Omegaverse

@☭ Xiao Zhan Was Zhan challenging him now? Yibo fought against the cold in his throat to swallow another mouthful of the sweet cream, clicking his icy tongue as Zhan wiped the corner of his lips for him. He was always up for a good challenge, and continued to wrap his mouth around to cone to finish the rest of it off. Until Zhan mentioned it though, he didn't think about how he was feeling until then. They had woken up early and had not really had a moment's rest since they set off. They were on vacation, so it was only right that they do the most important thing while they were on vacation - which was to relax. "Mm, a little," he admitted, "It's nothing unbearable. I wouldn't mind taking a nap though," he told Zhan, "Are you?"

@☭ Wang Yibo Zhan watched, as instructed. "I don't know," he said, still taking delicate bites out of his. "Yeah, you sure can open your mouth, but how much can you actually swallow? I don't know." Zhan reached the cone, nibbling in smaller bites than Yibo but still managing to make just as good progress. When he looked over again, he burst out laughing. "Take smaller bites. You got nothing to prove, but you did ice cream all over your mouth." He swiped at the corner of Yibo's lips with his finger and the residue off. "Are you tired?" he asked all of a sudden, once the ache in his lower back set in from the long drive, the trail, and the biking. He was hoping Yibo would say yes, of course, so they could take a nap back at the hotel before dinner.

@☭ Xiao Zhan Today was the perfect temperature to sit outside and enjoy a cold treat. After their fast-paced bike ride, Yibo was feeling particularly thirsty too. He looked out to the open view before them, sighing in bliss as the sky spread before them in an endless expanse. It was so promising and calming, reminding him of everything a vacation should look and feel like. He leaned himself against Zhan, feeling like they were lovebirds at school. "Mm, it's good," Yibo agreed, lapping up hearty mouthfuls of the soft-serve with each . "What do you mean!" he asked, narrowing his eyes at Zhan, "Of course I can! Watch me!" To prove his point, Yibo opened his mouth wide as he lapped up a mouthful of the sweet vanilla goodness, making sure to wash his cold tongue over his lips as he swallowed. "See? It'll be gone in no time!"

@☭ Wang Yibo They sat beneath the shade of a tree, looking out toward the water that glittered like the surface was formed of a thousand multifaceted jewels. The blue sky was cloudless, too, and the bright, picturesque day put Zhan in a good mood. He at his ice cream, staring from the base of the swirly to the top to catch any melting drops. "Yum," he said. It was extremely sweet and sugary—just the way Zhan remembered it from years ago. "Haven't had a soft serve in so long." He felt like a kid, sitting in the grass to eat ice cream, but he wasn't bothered, simply happy to be able to enjoy simple blisses with Yibo. "Can you finish yours, even? It's big."

@☭ Xiao Zhan Yibo half-expected some push back from Zhan. He had been fully prepared to explain that he received an income too, and that something as trivial as an ice cream wasn't worth Zhan's effort to reach into his wallet for. To Yibo's surprise, Zhan agreed effortlessly! "Okay!" he chirped eagerly, ordering two vanilla cones so that they could jave one each. Yibo paid pompously, and received the two cones with napkins wrapped around the bottom of each one. He led Zhan to a shady spot under a lone tree before handing over the cone. "Here ya go," he hummed happily, waiting expectantly for Zhan to take a bite first, as if Yibo had purchased the most exotic treat in the world that awaited Zhan's judgment.

@☭ Wang Yibo "Your treat?" Zhan repeated. His omega really wanted to take the lead today. Rather than feeling emasculated, Zhan felt quite at peace with it. He tightened his hand around Yibo's, deciding he'd play along. Perhaps he would enjoy it more than he'd expect. "Then, Lao po, I want..." The options at the little ice cream cart were endless, from soft serve to popsicles to even milkshakes spun on the spot. "I want a vanilla cone," Zhan said, his free hand hanging limply at his side for once rather than reaching for his wallet. At a loss, he looked expectantly at Yibo for him to order for the both of them, too. Was this how Yibo felt when he was with Zhan? Did he even like it?

