Chasing Husband
A salty sea breeze streamed in through the open French windows, ruffling the white gauze curtains. Si Qi stood by the window, watching the distant azure sea shimmer like diamonds in the sunlight. He heard soft footsteps behind him, and turning to see Shao Wei dragging his suitcase into the villa's master bedroom. The sunlight gilded him.
"Do you like it?" Si Qi asked, walking towards his Alpha.
Shao Wei looked around—the spacious bedroom, the king-size bed, the floor-to-ceiling windows facing the sea view, and the double lounge chair on the balcony. His gaze finally fell on Si Qi's face, and a glimmer of light flashed in his gray eyes.
"Yeah." He replied softly, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, "very beautiful."
Si Qi took the suitcase from his hand and stole a kiss on the corner of his slightly raised lips. Shao Wei did not dodge as usual, but let the kiss happen. When Si Qi retreated, he subconsciously took a half step after him.
This small gesture warmed Si Qi's heart. He raised his hand to push away the loose hair on Shao Wei's forehead, and gently stroked the faint wrinkles between his eyebrows with his thumb - the marks left by long-term frowning.
"Go change your clothes," Si Qi said softly, "let's go downstairs for a walk."
Shao Wei nodded and opened the suitcase to look for his swimming trunks. Si Qi noticed that his movements had suddenly stiffened. Besides the clothes, the suitcase also contained several bottles of medicine. Suppressants and antidepressants, the ones Shao Wei had been trying to reduce recently.
"Do you need help?" Si Qi asked, pretending not to see the medicine bottles.
Shao Wei quickly put a T-shirt over the medicine bottle and shook his head: "No need."
Si Qi didn't insist, turning to search his suitcase for his swimming trunks. He deliberately slowed down to give Shao Wei some personal space. When he changed into his swimming trunks and turned around, Shao Wei was already ready, standing by the French window, looking at the sea. The sunlight filtered through his white shirt, outlining his thin figure, his waistline so narrow it was painful.
"Let's go." Si Qi walked over and took his hand naturally.
Shao Wei's fingers curled slightly in Si Qi's palm, but he didn't struggle. Hand in hand, they walked downstairs, through the path in the villa's backyard, and toward the private beach. His bare feet on the soft white sand, Shao Wei's toes unconsciously curled and uncurled, like a child experiencing this kind of touch for the first time.
"Have you never been to the beach?" Si Qi asked, gently stroking the back of his hand with his thumb.
Shao Wei shook his head. "I was taken on vacation when I was a kid, but... I wasn't allowed to play." He paused. "An Alpha heir must have dignity."
Si Qi imagined little Shao Wei standing on the beach in his neat little suit, being told by the adults to maintain a dignified appearance. His chest felt tight. He let go of Shao Wei's hand, suddenly bent down, scooped up a handful of sea water, and splashed it at Shao Wei.
The cold water splashed against Shao Wei's calves, and he took a step back in shock, his eyes wide. Si Qi laughed and scooped up another handful of water. This time, Shao Wei reacted quickly and bent down to scoop up water in return. The two of them chased and splashed in the shallows like two carefree teenagers.
When Si Qi finally grabbed Shao Wei's wrist and pulled him into his arms, both were breathless and soaking wet. Shao Wei's white shirt clung to his body, revealing the skin and scars beneath. His hair was wet and plastered to his forehead, and his eyes shone with a light Si Qi had never seen before—pure joy.
"You look so beautiful when you smile." Si Qi said sincerely, wiping the water droplets from his cheek with his thumb.
Shao Wei's eyelashes trembled, and his smile faded slightly, but it didn't disappear completely. He looked down at their clasped hands, the seawater washing over their ankles and then receding, over and over again.
"I used to... not like to laugh." Shao Wei said softly, "Father said Alphas shouldn't... be too emotional."
Si Qi's heart sank. He pulled Shao Wei closer, foreheads touching. "In front of me, you can do whatever you want. Laugh, cry, lose your temper... It's all fine."
Shao Wei's breath brushed Si Qi's lips, warm and moist. Just when Si Qi thought he would retreat as usual, Shao Wei suddenly moved forward an inch and kissed him. This kiss carried the salty taste of seawater and the warmth of sunlight, simple but worth a thousand words.
When they separated, there was a hint of uncertainty in Shao Wei's eyes, as if he was surprised at his own boldness. Si Qi comforted him with a smile, then led him towards deeper waters.
"Can you swim?" Si Qi asked.
Shao Wei nodded: "It's a required course."
