#zhao ruan | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

audriel · 1 year

Text

the moon in autumn

Summary: Fang Rui is a male omega in a society that doesn't acknowledge his existence. How would this change things? (an exploration if secondary gender exists in TKA canon universe)

I haven’t written in a long time, I'm feeling a bit rusty. Regardless, please enjoy my humble offering to King’s Avatar fandom and Ye Xiu/Fang Rui rarepair, and my first foray into the omegaverse.

*drops this and runs away*

Also published in AO3

Team Wind Howl ended in ninth this season and failed to make it to the playoffs. Their team captain and ace player Lin Jingyan’s condition was declining due to age. After the duel between him and Tang Hao at the All Star Competition, which he lost, the title of Number One Brawler was no longer his. Their team’s other All Star, Fang Rui, had a strong start, but a weak finish this season. The All Star Competition was the start of his decline. On the other hand, Zhao Yuzhe’s performance was steady all throughout the year, so he won the Best Rookie award. (Chapter 693: Award Ceremony)

Fang Rui stares dazedly at the screen. The word GLORY stares back at him. They won their last match of the season, but it’s not enough for them to make it to the playoff.

“You’ve been working hard, Vice Captain Fang.” Firm hand lands on his shoulder. Fang Rui doesn’t need to look to know who it is.

“So have you, Captain Lin.”

Neither Lin Jingyan nor Fang Rui are the type to dwell in the past. Dirty playstyle requires calm, patience, but most importantly flexibility. It is a lie to say they are not affected with what happened at the All Stars. It is a reminder that time waits for no one. They know this is likely the last season for Criminal Partners, or at least for Demon Subduer as the core and ace player of Wind Howl. They are slowly shifting their focus towards Zhao Yuzhe’s Elemental Mage as the main attacker in their tactics.

However, their rookie’s own style is out of touch with Wind Howl’s dirty playstyle. Lin Jingyan does his best to rein Zhao Yuzhe in and make him cooperate better with the team, to various degree of success, but whatever remaining respect he has left for the captain seems gone after the loss against Tang Hao that he barely listens, especially when he sees more opportunities granted to him. He’s already getting a big head even without having them say anything, so neither Lin Jingyan nor Fang Rui speak up.

This leaves Fang Rui doing the most to connect their wayward rookie with the team, unable to exert his full ability due to the difference in rhythm. He won’t be surprised if there’s more criticism headed his way than Lin Jingyan, which honestly, while it’s not his intention, it’s not entirely unwelcome, if it makes the management consider keeping Lin Jingyan, even as a substitute. He wants to give a better sendoff for Lin Jingyan for his last season in Wind Howl than this season, falling short just one ranking to make it to the playoff, so close and yet so far.

Fang Rui barely remembers shaking hands with the opponents and leaving the stadium, exhaustion is finally catching up with him as they get seated in the bus. Both Lin Jingyan and Ruan Yongbin subtly throw worried looks at him.

“We’re going to Medical the moment we get to Wind Howl.”

“Yes, yes.” Fang Rui doesn’t put up a fight. Admittedly he’s been running himself ragged in being the bridge between the old and new, and between Lin Jingyan and the rest of the team, his condition doesn’t help matters.

By the time they arrive at Medical, Fang Rui is leaning heavily on Lin Jingyan. His captain is the only reason why he doesn’t trip on his feet. Ruan Yongbin would have followed, but he has a team to distract. Doctor Peng is already standing by, quickly ushering them into the examination room. Lin Jingyan helps him lie down on the bed after taking off his jacket. In no time, Doctor Peng wraps his upper arm to check his blood pressure.

“Have you eaten anything?” The dark-haired, glasses-wearing doctor asks.

“Some granola bar.” Fang Rui faintly remembers chewing something.

“How many calories will that make for today?”

“Er…” Now he draws a blank at that.

“Almost 2,000,” Lin Jingyan answers for him.

“I know you didn’t want to miss the playoff, but honestly, good thing you did.” Doctor Peng tells them bluntly. Fang Rui couldn’t suppress the grimace at that.

“Your blood pressure is low, Little Fang. You’re not gaining much weight, either.”

“I’m not supposed to, am I?” Doctor Peng gives him a stern glare at his smart remark.

“You’re still supposed to gain some weight. Male omega body or not.”

“Well, it does make it easier to hide.” Fang Rui smirks lightly, his hand goes to his stomach, where a bump was clearly visible now with the jacket removed. Both Doctor Feng and Lin Jingyan notice how his fingers rub circles over the swell of his abdomen.

“Is the baby moving a lot?” Lin Jingyan looks like he wants to check by himself.

“I’m not sure what is considered a lot, but honestly by now I’m just used to it. The baby is calm and quiet when I play Glory though.”

“... somehow I’m not surprised.” Lin Jingyan sighs, thinking of the parentage of the child.

“That said, I suggest you don’t stay any longer than necessary after you’re finished with your vice captain duties. You’re going to have the child in your hometown right?”

