Sheng Long had faced war, treason, assassination attempts, and the Queen of the Zerg herself—none of it prepared him for the sight of Xiao Lin standing in the doorway of his office, clutching a small data tablet with both hands and looking like he might either laugh or cry.
"Lin'er?" Sheng Long stood instantly. "What's wrong? Are you—are you feeling sick again? Did the doctor say something—"
"I'm fine," Xiao Lin said quickly, cheeks flushed pink. "I just… I thought you should be sitting for this."
Sheng Long blinked. "Sitting?"
He obeyed anyway, lowering himself into the chair with that quiet, protective tension he always had when it came to Xiao Lin. "You're scaring me a little."
Xiao Lin stepped forward and handed him the tablet. On it, two tiny heartbeats blinked in rhythm, side by side like stars twinkling in sync.
Sheng Long stared.
One second passed. Then two.
"Is this…?"
"Twins," Xiao Lin said, voice barely above a whisper. "We're having twins."
Sheng Long didn't speak for a full ten seconds. His golden eyes flicked between the monitor and Xiao Lin's face, and then back again.
"I…" he began. "I'm going to need to lie down."
Xiao Lin burst into laughter—pure, giddy relief—before rushing forward just in time for Sheng Long to catch him, pulling him down into his lap.
"We're having twins?" he said again, softer this time, awed. "Two?"
Xiao Lin nodded, pressing his forehead to Sheng Long's.
Sheng Long's arms tightened around him, fierce and gentle at once. "I'll protect all three of you. Always. I swear it on my soul."
"You'd better," Xiao Lin mumbled. "I'm going to be twice as emotional and three times as hungry."
Sheng Long chuckled and kissed the tip of his nose. "Then I'll stock the kitchen. And sleep by your side. And make sure no one dares interrupt your rest… not even the stars themselves."
Xiao Lin smiled, and for a moment—just one moment—the war, the politics, the weight of their destinies—faded into the background.
There was only this: two hearts becoming four. One future, held between them.