Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

What the hell was he going to do?!

Wei Wuxian stared at the home pregnancy test sticks neatly lined along the bathroom counter. He’d gone through five of them just to make sure he wasn’t losing his mind. Each and every single one of those sticks had two prominent lines and with each one, his heart rate picked up a bit more. Panic was flavoring the air around him, adding a sour note to his usual sweet spicy citrus scent, and he was practically panting by the time realization had fully settled into his brain. If the Jiangs found out, would they kick him out? Where would he go? How in the hell was he going to raise a kid on his own? 

Would the dad want to know? Should he tell him?

That sent another jolt of panic through his gut souring his scent until it resembled rotten oranges and flooded the room. Wei Wuxian gagged, opening a window and flicking on the fan to try to air out the space. It was one thing to get mixed up with an alpha in a rut for a blissfully hot hookup on a train. Telling that same amazing alpha that their hookup had knocked him up though - how was he supposed to do that!?!

It had never been meant to be more than that one chance encounter. The guy hated him, he was sure of it. Who would like an omega that forgot to take suppressants and went into heat which sent them into a rut on a god damn train in the first place? This was a disaster!

Wei Wuxian began to pace the length of the small bathroom, staring at those damning test sticks on the counter the entire time. He had a decent living here, it hadn’t been easy, but it was his and he was happy with it. The work was strenuous, in the good kind of way, and it was rewarding when he saw the fruits of his labor taking shape. He had a great friendship with his adoptive brother and sister, and so long as he didn’t rock the boat too hard, the madam tended to ignore him which suited him just fine. She had very little love for Wei Wuxian and he did his best to stay out of her way. 

They had housed him, raised him and ensured he got a good education. All they seemed to want in return was for him to be loyal and not cause any trouble. A kid was trouble, though, wasn’t it?

“Fuck me!” He let it out in a huff and stood in front of the counter staring at the tests and raking his fingers through his long dark hair before scooping it up into a makeshift ponytail. Sweat was sliding down his spine as he paced, nervous energy making his muscles quiver. His rebellious stomach twisted in knots, just like it had for the past couple weeks and he looked heavenward like the answers could be found there. “Fuck, just…fuck!”

This wasn’t something he could do on his own! He was going to have to tell the Jiangs, and the father. It was the only thing he could think to do. Tonight. He could tell the Jiangs tonight at dinner. With that plan in mind, he scooped up the sticks off the counter, taking the test kit boxes with him, and left to get ready. 

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

“You little whore!” The vicious reaction belonged to none other than Madam Yu.

She had always been displeased with Wei Wuxian and his existence in her home. He had only managed to stay on her relative good side so far through a herculean effort to avoid her at all costs. When he first presented, Wei Wuxian couldn’t be happy about it all because of this woman. Omegas, in her eyes, were dirty seductors that wrought destruction on homes. They caused upheaval in a relatively stable society. Alphas were fine, they were the leaders and the powerhouses, but omegas? Omegas were trash to her. She had put the fear of God into him for weeks after his first heat, he’d been convinced she was going to marry him off to the first interested alpha that came by just to get rid of him.

Fortunately, Uncle Jiang was always there to prevent that kind of catastrophic end, although that was about all he was good at stopping. The relationship between Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan was a testament to what happened in a forced marriage. To put it bluntly, it was ugly. They fought more than they got along; always having various arguments over the smallest things, and when it came to bigger matters, it was constantly a test of wills. They were both betas, which meant there was no naturally defined superior in the relationship. Some might have seen that as a good thing, however for these two, it was hell. Even if there had been an alpha between the pair of them, and even if it had been uncle Jiang that held the authority, Wei Wuxian was sure that his uncle wouldn’t have been the one to have the upper hand.

“Wei Wuxian! What were you thinking!?” Jiang Cheng sounded like a mini version of his mother. He was also a beta and he had adopted his mother’s wicked temper so it shouldn’t have been shocking, but Wei Ying still had hoped he would have at least tried to be understanding instead of instantly getting offended right off the bat. The fury on his face was a red haze of second-hand embarrassment and indignation, likely because he probably believed that this pregnancy would somehow tarnish the family name.

“Oh Wei Ying!” That was Jiang Yanli for you. She was the heart of the family, the soft soul and a fellow omega, although madam Yu seemed to like her regardless of that fact. A-Li  sympathized with him the most when it came to the double standard all omegas faced. Yet in this moment, she actually sounded as if she pitied him. Wei Wuxian might have been imagining it, but he could swear he could smell her disappointment in the air. It was a slap to the face that he hadn’t expected. Granted, there were a lot of scents right now so maybe he was just imagining it.

Everything from outright fury and anger to pity and disgust. He could taste it in the air as his adopted family took in the news of his pregnancy over dinner. It changed the flavor of their scents. The three betas really didn’t have much of a scent to speak of, which meant the strongest flavor came from Yanli herself. The only one who hadn’t spoken was Jiang Fengmian. He sat there staring at Wei Wuxian quietly while everyone else reacted. Each vocalized response had We Ying cringing and shrinking in on himself. 

God, this was it! They were going to kick him out. 

Fuck, what if they didn’t!? 

What if they make me abort my baby?  

He hadn’t really thought about it until that moment, but by the time dinner had rolled around and he’d blurted out his news, Wei Ying was firmly of the mind on keeping the child. He had always wanted to have kids, he wanted a brood of them, and he really couldn’t regret the fantastic sex he’d had that put him in this mess. Not to mention, this was supposed to be impossible in the first place! He was recessive and he’d been warned it wouldn’t be easy to get pregnant let alone keep a pregnancy once it happened. 

Not for the first time that day, Wei Wuxian felt fear. Real genuine terror filled him as he looked up from his cowered position at the dinner table to each face scowling back at him. A-Li bore a shocked and sad expression, while Jiang Cheng’s face was red-cheeked with barely repressed fury. Madam Yu’s blazing eyes and vicious glare cut to the core of his very soul. Uncle Jiang maintained the most terrifying expression of all with a silent, stony mask. 

Shit.

“How could you do this to us! We gave you a home! We raised you! Fed you! That fancy education you got, it was because of us! This is how you repay our kindness?” Madam Yu was on a tear now.

“I didn’t plan this!” Wei Ying denied feebly. It sounded weak even to his own ears. “My heat came early! I was caught off guard! It was an accident.” He couldn’t say why, but Wei Ying kept looking to Jiang Fengmian like he would be the one to save him somehow.

“Disgusting slut! Your filth has stained our good name!” Yu Ziyuan snarled out her insults venting her anger.

“Ziyuan!” Uncle Jiang’s voice was sharp. “That’s enough.”

Madam Yu glared at her husband and threw down her napkin. “Don’t you dare defend him now. This is your fault as well! You couldn’t just leave him be, he would have been fine in the system! What kind of debt did you owe that bitch anyway?” Wei Ying flinched. He knew that she meant his real mother of course. It had never been a secret that Yu Ziyuan detested Wei Wuxian’s birth mother, though he never understood the reason for it.

“Enough!” Jiang Fengmian’s hand smacked hard against the table as his voice rose in volume. “What’s done is done. We’ll deal with this quietly.” It was bad, he was gonna tell him to abort the baby. Wei Ying could feel it.

“I’m going to keep the baby!” he spoke quickly, before anyone could try to tell him how to ‘deal’ with his problem. Silence descended all around the dining room.

“What?!” Yu Ziyuan was purple with her anger now.

“I’m keeping the baby.” Wei Ying’s voice was a bit firmer now. There was no way he was giving up on his chance to be a parent, not when this was something that shouldn’t have been possible in the first place. How could he give up such a precious gift without a fight? His baby was innocent and vulnerable, he had to protect it.

“Absolutely not!” Madam Yu was seething while her glare settled on Wei Ying in an attempt to intimidate him. “I’ll not have some whore birthing a bastard pup in this house! You spread your legs for any alph-” 

“Ziyuan! Enough!” Jiang Fengmian shot to his feet to shout at his wife. It was getting ugly fast. He turned his scowl to Wei Ying. “You need to think about this, A-Xian. There are bigger things than your wants at stake here.” If this had been a calm discussion, it would almost seem like uncle Jiang was on his side and was trying to help him think rationally.

A bubble of hysteria tried to force its way to the surface and Wei Wuxian vehemently stamped it down as he straightened his posture. “I am keeping the baby!” 

He didn’t want to explain that he was terrified and that he had no clue how he was going to do any of this. Deep down he just knew he couldn’t let them take his child away. Wei Ying’s only hope had been that they’d understand just a tiny bit! Unfortunately, even Yanli was looking at him like he’d grown a second head with his declaration. Why didn’t they get it?! He wanted the baby, he wanted his own little family! A real family that he could nurture and cherish. Was that so hard to see?

“There is no place for you here if you insist on this stupidity!” Snapped madam Yu. Wei Ying looked from her to uncle Jiang. He was praying that this would be one of those times where his uncle would step in and take charge for once. That he’d protect him.

It didn’t happen.

To his utter horror, Jiang Fengmian said nothing to counter his wife. Instead he frowned at Wei Ying nodding in agreement with his wife and sighed his displeasure. “Keeping the fetus is not the best choice. You aren’t married, there will be other chances.”

“What if there isn’t though!? I’m recessive! They said it wouldn’t happen!” The hurt in his voice was obvious. Yanli let out a distressed sound and clearly wanted to comfort Wei Ying, but she held back when her mother gave her a withering glare. Jiang Cheng was muttering under his breath and glaring at his dinner. 

“You can’t be serious! Do you expect us to pay for this child? How are you going to care for it and yourself! Do you even know who the father is?!” That last comment stung. Of course he knew! How could he not? He’d been enamored with the alpha the second he’d set eyes upon him and recognized who he was on that train.

“Of course I do! I am not a slut! It was an accident!” One he was determined to turn into a happy situation, not a nightmare inducing abortion that could ruin his chances of ever having another shot at a family ever again. “Do you know how dangerous abortions are for a recessive omega? Do you know what you’re asking me to give up?”

“You should have kept it in your pants then.” Yu Ziyuan snapped back wickedly and she smacked her palm on the table, mimicking Jiang Fengmian’s outrage earlier. If it wasn’t such a serious situation, Wei Ying might have snicked at the irony in that.

“Clearly the doctors were wrong! All you have to do is beg the nearest alpha and you’ll have another pup to worry about! I will not have another bastard in this house!”

“Mother!” Yanli couldn’t hold back any longer, “It was an accident! Can’t you see how this is upsetting A-Xian?”

“Don’t you dare try to defend him! Take a good look, A-Li. This is what happens when you are soft! This could be you if you’re not careful. Do you think your precious fiancé would stick around if you were suddenly heavy with a random alpha’s child?” Scoffing at the absurdity, Madam Yu’s sharp words were enough to make Yanli flinch and go silent.

Wei Wuxian snapped at that. The knife he’d been holding sailed across the room and clattered against the wall behind Madam Yu’s head. It had the effect of stopping any further attacks against his shijie, but it also put all the focus right back wholly on himself. Four sets of shocked eyes locked on him. “Stop! Stop it! A-Li is your daughter! ”

“Yes! She is and she would never end up a whore like you!” 

Wei Wuxian flinched as if he’d been physically slapped. “I’m keeping the baby! If you don’t want to support that, fine, I’ll leave!”

“Good riddance!”

“Wei Wuxian!” Jiang Cheng shouted at the same time that madam Yu spat out her heated response.

The rest started talking at once, or rather arguing, and Wei Ying stormed out of the dining hall practically running to escape the entire mess. Tears stung his eyes and clouded his vision as he bolted for his room and stuffed clothes and random things in a bag as fast as he could. Just as he was grabbing his jacket, Jiang Yanli appeared in the doorway.

“A-Xian! You can’t honestly be thinking about leaving!?” She was clearly upset, tears were trailing down her cheeks.

“I can’t stay here, not after that!” Wei Ying answered brusquely. His eyes were red and puffy from his own sobbing and he swiped his arm across his face to try and get rid of the evidence. His emotions were all over the place lately. “They won’t let me keep it, shijie, and all I want is to hold my baby! God, I want it so bad!”

After that kind of reaction from the people he thought he could rely on, there was no way Wei Ying could be convinced to stay. Madam Yu was likely to be on her way to accost him more and ‘lay down the law’ as she saw fit. It made a shiver roll down his spine imagining being beaten with a switch or worse. The only way he could avoid all that was to leave as fast as he could. 

Telling the Jiangs had been a catastrophic mistake. 

“What are you going to do?” She asked softly and Wei Wuxian had the sense to shrug a little helplessly. 

“I’ll stay with Wen Ning tonight and figure out the rest tomorrow.” Wen Ning was a true friend and had helped him out of more than a few predicaments in the past. He was the last person Wei Ying could honestly rely upon at that moment.

Jiang Yanli nodded and moved into Wei Ying’s space, giving him a tight hug “You need to stay in touch, alright? You’re my little brother, I’m worried for you.” When she stepped back, she stuffed a wad of bills into Wei Wuxian’s hands. “Take this, please? You need it more than I do right now. Call me when you make it to Wen Ning’s. If you don't, I'll call the police.” 

Wei Wuxian gave a watery chuckle at that and hugged Yanli again. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean for this to happen.” 

“I know. It’s ok.” she was patting his back gently. The soft scent of lotus blossom and sweet berries circled Yanli like a comforting blanket. He’d always loved hugging her just so he could take it all in. The knowledge that this might be the last time he could do so was upsetting. “Mother is going to come lock you in your room. She and father are fighting, but it won’t be long.” 

Even if he wanted to stay and savor this moment, he knew it was not to be. For being a beta, Madam Yu was a force to be reckoned with and Wei Ying had broken the golden rule tonight. He’d shamed the Jiang family in a way so unforgivable, the madam was ready to lock him away like some criminal. He couldn’t let her. She’d force him to get an abortion. She might just beat him to cause the abortion herself if she was angry enough.

“I’ll call you!” he promised before rushing past her and down the long hall to escape the Jiang Mansion. As he crossed the snow covered green and slipped out the small man gate by the drive, he looked back one last time. The simple but elegant sign naming the estate ‘Lotus Pier’ had always been a thing he loved as a child. The beauty, the security - it had been his home.

“Where do you think you’re going!” Jiang Cheng’s voice snapped through his brain and Wei Wuxian jumped.

“Aiyo! Jiang Cheng! You scared me!” The hope that his brother would maybe understand his side was still there. 

“Good! What the fuck were you thinking? You can’t have a baby!” Jiang Cheng was pacing up toward him, face still red with rage and there was a disturbing glint in his eyes. His fists were clenched at his sides and it looked like he was itching for a fight.

“I can and I am!” Wei Wuxian retorted without truly considering the implication of his words.

“Wei Wuxian! This isn’t a game! I don’t understand you omegas! Is it so hard to ignore some dumb smell?” Jiang Cheng was seething mad. “How can someone’s fucking odor make you lose your god damn mind! You’re supposed to stay here! You are going to be my right-hand man with the business when I take over! You promised me!”

Every word he said was like a kick to the gut. Jiang Cheng thought he was a slut? He thought Wei Wuxian could control his reactions when he was lost to a heat cycle? They were standing there facing off against one another outside the gates and it was so unreal. 

Any other day, he would have enjoyed a good wrestling match with his brother. It would have been for fun with no hard feelings. The way Jiang Cheng’s knuckles had gone white with the force of his grip screamed that it wouldn’t be a fun little tumble to air his frustrations. It was rather terrifying to think Jiang Cheng would try to beat him to a pulp for real. For over a decade, Wei Ying had called this home, yet here he was learning that he was nothing more than some slut with no control in the eyes of one of the few people he cherished and trusted most. It hurt.

“I never said this was a game! I am being serious, Jiang Cheng. You just don’t understand because you’re a beta. You have the luxury of getting a choice, I don’t g-ngghh!” His words were cut off as Jiang Cheng’s fist connected with his jaw. 

Wei Ying saw stars for a second as pain bloomed across his face. Blotchy patches of black bloomed in his vision as he swayed on his feet from the force of that blow. It wasn’t the first time he’d ever been hit, he just hadn’t expected it right now, especially from Jiang Cheng. The taste of blood on his tongue snapped him out of his shocked state and his hand came up to feel his split lip. Eyes wide, he just stared at his brother. “What was that for?!”

“You idiot! You can’t do this to us!” Jiang Cheng made to grab Wei Ying’s arm but he deftly avoided it.

“You think I’m doing this to hurt you? To hurt your family?” The pain in his voice was unmistakable as fresh tears slid down his face.

“Aren’t you!? Look at everything we did for you! If it wasn’t for my father, you would have been put in the system!” He sounded just like madam Yu. It was sickening. Wei Ying’s stomach twisted as he recoiled from the spiteful words.

“A-Cheng! Stop! Let him go!” Yanli was suddenly there clinging to Jiang Cheng’s arm to stop him from hitting Wei Wuxian again. “A-Xian! Go!”

Wei Ying was dumbstruck at the whole situation. The hurt in his heart, it was crippling his soul. Jiang Cheng was growling at Yanli now and they were arguing. Wei Wuxian stumbled back a step, then two. He turned and started to run, legs pumping as he put distance between the Jiang estates and the shouts of his adoptive brother demanding he come back. It wasn’t until he’d gotten onto a bus a few blocks away and scrambled into a seat that he broke down and let out a little sob of anguish.

God, how could he be so stupid?

Swiping at his face again, he pulled out his cell phone and called Wen Ning. “Hey, can I crash on your couch?”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

The meeting was going on longer than anticipated. It was the usual monotonous financial reporting which was difficult to pay attention to in the best of circumstances. Today, however, Lan Wangji was having a very hard time staying focused. The droning tone of the board members’ discussion washed over him and he kept his gaze focused naturally upon each speaker, however, his thoughts were drifting. To most outsiders, he looked normal and fully cognizant of what was going on around him. Inwardly, however, he couldn’t get the memories of that train ride out of his head. 

The scent had lingered in his nose for a long time after they’d gone their separate ways. He had given his card, out of guilt, and offered compensation for the mess he’d caused. It was refused, yet he couldn’t stop thinking about what had happened and that man. The feel of his flushed skin, the way he responded, the sounds of his cries of pleasure, how wet and responsive he’d been, and the intoxicating scent of citrus and spice mingling together in an unexpected and extremely alluring way. It was a scent that he dreamed about. One that stirred his passions and had him shamelessly palming himself in the early morning trying to find a sweet release to the images that filled his head. 

Someone cleared their throat, snapping Lan Wangji out of his thoughts as he looked at the expectant faces around him. Shit. What had they been saying? “I believe you are on the correct path with this plan.” he finally answered, recalling snippets of the discussion as quickly as he could. The men around him seemed to nod in agreement and the meeting continued. When it was all said and done and the conference room was emptying, Lan Wangji was prepared for the questions he knew would come from his brother. Lan Xichen never missed a thing and he had been watching Lan Wangji carefully.

“Are you alright?” Always one to start gently, his brother’s voice was soothing and gentle. “You seem - distracted.” At least Lan Xichen had waited for the room to be empty before he started to pry.

“It is nothing.” Lan Wangji always gave short answers when he didn’t want to talk about it.

Lan Xichen watched him for a heavy quiet moment and then sighed “You have been working rather hard lately, perhaps a break would do you some good?”

Lan Wangji’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly, a sign of his annoyance, “I can handle it. You do not need to worry.” 

Ever since the family gathering a month ago, Lan Wangji’s mood had been off. Lan Xichen had noticed it yet he’d said nothing up until now. He was worried, his younger brother was ever the studious sort; highly disciplined and not one to shirk his duty ever. Yet in the last few weeks, he’d been absent minded, slow to decide and often found staring out windows or at nothing at all. 

“Did something happen after the gathering?” It was a gentle prod for more, his brother was not one to divulge easily after all.

“Have you ever had trouble forgetting someone’s scent?” The question was softly spoken.

There was a pause and Lan Xichen took stock of his brother carefully. “Once, yes. I sometimes think I catch a hint of it now and then.” There was another heavy silence, “Wangji, did you meet someone?”

Lan Wangji’s hands clenched on his lap for a moment then he stood, tucking those hands behind himself as he walked toward the floor-to-ceiling wall of windows to stare at the traffic below. “It is not what you think.”

“You don’t know what I’m thinking.”

“There was someone on the train.” Vivid images danced in his head again. Writhing flesh, excited panting, those heated moans begging for more. He frowned. “I found them captivating.”

Xichen smiled and a brow arched ever so slightly “Did you speak with this person?” When his brother didn’t reply quickly, Xichen’s smile faltered and became concerned. “Wangji, you didn’t do something improper, did you?”

“It is a very distracting scent. I cannot get it out of my mind.” Wangji replied, ignoring the query about propriety. He couldn’t answer that honestly without shaming himself and his family. The way he’d acted on that train, the things he’d done, to a stranger at that; he couldn’t tell his brother how he’d faltered. 

“Wangji…”

Turning to face his brother, mouth set in a stubborn line, he was all ready to deliver his assurances. After all, the likelihood of running into that person again was negligible. They hadn’t exchanged numbers or names, and even though he had given his card, Wangji highly doubted the omega had kept it. The whole incident was a mere chance encounter and it was just a memory now. Before he could say anything, though, there was a light rap at the door and one of the secretaries stepped in. 

“Sir, there’s a young man at the desk, he said he needs to speak with you but he doesn’t have an appointment. He asked me to remind you about his rabbits, and that you would know what it meant.” 

“Aren’t they cute? I liked how they looked like they were chasing one another, kind of a ying-yang thing.” The voice echoed in his head with that husky satiated sound as his fingers stroked lightly over his hip, tracing the white and black rabbit pair tattooed there. “Madam Yu would kill me if she knew I got this, but so far it’s my little secret, and yours now too.”

Lan Wangji blinked and stared at the secretary with a carefully neutral expression.

“Shall I turn him away?” she asked, voice tinged with nervousness at that stare.

“Bring him to my office. I’ll speak with him.” Wangji was staunchly ignoring his brother’s curious gaze and the rapid beating of his own heart. Hadn’t he just thought he would never see him again? 

The secretary nodded and disappeared while his brother cleared his throat, obviously about to ask who this person was. Wangji was too wrapped up in the idea of being able to experience that spicy citrus scent again, though, and barely paid Xichen any notice. Why was he here? Was he alright? How had he found him? There were many questions, yet as curious as he was, he was also somewhat eager to meet the man again. No one else would have anything to do with him and rabbits, there was no way this could be anyone but his unexpected partner on the train.

“New business partner?” It was a neutral enough inquiry, yet it still rankled Lan Wangji for some reason.

“Just an acquaintance.” he denied smoothly and turned his attention to his brother. “We can finish our conversation this evening.” 

Xichen gave a small nod and smiled, “As you say, Wangji. Do not keep your guest waiting. I need to speak with marketing about the new campaign anyway.” Giving his brother a little space, Lan Xichen stood and moved to leave without another word. He would hear more tonight, of that he was sure. When his brother said he would do something, he did it. There was no need to worry or wonder until then.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Wei Wuxian knew who he was coming to see. He had known the identity of his hookup from the moment he met him on the train. Lan Wangji, one of the major leaders of the corporate giant Cloud Recesses Incorporated, was hard to miss. He was so fucking gorgeous that he had been listed as one of the most eligible bachelors along side his elder brother for years. 

The man exuded perfection without even trying. His flawless skin was the colour of pure jade, nose straight and regal, sinfully full lips that Wei Wuxian was intimately familiar with, and a gaze of molten gold that captivated anyone who looked at him. He was tall and fit with the powerful frame of an alpha, all broad shoulders and sculpted muscle deceptively hidden beneath power suits. HIs glossy black hair was always stylishly maintained. Lan Wangji was one of the most recognizable people of their generation. 

If it hadn’t been for his heat coming on so abruptly, Wei Wuxian would have spent the duration of that train ride trying to learn a few things from the man and pick his brain about the various industry ventures and new technologies that CRI was very much involved in. He might have even fantasized about asking for a date if the alpha was receptive toward him.

Instead, he’d embarrassingly lost all semblance of control and had basically thrown himself at that Adonis of a man. Thank god it had been him though. It wasn’t like Wei Wuxian could really go anywhere on a train that would have been safe since he had not paid for a private room, opting for frugality and sleeping sitting upright instead. He could still remember his revulsion at the unpleasant scents of other alphas in the train car. There had been interest and arousal in those off-putting aromas as various strangers realized he was going into heat. 

Wei Wuxian had panicked and blindly turned to rush out in an effort to escape a bad situation. All he’d managed to do was run face first into the chest of the most godly of alphas he’d ever encountered. The real kicker was his intoxicating scent. It was a subtle mix of sandalwood and fresh earthy air, it had been a balm over his frayed nerves that he’d shamelessly clung to while he begged for help. Those golden eyes were so intense that they'd captured Wei Wuxian in their gaze, yet it didn’t frighten him. Instead, he’d felt safe and protected.

Lan Wangji had wrapped strong arms around his shivering back and pulled him out of the public car, retreating to a private room with Wei Wuxian. Had it not been for that, Wei Wuxian had seriously considered throwing himself out of the train into the snow with the hopes of not killing himself in the process as a means to escape. As a result of that protective gesture, Wei Wuxian’s heat triggered his savior’s rut and they’d spent a blissful two days fucking in that train car. When it was over, and his heat had passed, it had been a little awkward but he never expected it to come to anything.

Which was why it was hard to fathom that Wei Wuxian was standing awkwardly in a large office with two whole walls made of glass windows waiting to meet Lan Wangji after having pined over the man and their unexpected encounter for the past month. There was a huge polished wood desk, a little fountain and a sitting area with a comfy looking couch. A door that sat nestled between bookshelves. Those shelves were lined with interesting books and random artifacts that looked very old and almost otherworldly. There was even a guqin on a low table to one side.

It took a lot of effort to work up the nerve to come here. Wei Wuxian didn’t even know what he expected from the powerful and famed Lan Wangji. Would he demand he abort the baby as the Jiangs had? Would he try to take the baby away from him? Perhaps he would just wash his hands of him altogether. 

Even when he’d been waiting in the lobby, Wei Wuxian had half a mind to just turn around and bolt out of there as fast as he could. There were friends he could have called, like Wen Ning, that he could have asked for help from. Though that upset him just as much. Wei Wuxian didn’t want to be indebted to anyone, especially for a mess of his own making. It was bad enough that he’d troubled Wen Ning to crash on his couch last night. His friend had been very gracious and understanding, but it still upset Wei Wuxian greatly. If he couldn’t take care of himself now, how could he justify this stubborn want to keep his baby?

The only reason he was here in this massive office was to do the right thing and inform the father of his unborn child and pray for a miracle in which he wasn’t thrown out on his ass immediately. It was only fair, right? Plus, getting the chance to see him again was a bonus he couldn’t pass up. Wei Wuxian was secretly looking forward to catching that scent of sandalwood and crisp earthy air once more if he could. 

He most assuredly was not here for another hookup. Nope, he was not here to ogle the broad shoulders he had clung so desperately to while kissing those sinful lips with wild abandon. He was not imagining the feel of those strong hands leaving bruising imprints on his waist and thighs while he got railed hard. Wei Wuxian was -not- here hoping for an encore, nope, not at all. No one could blame him if he tried to catch a glimpse of Lan Wangji’s cock, right? Would it be absolutely wrong of him to brush up close to accidentally cop a feel? 

Fuck! No! He was not here to hook up with the man! No! Reigning in his overactive imagination and forcefully pulling in his scent before he embarrassed himself by clouding the entire damn office in his sweet aroma, Wei Wuxian began to wander around the spacious room to try and distract himself. He was wildly curious about the guqin and moved over toward it, reaching out to touch the strings lightly.

“That is very old.” The voice broke him out of his tactile inspection and he snapped upright and spun about.

”Aiyo! Oh! Sorry! It’s just…I wondered if it was still playable?” He was speaking quickly. “I mean it looks well taken care of. Not that you wouldn’t take care of something like that…” 

This was not awkward at all. Nope. Wei Wuxian put on a winning smile and moved to introduce himself. “I’m sure you weren’t expecting to ever see me again!”

He was standing close to Lan Wangji now, though he had trouble meeting his eyes for very long. That intense golden gaze was fixed upon him and it made him squirm a little and self-consciously slide his tongue over his slightly swollen split lip. Lan Wangji’s eyes followed the path of his tongue, his gaze seemed fixed on the faint bruise on his cheek, it made Wei Wuxian nervous. 

“So! Do you play?” 

It was better to stick to easy topics to start, right? Wei Wuxian was losing his nerve again even as he took in the powerful figure that stood before him. His face was impassive, skin still a gorgeously flawless complexion of jade with a pair of golden eyes that seemed to bore into his very soul. His powerful shoulders were hidden beneath that tailored shirt just like Wei Wuxian had fantasized, and his fingers itched to touch him and peel off that blazer of his so he could bask in the sight of Lan Wangji’s powerful aura. The desire to touch was so powerful that Wei Wuxian had to ball his hands into fists at his sides.

“Mn, I do. This one is very old though.” he was scrutinizing Wei Wuxian, “You came to see me? You knew who I was?” Lan Wangji wanted to touch that bruised lip and had to repress his unusual rage that demanded he seek vengeance on an unknown assailant for hurting the man in front of him.

There was a dangerous tone to Lan Wangji’s question and it made Wei Wuxian nibble at his lower lip, which stung and made him lose his train of thought for a minute before he nodded. “I looked you up after, ah - after the train.” he answered awkwardly. “I lost your card…” his fingers scrubbed at the back of his neck just beneath the ponytail that held his hair back at that admission. He felt grossly underdressed for this encounter. His dark jeans were ripped at the knees, the simple shirt was loose and its colour faded from being washed too many times. Even his shoes were scuffed and clearly on their last vestiges of life. All in all, he looked pitiful next to the well put together alpha.

“I see. What brings you here? Did you decide you needed compensation after all?” Again it was a dark and guarded question.

Wei Wuxian shook his head immediately “Ah, no! No, nothing like that. Not exactly.” he frowned and let out a breath. God, this was so hard! “Can we sit?”

Lan Wangji nodded and motioned to the two chairs before his desk, promptly sitting in one before watching his guest to see if he’d take the other. This put them in close proximity and face-to-face. There was no obstacle between them, which was something he preferred. He’d already caught the citrus and spice in the air, though it was quite subtle and faint currently. 

Mine. 

The thought had lanced through him so fast that Lan Wangji had been stunned for a moment and was grateful that his guest hadn’t noticed his tensing posture. The possessiveness was unbalancing and it concerned him. They were strangers, he did not know this omega at all. One encounter did not mean he had any sort of perverse right over him - he wasn’t marked either, which was good. It meant there was no competition in the way. 

The corners of his eyes tightened slightly as he inwardly chastised himself for thinking about competing for the rights to the man before him. They barely knew one another, this was pure infatuation, wasn’t it? 

Wei Wuxian was not like most omegas he’d encountered. He was lithe and athletic in an alluring sort of way, and he was taller than average omegas that Lan Wangji was familiar with. His skin was pale and unblemished, those silvery eyes were mesmerizing. His easy smile was warm and inviting as well. To put it simply, Wei Wuxian’s beauty was unquestionable. The alluring scent that clung to him was driving Wangji a little crazy. Those enchanting lips were full and slightly swollen, both from being chewed upon just now and from the disturbing wound there. Wangji had the urge to taste them against his own once more. “Perhaps you should start with your name?”

“Ah! Right. I’m Wei Ying, courtesy name Wei Wuxian. I’m the adopted son of the Jiang family that runs Lotus Enterprises. Although recently, we’ve had a bit of a falling out.” he chuckled nervously as he sat down, fiddling with the hem of his shirt. “Have you dealt with them ever? I wasn’t really part of the ‘running the business’ dealings, but I know they are pretty involved in some finance and properties type stuff.”

Wangji nodded, “Yes, I have heard of them. We have had dealings on a few occasions, though I have never met you before.” 

“That’s not surprising. The madam isn’t entirely fond of me and she always kept me at arms length. The less interest I took in the family business, the better.” he grinned again and shifted on the chair, it was pretty comfy.

“So why are you here?” Lan Wangji was curious, but he was also losing patience. If this was some sort of strange play by Lotus Enterprises, he was not impressed. 

“Well, you see. I..I need to let you know something. Firstly, I want it known I am not here trying to get money or help. I just…I am doing the ‘right thing’ I suppose.” He took a breath and Lan Wangji’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. 

“The right thing?” He asked carefully and Wei Wuxian’s eyes darted to his lap, avoiding Lan Wangji’s intense gaze, several times. 

“Y-yes. I…well. I’m pregnant.” he blurted it out in a rush of air then looked up at the man sitting next to him. “It’s yours. I thought you should know.” Wei Wuxian’s posture was tense, bracing for physical retaliation. His arms unconsciously slid around his middle to protect his baby if it came to that.

Lan Wangji just sat there in stunned silence. His expression didn’t falter at all and he let the confession settle over him, choosing to say nothing immediately. Visions of that night flooded his memory again. The wet sound of flesh slapping together, the gasps and cries, the heat, the desire, the all consuming pleasure. That whining voice begging him to pound into his tight, wet hole while the alluring scent of citrus and spice swirled around him making him dizzy. It’d sent him into a rut at the time, they’d both been out of their minds with need.

