room exhaled a breath relieved.
Upon entering Sheng Shaoyou scanned the room, stopping briefly holding Shen Wenlang’s gaze. Gao Tu gestured to his seat before taking the one to Shen Wenlang’s right.
“You’re late,” Shen Welang huffed without lifting his gaze from his stack of documents.
“Traffic,” Sheng Shaoyou answered simply. “Not my fault that someone decided to hold a meeting during peak traffic hour.”
The truth was, there was no traffic. The CEO of ShengFang just wanted to make a statement, and annoy his favorite rival CEO, just in case people would notice the affection beneath the friendly rivalry.
Three hours and two breaks later the room finally exited. The two CEOs and secretaries stayed behind. Sheng Shaoyou lingered close, removing nonexistent dust from Gao Tu’s collar. “Wanna go back with me” he said after a while. “I still have to finish the report for this meeting, it might take a while. The meeting was… rather long” Gao tu replied. “I’m sure you can continue at home,” Shaoyou insisted. Seeing his bunny conflicted Shen Wenlang started “you know he doesn’t like to bring work home, unlike you.”
“You do the same”. Shayou scoffed.
Sensing the rising tension between the two alphas, Gao tu compromised. “Alright, I’ll draft the main parts for the report quickly now and I’ll write it nicely tomorrow first thing in the morning.”
Shaoyou grinned clearly satisfied while Wenlang rolled his eyes before following Gao Tu. Pinming still in the room tried to suppress a laugh, he loved watching them.
~~~~
Back at their penthouse, Hua Yong was finishing cooking dinner while Gao Tu was taking a shower. Wenlang was sitting on the couch, tablet in hand, while Shaoyou hovered close to Hua Yong.
“How was your meeting? I hope you didn’t stress our bunny too much,” Hua Yong started playful. “Tell that to Wenlang and his attitude,” replied Shaoyou. “You were clearly the one stressing him out by arriving late,” countered Wenlang. Hua Yong just smiled amused. How he loved his mates and their faux hostility. Just then Gao Tu emerged from the bathroom in a soft cotton blue ensemble. Not quite a pajama, but a relaxed two piece matching set. He walked to the kitchen and offered his help to no avail. He settled on setting the table with Shao You and went over to call Wenlang to join them.
“I want to sleep in the nest room tonight.” Silence fell on the dinner table, the two alphas and enigma stunned by their bunny’s sudden words. Gao Tu continued, looking at each one of them, his cheeks warming, suddenly feeling self conscious, “could you maybe scent one or two blankets for me.”
Since Gao tu’s recovery from his pheromone disorder the Alphas had dedicated a specific room for their omega’s nest. Not too big but just the perfect size. Decorated with soft color and a fuzzy rug, the room fitted a king sized bed and a small couch. There was a single window, most of the time covered by the drawn curtain as the omega liked it that way to nest.
It had taken a while for Gao tu to nest on his own accord, to feel comfortable and not ashamed of this natural part of his subgender. Now two years later, nesting became a habit and a comfort thing when the omega felt down, stressed or just felt like it. But still he rarely expressed this need aloud, let alone ask for scented items. He would borrow clothes from the laundry room with his mates’ scents and slip quietly into the nest room, murmuring a “I’ll nest for a bit” under his breath. So to say the alpha enigma trio was surprised was an understatement.
“Of course, A-Tu. I can give you my pillow as well if you want, my scent might be stronger there, I sleep on it every night.” Shaoyou was the first one to respond. Having the most experience with omega, he couldn’t contain his happiness knowing Gao Tu was finally letting his instincts speak instead of fighting or suppressing them. Hua Yong didn’t utter a word but was already up removing his current shirt to give it to his bunny.
Gao Tu flustered, raised a hand, “Tha-thats not necessary Hua Yong.”
“But Mr Sheng is giving you his pillow, I’ll give you my shirt” pouted the enigma.
“I have a blanket I’d like you to scent if that’s okay” Gao tu replied lowering his gaze, his cheeks reddening. “As you want, bunny.”
A beat passed and Gao Tu grew insecure. His alpha, Wenlang, had not said a word since the conversation had shifted to nest topic. Knowing his past resentment with omegas, Gao Tu’s mind was already persuading himself that he was asking the S-class alpha for too much.
“I understand if you would prefer not to-” Gao tu started before being abruptly interrupted by Welang, “No! I mean I would love to actually. I-I was just not expecting it.”
Since forming the pack, Shen Wenlang had tried his best to make amends for his previous behavior and harsh words toward omegas. Even if Gao Tu kept telling him it was all in the past, Wenlang still insisted on being better. This vulnerable request from his omega settled somewhere deep in Shen Wenlang’s chest, not heavy, not sharp, but warm.