@☭ Xiao Zhan While Yibo only developed a craving for snacks during his heat cycles or the few days leading right up to it, Zhan had an actual sweet tooth that he had to actively fight off. Yibo had to stop for his mate's sake, so he let their bike come to a rolling stop before swinging his leg over to get off. "Alright!" he agreed, putting down the kickstand so that their bike could lean on one side. "Let's go get some!" he agreed, brazenly taking Zhan by the hand again. "My Lao gong wants ice cream, so we're going to get some ice cream!" he said playfully, clicking his tongue and winking playfully at Zhan. "My treat, okay?"

@☭ Wang Yibo Zhan was tired, but he didn't dare let up, not wanting Yibo to take on the brunt of the pedalling. "It's fine," Zhan wheezed, trying to savour the breeze that Yibo was glad wasn't here. They biked for another while, until Zhan found the perfect stopping point. "Look!" He grabbed at Yibo's shoulder for his attention. "Ice cream. How about we stop and have a snack?" After all, for both of them to be on their off-seasons, they didn't need to watch their diets. It was part of pretending they had normalcy. Zhan would not take no for an answer. "Stop!!"

@☭ Xiao Zhan It just couldn't be helped that anytime Yibo was riding a bike, whether it had a motor or not, he was fueled by an intensity that kept him going from start to finish. He leaned forward, just as if he were accelerating on his bike and he pedaled until he could hear the gears literally whizzing underneath him. Zhan's voice from behind only made Yibo more determined to pick up the pace, "Oh come on!" he called out, turning his head slightly, "We're not going to tip over!" He grinned as he felt the wind rush to his face, just like he was on the track. "This feels so good!" He kept at it, until he was panting for breath. That was when he decided to slow it down and do things Zhan's style. "You like this?" he asked his mate, "The breeze isn't as strong this way."

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@☭ Wang Yibo Zhan wanted to sit in front, so he could protect Yibo, but Yibo ran right to the front, forcing Zhan to take the literal backseat. They pedalled down the path at a relatively safe speed, until Yibo decided to treat the waterfront trail as a race course and tried to race every other bike they encountered. "No!" Zhan yelped. "This isn't the track!" Still, he had no choice but to pedal faster, panting as he struggled to keep up with the pace Yibo was going at. Zhan did exhausting work, but it still wouldn't compare to Yibo's athleticism. "Wang Yibo, slow down before you tip us over!"

@☭ Xiao Zhan Without knowing Zhan's actual intentions, Yibo was very giddy with the tandem bike choice. It was a new challenge for them, to time their pedaling along one another's. He wanted to lead though, and wasted no time in getting on in front. "You gotta watch me, okay Ge?" Yibo instructed Zhan, "We need to pedal the same foot at the same time." They were off. It was a wobbly start at first, but as they pedaled down the stone path, Yibo felt like it was just riding any normal bike. "Not bad!" he called out to Zhan, "Let's go faster!"

@☭ Wang Yibo "Oh... but you don't know anything about business, baby." Zhan said. "My money is your money, so why worry yourself with the business? And you know I'd bring back any scripts to let you look first before I sign anything." Besides, if Yibo had any official title in their hypothetical company, Zhan wouldn't be able to stop him if he tried to do something Zhan didn't like. They finished the last of their dishes, drained the rest of the fermented mare milk (which had really grown on Zhan), and they headed down the path to the bike rental Zhan read about online. There was an entire fleet, enough that no one ever had to make reservations. Zhan chose the tandem bike for them, though—for one, he wasn't too good at riding himself; and second, he didn't need Yibo speeding off without him.

@☭ Xiao Zhan The promise of yet another fun physical activity together with Zhan perked Yibo up, and he nodded his head while picking his chopsticks up to continue eating. Since they were away from home, it made no sense to take any leftovers anyways. Yibo finished up the last of his tripe and coriander, then waiter for Zhan to complete his meal too. During this time, Yibo also got himself more and more stoked on the thought of being in an entertainment company that Zhan ran. "I want to be a stockholder too," he ended up telling Zhan, "That way we can both have a say in the company, and I can help you find good roles to take on!"

