Yo, peeps! I'm still kicking!😎 It's been a long time since I posted anything new. Dunno if you guys will still be reading this but if you do, Welcome to my beloved old readers!❤️ And if you're new, Welcome!❤️

WARNING: It's a mpreg (male pregnancy) fic. Proceed if only it's your cup of tea. There won't be any explicit childbirth or anything (because I'm kinda scared of preggy bellies😒) but still, stay out if the idea discomforts you.

REMINDER: It's set up in an Alternate Universe. All the incidents depicted here are made up, even when some characters are real people.

CREDITS: The photo manip on the cover of the story is NOT MINE. The logo was too small for me to scan and find the creator. But I think it's from weibo. All the credit for it goes to the creator. I just added the titles.

Now, about this story- this would not have happened in the first place without SabyyaButt, my beloved Butty. One evening, we were fangirling over this new ship we have boarded (YiZhan/WangXiao/BJYX) and she was whining about a mreg fic on this pairing. My benevolent soul took pity on her and decided to give her a scenario over the chat. Just to munch on, nothing else. But once we started our inner Shakespears burst out and one after the other the idea piled up. By the end I was so pumped up and slick with butter (thanks to Butty) that I resolved to make it into a full fledged story. And we started to collab.

This story is the brainchild of us two. If it sucks, neither of us will take any responsibility and just play dead.😎 If it rocks then we both will take credit.😎 We constantly discuss ideas, chapters, the course of the plot etc etc. She reads the chapters and picks out the mistakes, gives me notes which helps a lot! I never do collabs but honestly, I'm having so much fun while doing this!

Also, it is my gift to my annoying Little Apple, my Wifu, SabyyaButt.😘 She is my personal bottle of helium. A patch of sunbeam that sometimes scorches, sometimes warms me up.😘

Thank you to my another bestie- MayallsObject for suggesting the name Xīng (Star). She is my sounding board, my confidante, and someone that tolerates me when I am being beyond intolerable!❤️

Also, if any of you want to connect for anything, text me at abbiebuttonbee on Insta.

Hope you enjoy the read!

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For new readers- 

The Italicized parts are inner thoughts.

The "Italicized quoted" parts are flashbacks and phone conversations. It will be clear while reading.

And there will be multiple narratives with intervals between each of them.

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Chapter-1

"YiBo!"

"Hmm?"

"You jammed the kitchen sink again?!"

"........"

"YIBO!"

"What?"

"How many times do I have to tell you before you stop throwing food down the sink?"

"How many times it takes."

"Come and clean it."

"Stop yelling from there."

"COME AND CLEAN IT!"

"........Can't. Busy."

"With what exactly?"

"Rings...........Oh, you're here! Come come, see this!"

"What are- Why are you surfing ring catalogues? What are these?"

"Wedding rings."

"For what?"

"Uh...wedding?"

"And why, pray tell, you're going through wedding rings?"

"For future purposes."

"You're 18!! What purpose do you have for wedding rings now?"

"You're 20. What's your point? And to the next question, for marrying you, of course!"

"Hah! As if."

"As if what? Hey, where're you going? Come back here! As if what?"

"As if I'm gonna marry you. Very presumptuous of you, I must say. Also, don't shout from the other room. You've an audition tomorrow."

"You aren't gonna marry me?!"

"Nope."

"Why?"

"After living with you for several months, I can confirm that you'll be a terrible husband."

"I won't."

"You so will. Now, come and clean the sink."

"Zhan Geeeeee!"

"Stop whining. Yeah, use that brush- no, the longer one. Yes."

"...................GeGe."

"Hmm?"

"We'll get married someday though, won't we?"

"Maybe that someday you'll find someone better."

"Mmm.....There might be better someone.....but, Ge, you'll be the only one for me."

"Shut up and clean."

"Yes yes, my sugar plum honey pun- OWW! That hurts!"

XOXOXOX

Even through the tinted shade of his sunglasses, the courtyard was dazzlingly bright. Summer Sun bathed the open, elegantly adorned venue with its yellow warmth. They had chosen white roses as the theme flower of this occasion. He never liked white flowers at weddings. It reminded him of funerals.

Maybe that was why this place was packed with white.

No. Never. He had stopped giving himself importance where that person was concerned long ago. He was 27 now, almost a veteran in suppressing his emotions.

Resolving to pass this obligation as indifferently as he had planned, Xiao Zhan headed towards the chairs set up for the guests. The small hand held inside his much bigger one squirmed in impatience.