“Yeah.” That reminds him, Fang Rui needs to inform his mother that he’s going home earlier than expected. He could have given birth in Nanjing, not to mention the health facilities and service are more complete and advanced, but he was too high profile in the home base of Wind Howl. His hometown has his blood pack and the doctor whom he has been seeing since he differentiated into an omega. He did go to a specialist for regular checkups, but despite having proven their worth in both skill and privacy, Fang Rui still feels more comfortable with Doctor Jin. Doctor Peng does his best, but ultimately this is beyond his ability. He is merely the team’s doctor, to mainly care for their health in relation to maintaining professional players’ best condition.

“Give me your doctor’s contact information so I can send them your medical information,” Doctor Peng’s tone brooks no argument. “Jingyan, you’re going home with him right? Make sure the kid eats and sleeps well. He needs to look much more alive than he’s right now.” Lin Jingyan, the good man he is, dutifully nods.

“Hey, I’m right here.” Fang Rui protests, but the two Wind Howl most senior members ignore him as the doctor continues listing all the reminders to his beta captain. He leans back to the bed, trying to find a more comfortable position. Even though he doesn’t gain much weight, his back and waist tend to feel sore for a prolonged time.

Fang Rui notices the edge of the skin-colored patch on his wrist gland slightly peeling off. He brings it up to his face, but instead of sticking it back on he peels it off halfway. In the first inhale, he can smell his own sharp, tangy scent of lemon, but at the second inhale, he also detects the faint underlayer of deep, bitter scent of tea. He snorts, in the end, for all his efforts, he ends up getting marked anyway.

***

It was the second to last match before winter break of Season 8, which was later known as the second to last match of Ye Qiu before his retirement. Excellent Era played a home game against Wind Howl. All the top professional players noticed how off Excellent Era had been. The Battle God was still as invincible as always, and yet, their results barely had anything to show. Then there was the public opinion.

It’s pretty well known in the circle that Fang Rui likes to brush his own tag before sleep. Some said it’s narcissistic of him, some others–who know him better–said it’s masochistic of him. He might be the only player after Ye Qiu that attracts so much vitriol from Glory fans. Praises are often mixed with condemnations, compliments with criticisms, adoration with disdain. Not many other players garner such strong and mixed reactions from the fans. However by doing so, he’s realized how far he and his dirty playstyle has come. There was little to no support in his debut, to the point that Lin Jingyan banned the team from accessing social media except for the ones meant for communication between professional players. Fans who showed support or even the slightest hint of it were not treated kindly either. But those who persist, along with Wind Howl that makes it their main playstyle, worth their weight in gold.

Fang Rui doesn’t play for fame and fortune, but he knows he and Wind Howl can last this long because of these loyal fans. Going through the tags, finding the true fans and returning their support are the least he can do to show his appreciation. It also shows him the state of the public opinion, Glory and Wind Howl fans alike. He knows how to toe the line, when to move forward and to retreat, just like his playstyle. He might not care about their approval, but the club does. And he’s Wind Howl’s vice captain.

He was among the few who first noticed the changing opinion of Excellent Era’s captain. It actually started much earlier, back in the seventh Season. There have been sporadic suggestions that Ye Qiu was no longer the indomitable Battle God in the Glory forums. Then there was the fan analysis. They caught Fang Rui’s attention because it repeated the same point despite being done by different users. Those didn’t get much traction and soon disappeared. Fang Rui didn’t give it another glance then.

However, when Wind Howl met Excellent Era in the later half of Season 7 suddenly those online discussions came to mind. Su Mucheng’s Dancing Rain has always been criticized for her overt support of Ye Qiu’s One Autumn Leaf, but in that team competition, he couldn’t help but notice whenever he was prepared for other Excellent Era’s players to cover for One Autumn Leaf, the one who came through was Dancing Rain, even if it was not as effective. It didn’t happen once or twice.

At the realization, he barely restrained the impulse from asking Su Mucheng when their teams shook hands. He wondered whether the other Master Tacticians noticed, because it was such an obvious weakness to exploit, not that it was an easy one. Wind Howl still lost against Excellent Era. He couldn’t get rid of the feeling of wrongness, so he had gestured for Lin Jingyan to go ahead while he aimlessly walked around the dark, silent passages.

Only to find the very person that could provide all the answers.

His figure was shrouded in darkness, with the only light coming from the burning cigarette in between his fingers. His back was to Fang Rui.

Somehow, that day his back looked painfully lonely.

He knew once he made himself known, Ye Qiu would only give his usual smile, as if he was indifferent, unaffected. He would give both praise and ridicule in turns about the game, which would be always difficult to refute because there was no lie in them. Ye Qiu never lied, but he did not tell the whole truth, either. So instead of giving him a chance to, Fang Rui did the most daring thing back then, he peeled off the scent blocker on his wrist gland and let his omega pheromone fill in the space between and around them.