“I thought you said…this couldn’t happen?” He distinctly remembered the reassurances afterward. He’d been worried, of course, and had offered to take responsibility. At the time Wei Wuxian had adamantly denied any chance of becoming pregnant and promised he had nothing to fret about.

“Well, that’s what the doctors told me. I’m recessive. They said it would be next to impossible.” Wei Wuxian frowned. “Like I said, I’m not looking for you to do anything. I just…thought you should know. I’ll be keeping the baby. I hope you’re ok with that. We can figure out visitation and stuff if you want. You don’t have to do anything though. I can handle it on my own.” 

Lan Wangji’s brow furrowed in a subtle frown as he stared at the omega sitting next to him. “You think I would abandon my responsibilities?” There was that dangerous tone in his question again.

“No! No of course not, I’m just….releasing you from those responsibilities. I’ll be okay. I can take care of myself.” he spoke adamantly and made himself meet the alpha’s gaze as he said it. Wei Wuxian’s heart was hammering in his chest and he had to force his anxiety down so it didn’t sour the air with his worry and fears.

“You are releasing me?” The puzzlement was obvious and that furrowed expression intensified. “Have you been tested? This is not a hoax?”

It was Wei Wuxian’s turn to frown. “Why would I joke about this!? I took five home tests! I can assure you, they’re positive. Here!” he started fishing in his coat pocket and handed him a couple of the test sticks he’d brought with him. “See for yourself.”

Wangji reached out slowly and took the pregnancy test sticks from Wei Wuxian. When his fingers brushed against the other’s palm, there was a thrill that rushed through him. It was nearly electric and he itched to touch more. It took considerable restraint to prevent himself from acting like a brute. He stared at Wei Wuxian before looking down and seeing the results with his own eyes. It was like a punch to the gut. This could be fabricated though, couldn’t it? A doctor was needed to be sure. 

“You are sure it’s mine?” The question slipped out before he could stop himself.

Wei Wuxian jumped to his feet, a snarl escaping his lips as he did so “What do you think I am!? I don’t throw myself at every gorgeous alpha I come across! You were my first and only partner!” as soon as he said it he could feel colour blooming up his neck and face. Did he actually just admit he was a virgin before that night? Fuck!

A thrill danced along Lan Wangji’s nervous system. Wei Wuxian thought he was gorgeous? It was something that made the tips of Lan Wangji’s ears warm with some unknown emotion and his chest puffed up marginally while he sat up a bit straighter. It took a second for the latter part to register. It had been a first time for both of them? More memories flooded his senses of long legs winding around his waist and heels pressing to the small of his back encouraging him to bury himself in that tight hot wet hole. Instinct had made them uninhibited and their encounter so very sensual. 

A possessive desire to stake his claim made his jaw practically ache and his fingers curl against his thighs to restrain himself from doing something foolish. Would Wei Wuxian welcome such a claim? Would he be thrilled or would he rail against him in a violent rage? Lan Wangji was quite pleased to know that no other alpha knew the intimate side of his omega. It was a treasured secret between the pair of them. He would very much like to keep it that way. 

Perhaps he could court the man and make his desire a reality? He’d never considered a partner, yet with Wei Wuxian, it seemed natural and very right, even if they didn’t really know one another all that well yet. Just the thought of getting to savor the beautiful omega and relish in his delicious scent had Lan Wangji imagining a blissful future for the pair of them. Reality shattered his amorous thinking as Wei Wuxian spoke again.

“Listen, I knew this was a mistake. I’m sorry for bothering you. Don’t worry about anything, I’m not holding you responsible, I don’t want your help.” God, but he really did. He really really needed it. The guy just called Wei Wuxian a slut though, and he could not let that go so easily, not after everything that had happened with the Jiangs. His pride wouldn’t allow it.

Wei Wuxian had only taken two steps before he felt a hand on his wrist stopping him. He looked back to see Lan Wangji standing rather close, his golden eyes wild and bright with some sort of urgency he couldn’t quite describe, and his face pinched in that almost scowl he had worn this entire time. “I did not mean for that to sound so cruel. Try to understand, I have to be careful. That does not mean I will ignore my responsibilities, whether you release me from them or not, I cannot ignore it.” 

There was a squeezing sensation around Wei Wuxian’s heart and he let out a shuddering breath. He was on the verge of an embarrassing emotionally charged meltdown, which wasn’t something he’d planned on. It was just a lot of stress! First the blow out with the Jiangs and ending up essentially homeless, then the nerves about confessing only to be asked if he was sure he had the right father. A shiver rolled through his body as he did his best to push the shame he felt down. 

“What exactly does that mean? How are you ignoring anything when I told you I can take care of it on my own?”

“Have you seen a doctor yet? You said this is highly unlikely, will it be dangerous?” The questions were sincere, yet Wei Wuxian took them poorly. All he heard was Lan Wangji fishing for an excuse to deal with the situation in an unpleasant way.

“You want me to abort my baby, don’t you?” he asked flatly, tears swimming in his eyes. He was going to cry in front of this gorgeous alpha! He shut his eyes and looked away tugging at his arm to try and break free. 

The grip tightened instead, and Wei Wuxian was pulled closer until he felt long fingers tipping his chin up. “I never said that. I am trying to understand the risks. You said this..this was impossible.” The awkwardness would have been amusing any other time. There was also a comforting scent of sandalwood subtly permeating the area. It was like Lan Wangji was purposely trying to calm him down with his own pheromones, as if they were mates or something, but that couldn’t be right.

Wei Wuxian snorted inelegantly. “I defy the impossible it seems.” his free hand reached up to scrub at his face as tears slid out the corners of his eyes. His bruised cheek stung as he rubbed at it and it made him huff in defeat. “Look, I’m trying to do the right thing by telling you. I also don’t want you to feel trapped or indebted or whatever. I can handle this.”

Lan Wangji carefully searched his face, trying his best to understand the reluctance for his help. “I understand, however, I will not ignore my responsibility. I want to help.” He hadn’t ever thought of himself as having children, yet now that the situation had presented itself, he was not appalled by it either. Part of him was secretly excited by the idea, it made him regret asking if it had been a hoax earlier, although he couldn’t discount that possibility, and his brother and uncle would inevitably broach the question themselves as well. It was the only way he could justify why he’d asked it.

Granted this entire situation was unexpected. It was the very last thing Lan Wangji anticipated happening today, yet here they were. “Sit, please. Let me get you a drink.” 

He was pulling Wei Wuxian over to the sitting area this time, to the more comfortable couch and chairs there. After managing to get the omega to sit upon the leather sofa, Wangji turned smoothly and moved to the table to pour a cup of water from the pitcher there. He held the cup out to Wei Wuxian quietly and waited. 

For his part, Wei Wuxian was sniffling and doing his best to pull himself back together, wholly embarrassed that he’d just freaked out. His scent was still a bit sour with his distress and Wei Wuxian had given up on trying to control it. He had been prepared for it to be the other way around. It seemed far more likely that the famed Lan Wangji would lose his cool and be the one panicking or denying everything. It had never occurred to him that the passionate alpha he’d met on that train would be so reserved and calm like this. Taking the offered cup of water, he took a large sip and wiped at his face again. 

“I just…thought you should know. I don’t expect anything.” He was being stubborn, sure, but he was not going to be accused of being some gold-digger with this either. In all honesty, Wei Wuxian hadn’t really thought through this urge to tell Lan Wangji he had fathered a child. All he could do was fall back on that dumb phrase of it being ‘the right thing to do’.

“You’ve said as much already.” The reply was unnerving for Wei Wuxian in its calm and measured tone that was the exact opposite of what he’d expected. “I also still want to help and take responsibility.”

It pissed Wei Wuxian off a little. Why wasn’t he upset!? “Aren’t you even a little freaked out?” he finally blurted. “I have been going crazy about this and you’re just so…so….cold and calm like a damn frozen pond or something!”

Lan Wangji ran his fingers through his hair at that, giving himself a slightly disheveled appearance, and let out a heavy breath of air. “I may not look upset, but I assure you that I am quite surprised. I was not expecting this.” 

His blunt honesty was refreshing at least and Wei Wuxian nodded stiffly. “So what do you mean by taking responsibility?” 

Moving to sit across from him in one of the plush chairs, Lan Wangji tapped his fingers on the arm rest for a few moments before speaking. The last thing he wanted to do was frighten Wei Wuxian off by going too fast. Holding back was difficult when every iota of his soul screamed at him to claim and protect. 

“Naturally I will support your decision to keep our child. I will see to it that you receive proper medical care and ensure your safety.” The part of him that wanted to claim the omega right then and there was riding him hard. 

That demand deep within him to state his right to mark his omega and handle everything was being strictly controlled through sheer stubborn will. This entire issue was testing his restraint more than anything else ever had. The way that this Wei Wuxian continually refused to accept his help rankled Lan Wangji and made it apparent he would have to start small. Going slowly was not what he wanted to do at all. He was afraid that if he did, everything would fall apart.

Wei Wuxian was clearly not expecting this kind of response. He fidgeted in his seat, fingers tapping rapidly against the cup he held and eyes darting around looking for easy escape routes. It was one thing to run from the Jiangs, they were betas and that made it easier to hide in some aspects. Lan Wangji was an alpha, and there was only one way in or out of this office. He was bigger, stronger and his heightened senses could pick out Wei Wuxian’s unique scent easily from within a crowd. Hiding from alphas was difficult in the best of circumstances. Trying to do it scared was next to impossible. The room that had seemed so big earlier now felt as though the walls were closing in on him.

“You aren’t going to make me get rid of my baby?” Wei Wuxian hadn’t registered that Lan Wangji had called the baby theirs earlier. His voice sounded small and timid and he was incapable of masking his worried scent from souring even more and clouding his usual sweet aroma. It tickled Lan Wangji’s nose prompting him to release his own pheromones in an attempt to soothe and reassure Wei Wuxian again.

“I will not make you do anything you do not want to do.” The reply was given in that calm measured voice. “I would very much like to be involved in my child’s future if you will allow such.” It was a risk to say so much so soon, but he felt reassurance was needed. The memory of the tattoo skirted around his thoughts again, and about how Wei Wuxian had joked of some madam being furious if she’d found out. Likely it was the Jiang matriarch he had referred to then. The fear associated with this madam was obvious and it concerned Lan Wangji greatly. 

“You do?” those beautiful silvery eyes looked up at him with shock and hope.

Lan Wangji nodded and shifted to the edge of the chair he was sitting on to get a little closer. “I would not say it if I did not mean it.” He hoped this would be comforting and that Wei Wuxian would accept it. 

“I don’t know what to say to that.” Wei Wuxian mumbled as he looked down at his lap, the glass of water still held nervously. 

“Have you not had support up until now?” Their encounter on the train had happened just over a month ago. Had this been a burden he carried alone all this time? The way his omega curled in on himself seemed to be all the answer Lan Wangji needed and it made the line between his brows deepen with displeasure at such a revelation. It sharpened his own scent and he had to tightly reign himself in so he didn’t startle the man across from him.

“Ahh, my adoptive family was not impressed.” he gave a sheepish grin and finally took another drink of the water. “They basically kicked me out, but I’m staying with a friend on the couch for now. I’ll get my own place soon, so no need to worry!” Wei Wuxian’s hand was held out in a placating gesture, waving a little dismissively at his current living conditions.  

Lan Wangi frowned even more, though it was really hard to tell since his facial expression barely changed. His imagination took a disturbing turn as he pictured Wei Wuxian in some strangers’ home, laying on a bed and being comforted by another person. That possessive urge to claim him slammed into his gut again and he sucked in a slow calming breath, tasting the flavor of his omega’s fragrance in the room. Did he have the right to be like this yet? Either way, Wei Wuxian staying in some strange friends’ home was unacceptable. Had it been this ‘friend’ that had left the bruise and split lip? 

For a brief moment, Wangji imagined how he would repay such a ‘friend’ for harming Wei Wuxian like that. The alpha in him thrilled at the idea of destroying a danger such as that and instinct screamed through his veins demanding action and retribution. The longer this conversation went, the further the line blurred between hope and reality for Lan Wangji. Though it might not have been quite obvious to Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji was all in and wholly invested.

“You don’t have a proper place to stay?” Is your friend an alpha? Lan Wangji desperately wanted to ask, but felt like it wouldn’t be taken well. 

“The couch isn’t bad, and it’s just temporary.” Wei Wuxian reassured him, attempting an awkward grin again like this was all par for the course and fine.

Lan Wangji’s frown was more noticeable in how his eyes darkened and that line between his brows seemed to deepen impossibly. He didn’t even know if this friend was properly taking care of Wei Wuxian. Who knew what kind of food he was getting? He looked overly thin - too thin for all things considered. The protective instinct kicked in again and Wangji spoke with confidence, completely ignoring the fact that he’d been planning to take things slow. “You can stay with me at my home if you need somewhere to go.” 

“What?” Wei Wuxian was finally focusing on the man across from him.

“I have the space, and you need somewhere safe and secure. It will allow me to help you, if you accept of course.” Lan Wangji’s reasoning made Wei Wuxian blink dumbly at him. 

“Is this some sort of guilt thing? You aren’t actually mad? I mean, you never planned on any of this. I don’t want to be a burden.”

“It is not a burden to take care of the omega carrying my child.” Lan Wangji replied smoothly as if this were the only acceptable response.

It was so alien after the disastrous way his pregnancy news had gone down with the Jiangs. Wei Wuxian didn’t entirely trust it. He protectively hugged his arms around his middle entirely forgetting he was holding a cup of water and it spilled on the cushion next to him and down his hip.. “Aiyo!” Wei Wuxian started in surprise at the cool wet feeling and his face reddened in absolute mortification at what he’d done. “Lan Wangji, my heart! You need to warn me if you’re going to say things like that!” 

Lan Wangji stiffened slightly and the tips of his ears flushed with heat. He moved immediately when he saw the water spill against Wei Wuxian’s side, reaching to guide him to the other end of the sofa and finding a small cloth napkin to dab awkwardly at his wet hip. He was kneeling before Wei Wuxian now as he spoke, a gruff husky timbre changing the way his question sounded. 

“Would you rather live elsewhere?” Lan Wangji really did not want Wei Wuxian anywhere that was not his house. Something deep and primal in his soul rebelled at the mere thought of his omega living anywhere that was not in his home. 

Mine. 

The thought washed through him again as he stared at Wei Wuxian, watching every emotion that passed across his features to better gauge the situation.

Wei Wuxian fumbled for the napkin, his neck and cheeks hot with embarrassment knowing he’d doused himself in water and gotten it all over a rather expensive looking leather cushion too. Most startling of all was seeing that perfect, handsome, and powerful alpha on his knees in front of him. The last time he’d seen Lan Wangji from this perspective, Wei Wuxian’s cock was being sucked wickedly. No! He couldn’t think about that stuff! Reigning in his wild imagination as fast as he could, Wei Wuxian straightened up a little and huffed. 

“I honestly don’t have much choice.” He grinned sheepishly. “It’d only be temporary though, I really should find my own place.”

The admission was reluctant, however, Lan Wangji was glad for it and ignored the temporary remark. All he needed was a chance. Selfishly, he wanted Wei Wuxian to depend on him for everything. He wanted this omega to live in his home so much it made his teeth ache. That aroma of citrus and spice was intoxicating and smelled even better than it had in his memory. 

“Then stay with me. Give it a try at least?” He had to go slowly, Lan Wangji knew this, but he couldn’t help offering his home. He had been thinking of this man ever since the incident on the train, and now that he was here, Lan Wangji was determined to not lose sight of him again.

A heavy sigh escaped Wei Wuxian and he gave a half nod. He hadn’t expected any of this to work out the way it had. Living at Wen Ning’s wasn’t a long-term solution and he didn’t want to burden his friend. If Lan Wangji was willing to do this, and if it worked out, well isn't that what he’d been hoping for? Honestly, he didn’t even know anymore. He had come here with dread filling his soul, and somehow he was being given everything he could think to need and probably more if he asked for it.

“What will you tell your family? Aren’t they going to wonder why you have an omega living with you all of a sudden?” 

“I will tell them the truth, that you are carrying our child.”

Wei Wuxian blinked at him again, it was becoming a nasty habit it seemed. “Huh, just like that? Won’t they hate me or think I’m trying to trap you somehow?”

“Are you?” Lan Wangji’s blunt question made Wei Wuxian snort with a laugh.

“No, I’m not. If you’ll recall, I tried to leave.” 

“Mn, you did.” Wei Wuxian caught the softening of the man’s eyes this time “Does this mean you will accept my offer to live at my house?” 

“Will I have my own room?” It was way too absurd to think the man wanted a relationship, he had only talked about duty and his child, not about emotions or anything like that. 

“Yes, I will also assist you with medical appointments. We should schedule you for a test and check-up to make sure everything is alright.”

Wow, this was really happening! Wei Wuxian was in a bit of a daze as he nodded. “Yea, I guess that’s the next step.” Why did he feel awkward again all the sudden? Maybe because he just didn’t know where he stood with this guy. It could also be that he had poured water on himself and it was slightly uncomfortable.

They’d had mind-blowing sex. He was pregnant - the sex was that amazing - and now he was going to live with one of the most eligible men in all of creation just like that! Not only was he about to move in with Lan Wangji, but the alpha wasn’t even mad at him! He was accepting all of this so well! Wen Ning was going to flip when he told him!

He was so stoked with all these little revelations that he hadn’t noticed Lan Wangji had pulled out his phone and was making a call to set up an appointment for a pregnancy check-up for him. Holy shit! The man didn’t waste time did he? As soon as he hung up he stood and looked at Wei Wuxian. 

“Shall we get your things from this friend’s place?” He had been careful to not ask if this friend was anything more than that or not. Lan Wangji was not sure how he would handle the situation as that possessive urge burned through him again. 

“Ah, yeah, I don’t have much, just this really.” he hefted the bag by the couch and shrugged. “I left in a bit of a rush.” Wei Wuxian said by way of explanation. It didn’t seem right to just spread all his things around Wen Ning’s tiny apartment after all. 

Lan Wangji looked at him for a long moment. “Would you like to change?”

Relief swept through Wei Wuxian and he grinned widely. “You don’t mind? I’m wet.” The admission was sheepish and he hopped up looking around a little lost.

“There’s a bathroom right there.” Wangji would have loved to strip him here and now, but he managed to hold back and simply pointed to the door nestled between the bookshelves opposite the couch and sitting area.

“Right! I’ll be quick!” Dashing through the door Wei Wuxian went to change, leaving Lan Wangji where he was. 

Raking fingers through his hair again, Lan Wangji noticed the mild tremor in his hands. He was going to be a father. The reality of the situation was finally hitting him. Pulling out his phone he sent a quick text to his brother informing him that he had to cancel their evening plans and that he would explain later. Wei Wuxian appeared mere moments later, the dark jeans with holes in the knees replaced with a pair of equally dark dress pants that were mildly wrinkled. 

“I swear, usually I’m much more coordinated.” Wei Wuxian assured him, struggling to zip up his bag as it dangled over his shoulder.

“If you are ready, I will take you home so you can get settled. You have an appointment with the doctor tomorrow morning.” The relief that filled his heart made Wangji eager to get his omega home. 

Mine!  

Never had he ever wanted something more in all his life. 

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

When Wei Wuxian pictured Lan Wangji’s house, he’d assumed it was some condo or penthouse kind of setup. The man was a well known alpha in the business world as well as society in general. He was famous in a lot of ways, and highly sought after when it came to the alpha/omega snobs who wanted to ‘better the genetic line’ of their clans. Being a power figure like that, it just seemed like he would naturally live in a glass and steel tower of some sort. He had utterly not expected to be taken to an estate like the one they arrived at.

It was up in the hills, removed from the bustle of the city, with an amazing view of the valley below. The whole estate was surrounded by wilderness and it was ringed in a large stone wall that looked like it would be a challenge to climb. The crushed gravel drive was clean and it swept up and around through the snow covered trees, branching off here and there, but Lan Wangji kept driving higher and further into the massive area.

When they finally did turn off, Wei Wuxian’s eyes widened. The house was a two story affair and it took after a more classical look. There was a separate large garage that they parked in front of and a path crossing a low foot bridge over a small stream that led to the front of the house. Benches sat on a pavilion in the front yard near the stream and the gardens were immaculate and full of all kinds of gorgeous plants and ancient trees. Snow and frost blanketed much of it, and the large pines and fir trees that surrounded the landscaped property added an air of isolation to the whole setting. Frost covered gentians were somehow blooming in the low spots and the little partially ice-covered stream swept around the back of the house to somewhere unknown. 

While it had that classical look to it, the windows had been upgraded to give expansive views on the yard. Everything about it screamed it was a generational home and belonged to the wealthy. The Jiang estate, by contrast, was more modern and one large sweeping mansion that housed everything one would expect by a well-to-do family. This home was smaller than the Jiang mansion by a large margin, but that didn’t detract from it at all. In fact, Wei Wuxian found he rather liked its intimate feel. 

Lan Wangji led the way and opened the door for Wei Wuxian allowing him to enter first. The entry was larger than he expected with polished dark wood flooring and light coloured walls with airy light blue drapes around the windows. To the left he could see a cozy looking kitchen and dining area. It held all the modern appliances. The house was modestly decorated in a sort of minimalist fashion with very few personal touches. To the right, there was a sitting room, and an open door to a study from the looks of it. What was really impressive was front and centre. 

In the middle of the entry was a full-blown garden with crushed white gravel interspersed around the low shrubs and mature looking trees. It had koi lazily swimming in a shallow waterway that led further back and disappeared below stone steps set before a set of glass doors opening on to the back gardens. Two staircases swept up either side of this internal garden scape to lead to the second level which no doubt held bedrooms and the like, but Wei Wuxian was captivated by those glass doors and the yard beyond it.

A massive cherry blossom tree seemed to be the focus as it nestled next to a large mostly frozen pond that the stream from out front fed into. There was a large pavilion that coiled up against the full length of the back of the house and the gardens spilled out from there, more crushed gravel paths led through them in either direction, drifting around the perimeter of the large pond. It was gorgeous.

“Wow!” He breathed out the word without thought, mindlessly walking forward toward those doors and looking out through them.

“This is the Jingshi. My family estate has a few homes like this. My brother lives in the Hanshi, which is the next closest building to here.” The deep rich tone of Lan Wangji’s voice tickled behind Wei Wuxian startling him and he spun about with a sheepish grin.

“Your house is amazing!” There was no way this was real. Wei Wuxian had to be dreaming! Was he actually going to be living in this kind of paradise?

“It is comfortable.” Lan Wangji replied smoothly and set down a pair of slippers for Wei Wuxian. “If it is lacking in anything, let me know and I will get it for you.” Was it too soon to be promising anything his omega could desire? There was no question about it in Wangji’s mind either. Wei Wuxian was - his - omega, even if the man himself didn’t understand that yet.

Lan Wangji was enamored with his lithe figure, his bright eyes and exuberance. He wanted to wrap him up in a tight embrace and show him exactly what that spicy citrus scent did to him. The desire to taste those lips, to make Wei Wuxian whine and call him alpha was intense. He could feel his cock twitch and cleared his throat turning around to try and get himself under control before he embarrassed himself. 

“Would you like a tour?” His voice sounded a little strained to his own ears, and he ruthlessly stamped down the urge to flood the room with his scent while he mentally started reciting his family’s precepts to calm his urges.

“Please! Is the pond deep? Can you swim in it?” Wei Wuxian turned around then grinning brightly, stuffing his feet into the slippers and carrying his shoes back to rest by the front door.

“Mn, it is cold though.” Wangji warned as he showed him the sitting room with its large couches and television set he’d only ever used a handful of times. There were some ancient family heirlooms on shelves and tables, artfully placed to accentuate the room, and a few pictures of his brother and uncle dotted the coffee table and mantle over a modest fireplace. “These doors lead into my study, there are books if you are a fan of reading.”

The study was rich with dark wood and windows that opened onto the back gardens. A more modern looking guqin sat on a low table and the room smelled distinctly like Lan Wangji. It was perhaps the most used room in the entire house aside from the bedroom. “There’s a bathroom here,” Wangji motioned to a door nestled along the far wall, “There’s another off the kitchen as well.” 

Wei Wuxian obediently followed as they traversed that central entryway again and he got to wander around the kitchen with its breakfast nook and larger dining room area. It was clean and reminded him of a show home. By the time they circled back around to the stairs Wei Wuxian was feeling a little overwhelmed. 

It wasn’t that he’d lived in squalor before, far from it actually. The Jiang estate boasted success and wealth, it was a freaking mansion complete with an indoor pool and everything, but this place was practically ethereal. It had some mystique to it that a modern mansion just could not emulate, no matter how hard one tried and it had caught Wei Wuxian in its spell. The stairs were made of the same dark wood as the floors with wrought iron balustrades. The landing above looked over the inner garden on one side and had sweeping floor-to-ceiling windows on the other side that showed the extensive gardens beyond. 

To the left, he learned, was the master bedroom. It encompassed one half of the upper level and while Lan Wangji didn’t take him inside, the door was open and Wei Wuxian caught a glimpse of a large bed and sitting area with doors on the opposite end toward what he assumed was an ensuite bathroom and probably a closet. To the right there were three other doors, two of which led to furnished bedrooms with attached ensuites of their own. One had a view of the front of the house while the other looked over the back gardens and had what looked to be a small private patio. 

The final door led to a personal gym. It had a substantially large open space covered in padded mats and a punching bag along with exercise equipment lining the walls. Its window overlooked the front of the house and from this vantage, Wei Wuxian could just make out a roof in the distance. That must be his brother’s home. He thought mildly as he wandered around, touching each piece of equipment. It was so damn spotless! He could smell the pine scent of cleaner masking the much more mouth-watering smell of sweat and Lan Wangji’s personal sandalwood and clean air aroma that Wei Wuxian was particularly fond of.

The entire drive here, he’d been doing his best to be subtle about taking in lungfuls of the alpha’s smell in the car’s interior. He was sure that Lan Wangji would call him out on it at some point, but the man had remained quiet and had only cast a few glances his way. Fiddling with the hem of his shirt allowed Wei Wuxian to keep his hands from reaching out to touch Lan Wangji’s arm or hair while he drove. It was embarrassing how much he wanted to cling to the man!

“I would recommend this room.” That deep voice tickled Wei Wuxian’s senses as Lan Wangji walked back into the bedroom that looked over the back gardens. “The patio connects to my room, but I assure you I will not impede on your privacy.” 

Opening the patio door to the cool refreshing winter air, Wei Wuxian stepped out and looked at how the patio wrapped around the back of the house further than he realized. He could see the door to Lan Wangji’s room and realized that the back of the house was nearly all windows. 

“Oh! Of course! I’m not worried about that though. I mean! Y-you don’t seem like the type to…uhh spy through windows…” Heat coloured his neck and cheeks as he stumbled through his answer. Especially because he’d just started fantasizing about himself watching Lan Wangji through the windows while he was on the patio. No! He was not trying to hook up with the man! This was because of the baby, getting any other ideas in his head was just going to lead to heartbreak later.

The silence was awkward. “We can shop for anything you might need. Clothing and necessities. If you want to change the furniture, we can do that as well.” Lan Wangji’s ears were pink with his own emotion while he looked around the bedroom.

“You don’t have to do that, I have a job, I can take care of those things.” That denial was quick. “I don’t want to be a burden. You’re already doing so much.”

Lan Wangji frowned. He hadn’t considered there would be a job. “Should you be working?”

“I’m not a delicate waif.” Wei Wuxian snorted with amusement but then he gnawed at his lower lip, which made him wince because it was still tender from the punch he’d taken the night before. He was just realizing that his commute was going to be hell now, when he considered the very real fact that no one from the marketing office had called to inquire where he was today. Did he really still have a job? 

Wei Wuxian had worked for Lotus Enterprises after graduating from university two years ago. His focus was on marketing but he was truly an artist and tinkerer at heart. Out of every part of his job, he loved doing the graphic design work for promotional materials the most. After the blowout with Madam Yu and uncle Jiang, not to mention getting punched by Jiang Cheng, Wei Wuxian really didn’t know if that job still existed.

A sorrowful and slightly distressed flavor clouded his naturally pleasant scent as he frowned looking down at his hands. “Well, I had a job…”

“Did you quit?” The question was gentle, though Lan Wangji felt a protective urge sweep through him. That powerful desire was demanding he wrap up his omega in a tight embrace and reassure him. Managing to resist, Lan Wangji waited patiently for Wei Wuxian to elaborate.

“Ah - I work, or worked, for Lotus Enterprises. I’m not sure if that still exists since I took off.” He grinned wryly “It was a ...nasty argument.” The admission was sheepish at best, causing Wuxian to look at the floor in shame.

Lan Wangji moved closer, reaching out, tipping up Wei Wuxian’s head by his chin and sliding his thumb in featherlight touch over his swollen split lip. “Did this happen during your argument?” A husky quality had laced Wangji’s question. He was trying very hard to restrain himself, but he couldn’t help himself. The whole situation upset him and he was already thinking about how to deal with Lotus Enterprises in ways that would make them regret ever starting a business in the first place. All because of a split lip.

Wei Wuxian shivered at the touch, partly because he had been thinking about this man’s caress way back during the damn car ride here, and also because he knew his shame was on full display thanks to Jiang Cheng’s violent temper. “Oh this? It’s nothing.” 

“It does not look like it is nothing.” That deep voice was sensual and rich in Wei Wuxian’s ears and he had to swallow the whimper that tried to bubble up his throat. He balled his fists in the hem of his shirt again.

“Well, my brother was upset.” When he saw Lan Wangji’s gaze harden, Wei Wuxian felt a thrill race down his spine. Shit! This guy could look scary. “It’s nothing though!” Giving his quick reassurance to hopefully spare any outburst of anger. “We wrestle all the time! I just let my guard down. It’s my fault I got hit like that.” 

“Perhaps your brother needs to be educated on how to treat a pregnant omega.” Was that a growl in his voice? Holy shit that was hot!

“N-no! No, it's fine! Really!” Wei Wuxian took a step back and cleared his throat, looking away so his bruise wasn’t on full display. Some of his hair had slipped free from its ponytail which helped to hide his cheek. It was just past his shoulders and he took great pride in it usually, but the last few days had seen him just stuffing it in a hair tie and ignoring it as best he could.

Lan Wangji closed the distance again and reached up to tuck that hair behind Wei Wuxian’s ear. “Wei Wuxian, it is not fine. A pregnant omega should be cherished, no matter what they say or do. He had no right to lay hands on you.”

“Wei Ying.” His tongue slid over his split lip. “You can call me Wei Ying, I mean - you are the father of my child, we should be on more familiar terms right?”

There was a pause while those fingers lightly stroked down Wei Wuxian’s neck. “Then you may call me Lan Zhan.” The warmth of his breath washed against the side of Wei Wuxians neck and the whimper in his throat nearly escaped.

Closing his eyes Wei Wuxian took a deep slow inhale. Sandalwood and fresh clean air, it was so hard to describe. That damp clean earthy tone that just screamed fresh and wonderful, it enveloped Wei Wuxian’s senses and he leaned toward the alpha. One hand lifted up to rest lightly against Lan Wangji’s chest and he pressed his forehead to the man’s shoulder. All it had taken was a single touch and Wuxian wanted more. 

“He was just upset. He didn’t mean it.” The words were mumbled and muffled with his proximity to Lan Wangji.

A deep rumble of sound akin to a purr, or maybe it was a growl, reverberated through Wangji as he gave up resisting and pulled the omega closer, wrapping his arms around him and gently rubbing his back. “It does not justify his actions.”

To Wei Wuxian’s utter horror, he started to cry, softly at first, then harder. The whole moment was so intimate and so comforting, all the hell of the past few days crashed over him and he sobbed. The sound tore out of him and he clung to Lan Wangji then, venting his sorrow and his fears. It was so unfair! Why couldn’t the Jiangs be like this? Why didn’t they support him? He’d been yelled at, accused of being a whore, shamed and thrown out. Sure he’d run out, but if he hadn’t, they would have forced him to abort the baby. 

Lan Wangji was so accepting of everything. Hell, he’d offered up his gorgeous home without a second thought and he wasn’t mad! This day had been so stressful and Wei Wuxian had expected the worst, yet now here he was, in the lap of luxury, in the arms of the sexiest alpha he’d ever encountered and his snot was staining the man’s shirt.

“I’m sorry! God! I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to-mph!” Words were cut off as Lan Wangji’s lips pressed against his. It was chaste and quick, but it had still happened. Wei Wuxian just stared up at him, sniffling with tears staining his cheeks.

“You do not have to apologize. If anyone should, it is me.” Wangji’s hand was still lightly stroking up and down Wei Wuxian’s back in a soothing manner. “I should not have kissed you without your permission.”

Wei Wuxian’s lips were still tingling and he slid his tongue along them while staring up at Lan Wangji. He could see the intensity of desire darkening his golden gaze, but he still held himself in check. Ducking his head, he nuzzled his face against the alpha’s shoulder again and just stood there hugging him. Wuxian didn’t know what to say, he only felt his embarrassment at having sobbed like a child in front of the man of his damn dreams. 