@☭ Wang Yibo "Okay, okay," Zhan hurried to say, embarrassed when Yibo called him out on one of his earlier dramas. "I'll be a lot pickier. But just because they're waiting for me to put out movies doesn't mean I owe them anything." Zhan owed himself to the family he chose to create, first and foremost, but he didn't say that out loud, knowing Yibo would just make fun of him. He was about to ask Yibo what exactly would he hire him for, but whatever it was, Zhan would make the position up for Yibo. After all, if Yibo was under his management, then he could easily forbid Yibo from going out onto the track. It was foolproof. "If you'll take me," Zhan responded with a wry smile. "Eat your food. We're going biking after this."

@☭ Xiao Zhan "Why would you step back when you have so many fans out there still waiting for your work? You can still accept projects, but choose the really good ones to shoot. Don't do random ones like that weird one, you know "Oh! My Emperor"? That one had been a historical drama with a sci-fi twist to it, but the plot and characters had been shoddily written. It wasn't one of Zhan's best pieces of work. Yibo replenished their shot glasses again and wiped away the sweat on his forehead as he took a break to sit back and chew. "Yuning's such a good boy. Even if he has to grow up, I'm sure he'll always love us like he does now." Yibo reassured Zhan. He raised a brow at the older's suggestion, "What? Are you going to sign me under your company then? If I get that championship, I'll be offered a lot of endorsements you know?" he teased.

@☭ Wang Yibo Zhan puffed up in pride when Yibo complimented him. If Yibo liked him in costume, then Zhan would only take historical dramas from now on. "I'm getting old," Zhan said, as if he were entering his 80s and not his mid-30s. "I don't mind stepping back. We're not strapped for cash, and now that we have a pup, I would like to spend more time with him if I can. Before he grows up and thinks he's too cool for his parents." Zhan grinned as if he made a joke, but deep down, it was a very real fear. When his pup, pups grew up, they would inevitably leave the nest, just as Zhan and Yibo had done to their respective families. Zhan wasn't sure if he could take this kind of emotional damage himself, though. "Maybe I'll establish my own talent company as passive income."

@☭ Xiao Zhan Seeing some of the meat that he liked bubbling to the top, Yibo fished it out of the hot pot and began to blow at it as he prepared to begin his next round of eating. He was an avid but silent fan of Zhan's shows, but had been keeping up less with the news articles that were coming out in the past few two years as his attention was to care for their pup and to further his own career instead. It was good news to Yibo that Zhan was still in such high demand, and he on the tip of his chopsticks as he eyed the pot of soup for the next thing that he wanted to eat to surface. "I see," he murmured, smiling to congratulate Zhan, "I wish you didn't have to go out for too long...but I do miss seeing your historical dramas. You look so good with long hair and in hanfu too." Yibo didn't sense anything awry with Zhan's questions so he shook his head, "No you need to do what you need to do. I remember when you took a hiatus because of me...I don't want you to hold back from all those good roles waiting for you."

@☭ Wang Yibo Zhan slowed with his eating. Yibo scarcely asked about Zhan's projects, only knowing just enough to know when Zhan was working and when he'd be off. He wondered if Yibo was planning something new. A new baby, perhaps! If Zhan could be the stay at home parent, Yibo would definitely agree to it. "I have a few big ones," Zhan said casually, gauging Yibo's reaction to his news. "But I haven't accepted anything yet. They're all historical dramas, so it's all long hours, days away... I don't know yet." He might as well ask Yibo directly. "Why do you ask, baby? You don't want me to take any more?"