For years, instinct had been something he treated like a liability. Omegas were emotional. Heat cycles were disruptions. Nesting was indulgent. But his views had changed along with his feelings for Gao tu. Wenlang had then waited two years to be certain he would never pressure him. Never overwhelm him. Never make him feel small for wanting something instinctual. With Shaoyou and Hua Yong it was easier for Gao tu. Shao you had experience with omegas and specifically liked them for what made them omega. Hua Yong was never afraid to show his attraction to his bunny’s omega. However, with Welang it was different. Gao Tu was more cautious, knowing that there had been a time when Wenlang had despised omegas.
But now Gao Tu was asking on his own.
Wenlang swallowed, steadying the subtle rise in his pheromones before they could spike too sharply.
He would not make this about himself.
He reached for the blanket Gao Tu had brought before dinner and placed on the armrest of the couch, fingers brushing against his omega’s shoulder for a fraction of a second longer than necessary.
“I would be honored,” he corrected quietly.
This was about trust. Gao Tu trusted him enough to be vulnerable and he would make sure it wasn’t the last time.
~~~~
After dinner, Gao Tu retreated quietly into the nest room, arms full of freshly scented blankets and borrowed pillows. The door clicked shut behind him with a soft finality that made his shoulders loosen almost instantly.
It wasn’t new anymore, nesting. Not the room. Not the ritual. Two years ago, he would have flushed at the thought of claiming a space for something so instinctive. Now the nest waited for him like a secret he no longer had to fight.
Still, admitting he looked forward to it felt… embarrassing.
He loved his mates. Loved their warmth, their presence, the way their scents wrapped around him even in crowded boardrooms. But there was something different about being alone here, no watchful eyes, no careful restraint. Just softness.
He laid Hua Yong’s shirt across the pillows first, smoothing it down with careful fingers (yes Hua Yong still sneaked his shirt between the blankets). ShaoYou’s pillow followed, pressed into the corner where he liked to curl. Wenlang’s blanket, he hesitated over for a moment before draping it over the center of the nest, where it would hold the strongest scent.
The room slowly filled with layered familiarity, sharp dominance softened by something uniquely theirs.
His.
Gao Tu sank into the nest with a quiet sigh he would never allow outside these walls.
He would never admit how much he craved this, the privacy, the instinct, the indulgence of simply being an omega without calculation.
He was proud. Independent. Capable.
But here, wrapped in the scents of the three men who chose him, he allowed himself to want.
~~~~
Meanwhile, in the living room, the enigma-alpha trio was sprawled on the couch. Hua Yong had his legs over his Mr Sheng who was tracing soft patterns against his skin. He turned to Wenlang asking, “Did something happen today at work?” Wenlang immediately shifted his attention. “No, why.”
“I don’t know but it’s quite unusual for the bunny to ask to nest like he did tonight, so I was wondering if something or someone triggered it.” Hua Yong explained, his gaze fixed ahead to no specific point in space.
Shaoyou perked at the mention of Gao Tu’s familiar nickname. “Maybe his heat is near.”
On their shared calendar on the fridge where they kept track of their rut and heat cycles, Gao Tu’s was not due for another two and a half weeks, but ever since his pheromone disorder it was not always accurate even if it had stabilized this past year.
“I don’t think so, I would’ve smelled it.” Hua Yong thought aloud.
“Maybe he is tired of your snoring.” Weanlang shot to no one in particular with no real bite, in an attempt to lighten the mood.
Tonight they will sleep only the three of them. It wasn’t the first time, probably not the last either but still, it was not usual and worried them just a little more than they like to pretend.
In the next room Gao Tu was just beginning to drift when there was a soft knock at the door.
He stilled.
Only one of them knocked like that.
“Come in,” he called, trying to sound less like he’d already melted into the blankets.
The door opened just enough for Hua Yong to step inside, closing it quietly behind him. As always, he looked composed, dark suit still immaculate, expression unreadable. But his eyes softened almost imperceptibly when they landed on the nest.
On Gao Tu.
“I thought it was too quiet,” Hua Yong said lightly.
Gao Tu huffed. “You say that like I’m a hazard.”
“You are,” Hua Yong replied calmly. “To my schedule.”
Despite himself, Gao Tu smiled.
Hua Yong didn’t approach immediately. He let his pheromones uncurl slowly instead, controlled, steady, a warm undercurrent rather than dominance. He was always careful in the nest room.
Always careful with him.
“Is it enough?” Hua Yong asked after a moment.
Gao Tu shifted slightly, fingers tightening in Wenlang’s blanket. Pride flickered across his expression, reflexive.
“It’s fine.”
Hua Yong’s gaze sharpened just a fraction. He stepped closer now, crouching beside the nest instead of towering over it.
“I didn’t ask if it was fine.”
Gao Tu hesitated.
“… It’s good,” he admitted more softly.
Hua Yong reached forward then, not touching him, but adjusting the edge of ShaoYou’s pillow so it supported Gao Tu’s shoulder better. Small. Precise. Observant.
“I’ll stay until you fall asleep,” Hua Yong said.
Gao Tu pretended to consider refusing.
He didn’t.
Instead, after a moment of silent stubbornness, he shifted slightly, just enough to create space at the edge of the nest.