“I didn’t mind the kiss.” It was the truth yet he hoped it hadn’t been heard because it would just make things that much more awkward. For now Wei Wuxian just relished in the comforting scent of sandalwood and safety he was being granted in the moment. He could have this much at least, right? “I ruined your shirt.”

“It can be washed.”

“Thank you. For everything.” He hugged the man tightly for a little longer and forcibly pulled himself away. “I know this is for the baby, so I will do my best not to cross any more lines. It’s just been a rough couple days.” Wei Wuxian wouldn’t look up at Lan Wangji for a long time. 

This living situation had to be clearly defined before he broke his heart getting the wrong idea or getting some mixed signals from hopeful wishing. Lan Zhan was just being kind while Wei Ying was getting stupidly dramatic and clingy. Maybe it could be blamed on hormones even though he was painfully aware that his attraction to Lan Zhan existed prior to his hormones taking a nose dive into insanity. Backing away from temptation he gave a watery grin, swiping at his eyes to try and compose himself and look like less of a wreck. 

“I swear you’ll hardly know I’m here. I won’t cause you any trouble or anything.” The warmth of their embrace still lingered on his soul and Wei Ying knew his heart was in trouble if he kept this up. Backing away further, he turned to step back out onto the patio and leaned against the railing of the balcony. It created the space he was frantically in need of and he used the fresh cool air outside to clear his head. 

Behind him there was nothing but silence for a painfully long few minutes. He lacked the courage to look back at Lan Zhan and see something like disappointment there, or worse. They both needed this space. He couldn’t trap anyone into this situation with confused feelings or something equally dumb. His soul would just not survive it.

“I will let you get settled.” The sound of Lan Zhan’s voice teased down to Wei Ying’s very essence. “Dinner will be ready in an hour if you’re hungry.” 

A few moments later, the bedroom door clicked shut and Wei Ying was left alone to his own devices. In the hall, Lan Wangji paused for a minute, just standing there and his heart nearly broke as he heard another sob from the bedroom. Every instinct in his being was demanding he go back inside and comfort his omega. Those words of Wei Wuxian’s had frozen him though. The infatuation was one sided. He could see that now. His omega believed this was all duty and obligation and not because of genuine feelings.

It was all happening fast, but once Lan Wangji admitted he’d fallen for the man, he could only press forward with that knowledge and do whatever he could to keep Wei Ying by his side. The Lans had always held to the belief that they only loved once and they often fell hard into that love. Wangji had always scoffed at the notion, wholly believing it was just a good excuse to foster poor behavior. 

The proof was in the past between his own father and mother and their strained relationship. How could that ever be considered love? Now, though, he thought he understood that overwhelming emotion and how it changed everything. Wangji was prepared to do whatever it took for Wei Ying, no matter how it cost him. It unnerved him how quickly he’d become irrevocably entwined in this one sided affection.  

Lan Wangji’s lips set in grim determination. He was just going to have to show Wei Wuxian through his actions what he lacked in his words. Making his way downstairs, he pulled out his cell phone and called his brother.

“Wangji? Is everything alright?”

Lan Wangji wasted no time after his brother answered the phone. “What do you know about Lotus Enterprises?”

Chapter Text

“This is everything?”

“Yes, it’s all there Wangji.” Lan Xichen’s voice sounded as it always did, warm and pleasant, even over the phone. “Are you sure you want to dig into this?”

“They hurt him.” The answer was firm and absolute.

A sigh could be heard over the line. “Alright, I understand. Shufu and I will do what we can to help. When will you let us meet him?”

Lan Wangji paused reading the information his brother had sent via email to him. He looked up from his desk in his home study to catch a glimpse of Wei Ying dancing across the entryway heading for the kitchen. He was humming to the music gently playing on the sound system and the eye-watering power of spice hung in the air around his omega from whatever concoction he was cooking up.

It had been a week since everything had happened and Lan Wangji convinced Wei Ying to settle into the Jingshi. Wangji hadn’t allowed his family to come over to visit, wanting to keep his omega to himself for as long as he could. It was selfish and extremely possessive, however, Lan Wangji needed to make sure Wei Ying felt comfortable and safe before he introduced any more stress in his life. Family, as Wangji had come to learn, had not been a word easily associated with safety in Wei Ying’s past.

“Soon.” The answer was cheap and prolonged the inevitable, though Wangji couldn’t bring himself to regret it. He also had this perverse worry that if another alpha came near Wei Ying, he would lose all sense of control and become aggressively defensive. It worried him.

“Why not tonight? Just you, your omega, and myself?” Xichen was forcing him to commit.

Maybe it would be best to start with just one family member. Lan Xichen was pleasant and gentle, and he could communicate with ease, unlike Lan Wangji. His brother was also an alpha and it would allow Wangi to safely test his reactions and gauge how his wildly possessive side handled the situation. Shufu might be less judgmental if his brother were to meet him and speak well of Wei Ying’s character. Lan Wangji could feel himself starting to relent. It really wasn’t a bad idea, all things considered.

“Wangji?” Lan Xichen’s voice was a touch concerned as the silence stretched.

“I am not entirely in control.” There was a hesitation to his words as he tried to explain. “I might hurt you, brother.”

The silence wasn’t uncomfortable, the brothers had long since learned that some things between them just needed to be properly heard and considered before they spoke out of turn. “I will come tonight. Do not argue, you need to see if you can handle it.” 

There was no hesitation in Lan Xichen’s statement, not that Wangji had ever expected there to be. The more he thought about it, the more he had to agree this was the best course of action. Wei Ying had started voicing his desire to go out and see friends and do things as well. He couldn’t keep him locked away forever. If this over possessive nature impeded that, Wangji might inadvertently scare Wei Ying away which was the last thing he wanted to have happen. 

“Mn, tonight then.”

“We can talk about your plans as well if there’s time.” Lan Wangji nodded absently just as Wei Ying poked his head into the study, knuckles lightly rapping on the doorframe. 

“Lunch is- Oh! Sorry! I didn’t know you were on the phone.”

Lan Wangji lifted hand to wave Wei Ying into the room. He wanted to make sure his omega always felt comfortable going anywhere in the house, even the study. Nowhere would be off limits. “We will talk more tonight.”

“Enjoy lunch.” The smile could be heard in Lan Xichen’s voice as Wangji hung up the call.

Wei Ying was chewing on his lower lip and fidgeting. “I didn’t mean to interrupt, I just made some lunch, non-spicy for you.” He gave a grin to try and soothe the awkward moment.

Wei Wuxian watched as Lan Wangji closed his laptop and stood up with a graceful ease that seemed to just be part of who he was. He moved with a leisurely pace around the desk and reached to take one of Wei Ying’s hands. “Thank you. You did not have to.”

Wei Wuxian was still getting used to all the touching. It was always something small and gentle like this, a held hand, tucking hair behind his ear, a light touch to his arm or shoulder. Always easy, always small and if he flinched, Lan Wangji never commented and never forced the situation. He would simply withdraw his hand and would give Wuxian whatever space he required. 

“I wanted to.” He savored the warmth of Lan Wangji’s hand on his own, choosing to have just a little moment where he could pretend they were a real couple. “I have to do something productive while I’m taking up space in your home.”

The corners of Lan Wangji’s eyes tightened subtly, it hardened his gaze for a fraction of a moment before he managed to soften the look. “This is your home as well, Wei Ying.” It was a gentle reminder of a continual topic of debate between them. 

For as long as Wei Ying wanted, the Jingshi would be his home. There were no weird conditions to it and no expectations for him to perform a certain way. From that first night, Lan Wangji had insisted on this. He had given Wei Ying access to everything, including keys to the house, cars and a fancy access card to get through the main gate whenever he wanted. The very last thing he desired was for Wei Ying to see this as a prison. 

“I am grateful for the lunch.” He couldn’t help but let some of his pheromones out to demonstrate his pleasure and perhaps offer comforting reassurance. 

Wei Ying’s smile warmed and he gave Lan Wangi’s hand a squeeze. “Well come on then. Before it gets cold! It’s a challenge to cook good tasting things without spice. I think I nailed it this time though.”

For the past few days, Wei Ying had insisted on cooking as a way of ‘earning his keep’ within the house. The first meal had been painful for Wangji’s taste buds. They learned quickly that their tastes in food were very different. Due to that, they came up with a system. Lan Wangji would always taste whatever Wei Ying cooked, if it was too spicy, he would ask for a more mild version next time. Wangji still ate it all, even if it burned his throat all the way down and stung his eyes, purely because his omega had made it for him. Once Wei Ying understood Lan Wangji’s spice tolerance, he threw himself into making meals whenever they were home together. 

“Wei Ying is an excellent cook.” Lan Wangji replied with warmth dancing in his gaze. He treasured these moments.

“Ah! You say that, but I’ve seen you gasping too, don’t forget.” Wei Wuxian was actually pretty sure he’d almost killed Lan Zhan with that first meal. The man’s ears were flaming red and his golden eyes watered as he swallowed gulp upon gulp of water. He’d taken to slapping Lan Zhan on the back thinking he was choking at the time. 

“I enjoy your cooking.” Wangji insisted as he sat down at the table.

“I’m not as good as my shijie, but I manage. This is one of her specialties actually. I was missing her so I made it. Hers is way better, one of these days maybe we can go have some of hers.” Wei Wuxian frowned after he had said it. Jiang Yanli had called him a couple of times now to see how he was doing. He didn’t have the courage to tell her details about where he was for some reason, so he kept all his answers reassuring but vague.

“Would you like to visit her?” Lan Wangji took a spoonful of soup. It was full of lotus root and rib meat. The flavor was rich and layered with a peppery savory tang that was not unpleasant. It was a subtle mixture and the broth held a mild colour, unlike Wei Ying’s which was red with heat from his added chili oil.

“I don’t think I can. She doesn’t often leave the house and there’s no way madam Yu will let me pop in to visit.” Wei Ying scoffed at the thought, slurping at his soup. It wasn’t bad, but it was missing something.

“I could go with you.” Wangji was curious to meet the woman who managed to stir fear up around Wei Ying with the mere mention of her name. This madam Yu was someone he very much wanted to take measure of. Especially since he planned to systematically strip her worth down to nothing more than trash unfit for a landfill.

The information he’d gathered had been straightforward so far. Yu Ziyuan was a beta in an arranged marriage to Jiang Fengmian. They had two children and one adopted son. This was all straightforward and painted a picture of a caring and giving couple that took in those in need. It was even noted in the upper circles of society that the Jiang clan had a good reputation, likely in part because of their philanthropy.

Behind the scenes was quite another story. From all accounts, the marriage was strained and there had been more than one domestic disturbance call with the authorities regarding the pair. Each incident had been covered up so it did not create a scandal. He had also learned that Yu Ziyuan was an equal partner in Lotus Enterprises with her husband, each carrying an equal amount of majority shares. The son was in line to inherit their assets and the daughter was in an arranged engagement to the young Jin heir that Lan Wangji was actually familiar with.

He might not have been as active in the social scenes of the elite, but Lan Xichen always had been and his brother made it a point to get to know those they did business with. The Jin and Nie families were close business partners, so their paths had crossed a few times. Lan Wangji had been surprised when he’d seen the notes about the engagement. It spoke of the Jiang family’s ambitions. Arranged marriages had fallen out of fashion and were becoming less common these days. To force one meant it had political and social aspirations behind it.

Wei Ying interrupted his musing with a chuckle “You would do that? I mean, there are some things I wanna get that I had to leave behind. That is, if they didn’t get thrown out.” his leg was bouncing beneath the table while he stared at Lan Wangji with those luminous silver eyes. “What if madam Yu refuses to let us in?”

Lan Wangji was actually really enjoying the soup. The family rule of not talking during mealtimes was often omitted with Wei Ying. Usually because his omega couldn’t handle the silence and Wangji was determined to make him feel safe and view the Jingshi as his home. “She works, does she not? We can go when she is not there.”

The idea had merit, and he could see Wei Ying mulling it over. Whenever he was considering something seriously without letting nerves get the best of him, he would tap or rub at the side of his nose. It was an adorably lovely habit that Wangji enjoyed seeing. “Hmm, it could work. Jiang Cheng would probably be out then too. A-Li is usually home alone in the afternoons.”

“We can go whenever you want.” 

“Really, Lan Zhan? You’d do this for me? I mean! It’s not gonna be pleasant if madam Yu finds me.” Wei Ying felt it was important to give some kind of warning about Yu Ziyuan’s temper. The last thing he wanted was to expose his savior to that kind of ugliness if he didn’t have to. “I don’t want to be a hassle. My things might already be gone for all I know.” He really hoped some of it was still there. He had drawings and ideas in his desk drawer and a dizi he had been playing for years that he would love to get his hands on again. It would also be great to get more of his clothes and a few other odds and ends. Blankets and pillows he’d made his nest out of would also be welcome. 

“I would be honored to help you retrieve your belongings and meet your shijie.” Lan Wangi’s reply was smooth and he took another spoonful of soup. This would allow him to see where Wei Ying had been raised and perhaps bring a bit of closure on that chapter of his life. It also allowed him to be there in case things became dangerous and ugly. 

The bruise on Wei Ying’s face had faded and the split lip had healed, but Wangji could vividly recall every single detail of that mark. He had put a fist-sized hole through his heavy bag in the gym brooding about it.

The smile on Wei Ying’s face grew and brightened. “You will like A-Li!” He was vibrating with joy and it warmed the spicy notes of his scent in a very pleasant way. “When do you think we can go?”

“Check with your shijie, ask if tomorrow is acceptable.” 

“Oh! Yea, she might be meeting that peacock so I best check.” Wei Ying fished out his cell phone and started tapping at the screen.

As he finished his soup, Lan Wangji watched as the texting back and forth began. He had made a study of examining his omega and learning his quirks. Right now, Wei Ying was relaxed and in an excited mood. There was a warm flush to his skin that had been lacking in the first few days of their living arrangement. The dark circles under his eyes were less noticeable, which relieved Wangji. The jittery leg that kept bouncing beneath the table was from excess energy and not nerves or fear. It helped that he could detect those pleasant notes in Wei Ying’s pheromones. He was less cautious about holding in his scent after Lan Wangji assured him it didn’t bother him.

This was the best time to bring up the subject of tonight’s dinner guest. Patting his mouth with a napkin, Wangji collected his dishes and rose to move to the sink while Wei Ying kept staring at his screen, pausing now and then to take another mouthful of red broth. “Would you be opposed to meeting my brother?”

The soup spoon stopped halfway to Wei Ying’s mouth and he tipped his head to the side a little to look at Lan Wangji “Ah? Your brother?”

“Mn, he wishes to join us for dinner.” Golden eyes watched for any hint that the situation made Wei Ying uncomfortable. If he was not ready, Wangji was more than willing to cancel the dinner plans. The selfish part of him actually hoped Wei Ying would say he wasn’t ready.

“S-sure! I mean, I have to meet him sometime right?” The grin was impish and his phone pinged which had him looking down at it.

“Then he will be here tonight. I will help you cook, he is not accustomed to spice.” Wangji was washing his soup bowl, but he kept sneaking looks toward his omega to make sure he was alright. He also took several deep inhales to check for sour notes in Wei Ying’s scent.

“Tonight?!” There was a squeak in his voice and a flash of anxiety in his eyes.

“I can cancel.” Hopefully, he did not sound overly eager to send his brother away?

“No! No, it’s fine. I just didn’t know you meant tonight.” A hand settled over Wei Ying’s abdomen. 

“The doctor said you need to avoid stressful situations. Perhaps we should reschedule.” Wangji would ask his brother to forgive him later. All that mattered to him was keeping Wei Ying happy.

“Don’t cancel! I want to meet him.” When he saw Wangji’s jaw tense he quickly kept talking “I mean, he’s going to be my baby’s family. I should get to know him. He doesn’t hate me does he?”

Wangji’s lips thinned slightly but he shook his head. “He does not hate you. He is quite eager to meet you.”

It was starting to register in Wei Ying’s head that Lan Wangji’s family might have been staying away not because they were angry with him. Perhaps it was because they’d been told to keep their distance. His gaze narrowed as he watched Lan Wangji do the dishes. His posture was stiff and his motions were a little too brusque. It was like he was punishing the dishes because his brother was coming to dinner.

“Then let’s do it! Bring on dinner with your brother.” Wei Ying put every ounce of confidence into his words as he could muster. There was one thing he’d learned quickly about Lan Wangji; the man did not lie. If he said that his brother was not mad with him, then there was no reason to question it. 

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Wei Ying was nervous to be meeting Lan Xichen. He knew only the bare minimum about Lan Zhan’s family and their habits. Even when he’d wandered around the snowy paths in the Lan estates, he hadn’t spotted a single soul out and about. At first, he was convinced that they all disliked him and were blaming him for trapping Lan Zhan in this situation. It was distressing and it had taken multiple reassurances that this was not the case at all. They were just giving him time to adjust and settle in. They did not want to overwhelm him.

Ha! Wei Wuxian was more convinced than ever that it wasn’t just that they’d been letting him settle in. He now wholly believed Lan Zhan had told them to back off. It gave him the warm tingles in the very depths of his soul to think that the most eligible alpha in all of creation was doing these kinds of things for him. It was a little alarming sometimes, but he had never felt anything but safe here. So much so that he’d started to put together a nest last night. 

It was missing something still. He figured it was familiar things he’d left behind in his rush to escape the Jiang estate. A knot twisted in his gut as he thought about what Yanli had told him. Uncle Jiang and madam Yu had been arguing ever since he’d run off. There was something happening with the business and it had kept them busy and cranky at one another. Fortunately, they wouldn’t be around tomorrow, and neither would Jiang Cheng, so she had eagerly encouraged him to come get the rest of his belongings.

“Wei Ying?” Lan Zhan’s voice snapped him out of his scowl and unconscious belly rubbing. 

“Ah, the baby is trying to make me lose my appetite.” he gave a wry grin as he looked over at the handsome figure that had been the subject of his wildest fantasies far too often lately. It was getting harder and harder to keep himself from trying to brush up against Lan Zhan in an attempt to seek out his comforting touches.

“I have a favor to ask.” Whatever it was, there was obvious embarrassment in Lan Zhan’s posture and hesitancy in his tone.

“Sure, what’s up?” Wei Wuxian stood up from the couch and came over curiously, stopping a polite distance from the other man. He had to keep his word and not get clingy and emotional, even though all he really wanted to do was bury his nose against Lan Zhan’s chest and breathe deep.

“Would you consent to allowing me to scent you?” The molten gold of his eyes was dark and intense as it fixed upon Wei Wuxian. Well this was unexpected! 

I didn’t speak my thoughts out loud did I? It would be so embarrassing if he had!

“My brother is an alpha. He will not do anything, but it will….help me…not see him as a threat I think.”

Wow!  

Wei Wuxian’s brain stopped working for a full minute as he just blinked and processed that admission. It was fucking sexy as all hell that Lan Zhan wanted to scent him like he was staking a claim. For some reason that really did things for his hotness value. It was also kind of shocking to think of the highly reserved Lan Wangji needing help controlling himself in any fashion.

What the hell should he say? Was it even proper? Was it because the baby made him overprotective? It had to be because of the baby, right? Lan Xichen was going to be there any minute and the man chose now to ask this? 

It wasn’t like scenting was an obscene thing, people did it all the time. Family members scented to create that bond and sense of security, though Wei Wuxian had never really experienced that with the Jiangs aside from A-Li and A-Cheng. It could be rather nice to build that kind of thing, for the baby of course, not because he wanted to rub up on Lan Zhan like he was back in the haze of his heat or anything.

This is my baby’s father! He’s sort of already family. It’s fine…right?

“Can I scent you as well?” He felt this would help Lan Zhan even more if the man was truly worried about it. 

He also secretly wanted people to know that there was an omega in Lan Zhan’s life. It was a subtle claim to things he really couldn’t have, yet that desire was there. Wei Wuxian could rationalize it by claiming he didn’t want strangers confusing their child later on as they established a family scent. It wasn’t like he was trying to claim the alpha as his, right? This was to help him cope with that protective stuff. That was all.

Lan Zhan’s pupils grew and his focus was intense. His hand lifted waiting to see if Wei Wuxian would take it. “I would like that, very much.” 

Wei Wuxian licked his lips as he put his hand in Lan Zhan’s and stepped closer, tipping his head to the side a bit, exposing his neck and one of his scent glands there. It was a shameless act of submission along with offering access to be scented. Long slender fingers curled around his hand and he was pulled closer until they were pressed chest to chest. Shivers slid down Wei Wuxian’s spine as he tipped his head even more, leaving himself exposed and vulnerable before the strongest most alluring alpha he had ever known. It was thrilling.

A nose whispered along Wei Wuxian’s jaw, which made him gasp softly, and trailed down his neck before Lan Zhan crowded even closer, a deep purring rumble reverberating in his chest. They were neck to neck now, and the rush of fresh earthy sandalwood bloomed around Wei Wuxian as Lan Zhan began to methodically scent him. Sure, there were a lot less intimate ways to do this, like rubbing wrists together, but somehow, they’d both gone for the neck, either offering or taking and it just felt so right.

Pressed up against that wall of muscle, Wei Ying finally got to feel the length of Lan Zhan against his hip as he whimpered softly, keenly aware of his desire, and slid his arms around the alpha’s back to hug him close. Rational thought was shoved to the shadowy corners of his brain while he relaxed into the embrace and released his own scent, nuzzling his neck against Lan Zhan’s to leave traces of his spicy citrus signature all over the man. It wasn’t enough, he needed so much more!

“Lan Zhan!” It was a gasped sound as Wei Wuxian got swept up in the moment. He turned his head to nip lightly at the rosy earlobe and quivered as he felt the growl of pleasure fill the room and tickle against him. They were pressed fully against one another and Wei Wuxian was starting to pant and whimper with his want for more.

Holy fuck! This was so god damn hot! Was he going into heat or something? No, he was pregnant! He couldn’t go into heat, right? When Lan Zhan started to withdraw, it was Wei Wuxian who whined and clung tightly to him.

“More! Just a little more. Please?” 

This time the growl was much louder and Lan Zhan’s strong arms snaked around Wei Wuxian pulling him tightly against him. Nudging his jaw with his nose, Lan Zhan went to mark the other side of Wei Wuxian’s neck. The hard length of his arousal was pressing against Wei Wuxian’s hip and it pulled another whimper from his lips. “Ah Lan Zhan! Fuck!” 

It was too much! It also wasn’t nearly enough, not at all! How the hell had a simple scenting session turned into them writhing against one another like they were going to lose their minds? It felt good being pressed up against him like this. He wanted kisses, he wanted the heat of Lan Zhan’s skin against his own, and he ached with need. Wei Wuxian’s cock was hard and he ground himself against the alpha’s thigh. Slick started to dribble from his sensitive hole and he knew it wouldn’t take long before Lan Zhan caught the overly sweet scent of his arousal.

“Wei Ying!” Lan Wangji dimly knew he had to stop this. Never in his wildest imagination had he anticipated Wei Ying offering his neck like that. It had made him throw caution to the wind and his jaw ached with the desire to leave a mating bite on that pale skin. He shuddered, struggling to hold himself back while his omega was basically begging for him to keep going. It was so perfect and absolute hell all at once. The scent of his slick nearly sent Lan Wangji over the edge, moaning against his omega’s neck. 

The careful boundaries that had been there for the past week were being crossed. It just felt so perfect and right to have his omega in his arms quivering and begging for something only he could provide. He could feel every inch of Wei Ying’s excited state and wanted to slide his fingers into his wet hole and tease an orgasm out of him before dragging him to bed to make him come over and over until his omega was well and truly satiated. 

The only thing that stopped them was the sound of a knock at the door.

Groaning, Lan Wangji was the first to stop the desperate clinging. He slid his hands down to Wei Ying’s hips, steadying him and stalling those erotic grinding movements. They were both breathing heavily, their scents had been mingling together powerfully. He would blame it on the heat of the moment of course, before they could separate, Wangji was pressing a tender kiss to the top of Wei Ying’s head.

“My brother is here.” His voice sounded hoarse even to his own ears.

“Right.” An embarrassed flush creeped up Wei Ying’s neck and face. “Uhm, I should clean up...” He pulled back, taking a step away and inhaling slowly. The earthy sandalwood tones melded almost perfectly with his citrus and spice and Wei Wuxian couldn’t help but take it in, his brain still a haze of want and desire.

“Mn.” Wangji was tempted to make Xichen wait. He grabbed Wei Wuxian’s wrist and pressed a soft kiss to the man’s palm before he could pull too far away. Hopefully it would say what he failed to say - I like you, I want you, I need you. 

With a huff, he put some distance between them still relishing in how his omega smelled like him now. He moved to the entry with Wei Ying disappearing into the bathroom adjacent to the kitchen. Lan Wangji took a minute longer to make sure he was collected and that his aroused state wasn’t blatantly obvious. Pink still tinged the lobes of his ears as he opened the door.

The pheromones were powerful and they hit Lan Xichen forcefully enough that his smile got stuck on his face and a brow lifted slightly as he gave his younger brother a very curious and questioning look. “Good evening, Wangji. I’m not early, am I?”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

What the hell had he been thinking!?

Wei Wuxian paced the small bathroom while he heard the muffled sounds of Lan Zhan talking to his brother. He couldn’t make out what they were saying, but there wasn’t any yelling. If this had happened at the Jiang Estate, he would have been whipped by madam Yu until he saw stars. It’d happened before, he even had a scar on his hip from it.

That was part of the reason why he’d gotten his bunny tattoo, to hide the ugly mark on his body and turn a horror filled nightmare into something cute and cuddly. Now instead of seeing a raised line of wounded flesh, he saw two rabbits chasing one another forever in a circle, his little ying-yang bunnies. You could only see the scar if you looked very closely at the black bunny’s back, but the tattoo artist had done such a great job that you had to know it was there beforehand.

He blew out a heavy breath and stared at himself in the mirror. His carefully pulled back hair was disheveled and half loosed from the ponytail he often sported. A warm blush that had nothing to do with embarrassment coloured the sides of his neck. His bruised cheek was barely noticeable now, and the split in his lip had healed quite well. There was only the faintest line of it having ever existed - hardly noticeable. His button down shirt was mussed. Fortunately, though, his slick hadn’t stained his pants yet so he managed to get cleaned up relatively easily.

After splashing a bit of water on his face and re-tying his hair, Wei Wuxian felt a lot more grounded. The wild beating of his heart was finally starting to calm down and though he’d been in the bathroom for quite some time now, Lan Zhan hadn’t pressed for him to come out. The man was just too damn considerate sometimes.

“C’mon, Wei Ying, get it together!” his reflection stared back at him as he gave his little pep talk. 

If this were pre-pregnancy Wei Wuxian, he wouldn’t even hesitate to meet the likes of Lan Xichen. Usually he was carefree and easy going with everyone he met, wholly in favor of being around people and socializing. He loved to joke and tease, he’d held a particularly wicked mischievous streak in his school days. So what was it about now that had him so freaked out?

Was it that hot and heavy scenting session? No, he’d enjoyed that. It was the fear of being judged again. Just imagining how he’d be glared at, or called a slut or gold-digging whore had his stomach in knots. It didn’t help that his control over his emotions was shaky at best these days, the doctor said it was normal for pregnancy hormones to make it a bit of an emotional roller coaster. He kind of hoped it wouldn’t be quite so extreme though. Wei Wuxian had been fine fifteen minutes ago. Now that he could hear a stranger's voice, however, he was nothing but nerves again.

No matter how many times Lan Zhan had reassured him that his family was not mad and did not hate him, Wei Wuxian couldn’t quite believe it. He grew up in a world where mistakes were punished, sometimes brutally. Every action was judged and he’d always been lacking to some degree. To sit here idling away every single day essentially leeching off of Lan Zhan’s kindness, how could he believe Lan Xichen would see him as anything other than a waste of flesh abusing his brother’s good nature? 

He couldn’t hide in there all night though, especially after he’d insisted it would be fine. Checking one last time and taking a deep breath to calm himself with the sandalwood that now circled him like a wreath, Wei Wuxian opened the bathroom door and came out all smiles. The sound of the voices was coming from the sitting room and he walked over with confidence he didn’t quite feel.

“....what they deserve.” Lan Zhan’s words were smooth yet firm as he spoke with his brother.

“Are you sure this is wise?” Lan Xichen’s back was to Wei Wuxian. He had a similar build to his younger brother, in fact, from the back they looked like twins. 

“Wei Ying.” Lan Zhan instantly noticed him and stepped around his brother to come to his omega’s side. He naturally reached for Wei Wuxian’s hand and held it gently while he searched the other man’s face to make sure he was alright. The posture was protective as he bodily blocked Wei Wuxian from being seen by their guest. “You are alright?”

Wei Wuxian nodded with a smile as he looked up at Lan Zhan. He wasn’t much shorter than the alpha, but it was still enough that he had to tip his head back just a bit. He could smell his own citrus and spice blending with Lan Zhan’s delicious earthy sandalwood and leaned in for just a minute to savor it. 

“I’m fine, promise.” He spoke quietly, very aware that they had someone watching them. Peeking around a powerful shoulder he took stock of the elder brother.

Lan Xichen remained quiet and merely turned around as he watched the pair. He had a polite smile and his eyes were a deeper shade of amber or caramel. Appearance wise, he and Lan Zhan were gifted with the same beautiful types of features. Skin flawless and pale as jade, dark glossy hair, high cheekbones and a sculpted jaw that gave them both a very elegant look. Their noses were similar, though Lan Xichen’s features were slightly more filled out and his chin and jawline weren’t exactly the same. The eyes were a lot more expressive than his Lan Zhan’s as well and Lan Xichen’s lips curved into an easy smile, which was very unlike Lan Zhan’s small ghostly hints of a grin. 

“Brother, this is Wei Wuxian.” Lan Zhan was still staring into Wei Ying’s captivating eyes. “Wei Ying, this is my brother, Lan Xichen.”

Wei Wuxian could feel heat creeping up his cheeks at the way Lan Zhan was focusing on him. He grinned a little awkwardly and gave a squeeze with his hand to reassure the alpha that he really was alright. This warm fuzzy feeling of being cherished and protected was still foreign to him, but Wei Wuxian really liked it.

“Hello! Sorry I wasn’t at the door.” He worried about his appearance but there wasn’t anything he could do about it now. Did Lan Xichen know what they’d been doing?

“No need to apologize. I admit I was a little early in my arrival, I have been quite eager to meet the man who has so thoroughly captured my little brother’s attention.” Xichen’s smile remained and he had a relaxed air about him. He didn’t make any move toward Wei Wuxian at all. It was like the two brothers were testing the tension of the room and Wei Wuxian was a little slow on the reason why.

Was it because of him? Lan Zhan’s words about needing help earlier finally kicked back into his brain and he looked up at the alpha before him. “It’s fine, really.” he was asking Lan Zhan while also replying to Lan Xichen like a good little host should.

It took a couple of minutes before Wei Wuxian saw the tension ease from Lan Zhan’s shoulders and nod in agreement with Wei Wuxian’s statement. “Yes, it is fine. Dinner is waiting.”

Lan Xichen smiled and fell in step with the pair of them as they made their way to the dining room. This part of the house hadn’t been used the entire time that Wei Wuxian had been here. Both he and Lan Zhan opted to use the nook in the kitchen for meals instead, keeping their dining casual and relaxed. Everything was already there, even the food, though Wei Wuxian didn’t remember bringing it out. 

The Lans like simple clean flavors. It was cooked vegetables and rice for the most part, however tonight there was also roasted fish and a bit of the lotus root and pork rib soup that had been left over from the batch Wei Wuxian had cooked up for lunch. Fortunately, the spice was an optional addition and a jar of chili sauce was kept by his seat at the table. 

Xichen sat across from him and Wangji and looked at the spread of food with a warm grin. “This looks and smells fantastic.” 

Lan Wangji gave his usual single syllable hum of agreement but Wei Ying grinned wide. “Lan Zhan did a lot of the cooking. I like spicy food and he was worried I’d injure your taste buds or something.” As he said it, he was pouring a healthy dollop of hot red looking sauce over his rice and vegetables. 

“The soup is good, Wei Ying made it.” Lan Wangji didn’t seem all that bothered as Wei Wuxian started to butcher perfectly good rice and fried vegetables with the ungodly spice. He was ladling out three small bowls of the lotus root and pork rib soup and handed one to Lan Xichen. “It is not spicy.” there was a slight challenge in his eyes as he waited for his brother to take the offered bowl.

Without missing a beat, Lan Xichen grinned and took the offering gladly. “Unlike you, Wangji, I’m not afraid of a little heat to my food at times.” It was a boast that could backfire on him as he could see Wei Wuxian humming and adding even more spice to his own food. 

“Really? Do you want some chili sauce then?” Wei Wuxian had perked up immediately, holding out the jar in case Xichen wanted it. The sides were a little slick from spilled oil and somehow, as he was holding it up, the thing slipped through his fingers and landed with a thud on the table’s snow white runner. Red coated it and seeped into the fabric almost instantly. 