Society might try to shame them for not being a beta, for not being normal, might make him hide his secondary gender for necessity, but Fang Rui will always be proud of being an omega. He doesn’t mind that his nature is to care for others. He likes that his scent can comfort others. His sharp, tangy lemon scent could have mistaken him as a beta, but the faint undertones when it is intended to comfort, to soothe will not be difficult to detect for non-betas.

And Ye Qiu is not a beta.

It is well-known and widely accepted that there is power in pheromones, but at the same time, it’s not desirable to acknowledge the existence of secondary gender, so it is considered proper for everyone to wear skin-colored scent blockers in public. However, considering there are fewer non-betas and not all non-betas have the same sensitivity to pheromones, the scent blockers do little to hide the pheromones for the non-betas who have sharper senses than the others. Fang Rui is one of them. It is also what makes him good at reading people, since he’s attuned to the changes in people’s scent alongside their body language.

There was no visible change in Ye Qiu’s demeanor, but somehow Fang Rui could discern that the other non-beta was initially shocked, before his expression was replaced with something soft and tired and real. Ye Qiu smiled helplessly, slowly reaching out, unerringly towards the uncovered wrist gland.

“Thank you, Fang Rui.” The alpha–something inside him was so certain–gently, so gently, carefully, yet firmly, pressed the patch back on. “You really don’t have to.”

Even when he said so, Fang Rui noticed that he achieved his objective. Something inside Ye Qiu seemed to unravel, to relax, and that was enough for Fang Rui. This was the least he could do.

After that they simply parted ways without further exchange. However, it didn’t stop him from paying attention to Ye Qiu and Excellent Era when he was not studying the opponents he would be facing that week. He didn’t know himself what he was looking for, maybe some change, some improvements? He didn’t even know why he cared so much, either.

Excellent Era qualified for the playoff, unlike Wind Howl. Even then, they were stopped at the quarterfinals by Tiny Herb who eventually won the Championship, which covered up if there were other reasons for Excellent Era’s loss.

Whatever hope he had left for Ye Qiu was dashed with the start of Season 8, Excellent Era was off to a weak start, and the dissatisfaction with the captain was getting louder, more noticeable. The “fans” involved in suggesting that Ye Qiu’s condition was declining were a bit too good, too articulate, even for fans who have above average understanding of Glory. Then there was the timing of the responses supporting and the spread of the opinion.

Fang Rui liked to gossip as much as the next person, but something like this? That there was someone or some people who were willing to go to such lengths to discredit the sole reason that Excellent Era remained relevant despite the supposedly bad performance? And that Excellent Era’s PR team did nothing to stop it?

Fang Rui didn’t entertain the possibility that Excellent Era themselves had a hand in it, and dismissed it as soon as it appeared. But… there was a time that something the “fan” pointed out, that later conveniently happened in the next match of Excellent Era to support their argument. His first thought was to talk about it with Lin Jingyan, to make sure that he wasn’t making things up, but he didn’t even know where to start.

Before he realized it, he had clicked on One Autumn Leaf in the chat group. The empty chat window reminded him that they were not the kind of friends that sought each other out, which actually surprised himself. Because while he might not be as close as the older generations with Ye Qiu (particularly certain chatterbox and Master Tacticians), he didn’t feel distant either. If they were within the vicinity of each other, they would never ignore each other, even if it was only a brief, playful jab. Not many could keep up with Ye Qiu’s trash talk after all. Oddly though, whenever they met offline, they tended to fall into silence. It wasn’t awkward, either.

It was easy, comfortable.

That was why he didn’t think twice of revealing his most closely guarded secret. In comparison, he really needed to think about it before he finally shared his secondary gender with Wu Yuce and Zhou Zekai, whom he later formed a pack with.

His fingers hovered on the keypad, before finally closing the window. He would wait until Wind Howl meets Excellent Era.

Still, nothing prepared him for how bad Excellent Era’s condition was. And bad was understatement.

During the individual matches Wind Howl surprisingly got two points from himself and Zhao Yuzhe. It was the group arena when he really suspected something was seriously wrong. He got the impression that the first two players of Excellent Era didn’t really attempt to accumulate the advantage for the next player, particularly their defending general. One Autumn Leaf won the arena with 12% blood remaining after completing 1v2, and one of them was full-blooded defending Demon Subduer.

It was the team competition that confirmed his suspicions. His ability in spotting opportunities was no lesser than Huang Shaotian, and he saw and took advantage of far too many against a team in their own chosen map. Wind Howl won against Excellent Era, 7 to 3. He and Lin Jingyan exchanged glances by the end of the match, unable to fully bask in their victory.

Fang Rui wanted nothing else but to talk to Ye Qiu, but Wind Howl’s press conference should be after Excellent Era, and he needed to be ready to go anytime for their turn. He actually considered actually making an appointment with Ye Qiu, empty chat box be damned. He was about to do that when they were leaving the stadium.

He was barely taking a few steps outside, leaving the hidden exit, composing a text on his phone when he caught a whiff of a familiar scent, stopping him dead in his tracks. Ruan Yongbin who was walking with him at the end of the group faltered.

“What’s wrong?”

