#desiretheseries

[cultabel]

[tralalaiza]

This is how Shen Wenlang’s 8th proposal went.

(And the last chapter of my headcanon series)

It happens when Lele saw an ad on TV about a carnival that’s happening on the weekend. The carnival showcased rides, games, entertainment, street food, and fireworks along with friendly and vibrant looking mascots. This carnival was the talk of the town and seeing as it will only run for three days on the weekend, everyone would be there.

Lele asked if they could go but Gao Tu was apprehensive about it. He’s not too keen about the amount of people since it’s a 3-day event. It would be crowded for sure and besides, Lele has been to a lot of amusement parks by now. Isn’t the carnival the same thing? Maybe they can head somewhere for the weekend instead? The beach, maybe? 

But Shen Wenlang, always eager to please his only son, managed to convince Gao Tu that it would be fun. They’ll go on a Friday, the first day, and hope that the crowd won't be that large yet. He also promised to have his bodyguards on standby and will leave at once if things get ugly. He assures Gao Tu that it’ll be safe with him there and it’ll be fun. And they can still go to the beach on Saturday too, if he wants.

So Gao Tu says yes. Because as Shen Wenlang was talking about it, Gao Tu sees the way the alpha’s eyes brighten with excitement and the tone of his voice fill with life. And Gao Tu likes it when he and Lele look so happy. In fact, it amused him to see the both of them talk about it and plead with him, looking so alike side by side. Like father, like son. So Gao Tu says yes and enjoys the moment as Shen Wenlang and Lele’s smiles widen and they do a high five before discussing more about the carnival.

They invite Hua Yong, Sheng Shaoyou and Peanut along but the day before they’re to go, Peanut catches a flu from a sick kid in school so they had to cancel. Lele had been disappointed about it but Peanut told him to take lots of pictures and videos to show to him once he gets back. That gave Lele something to look forward to and cheered him up a bit. 

So off the three of them went. Three bodyguards followed them discreetly once they were inside while the rest were stationed outside the gates. Shen Wenlang has Lele on his shoulders as they walk along the carnival while his hand is clasped around Gao Tu’s. And it turns out, Shen Wenlang was right. There’s not a lot of people at the moment but it was enough to have the atmosphere feel jovial.

They go on the rides which aren’t that extreme but it has all three of them laughing and taking pictures here and there. They taste all the food and Gao Tu throws Shen Wenlang a look when Lele asks for a second round of cotton candy (the alpha catches that look and steers Lele to a healthier option of bao buns instead). They watch all the shows and take videos to send to Peanut so he doesn’t get bored being stuck in bed. 

Aside from the rides, the food, and the entertainment, there were also game booths situated at every corner. Gao Tu and Shen Wenlang teach Lele how to do the ring toss game and shoot balls inside a large rotating bucket.  They win some and lose some and every game has them enjoying a time well spent with just the three of them.

They end up staying the entire day at the carnival and manage to finish all the attractions. As they find a good spot to watch the fireworks, Lele points at a row of claw machines and asks if he can play that one too.

The prizes inside the machine were boxes filled with random trinkets. Gao Tu wins a tiny musical box inside while Lele wins a small elephant keychain that he says he’ll bring to Peanut. Meanwhile, Shen Wenlang has a hard time getting one but after a few tries and with Gao Tu and Lele cheering him on, he manages to get a prize.

Inside is a small gold ring. Nothing flashy. No jewels or diamonds. Just a simple gold band. The gold is obviously fake since it was only a claw machine trinket. But Shen Wenlang, who was already on the ground on one knee since he was picking up the box from the small slot located below the claw machine, turns to Gao Tu with a playful smile and holds up the box with the ring, mimicking a proposal.

And here’s the thing about all of Shen Wenlang’s previous proposals. Every single one he has ever done for Gao Tu had all been grand. Private. But grand. A romantic and luxurious dinner at an expensive restaurant. When that didn’t work, a scenic view in a foreign destination. The next one was a getaway on a private island. A chartered hot air balloon. Underneath an evening sky full of lanterns. On board a yacht. A luxury hotel suite.