“Shit! Fuck! I’m sorry! It was an accident!” Wei Wuxian had leapt up almost instantly and was frantically looking for something non-white to dab at the spilled sauce. There was genuine panic in every line of his body and his sweet scent, which he’d been keeping in check out of respect for their guest, rushed out in a sour rotten rush of fear and anxiety.

Both Lan Wangji and Lan Xichen froze as the entire spectacle unfolded in mere seconds. Xichen reached for the jar to pick it up, his movements were quick and with the panicking omega only catching a glimpse, he froze as there was a cry and Wei Wuxian flinched back dropping into a crouch by the table. Lan Wangji glared at his brother who just looked extremely confused. 

“Wei Ying?” In light of how his omega had flinched away at the quick actions of his brother, Lan Wangji rose in a slow graceful motion and approached with care. “It is alright. You are safe.” Crouching down so he was on Wei Wuxian’s level, he reached out just as slowly to gently tip his chin up and catch his gaze. 

What met his eyes froze his heart. It was unbridled terror and remorse swimming in the depths of Wei Wuxian’s eyes. Gasping pants were filling the space and without even hesitating, Lan Wangji released more of his own scent to try and calm the shivering man down. He hadn’t flinched away from Wangji’s touch, which he was grateful for, and slowly he wrapped his arms around Wei Wuxian’s shoulders and helped him stand.

“S-sorry! Fuck, I’m sorry! It was an accident!” The pheromones were doing the trick and the more it enveloped Wei Wuxian, the more grounded he felt. 

“There is nothing to apologize for. Accidents happen.” Lan Wangji was still speaking very gently, rubbing Wei Wuxian’s upper arms as he guided him to sit back down at the table.

Lan Xichen hadn’t moved a muscle after righting the jar of spice. The red stain was wholly soaked into the runner and it was likely beyond saving, but that hardly constituted this kind of reaction. He decided to cover the stain with his napkin so it wouldn’t be so glaring as Wangji coaxed Wei Wuxian back to the table. He made sure to make every single motion slow and gentle. It was as if they were dealing with a spooked animal.

Lan Wangji stayed close, constantly holding Wei Wuxian’s shoulders, giving comfort as best he could until the man seemed to relax a bit. He knelt down on the floor next to the chair giving Wei Wuxian the height advantage. “You are not in trouble.”

This was so damn humiliating! It was so dumb! Wei Wuxian took several slow deep breaths and reached out for Lan Zhan, gripping his hand tightly. He couldn’t look at Lan Xichen yet, not after ruining such a good atmosphere like that. Why did he always fuck things up?! “Does he hate me?” He’d leaned close to Lan Zhan to ask quietly as he could, fearing the judgement was about to come crashing down on him any second now.

“I do not.” No matter how quiet Wei Wuxian had tried to be, the silence in the room would have let them hear a pin falling through the air before it could ever land on the floor. “Why would I hate you?” The words were gentle and calm, just like Lan Zhan’s always were.

Wei Wuxian flinched and peeked over toward him, tears were swimming in his eyes. “I fucked up!” He answered simply. “I’ve fucked up so many times! I forgot my suppressants. I went into heat. Lan Zhan had to save me. I got pregnant. Then they wanted me to deal with it quietly.” he huffed, clearly upset. “Now I’m homeless and unemployed and Lan Zhan has to take care of me and you all think I’m here to take advantage. I can’t even have dinner without ruining Lan Zhan’s things!”

Lan Wangji was glaring at Xichen. He pulled Wei Ying’s hand up to his lips and drew the omega’s wrist against his neck to scent him all over again. It was a blatantly possessive action to do this in front of his brother, but he couldn’t help it. Every inch of his body was demanding he do something to fix this. Scenting Wei Ying would help calm him. He made sure everything about it was reassuring and safe. “You have done nothing wrong.” 

Lan Xichen could understand exactly why Wangji wanted the Jiangs to suffer now. The fear was intense, even he felt his instincts urging him to protect and take revenge. “None of that is your fault. I don’t blame you, nor does Wangji. You are safe here, you know that, right?” 

It upset Xichen that Wei Wuxian had feared his assessment of him based on a simple accident. What was more upsetting than that was the fact that he’d assumed there was something to assess in the first place. He put on his best soothing expression and carefully moved to grasp the pitcher of water on the table and fill the cup in front of Wei Wuxian. “Please, take a drink. You’ll feel better once you do.”

Wei Wuxian looked at Lan Zhan first, like he was checking to make sure things were ok. His wrist was still sliding along Lan Zhan’s neck, after all, and that gentle stroke of his free hand along Wei Wuxian’s shoulders hadn’t paused in the slightest. There was a small nod from the alpha and he let out a slow huff of air. Wei Wuxian turned fully to the table, swiping at his face, just in case any tears had slipped free. God, his emotions were a mess tonight!

“I'm so sorry! I’m not usually like this, I think it’s the hormones. The doctor said it would go up and down.” Wei Wuxian frowned. “He never said it would be this wild though.” As he reached for the cup, his fingers trembled just a little, yet he managed the cup easily enough and took a small sip.

“There is nothing to apologize for.” Lan Wangji spoke immediately and stayed by his side, kneeling on the floor next to his chair.

Lan Xichen nodded in agreement. “Nothing to worry about, I’ve done far worse in my time, I assure you.” he gave a little grin of reassurance, trying to seem as non-threatening as possible. Truth be told, he was more worried Wangji would launch across the table and tear his throat out if he made a mistake and frightened Wei Wuxian again.

Wei Wuxian had ducked his head a little, drumming his fingers on the cup before he took another sip and set it down. “We used to be so careful back home. I spilled some red clam sauce once like that. I couldn’t hold anything for a week. A-Li, that’s my shijie, she had to help me.” He gave a sheepish grin as if this explained everything and was wholly normal. 

Everyone went through being disciplined by their parents after all. Maybe madam Yu’s methods were a little extreme, but it was usually just himself and Yanli that had to face the hard lessons. Jiang Cheng always blamed it on the fact that they were omegas and needed to have a more rigid set of rules so they didn’t make any sort of problems that could damage the family. It worked, rather well too. Both he and Jiang Yanli were quite careful and quick with reflexes. They were well behaved in public, and while A-Li was better at it than Wei Wuxian, they both did their best to not stoke the ire of madam Yu.

“Wei Ying. Why couldn’t you hold anything?” Lan Wangji was intently watching his omega as he asked the question. In his gut, he was pretty sure he already knew the answer, he just hoped he was desperately wrong. Surely the Jiangs didn’t beat their children, right?

“Hmm? Oh, well they were covered in welts from the switching.” he chuckled and waved his hand as if it were normal and held his palms up to display them. “I don’t really have any marks anymore, but you can see one here, it’s a little faint. I think I manage to heal up rather well.” It was said with a bit of pride, and it disturbed the brothers to no end.

“Did you think,” Lan Xichen spoke softly and very carefully, “that we would beat you?”

Lan Wangji’s growl reverberated in the room at the question. “Brother.” 

Xichen held up a hand and frowned at his brother for a moment. “Wangji, I would never do such a thing and you know it. I believe this is important to know.”

Wei Wuxian didn’t understand why they both looked so worried and he shrugged, now much more relaxed thanks to Lan Wangji’s proximity. It was like he could laugh off the whole thing. It probably helped that he couldn’t see the spilled oil staining that white runner though. 

“What? Like you never got a whipping when you did something wrong? Ha ha ha ha! It’s nothing wild. Honestly the switch was always better than the other stuff, so I didn’t mind. My shijie took care of me. I might have hammed it up a little just so she’d dote on me a little more.” 

“Wei Ying.” Lan Wangji was doing his very best to control his temper. He wanted to beat the Jiang couple to within an inch of their very lives, repeatedly. He managed to rein in his anger before it tainted his scent. He set his hand on Wei Wuxian’s upper arm. “No parent should raise a hand against a child in such a manner.”

“I am sorry you had to experience that, Wei Wuxian.” Lan Xichen did not like the picture these small revelations were painting. “Did your shijie also receive lashings?”

By now Wei Wuxian was tucking into his food and he pat Lan Wangji’s shoulder to reassure him that he was fine. “No, not so many. I stepped in a lot for her and she learned faster than I did.” he shrugged as if that were also normal. “The soup is actually her recipe. Pretty good right? She makes it better than I do though.”

Lan Wangji stayed where he was for a few minutes more until Wei Wuxian gave him a pointed stare. He smoothly rose, ever cautious of triggering another panic attack in his omega, before he sat back down. As they ate, he consoled himself by imagining the various ways he could make Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan suffer. 

Talk gradually shifted away from the disturbing subject of discipline and both Lans were glad for it. No one mentioned the rules about eating in silence. Neither Lan wanted to upset Wei Wuxian again for something so small. 

As the meal wrapped up and they retired to the sitting room for tea, a Lan tradition of sorts, the conversation began to revolve around the guqin in Wangji’s office. He was barely paying attention though as Wei Wuxian spoke to Xichen about his love of music and how he’d been wildly curious about the instrument since he first saw it. He admitted to playing the dizi and Xichen started to talk about his talent with a xiao. They had a common ground and they were falling into an easy friendship. It was as if the incident never occurred. 

“Hopefully I can get my dizi back tomorrow when we go see my shijie. I got to help carve the designs in it once it was made. It’s one of a kind now, I even named it.” Wei Wuxian was clearly quite proud of his instrument.

“You are going back to the Jiang estate?” Lan Xichen cast a glance at his brother before looking back to Wei Wuxian.

“Ah, yeah. Madam Yu and uncle Jiang are going to be out for the afternoon and A-Cheng, my brother, he’s also working, so it’ll just be A-Li there.” he explained fiddling with a button on his shirt while he spoke. “Lan Zhan is coming with me, so it’ll be fine.” 

“I would like to come as well. I’ve never seen the Jiang estate though I have met Jiang Fengmian before.” Lan Xichen said easily enough as he took a sip of his tea.

“You have?” Wei Wuxian was surprised.

“Yes, we were considering purchasing a property from them a few years ago to expand our research branch.” Lan Xichen refrained from saying anything about the encounter beyond that. 

Lan Wangji had been sitting beside Wei Wuxian on the sofa while Lan Xichen had sat across from them in an armchair. He was a silent reassuring presence while Wei Ying and Xichen spoke easily between them.

“What do you think, Lan Zhan?” Wei Wuxian was looking at him as he asked and Lan Wangji did his best to make it look as if he’d been paying attention and not planning the best way to murder the Jiang matriarch and patriarch.

“Mn, all three of us can go.” Having his brother there might deter him from taking out his rage on one of the Jiangs if they should show up. It was wise to have more people.

Wei Wuxian seemed pleased with this revelation and a stab of jealousy washed through Wangji briefly. Was he happy because Xichen was coming? Did he like Xichen better?

“Maybe we can introduce your brother to A-Li and get her away from that stupid peacock of a fiancé she has.” he wriggled his brows mischievously and Lan Xichen chuckled.

“I’m not in the habit of whisking people away from their intended mates.” His grin warmed that deep caramel colour of his eyes and it was clear to see Lan Xichen was amused. “It is getting late though, I should go and let you get some rest. Wei Wuxian, thank you for the lovely evening.” 

They all stood and Wei Wuxian grinned “You can call me A-Xian if you want. I mean, you’re going to be the uncle of my baby.” 

Lan Wangji frowned, though it was really hard to tell. Lan Xichen could pick it up easily enough and couldn’t help but grin and incline his head “Of course, A-Xian. I am truly glad to have you here with Wangji. He’s gotten so much more pleasant at work since you came along.”

Wei Wuxian blinked looking at Lan Zhan then back at Lan Xichen and grinned brightly. “He’s always pleasant!”

“Mn, brother is teasing.” Wangji agreed as they walked Xichen to the door. “Good night, Xichen.”

“Good night Wangji, A-Xian.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Lan Wangji was sitting on his bed with his back resting against the headboard. After Xichen had left, the text message had followed shortly after.

They will not get away with this.

Lan Wangji was inclined to agree. The Jiangs would not get away with their treatment of Wei Ying. He was reading about Lotus Enterprises and the well-to-do family from various society pages. To say they were busy was an understatement. From all accounts, the business was clean and upstanding. They dealt in acquisitions of smaller companies, dissolving their assets and incorporating what complimented financially sound investments the company already sponsored and selling or leasing properties that had no use for them.

They had accumulated quite the good reputation over the years with this business model and were sitting in the top five wealthiest families in the region. For the first time in his life, Lan Wangji regretted having stayed away from all the social functions of the elite. He would have liked to have caught sight of the Jiang clan and how they behaved amongst their peers prior to this trip the following afternoon.

Wei Wuxian’s outburst at dinner had been shocking. He had a long discussion over text with Xichen about it. This kind of outburst from Wei Wuxian was not something that had happened before. Granted, it had only been a week, but surely if there were any triggering moments, they would have happened by then. He thought back on how they had interacted since Wei Wuxian had moved into the Jingshi.

It had been natural to relax in one another’s company and Wei Wuxian tended to laugh and tease about their differences as much as he celebrated them. Wangji had never once raised his voice toward Wei Ying, nor had he lifted a hand against the pregnant omega. He had been raised better than that at least and knew right from wrong. 

The Jiangs, however, seemed to lack that basic understanding. It bothered him that Wei Ying just accepted the abuse as normal. What they’d heard tonight could only be described as the tip of the iceberg as well. Wei Ying had been far too dismissive and casual about it to be the worst of what he’d experienced.

“Then they wanted me to deal with it quietly.” 

Lan Wangji thought about that one sobbed statement a lot. He’d dissected it from many different perspectives over the course of the evening as he read through the domestic disturbance reports filed against the Jiangs. His thumb and forefinger were absently holding a medallion on a silver chain about his neck, his thumb lightly stroking along the cloud patterns of the silver piece. 

It explained why Wei Ying had accused him of seeking an abortion for their baby when they first met in his office. The Jiangs had already implied that was exactly what would happen. They were going to kill his baby and endanger his omega. They weren’t even concerned about consulting him. 

The pain in Wei Ying’s words had cut deep into Lan Wangji’s soul and he silently vowed he wouldn’t rest until Lotus Enterprises was no more and the Jiangs suffered a fate far worse than death, at least for now.

They had hurt him.  

Lan Wangji would tolerate a lot of things, but this was not one of them. He read through the information for a third time and sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose while he closed his laptop and set it on the end table next to his bed. It was well past the time he usually slept, but he’d been waiting, just in case Wei Ying needed him. 

Tonight had been an ordeal and he felt guilty for allowing it to happen. Lan Wangji never wanted Wei Ying to suffer like that again. He was too precious and too wonderful to have cowering in fear. There was no doubt in Lan Wangji’s mind that Wei Ying was his future mate. He wanted the man, desperately so, and he cared deeply for him. His entire being was focused on fostering a true and genuine relationship between them. It may have started as a chance encounter on a train, but it was so much more than that now.

When Lan Xichen had first entered the house, it had been a blessing that Wei Ying wasn’t there to see them square off against one another for a tense few minutes. The urge to attack had been strong, fueled by his desire to keep his omega to himself. Even though they were brothers, the primal nature of the alpha had taken hold and there had been a challenge. It had taken them both by surprise a bit, even though they had been more than willing to explicitly test Wangji’s ability to function around others when Wei Ying was near. 

He was glad it hadn’t become a physical confrontation, and they agreed it was likely because it was Wangji’s territory that he’d been set off so strongly. They had made plans to visit Xichen at the Hanshi in the coming days to see if he reacted as viscerally as he had tonight. That was before the blow out at the dinner table. Now, they’d be testing Wangji’s aggressively protective nature tomorrow, at the Jiang estate. Lan Xichen was coming both for moral support and to prevent Lan Wangji from ending up in jail.

He glanced at the clock. It was nearly midnight. With heavy eyes, he slid down to lay in bed and closed his eyes to rest. Wei Ying hadn’t called for him and the house was silent. Hopefully he was resting peacefully. 

“Good night, Wei Ying.” The sound was a soft murmur as Lan Wangji drifted off to sleep. 

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

“You’re going to live with us now.” Hope was the first feeling in his dream. God, not this nightmare again!

It always started like this, all warm and fuzzy before it twisted and warped into the spite and condemnation he knew to be his true reality.

“Wei Wuxian! You don’t belong here!” The first hurtful words A-Cheng had ever said to him.

“Oh A-Xian! How could you?” Uncle Jiang always seemed disappointed in him.

“Wretched little whore!” Somehow, Madam Yu’s fury was comforting. Probably because it was so normal to him.

Wei Wuxian tossed in his sleep as his dreams became a litany of curses aimed his way. It had started innocently enough, this dream always started sweetly. It was a memory of the past when he’d come to live at Lotus Pier. It had been a warm day, the heat radiating off the pavement in rippling waves like a mirage. Excitement had raced through his veins, eager to see and experience everything. It had been a good memory, and a good dream, right until it wasn’t.

Madam Yu was angry for some reason, spilled sauce? The crack of a thin stick of bamboo as it lanced against his palms. His burning tears as he tried to bite back sobs of anguish. The hateful words about how he was useless and trash echoing all around him. The visceral anger he felt from her when he was in the woman’s presence was overwhelming.

The scene morphed again and he was bent over, hugging his own knees as a whip came snapping down along his spine. His wrists and ankles bound, he could do nothing but take the beating. He’d just presented as an omega. It was her lesson to him to keep him in line. With every stinging welt the whip left, she told him how filthy omegas were, how they destroyed everything they touched. This was how her family had always dealt with omegas, it was how she’d deal with Yanli too if he didn’t behave. 

The scene morphed again to that night he’d finally left Lotus Pier. The threats, the pain from the hit delivered by his very own brother. Jiang Cheng was always so angry and A-Li looked so fragile. He had to protect her somehow!

“A-Xian! How could you have abandoned me?! I’m next! Mother will take it out on me now!” The sorrow and fear in his shijie’s voice cut deep. 

“NO!” His shout woke him as he sat bolt upright, drenched in sweat and panting. Heart hammering in his chest, he looked wildly around. It took him a while to realize he wasn’t at Lotus Pier. It was the Jingshi. He was safe. “Fuck.” 

Dinner had really done a number on him. He grimaced and squirmed in his bed, the sheets were damp with sweat. It was uncomfortable. Right then his gut twisted and bile started to jump up his throat. Bolting off the bed he rushed for the bathroom and made just it in time to vomit into the toilet. 

“Baby, you’re killing me!” he groaned as he stroked his stomach like that would placate the little one growing inside him.

There was a rap at the door. “Wei Ying?”

Fuck! Had he shouted that loud? “Yeah! I’m okay!” he called out, wiping his mouth with a towel and turning on the tap to rinse away the vile taste on his tongue. “Hold on a sec!”

Flushing the evidence of his vomit, he stumbled his way out of the bathroom and over to the door opening it to see Lan Wangji standing in the hall in nothing but a pair of sweats that clung low on his hips and a silver chain around his neck that Wei Wuxian didn’t remember really seeing before. So fucking hot!

“I heard a shout.” Lan Wangji explained, his pheromones already easing gently into Wei Wuxian’s space. It was pleasant and it made him relax just a little more.

“Sorry, just a bad dream. Then the peanut here had to make me remember I don’t get to keep my dinner anymore.” he patted his stomach affectionately with a grin.

“Peanut?” 

“Yea, that’s about how big he is, figure it’s a good nickname for now.” Wei Wuxian gave a little shrug and scrubbed at his eyes sleepily. 

Lan Wangji looked conflicted, Wei Wuxian was getting better at reading his face and the emotions there. “May I come in?”

YES! Please! I need you!

Wei Wuxian managed to not shout out his thoughts and grinned. “Gonna keep me company, gege?” The question was drowsily delivered and Wei Wuxian wasn’t even cognizant of the term he’d used. He opened the door wider, silently permitting Lan Wangji entrance to his room.

“Mn.” Warmth coloured Lan Wangji’s earlobes a rosy red as he gave his affirmative hum. Even with the door wide open, he stood in the hall. “If you are comfortable with it.”

“You always make me feel comfortable.” He sighed softly. “Wanna help me change the sheets?”

Lan Wangji didn’t even ask why it had to be done. He just nodded, stepping inside and moving over to the linen cupboard next to the closet door. Wei Wuxian yawned as he moved to pull off the sweat soaked sheets, carefully tucking blankets and pillows that he planned to nest with to one side. They worked in companionable silence, changing the sheets with ease and bundling up the old ones to dump in the hamper for later.

“You need rest.” Lan Wangji’s voice was warm and deep. It felt like a cozy blanket wrapping around Wei Wuxian’s fuzzy head as he crawled into the freshly made bed. 

Lan Wangji came to the side and sat down next to the bed. Wei Wuxian reached out to touch the silver necklace, tracing the medallion on it. 

“What’s this?” he asked, his head nested on a pillow as he curled upon his side. Drowsiness was making him slur the words.

Lan Wangji’s hand came to rest atop Wei Wuxian’s, pressing it to his chest. “It is a family crest, and an old tradition.” 

He wanted to tell Wei Wuxian what it meant, but he knew it sounded ridiculous to outsiders. Instead he just cradled his hand to him, thumb gently stroking along Wei Wuxian’s wrist, and continued using his scent to soothe him into a relaxed state so he could fall asleep more easily.

“Mnnn some traditions are good.” Just Lan Wangji’s presence had relaxed Wei Wuxian considerably. 

Lan Wangji reached out and tucked loose hair behind Wei Wuxian’s ear. “Rest, Wei Ying.” 

He couldn’t help but keep touching his omega, gently sliding his fingers through those long silky strands of hair, caressing his cheek and holding his hand against his chest. He wanted to climb into the bed with him and spend the night reminding him exactly how good they felt together, but he did not want to upset Wei Wuxian either.

When sleep finally did claim Wei Wuxian again, Lan Wangji didn’t get up. He stayed right there, leaning against the bed, head resting on the mattress while he held hands with the man he had fallen head over heels for. Whatever nightmare he’d faced, Lan Wangji was determined to keep it away through sheer presence alone. He would leave before Wei Wuxian woke in the morning. 

This was the second time tonight that Wei Wuxian had come undone with terror. Lan Wangji did not like it. He blamed the Jiangs wholly for it, justified or not, and hummed a gentle tune to soothe Wei Wuxian’s dreams, or so he hoped. Yu Ziyuan would pay for her crimes, as would Jiang Fengmian. With this thought in mind, he slowly drifted off to sleep, propped up against Wei Wuxian’s bed.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

The car ride to Lotus Pier was quiet. It hadn’t started that way, of course. Wei Wuxian happily babbled about all the things that were there and how he loved to swim in the lake behind the property when it was sweltering hot during the summers. He spoke in great detail about his siblings too, yet the closer they got, the less he talked. 

He had dressed simply enough in the same jeans he’d first worn to meet Lan Wangji, along with a comfortable turtleneck sweater and his trademark leather jacket. Before they’d left, he’d consented to Lan Wangji’s request to scent him again and the sweater was soaking it up now. Maybe he’d add it to his nest when they got back.

Fishing out his phone, he checked it for the hundredth time. The last text from A-Li said that she was home alone and couldn’t wait to see him. There was a fear deep in Wei Wuxian’s soul about naming Lan Wangji, even to his shijie, so he hadn’t said a word about him. Now here he was coming with two Lans to the home he’d grown up in.

“It sounds as if you have beautiful memories of Lotus Pier.” Lan Xichen spoke up, catching Wei Wuxian’s attention. It wasn’t so much to fill the silence, both Lans were quite comfortable with that. It seemed they were trying to keep Wei Wuxian from brooding too much and stressing himself out.

“Well yeah, I grew up here after my parents died. A-Li was the best, she took care of me in those early days.” A grin replaced his worried face for a moment. “Once, I climbed this really tall tree and she had to come find me because I didn’t know how to get back down. She tried to catch me.” 

Lan Wangji was driving and he glanced over to Wei Wuxian in the passenger seat. He set his hand on the console in the middle between them with his palm up, a quiet offering for Wei Ying to take it if he needed. “Did you get hurt?”

Lan Xichen was situated in the back seat, he had insisted on it when they’d gotten together that morning to head out. He watched these small actions and a warm smile pulled at his lips, especially when Wei Wuxian took the offered hand without hesitation. He quite favored seeing his brother so happy and settled. Defending this budding family was the least he could do for them.

“Only a little, shijie was older but I was big for my age.” Wei Wuxian snickered at the memory. “We kept it our little secret. In the morning, uncle Jiang couldn’t understand why it hurt for me to sit and I told him I fell out of bed.”

Lan Wangji’s gaze flicked up to the rearview mirror to catch his brother’s expression. They were both grim, though it was very difficult for anyone to notice as they’d both kept their expressions as neutral as possible. Only their eyes and the thinning of their lips showed their displeasure at the underlying meaning in the little tale.

A few minutes later, they were rolling up to the gate. Wei Wuxian sent a quick text and a moment later the gate started to roll open. “I let shijie know we’re here.” He squirmed in his seat and chewed on his lower lip. Lan Wangji gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. 

“We can turn back if you are not ready.” The offer was there. It upset Wangji to see his omega so nervous. He was painfully aware that stress was unhealthy for their child as well. After learning of the pregnancy, he’d done his research on recessive omegas carrying to term and found out it was frighteningly rare.

Wei Wuxian shook his head, “No, we’re here. Let’s do this. I want to make sure A-Li is ok. She stopped A-Cheng so I could leave that night.” Wei Wuxian was leaning forward a bit now and squinting as he looked up the snowy drive to try and catch a glimpse of his sister. 

Dark murderous thoughts swirled around Lan Wangji’s head as he vividly remembered how Wei Wuxian’s face had looked that first day. If the heavens wanted Jiang Cheng to live, they would be sure to keep him far away from the property while they were there.

The car smoothly made its way up the wide drive to the large sweeping mansion. A young woman was waiting out front, a warm coat wrapped around her small frame and her hair neatly coiled into a bun at the back of her head. She had large dark eyes and delicate features, and she smiled brightly as she caught sight of Wei Wuxian in the passenger seat.

“A-Li!” The car had barely stopped before Wuxian had launched himself out the door and moved to wrap his sister in a large hug. 

“Wangji?” Both Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji had yet to get out of the vehicle. They could hear the pair chatting happily outside. Xichen’s gaze was fixed on his brother, though, and the way he had a white knuckle grip on the steering wheel.

“They must pay, brother.” Lan Wangji’s voice was vibrating with anger.

“They will. Right now, your mate needs you.” It was the first time anyone had referred to Wei Wuxian as such and it was like a balm to Lan Wangji’s soul. It felt natural and so perfect. He took a few slow calming breaths before unbuckling his seat belt and opening the door to get out. Xichen was right, of course, he was here to support and protect, he couldn’t fail Wei Ying in this moment, even if all he did was stand there quietly.

Wei Wuxian didn’t need to look back to know when the Lan brothers had emerged from the car. A-Li’s audible gasp was all the hint he needed and he grinned. “Shijie, I want you to meet someone.” He was nervous, it was his first time introducing someone so important to him. How had that happened anyway?

Jiang Yanli looked at her younger brother then the two men who were strikingly similar in appearance. One looked slightly older, but they were both of the same kind of height and build with classically good looks. They were clearly both alphas and she hadn’t expected that. Her scent became guarded and cautious. “Hello, welcome to Lotus Pier.”

“Aiyo! A-Li, don’t get all formal! This is Lan Wangji and his brother Lan Xichen.” He motioned to each respectively and both men gave a polite nod of their heads to Jiang Yanli.

Her eyes grew impossibly wide and she smiled, a little surprised, “A pleasure to meet you. A-Xian, is this where you’ve been staying? A-Ning said you’d moved out.”

A look of guilt swept over Wei Wuxian’s face but he quickly grinned and nodded. “Yeah, well I went and told the father, and he asked me to stay with him, so…I did! Surprise!”

There was a heavy silence in which Jiang Yanli looked Wei Wuxian up and down slowly and then looked to the two men, one with stunningly light molten gold eyes and the other with a warm caramel gaze that seemed quite inviting. One of them was the father of A-Xian’s baby? The golden-eyed man, Lan Wangji, stepped forward then and held out his hand. 

“I am honored to meet Wei Ying’s shijie. He speaks of you often.” 

Jiang Yanli took the offered hand and caught the trace of Wei Wuxian’s scent on the man. She was stunned but managed to recover quickly. If mother ever found out, she would be impossible to live with.

“I’m glad to hear he hasn’t forgotten me. Thank you, for taking my brother in. I hated that he had to leave home, but it is good to know he is somewhere safe.” Her answer was warm and accepting as a smile began to blossom over her features. She turned her attention to Lan Xichen and dipped her head. “It is good to see you again as well, though I regret the circumstances.”

Wei Wuxian made a sound then and looked between Yanli and Lan Xichen. “You know him?” he asked, slightly incredulous.

“Yes, he was at the announcement party for my engagement to Jin Zixuan.” Her hand came up to pat Wei Wuxian’s head. “You were sick that day and couldn’t make it, remember?”

The realization that Wei Wuxian had missed so many chances to cross paths with Lan Wangji in the past hit him harder than he thought. Sure, A-Li had been paraded before the elites of society at more than a few events over the years, but that was natural. She was one of two heirs to the Jiang business, though she’d fallen to second place when Jiang Cheng had presented as a beta. Her engagement party would have been Wei Wuxian’s first time attending one of the fancy parties, but it had been missed after he’d fucked up and caught madam Yu’s anger.

“You must be cold, come in, I made some tea.” Yanli spoke suddenly with a grin on her face and turned to lead the way into the large house. Wei Wuxian blinked a few times and looked up at Lan Wangji and then to Lan Xichen. 

“You know my shijie?” 

“I met her briefly, just the one time.” Lan Xichen answered easily. “Wangji was away attending business at the time, so he missed the opportunity. I did not want to overshadow your reunion with your sister.”

Wei Wuxian tilted his head and leaned against Lan Wangji as they started to walk into the house. “You sure you don’t want to take her away from the peacock?” He asked over his shoulder as they entered the warmth of the house. Lan Xichen’s only response was to chuckle.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

“After you left, mother was furious.” Jiang Yanli was cradling her teacup in her hands as she talked with her brother and his companions. “I managed to stop her from doing anything rash, and I hid away some of your things.” 

There was a box next to the front door with books, neatly folded clothing and a dark flute. It was glossy black with intricate patterns carved along its body and a long red tassel dangling from one end. It was all that was left of Wei Wuxian’s belongings. 

“Father tried to keep her from regretting her choices, but it just became the same old argument. I’m sorry A-Xian. I could only save those few things.” Jiang Yanli seemed a little distressed over her failure.

“It’s fine, shijie, what matters is that you’re alright.” Wei Wuxian was sitting very close to Lan Wangji. That sandalwood scent had become a security blanket for him on this little excursion. 

Being close was more comforting than anything though, and he shamelessly clung to the man’s side. The rest of the house was quiet and not for the first time, Wei Wuxian wondered if this was what every day was like for his shijie. He wished he could whisk her away from this, especially now that he wasn’t there to bear the brunt of madam Yu’s anger.

She gave him a smile and nodded “I’m fine. Mother may be angry but she knows better.” The rest was left unspoken. Yanli was engaged to the Jin heir, which afforded her a lot of protection. It was absurd that they had to think that way, but they were omegas. It was just how this world worked.

In the Jiang household, omegas were not treasured like they were in other families. Omegas often were respected and cherished as they could bear life. The physical differences also added to their appeal in general society as they tended to be smaller and more delicate than both betas and alphas. For some reason, though, in this house they were frowned upon. Wei Wuxian could remember the disappointment on uncle Jiang’s face when A-Li presented. Madam Yu’s face had been sour and displeased, but that wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. It was almost like they were jealous of the special status alphas and omegas had that betas just didn’t get.

“A-Xian.” Jiang Yanli was staring at her lap and seemed hesitant. “I need to apologize for how I reacted that night. I was shocked and I didn’t handle the news well.” She looked up at him imploringly. “You know I am not mad with you, right? Either of you.” she added then, glancing a little nervously at Lan Wangji.

This made both of the Lans stiffen ever so slightly. They both were unhappy with the notion that they’d frightened her. 

“S’ok, it’s better you did that than side with me. Madam Yu would have had a field day otherwise.” Wei Wuxian tried to laugh it off but Lan Wangji could feel the tension in his omega as he pressed close to his side. The urge to murder this madam Yu surged through his entire being and he had to concentrate to restrain himself. Reciting the clan precepts was barely helping this time.

Never had the weight of his family crest set so heavily upon him as it did in that moment. Every fiber of Wangji’s being demanded he remove the danger and possible threats of peril from occurring in the future. In the end, all he could do was offer his quiet support as Wei Ying worked through this.

“No, I shouldn’t have made you feel so alone in this. We both know how these things can happen.” She was acutely aware of the pair of alphas watching her with their unnerving focused stares. “I don’t mean to say all alphas have no scruples.” She quickly added so as not to offend the Lan brothers. “We just know that an omega’s heat is a very vulnerable time.”

Lan Xichen filled the awkward silence with a smile and inclined his head. “No offense taken.”