“I think I forgot something in the lounge. I’m going back to check. Can you tell Old Lin?”

“Should I wait for you?” Ruan Yongbin asked.

“Nah. Besides, our hotel is pretty close.” Fang Rui made a waving motion for his teammate to carry on. Ruan Yongbin didn’t argue, they knew the city well enough by now. Fang Rui waited until the other turned his back before going back in. He slowly retraced his steps, frowning imperceptibly when he confirmed that he did smell that particular tea scent that belonged to Ye Qiu. He wasn’t supposed to be able to scent the alpha at all.

He made several turns to a hidden corner which was oddly closer to Wind Howl’s side than Excellent Era’s where the scent was the strongest. A hunched figure was leaning against the wall, an unlit cigarette on their lips.

“Old Ye?” Before he was finished calling his name, Ye Qiu had turned towards him.

“Dirty Fang.” When Fang Rui approached him, he noticed the strangeness of Ye Qiu. There was an odd sort of dazedness, listlessness in the way the other held himself.

“Are you okay?” Fang Rui frowned deeper as he noticed as he got closer it didn’t seem that Ye Qiu removed the scent blockers. He wondered whether he was extra sensitive today or it was something else.

“...I’m not quite sure.” That response certainly made Fang Rui snapped up sharply into attention.

“Let me take you to Excellent Era.” This was no good. Ye Qiu shouldn’t be alone like this in the first place. He felt the urgency to get him somewhere safe and familiar.

“No.” The quiet, firm reply stunned Fang Rui, and he saw the same surprise reflected on the other’s face. The implication was clear.

“Okay then. Let’s go to my place.” Fang Rui didn’t question him further, leading them towards the hotel where Wind Howl was staying. Coming out to the brighter outdoors, Ye Qiu seemed rather flushed. Without thinking, Fang Rui removed his team jacket and put them over Ye Qiu. They were of similar height, so it perfectly covered Excellent Era’s jacket. Ye Qiu could have been easily mistaken as a Wind Howl player, especially since no one knew the face of the Glory Textbook. When he and Ye Qiu passed by the exit designed for the home team, Fang Rui thought he saw more than one reporter hanging around. They didn’t react to their presence, which could only mean they were there for Excellent Era in particular. Fang Rui didn’t think much of it then, more concerned in getting Ye Qiu away, more so with how quiet and docile he was.

Fang Rui expected to feel relieved when they finally entered his single room without encountering anyone, but Ye Qiu merely stood a few steps from the door, hands clutching Wind Howl’s jacket, nose buried into the raised collar. In the silence, he thought he could hear his quick breaths. His heart was sinking when he recognized the signs. He walked in front of Ye Qiu so they were face to face.

“...Old Ye, are you in a rut?” Fang Rui watched his expression carefully. The usual sharpness was still there, he could see Ye Qiu truly assessing his own state.

“...Shouldn’t be.” And yet he was. They stared at each other at the realization.

Fang Rui has an alpha for an older sister, so he knows enough of ruts. He had been with her during her ruts, particularly during the worst of them. Unlike what’s assumed by the public and perpetuated by the media, ruts for alpha and heats for omega are not purely sexual. It can be suppressed–soothed may be the better word–with the scent of their pack in their nest, and better with the presence of their pack, particularly with the omega of their pack. Their sexual urges can be satisfied with closeness and intimacy. A partner–sexual partner or bonded mate–is not necessary to get through the cycle, though definitely more effective.

It can be said that his shamelessness is partially attributed to spending his own heats and his sister’s ruts with her. They’ve learned there’s nothing shameful for being open and vulnerable, for asking for and basking in comfort and reassurance. Their beta parents don’t fully understand this, but it doesn’t stop them from indulging their children, especially seeing there’s no harm in it and if anything, it strengthens their bond as family and pack. It’s an opinion that’s unfortunately not shared by the rest of society. It’s only natural then that Fang Rui tends to hold little disregard of societal standards.

If this was a natural rut, Fang Rui’s best bet was to have Su Mucheng here. She’s a beta, but undeniably pack to Ye Qiu. Faint as it was, he could recognize Ye Qiu’s scent intertwined with Su Mucheng’s natural one and vice versa, in the way typical for pack members to scent each other. However, if this was not a natural rut, bringing Su Mucheng would only endanger her. Fang Rui was growing more sure that this was an artificially induced rut, from the way Ye Qiu’s bitter tea scent got more pungent even through the scent patch he wore and the visibly growing desire shown from the tenting on his pants. Besides the obvious fact that for all he could be so casual, Ye Qiu was the most uncompromising when it came to Glory, he would not be so careless that he would allow his rut to affect the game. Fang Rui was no Master Tactician, but he was quick on the uptake when it came to people and what they were capable of.

Fang Rui’s mind rapidly connected the dots. Changing public opinion. Declining condition rumors. Quiet PR team. Disconnection within the team. Bad performance of the team. Reporters waiting for Excellent Era players, or player.

This was foul play. The worst and most heinous kind.