And that wasn’t all. For every proposal, Shen Wenlang always got down on one knee with a different ring every single time. Expensive rings. Gold and silver. Diamonds and rubies. Shen Wenlang knew Gao Tu wouldn’t care about such things. But he couldn’t help it. He wanted everything to be grand for him. Even though he kept getting rejected, Shen Wenlang made sure every proposal was perfect.

So when Shen Wenlang playfully proposed with that fake golden ring, in a setting that didn’t exactly offer a majestic view or any sort of intimate privacy, he didn’t expect anything from it.

But Gao Tu, who has since been thinking about this day ever since they took that picnic and had that realization, was ready. He knew Shen Wenlang was just playing. And maybe because he knew the alpha wasn’t thinking too much of it, that Gao Tu looked into his eyes, and with a laugh and a smile and all the confidence in the world, uttered out a “yes”.

It took a while for Shen Wenlang to process what just happened. For starters, Gao Tu’s smile was blindingly beautiful. It never ceased to amaze him and captivate him. So there he was, basking in that smile, when he realized Gao Tu said yes. 

Yes? 

To what? 

And then a beat. 

Because Shen Wenlang realized he’s down on one knee, holding out a ring in front of him.

The carnival that was loud with people talking, laughing, music blaring on a nearby speaker, the sounds of someone squealing from a ride, all of it suddenly went quiet. 

And there was no one else there. It was just Gao Tu. The person who stood by him for so long. Who stuck by him through everything. Who suffered because of his stupidity. Who almost died because of him. Who carried his child and took care of him. Who is still here with him now after everything, finally, ultimately, at long last, saying yes to him.

A burst of fireworks decorate the night sky. They were supposed to find a spot to watch. But Shen Wenlang can’t move. He’s still on one knee and looking up at Gao Tu that’s more beautiful than the fireworks behind him.

Lele’s voice is an echo cutting through Shen Wenlang’s reverie. He’s calling out to them, tugging at Shen Wenlang’s sleeves. Something about wanting to ride on his shoulders so he can sit and watch the fireworks. 

Shen Wenlang finally gets up. With the ring still on one hand, he carefully maneuvers Lele onto his shoulders with Gao Tu helping the little boy sit down.

“Yes?” Shen Wenlang turns to Gao Tu as soon as Lele is comfortable. He’s reminding him of that interrupted moment. His stomach is in knots, hopeful to hear Gao Tu’s answer again.

Gao Tu steps closer, reaching out to fix Shen Wenlang’s shirt that had gotten rumpled when he carried Lele on his shoulders.

“Yes.” Gao Tu looks at him with a smile. “Unless… You weren’t about to ask?”

Shen Wenlang’s heart starts beating wildly. He wraps an arm around Gao Tu's waist, bringing him closer, letting him feel the tremble running through his being.

“Marry me.” Shen Wenlang then shakes his head. That wasn’t asking. “I meant, marry me? Will you?” His tongue is all tied. How is it that he can’t ask properly and is still so nervous when he has done this seven times?

Gao Tu chuckles. “Yes.” He steps even closer, and Shen Wenlang’s hold on him tightens. “Yes.” Gao Tu says again, nodding his head this time, eyes glistening as he cups Shen Wenlang’s face, rising on his toes to kiss him. 

Another round of fireworks erupt in the sky.

“Papa! Daddy! Look!” Lele shouts from above. But none of them look up. Shen Wenlang is busy crying silent tears in happiness and Gao Tu is whispering words of comfort as he wipes his tears away. Gao Tu wishes he too had soothing pheromones to give to the alpha because he won’t stop tearing up. But since he doesn’t, he continues to kiss him and let Shen Wenlang inhale his scent.

With shaky breaths, Shen Wenlang inserts the ring on Gao Tu’s finger. It doesn’t fit. They both laugh. Gao Tu still keeps it even though it’s only halfway in.

“Is this real?” Shen Wenlang asks under his breath, still unable to believe what just happened.

“Very much real.” Gao Tu assures him with another kiss.

That night, when Lele is bathed and tucked into bed in his own room, he falls into a deep sleep from exhaustion from the day's events.