The situation was awkward at best. Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian had fallen victim to the primal instincts of their biology. It wasn’t anyone’s fault, but it still made the topic of respecting one’s choice a little clumsy and perhaps a bit uncomfortable. 

“I will not abandon Wei Ying or our child.” Lan Wangji spoke up then. He’d kept relatively quiet as he offered support. It felt important to communicate this to Wei Wuxian’s shijie though. He understood why there was such fondness for the woman. She was gentle and kind, and she clearly cared for Wei Wuxian in a way he was sure the rest of the Jiangs did not.

“Lan Zhan! My heart! Warn me when you’re going to say things like that.” Wei Wuxian whined with a grin on his face. He had to admit, this whole keeping of boundaries and not trying to hook up with Lan Wangji was a hundred times more difficult when the alpha started talking like this.

They’d been visiting for over an hour by that point. Both omegas talked of what had been going on and what they’d been up to. They spoke of acquaintances Lan Wangji didn’t know much about, though he made sure to remember every detail. As the conversation started to dwindle a bit he glanced at his brother then back to Jiang Yanli.

“When will your family return?” Wei Wuxian stiffened next to him as he asked the question, but he wanted to be prepared.

“Oh! Soon I suppose. A-Cheng usually gets home first. Mother and father have been busy with some issues with the company lately. It’s taken up a lot of their time.” she frowned with a little worry. “A-Xian, maybe you should get going. A-Cheng is still quite upset.”

Both Lan Wangji and Lan Xichen looked to the front door then back to Jiang Yanli. “I do not mean to impose, and forgive me if this is presumptuous.” Lan Xichen was wholly focused on Jiang Yanli as he spoke, “Are you safe here?”

Wei Wuxian choked on his drink and set it down to wipe at his face. Lan Wangji was still staring at the entryways into the room they were in. Jiang Yanli’s eyes widened in surprise and she gasped softly.

‘Y-yes, I am. My brother may be upset, but he’s never raised a hand against me.” The concern was touching, but she couldn’t drag these men into their family affairs. 

Lan Xichen stayed quiet for a moment, the whole room seemed to be holding its breath to see what would happen next. “If that ever changes, please call us? I would feel much better knowing you can count on myself or Wangji to help if the need arises.”

There was a sheen of moisture in Yanli’s eyes as she looked between the three men. She hadn’t noticed until that moment, but the brothers were on either side of where Wei Wuxian sat in the room. They’d also managed to place themselves in a way to include her in that protective space. 

Their home life hadn’t always been perfect, but she couldn’t say it was awful either, at least not for her. A-Xian had suffered so much more for her sake than she was willing to admit. She actually worried that her mother’s anger would turn toward her at some point in the future now that Wei Wuxian wasn’t there to act as a buffer. 

It shamed her to admit she’d used her adoptive brother in that fashion. What else could she do though? She had to protect herself somehow and Wei Wuxian had done so of his own volition the first few times. It became natural and normal to rely on him to keep mother from focusing her rage in Yanli’s direction. She was such a coward at times.

“I will.” They all turned their heads as they heard a car roll up the long drive. “Oh! Oh dear, that must be A-Cheng.” Yanli stood quickly and the three men followed suit. Wei Wuxian was nervous and started to tug at the hem of his shirt.

“Yeah, we should get going.” Fuck! The car was out front, A-Cheng was probably already upset. “Lan Zhan, we need to go.”

Lan Wangji reached out to give Wei Wuxian’s hand a reassuring squeeze. Part of him was thrilled the brother had shown up. He wanted to give the man a taste of his own medicine. Clearly the heavens did not favor Jiang Cheng’s life at all. Wangji had to force himself to not grin at the impending chance to confront Wei Wuxian’s adoptive brother.

Lan Xichen had a concerned expression on his face and he stepped over toward Jiang Yanli, handing her a business card. “Please make sure to call if you need help, no matter how insignificant, I will do all that I can.” Then he was moving over to the door to pick up the box of Wei Wuxian’s things. Staying wasn’t an option, he’d seen the way the corner of Wangji’s eyes had tightened, the dark hue that turned his gaze murderous. This was a powder keg waiting to go off.

They said their hurried goodbyes, just in case they didn’t get a chance to do so outside, and then they were out the door and halfway to the car before Jiang Cheng caught up to them. “So you finally came crawling back. I tol-” he stopped when he saw the two alphas with Wei Wuxian and faltered.

Lan Wangji put himself between Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng as he ushered his omega to the car. Lan Xichen wasted little time depositing the box of belongings in the back trunk before rounding the car to stay close to Wangji. There was a warning growl that filled the air as Lan Wangji stared at Jiang Cheng. It shocked Wei Wuxian and Jiang Yanli. The scent of sandalwood and earthy freshness enveloped Wei Wuxian and he felt almost dizzy from its power.

”A-Cheng, don’t be rude.” His voice sounded a little shaky and he blamed it on the pheromones surrounding him.

“Who’s this then? Not the father, is it?” Jiang Cheng was never good at reading the situation when his temper had taken hold. 

He glowered fearlessly at the pair of alphas, vaguely aware that he knew them somehow. When it hit him he scoffed. “How the hell did you get mixed up with the Lan Clan? Don’t tell me you’ve whored yourself out to them for pro-ughh!” 

There was a loud crack as Wangji’s fist connected with Jiang Cheng’s jaw. It had happened so fast that everyone was left stunned. One moment, Wangji had been next to the car with Wei Wuxian, the next he’d moved a half dozen steps forward and had hit the young beta before even Lan Xichen could move to stop him. It had been so damn fast. Jiang Cheng’s head snapped to the side and he fell to the ground in a heap. There was a spattering of crimson blood on the snow near his head.

“A-Cheng!” Yanli’s cry was distressed but she didn’t dare get in the way.

“Wangji!” The warning came from Lan Xichen who’d moved up to put a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “We should leave.”

Holy shit! Wei Wuxian just stood there, his bravado forgotten and his surprise at the ferocity of Lan Zhan’s response halting his words. By all accounts, Wei Wuxian should be upset. He couldn’t be though, he was secretly thrilled that someone had stood up for him for once. 

The insults had started to fly the second Jiang Cheng had seen him, and Wei Wuxian had just tensed up, ready to take it when everything happened. Was this what it was like to be protected? Was this normal? Should he be getting all hot and bothered when a fight was breaking out? Fuck!

“If you ever touch Wei Ying again, I will end you.” The words were cold and the calm even tone was terrifying for everyone who heard them, except Wei Wuxian. 

Those words were like a balm to his soul. Someone cared enough to say it and mean it. Tears filled his eyes and he looked away trying to not turn into a whining idiot right then and there in front of everyone. Lan Wangji seemed to instantly know he was going to cry though and it tore another growl of warning out of the alpha before he moved back, not at Xichen’s insistence, but in a desire to comfort Wei Wuxian.

“Lan Zhan, can we go?” We Wuxian sniffled, hugging the big alpha as he came over toward him.

“Mn, get in the car, Wei Ying.” The hug was returned, but Lan Wangji was already ushering him to the door, opening it for him so he could climb in.

Jiang Cheng had only just recovered, scrambling back to his feet. His whole body shook with livid rage. He was speaking angrily as Wei Wuxian got in the car and the door shut behind him. It muffled the words and he was in a daze so he didn’t know what was going on. He could only see and right now, it looked like Lan Xichen was the only thing stopping Jiang Cheng from getting murdered. 

Lan Wangji said something before he rounded the vehicle and got in, turning immediately to look at Wei Wuxian and gently reaching out to tip his chin up. It was a quiet moment where they stared at one another, the reassuring scent of sandalwood teasing Wei Wuxian’s nose. “Are you okay?”

Outside the car, the debate still raged, this time between Lan Xichen and Jiang Cheng. A-Li was calling out repeatedly for her brother to stop. There was a wild fury in A-Cheng’s eyes though, it was an expression Wei Wuxian had seen only a handful of times before. God, this was getting so ugly! Wei Wuxian’s heart was hammering in his chest and his breathing had become erratic.

“Lan Zhan! We shouldn’t have come.” he was so worried this was going to come crashing back on his shijie. Fear radiated from every inch of his body making him tremble wildly.

“Shh, I will not let them hurt you.”

“What about shijie?!”

Lan Wangji looked out the windshield of the car at the situation. “Do you want her to come with us?”

Wei Wuxian bit his lip, breathing hard as he thought about it. Madam Yu would be upset, but she’d be fucking livid if Yanli was gone completely. There wouldn’t be much she could do if A-Li wasn’t there to vent her anger on though. Indecision plagued Wei Wuxian so much that he just shrugged helplessly. “I don’t know! I’m worried, Lan Zhan! I’m so worried! Did I fuck up again?”

Lan Wangji’s jaw clenched for a moment. His brother was speaking firmly to the upset Jiang Cheng, warning him it seemed. If anyone had ‘fucked up’ it was Wangji by getting physical when he could have just let it go and gotten them out of there. 

“Stay here.” He curled his hand around the back of Wei Wuxian’s neck to pull him closer for a brief second, kissing the top of his head then letting go and opening the car door again to step outside.

“...asshole is unhinged! I’ll be pressing charges!” Jiang Cheng’s jaw was already swollen from the hit and blood trickled from his nose. When he saw Lan Wangji come out of the car, fear sparked in his eyes briefly, then his anger surged. “You! Fucking lunatic!”

“I would strongly advise you to calm down. My brother is quite protective of A-Xian and you are -not- helping yourself right now.” Lan Xichen’s tone was dangerous with its warning, the hint of a command was dancing in the air as he directed it at Jiang Cheng.

Lan Wangji glared at Jiang Cheng, another snarl escaping him before he reined himself in and turned to look at Jiang Yanli. She was crying but still staying wisely off to the side. It was almost as if she knew how dangerous this could get and where the safest place to be was. That upset Wangji more than he cared to admit. “Wei Ying is worried about your safety.” He walked smoothly toward the woman, hands held to his sides with his palms open and up so she knew he was not a threat.

Jiang Cheng didn’t see it that way, of course, and lunged toward Lan Wangji. He was intercepted by Lan Xichen who was much faster. A hand was on Jiang Cheng’s chest, pushing him back. 

“Do not.” It was a genuine command this time, an alphas command, and Jiang Cheng struggled trying to resist the power in that. Betas were less affected by such a thing, however, he wasn’t immune to it. 

“You fucking assholes! Get away from my sister!”

Jiang Yanli’s eyes were wide and red-rimmed as she looked from Jiang Cheng to the two Lan brothers then Wei Wuxian in the car. She didn’t know what to do. This was what they’d wanted to avoid! She had hoped Jiang Cheng would stay late with their parents to work through whatever issue had arisen with the company. If he had, none of this would have happened. 

“I’m alright, A-Xian, I’m fine!” she called out loudly while she stared at Wei Wuxian in the car.

Lan Wangji made sure to block Jiang Cheng from the omega woman’s gaze. “Do you wish to leave with us?” Do you need us to intervene?  

His thoughts were dark and eager. He wanted her permission to turn around and put the brother in his place. This was Wei Ying’s shijie though, and no matter what, he would not do anything to upset her, not when Wei Ying cared so much for the woman and she herself had such a kind and good heart.

Jiang Cheng was hurling insults at Lan Xichen, who kept staying in the middle, keeping the young beta from making a terrible mistake while Wangji’s instincts were driving him to act. Everything was hitting its limit all at once. The tension of the situation was thick and the pheromones of two alphas had become almost overpowering in the open air of the drive.

Lan Wangji hadn’t turned away from Jiang Yanli, though, choosing to ignore the brother for now. He needed her consent, then Jiang Cheng would simply die. In Wangji’s head, this was the only course of action now so it came as a shock, then, that every thought of murder fled him all at once.

The car door opened and there was a distressed scent of rotten oranges and spice.

“Lan Zhan! My…the baby! It hurts!” Cold dread replaced every ounce of fury Lan Wangji had felt only seconds earlier.

Wei Wuxian’s face was white and he was clutching at his stomach, gasping for breath. Something was wrong! Peanut was in trouble! A-Li was in danger! He’d fucked up! God he’d fucked up so bad! Panic choked him as he gasped and called out sharply. 

“Lan Zhan! Help me!”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Chapter Text

Jiang Cheng paced furiously up and down the hall of the hospital while they waited for news. Half his face ached and he was sure a tooth had come loose. Every now and then he’d gingerly press his tongue against it to see if it still wiggled, making him wince in pain. A nurse had looked him over and said he’d live, which was a fucking miracle all on its own. Especially now that he had time to really think about what he’d said. His jaw hurt like hell, and the swelling had made it difficult to speak clearly.

A sniffle caught his attention, and he looked at the row of chairs along the side of the hallway. Jiang Yanli sat there, talking quietly to Lan Xichen. She had forbidden Jiang Cheng from coming over - it was something she’d never done before, and he didn’t know how to react. Somehow, he’d miraculously listened. 

It may have had something to do with the promise of death quietly lingering on the expression of the pair of Lans that were with her. When they’d arrived at the hospital one of the Lan assholes stayed with Wei Wuxian, refusing to leave his side, and a third Lan had shown up. Jiang Cheng was outnumbered. Now, Lan Xichen sat to one side of Yanli, and on her other side was an elder Lan whose name Jiang Cheng hadn’t even bothered to learn. They were both alphas. Everyone here was either an alpha or an omega, except for him. It made him even crankier.

The worst blow had been when Wei Wuxian cried out for that goddamn Lan Wangji bastard to stay with him while the doctors buzzed about him. Not only was that stupid alpha allowed, but the doctors kept giving him respectful little nods and talking to him about ‘his mate’ like Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji had already tied the knot or something utterly stupid.

The only people who weren’t here were mother and father. Jiang Cheng knew calling them was a bad idea, he had that much sense at least. He figured he could handle this well enough on his own. It’s why he had followed them in his own car as they all sped down the drive. No way was he letting those fucking Lan alphas drive off with his sister like that. 

Deep down, under all that anger, he couldn’t deny that he was worried about Wei Wuxian. It had been upsetting to learn about the pregnancy, and worse yet, Jiang Cheng had handled it horribly. 

He’d felt instant guilt and regret after he'd hit Wei Wuxian, and then he was furious with himself but he couldn’t tell if it was because he’d lost control, hadn’t hit Wei Wuxian hard enough, or because he felt guilty. Omegas needed a firm hand. Mother always insisted this was how it had to be, but Jiang Cheng had never been entirely sold on it.

Oh he told a good story, but inwardly he had his doubts. Right now, he was fucking terrified he’d done something to make Wei Wuxian lose the baby and the Lans would actually kill him. 

“How long is this going to take!?” He ground out in frustration. 

The others turned to scowl at him.

“A-Cheng! This isn’t helping.” Jiang Yanli’s nerves must have been shot if she was getting snappy with him. Lan Xichen lightly patted her shoulder, to offer comfort or something like it Jiang Cheng supposed. 

He really wanted to rip that Lan bastard’s hand off A-Li. Didn’t that jerk know she was engaged? He scowled at Lan Xichen, who barely looked concerned at all. The fucking arrogance these alphas had. How could mother think they were respectable?! He knew she didn't really like alphas any better than omegas, but mother did regard them as superiors. Would she still be cordial if she saw how this jerk kept fawning over Yanli?

“She’s engaged, you know.” He snarled at Lan Xichen while ignoring the pain in his jaw.

Jiang Cheng's anger made him forget how easily the man had used his freaky alpha command powers on him just hours earlier at the house. It had been beyond disconcerting to realize he couldn’t move, no matter how much he wanted to. His muscles had strained, and he’d struggled to no avail. His body refused to listen to him.

It made his blood boil, and he could still recall how he’d shook with the desire to plant his fist in that perfect fucking face blocking his way. No matter the fury he had, it wasn’t enough to break free, and he’d folded so easily in front of those Lan bastards. Arrogant pricks. He hated them.

“It will be alright. The longer they spend on A-Xian, the better it is for everyone.” Lan Xichen had the gall to fucking console his sister while he was pacing right next to them. It was like he hadn’t heard Jiang Cheng at all.

“I said, she’s engaged, asshole.” Jiang Cheng had stopped his pacing to stand before the trio, eyes affixed upon Lan Xichen. Who the hell did this guy think he was?!

“A-Cheng!” He’d upset Yanli even more now. He could tell but he also didn’t care.

“It is alright, Jiang Yanli. Your brother is merely concerned for your welfare.” Lan Xichen gave her a warm smile then focused his undivided attention on Jiang Cheng and stood up.

The man was a lot taller than Jiang Cheng recalled. That whole alpha superiority complex grated on his nerves yet he warily stood his ground, fists clenched at his sides. The older Lan stood quickly and moved to purposely put himself between Jiang Cheng and Lan Xichen.

“Shufu, don’t worry, I won’t kill him in front of his sister.” 

Jiang Cheng’s eyes bulged in genuine disbelief. Was this idiot serious? He really couldn't tell. The shufu moved out of the way with a huff. This had to be that superior alpha crap at play. They acted like regular laws didn't apply to them. Issuing threats like that was no joke!

“Our concern is for Wangji and his mate. Don’t try to confuse the situation and make matters worse.” Cautioned the old man.

“What the fuck!? She's MY sister! I have every right to tell you assholes to back off!” Jiang Cheng’s rational side was practically gone by this point.

“That may be true, however your sister has also requested our aid. I am duty bound to assist her in this distressing time.” Lan Xichen’s placid smile for Jiang Cheng was terrifying.

For a grin, the whole thing looked more like the man was trying to decide how to best kill him without making too much of a mess. It froze his blood as he stared at the jerk. Why was Lan Xichen so determined to put his nose in where it didn’t belong?

This was all Wei Wuxian’s fault! He’d given A-Li these rebellious ideas and she was resisting because she’d seen him run off and find a pack of goddamn alphas to hide behind.

Not for the first time in his life, Jiang Cheng tried to catch the mood in the hall by scent alone. He inhaled as subtly as he could to ‘taste’ the air. That’s how he assumed it worked. In theory, it did, just not for him. He couldn’t smell anything except for antiseptics and heavy cleaners used to keep hospitals sterilized. He just didn’t get the pheromone thing.

Mother would most likely give Yanli a caning for this if she found out. He might even feel the lash for not having dealt with it on his own. She was always giving him shit for failing as a beta. Fucking omegas. Fucking alphas!

“A-Li, if you don’t come over here, I can’t keep my promise.” Jiang Cheng warned in frustration.

Jiang Yanli stiffened, gasping in surprise. “A-Cheng! How can you be so cruel right now? A-Xian needs us!”

“You may not be able to keep your word, but I assure you I’ll keep mine.” Lan Xichen stepped in smoothly and blocked Jiang Cheng’s line of sight to his very own flesh and blood sister. “I think it’s time you left, preferably before security gets involved and you force your sister to see things no lady should.” 

The older alpha scoffed and couldn’t stay quiet any longer. “Go home, boy, before this goes too far.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

The sterile smell of the hospital room was the first thing Wei Wuxian recognized when he started to regain consciousness. He remembered the pain and the doctors with all the poking and prodding. There had been an ultrasound and the technician had looked slightly tense, but he couldn’t figure out why they'd looked like that. At the time, Wei Wuxian had been more fixated on the fact that his gut felt like it was being twisted into a million knots and pulled out through his belly button. He had been sure that was exactly what had been happening. 

That impression and subsequent panic made it nearly impossible to do anything but frantically try to escape into Lan Wangji's arms. His hysterics had gotten so bad that Wei Wuxian had been absolutely uncooperative no matter what Lan Wangji had said or done. In the end, the doctors gave him something to calm down, and that had knocked him out shortly thereafter. 

The second thing he noticed was the narrow mattress beneath him and the scratchy paper-thin hospital gown he had on. A steady beeping sound from some monitor assaulted his senses while he tried to get his bearings. Groaning softly, Wei Wuxian cracked his eyes open slowly. The first thing his gaze landed on was Lan Wangji. The man remained by his side, even after everything he’d babbled in his panic ridden state earlier. It hadn’t scared Lan Wangji off. Did Wei Wuxian honestly deserve this kind of person in his life?

“Wei Ying?” The voice soothed Wei Wuxian’s soul.

He tried to smile reassuringly, not yet ready to speak. His throat felt dry and scratchy. Whatever they’d given him earlier made him feel so sluggish. Not talking seemed the best way to avoid more discomfort. He felt a gentle pressure squeezing his fingers and looked down to see Lan Wangji’s hand intertwined with his. He tried to recall how it had come to this.

The fight. They’d been at Lotus Pier and Jiang Cheng had been yelling, A-Li was crying. Lan Wangji had gone back outside and the second he’d done so, that’s when the pain hit. It was like something had stabbed him deep in his gut with a knife and then twisted the blade. It’d robbed him of breath. 

Oh God, his baby!

Wei Wuxian became very still and fear clouded his face. “Lan Zhan?” His voice cracked along his parched throat. “Is my little Peanut…okay?”

Lan Wangji leaned forward and gently tucked loose strands of Wei Wuxian’s hair behind his ear with his free hand. His expression was as stoic as ever, but Wei Wuxian had learned a bit about reading his face by now and he could see how he struggled to reply. Was his baby gone? Did he fuck up and lose his baby? Dread gripped his heart.

“I am not fond of Peanut as a nickname, Wei Ying.” Lan Wangji lifted Wei Wuxian’s hand to kiss his fingertips. “The doctors say our baby is safe. You need to stay here to be monitored tonight.”

Tears slid down Wei Wuxian’s face as relief flooded him. His baby was safe!

He tried to bite back a sob and was only half successful. Lan Wangji stroked his head, making quiet humming sounds while he released his calming scent. Wei Wuxian wept in the solace of knowing his baby hadn’t been lost to his stupid choices. It had been so reckless to go back to Lotus Pier. They should have met elsewhere. He’d just wanted to show Lan Wangji where he’d grown up so badly that he threw caution to the wind.

“Wei Ying, it is alright. Everything is going to be fine.” Lan Wangji had moved to perch on the edge of the bed by this point. He placed their joined hands gently on Wei Wuxian’s abdomen. “Our baby is safe. You need to breathe.”

One of the monitors started to beep with an alarm and Wei Wuxian flinched. “Why’s it doing that!?”

“Shhhh, it is your intravenous line. It must be empty.” More earthy sandalwood filled his senses and he blinked looking up at Lan Wangji.

“Help me sit up. Please?”

Without hesitation, Lan Wangji untangled his fingers from Wei Wuxian’s and reached to help prop him up. He pressed buttons on the hospital bed to elevate the head of the cot and put pillows behind Wei Wuxian until he was comfortable.

“The doctor will be back soon. Try to stay calm.” Lan Wangji reached for Wei Wuxian’s hand again and he gratefully took it. 

“What happened?” His voice sounded so small, even to himself.

When did he become so timid and afraid of everything? No, not everything, it was just so overwhelming when it came to this little life inside of him. It was so precious and so very fragile. He just didn’t know what was right and what was wrong when it came to keeping something like that safe.

The pause was long enough that Wei Wuxian thought Lan Wangji wasn’t going to answer.  Was it that bad? He’d said the baby was safe though - so whatever it was, it had to be Wei Wuxian’s fault.

“You were dehydrated. The morning sickness has been worse than you let on.” There was a slight hurt sound to Lan Wangji’s voice. “Your body was overtaxed and the stress caused…complications. There was some spotting.”

Wei Wuxian shivered and looked down at his arm. An IV line was taped to his skin and he felt a queasy twist of discomfort with the realization that he'd been stuck with a needle. He knew he’d been struggling, but he figured it was just par for the course and nothing to complain about. Besides, the food sat with him for a while before he got sick, some of it had to have been getting into his system, complaining about it felt like he was whining for nothing.

“What does that mean? Spotting?” He was so afraid his stubborn denial had done genuine harm. 

For Wei Wuxian, he could take a little discomfort and hardship if it meant Lan Wangji didn’t get annoyed with him because he was always sick. He was used to a little suffering. In the past, it had always only been himself that struggled. When he suffered through the morning sickness now, he’d been convinced it was still only him that had to endure that kind of misery. The last thing he wanted to do was be a problem and disrupt the peace he’d come to cherish at home. Surely his little Peanut wasn’t affected by him throwing up all the time, right? 

He clung tightly to Lan Wangji’s hand as he tried to process all the information. Wait a minute! He didn’t like his nickname for the baby???

“There was a bit of bleeding, Wei Ying. It is cause for concern because you are recessive.” Lan Wangji hesitated. “It may be best for the doctor to explain it.”

“You don’t like that I call my baby Peanut?” By now his weeping had slowed down and he was beginning to settle down enough to really think about everything that had been said. Blood was bad. Was it because he had been throwing up everything?

Lan Wangji grunted softly. “Our baby is not a peanut.” He put extra emphasis on the word ‘our’ and Wei Wuxian’s heart skipped a beat.

The absurdity of the moment was not lost on Wei Wuxian and he grinned, tear stained cheeks and all. “Lan Zhan! It’s because our baby is just so tiny! Like a peanut.”

“It’s actually a little bigger than that. Maybe between a kidney bean or a large grape I’d say.” A woman’s voice replied and both Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian looked to the doorway. She had a soft smile and she was decked out in one of those white doctor’s coats Wei Wuxian always saw on TV shows.

“Wei Ying, this is doctor Luo.” Lan Wangji stayed right where he was next to Wei Wuxian, perched on the edge of the bed. If the good doctor had any qualms with this, she kept them to herself.

“Give it to me straight, doc. How bad did I mess up?” Wei Wuxian was pretty sure that Lan Wangji had been gentle when he’d said there were complications. The peanut talk would have to wait for now.

Doctor Luo approached the opposite side of the bed and hung up a new bag of clear fluid on the IV tree, switching out the old one with practiced efficiency. She tapped a few keys on the automated system and the annoying beeping stopped. “You probably should have come in a lot sooner. How long has it been since you’ve kept an entire meal down?”

She began to methodically check Wei Wuxian’s vitals and looked him over with the ease of a genuine caregiver. He finally realized there were sensors all over him. What the hell!?

“Kept a meal down as in I ate and didn’t get sick all day?” he asked with amusement. “Or do you mean I ate and didn’t get sick for at least an hour and then got sick?”

She gave him a patient look. “Have you suffered morning sickness every day?”

“Ah…yeah.” He sheepishly gave a shrug. “That’s normal though, isn’t it?” Wei Wuxian honestly hadn’t really researched it that much, he just always knew pregnant people had morning sickness.

“Some cases are more extreme than others. It caused your body additional strain. What about headaches? Fever? Anything like that?"

He seriously thought about it and rubbed at the side of his nose for a moment. “A little headache I think, but no fevers.. My muscles have been a little tight, I just thought it's because I’ve been sitting around too much.”

He wasn’t sure about anything anymore and the longer he thought about it, the more he could imagine having felt minor things that were inconvenient to him. Were those kinds of things bad for the baby?

"When was your last check-up?” She’d stopped poking and prodding by this point and had directed her full attention on her patient.

“It was a week ago. They did a blood test to confirm I was pregnant and told me about some risk factors.” Wei Wuxian replied quickly, grateful he didn't sound completely clueless. Lan Wangji gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

“Wei Ying is a recessive omega. He is seven weeks along. He has been taking prenatal vitamins since he learned of his pregnancy. His activity level is average, nothing strenuous. He has a penchant for very spicy food, but it is fresh and healthy. I am avoiding having dangerous foods in the house.” Wangji supplied helpfully. Of the two of them, it was obvious which one had researched what to expect from Wei Wuxian's pregnancy. 

Lan Wangji had provided all of this information, including exactly what Wei Wuxian had eaten last, and more when the doctors had been swarming around upon their arrival earlier. Did he realize that he was giving Wei Wuxian all the wrong ideas by being so prepared and attentive like this.

“The obstetrician advised us that Wei Ying should be resting as much as possible to prevent complications. He is used to being active, but so far he has only taken a few walks around the property in the past week.”

Wei Wuxian gawked at Lan Wangji. It was the most he’d ever heard him say at one time and it was all about what Wuxian did and did not do. His live-in crush was watching him that closely? He knew about dangerous foods? Why didn’t Wei Wuxian know which foods were dangerous while he was pregnant?

“They aren’t wrong about that. Are you aware of the risks and chances of carrying to term?” She looked directly at Wei Wuxian as she asked her question.

Her words pulled him back from his boggled state and he nodded to her, biting his lower lip. This was something he’d actually paid attention to when he spoke to the doctor who’d confirmed the pregnancy. “It’s low, I know it is, but I’m determined, doc. I’ll do whatever it takes!”

“I’d like you to consult with one of our obstetricians, for a second opinion. We've started you on a drug regimen to help with the morning sickness, it’s safe for the baby, don’t worry.” She grinned at both of the men. “For now, we’ll monitor you overnight, get some more fluids into you and hopefully get you back on track. I have some concerns about the spotting and want to make sure it doesn’t lead to anything worse before I discharge you, alright?”

Wei Wuxian felt a wash of relief. The doctor didn’t look all that worried and she wasn’t talking like his baby was dying right then and there. That had to be a good sign. He had to admit this was probably the first time in quite a while where he hadn’t felt like he was going to hurl. It was kinda nice.

“Thank you, doctor Luo.” Lan Wangji may have looked all cool and calm, but Wei Wuxian could see it now. He caught the relief mirrored in those molten gold eyes and caught the tension leaving the corners of his mouth and jaw. 

“Get some rest, I’ll have the nurses bring in a bigger bed too so your alpha can stay the night.” Just like that, she was out the door and gone. 

It was a little awkward all of the sudden. Wei Wuxian hadn’t gotten the chance to explain that they weren’t in that kind of relationship. Then again, if he had, would they kick Lan Wangji out? He didn’t want that. With a huff he lay his head back against the pillows and looked over at the man in question.

“I’m sorry. I should have said something sooner I guess. I just thought it was normal.”

Lan Wangji’s brows pinched together slightly and he didn’t answer right away. He braced for a scolding, wholly expecting the man to be angry now that the doctor had left with reassurances that the baby was safe. Wei Wuxian couldn't even be upset about it, he'd nearly killed Peanut with his stupidity. It was only right that Lan Wangji give him hell for being so careless.

“Wei Ying. I am the one who must apologize. If I had not lost my temper, you may not have ended up here.” This derailed every ounce of self-recrimination filling his brain all at once. This wasn't right. Wei Wuxian was the one to blame, not Lan Wangji.

“Not your fault. Jiang Cheng can be an asshole when he’s mad.” Wei Wuxian closed his eyes for a minute, needing a second to adjust to this not being blamed situation, then cracked one open to peek at Lan Wangji. “He kinda deserved it.”

“Mn.” That single syllable agreement had Wei Wuxian grinning. 

“You don’t have to apologize." he added, "It sounds like it’s a good thing we’re here. What if I hadn’t said anything and I lost the baby because I was dumb and didn’t know any better? At least now we know, right?” Wei Wuxian was trying to remove blame by putting it on himself.

“Wei Ying, you are not dumb.” The sincerity in the statement felt genuine and it seemed like Lan Wangji was adamant that he know this.

“Lan Zhan, right now I’m more worried about the fact that you don’t like Peanut as a nickname!” Reassured that his baby was safe for the time being, and unwilling to explore the idea that he wasn't being accused of endangering their child, he decided to get to the bottom of this name aversion. It would help him forget he was in a hospital for at least a little while.

“Our baby is not food.” Wangji replied stoically, the grin was hidden in the warmth of his eyes.

“It’s not about food, it’s the size! Lan Zhan! Peanut sounds adorable when you think about it.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

When visitors were finally allowed in, Wei Wuxian was shocked to see there were some. First, Jiang Yanli was there, which eased the knot of worry in his gut immensely. She hugged him and wiped at his face when he felt moisture on his cheeks. 

“Shijie! I’m glad you’re here! Oh god, how mad is Jiang Cheng?”

She smiled at him and gave his hand a squeeze. Lan Wangji moved to stand when everyone came in to give them room by the bed and he watched over them quietly near the doorway.

“He is upset, A-Xian, mostly at himself I think. You don’t need to worry about that right now. It’s more important that you do what the doctors tell you.” Yanli replied, tapping his nose lightly.

Lan Xichen smiled near the foot of Wei Wuxian’s bed with his easy smile and gentle expression. “Your sister wished to stay and I offered to bring her home once she had the chance to see you.” 

“Don’t worry, I already told mother I was visiting a friend.” A-Li wore her brave face, doing her best to reassure him. Something about it worried Wei Wuxian but he just didn’t know what it was. 

“Are they really going to keep me overnight!?” He was done with this hospital stuff and just wanted to go curl up in his nest and hide out for a few days. 

“Mn, longer if necessary.” Lan Wangji answered, acting as the bearer of bad news. Wei Wuxian huffed before he grinned over to Jiang Yanli. “Did I tell you I tried making your soup?”

The conversation stayed easy and kept to the safe topics. The gentle laughs and little anecdotes filled the clinical room with a bit of a relaxed and homey feel, even if it was just for the hour they were permitted to be there. Wei Wuxian was in his element with people he felt comfortable around. He teased and cracked little jokes, wholly relaxing as he got to visit. 

Lan Wangji watched quietly for a moment or two. “Wei Ying, I’ll be just outside.” 