And it was committed by Excellent Era themselves. To their captain, their founder, and their main reason for achieving their fame and fortune.

Fang Rui was not one easily angered, but he couldn’t help the rage that threatened to choke him.

“Fang Rui… It’s best for you to leave.” Ye Qiu’s voice was hoarse. Fang Rui was sure it took all of him to keep his sanity. No wonder he barely made a move since he got into the room, an omega’s room. Fang Rui’s scent was both what kept Ye Qiu in control and could make him lose it.

A surge of protectiveness came over him.

At that moment, Fang Rui made his decision. First he went to lock the door, putting up a Do Not Disturb sign, then he walked to the nightstand next to the bed. After sending off a message to Lin Jingyan, he put down his phone and opened the drawer. As expected, it was well stocked. He pulled off the scent blockers covering his glands. Even with his back to Ye Qiu, he could sense all of the alpha’s attention narrowing, bearing down on him. He put the thick leather collar on his neck, designed to prevent marking.

“Fang Rui… You…” Ye Qiu’s pupils had dilated by now, his eyes completely dark, his alpha’s instincts were closer to the surface. Somehow Fang Rui dared to approach the alpha on the edge of losing control. He took the beautiful hands that had brought so many victories and earned him the title of Battle God, but could have been easily damaged with how hard he had been clenching it. He placed those hands on his waist instead.

Fang Rui had run through all the options. He could have given him a strong dose of suppressant, but there was a chance it might not work. And there was also the possibility that it reacted badly to whatever induced his rut. He could just leave him be and deal with his rut alone, but considering that this was no natural rut, it was certainly going to be long and painful, and with little to no control, he might end up hurting himself. He could go through it with a partner, but instead of hurting himself, he might end up hurting someone else. This left dealing with the rut alone as the best and safest option. Ye Qiu’s tactical mind certainly came to that conclusion before he could.

However, the Master Tactician didn’t take into account that Fang Rui might be willing to help, to get him through the rut in the most surefire, natural way. Ye Qiu is an alpha. Fang Rui is an omega. If anyone can get through an alpha’s rut safely, it will only be an omega.

Fang Rui had never been with anyone sexually. He didn’t really know what it entailed besides what he had seen and heard. However, he knew enough that the best way to get through it was not to fight against his omega instincts, to let them take over. It was honestly a tall order. Having to keep his secondary gender under wraps and to protect himself, it was almost second nature to him to fight his instincts.

Despite his nervousness, his hands remained steady as he peeled off both of the patches on Ye Qiu’s wrists. He nearly buckled at the strong, heady alpha scent. He slowly breathed in and felt the growing heat in his core. He could feel Ye Qiu’s fingers spasming against his waist while remaining unmoved, frozen in position. It made him realize that Ye Qiu’s was still fighting against his instincts, despite the obvious concession. Fang Rui found himself smiling at the realization. This was not just any alpha, this was Ye Qiu. He was the other person besides Lin Jingyan whom he had willingly revealed himself to.

He trusted him.

Fang Rui held Ye Qiu’s face and captured his lips. His other hand ripped off the last scent patch on the other’s neck. The effect was immediate.

The scent was overpowering, domineering. It completely overwhelmed his senses, and awakened his desire. He could not help the moan that came out from him, which appeared to be the only invitation Ye Qiu needed as he snarled, all restraint gone as he seized his waist in a bruising grip, slamming his back against the wall, prying his mouth open and stealing all his breath. When he finally caught his breath, his wrists were pinned above him, Ye Qiu’s mouth on his throat and his hand roaming under his shirt, their bodies pressed closely together.

Truthfully, Fang Rui cannot recall all the details of that time. All he has mainly is impressions because he has let his instincts completely take over, which now, in hindsight is indeed the best decision. Otherwise, it would have hurt.

Having held back for so long, Ye Qiu wasn’t gentle. He nearly ripped apart their clothes in his haste and barely wasted a moment in burying himself in his soft, pliant body. Omega’s natural reaction towards alpha provided enough lubrication for easy penetration, but it didn’t prepare for the expansion. He remembered his choked off cry, his back arching against the wall, his reflexive resistance as the alpha drove into him, bigger, deeper than he’d had experienced before. Though it quickly turned into pleasure as Ye Qiu fucked him senseless.

At that moment, Ye Qiu was undeniably an alpha, the powerful, formidable Battle God.

Fang Rui was completely at Ye Qiu’s mercy. He could only let him have his way with him.

When Ye Qiu found he couldn’t mark him due to the collar covering the neck gland, it was as if he made it his mission to claim Fang Rui in every way possible. He left no skin unmarked. He knotted him not just once, but twice, while biting the collar hard enough to leave a deep dent in it. Now he thought about it, it was no wonder that the pills didn’t work.

When he finally regained his senses, his body was sore and aching all over, even in the places he didn’t know he could be. He was completely and utterly exhausted and he could hardly believe it when he checked that it had only been two days. Fortunately, they somehow found their way to the bed, so he counted his blessings.