@☭ Xiao Zhan While Zhan was cooking for them, Yibo would refill their shot glasses of mare milk. The taste grew on him, and Zhan was right that it was coupled well with the heavier tasting soup broth and meats that shimmered from their natural oils as they finished cooking. Yibo dove into his cooked platter of meats right away, in satisfaction with every bite. There was so much commotion around them that he was pretty sure his reactions were the last thing anyone was looking at right now. When Zhan finally got a chance to set the cooking tongs down to begin eating for himself, Yibo deposited more of the vegetables in with his pair of chopsticks while munching on the cucumber salad to keep himself occupied. The smashed cucumber wasn't quite similar to the taste that he was used to back home, but he supposed it was not to the restaurant's fault. They did, after all, specialize in Mongolian hotpot. Yibo was all too eager to begin again when Zhan started cooking up their next round that were delivered to their table. He picked up the piping hot pieces of beef and lamb, sizing each one up briefly before taking it all in one mouthful. As he chased each bite with a sip of the mare milk, the flavor combination began to grow on him, which seemed to open his appetite more than usual. In between his eating though, he did remember to stop and converse with Zhan. "So...are you gonna accept any major projects after this? Any good offers?"

@☭ Wang Yibo "There's a bit of alcohol, since it's fermented," Zhan said. Since Yibo was nowhere close to being pregnant, Zhan allowed him to drink. "It's quite good," he agreed, even if it was a little sour for his liking. "Would be refreshing for the heavier foods we're eating." As all their side dishes were brought out raw, they didn't have to wait long at all before they could begin cooking. Zhan cooked for the two of them, while he let Yibo cook for himself. The lamb slices were the unexpected hero of their lunch, being much softer than what Zhan was used to eating back home. He heaped a pile of meat and tripe onto Yibo's dish. "Eat."

@☭ Xiao Zhan They had been up since the wee hours in the morning, and this was their first official meal of the day. Yibo was famished, especially since they had just finished a very satisfying walk along the Great Wall. As soon as the broth was brought to a boil, he began to deposit any of the items that were left by their tableside in to start cooking. The sound of mare milk sounded somewhat foreign at first, and the drink that was brought out to them looked like it had been sitting out for a bit too long. Yibo was adventurous though, so he picked up his glass and took a shot. He scrunched his face. What could he say to describe this drink? It tasted somewhat acidic, like there was a sour aftertaste to it. It wasn't a bad thing for Yibo, since he did like sour profiles, but it was unusual. "Hm," he commented, "Why does this drink make me feel like I'm having alcohol?" he asked Zhan, smacking his lips as he waited for his mate's appraisal. "It's not...bad?"

@☭ Wang Yibo Yibo was often like that—making what little demands he wanted and then having Zhan fill in the rest so his precious brain would get a rest. Zhan lived to please Yibo, so he took care in picking the rest of their dishes, making sure it was all things that Yibo liked to eat. While their food was being brought out, Zhan also ordered a small pitcher of fermented mare milk for them, which seemed to be the popular drink of choice amongst the patrons in the restaurant. "This place does the Mongolia atmosphere well," Zhan commented as he poured the milk into small shot glasses for them. "I feel like I'm in a tent."

@☭ Xiao Zhan When there was fun to be had, Yibo could easily forget all about the pain and struggles that came along the way, all as long as he got to go down the slide at full speed and yell to his heart's content. The second time down was just as fun as the first, but Yibo could tell that Zhan was struggling to stand upright with how tall he was and after climbing such a tall flight of stairs. "Let's go eat!" he exclaimed, letting Zhan lead the way to the new restaurant. The spices in the fragrant brother could be smelled from a block away, which Yibo took as a sign that this was going to be one hell of a hot pot meal. They were promptly seated in a crowded corner of the restaurant when they entered, but Yibo figured it was all part of the tourist experience. "That one and...the Spicy House Special," he said, wanting two bases as they normally had it back home. Yibo glanced through the side dishes on the menu. "Smashed cucumber!" he exclaimed, pointing it out to Zhan, "I want this one, and the coriander! And...tripe!" He leaned back satisfied already, "And then you decide the rest Ge."

@☭ Wang Yibo Finding the steps up the wall and then going back up to line up for the slide again delayed their lunch by half an hour, but it was worth it hearing Yibo's delighted cheers. Zhan's thighs burned by the time he stood up at the bottom of the slide for a second time, but he hid it well to take Yibo to the hot pot place he was exciting Yibo about. As if the gods were looking down upon them that day, the last table inside the busy restaurant was given to them. Zhan glanced toward the entrance, milling with all the people who arrived after them, pleased. "What soup base should we get?" Zhan mused, peeling through the sticky menu. "Lamb spine broth is new. We don't have that at home."