"Then let's have a race?" Si Qi pointed to the buoy in the distance, "Let's see who gets there first."
A competitive glint flashed in Shao Wei's eyes—that was the nature of an Alpha. Without a word, he dove into the water, his slender body slicing graceful arcs like a dolphin. Si Qi followed with a smile, the two chasing each other in the water, splashing everywhere.
Finally, Shao Wei reached the buoy first, with a half-body advantage. He turned to face Si Qi, his face gleaming with triumph, his eyes bright as stars. Si Qi swam over and put his arm around his waist near the buoy.
"I won." Shao Wei said, with a rare joy in his voice.
Si Qi couldn't help but kiss the tip of his wet nose: "Well, you win. What's the reward?"
Shao Wei thought for a moment, then did something that made Si Qi's heart stop—he leaned close to Si Qi's ear and whispered, "...I love you."
These two words were as gentle as the sea breeze, yet more powerful than any raging wave. Si Qi tightened his arms, hugging Shao Wei tightly to him, feeling the resonance of their two hearts across their wet chests.
"I love you too." Si Qi responded in his ear, his voice low and firm.
On the way back to the shore, they swam slowly, stopping every now and then to kiss, letting the waves push them back and forth. The sun, the sea, and their scent intertwined, forming a small, isolated world.
After getting ashore, Si Qi took out his camera from his beach bag and snapped a photo of Shao Wei wringing out his shirt. Shao Wei looked up, and the sunlight formed a small rainbow on the ends of his wet hair.
"Don't take pictures." Shao Wei subconsciously raised his hand to block it, but his tone was no longer as cold as before.
"Why? You look so beautiful." Si Qi took another photo, "I want to remember you today."
Shao Wei put down his hand, hesitated for a moment, then slightly turned sideways to let Si Qi continue filming. This small concession warmed Si Qi's heart - Shao Wei was learning to accept being loved and noticed.
In the evening, the two returned to the villa to shower. As the hot water washed away the salt from their bodies, Si Qi hugged Shao Wei from behind and kissed the scar on his shoulder blade. Shao Wei turned in the current and took the initiative to kiss Si Qi on the lips. This kiss was deeper than the one at the beach, carrying the steam from the bathroom and the gradually rising desire.
"Is it okay?" Si Qi asked breathlessly, his fingers running across Shao Wei's waistline.
Shao Wei didn't answer, but instead expressed his feelings with action—he pushed Si Qi against the tiled wall and kissed her even more passionately. Hot water washed over their intertwined bodies, and pheromones intertwined in the small space. It was no longer a confrontation, but a fusion.
As night fell, the two sat on the balcony, wrapped in bathrobes, sharing a bottle of red wine. A gentle sea breeze blew, carrying the sound of distant tides. Shao Wei leaned on Si Qi's shoulder, the red wine in his glass reflecting the starlight.
"There are so many stars." Shao Wei looked up at the night sky, his voice filled with childlike wonder.
Si Qi followed his gaze. Indeed, the night sky, far from the city's light pollution, was filled with stars, and the Milky Way was clearly visible. But he felt that the most beautiful stars were in Shao Wei's eyes—those eyes, always as calm as a deep pool, now reflected the starlight, sparkling brightly.
"When I was little," Shao Wei suddenly spoke softly, "I once secretly climbed up to the roof to look at the stars... I was caught and made to kneel all night."
Si Qi's heart clenched, and his arms tightened unconsciously: "Why is the punishment so severe?"
"An Alpha heir... shouldn't have such childish hobbies." Shao Wei took a sip of red wine. "He should learn how to manage a company, how to... suppress others."
Si Qi kissed the top of his head: "Now you can watch all night long, and no one can punish you."
Shao Wei turned to look at him, his profile softened under the starlight. "Will you accompany me?"
"Of course." Si Qi answered without hesitation, "No matter what you want to see or do, I will accompany you."
A glimmer flashed in Shao Wei's eyes, and then he did something that surprised Si Qi - he sat astride Si Qi's legs, held Si Qi's face with both hands, and looked at him seriously under the starlight.
"Why me?" Shao Wei asked, his voice as soft as the night breeze. "You have so many choices... Omega, a better Alpha... why me?"
He'd asked this question many times, but tonight his tone was no longer filled with self-denial, but pure confusion. Si Qi didn't immediately respond with words, but instead pulled open the front of his bathrobe, revealing a scar on his chest—the scar from a mountaineering accident during college.
"Do you remember this scar?" Si Qi asked.