He looked down to see two round eyes looking at him accusingly.

"What is it?" He asked, affection spilling out of his voice.

"Up!" Two tiny arms shot up at him. "Up up!"

"Don't you ever want to walk?" His tone might have been complaining but he bent down to pick up the little body nonetheless. Setting him on the crook of his left forearm, Xiao Zhan kissed the temple of that small head.

This was his world now. His only priority. Only reason to live. His son, Xiao Xing.

Also, the reason why he was here today.

Choosing the last row to sit on, he set Xing on the next seat and smiled watching his son babble minutely to the bunny hanging from his small t-shirt. They had a mini battle this morning, trying to put his son into a formal suit, which resulted into three exhausted adults and one wailing child by the end.

Aren't you just like him? The smile that flitted across his face at the thought was melancholic. All those years, all those moments, those dreams had boiled down into this one day. After today, he would finally be free.

Or would he?

Heaving a sigh, he swiped a glance around, noting any prying eyes. This should be a close event with not so many guests that would nose around in other people's business. But his public appearance in recent years was nonexistent and he really did not want to answer any query regarding why he decided to accept this invitation out of the blue. It was already difficult enough for him to come here; he did not need any extra stress.

When he first told his manager his wish to come here, there was an incident of a small hell breaking lose at his office. He could not really blame the man for going berserk as it would be a media nightmare if things got out. He himself was unable to provide any valid reason for his inability to reject this invite.

But some things went beyond the boundary of logic.

He could not tell his manager how his heart stopped and restarted again when he held the card. Could not tell how the lump in his throat throbbed painfully when he looked down at his son's sleeping face after going home that night.

He could not tell that this was the finale of the life that had given him the worst and best of his memories. And he had to be present for the curtain call, even when he felt being on the verge of a panic attack.

Also, this was his son's only chance to see him. He refused to take even that away.

"Papa!" A squeal came and he looked down to see his son pointing at a yellow butterfly with wonder in his eyes. "Bup Bup!"

He finger combed those wayward silky strands from Xing's eyes. "Did the butterfly come to greet you?"

A vigorous nod.

"Really? And what did it say?"

Xing looked up at him and blinked, "Bup Bup!"

Grinning, he bopped that tiny snubby nose and dropped a kiss on the top of the head.

The small body wriggled to get down.

"Where are you going? Do you want something?"

"Go!" A small finger waved wildly at the direction where the butterfly went. "Bup Bup go!"

"XingXing, you can't roam around-"

"Papa, go!" Wriggling like a caterpillar, his son demanded and to avoid any tantrum Zhan put him down and promptly grabbed his hand to stop him from running away. Seemed like there was still time left for the main event to start; indulging a hyperactive two year old was not only a necessity, it might keep him distracted from the things he wanted to avoid thinking. And so, the father son duo went to a flowery corner of the garden to chase 'Bup Bup'

This might be the finale of one chapter but his life had started another chapter already. A better and happier one.

They were loitering at the backside of the cottage, where the after party must have been organized, when a vibration rose from his pocket. Before coming here, he had instructed his manager to not let any call through his number till he returned. Therefore, this might be an emergency.

Keeping an eye on the bouncing toddler, Zhan picked up the call.

"This better be important or I'm sacking you."

There was indeed an emergency at the storage which needed his clearance approval. While giving the instruction Zhan realized that he had turned away from the flower rows where his son was playing. He whipped around to ensure Xing was alright.

But the spot was empty.

"XingXing!"

XOXOXOX

Wang YiBo adjusted the onyx cufflinks, eyes on the French windows in front, unseeing. If anyone to see him at this moment, they could have mistaken him getting ready for a business meeting and not his own wedding.

Well, they would not be wrong, per say.

Life itself was a deal. Involve emotion and be prepared to lose. He had to learn it the hard way. But every failure had its upside and he had walked up that hill to stand where he was today- successful, unshakable with a heart made of ice.

And this marriage was just another piece of the chessboard that was his life now.

His mother said he was just playing pretend, fooling himself. Inside, he was still the emotional idiot that he was all those years ago. Running behind a dream that was a mirage to begin with.

But he knew better. The boy his mother so loved to bring up every once in a while had been disillusioned thoroughly three years ago. He had rebuilt himself after that, leaving no shard of his old self behind.

And yet....

And yet, while getting ready for his marriage to the woman he had chosen carefully, all he could think about was that cursed face that just would not leave him be.