@☭ Xiao Zhan Yibo thought they'd be going down side by side, but it turned out the slide wasn't as wide as he thought it'd be. Still, it worked for him to sit in front of Zhan, tucked firmly between his legs. It was almost like he had a tube of his own for the slide. As Zhan used his weight to push them forward, Yibo squeezed his mate's hand and whooped loudly as he felt the wind in his face and his heart drop in excitement from the increasing speed. Zhan's yelling was uncharacteristic, but it was also funny. Halfway down, Yibo stopped cheering and started laughing instead, finding Zhan's reaction to be the highlight of the ride. Once they reached the bottom, he grinned and turned around to see Zhan's reaction. To his bewilderment (and joy), Zhan wanted to go again! "Okay! Let's do it!" he exclaimed, forgetting all about lunch as he stood up, dusted himself off, and looked for the closest way to go back up to the slide once more.

@☭ Wang Yibo The slide was exactly as described—one long, metal slide that would take them to the bottom of the wall within seconds. Once they were given the 'okay' from the slide operator, Zhan sat behind Yibo at the top of the slide, tucking his legs securely around his mate's waist. Since Yibo wanted to hold his hand, Zhan reached around his front so Yibo could grab at them. With their combined weight, flying down the slide was even more exhilarating (and a little terrifying) than Zhan would have expected. He yelled all the way down, never mind that his mouth was right by Yibo's ear, and when they arrived at the bottom Zhan's hair was windswept and his eyes were glittering. It had been a while since he had excitement like that. "Let's go again!"

@☭ Xiao Zhan "Hot pot!" Yibo exclaimed, nodding eagerly. He and Zhan used to frequent a hot pot place near their old apartment, especially after he finished a heat cycle, it was a particularly appetizing place to go to. "I want to," he agreed. In the distance, he saw a small group gathering over an extended ledge. That was the slide that Zhan had mentioned! Yibo's feet seemed to have a mind of their own, and he naturally picked up the pace that he was walking at so that they could approach the slide quicker. "Woah! This is big!" he gasped, seeing how the slide did a gradually slope downwards until it planed evenly at the bottom of the Great Wall. "It's free to go down right?" he asked, joining at the back of the line. "Let's hold hands when we go down, it'll be fun!" he exclaimed, hyping it up for them. He beamed as he shared his excitement with Zhan, eager to do something fun with his mate after they toiled hard as parents for the past two years.

@☭ Wang Yibo "Both?" Zhan took a wild guess. Although they both were often in Beijing for work, they rarely indulged in the cuisine there, preferring tastes of their own respective hometowns. So, even a little excursion like this would be a treat. Zhan changed his mind as the thoughts were halfway out of his mouth, though. "Actually, there's a Mongolian hot pot at the base of the wall. It's near the slides. If we manage to get a spot, do you want to try it?" Suggesting something so outlandish made Zhan feel as though he had travelled back in time, when he and Yibo had nobody to go home to but themselves, no responsibilities but to each other. They could go out all night, do anything during the day. Now, Mongolian hot pot was the most exciting part of their trip. Zhan wouldn't have it any other way.

@☭ Xiao Zhan Zhan's sigh told Yibo that there was a correct option out of the three possible ones, and Yibo had chosen the wrong one. He was conflicted for just a moment, hesitating about asking Zhan if the older wanted to choose another way of getting down. The one Zhan would most likely choose...was probably the helicopter though, and Yibo wanted no part in that big show. "Okay..." he eventually said, suppressing the question and following after Zhan as he was led towards the big slide. "I think we're good on time," Yibo said, "It's still pretty early." He was finding things to talk to Zhan about, but they were doing just fine prior to this! Maybe Yibo shouldn't think too much into the situation, since Zhan didn't look as bothered as he sounded, "What are we gonna eat?" he asked, "Is it touristy food or actual food?"