Shao Wei nodded, his fingers gently stroking the raised mark. "You fell during your sophomore year... while climbing a mountain."
"You remember." Si Qi smiled. "There were so many people in the school at that time, but you were the only one who noticed that I was missing and led the search and rescue team to find me."
Shao Wei's eyelashes trembled. "That's just... logical reasoning. You said you wanted to go hiking that morning..."
"Shao Wei," Si Qi interrupted him, holding his face in his hands. "Love doesn't need a reason. Just like I love your scars, you love mine. We chose each other, not because of perfection, but because... we are each other."
Shao Wei's eyes sparkled like gemstones under the starlight. He lowered his head and kissed Si Qi. This kiss was deeper and more desperate than any before, as if he was pouring out all the years of loneliness and repression into it.
When they separated, both breathless. Shao Wei's bathrobe had opened slightly, revealing the scars on his chest. In the moonlight, those scars glowed silvery-white, like some mysterious totem.
"Want to see it?" Shao Wei suddenly asked, his voice trembling. "All of it."
Si Qi held his breath and nodded. Shao Wei slowly opened his bathrobe, letting the moonlight bathe his body. The scars were particularly clear in the silvery light—the whip marks on his back, the knife wounds on his chest, the cuts on his wrists...each one a painful memory.
"It's ugly." Shao Wei said softly, but did not dodge as usual.
Si Qi didn't say anything, but leaned over and started from Shao Wei's forehead, kissing him inch by inch. He kissed every scar, as if rewriting their stories with his lips and tongue. When his lips touched a particularly deep scar under Shao Wei's left chest, Shao Wei's body trembled violently.
"Where...does it hurt the most?" Si Qi asked softly.
Shao Wei shook his head, grabbed Si Qi's hand and pressed it against his chest: "Here."
Si Qi understood. The superficial wounds would eventually heal, but the wounds in the heart were the deepest. He pulled Shao Wei into his arms, their heartbeats gradually syncing under the moonlight.
"I won't do that again." Si Qi promised, "I won't let you suffer alone anymore."
Shao Wei relaxed in his arms, her bathrobe hanging loosely around her shoulders. They stayed like this under the stars, listening to the ebb and flow of the tide, until the moon went down.
The next morning, Si Qi was awakened by the sound of sunlight and the calls of seabirds. Shao Wei was still sound asleep in his arms, his face calm, his eyelashes casting a subtle shadow. Si Qi gently brushed away the strands of hair from his forehead, not wanting to wake him.
But Shao Wei was still awake, his gray eyes like a lake after the mist had dissipated in the morning light. When he saw Si Qi, the corners of his mouth unconsciously raised, and then he did something he had never done before - he took the initiative to move forward and placed a good morning kiss on Si Qi's lips.
"Good morning." Shao Wei said softly, his voice still filled with sleepiness.
Siqi's heart melted into a pool of honey. He kissed her back: "Did you sleep well?"
Shao Wei nodded, then shyly pulled up his slipping bathrobe: "...I dreamed about you."
"Good dream or nightmare?"
"Sweet dreams." Shao Wei's ears turned red. "We... were dancing."
Si Qi smiled and put his arm around his waist: "Let's make it happen tonight. I found out there's a bar on the beach that has a dance party this weekend."
A hint of hesitation flashed in Shao Wei's eyes: "I won't..."
"I'll teach you." Si Qi kissed the tip of his nose. "It's very simple."
After breakfast, the two went to the beach again. Shao Wei was more relaxed today than he had been yesterday, even allowing Si Qi to apply sunscreen to him. When Si Qi's fingers slid over the scars on his back, Shao Wei's stiffness subsided, and he slowly relaxed, like a plant finally seeing the sun.
At noon, Si Qi rented a small boat and took Shao Wei out to sea. As the boat pulled away from the coast, leaving only the azure sea and sky, Shao Wei stood at the bow, his shirt billowing in the breeze like a flag. Si Qi captured this moment with his camera—Shao Wei with arms outstretched, eyes closed, a free smile on his lips.
"Come and steer the ship." Si Qi called him.
Shao Wei came over and awkwardly took the steering wheel. Si Qi put his arm around him from behind and taught him how to steer. Shao Wei learned quickly and was soon able to drive on his own. Si Qi couldn't help but take several photos of his focused profile.
"Why do you keep taking pictures of me?" Shao Wei asked, his eyes still fixed on the sea ahead.
"Because I want to remember you when you're happy." Si Qi said honestly, "You look beautiful when you smile."