Meanwhile, Ye Qiu was completely dead to the world next to him. It seemed the aftermath hit him hard. Nothing could rouse him. Otherwise, he was completely normal. Taking advantage of his comatose state, Fang Rui dragged his tired body out of the alpha’s possessive hold to clean and refresh himself. Suspecting there might be more side-effects of the induced rut, Fang Rui decided to clean up the room and everything inside it. By the time Ye Qiu regained consciousness, there were no signs of the rut, and Ye Qiu himself only remembered that he suffered an abnormal state, and was brought to the hotel room by Fang Rui, but nothing more. So Fang Rui played along and told him that he helped give him suppressant and checked on him periodically while letting him go through his rut in his hotel room out of the kindness of his heart.

Ye Qiu believed him.

Fang Rui had time to think about it while waiting for Ye Qiu to wake up. What he had was merely suspicions, and he couldn’t share it with Ye Qiu. Because he knows that Excellent Era is not just a club, not just a team for Ye Qiu. Just like Wind Howl for Lin Jingyan.

If it was true that it was Excellent Era’s doing, that Excellent Era’s people are capable of doing this, Fang Rui didn’t want to think how much of a blow it would be for Ye Qiu. He didn’t dismiss the possibility of them hatching another nefarious plan, but he knew Ye Qiu was not stupid, and that he would be more careful after the incident. Considering how close it was to the winter transfer window, Fang Rui gave them time before deciding on the next course of action.

When the news of Ye Qiu’s retirement came out, Fang Rui might be the only one not surprised. He was sad and angry, but also relieved for Ye Qiu. Whatever sense of duty and responsibility that kept him in Excellent Era, he is now free of them. He can do whatever he wants.

Afterwards, Ye Qiu has pretty much disappeared from everyone’s sight. At least, he was not seen anywhere online. Busy with competition, Fang Rui didn’t have time to hunt the wayward Glory Textbook. He could ask Su Mucheng, but he and Ye Qiu aren’t renowned for being close, more so he’s not anywhere familiar with Su Mucheng.

Until he showed up with Lord Grim.

Fang Rui was among the professional players who crowded into the private room in the Arena. He didn’t hide his presence, but he also didn’t bring attention to himself. He was as surprised as the others at the Unspecialized and the Myriad Manifestations Umbrella, but if there was anyone who could utilize them to the fullest it would only be the Glory Textbook. Lord Grim couldn’t be anyone else but Ye Qiu. He couldn’t help the knowing grin to see no hints of the declining condition that Excellent Era used to kick him out. While he was disappointed he couldn’t get a chance to play against Lord Grim, he was certain it was a matter of time to see the Unspecialized ion the professional stage.

With the speculations of Lord Grim’s identity rising in public, Fang Rui sneakily asked about Lord Grim to the Guild department. It was like a dam just broken, before he knew it he got the whole history of Lord Grim and his reign of terror in the Tenth Server. He was very careful not to cackle out loud, because if he were in their place he would have a lot of complaints himself. As the master of dirty play, he truly admired the man’s cunning. But what caught his attention was the fact that Lord Grim started a guild named Happy.

Fang Rui knew the significance of starting a guild. He was of the younger generation, but he had heard the stories.

Ye Qiu was building a team from scratch.

Somehow Fang Rui managed to hide his preoccupation throughout his way back to his room. Locking the door, he reached into the hidden corner in the back of his closet to bring out a box. After a moment’s hesitation, he opened it, revealing multiple slim white sticks in various types and sizes. They were pregnancy test packs, of different brands, and used in different times.

All positive.

Being a professional player, more so as an omega hiding his secondary gender, Fang Rui paid close attention to his body. While physically omega’s body is no less strong and resilient than alpha, as both of them are ultimately the protectors of the pack, omega’s reproductive system is more trouble than it’s worth. Unfortunately unlike their fellow child-bearing counterparts aka beta women, omegas have no safe medicine of sorts they can take to control heats. The only consolation is that their cycles are considerably longer than them.

Stress can delay the estrus, but Fang Rui’s has been relatively stable. So when there were no signs of incoming heat, it only took a week for him to take the test. The result was returned positive, and so were all the following at home test packs he took. By then he was around 8-9 weeks along.

It should be a clear choice.

Fang Rui is currently at his prime as a professional player. Pregnancy and childbirth are likely to affect his state. Even if he is lucky and regains his condition after childbirth, then there’s the matter of raising the child. He cannot and won’t give up his child. His conscience and his nature won’t allow him to, the moment he decided to keep the child.

He shouldn’t keep the child, not if this season would be Lin Jingyan’s and their Criminal Partners’ last.

Then there’s the sire of the child.

Not only did he lie to him that they spent his rut together but the man’s whereabouts were also currently unknown, and even if he found him, what would Fang Rui say? Sorry I lied to you, but we actually spent the rut together, and now I am with your child? Besides, the poor alpha didn’t ask for any of it: the rut, Fang Rui spending the rut with him against his wishes, and then the child.