Wei Wuxian glanced over and chewed on the inside of his cheek for a second before nodding. “Alright.” 

The hesitancy in his omega’s reply almost had Wangji changing his mind, but he needed to handle some matters. In the hall, he found his shufu waiting patiently. They’d agreed to not introduce an unfamiliar face to Wei Wuxian for the time being. He needed to feel safe and secure. Strangers would not help with that. Shufu understood and agreed, yet he remained to offer his support anyway.

“Wangji, how are you holding up?” Shufu asked as soon as he saw him.

The elder Lan was a staunch believer in rules and propriety, so he’d been initially upset when he’d learned of Wei Wuxian’s existence and subsequent pregnancy. Even though he was perturbed, Lan Qiren didn't blame Wangji or Wei Wuxian for what happened. Even if he didn't quite approve of how things had gone down, he was there and chose to support his nephew and budding family. Lan Wangji inclined his head and let out a long breath, grateful for his uncle's presence.

“I am concerned.” He admitted it freely and pinched the bridge of his nose, a clear sign of his frustration and distress.

Lan Qiren reached out, putting a hand on his nephew’s shoulder. “The Jiang boy is gone. You are with your omega and his condition is stable. It is natural to be concerned, but the only thing you can do now is be there for him.”

He made it sound so simple and easy when it was said that way, yet Wangji was afraid. He had almost lost their child today. He could have lost Wei Ying. He was terrified of that revelation.

“I lost my temper today.”

“Your brother told me about it. Your mate is unmarked. Your instincts are demanding that you correct that.” They’d debated this at length already. A mating bite would alleviate some of Wangji’s tension and allow him to control his reactions better, however, he wouldn’t do it against Wei Wuxian’s wishes.

Everything was simply too new and too delicate to risk by forcing anything. “He’s been abused, Shufu. I will not make him do anything he is not comfortable with.”

They heard the happy laughter and chatter inside the room and the older Lan cleared his throat. “How badly?” 

“He’s been beaten, and he has nightmares.” A shaky breath escaped Wangji. “He speaks of it as if this kind of thing is normal. Even his adopted sister spoke as if it were…natural…to behave that way.”

Lan Qiren frowned. “Did the hospital reach out to his emergency contact?”

A fresh stab of worry lanced through Lan Wangji’s gut and he looked up sharply. Was Yu Ziyuan or Jiang Fengmian listed as an emergency contact? He wasn’t sure. Wangji had stayed with Wei Ying the entire time, answering as many questions as he could, doing his best to remain close. He hadn’t even considered the fact that the hospital would be obligated to reach out to anyone. Why would they when he was with Wei Ying?

“I…I do not know.” The pinched expression spoke volumes in regards to his stress at that moment.

Lan Qiren huffed. “I’ll keep an eye out for the Jiangs. Go talk to your mate, ask about changing his emergency contacts to us.”

Another laugh escaped the room Wei Ying was in and Lan Wangji looked over with absolute longing. He wanted to be part of Wei Ying’s joy so very much. At that moment, however, he was absolutely positive that they were here because of Wangji’s actions. “Mn, I will.” 

He had to protect Wei Ying.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Lan Wangji’s phone vibrated gently and he picked it up off the side table next to the extra wide hospital bed. He was laying down with Wei Ying, who had nestled partially on top of him, using his chest as a pillow while he slept. 

The arrival of the new bed had been met with a lot of embarrassed blushing on both their parts, but that vulnerable request for Lan Wangji to hold Wei Ying nearly undid him. He couldn’t say no, not that he ever wanted to. Privately, he rejoiced at being asked. Outwardly, Wangji did his best to remain reassuring and casual about the whole thing. He answered by slipping onto the bed next to his omega and wrapping his arm around Wei Ying’s shoulders to pull him close. That had obliterated the awkwardness between them and before long, Wangji felt Wei Ying relax as he fell asleep.

It was early morning. Dawn hadn’t even broken the horizon yet and the room was dark and still for the most part. Wangji had been incapable of sleeping, afraid of taking his eyes off Wei Ying for even a small moment. The soft hum of monitors and machines added an uncomfortable reminder that they were in a hospital and the sharp smell of cleaners bothered Lan Wangji’s nose.

Their room was spacious enough with a few chairs and a private bathroom. The bonus was that it was not a shared room, so he and Wei Ying had the privacy they needed. He was sure Wei Ying was glad there hadn’t been an audience when he’d sobbed earlier. Lan Wangji thought he looked so fragile yet so beautiful all at the same time. He comforted his omega as best he could and didn’t leave his side at all. As long as he was wanted there, Lan Wangji would not be removed.

This was all his fault. 

It was apparent to Lan Wangji that he had failed to pay close enough attention to what was going on with Wei Ying. He’d missed the signs that his omega had been suffering and it nearly cost them more than he was willing to admit. The incident at the Jiang residence had been the crowning point of his failure, and he knew that he was part of the cause of Wei Ying’s current condition. It gutted him.

The text message on his phone was his brother's way of checking in again. Both Xichen and his uncle had gone home for the night to rest after Wangji had insisted it was fine. Fortunately, they had also been able to confirm that Wei Ying’s emergency contact information had been changed after his talk with Shufu. Due to Wangji's presence when Wei Wuxian had been admitted, no one had bothered to call as the staff had believed Wangji was his husband - a fact he did not correct so he could remain by Wei Ying’s side. It was the first omission he'd ever made, yet he couldn't regret it.

He knew Lan Xichen felt just as guilty in some respects as he did, though had it not been for Xichen, it was quite possible Jiang Cheng would be in a morgue right now. Just thinking about that man made him glower and ache to crush something. Wei Ying broke through his dark ruminations by making a little sound of distress and squirming against Lan Wangji’s side.

“Shhhh, I am here.” His words were a whisper of sound as he kissed the top of Wei Ying’s head and quickly sent a reply to Xichen before setting the phone back down. Wei Ying settled immediately against him again and Wangji’s hand gently stroked up and down his back. 

He would be more careful going forward. The question of Wei Ying’s safety and security had become his sole focus. He wanted to bond this man to him, heart and soul, so that he could protect him and cherish him as he deserved. 

Wangji also wanted to protect him from a legal standpoint as well. Having now witnessed the open hostility Wei Ying had endured his entire childhood, Wangji was determined to ensure he never had to face that sort of thing again. The most obvious solution was a marriage between them to give Wei Ying all the rights of a husband and prevent his adoptive family from intervening. He did not imagine it would be easy to convince Wei Ying of this. The beautiful omega had been clear about their relationship right from the start. They were only in this bed together because he'd been vulnerable and afraid. That left Wangji to ponder other legal measures he could take.

A gentle knock at the door distracted him as a nurse came in. She was quiet and had a sweet smile on her face. “Just checking up.”

She kept her voice low and moved to Wei Ying’s side of the bed to begin her routine. It was amusing to realize how deeply Wei Ying could sleep as the woman took his blood pressure, checked temperatures, and changed out bags of fluid on his IV line all without waking him.

“The doctor will be by soon?” Wangji asked quietly.

“Yes, rounds will start in a few hours. He’s slept through the night?” She scribbled down Wei Ying’s latest stats on a whiteboard on the wall opposite the foot of the bed. 

Wangji gave a nod to her question and she smiled gently. “You should get some rest too.” The woman added before writing something down on Wei Ying’s chart and silently exiting the way she’d come. 

A short nap couldn’t hurt. He was a light sleeper and would not miss the arrival of the doctors. It had been a long night and he felt exhaustion dragging him down. Wangji finally relented, closing his eyes to get a couple hours of rest.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Wei Ying sighed softly and nuzzled his face up into Lan Wangji’s neck. A little purr of delight escaped his sleepy form as he took in the earthy sandalwood and hints of spicy citrus mingling together. He wriggled against the warmth beneath him and tried to burrow into it better. This had to be a dream. It felt too good to be real.

His dreamy, sleepy self felt his dick straining against his shorts with morning wood and he groaned, grinding up against the warm body beneath him. Electric pleasure jolted through him and he rocked his hips again, enjoying the sensation. All Wei Wuxian wanted to do was keep grinding down like this and ride out the high until he was satiated. 

“Wei Ying.” The sound of his name in that deep gravelly voice made him freeze. “Are you awake?”

Oh Fuck! Lan Zhan?! Where am I?!

With absolute mortification, Wei Wuxian cracked an eye open and looked up. He was draped over Lan Wangji, nose all up in the crook of his neck, clinging to the alpha’s shirt. Somehow in his sleep, he'd wormed his way fully on top of the gorgeous alpha. He might of thought he'd been dreaming when in reality, he had been humping the man of his dreams with his morning wood! A groan of humiliation escaped him and scrambled off Lan Wangji, burying his face in his hands.

“Oh God! Sorry! I'm Sorry! I-I didn’t…Fuck!” His dick was still rock hard, even as he could feel his face and neck burning with his embarrassed flush. This was not happening!

“You have no need to apologize.”

Wei Wuxian shook his head and kept his face covered. “I can’t believe I did that! Fuck, Lan Zhan! I’m so sorry!”

“Wei Ying, I am not upset.” He felt fingers under his chin and another hand pulling his own away from his face. Lan Wangji stared at him with that sexy look that made Wei Wuxian’s insides melt and his legs go weak. It was -not- helping him calm down!

“Aiyo! Don’t look at me like that!” His voice quivered with his embarrassment and he cursed inwardly at his uncooperative cock throbbing in his shorts.

“Wei Ying.” Lan Wangji waited until he looked him in the eyes. “It is alright. I liked it.”

If it wasn’t for the fingers under his chin, Wei Wuxian was sure his jaw would have been on the floor. It made his dick twitch and he could feel the first telltale dribble of slick dampening his shorts. Fuck! This was NOT helping!

“Lan Zhan!” His voice came out in a keening whine. “You’ll ruin me with words like that! I’m so embarrassed!”

It hadn’t even registered in his head that they were still in the hospital.

In response, Lan Wangji put his hands on Wei Wuxian’s hips and lifted him into his lap. It put him right up front and center against the powerful alpha and he got to feel the hard length of Lan Wangji’s shaft rubbing against his own cock. Oh hell! He feels so good!

“I am not lying.” Those big hands slid up Wei Wuxian’s back and Lan Wangji stared intently at his lips like wanted to devour him. It was so fucking sexy!

“Uhhmmm! Ah, well! I..I’m glad you l-liked it!” Trying for a bit of bravado, he gave a grin and cheekily rocked his hips.

It was a mistake! More sweet slick started to stain his shorts as he mewled in pleasure and his breath left him in a rush. God, why did this feel so fucking good this morning?! Lan Wangji responded with a growl that shivered through Wei Wuxian’s entire being and he melted into the man, leaning in to steal a kiss before he could think better of it. Fuck the platonic friendship crap, he needed his alpha.

Their lips crashed together, teeth clacking with clumsiness and then he felt fingers tangling in his hair, pulling his head to the side adjusting the angle. A perverse thrill raced through him at the possessive grip and their kiss morphed into a hot sensual melding of lips and tongue. Wei Wuxian’s whimper was swallowed as Lan Wangji hungrily devoured him. It felt like he was going to burn up and flame out right then and there if he didn’t get more of this.

Wei Wuxian's arms snaked around his alpha's neck and he clung to those powerful shoulders, rolling his hips again to feel that sizzling pleasure to arc through his body. In no time at all, he became intimately aware of every inch of Lan Wangji’s cock rubbing against his own, and he wanted it deep inside of him.

“Lan Zhan!”

It was the only thing he could get out before another cry of pleasure escaped him and he felt Lan Wangji’s hands slide down his ass, fingers dipping beneath the band of his shorts to squeeze and fondle him. The heat of those big hands made him shiver and his hips jerked, pressing himself against Lan Wangji’s thick length. A vicious tremble of lust raced through Wei Wuxian’s body.

“Fuck! Fuck Lan Zhan!”

Beneath him, Lan Wangji groaned, rocking his hips upward, grinding against Wei Wuxian even as he pulled him down onto his lap. White hot ecstasy rolled through Wei Wuxian and he keened loudly.

“Shhh Wei Ying.” 

To distract hm, Lan Wangji locked lips with him again, swallowing every last cry of bliss he made while they rode each other. The only thing separating them was the thin barrier of their sleepwear. It was hot and delicious and not enough. Not by a long shot! Wei Wuxian wanted more! Why did he have to be quiet!? He tugged at Lan Wangji’s hair, wanting to get enough space to ask him to do something, anything to satiate the need burning in his gut. 

The man seemed to be reading his mind somehow and Wei Wuxian’s world narrowed down to a singular point as he felt the alpha's hand move. His whole body shuddered from the feeling of Lan Wangji’s finger dipping between the globes of his ass pressing against his slick hole.

Yes! God, more!

They were both panting heavily. Wei Wuxian arched his back, desperately trying to push himself onto that wicked finger while he writhed in Lan Wangji’s arms. He was beside himself with want and need. Teeth captured his lower lip and he cried out in shock, blissed out and brain in a haze of ecstasy.

Then it happened. That gloriously long finger pushed its way inside and Wei Wuxian saw stars. His muscles tensed and he let out a keening wail against Lan Wangji’s lips. It was just one finger, and he was coming undone. The second Lan Wangji delved deeper and hit that deliciously sensitive spot, Wei Wuxian knew he was done for. He jerked in his alpha's lap while that lone finger began to stroke and tease his prostate - strumming him like a fine tuned instrument. Wei Wuxian lost his mind. His balls tightened up and his cock jerked, come spilling against the inside of his shorts while he ground into Lan Wangji.

“Fuck!”

Lan Wangji growled beneath him, licking a trail down Wei Wuxian’s neck. He didn't let up, continuing to stroke and tease him relentlessly. “Beautiful.”

The word was reverently spoken before Lan Wangji kissed and lapped at one of Wei Wuxian’s scent glands. It made him whine and another spurt of come rushed out of his dick. Holy shit! 

Dimly, Wei Wuxian knew their time together on that fateful train ride had been a hot mind-altering moment. He knew what happened, but it had been clouded over by the haze of his heat-addled brain, so the details weren't as sharp. Even though he knew how intense that encounter had been, this moment had overshadowed it by a long shot. Unlike their past encounter, he was fully aware of what they were doing this time. Why had he denied themselves this kind of thing!? He should have tried to get in Lan Wangji’s bed the first day he reunited with him in that big office.

They were breathing heavily and leaning into one another. Wei Wuxian basked in the afterglow of the best morning orgasm he’d ever had. A wild beeping sound jarred through his bliss filled moment and it started to get annoying. The beeping was oddly in tune with his heart. What the hell was that all about? Slowly, the intruding sound started to break through the fog of his lust. It sounded ominously like a heart monitor.

Wei Wuxian’s head snapped up and he looked around with wide eyes. Did he just have an amazing climax on top of the man of his dreams in a fucking hospital room?! Yep, yep he did. The monitor was happily chirping away rapidly in time with his excitement, and he groaned.

“Lan Zhan! A hospital bed?!” He slumped forward burying his face against the alpha's neck.

Lan Wangji hugged him close with one arm. His finger still trapped in Wei Wuxian’s ass and he seemed reluctant to withdraw. “Wei Ying needed it.” The words were husky and rich as a kiss ghosted along his neck.

“We’re in public!” Wei Wuxian hissed and groaned squirming which made his inner muscles spasm tightly around that long finger still buried deep inside of him. “What if someone sees!?”

This was a problem since he was pretty sure the door wasn’t locked. Lan Wangji grunted and slowly withdrew his hand. Wei Wuxian felt so empty at that moment that he almost begged for him to put his finger back up there.

“They will not. The nurse made her rounds an hour ago.” He seemed smug while delivering this small revelation.

“That doesn’t mean they won’t come back! My heart! Lan Zhan! They can see that at the nurses station!” Mild panic tinged his voice now.

“They will not say anything.” Lan Wangji spoke with confidence as he held Wei Wuxian close. 

The gross slimy sensation in his shorts became immensely uncomfortable the second Wei Wuxian shifted on the alpha's lap. He belatedly realized that Lan Wangji was still very hard beneath him. Fresh color heated his face as he groaned miserably, pressing his face into the man’s shoulder.

This was NOT how they kept boundaries!

Not only was it embarrassing to realize that he’d just basically gotten off on a single finger, but he’d done so without a single care for how this might change things. He'd given his word to Lan Wangji that he wouldn't throw himself at the man, yet at the very first opportunity, that's exactly what he'd done!

To top it off, they were in a freaking hospital! Weren’t there cameras in these places? God, did he just give some poor security guy a show?! Wei Wuxian began to climb off of Lan Wangji’s lap. 

“I...uhh I’m sorry! I...I need to clean up.” Did he even have any fresh clothes here?

Was it rude to leave an alpha hard like that? Was Lan Wangji really that big? Wait, had he taken that for two whole days during his heat??? Wei Wuxian began to spiral as his thoughts made him freeze up on the bed.

“Wei Ying.” 

“I’m fine! I mean. It’s ok, I’m sorry. I mean! Fuck. Lan Zhan, can I have a second?” Too much had just happened, he needed to freak out a little!

“Mn.” Lan Wangji’s hands fell away from Wei Wuxian’s body and he waited for him to move to the other side of the wide hospital bed before the alpha stood up. 

Wei Wuxian couldn't help but stare at the bulge of Lan Wangji's cock. It was massive and extremely obvious in those low slung sleep pants he wore. The rumpled shirt and his messed up hair made him look even sexier and Wei Wuxian had to look away before he embarrassed himself all over again. Why wouldn't the stupid heart monitor shut up!?

Lan Wangji didn’t give him shit for what they’d just done at least, or the fact that Wei Wuxian had put a stop to it after panicking about where they were and what they'd been doing. Wei Wuxian huffed anxiously, watching the alpha move across the room to a chair. There was a bag there and Lan Wangji reached in to pull something out. It was clothing.

“Xichen bought some things for us. I would have gone home to get your clothes, but I did not want to leave you alone.” Wei Wuxian wanted to give that big dick a squeeze when Wangji came closer again, and he had to force himself to behave. Seriously, he had to calm down, they were in a hospital!

“Why didn’t he just get stuff from the house?” He asked curiously, doing his best to keep up with what Lan Wangji told him.

Wei Wuxian hugged the fresh pair of shorts and comfortable looking sweats to his chest the second they were offered to him. Only now did he register the presence of the IV still stuck in his arm. It distracted him as he tried to figure out how best to do the whole ‘going to the bathroom to change’ thing while wrangling it. If only it had tugged or pinched him earlier, maybe he wouldn't have come like a horny teenager all over his dream man.

Lan Wangji was one step ahead of him again though, disappearing into the bathroom for a moment and then reappearing with a dish of warm water and a cloth. “I will not let him into your bedroom.” 

“Oh.” Wei Wuxian forced himself to pay attention, yanking his depressed thoughts back to the conversation at hand.

Really, he felt a little surprised by Lan Wangji's admission. It was a first for him. Someone cared about the sanctity of his personal space. That simple answer had his heart doing all sorts of funny things, all of which the monitor caught, recorded, and transmitted to every nurse in the world - he was sure of it. How long was he going to be stuck in this hospital!?

Wei Wuxian looked at the water and then at Lan Wangji. “Uhmmm…”

“Wei Ying, we have seen each other naked already.” He patiently waited with the dish of water on the rolling table that you always saw in hospital rooms. Wei Wuxian blushed hard. 

“That may be true, but…I mean!”

“Are you so modest, even after what we just did?” Lan Wangji asked gently, moving into Wei Wuxian’s space, crowding as close as the edge of the bed would allow him to.

Lan Wangji was still hard too, Wei Wuxian clearly saw the heavy outline of his arousal. All he had to do was reach out and touch it. Would he growl for him? Would his dick twitch in Wei Wuxian’s hands? Could he wrap his fingers all the way around it with ease? He'd done that and so so much more on the train, right? His overwhelmed brain was making that dick look way bigger than it was. That had to be it.

“Wei Ying?”

“Right! Aiyo! Fine!” He was NOT fantasizing about jerking Lan Wangji off. “I mean! If you’re not…ahh…I mean…Yea, it’s fine.”

What was a little nudity between men? It wasn’t like he could get any more pregnant than he already was.

Scrambling on his knees, he got to the edge of the bed, boldly getting in the alpha’s space, and went to stand up. Lan Wangji didn’t move back very much like Wei Wuxian thought he would. Instead, he ended up sliding along Lan Wangji’s front as he got his feet under him. The man totally planned that. He was convinced, and Lan Wangji gave a satisfied little growl the second he pressed into him. It was really hard to tell over the beating of his own heart though. Stupid heart monitor!

Wei Wuxian was sure his face was bright red as he licked his kiss-swollen lips and tried to step back a little, but there was nowhere to go. The bed was right behind him! Lan Wangji’s hand settled on hip, steadying Wei Wuxian’s balance. 

“Let me help, Wei Ying.” Could this get any more humiliating? Was it embarrassing or was he just seriously turned on? Did this make him a pervert?

“O-Okay.” Wei Wuxian decided the only course of action was to meet this head on by not looking at anything other than Lan Wangji’s eyes.

He would not stare at his super obvious bulge in his pants. He would not fantasize about that dick stretching him open and sliding deep inside. Absolutely not. He definitely was not eagerly awaiting Lan Wangji’s helping hands on his naked body.

Wei Wuxian’s breath hitched the second felt those perfect fingers hook in the band of his shorts and pull them down. They had to be peeled off thanks to the now sticky come inside and he shivered, biting back the whimper as best he could. Lan Wangji’s eyes were fixed on him and he pushed the fabric down, slowly crouching before Wei Wuxian to pull them all the way off his legs. 

Fuck.

The man of his dreams was face-to-cock now. Wei Wuxian could feel his dick starting to stiffen. God! No! Not now! He started to hum a single note of sound and looked up at the ceiling. Even though he knew it was coming, he wasn’t prepared for the feeling of a warm wet cloth on his semi-hard dick. Air rushed out of his lungs and his knees almost gave out.

“Lan Zhan!”

“You are squirming, Wei Ying.” 

“Well…I know!” He braced his hands on Lan Wangji’s shoulders and squeezed his eyes shut. 

Math, he’d think about math, that’d do it. He thought about the least erotic things he could muster; reading history, cleaning clothes, scrubbing floors, and dogs with big sharp teeth. Anything that wasn’t Lan Wangji on his knees in front of him, washing his cock with a warm cloth. When the cloth in question slid back to clean between the cheeks of his ass, Wei Wuxian actually squeaked.

“S-sorry, wasn’t expecting that.” he gasped.

Lan Wangji gave one of his classic ‘Mn’ answers and continued to methodically clean Wei Wuxian up. It only took a couple of minutes at best, but it felt a lot longer than that. When Lan Wangji finished, Wei Wuxian was panting and quivering where he stood. Would it be wrong to ask him to go lock the door?

“Step.” The single word came out of the blue and he had to open his tightly shut eyes to look down.

“What?”

“Step.” Wangji tapped his shin as he held open the new pair of shorts.

“Lan Zhan! I can get dressed on my own!”

“I know. Now step.” Wei Wuxian swore could hear the alpha grinning.

With a sigh, he stepped into the shorts, still gripping Wangji’s shoulders, and let the man pull them up his legs. Finally sort of decent, We Wuxian cleared his throat and grabbed the sweats. “I’ll do these. It’s fine. Can you...ahh...the water should be…”

Lan Wangji stood up and crowded close. Hungry desire burned in his molten gold gaze leaving Wei Wuxian weak-kneed and craving a lot more than just this sexy staring contest. He leaned into the man, inhaling deeply to savor the scent that was all Lan Wangji.  

“The doctor will be here soon.” That voice reverberated roughly with desire.

Lan Wangji disappeared back into the bathroom to deal with the dirty cloth, giving a bit of space for Wei Wuxian to pull himself together and put on the sweats. They were cozy, albeit a little big and baggy. They kept him warm and decent and that’s what really mattered. 

“How am I supposed to go to the bathroom with this thing?” he muttered, pulling the IV tree along with him and grappling with the long clear hose.

“Do you need help?” Wangji appeared next to him again and Wei Wuxian jumped with surprise.

“N-no! No I can do it, it’s just...the stupid hose is everywhere.” 

If having mind blowing orgasms in a hospital was on Wei Wuxian’s bucket list, he accomplished that today. All he had to do now was get past crippling embarrassment and not jump the man of his dreams.

He was in so much trouble.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

It took three days of monitoring Wei Wuxian in the hospital before he was declared to be in good health and released. The first thing he did once he they got home home was insist on sitting outside in the crisp winter air. Wrapped in a thick, fuzzy blanket with a hot thermos of tea, Wei Wuxian relaxed under the snow covered cherry blossom by the pond until it had gotten dark. He and Lan Wangji hadn’t talked about the hot and heavy action that had happened in the hospital. 

The desire to have a repeat of that first morning plagued Wei Wuxian’s waking and sleeping hours. Each day, Lan Wangji would stay with him, keeping him company and taking care of all the small details. When he napped, Lan Wangji worked at the small table in the hospital room. The few times he stepped out were to give Wei Wuxian a chance to visit privately with his shijie. 

Jiang Yanli had brought Wen Ning by and the young alpha looked wholly concerned. Lan Wangji seemed to have issues with Wen Ning for some weird reason, and insisted on remaining by Wei Wuxian’s side when Wen Ning was there. It was almost like his friend's presence offended Wangji personally and Wei Wuxian couldn’t really understand why. Later when he’d asked about it, Lan Wangji merely asked if Wen Ning was the friend he’d stayed with before coming to see him. Wei Wuxian instantly teased Lan Wangji about drinking vinegar, but that ended the conversation without really resolving anything.

It was good to see his friend though. Especially now that he was facing the fact that going back to work while pregnant might not be in the cards for him. Wei Wuxian felt like he was going to go stir crazy if all he did was sit at home like some good little housewife. He’d had to assure Lan Wangji he was perfectly safe in the house on his own as well. Eventually, his alpha was going to have to go back into the office sooner or later, even Wei Wuxian knew that. He hadn’t done that since the first few days of them living together.

His nausea finally seemed to be under control with the medication they’d prescribed. Everyone assured him it was safe for the baby, and Lan Wangji appeared to agree. Wei Wuxian had decided that his best research asset was the man at his side. If Wangji didn’t argue with their treatment, then it had to be fine. 

The ‘danger period’ for his pregnancy was just over the half-way mark. He’d been given strict orders to rest. Wei Wuxian was allowed to walk around the pond, but not the entire estate in one go. Once they were into the second trimester, the doctor promised he could do more, especially if he gained some healthy weight and managed to not develop any other dangerous symptoms.

His real problem came that first night back at the Jingshi.

Wei Wuxian discovered he couldn’t fall asleep. For the past few nights, he’d been getting some of the best sleep of his life nestled up to Lan Wangji on that big ass hospital bed. He hadn’t even known they made couples beds for hospitals like that. Supposedly, mated pairs needed to stay close during a crisis and hospitals had adapted over the years to accommodate those requirements. Wei Wuxian secretly relished nighttime there. It was the only positive thing about being stuck in the hospital as far as he could tell.

The situation hadn’t been ideal, it was still a hospital room after all, but Wei Wuxian got to curl up against Lan Wangji every night. He felt safe cradled in those big arms and warmed by that strong body while he fell into blissful sleep surrounded by the scent of earthy sandalwood. He had no nightmares, and his rest was uninterrupted. It definitely had to be the most peaceful sleep he’d had in ages.

Now he was staring at the ceiling in his room and glowering into the darkness. His nest felt completely wrong and he’d torn it apart five times already trying to fix it. Wei Wuxian knew what was missing. He didn’t have Lan Wangji’s scent anywhere in here. If he was really honest with himself, he needed more than just a scented pillow or blanket. He needed Lan Wangji.

When this whole thing started, he’d promised he wouldn’t cross the line. He understood this was all duty and responsibility for Lan Wangji, but the longer he was here, and the more that man did for him, Wei Wuxian couldn’t help but like him.

He really liked Lan Wangji.

“This sucks.” Huffing in frustration, he sat up patting his belly. “Don’t worry, Peanut. We’re gonna go get your dad right now.”

The trip down the hall to Lan Wangji’s door was a short one, which was good. It didn’t give Wei Wuxian a lot of time to reconsider what he was doing. Before he could chicken out, he rapped his knuckles on the door. “Lan Zhan? Are you awake?’

He heard some shuffling inside the room, and Wei Wuxian nearly lost his nerve as the door opened. Lan Wangji in sleepwear was perhaps the sexiest thing in the world. Unlike at the hospital, here at home, the alpha's chest was bare. That silver necklace with its cloud medallion hung around his neck. It kind of seemed like he didn’t ever take it off. The best part, though, had to be the low slung sleep pants. They hugged his hips and outlined the muscles in all the right ways. Wei Wuxian was convinced if he pushed on the waistband just a little, they’d slip right off like it was nothing.

Fuck! Get a hold of yourself!

“Wei Ying, is something wrong?” Lan Wangji sounded sleepy and Wei Wuxian wondered if he’d woken the man up.

“Lan Zhan.” His voice came out as a groan and he looked up at the taller man pathetically. “It’s all your fault.”

Lan Wangji tensed and went from being drowsy to instantly alert and worried. Wei Wuxian really was starting to get a hang for reading his reactions!

“What is my fault? What is wrong, Wei Ying?”

“I can’t sleep.” Wei Wuxian lamented. “I got used to sleeping with you.” The second part was said a little timidly and he did his best imitation of being aggrieved. 

They were still standing in the doorway of Lan Wangji’s bedroom. To say the alpha’s gaze was intense would have been an understatement. It seemed like he was searching to make sure Wei Wuxian wasn’t lying.

“You cannot sleep without me?”

“Yes, you’ve ruined me, Lan Zhan. Take responsibility.” Wei Wuxian didn’t really have experience in asking men to take him to bed, but he thought he’d done pretty good because Lan Wangji sucked in a sharp breath and his ears had become a warm shade of pink.

They stared at one another for a long time, both aware of how this changed things that they still hadn’t talked about. Wei Wuxian didn’t care though. He just wanted to snuggle up against Lan Wangji and sleep. They could talk about it tomorrow. He moved a little closer to the man he was totally secretly crushing on.

“Can I sleep with you tonight?”

Lan Wangji nodded as he looked down at Wei Ying. He reached out to take his omega’s hand and stepped backward to draw him into the bedroom. This was something Wangji had hoped to one day do with Wei Ying.

They’d shared the bed in the hospital, and had even done some shameless things, but it wasn’t the same as this. Sharing a bed at home, with absolute privacy, made it quite intimate. “If you get uncomfortable, will you tell me?”

The very last thing Wangji wanted to do was frighten Wei Ying with this. His love for the man had only grown, and his fiercely protective side was getting harder and harder to contain at times. The urge to pick his omega up and carry him to the bed was intense.

“We’ve slept together every night for days now, Lan Zhan. I won’t be uncomfortable, but I promise I’ll tell you if I’m upset.” he looked around at the space curiously.

There was a small fireplace along the left side of the room. The right had full floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out over the back gardens and pond. The large bed also sat off to the right side of the room, opposite the fireplace. A cozy looking sofa divided the room, facing the fireplace with a low table in front of it that held notes and books neatly arranged on the surface. The two doors at the back of the bedroom led to a large ensuite bathroom, complete with a walk-in shower and a huge jetted tub, and a walk-in closet. It was comfortable if a bit sparse in personal touches.

Wei Ying tried to stifle a yawn and walked over to the big bed.

“I like your room.” he mumbled, crawling under the covers before looking up at Lan Wangji.

All he wanted to do was climb on top of Wei Ying and pin him to his bed and make him boneless with pleasure for hours on end. Lan Wangji desperately wanted his omega.

Wei Ying patted the mattress and pulled the blankets back in invitation for him to join and Lan Wangji swallowed the groan of desire as he climbed in and pulled the smaller man into his side.

“Sleep, Wei Ying.” He couldn’t help pressing a kiss to the top of his head though. Nor could he stop himself from tracing his hand up and down Wei Ying’s spine.

It seemed to please Wei Ying and he nestled into the embrace, sighing softly as his eyes drifted shut. “Mmn, so warm. Never have nightmares when I’m with you.” 

Those words were both a joy to hear while also making Wangji feel a pang of sorrow. How often did Wei Ying have nightmares?

“You can sleep here whenever you want.” he promised, praying that it would be all the time from now on.

Had their relationship progressed enough to talk about how much he cared for Wei Ying? He sighed softly as Wei Ying’s arms wrapped around him, hugging him close. They naturally fit together and as soon as he was comfortable, Wei Ying succumbed to sleep.

They could talk about it in the morning. 

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

“If we crush the foundation too much, there won’t be reason to salvage any of it.” 

“Mn. Something should be left for Wei Ying.” Lan Wangji replied, back in his office for the first time since Wei Ying’s hospital scare. 

He sat across from Xichen at his desk, and they were going through papers that had been neatly organized in piles. It was all the information pertaining to Lotus Enterprises and the Jiang family. A lot of interesting details had come to light once they’d hired the services of Nie Huaisang. The man was quite resourceful in uncovering truths and finding information; especially when it came to the dirty laundry of the upper echelons of society. 