Hua Yong noticed. Of course he did.
He removed his jacket, folded it neatly, and settled at the border rather than inside, one hand resting lightly against the outer layer of blankets. Close enough that his scent wrapped around Gao Tu more fully.
Far enough to respect the boundary.
“You don’t have to stay,” Gao Tu murmured, already sounding drowsy.
Hua Yong’s thumb traced a slow, absent pattern against the fabric.
“I know,” he replied quietly.
Within minutes, Gao Tu’s breathing evened out, shoulders finally slack with real rest.
Hua Yong stayed.
Just a little longer.
~~~~
The next morning came too fast to the alphas’ liking.
However, Gao Tu feeling refreshed from his good night of sleep was already up and about at 6:30. He had made breakfast, pancakes.
Hua Yong was usually the one in charge of meals and would always cook balanced and traditional dishes for his mates. So upon seeing the pancakes, Shao You was secretly delighted.
“Come on, sit. We have some fruits too, but if you want coffee, make it yourself. I only brewed tea,” Gao Tu greeted, placing the last plate on the table.
“No worries, I’ll get coffee on the way. Tea is enough for now,” Shao You responded, leaning down to leave a light peck on his omega’s cheek.
A small smile spread across Gao Tu’s face as he sat across from him.
He liked these quiet mornings.
Moments when no one was posturing. No rivalry. No board meetings. Just them.
Footsteps approached from the hallway.
Shen Wenlang entered first, expression dark, tie hanging loosely around his neck. Hua Yong followed behind him, already dressed neatly, calm as ever.
“You’re not coming with me today,” Wenlang said flatly before even sitting down.
Hua Yong poured himself tea. “I am.”
“You have your own company.”
“And I have a capable secretary. Chang Yu can handle things for a day.”
“That’s not the point.”
“That is precisely the point,” Hua Yong replied mildly. “I would like to spend the day at HS.”
Wenlang scoffed. “As what? A decorative piece?”
“As your secretary.”
Shao You choked lightly on his tea, trying not to laugh.
Gao Tu blinked between them.
“I already have secretaries.”
“Yes,” Hua Yong agreed calmly. “But none of them are me.”
Wenlang’s jaw tightened. “You’re not sitting outside my office.”
“Why not?”
“Because I said so.”
“Unconvincing argument.”
The tension between them crackled, not aggressive, but territorial in that quiet alpha way.
Gao Tu sighed softly, cutting into his pancakes.
“I have plans after work,” he said casually.
Silence.
Three sets of eyes turned to him.
“… Plans?” Wenlang repeated slowly.
“Yes.”
“With who?” Shao You asked immediately.
Gao Tu swallowed, suddenly aware of the weight of their attention.
“A friend.”
“What friend?” Wenlang’s tone sharpened.
Gao Tu frowned slightly. “Chen Pinming.”
That seemed to surprise them more.
“Pinming?” Hua Yong asked.
“Yes. He signed up for this new workout class that just opened downtown. He asked if I wanted to try it with him.”
“A workout class?” Shao You repeated.
“Yes.”
“What kind of workout?” Wenlang pressed.
Gao Tu’s chopsticks paused mid-air. “Why are you interrogating me?”
“We’re not,” Shao You said quickly.
“We are,” Hua Yong corrected calmly.
Gao Tu narrowed his eyes slightly. “It’s just a beginner strength and conditioning class. Nothing extreme.”
Wenlang didn’t look convinced. “You don’t need to—”
“I want to,” Gao Tu cut in gently but firmly.
That quiet assertion made all three alphas go still.
“I sit in an office all day. I want to move. And Pinming didn’t want to go alone.”
Another silence.
This one is different.
Not possessive.
Worried.
Hua Yong was the first to recover. “What time?”
“After work. Six.”
“I’ll drive you there,” Wenlang said immediately.
“You don’t have to.”
“I’ll drive you there,” he repeated.
Shao You leaned back in his chair, studying Gao Tu carefully. “Call us if you feel even slightly uncomfortable.”
Gao Tu huffed. “It’s a gym class, not a battlefield.”
None of them laughed.
He noticed.
“… It’s really just a class,” he added softer.
Hua Yong reached forward, brushing his thumb lightly against Gao Tu’s wrist, subtle, grounding.
“We know,” he said gently.
But instinct didn’t care about logic.
Gao Tu looked between the three of them, suddenly aware of how closely they were watching him.
“I’m not fragile,” he muttered.
Wenlang’s expression softened almost imperceptibly. “We know that too.”
“That doesn’t mean we won’t worry,” Shao You added.
Gao Tu rolled his eyes but didn’t argue further. Instead, he finished his tea and stood, gathering the empty plates before Hua Yong could.
“Go argue at HS if you want,” he said lightly. “I have work.”
Wenlang watched him move around the kitchen, independent as ever, and felt something settle in his chest, half pride, half frustration.
Their omega was capable.
That didn’t make it easier.