Fed up with his own weakness, he took up the tuxedo that had been made for this special occasion. His mother insisted on buying it from the Yiling Fashion House. The brand was relatively new on the market but it went viral the moment its first range came in. And now, almost all the celebs in their industry swore by its products. Running his palm over the butter smooth fabric, the red border on the otherwise black lapels, YiBo had to admit that yes, the brand knew how to maintain quality. He would have to thank his mother later. What a pain.

There was a single white rose on the dresser, ready to be put on the buttonhole.

Funeral décor

Once upon a time there was someone who hated white wedding decorations; used to say it reminded him of the funerals.

What would you say if you were here today?

Not that he specifically chose it to spite him. It was just........

Playing pretend.

That he never cared.

Frowning, just as he was about to slide into the garment, the door of the room opened.

"Oh, my dear boy! How handsome you look!"

People who complained that they had overbearing parents should take his Mum for a week to feel good about their own.

"Mum," he said somewhat dejectedly, letting her pat his face and wipe away nonexistent lint from his dress shirt.

"You're happy, aren't you?" Cupping his face with both hands, she asked, her eyes knowing.

"Yes, Mum," he answered dutifully. He knew exactly how she felt about this marriage but he could not indulge her in this matter. Love was now a taboo word in his life.

"It's just- I just wish-"

"Mother," he warned without any actual heat. He would not let her bring up that topic again. Not today and not ever after. That chapter would be closed and sealed after today. And he himself would-

Was that a head just peeked out from the...?

Noticing him frowning at the door, his mother turned too and then there it was again.

A small head peeped in at much lower height, with one large eye staring at them, unblinking.

"Oh, dear! Hello?" His mother hurried to the door and bent down. "Come in come in!"

One large eye became two as the tiny intruder revealed himself fully.

"Hi, sweetie! What's your name?"

Fingers entwined in front of his chest, chubby cheeks reddened, lower lip sucked in his mouth, the child completely ignored YiBo's mother's question. Instead, his round eyes were zeroed on the groom in front of him.

Feeling oddly exposed under that stare, YiBo lightly chuckled and said, "Hello."

"Daddy?"

Taken aback, YiBo gave a quick look behind to see if there was someone else, even though he knew there wouldn't be.

"Er..."

"Daddy?"

YiBo looked at his mother for explanation only to see she was looking at this small child with barely suppressed happiness. Did she know this baby?

"Um, are you looking for your Dad?" He asked. He wasn't good with children, especially this small. If there wasn't a script, he was at a loss how to communicate with them.

And then the toddler pointed at him and said, "Daddy!"

"Huh?"

"Up!" Raising both his arms upwards the child demanded, what he interpreted, to be picked up. "Up Up!"

"Mum?" Panicked, he asked for help but nothing came as his mother was still standing there spellbound.

"Uppp!"

YiBo slightly bent down to get closer, "Are you lost? I will find your Daddy for you but he is not here."

A few blinks, then a thumb went up and disappeared inside that mouth, looking very contemplative.

YiBo smiled and brushed one rosy cheek lightly. "Let me get someone to find your Dad, okay?" He said to the toddler as he straightened up. The baby was really adorable.

"Daddy bye bye?"

"I'm sure you're the one that pulled a 'bye bye' on your Dad and that poor man is probably going crazy looking for you, you little sneak," he teased, mood suddenly lifting and said to his mother, "Mum, would you, please, see if anyone is missing a-"

"XingXing?"

A voice called out from somewhere beyond the opened door and YiBo's insides froze.

"Xiao Xing?"

"Papa!"

The child called out as well turning to the door but YiBo didn't notice anything. He could not process nor could he connect. His mind had stopped the moment that voice was heard.

His heartstrings were attuned to that voice; he was painfully familiar to that voice.

And the voice that was coming closer every second, calling out an unknown name. Closer...closer...closer...

"Papa!"

"XingXi-"

The voice morphed into a face. A face that was so familiar. A face that was so cursed. A face that could not leave him be even after so long.

"Papa!"

As though in slow motion, YiBo, rooted to the spot, watched as that baby ran to the man standing at his door and hugged his long legs with clear familiarity. Then that small face and hand pointed at him, at Wang Yibo and called out, "Daddy! Daddy!"

Somewhere inside the room, he heard his mother squeal, squeal, "Oh my! Isn't he just the spitting image of you when you were of that age, YiBo?!"

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Any thoughts?😶

And here is our XingXing😍