Wangji had reservations about hiring Huaisang, but he was the brother to Xichen’s long-time friend and confidant, so he had relented. It was a good thing he had. Huaisang had discovered a lot of incriminating details about the Jiang family and their current financial situation. To say the Jiangs lived above their means was an understatement. They were in heavy debt to Qishan Industries and had been for over a decade now.

If it wasn’t for the debt, the Jiangs would be thriving in the current market. There were plenty of start-up businesses that were continually shutting down due to the economic strain of operation. It was just the kind of thing Lotus Enterprises specialized in absorbing and turning a profit on. However, almost the entire revenue stream from Yu Ziyuan and Jiang Fengmian’s shares were going toward paying the Wens. 

There were overdue fees in various clubs and venues that showed the strain on their finances. It was also apparent that the Jiang children knew nothing about it, nor did the other shareholders of Lotus Enterprises. Quarterly reports showed the full profit and prosperity for the company. The shareholders were not feeling the pinch. It was only Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan who’d personally staked their own shares as collateral against their debts.

Even more disturbing was how little information they found on what the reason was for this situation. The only thing the brothers could find that coincided with the start of those payments, and subsequent financial strain, was the arrival of Wei Ying in the Jiang household. That, at best, was a loose connection as the first debt payment had occurred nearly a year before they’d filed adoption papers.

Xichen frowned, tapping at the keys on his laptop. His eyes shot up to look warily at Wangji then back to whatever he’d found. Huaisang had somehow managed to supply audio files that went along with buried police reports of domestic disturbances at the Jiang residence. Xichen had been meticulously going through them, claiming it would be best if he listened first to ensure Wangji did not lose his temper for no reason. He had an earbud in one ear to listen while they discussed the situation. Whatever he was hearing had made his lips tighten into a thin line and eyes narrow. 

“Wangji. You need to hear this. It's…” He frowned. “Just listen.”

With a few keystrokes, the laptop began to play a recording without feeding through Xichen’s earbud. It was an emergency services call and the operator repeatedly asked if someone was there. Little whimpers and gasps could be heard in the silence between every inquiry. Then all the sudden, a frightened child’s voice hissed through the speaker. It was so young and unlike how Wei Ying sounded now, yet it was undeniably him.

“Can you help me?” Wei Ying asked, his voice barely audible in the recording.

“Are you stuck?”

“No. I’m hiding!”

“Is someone trying to hurt you? Who are you hiding from?”

“She has a whip, I’m scared.”  

“Who is she? What’s your name sweetie?”

Lan Wangji saw red as he listened to the call. The arms of his chair creaked in protest as he gripped them tightly to keep himself seated. Xichen had a grim expression. 

“He was eight years old when this call was made.” Xichen spoke quietly during one of the gasping little silences in the recording.

They could hear enraged shouting in the background between a man and woman - no doubt that was Jiang Fengmian and his wife Yu Ziyuan.

“She was mad at my shijie, so I broke something.”

“Is your shijie with you?” 

“N-no, they took her away.”

“I have the police coming to help you, where are you hiding?”

“I can’t tell you! She’ll find me!” The urgency in his whispered response gutted Wangji. “Hurry, I think she’ll really kill me this time.”

“It’s ok, the police are almost there. Stay on the phone with me, sweetie. Tell me your name.”

“Wei Ying.”

“Who is the woman, Wei Ying?”

“Auntie Yu. She’s mad. I broke her cups!”

“Wei Ying, I want to tell the police where you are so they can get you.”

“No! No, they help her! Can you get my mama?”

The shouts suddenly got louder in the recording and then there was a yelp and static as the phone was dropped or thrown. Wei Ying’s shrill cry of fright froze the blood in Lan Wangji’s veins. The recording stopped abruptly and he looked wildly over at his brother in the silence that stretched. They both said nothing and just absorbed what they’d heard.

Lan Wangji's gut twisted with sickening horror. He couldn’t stand it, he needed to hear Wei Ying’s voice. Without a word to Xichen, he grabbed his phone and hit the call button. It rang once, twice, three times and then a breathless voice answered. 

“Aiyo! Sorry, Lan Zhan! I swear, I had to rush across the house to get my phone! What’s up?” That sweet voice that thrilled Wangji every time he heard it soothed his frayed nerves and he let out a slow breath. “Lan Zhan?”

“Mn. You should not rush, Wei Ying.” He cleared his tight throat to keep the strain from reverberating in his words. “Have you made lunch?”

“Gege, are you calling me to make sure I’ve eaten?” Warmth and that amused teasing voice calmed Wangji's quiet terror, and the tips of his ears colored pink. 

“I am. You took your medication?” He just needed to hear a little more. Fortunately, Xichen seemed to understand and had gone back to reading on his computer. He scribbled down a few notes passing the slip of paper to Wangji with the date of the recording they'd listened to.

“I did, along with the juice you left me. I also had some of the stir fry that was left over last night. I promise I’ve eaten and I’m not throwing it back up.” There was a pause and then, slightly hesitant, Wei Ying continued. “Will you be home for dinner?”

“Yes. I can bring something home, you do not need to cook.”

“Lan Zhan! I’m perfectly capable of cooking. I’m going crazy! I’ve started naming the koi!”

“Are the names food related?” Having such a relaxing conversation with Wei Ying was beyond comforting right now.

On the other end of the line Wei Ying snorted with a laugh. “No, they’re much better. The yellow one is Goldie, the orange is Copper, I named the spotted one Spot.”

He rattled off a few other names and another whisper of a smile teased across Lan Wangji’s face. They talked idly for a few minutes more before he finally said his goodbyes and hung up. Xichen was staring at him with a big grin.

“Does A-Xian know how you feel about him yet?” 

This killed Wangji's happy look, replacing it with his usual stoic mask. “No.”

“I see. You two should discuss it.” Wangji’s scowl made Xichen hold up his hands in surrender. “He may share your feelings, Wangji. You won’t know until you talk.”

“We have work to do.” It was a brusque change of subject and they both let the matter go. 

Truth be told, Lan Wangji feared Wei Ying would reject him if they spoke of feelings. Their relationship was just too new to talk of being irrevocably in love with a man he’d known for a handful of weeks. Wangji would win Wei Ying’s heart over time, he didn’t want to scare him off.

The emergency recording haunted his thoughts as Wangji began reading through the financial records to try and find clues there. Personal payments to Wen Rohan and various other names appeared a mere day after the phone call Wei Ying had made as an eight year old boy. The amounts were identical to names he did not recognize. Were they to buy the silence of the officers involved? Regular payments were made to Wen Rohan monthly, but this was an additional payment for a greater sum. Had the Wens been involved in the cover up as well? Perhaps it was to buy their silence, but how would they know of the incident? There were no notes as to what the payments were for and it would be dangerous to assume too much.

“How did Nie Huaisang find all of this?” The evidence they had was certainly enough to put both Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan behind bars for assault and child abuse. There was likely enough here to have them arrested for much more, they just had to understand what they were looking at.

“I don’t know. I have learned it's best not to ask sometimes.” Xichen replied absently. “The Jiang couple have gotten adept at protecting their reputation through any means. It does seem like their children haven’t been aware of a lot of it.”

Lan Wangji nodded in agreement. It also did not make sense to rescue a child from the foster system only to torment and abuse him. Wei Ying’s parents had been close friends of Jiang Fengmian. A car accident had taken their lives suddenly. The official report listed speed and alcohol as contributing factors to the crash. Interestingly, the reporting officer’s badge number was identical to the one that had handled the domestic disturbance call they’d just listened to. Lan Wangji frowned.

“Can he get information about Wen Rohan?"

“Most likely. What are you thinking, Wangji?” Xichen paused to look over at his brother curiously.

“The car accident is suspicious.” He didn’t have proof, and it was more of a gut feeling. “It could link the Wens to the Jiangs.”

“I’ll inquire, discreetly. Investigating Wen Rohan is going to catch attention.” Xichen replied, tapping out a text message on his phone.

Lan Wangji wanted to face these people directly, but it was too soon to do so from a business standpoint. He’d started causing trouble for Lotus Enterprises early on. The moment Wei Ying had told him about the company, Lan Wangji had started to quietly approach minor shareholders with the offer to buy them out. His offer was generous and enticing. The only condition was their absolute silence. His long-term goal was a hostile takeover at the right moment.

Wangji knew it had alarmed Yu Ziyuan and Jiang Fengmian. He assumed their late night office excursions had been dedicated to trying to uncover who was buying out their shareholders and which ones had actually sold. Wangji had named Wei Ying owner of those shares, wholly anticipating that they would eventually uncover the information. He perversely wanted the Jiangs to realize that the adopted son they had abused was the person taking their company from them. It had to be timed right, though, to protect Wei Ying.

He planned to not have them realize the gravity of the situation until they had enough leverage to remove the pair from their own company. This was a gift for his omega. He would give him an entire company - one that he could remodel as he saw fit, or dismantle if he so desired. Lan Wangji was going to let Wei Ying get his revenge personally by taking away what the Jiangs valued most - their wealth, their status, livelihoods, company, and even their home if he so desired. 

Originally, he had wanted to then serve both Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan up to the authorities to face punishment for their crimes with no money or people to rescue them. They would rot in prison for the rest of their lives. Now he was seriously considering murder and if it would be better to just remove them from the world entirely. They’d hurt Wei Ying many times, over many years.

They’d hurt his mate. He would make them pay.

“There is a charity gala this weekend, is there not?” He casually brought up the topic, but it made Xichen pause and look over at Wangji warily. 

“Yes. Are you thinking of attending?”

Lan Wangji needed to see the faces of Wei Ying’s tormentors in person. Maybe it would help him understand why they’d treated Wei Ying the way they had. He gave a small nod. “The Jiangs do not miss these kinds of functions?”

“Wangji…” Xichen groaned in warning.

“I will not do anything foolish, I just want to see them.”

His brother did not answer right away, frowning as he tried to gauge how serious Wangji was about this. “All of the major clans attend the gala every year, including the Jiangs.” 

Lan Xichen began mentally planning on contingencies in case Wangji let his overprotective nature and sense of justice take hold. It would be more difficult to enact a hostile takeover of Lotus Enterprises if the Jiangs knew who was behind it. He wanted to caution his brother against this, yet he was just as keen to see justice delivered after he’d personally witnessed the conditions both A-Xian and Jiang Yanli had been subjected to.

Xichen still inwardly cringed when he recalled the grief stricken appearance of that lovely young woman during the unpleasant confrontation in the drive of her home. He also vividly remembered how she had asked him to not go directly to the gates of Lotus Pier when he’d taken her home from the hospital. She clearly feared causing another scene with her parents and brother. Jiang Yanli was definitely a kind hearted soul who was caught in the middle of a very difficult situation. At least the promise of a marriage between her and Jin Zixuan would get her out of that house.

Was the Jin household any better though? 

From what Lan Xichen knew of Jiang Yanli’s fiancé, Jin Zixuan maintained the reputation of a good and honorable sort of individual, if a bit entitled. He was a little too passive at times for Xichen’s tastes, and no matter how good Jin Zixuan seemed, there were more people Yanli would be exposed to there that were not as kind. Jin Guangshan, the patriarch of the Jin family, had a reputation as a lecherous sort with very few scruples. Now that Xichen had properly spoken with Jiang Yanli, he was hesitant to expose her to that kind of environment, especially after all she’d gone through in her own home life. 

With a shake of his head, he tried to banish thoughts of Wei Wuxian’s sister so he could focus. Xichen bent to the task of sifting through the information they’d already garnered about Lotus Enterprises with a renewed sense of purpose. The task at hand would benefit both omegas so long as they kept considering Yanli a victim and not someone who had been complicit in all that had happened. He knew she wasn't to blame. Yanli had as much fear from her parents as Wei Wuxian seemed to. He wanted to protect both of them just as badly as Wangji did.

"We need to be careful, Wangji. There are people who could get hurt if we publicly cause issues."

"I know. We will be careful."

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

The end of the week saw Wei Wuxian groaning in frustration and rolling about the floor in the entry of the Jingshi. He loved the atrium garden and watching the fish as they swam lazily about. The koi were meandering about their little shallow pool that disappeared beneath the steps. He’d discovered it connected to the pond outside. The fish liked the warmer water inside the Jingshi, so they were almost always there keeping Wei Wuxian company.

He still hadn’t talked to Lan Wangji about that morning in the hospital! Not only that, but they were now sleeping together every single night. It wasn’t even a question anymore. When Lan Wangji went to bed at the horridly early hour of nine in the evening, Wei Wuxian would beg off saying he was going to read, or draw, or stare at the sky. He had too much energy to sleep that early since he barely did anything at all during the day.

Lan Wangji would say good night, and Wei Wuxian would return the platitude. There would be a moment where Wangji looked like he was torn between going and staying, then it would pass and he’d go upstairs to bed. Wei Wuxian would then creep to the foot of the stairs listening to Lan Wangji move around his room for a little while until it got quiet and there was nothing for him to do except read, or draw, or stare at the sky!

It was so frustrating!

Wei Wuxian’s own bedtime routine shifted from immediately stripping down to his boxers and flopping into his nest, to consciously cleaning up with the anticipation of sleeping in Lan Wangji’s room. He would change into comfortable sleepwear, glare balefully at the ‘not quite right’ nest, then walk down the hall to slip through the door. Every time, Wei Wuxian would quietly climb into bed next to his alpha and sigh in relief as that warmth and soothing scent of sandalwood wrapped around him comfortingly. 

Lan Wangji didn’t protest and just sleepily hugged him close. Wei Wuxian particularly enjoyed that bit, falling asleep with a smile on his lips every night. It just felt so right and natural to be there. When he woke in the morning, Lan Wangji was already gone as the alpha woke up at the crack of dawn. When Wei Wuxian finally made it down to the kitchen, he would find breakfast waiting for him. It was all very domestic.

This was also something they had absolutely not talked about. They really should though, right? Clearly there’d been a shift in the relationship. They were sleeping together! Fine, it wasn’t sexy sleeping, but it was still cohabiting in the same damn bed. Wei Wuxian felt more comfortable and safe in Lan Wangji’s arms than he did in his own nest in the other room.

They needed to talk about it. 

He had it all planned out. As soon as Lan Wangji came home, he’d just demand his attention and blurt the words ‘I like you’ at his alpha. Lan Wangji wouldn’t be able to hide in the gym or with whatever project he was doing with his brother and they could just figure it all out. He would pin the man if he had to. Could he pin Lan Wangji? It’d be fun to try.

“Gahh! I can’t even plan talking without getting horny now!” His shout was rather loud, not that it mattered. From what he could tell, Lan Wangji lived in the most remote part of the entire Lan estate. 

A throat cleared by the door to the Jingshi. How in the hell had he not heard the car pulling up? Why was Lan Wangji home already? Wasn’t it early? Wei Wuxian slowly lifted his head to look, about to grin it off and tease Lan Wangji about being a fuddy-duddy when he realized it was -not- his alpha. 

What the fuck!? Who’s this?!

An elderly man stood in the doorway, his expression pinched and surly. He had a neatly cropped goatee that gave him an air of wisdom while also demanding respect somehow. His hair was dark and trimmed with a bit of grey gathering at the temples. 

This didn’t make the stranger look old by any stretch of the imagination, and if Wei Wuxian had to describe it, he’d say it made the stranger look dignified. The family resemblance to Lan Wangji, however, was wildly apparent and the glint of a silver necklace prominently displayed over his clean and neatly pressed shirt was exactly the same as Wangji’s.

“Uhh! Hello?” Wei Wuxian got to his feet quickly, standing awkwardly while he stared.

The elder Lan frowned then seemed to force himself to smooth out his expression to look less cranky. “I knocked. It sounded like you’d hurt yourself. I was concerned.”

Wei Wuxian had to think back to what had been going on just before the man appeared. Ok, so he might have been getting a little loud grousing about his frustrations. The koi listened so well though! Rubbing the back of his neck, he had the sense to be embarrassed and gave his best sheepish grin.

“Sorry about that, I’ve had a lot on my mind lately. I didn’t hear you knock.” He hesitated and looked around, not sure how to proceed. “Lan Zhan’s still at work, were you coming to find him?”

The visitor shook his head and folded his arms. “I came here to meet you. Is this a bad time?” He might have looked a little cantankerous, but the man wasn’t yelling nor was he accusing Wei Wuxian of any wrongdoing yet.

It was someone new, and Wei Wuxian was starved for something new! “Come in! Do you like tea? Lan Zhan has tons of that, I’m guessing you know that though? Oh! I’m Wei Wuxian, but if you knew I was here, I’m guessing you’ve heard of me already.” 

An unexpected chuckle escaped the elder Lan, “Wangji is fond of tea, yes. It is a pleasure to meet you, Wei Wuxian. I am Wangji’s uncle, Lan Qiren.” 

Swallowing nervously, Wei Wuxian put on his best winning smile and waved the man in somewhat energetically. “Right! Lan Zhan mentions you often.”

It was a little white lie. 

Lan Wangji had mentioned his uncle, but he rarely spoke of his family. This was probably all by design of course. It was like his alpha was determined to not overwhelm Wei Wuxian. It’d be awful to say he knew nothing about his family right? Keeping it vague was the way to go!

“That is…unexpected.” Replied the older man.

He had slipped out of his shoes and into a pair of slippers before following Wei Wuxian into the kitchen. There was a light scent of cloves and cedar around the senior. It was pleasant enough, not as comforting as the sandalwood Wei Wuxian favored, but still pretty nice.

“Well, you know Lan Zhan.” Wei Wuxian hedged. “He’s said your name a few times…” 

“Mn. That sounds more believable.” Lan Qiren looked amused as he sat down calmly in one of the tall chairs that lined the outside of the island counter in the middle of the kitchen. 

Wei Wuxian grinned again, filling the electric kettle and turning it on. He stood opposite Lan Wangji’s uncle with a hip casually against the edge of the counter engaging in a weird kind of staring contest. There was a distinct pheromone to all alphas and this man had it in spades. Were all the Lans alphas? Was that even possible?

“So! You wanted to meet me?” Wei Wuxian had limits to how long he could sit there being scrutinized.

“I did. Wangji has been very careful about introducing you, especially after the recent medical scare.” The kettle began bubbling and boiling fast. It was the only thing making noise aside from uncle Lan. Could Wei Wuxian call him uncle Lan out loud? Maybe he should stick to something more formal. 

“He’s very protective of our little Peanut.” Wei Wuxian's grin split wide when he saw the other man’s reaction. It wasn’t just Lan Wangji that didn’t like peanuts!

“I do believe it is not just the baby he is protective of.” He assumed old man Lan was fishing for details about their living arrangement. “You are just as important to him.”

“Well, without me, Peanut won’t survive long I suppose.” He was totally going to keep up the nickname until they agreed on a better one, especially when it garnered such an amusing sour expression every single time!

“Mn.” Had Wei Wuxian just discovered the origin of Lan Wangji’s short and succinct responses?

The electric kettle hissed loudly as the tab popped signifying the water was ready. Wei Wuxian could feel his nerves ticking up a little. Why the hell was the uncle here to see him? 

“Do you have a tea you like?” Fishing out the cups he set them down on the island when Lan Qiren spoke again.

“The one in the silver tin behind you.” There was a pause and Wei Wuxian got the tea leaves and started steeping them. “Does my presence upset you?”

“Ahh?” Wide eyes blinked at the uncle. “No! I mean, I wasn’t expecting company, but I'm not afraid or anything.” Did uncle Lan want him to be afraid?

A look of relief briefly flashed across the older man’s face. “Good. I want to be able to take part in helping. I cannot do that if Wangji thinks I’ll upset you and…Peanut.” 

The fact that Lan Qiren had just acknowledged that the baby’s nickname was indeed Peanut made Wei Wuxian like him so much more!

“Ha! See! It’s a good nickname! I mean, the doc says Peanut’s now bigger than a peanut, but still! That’s about the size when I realized I was pregnant.” 

Even if Lan Qiren did hold some kind of secret grudge, Wei Wuxian was pretty tickled for the time being. Uncle Lan didn’t seem angry with him - even though he had every right to be. His nephew wouldn’t be saddled with a pregnant omega if it hadn’t been for Wei Wuxian.

“Does it have to be food related?” 

“Lan Zhan said pretty much the same thing.” Wei Wuxian snickered. “Food is easy to remember, and peanuts are cute aren’t they?”

“They get stuck in your throat as well.” Lan Qiren replied dryly, sipping at the tea Wei Wuxian had given him.

This made him pause for a bit and think about it. “So what would be better? Keeping with the food theme, I could go with Potato?”

Lan Qiren frowned. “No. Not a potato.”

This was fun! Wei Wuxian leaned on his elbows now, finger tapping the side of his nose in concentration. “Well if we want to get symbolic here. Something that can grow anywhere would be a good one.” When he saw the furrow between the man’s eyes he straightened up. “I’m recessive, so the whole pregnancy…ah…it’s risky.” 

“Mn, I heard. I was keeping vigil at the hospital when Wangji explained it to the others.” There was no hostility in his words, just facts. Wei Wuxian liked that. He was also floored to know this man had been there.

“Something that can grow anywhere…takes root fast too…” A carrot? No, that sounded dumb. Fruit maybe? No, everyone compared their babies to fruit. He wanted to be different. Dumplings? That was food, but it didn’t necessarily grow, did it?

“Ah! I’ve got it!” He smacked his palm on the counter with his excitement.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

As Lan Wangji walked up to the Jingshi, he heard boisterous laughter from within. It made him smile for a moment. He loved the sound of Wei Ying’s laugh. Eager to see what had made him so happy, he reached out to open the door and paused.

Cloves and cedar teased his senses along with that decidedly alpha tinge. Shufu was here? A jolt of panic seized Lan Wangji’s heart. Why was Shufu here? Did something happen? He shoved the door open in a rush.

“Wei Ying?!” The hum of voices from the direction of the kitchen stopped.

“Lan Zhan! In here!” It was Wei Ying’s voice. It did not sound strained, in fact, it was rather relaxed.

Wangji strode toward the kitchen and entered hurriedly, for him at least. To everyone else, it looked like a brisk walking pace. His face was set in the usual mask, eyes tight with worry, tension radiating through his shoulders and back as he looked at Wei Ying and Shufu sitting at the table in the kitchen nook. They looked like they’d been there a while.

Wei Wuxian hopped up from his seat and scampered over with a grin. “Lan Zhan! Why didn’t you tell me your uncle was so funny?” he asked brightly, casually reaching out to take Wangji’s hand and pull him over to the table to sit down with them.

Funny?

Lan Qiren was many things, funny, however, was not something Wangji often associated with him. His uncle frequently had a serious and rigid countenance. He respected and relied on the man’s wisdom and he cherished the environment that he’d been able to grow up in because of him. Funny did not fit the responsible demeanor Lan Qiren often wore, at least not from Wangji’s perspective.

“As a professor, I’ve learned a few things over the years, Wangji.” Lan Qiren spoke up, saving his nephew from having to respond right away.

“Mn.” This seemed the safest answer Wangji could muster.

“I was pretty hard on my professors back in the day. I bet you would have hated having me in your class.” Wei Wuxian drawled, leaning back in his chair. “I’m betting Lan Zhan was a model student.”

“Indeed! Wangji was even a hall monitor in his younger years. The student body became quite orderly under his care.” Lan Qiren proudly boasted about his nephew. 

Lan Wangji wasn’t entirely sure if he was in the right house. He inhaled slowly, tasting the mood in the room. It was pleasant, light and relaxed. “Shufu, I was not expecting you tonight.”

“I know.” Lan Qiren replied smugly. “I came to meet your Wei Wuxian while you were out. He’s a bright young man, I can see why you protect him so fiercely.”

They’d argued about his uncle coming to visit earlier in the week. Wangji hadn’t been ready to broach the subject after the upsetting dinner with Lan Xichen’s introduction to Wei Ying. It may have been overcautious, especially seeing as how everything currently seemed just fine.

“Oh! Lan Zhan!” Wei Wuxian’s eyes lit up brightly. He was so animated, it made Wangji’s heart skip a beat. “Lan Zhan! I’ve thought of a new name for our baby.” That grin could light up the world.

“Is it still food?” It seemed the obsession with ‘Peanut’ was finally at an end.

“Well, yes, still food, but good food. It’s strong and grows fast. It can grow in even the harshest conditions, it’s a survivor. Got some bite to it too, lots of flavor, tons of depth.” Wei Wuxian paused. “Can you guess what it is?”

“An Onion?”

Wei Wuxian’s cackle was full of glee. “No! Not onions! Lan Zhan, it's a radish! Uncle Lan helped me come up with it.” 

Lan Qiren was sipping his tea at that moment. He did not bristle at being called ‘uncle’ by Wei Ying. In fact he seemed pleased by it. Wangji watched him for as long as he could before a response to the new nickname was absolutely necessary. He did not want to upset Wei Ying by appearing as if he was hesitating. 

His family had accepted Wei Wuxian as one of theirs. It’s what this all meant. That, coupled with the fact that Wei Ying was beyond excited and practically bouncing out of his seat, meant Wangji could not speak against the name. It really did suit the situation in many ways. It spoke of hopes for their future child’s resilience and their ability to not only survive, but thrive as well.

“Radish is a good nickname, Wei Ying.” Lan Wangji poured every ounce of honest sincerity into his words. 

“You like it!? He likes it!” 

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Wei Wuxian let out an appreciative sigh as he crawled into his alpha’s bed. Old man Lan had stayed for dinner, they’d even invited Lan Xichen over. With all three alphas there, the house had smelled amazing with woodsy scents and unique quirks of spice or freshness. It had been quiet and cozy, and the rule about not speaking while eating was finally mentioned. He couldn’t believe the Lans didn’t talk at all and he just had to test the limits of that rule. It had flustered Lan Qiren a few times throughout their dinner.  

The only real benefit to the lifestyle of the Lans was that they all seemed to retire for the night as soon as it was dark out. Wei Wuxian didn’t quite get it, but figured he could have the talk with Lan Wangji once they were gone, except Lan Wangji had also insisted on going to bed. Everything was still in limbo and he was back to crawling into the arms of his alpha to sleep just like had been doing ever since the hospital. 

There was no fixing the nest at this point. Not only did it smell wrong, the room was wrong as well. Nothing was going to be ‘right’ no matter what he did to try and fix it there. He wanted to make it here, with Lan Wangji, in his room. He really wanted to call it their room.

Every ounce of him wanted to poke at Lan Wangji and wake him up, but he also didn’t want to be the guy who got all needy and weird either. Wei Wuxian was pouting about missing a great chance to discuss things, yet he was also thrilled that Radish was now the accepted nickname of his baby. Peanut had been good, but Radish was so much better. 

He was having trouble falling asleep. The need to talk about where the relationship stood had been bugging him. Wei Wuxian began to squirm against Lan Wangji, changing position and trying to get comfy. So what if they hadn’t defined the relationship? He knew that they were in it for the next year or so at least. Even after that, he didn’t think Lan Wangji was the type to steal a baby and kick Wei Wuxian to the curb. 

A huff of air escaped him as he stared at the ceiling. His fingers were drumming against his chest and the fidgeting wasn’t getting any better. His legs felt trapped in the sleeping pants. Would Lan Wangji mind if he slept in his boxers? It wasn’t like he hadn’t seen everything before. It also wasn’t like he’d be naked.

Going with that thought, Wei Wuxian began to squirm and struggle a bit, pulling the pants off his hips and kicking his feet up and down to tug the material off his legs. It was instantly a whole lot better. 

“Are you too warm?”

Wei Wuxian froze. “You’re awake?”

“Mn.” he looked up to see a sleepy pair of eyes squinting down at him.

“Not warm, just…my legs felt stuck.” Turning into Lan Wangji, he nuzzled his face against the man’s chest. “Sorry I woke you.”

Lan Wangji’s hand started sliding up and down Wei Wuxian’s back. It felt good. “You do not have to apologize.”

Well, he was awake now, right? They were alone, it was a good time to have the talk. So why was he chickening out? Did he fear rejection that much? The worst possible thing that could happen would be to get turned down. Lan Wangji wouldn’t throw him out, it would just be really awkward for a while. Did he want to mess with how things were? Could he live with things staying undefined and not quite a relationship while doing all the things you did in a relationship? Why was this so confusing?!

“Lan Zhan. I know you took me in because you felt responsible.” He couldn’t look up at him so his words were mumbled into his alpha's chest. “I’ve been doing my best to respect that, really. It’s just…” The hand on his back stopped moving. 

God! This was a bad idea!

“Sleep, Wei Ying. It is late.” Those long fingers began sliding up and down Wei Wuxian’s spine again and the warm earthy scent of sandalwood started lulling him to sleep.

He’s right. We can talk after we sleep.

Wei Wuxian was disappointed that he didn’t have the courage to just spit it out and ask. When he thought about it honestly though, he didn’t want to have his little world shattered by whatever reply he got. Instead, Lan Wangji had given him a little more time to enjoy the fantasy of their unspoken relationship. 

Tomorrow they could talk.

Then everything would be painfully exposed as just a good arrangement while he was carrying Radish. Once their baby was here and safe, they’d either learn to co-parent or he’d move out and they’d be like any other set of people with an unexpected kid binding them oddly together. Maybe that was for the best.

The caress along his back was so very comforting. It gave him a sense of security and a warm feeling of belonging that he so desperately craved. Wei Wuxian was tired from stressing about the whole thing all afternoon. Stress wasn’t good for Radish, he had to just relax and let it go for now. Tomorrow would be here soon enough. Mollified by this justification, he settled down and hummed softly. 

“Sweet dreams, Lan Zhan.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Lan Wangji was still very much awake when Wei Ying finally succumbed to sleep. Once his breathing had evened out, and his body had relaxed into Wangji’s side, he knew it would take a lot to wake his beautiful omega. Wei Ying was a very deep sleeper, he just had to get to the point of actually sleeping. His hand continued stroking slowly up and down his omega’s back. 

“Wei Ying?” There was no response aside from a petulant mumble and warm body nestling more on top of him than it had been before.

Wrapping his arms around the most precious person in the world, Lan Wangji pulled him up until Wei Ying was fully draped on top of him. The warm breaths against his neck made him feel genuine contentment and he turned his head to kiss his omega’s temple. 

“It is not just the baby. I love you, Wei Ying.” Silence answered him and the ghost of a smile played at the corners of Wangji’s lips.

He wanted very much to confess while Wei Ying was awake, but fears and doubts prevented Lan Wangji from doing so. Wei Ying still saw this arrangement as the best possible course for their child. Wangji had panicked when Wei Ying started to speak hesitantly about their living situation. If he’d let him continue, would Wei Ying have told him he wanted to leave? Would he blame him for the things that had happened? Wangji couldn’t risk it, so he’d stopped it and distracted Wei Ying just long enough to get him to fall asleep.

Lan Wangji had to do better. He had to prove his worth to Wei Ying and win his heart. As one-sided as his love was for the omega, Wangji ached to have it reciprocated. He wasn’t the best with words and expressing his feelings. Comforted by his love’s presence and weight upon him, Wangji slowly drifted back to sleep. His last truly coherent thought was how he would do anything to have that love reciprocated someday.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Jiang Cheng looked mournfully at his sister as she lay atop the blankets in her room. The hint of welts on her back could be seen through the light shirt she wore and it made him cringe. Yanli hadn’t done anything awful, certainly nothing to deserve this. It was Wei Wuxian’s fault. It was always his fault!

“Jiejie…” She flinched, turning her head to look his way. A smile warmed her face, even though he could tell she was in pain and had been crying.

“A-Cheng, you shouldn’t be here.” her cautioning was so out of place. Was she still trying to protect him?

“What happened?” He wanted to hear it from her. His sister had never lied to him, and mother’s angry words had been chilling. How had mother found out about the Lans?

“I left my phone on the counter and she saw a text from Lan Xichen.” Her eyes drifted to the door of her spacious room then focused back on Jiang Cheng. “A-Cheng, she’s very upset. You shouldn’t be here.”

He couldn't see any blood, just angry welts that would hopefully fade soon enough. He’d experienced them only a couple times before. It was a hard lesson, but usually it had a purpose. Getting a text message, even from that asshole, didn’t seem like it deserved this kind of response.

“What did it say, Yanli?” Jiang Cheng’s fury simmered just beneath the surface, and he ignored her warning about being in her bedroom.

She sighed softly. “A-Cheng, there is only one thing I’ve spoken about with Lan Xichen.” He just stared at her waiting to hear it. “It was about A-Xian.”

He knew it! He knew this was all Wei Wuxian’s fault! Jiang Cheng swore, pacing the length of his sister’s room cursing his adopted brother. He was beyond hearing her words. Mother had told him Yanli was being a traitorous daughter. That she was letting hormones ruin her good name and jeopardizing everything. Then she’d started to curse Wei Wuxian’s name again and Jiang Cheng had just blamed his brother instantly.

Was he in the wrong here though? Was it really something Jiang Cheng could blame on Wei Wuxian? He wasn’t even here. But that’s the whole point! If he’d been here, HE would have been the one nursing his back, not Yanli!

It took a few minutes for the reality of that thought to really settle in. 