However, Fang Rui hesitated. He dawdled.

And Fang Rui is no good at denial. He accepted that he was actually considering keeping the child.

The only person he could go to was Lin Jingyan.

As it had become routine, both captain and vice captain of Wind Howl stayed in the training room long after the scheduled time to review their progress, followed by dinner and late night conversation in either of their rooms. The moment Fang Rui suggested his room, Lin Jingyan gave him a knowing look that finally his vice captain would share whatever had been troubling him lately. Fang Rui smiled inwardly, he couldn’t really hide anything from his captain. Being around Fang Rui for a long time, everyone in Wind Howl has picked up that no one goes into his room without an invitation. Only the original Wind Howl team members know that the reason is due to his omega’s territorial nature, which now only Lin Jingyan and Ruan Yongbin are left. When you are invited, it means a display of trust.

For a long time, there was only silence. Lin Jingyan just sat there patiently, waiting for his junior. But still, it didn’t prepare him when it was finally broken.

“I am pregnant.” Fang Rui stared straight at his captain, his teacher, and his friend as he broke the news, belying its truth and seriousness. Lin Jingyan didn’t doubt him, but he wondered how it could happen considering how careful Fang Rui was. For all his playfulness, the younger man was never reckless when it came to his own wellbeing.

“I had a heat partner when it came early.” It was the excuse he gave to Lin Jingyan when he told the team to leave Hangzhou without him when he was actually helping Ye Qiu. Lin Jingyan was no slouch either, he recalled the only time that Fang Rui mentioned having his heat came early and knowing full well that he would not take any random people as a heat partner, he slowly but surely narrowed down the possibilities.

“...Ye Qiu?” Fang Rui’s heart jumped in surprise, though his face betrayed nothing. Lin Jingyan wasn’t sure, but Fang Rui’s reaction said it all. The older man was about to speak, but he paused, looking at him thoughtfully. Fang Rui felt himself sweating nervously, unsure of what Lin Jingyan was seeing. Lin Jingyan’s expression softened, reaching out to his clenched hands. Fang Rui didn’t even notice that he had been doing so unconsciously.

“You want to keep it, don’t you?”

Fang Rui, the man who loved surprises, was for once completely taken by surprise. Only then he realized that he had made his decision, and what he needed for Lin Jingyan was not his advice, but his support. And Lin Jingyang came to that realization before he did.

“I would make sure it won’t affect the game.” Fang Rui assured his captain.

Lin Jingyan only smiled at him sadly, helplessly. The knowledge of non-beta bodies is not as complete and extensive as their beta counterparts. While it is known that omega’s bodies are physically above average, it won’t matter if something goes wrong because of lack of information. More so, Fang Rui isn’t just an omega, he is a male omega. The rarest of them all. The doctors can miss something, or give improper treatment. Something minor can turn out major. The game should be the least of Fang Rui’s worries.

Fang Rui couldn’t help the chuckle, even though it was devoid of mirth. He knew the risks, better than Lin Jingyan. It was the reason why he took so much time to make a decision. His prime for playing professionally happens to coincide with his prime for childbearing. His current age actually has among the lowest risk for childbearing. And admittedly, Fang Rui wants a child of his own.

He had never quite thought about it, but now that it happened, he was unwilling to let it go. This is Fang Rui’s personal, selfish choice. However, Fang Rui is also Wind Howl’s vice captain and Lin Jingyan’s partner.

Lin Jingyan let out a sigh then, giving him an affectionate, exasperated look that was so familiar whenever Fang Rui did anything particularly stupid and careless, drawing trouble to himself. The part of Fang Rui who would always be Lin Jingyan’s junior and student, instinctively prepared to protest and defend himself.

“We’re a pack, aren’t we?”

The words died in his throat. Coming from his first pack leader outside of his blood pack, it meant much, much more. Because it would be them against the world. Fang Rui’s secondary gender in Wind Howl is only known to a limited few, the manager, the doctor/health advisor, and the Wind Howl pack.

Like everything related to secondary gender, pack culture is becoming lesser known, being considered irrelevant in the beta-dominated world, though the word pack is still often thrown around. However, pack is important for non-betas, for their overall safety and health. And Lin Jingyan who was given stern talking to, not to mention the following strict observation by Fang Shijing when he showed interest in poaching Fang Rui from Blue Rain, made himself and all the regular starters of Wind Howl learn of pack culture and made a pack out of all beta men. All the while taking up dirty playstyle as Wind Howl's main playstyle. Fang Rui knows it must not have been easy for Lin Jingyan, but he never showed it in front of him. He has always been his greatest supporter and protector.

This time was no different.

Fang Rui was nearly brought to tears at the acknowledgement and reminder.

"Just promise me this: you will not take unnecessary risks when it comes to your health. We will have the best specialist looking after you. The price doesn't matter, if need be I'd pay for it, so would Yongbin. Whatever the doctor gives you, medicines, vitamins, instructions, you will follow it to the letter." Before Fang Rui could protest, "We'll make them consider that you also need to maintain a competitive state." Lin Jingyan looked at him sternly, brooking no argument. Fang Rui knew better than to argue when his captain and pack leader was like that.