But not his fathers. Both were still wildly awake and intertwined in the masters bedroom, unable to keep their hands off each other.

“Behave,” Shen Wenlang reprimands Gao Tu who keeps offering his gland to him by arching his neck and letting his sage scent bloom, inviting the alpha in.

“What?” Gao Tu gives a breathless laugh. “Isn’t this what you want?”

Shen Wenlang growls against his skin as he pins him down the bed. Gao Tu shudders as Shen Wenlang noses on his neck before moving downwards to his chest.

“We’re doing this right.” Shen Wenlang murmurs against Gao Tu’s stomach. “Marriage first. And then a mark.” He kisses his rib and Gao Tu’s stomach dips.

Gao Tu lifts himself on his elbows as he watches the alpha slink further down in between his legs. But before Shen Wenlang can do anything more, he pauses and looks up at him. Gone is the fierce alpha look on his face and Gao Tu sees a docile wolf staring back at him.

“Is that what you want too?” The alpha asks.

Gao Tu sits up and takes his mate— soon to be mate’s face in his hands. 

“Yes.” He answers, giving his yes over and over again. He knows they’ll spend a lifetime assuring each other of things over and over again. Gao Tu will never tire of it.

Shen Wenlang smiles, presses a kiss to the omega’s thigh before dipping his head down and taking Gao Tu in his mouth.

And that whole night, Gao Tu isn’t sure if it’s because of the yes that he said out loud, but it’s as if his body knows that he’s ready. He can’t help but keep on releasing pheromones meant to have his alpha mark him which has Shen Wenlang staying away from his gland and focus on everywhere else to keep himself from marking him accidentally.

“Next week,” Shen Wenlang says breathlessly when they’ve finished and exhaustion seeps into his bones. Not from the lovemaking but from the strength he has to reign in to keep himself from losing control.

Gao Tu hums, prompting Shen Wenlang to continue what he's about to say as he nuzzles his face near the alpha’s chest.

“We marry. Next week.” Is all Shen Wenlang can say in his state because any longer than next week will drive him crazy.

They marry in a private ceremony with only Hua Yong, Sheng Shaoyou, Peanut, Lele and Gao Qing as witnesses. And it was a beautiful ceremony that would be remembered by the people that mattered to them. Gao Tu and Shen Wenlang wouldn’t have it any other way.

As for the rings, Shen Wenlang had one made exactly like the ring at the carnival. Just a plain gold band with their names inscribed. This time, he made sure it was made with real gold and that it fit. Gao Tu still kept the old ring with him, unable to part with it due to sentimental purposes. It would tarnish and fade through time. But he would still keep it.

He marks Gao Tu that night on their honeymoon at a private island that Shen Wenlang owned and where no one could disturb them. And the moment was unlike anything they both imagined. Sage and iris filled the air, enveloping them in their union. 

The mark also triggers Gao Tu’s heat which Shen Wenlang prepared beforehand. He made sure to take care of his husband and his mate, keeping up with him to satisfy his wants and needs. Gao Tu, no longer holding back, allows Shen Wenlang every part of him to take. And the alpha claims him as his own, promising him a lifetime of love and protection.

Do they have more kids? Absolutely!

Gao Tu never wanted Lele to be an only child. He wanted Lele to have someone like he had Gao Qing. He knew he wanted just one. But eventually they have more. Some of them they had planned and talked about. One was a surprise. One a very early miscarry due to a stressful work incident that Shen Wenlang never forgave himself for and which also led to a mutual decision for Gao Tu to retire as his secretary since the omega wanted to be a full-time parent anyway. And Shen Wenlang was the perfect provider, father, and protector of his pack.

The empire Shen Wenlang builds with Gao Tu lasts for generations. They made sure their children grew up with both fathers present and to show them what love meant. They grew up spoiled with devotion but never from the richness that money offered. Well, not completely since Shen Wenlang would slip up sometimes and he would dote on them on monetary things. But there was a balance, all thanks to Gao Tu keeping his mate and family in check and with Shen Wenlang being an obedient alpha to his omega.

Do they live happily ever after?

Yes.

Yes.

Always.

Forever.

- end -

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[cultabel]