[风情 | FengQing]: You Are Giving Me Christmas In Mid-Summer [TGCF ABO Universe]

★ Part 21: Shrink(ing) Over (Too Much) Whiskey

Feng Xin was close to exploding. The tension inside was just too much. He, strangely, could not explain why he ever let that lowly Beta put his paw on him, touch him. He had no idea why he followed him to the counter, leaving his own husband to the cares of another Alpha.

He sat down heavily, all the hairs on his body standing on end. His head was a mess, especially after last night's shenanigans, and the fact that Mu Qing had tried to trick him, for the very first time ever.

He had totally forgotten about his Papa, his whole being now focused on the scent of both Mu Qing and Xie Lian, and his eyes moved only due to pure animal instinct - to follow, like they would follow prey, as poor Hua Cheng got behind the counter with a sigh, and pulled out a bottle of whiskey, pouring generous amounts of it into two identical glasses.

- Talk to me, asshole. – the tall Beta mumbled now, taking a sip off his glass, but stealing a quick glance at his lover.

Xie Lian looked lost, but yea – that was not new.

Feng Xin grunted like a boar, and took a sip too. Today had already been too much, and their shift had just started. But the scent... The scent said upset, the scent said sorry, the scent said confused, the scent said protect me, the scent said I'm sad, the scent said I'm lonely, and Feng Xin wanted to explode, truly, yes.

- Why the fuck... - he started slowly. - ... does every single motherfucker today... want me to be sharing shit... like they're my fucking SHRINK or something...

Hua Cheng hummed. He was a little torn between telling a joke now, about all Alphas needing shrinks all the time, but some – more often than others!, and playing nice. Then he thought about what his GeGe would have preferred. Well, no dilemmas there!

- I agree. – he cooed now, leaning over the counter and grinning in the huge Alpha's face. – It's weird. People being nice to you and wanting to help you... I find it utterly baffling. Truly confusing. Those who love you... I think they are... well... - he smirked, and was ready to go on, surely.

But Feng Xin suddenly bristled all over and barked at him:

- Be extra careful what you're gonna say next, stinky Beta!!!

The lanky dark-haired young man just rolled his eyes.

- Feng Xin, you really, really need some fresh insults! Like... I've been listening to this same crap for what... 2 years now? 3 years???

The Alpha blinked, actually listening to him.

- Shit. – Feng Xin mumbled. – Has it really been so long?! I think I'm getting dumber and dumber coz I have to be talking to you every day! Ugh!

Hua Cheng ignored him. His eyes darted towards his husband quickly, and he saw Feng Xin's dad there, talking to the weird pair.

He bit his lips. Was his GeGe going to be upset today because of those morons?

- Tell me. You'll feel better. – he mumbled now to no one in particular. – I'll be your bartender today! – he quipped.

That simple sentence actually made Feng Xin grin, and the two toasted each other by mute, but mutual consensus, and then downed the rest of the alcohol in one gulp. Naturally, the Alpha was just a little warm inside after that, but the Beta's cheeks got flushed immediately. It was quite strong whiskey.

Yet, Hua Cheng listened. The uncouth Alpha told the story rudely and in his typical hacked manner, but he understood. There were times when Hua Cheng dreamed of being an Omega for his Alpha, and he often sympathized with certain areas and predicaments in an Omega's life... Although the mood swings were too much for him, and how Alphas generally tolerated those on a regular basis was beyond him.

- So... You're guys having a hard time conceiving? – he summed it up nicely, hiccupping loudly.

- Shush, idiot!!! – Feng Xin hissed and turned his head back quickly, to see if anyone had heard that.

It was strange, but he really didn't want Mu Qing to know he was sharing such intimate stuff with... well, with a... with a lowly Beta!

Hua Cheng distributed fresh whiskey, once again amazed at how Alphas truly needed bottles of that poison in order to get tipsy even.

- Aaand... - he slurred the word a bit. - ...last night? Last night, your loverboy... he lied to you? Or am I wrong?! – he grinned, pleased for some reason.

Feng Xin was sulking, now staring at his glass.

- Dunno why, but I couldn't tell that to my Pa. I really wanted to. But then... I... - he mumbled now, confused.

Mu Qing's scent was getting weaker, and better, so he got distracted more, now looking up at the flushed and stupidly grinning Beta.

- Are you drunk now, motherfucker?!? Fuck! What am I even doing, talking to you??? – he grumbled to himself.

- Ehhhh... - Hua Cheng took offense now, pouting. – You know... I ain't no shrink, nope! I don't wanna be, either, hahaha! But I get it! Why don't you get it??? – he sniggered now, sipping on, as the more he drank, the tastier the whiskey tasted!

- Forget it. – Feng Xin hissed at him, downing the rest of whatever was in his glass in one go, unimpressed.

- Wha? You don't wanna know the answer to your question?! Really??? - the Beta mocked him, and he glared at him openly, with totally unrefined hatred.

- You know... On some days, I dream of skinning you alive. Like, peeling off that nasty smirk off your face. I think the world will be a better place if I did it. It might be soon. – he snapped at the tipsy Beta.

- Eh! Whatever! – Hua Cheng just waved his hand at him in a chaotic and undefined way. – I won't tell you, if you don't wanna! Whatever! Ha!

The Alpha squinted his eyes at him, suspicious. Was it just another joke? Was it just... mockery and ridicule? Or maybe this stupid Beta knew something he didn't? What better moment to get intel from him than when he was plastered?

Feng Xin tried to remember whether he had seen Mu Qing talk to Hua change alone. Sharing with him maybe? Maybe a secret?

He couldn't.

- SPEAK. – he said slowly, and he knew that – had it been an Omega – he or she would have spilled literally anything  about anyone.