"And you better tell Ye Qiu. It's his child too."

"I have no intention of hiding it from him. Just, I won't tell him now, or anytime soon." Lin Jingyan frowned at his answer.

"Why not?"

"One, I don't know where he is, and I cannot ask without letting Su Mucheng know. Two, he's starting a team."

"You think he's really joining Heavenly Justice?”

"No, not Heavenly Justice. He has established his own guild in the Tenth Server." If Fang Rui understood the significance, Lin Jingyan surely did.

"Then why?"

“In typical Ye Qiu’s fashion, he draws aggro wherever he goes,” Fang Rui snorted.

“Protection?” Lin Jingyan caught on.

“It was two separate announcements. One was about Lord Grim joining the Heavenly Justice guild. The other is about the guild leader creating a team to join the Alliance. People are just connecting the dots themselves.” Fang Rui inwardly sighed at the speculations that Ye Qiu’s retirement was related to Heavenly Justice's future team, as if he had no love and loyalty for Excellent Era. Fang Rui knew better, that was why he was so sure that if Ye Qiu built a team, it would be completely his own.

Happy, was it? The name of the guild in the Tenth Server. Simple, nothing so grand like Excellent Era, but it might be exactly how it was supposed to be.

“So what? You’re… going to wait until he comes back from his retirement?”

“No.” Fang Rui shook his head, “Until he returns to the Alliance. Because he will.” Of that, he had not the slightest doubt.

Creating a team was not easy, Ye Qiu must know that better than anyone else. However, unlike in the beginnings of the Alliance, everyone else would have a head start. He could only imagine the difficulties he would have to overcome. And knowing the lengths Excellent Era went to take him out of the picture, they would be one of them.

A child would only complicate things.

This was his choice, just like his choice to help Ye Qiu’s with his rut. The consequences were his to bear.

Fang Rui absently touched his still flat stomach under Lin Jingyan’s watchful eyes. The older man sighed in acquiescence, he knew when his partner and pack member had made up his mind. Fang Rui could only smile apologetically, but his heart was calm.

***

Fang Rui winces against the bright lights. His vision is slightly blurred by tears. A shadow falls over him, giving him reprieve. His mother’s smiling face greets him, patting his face gently with a towel. His concentration is shot, but he can sense his mother’s well-concealed worry throughout the labor. He can’t really blame her.

It has been a long and difficult delivery. His water broke last night, but until this afternoon he was not fully dilated enough that eventually his doctor decided to induce labor. It’s within expectation considering his circumstances, but it still didn’t prepare him enough for the intense pressure and constant discomfort due to the contractions. When the time finally came, the agony was excruciating, but it was gone as soon as it arrived, replaced with sweet, sweet relief especially when he heard a loud, hearty cry.

“Where?” Fang Rui doesn’t hide his impatience, earning him a chuckle from his mother. This time he can see the relief in her eyes.

“Patience, my dear. Doctor Jin is just getting here with your child.” Right when she says that, he can hear the cries getting closer. Doctor Jin appears with a small crying bundle in his arms, his wizened face crinkled happily, which settles Fang Rui’s heart that there’s nothing wrong with his child. His mother helps with opening the front of his hospital gown to initiate the first skin-to-skin contact.

“Careful.” The good doctor slowly, gently, lowers down the tiny figure on top of Fang Rui’s beating heart and close to his neck gland, his own hand instinctively raised to support the baby, covered by his mother’s hand in the case he hasn’t fully regained his strength.

Like magic, the cries stop. In its stead are adorable contented sounds.

“Oh.” Fang Rui is at a complete loss of words. He is completely enraptured by this living, breathing miracle.

“Congratulations, it’s a healthy girl. She’s smaller than average, as expected, but nothing suggests she won’t grow and gain normal weight.”

“A girl.” Fang Rui repeats breathlessly, tracing his daughter’s features with his eyes and finger, from her already thick dark tufts of hair to her incredibly tiny fingers. Gender hasn’t really mattered for Fang Rui, so he doesn’t know he’s having a daughter until now. He is counting her five perfect fingers when his index finger is caught in firm grasp. He faintly hears a gasp from his mother, not that he is any better. He finds himself looking at her in wonder.

“Hey there.” Fang Rui grins widely, eyes creasing in happiness. “What a strong grip you have.”

“What would be the name on the birth certificate?”

The question doesn’t seem to register to Fang Rui, his gaze remains fixated on his daughter. There was only himself and his daughter. Doctor Jin and his mother exchange knowing glances.

“...Fang Qiuyue.” Finally, Fang Rui speaks up.

“Her name is Fang Qiuyue. Daughter of Fang Rui and Ye Xiu.”

#quan zhi gao shou #the king's avatar #fanfic #fic #fang rui #ye xiu #yefang #omegaverse #fanfiction #au #alternate universe #the moon in autumn #tmia

2 notes · View notes