The tips of Shao Wei's ears turned red, but this time he didn't deny it. Instead, he tilted his head slightly to let Si Qi take a better angle. This small gesture made Si Qi's heart warm - Shao Wei was learning to accept praise and accept being loved.
Back at the villa in the evening, the two prepared dinner together. Si Qi was the main chef, and Shao Wei was helping him. Although his movements were clumsy, he was very dedicated. When Si Qi tasted the sauce, Shao Wei looked at him curiously.
"Want to try it?" Si Qi handed over the spoon.
Shao Wei took a sip and his eyes lit up: "It tastes good."
"Really?" Si Qi raised his eyebrows, "Are you kidding me?"
"Yeah." Shao Wei nodded, then added, "It tastes better than what I make."
This made Si Qi burst into laughter. He pulled Shao Wei over and kissed him on the corner of his mouth, which was covered in sauce. "Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Shao."
After dinner, the two changed into slightly more formal clothes and went to a beachside bar. As Si Qi had said, there was a dance tonight. As the music started, Shao Wei stood in the corner, his fingers unconsciously twisted together.
"Don't be afraid." Si Qi took his hand, "Just follow me."
At first, Shao Wei's steps were stiff, and he stepped on Si Qi's feet several times. But as the music progressed, he gradually relaxed and was even able to do a simple circle with Si Qi's guidance. When a slow song started, Si Qi pulled Shao Wei closer, and the two of them swayed gently in the middle of the dance floor.
"Look, you dance very well." Si Qi whispered in his ear.
Shao Wei leaned his head on Si Qi's shoulder and said softly, "Because you are the one who brought me with you."
These words were like a key that opened a locked box in Si Qi's heart. He tightened his arms and hugged Shao Wei even tighter, their heartbeats gradually synchronizing with the music.
On the way back to the villa, Shao Wei took Si Qi's hand. The moonlight stretched their shadows so long that they intertwined, making it difficult to distinguish one from the other. The sound of the waves became the perfect background music, the ebb and flow of the tide like breathing.
"Siqi." Shao Wei suddenly stopped and looked at him seriously in the moonlight, "Thank you... for not giving up on me."
Si Qi's heart warmed up and he pulled him into his arms: "Never."
They kissed in the moonlight, the sea breeze caressing them, the waves lapping against the shore, as if the entire world were witnessing this moment. When they parted, Shao Wei's eyes shone with a light Si Qi had never seen before—the tranquil joy of a soul that had finally found its home.
After returning to the villa, the two stood on the balcony and looked at the stars for a while. Shao Wei leaned in Si Qi's arms, his fingers unconsciously playing with Si Qi's buttons.
"I'm going back tomorrow..." he said softly.
Si Qi kissed the top of his head: "You can come anytime you want."
Shao Wei looked up at him, a hint of uncertainty in his eyes: "Will it be like this again after we go back?"
"how?"
"...Intimate." Shao Wei's voice was almost inaudible. "I'm afraid...after we go back, you'll go back to your old self."
Si Qi's heart clenched. He held Shao Wei's face in his hands and looked him in the moonlight. "Listen, Shao Wei. I don't love you because of the beautiful scenery here, and I won't stop loving you just because I'm back in the city. No matter where we are, you are my Alpha, understand?"
Shao Wei's eyes welled up, but he didn't dodge. Instead, he nodded gently: "...I understand."
"Be good." Si Qi kissed his forehead. "Go to sleep. You still have to drive tomorrow."
Lying on the bed, Shao Wei took the initiative to get into Si Qi's arms and rest his head on his shoulder. This small gesture made Si Qi's heart surge with warmth - the Alpha who once resisted even touch would now actively seek warmth.
"This time." Shao Wei suddenly spoke in the darkness.
"Um?"
"I want to...completely stop taking the inhibitors." Shao Wei's voice trembled. "Like you said...be true to yourself."
Si Qi's heartbeat quickened. He turned sideways to face Shao Wei, and even in the darkness, he could feel his serious gaze. "Are you sure? I might have withdrawal symptoms..."
"Yeah." Shao Wei nodded. "With you here, I'm not afraid..."
This sentence moved Si Qi's heart more than any love words. He hugged Shao Wei tightly and promised in his ear: "I will always be with you, every step of the way."
Shao Wei relaxed in his arms, his breathing gradually steadying. Si Qi listened to the sound of the waves outside the window, felt the warmth of the person in his arms, and felt an unprecedented sense of satisfaction in his heart.
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