Wei Wuxian would have stepped in. He would have done something to take the fire of his mother’s anger. He would have protected his shijie - unlike Jiang Cheng. Horrified with his sudden understanding, he spun around and looked at his sister seriously. A minute later, he was grabbing a bag off the hook behind her door and yanking drawers open, stuffing whatever was inside into it.

“A-Cheng, what are you doing?”

“You can’t stay here. It’s not safe.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Chapter Text

Wei Wuxian was nestled in a makeshift ‘nest’ next to the koi pool in the Jingshi’s entry garden. He liked this spot quite a bit; it was a taste of the outdoors in the comfort and warmth of the house. This cozy space was filled with a collection of pillows and small throw blankets that he had collected from his room’s ‘not quite right’ nest. Down here, however, everything seemed better. 

It wasn’t private, sure, but this was just a favored chill place and Wei Wuxian genuinely considered the entire Jingshi safe - it was his home after all. Tonight, he was practicing his dizi while sitting on the floor amidst his chaos. The koi were particularly attracted to Wei Wuxian’s music, which amused the hell out of him. They were also great little companions that flashed lazily about the water as they swam. The winter weather helped to attract the fish into the warmth of the Jingshi’s entry garden as well since it was much warmer than outside, yet it still added to his belief that they were musically inclined fish.

“I’m gonna write a song for you guys.” Wei Wuxian declared after he paused in his playing. One of the koi swished near the surface, splashing water. “Oh! I see you’re excited about it!”

“Who is excited?” Lan Wangji’s voice did special things to Wei Wuxian’s insides and he grinned, craning his head back to look up the stairs as his favorite person was descending them.

“I’m gonna compose a song for the koi, Lan Zhan! We can play it - wow!” Wei Wuxian was wholly distracted by the sight that greeted him.

He was used to looking at the Adonis that was his roommate, sure. Tonight, though, Wangji was dressed to the fucking nines and he looked hotter than all hell. It made Wei Wuxian literally ache needily at how handsome Lan Wangji looked. His hair was glossy black and swept stylishly away from his face with a few stubborn errant strands teasing his brow and temples. It licked behind his ears and down the nape of his neck - it was starting to get a little long.

He was in a classical tang suit, the billowy pants were white and the long thigh-length jacket was just as white. The frog buttons were silver with white cording and they went all the way down the front of the smartly tailored cloth. The hems were embroidered with silver, and a shimmering white and blue thread was used to mimic a cloud pattern which was just gorgeous to look at. The shoulders of the suit also had a shimmering effect to it and he saw more white thread embroidered as clouds, spreading out from the edges of the buttoned front.

On top of all that, there was a translucent knee-length cover that draped down in a cool light blue that matched the shade of a winter sky and was literally one hue away from being a greyish blue-white. It had silver and shimmering thread along the bottoms to mimic the cloud pattern as well. The whole effect made it look like Wangji was wading through mist that danced around him constantly. 

The silver Lan pendant wasn’t hidden under his clothes today either, Wangji wore it proudly atop the tang suit jacket so it stood out. Wei Wuxian’s fingers itched to trace the patterns on that pendant. The whole thing made the perfect jade of his skin glow beautifully, highlighting the classical angles of his jaw, nose and high cheekbones. Wangji might have had a stoic expression, but his golden eyes were striking, especially in formal attire as they affixed on Wei Wuxian.

Compared to this god of a man, Wei Wuxian felt pretty frumpy. He was in sweats and a comfy long sleeved shirt that matched. It was warm and cozy in deep greys with red and black words that said “Hug me!” across his chest. His long hair was barely tamed into a ponytail and held back by a red tie and sheet music was strewn about his lap and cushions of the nest haphazardly while his dizi was held in slack hands.

“Holy shit, Lan Zhan! Where are you going? Was I supposed to get changed?” He asked, self conscious all of a sudden.

Lan Wangji actually fucking smiled! 

It was a little thing really, ghosting at the corners of his mouth and softening his eyes. The smile only lasted a second, but it was sinfully wicked and Wei Wuxian’s heart did seven backflips - he counted - in his chest in rapid succession. That smile was lethal. Thought vacated his head as he stared at his gorgeous alpha, mouth hanging open in utter shock.

“I must attend a gala banquet. I did not think you would want to go.” Lan Wangji’s voice was an intimate caress against Wei Wuxian’s senses. It really wasn’t fair.

“Aiyo! Why would you think that!?” Scrambling to his feet, he left his dizi on the cushions and fumbled his way past all the strewn pages to get closer to this god amongst mortals. 

“It will have all the major families in attendance.” The answer was simple and the part about the Jiangs being there didn’t have to be said out loud for Wei Wuxian to understand.

“Madam Yu and Uncle Jiang will be there?”

“Mn.” That short answer said so much.

Wei Wuxian chewed on his lip, it seemed to distract Lan Wangji as his molten gaze fixated on the action. He liked that he could do that to Lan Wangji. He’d been paying attention ever since their return from the hospital and it was obvious, to him at least; unless of course he was imagining it, which was possible. Maybe his big alpha had a thing for him?

In Wei Wuxian’s fantasy world, Lan Wangji was head over heels for him. He’d decided it after waking up in the big bed of Wangji’s room that first night back in the Jingshi. Every time he tried to bring life to his fantasy and make it a reality with a good rational discussion about feelings, however, Wei Wuxian would chicken out. It didn’t help when the object of his desire would often change the topic right around that moment too. The whole having feelings thing felt very one-sided when he looked at how they both tended to avoid talking about it.

“Is this because you don’t want me to get upset?” 

“Wei Ying, the doctor..” 

Wei Wuxian snorted and rolled his eyes. “Lan Zhan! I’m not made of glass! I can still do things. Do you know how lonely it gets when you’re away?” He inwardly winced as he realized he sounded like he was complaining. Lan Wangji had done so much for him, it wasn’t right or fair to blame the man for his boredom.

“I did not want to put you in an uncomfortable position, Wei Ying.” Lan Wangji gently replied. “I know you have reservations about your family.”

He wasn’t wrong about that. The way things had been left with uncle Jiang and madam Yu were not good. Jiang Cheng was still fuming mad at him for all he knew too - his brother hadn’t visited him at the hospital at all. The only one who he was really fine with was his shijie, but it seemed they were always more on the same page. She cared for him and he adored her and did his best to protect and care for her in return. She was his only sister after all; adopted or not, he felt like Yanli and even Jiang Cheng were his true siblings.

“Well…they can’t do much in a public place like a party, right?” his fingers fidgeted with the hem of his shirt to stop himself from molesting the man in front of him. Was that blue overcoat thing silk? It looked soft. Did his muscles feel just as good covered up in that suit as they did while they were cuddling in bed? How long would it take to unbutton that jacket? Was he wearing a shirt under it? Would he let Wei Wuxian find out?

“Even if they try, I will not let them near you.” Wangji spoke with absolute conviction.

Sexy didn’t even come close to describing what Wei Wuxian thought of that declaration. He was already imagining a fun little strip tease while undressing his alpha, so those words just added to the fantasy and he felt his dick twitch in his sweats. Fuck. How did he do that?! 

“Then I can go too? I mean I need to change!” Wei Wuxian didn’t even own a suit as fancy as Wangji’s but surely to god he could find something presentable, couldn’t he?

Lan Wangji looked troubled, the corners of his eyes slanting in the barest hint of a scowl were enough of a hint to point out his thoughts. His gaze traveled down Wei Wuxian’s body and he reached out with a big hand and put it over his belly where their little Radish was. Wei Wuxian had to bite back a whimper of delight at being touched like that.

“You are supposed to be resting.” He could hear the hesitation, Wangji would buckle to his demands if he pushed just a little more.

“Lan Zhan, it’s just a banquet. I won’t do anything wild, I’ll eat all the food you pick for me too, and I won’t even think about the wine you’ll drink for me. We will stay on the opposite end of the entire hall from uncle Jiang and madam Yu, and ignore them completely!” He held up his hand, three fingers pressed together making his solemn promise. “Please? I really want to come with you. Besides, Goldie has been eying me like he wants to drown me.”

Only Wei Wuxian would use a koi as an excuse to get out of the house. It worked though, he could see Lan Wangji’s resolve crumble. Elation soared through Wei Wuxian as his alpha nodded. “There will be no alcohol at all, Wei Ying.” 

“You’re the best, Lan Zhan! I promise! You won’t even know I’m there!” he spun about and started to skip toward the stairs and paused on the first step. “Uhhh how much time do I have to get ready?”

Lan Wangji’s focus was still on him and that ghostly sexy smile stole his breath for the second time in less than fifteen minutes! “As long as you need.”

“Right! I just need to shower…” And find something to wear that wouldn’t embarrass him standing next to the man of his dreams in all that finery. 

Dashing up the stairs, Wei Wuxian thought he heard the silken sound of a laugh behind him.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Lan Wangji had reservations about bringing Wei Ying with him to the gala. His sole purpose in going himself was to look the Jiangs in the eye and see what the face of real evil actually looked like. He’d arranged to meet Lan Xichen there, and knew his brother would be waiting. Texting him briefly to explain, Wangji tucked his phone away and surveyed the entryway. 

The mass of cushions and blankets were like a whirlwind of contained mayhem in the midst of his tidy life. He rather liked it. Wangji could hear the shower running upstairs and imagined the soft slick skin of his omega under the spray of hot water. He desperately wanted to help Wei Ying wash, causing his thoughts to take a decidedly shameless turn imagining the soapy glide of fingers on wet flesh. 

To distract himself, Lan Wangji moved over to Wei Wuxian’s whirlwind of cushions and began to neatly arrange the sheet music into a tidy pile. Perhaps he should get a small table for the space, or a little bookshelf. There was room for it. He picked up the dark black flute with its captivating swirling patterns carved along it. Up close, he could see faint red lines in the base of those etched marks someone had painstakingly traced with scarlet ink to accentuate the marks. 

It was uniquely Wei Wuxian’s and it even smelled like him. This was a possession he truly cherished and had spent inordinate amounts of time with. It needed a special place, a home of its own within the Jingshi. Perhaps next to Wangji’s guqin? He considered how he could write a duet piece for the song he’d been crafting for Wei Wuxian. Maybe they could play it together in the future.

It took only a few minutes to tidy up. He wisely did not adjust any of the pillows or blankets, understanding that an omega’s nest was his own personal sanctuary. It was intriguing that it’d ended up here in the foyer of the house though. Was this where his omega felt the safest? Wangji wondered if Wei Ying would ever try to nest in their room like this. He had imagined it a couple of times now, ever since they’d started to sleep together.

He had made room in his closet in anticipation of gradually migrating Wei Ying’s things there since the spare room hadn’t been used for days now. Yet, he hadn’t been able to broach the subject. Would it snap them out of whatever fantasy they were living in? Ever since the scare at the hospital, Wangji had been hoping to show Wei Ying his devotion. He denied his omega nothing and let him do as he pleased, provided Wei Ying didn’t ignore his own health any longer.

The only thing that was in the way of them being in a genuine relationship was this belief Wei Ying clung desperately to that Wangji’s actions were all out of obligation and responsibility. Lan Wangji was at a loss as to how to talk about it and explain his feelings. Every time they almost did, he backed away from it. He was unwilling to face rejection from the man he loved. Instead, Lan Wangji wanted to show Wei Ying depth of his feelings and love for him through his actions.

He thought it was working. They were together more often than they were apart. Granted, he feared leaving Wei Ying alone for too long. What if he came home and found him hurt, or worse?

Before Wangji’s thoughts could darken his mood, he set the dizi down gently atop one of the cushions nearest the pile of music and sighed. How he longed to have Wei Ying as his own, to claim him properly, to marry him. He wanted it with all the fiber of his being. 

“Lan Zhan?!” Wangji looked up the stairs, pulled from his pining at the sound of Wei Ying’s shout. 

Taking to the stairs, he started to climb them immediately. “I am here.” he called loudly enough for his voice to carry, his heart was racing just a little. Did he forget a towel?

“Don’t laugh, Lan Zhan, but I need your help!” Lan Wangji quickened his pace and approached the door to Wei Ying’s barely used room. 

“What is wrong, Wei Ying?” He waited outside the door, though it was killing him to do so.

It was flung wide open and there stood Wei Ying, skin flush and warm from his shower, hair wet and clinging to his neck and dripping down his back. Droplets of water slid along his chest, teasing Lan Wangji as they disappeared beneath the soft towel wrapped around his omega’s waist. Lan Wangji wanted to be that towel very much at that moment.

“I don’t know what to wear!” Lamented Wei Ying as he paced away from the door to the clothes strewn over the neatly made bed. 

There were only fragments of what might have been nesting materials in here and none of it was put together. Was this room not comfortable at all? Did he not feel safe here? Wangji worried about it, but the sight of Wei Ying pacing distracted him. The towel had slipped a little, exposing his tattooed hip and the dimples above the slope of his ass. There had been many dreams about those dimples. He wanted to taste them with his tongue until Wei Ying was begging for more.

“I don’t have a fancy suit like yours, mine is old and look! It has a hole!” Wei Ying’s whine caught his attention and he looked up, the lobes of his ears scarlet from being caught daydreaming like that.

Wei Ying was holding up a tang suit jacket that was all one shade of black. There were no defining elements to it at all and he was poking his finger through a hole in the elbow of one of the sleeves. Wangji could see the distress plastered all over that freshly washed beautiful face and he came closer to inspect the garment.

“Are the pants presentable?” Was the desire leaking into his voice? He sounded gruff.

“I think so….” Wei Ying spun around to the bed, which had become a dumping ground for clean clothes, and rummaged around. 

Bent over like that, Wangji’s fingers ached to grab Wei Ying’s hips and grind against his ripe ass. He had to force himself to remain still and not act on impulse. Wei Ying finally straightened up pulling out a pair of soft black pants that matched that tang jacket. They were flat black and a little rumpled from living in chaos on the unused bed.

“Wei Ying.” 

“I know! They’re awful, but that's all I’ve got! Lan Zhan! I don’t want to embarrass you!” He looked wholly upset.

Wangji reached out to cup his cheek with his palm, thumb sliding lightly along his skin. “You are not an embarrassment. Go dry your hair and get ready. I will fix them.”

“What?”

Wangji gave him a patient look until Wei Ying blushed and turned around to head back into his ensuite bathroom to finish getting dried and ready. Having promised to fix things, Wangji left the room with the pants and jacket and walked down to his bedroom. In the walk-in closet he looked around until he found an old deep blue tang suit. It was from his youth, and it was too small for Lan Wangji to wear now. Compared to the size of Wei Ying’s worn out clothes, it looked like it’d fit his omega’s smaller frame perfectly.

He would need to plan a shopping trip for some new outfits to dress Wei Ying in if they were to do this more often. He wanted to dress his omega up in all sorts of things, some more shocking than others. A growl rolled up his chest as he held the worn out jacket up to his nose and inhaled Wei Ying’s scent. Citrus and spice. It was his favorite smell. Lan Wangji carefully folded up the worn out jacket and left it in the closet. Wei Ying wouldn’t miss it and he would have something for those lonely moments in the evening before his omega eventually crawled into their bed.

The blue tang jacket Wangji had chosen was adorned with silver embroidery and jade buttons attached to silver threaded cords. It was dark enough that it looked like twilight under the pale moon. It also smelled like Lan Wangji, which was an added bonus now that he thought about it. The sleeves were slightly longer than Wei Ying’s black one had been, and he hoped it just meant it would fit Wei Ying properly. He found an undershirt and then walked back out, setting them carefully on his bed. Pulling out a long blue ribbon from his dresser and draping it over top of the jacket Lan Wangji inspected the pants then set to ironing out the wrinkles. .

They weren’t Wei Ying’s usual colors, but he hoped it would be acceptable. 

Wei Ying found him while he was finishing up with the pants. He was in a pair of briefs and a loose shirt. His dark soft hair was half pulled back so that it was held out of his eyes and restrained, but the bottom draped freely around his shoulders. Twin strands of hair hung from his temples to frame his face with a carefree look that suited him. A dark hair tie was holding it all in place, blending in so it was barely noticeable. He seemed surprised to see Wangji bent over such a domestic task and came over.

“You know how to mend clothes?” 

“Mn, not exactly. I will have to learn more. Try on the jacket.” Nodding toward the bed, Wangji watched his omega carefully to see what kind of reaction he’d get.

Wei Ying looked over and his eyes went wide. “Is this yours!?”

The silver embroidery was done in typical Lan fashion and created patterns of clouds around the hems. The mandarin collar was high and stylish and the shoulders had shimmering blue threads woven into it so they caught the light and revealed the cloud pattern there. Wei Ying almost looked nervous to touch it.

“It is too small for me now, try it.” Turning off the iron, he shook out the pants and came over to the bed next to Wei Ying. 

Wangji’s fingers ached to touch Wei Ying. Carefully draping the pants next to the undershirt and picking up the blue ribbon instead, Wangji moved behind Wei Ying who was carefully unbuttoning the jacket. Deftly, Lan Wangji wrapped the blue ribbon around the hair tie. He artfully secured it and left the long tails to drape down naturally. Idly, Lan Wangji wondered if the ribbon would look just as good wrapped around Wei Ying’s wrists while he made him come apart in his arms.

“You’re sure Lan Zhan? I might wreck it.” Wei Ying shrugged into the deep blue coat and turned around to face Lan Wangji.

The colour suited him. The warm flush in Wei Ying’s cheeks contrasted beautifully against the deep blue of the coat and he reached up to help straighten it. “Put on the pants.”

He was afraid if Wei Ying didn’t do that soon, he’d be on his knees teasing his omega toward a climax. It scared Wangji how intensely he felt desire for Wei Ying sometimes, yet he couldn’t make himself pull away or regret any of his hopes and dreams for their future together. He loved the man, he wanted him - desperately so. Dressing him in his own clothes was thrilling and it made the possessive side of his nature extremely satisfied. 

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Wei Wuxian licked his lips, leaving the jacket open he scooped up the pants and put them on. The hungry look in Lan Wangji’s gaze was intense. He had basically been running around mostly naked though, he couldn’t blame the man, could he? When he’d felt him fixing his hair, Wei Wuxian had to bite back a hot little moan and just focus on getting dressed. 

It was after he’d already put on the jacket that he saw the undershirt. Should he take it off and switch shirts? No, if he did, he might beg his alpha to stay in bed instead of going out. As much as he wanted to explore his feelings for Lan Wangji, he also desperately wanted to get out of the house and do something too. 

With pants on, it seemed like Lan Wangji had renewed composure and he was helpfully doing up the buttons on the jacket. Well, that definitely decided it, he was not putting on the undershirt. The coat smelled like Wangji and it made Wei Wuxian grin as he stretched out his arms to test the length of the sleeves. “I think this fits me better than my old one did.”

“I know it is not black…” Wangji was speaking like he was apologizing.

“It’s perfect. I look presentable now!” He grinned over at Lan Wangji and the intense golden gaze froze him in place.

“Wei Ying, you look far more than presentable.” His large hands settled on Wei Wuxian’s shoulders and he turned him around, guiding him to the door of the walk-in closet to show him the full-length mirror hanging from it. There Wei Wuxian saw a handsome young man, neat billowing black pants draping perfectly with the deep blue tang suit jacket and jade embroidered embellishments looking back at him. Shit, he looked good.

The color seemed to make his silver eyes pop out even more than usual and it gave Wei Wuxian an ethereal glow. His lips looked full, probably because he’d been chewing on them a lot while getting ready, and his skin had a healthy flush of color. It wasn’t blushing by any stretch, it was just warm and….radiant? Was that the right word? 

“You’re right, I look pretty handsome, don’t you think?” He was smiling and looking at Lan Wangji in the mirror as the larger man stood behind him.

Lan Wangji reached up and pulled the loose hair next to Wei Wuxian’s neck to the side and ducked his head down. Warm lips and a hot wet tongue slid against his skin, teasing below his ear and along his jaw. Wei Wuxian moaned, immediately tipping his head to the side to grant Wangji all the access he could desire. He was putty in the man’s hands from this one simple thing and Wei Wuxian was really hoping he wouldn’t stop quite yet.

Lan Wangji seemed intent on tasting and exploring, one strong arm wrapping around his body to hold him close. It took Wei Wuxian a minute or two to realize the man was scenting him. “Lan Zhan!”

“Wei Ying.” 

“You could have just asked.” Huffing softly he turned around, Wangji’s arm was still holding him. “I would have said yes, you know.” 

“Mn, I know.” The rumble of his voice was so addicting to Wei Wuxian. “I need to, Wei Ying. There will be alphas at the event. Many alphas.”

Oh. Oh damn that’s fucking hot! Why is this so fucking sexy?

Never had the idea occurred to him that possessive would equate to sexy, at least not until now. 

Wei Wuxian blinked looking up at Lan Wangji while the man of his dreams reached out with his free hand to tip Wei Wuxian’s head in the opposite direction so he could scent the other side of his neck. Wei Wuxian hadn’t even thought about other alphas. 

He’d been so wrapped up in going out to have fun that it just never crossed his mind! He’d belatedly realized there were no scent patches in the Jingshi for him to use. While the thought excited him, maybe picking up a few patches would be good for any trips when he didn’t have Lan Wangji there with him. Wei Wuxian also came to realize that this was going to be the first time most people learned he was an omega.

Of the few functions Wei Wuxian had attended over the years, he’d always worn high collared clothing and scent patches to hide what he was. Madam Yu had told him omegas were a risk in a gathering and he couldn’t be free to cause a mess. As far as he was aware, only a few people knew his secondary gender. His family, of course, and some of the Wens - though there were a couple people he wished didn’t know at all, like Wen Chao.

That guy gave Wei Wuxian the creeps and he tried to steer clear of him, just barely avoiding getting into fights on more than one occasion. This time around, though, he was going to have Lan Wangji with him. He was going to smell like Lan Wangji too. It was the most public declaration of a relationship he could think of, and yet, he didn’t even know what kind of relationship they had!

“Lan Zhan, people are going to think we’re a real couple.” he warned with soft little gasps and pants. Being this close to his alpha was fucking with his ability to breathe normally and he’d begun rubbing back against him, scenting Lan Wangji just like they’d done before. It was becoming a really fun habit. Was this a bad time to ask about their relationship, or was it perfect?

“Good.” Now that Wei Wuxian was wrapped in a halo of earthy sandalwood, Lan Wangji straightened up, a satisfied glint in his expression.

Good??? What the hell does that mean?!

“Lan Zhan! I thought you didn’t lie?” He challenged with a slightly calculating frown. 

If he wasn’t lying, did that mean he wanted a relationship? Were they already in one and this was Lan Wangji confirming it? Did Wei Wuxian miss the hint?!

“Wei Ying, I want them to know.” It was earnestly said and Lan Wangji was staring at Wei Wuxian’s lips again.

“K-know what?” He absolutely did NOT sound breathless!

“That you are mine.” The molten gold of Wangji’s eyes blazed and his mouth finally descended to capture Wei Wuxian in a hot kiss.

Alpha! Oh God, yes!

The thought raced through Wei Wuxian while bliss pooled low in his gut and he moaned against Lan Wangji’s lips. It opened his mouth granting his alpha access and that erotic wet slide of their tongues tangling nearly overwhelmed him. 

Holy fuck! It’s really happening!  

He wrapped his arms around Lan Wangji’s neck and clung to him, pressing the length of his body against his as much as he could while standing like that. Even as they kissed, Wei Wuxian kept eyes open taking in the sight of the man that starred in every single wet dream that he had. To say he hoped Lan Wangji would one day be his was an understatement. 

Was it really happening? Lan Wangji was claiming him right? He was saying they were in a relationship, wasn’t he?

Fuck! Was he supposed to say something back!?

“Lan Zhan!” Wei Wuxian turned his head to gasp for breath, panting and ducking his forehead against the man’s chest. His heart was pounding wildly. He needed a second. That was totally him saying he liked him, right? 

I mean, he kissed me like he wanted to eat me!

“Say it again?” Wei Wuxian looked up into that handsome face, a hopeful smile on his lips. “Am I yours, Lan Zhan? For real?” God, his heart was in his throat!

Lan Wangji was also breathing heavily, his lips were sensual and full. The silence was killing Wei Wuxian and he whined softly, the feeling of absolute heartbreak started to well up in his chest. Fuck! He was going to get rejected, wasn’t he? This was not how he thought this would go down!

“Wei Ying,” His name on Lan Wangji’s lips sounded so hesitant. 

“I am not good with words.” Lan Wangji held him tightly, even as Wei Wuxian tried to pull away, getting ready to curl in on himself with heartbreak. 

He knew it was coming, no one could love him. 

A growl rumbled in Lan Wangji’s chest and his fingers curled under Wei Ying’s chin, making him look up at him. His face was intense, so many different emotions seemed to be racing across that stoic mask. Wei Wuxian could see hope, fear, worry, desire, even embarrassment. Wangji’s ears always got red when he was uncomfortable.

“You are my world, Wei Ying. You are my everything.” Lan Wangji’s thumb traced Wei Wuxian’s lips. “I want to be with you. I…care deeply.”

Not good with words my ass!

There were happy tears filling his eyes and he hugged Lan Wangji tightly with a soft sob. His lips were melded to his alpha’s again and Wei Wuxian kissed him passionately, trying to express how happy he was with that answer. Lapping at Wangji’s mouth, Wei Wuxian took his taste of the man who’d said he cared about him. His heart was warm and full and he didn’t ever want to forget this feeling.

“Lan Zhan! Oh Lan Zhan!” Overcome with his joy, Wei Wuxian’s words were nasally as he tried to prevent himself from becoming a sobbing wreck. “I want to be with you too! I do! I really really-mmphh!” 

The world narrowed to the hot kisses and wet slide of tongues. He was in heaven right in that moment, a pure blissful feeling of joy wrapped around his soul. They may have come together unconventionally, but he was so fucking glad that they had. When they parted, they were both panting and Wei Wuxian’s lips were tingling and kiss-swollen.

“Mine.” Lan Wangji had pressed his brow to Wei Wuxian’s as he spoke in that deep possessive growl that made Wei Wuxian’s dick hard. 

“All yours, Alpha.” purring the response, Wei Wuxian smiled, rubbing his nose against Lan Wangji’s and clinging to him.

It was Lan Wangji that pulled back first. He gazed hotly into Wei Wuxian’s eyes. Wei Wuxian could tell that Wangji was clinging to his self-restraint and trying to keep his word from earlier. He was taking Wei Wuxian out after all! Did that mean their evening excursion was now their first real date? 

Wei Wuxian nuzzled his face into Wangji’s neck and sighed with his contentment. “We're still going to the party, right?”

“Mn.” There was a kiss on top of his head. “We will continue this when we get back.” The promise of more kissing, of more everything, had Wei Wuxian grinning.

“Lan Zhan! How brazen! We’ve only just made it official and already you’re promising me a night of bliss.” He was so in love with this man!

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

“It’s a shame your children couldn’t attend tonight. Jin Zixuan was looking forward to meeting his bride-to-be.” Jin Guangshan’s voice grated like nails on a chalkboard and Yu Ziyuan only partially listened to the conversation between him and her husband.

The young man with him, Jin Zixuan, flinched visibly as he was mentioned and Ziyuan’s eyes narrowed for an instant. Did this boy think he was better than Yanli? He had the good sense to look ashamed when she scrutinized him and made excuses to go mingle with the crowd. If only he’d taken his father with him.

Yu Ziyuan was not a fan of Jin Guangshan. His lecherous personality and desperate need to show off and signify that he was indeed an alpha of note had always rubbed her the wrong way. She’d learned it was because he was recessive and so he put on a show to compensate. Tonight, the man wore a full gold on gold embroidered hanfu outfit, complete with a zan crown of gold to pin up his hair. She was certain his hair shouldn’t have been long enough to do that. Perhaps it was a wig.

Jiang Fengmian was carrying the conversation. “They were tired. Yanli has been working hard getting ready for the engagement party. She is quite dedicated to this match.”

Hopefully Yanli was now tired enough to forget about ever stepping out of line again. The lie seemed to mollify and appease the golden robed Jin and Yu Ziyuan had to resist the urge to roll her eyes. If he hadn’t been one of the wealthiest men in the room, she wouldn’t have given him the time of day. The only reason why they needed the Jins was to deal with their Wen problem - a problem they wouldn’t even have if it wasn’t for Wei Wuxian.

Everything always came back to that little ingrate. She couldn’t even think about him without her anger boiling over these days. How dare that fool go and spread his legs like a common whore and get pregnant like that?! She could taste the rage on the back of her tongue and took a sip of the champagne in hand to wash it away.

Tonight’s benefit was for the Victims of Violence Foundation. There was to be a silent auction and proceeds from that, as well as various personal donations, would fund their organization’s efforts to bring better reforms and aid those who were suffering abuse. Personally, she saw them as bleeding hearts and it annoyed her. They were mostly all about the equality of omegas in society. It was why so many families were parading their omega relatives around like they were some prized possession tonight.

They all wanted to be viewed as good and upstanding individuals, and all intent on gender equality. Deep down, she knew none of them could fathom the idea of working for an omega or having to kowtow to one because they were a politician. Sluts couldn’t do the hard work without causing a scandal, it was no different for omegas. Ziyuan knew the equal rights movement would always be there, and it would always need one of these little events now and then to placate the loudest of the lobbyists for a while. It would all fade back into the ether soon enough.

“Fengmian! I thought you said you left the children at home!” Jin Guangshan’s irritating voice distracted Ziyuan.

“Hmm? What do you mean? Yanli and A-Cheng are at home.” Her husband sounded as clueless as ever.

“Isn’t that the Wei boy? He’s one of yours isn’t he?”

Ziyuan’s eyes snapped up to look at Jin Guangshan then flew across the way to where he was staring. There, standing with a group of men wearing those arrogant Lan cloud pattern suits, was Wei Wuxian. The flute of champagne Ziyuan held cracked.

Jiang Fengmian quickly took it out of her hands and passed it off to a server with an apologetic smile. It hadn’t shattered, but it was ruined. Her attention zeroed in on Wei Wuxian’s profile. He was standing there as if he belonged, a smile on his face, talking to a small group that included the Nie family and Lans.

It seemed A-Li had lied to her when she said Lan Xichen wasn’t the father. He was standing next to the god damn alpha right now, they were clearly on friendly terms too. The sheer audacity of Wei Wuxian parading around like this had her fingers itching to slap that grin right off his face.

Before she could take a step toward them, golden eyes flashed in her direction. Pure hostility radiated from that gaze and froze her in place. She stood, rooted like that for several moments.

“Hmmm I suppose it is.” Fengmian admitted easily enough, unaware of the sudden tension.

“You suppose? Don’t you keep tabs on your children? Is he an omega? Wouldn’t want anything untoward to happen after with him if he is. You should keep better tabs, Fengmian.” Jing Guangshan laughed at his own attempt at humor and Ziyuan hissed with annoyance.

The golden-eyes did not belong to Lan Xichen, though by this point, he too was looking their way. Lan Xichen was quickly distracted by Wei Wuxian and smiled at the little whore before guiding Wei Wuxian deeper into the throng of people, away from Yu Ziyuan’s sight. He’d put his hand on Wei Wuxian’s back, and that familiarity screamed, to her at least, that Lan Xichen was the father. Not only that, but he’d clearly dressed Wei Wuxian up in Lan colors for the occasion.

She took a step intent on following, but the golden-eyed Lan was suddenly heading her way and it made her pause. She hadn’t imagined that heated unfriendly glint in the man’s eyes. Who was he? She looked him up and down as he approached. 

The pretentious white of his clothing with its artistic cloud pattern labeled him for what he was - a Lan. He must have been the younger brother, he had one of those pendants that only the main family walked around with. As angry as she was, unease slid down her spine as the young alpha drew closer with his steady measured pace. It was clear she was the person he was after. 

“Yu Ziyuan.” The tone was deep and powerful, it almost felt like it was the tone of an alpha using his commanding voice, the one that couldn’t be ignored. Surely it wasn’t though, right? The discourtesy and insolence in doing so, to a beta no less, was well beyond sullying the reputations of the Twin Jades of Lan. There was no way he’d do something like that here, would he?

“I insist that you cease glowering at my mate immediately.”

Jin Guangshan spluttered next to her and Jiang Fengmian scoffed. For her part, Ziyuan glared up at the tall man. Her heart was pounding in her chest, but pride wouldn’t let her back down now. It took a moment before she could recall the names of the Twin Jades. Xichen was the eldest, which made this one; if he was the brother, Lan Wangji. 

Yu Ziyuan had faced off against hundreds of alphas in her lifetime, this one was no different. Coupled with the fact that Lan Wangji was a lot younger than her as well, meant that she could make him snap in anger to the point of shaming himself. It was certainly well within the realm of possibility. It would also suit him right for being so arrogant like this!

“I don’t even know your mate, how could I possibly glower at her?” She made sure to let her tone drip with venom. 

The Lans were far from her favored family to deal with.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Lan Wangji had known the instant Yu Ziyuan had noticed Wei Ying at the party. 

From the moment they’d arrived, he’d watched the love of his life become radiant and light with joy . They’d met up with Xichen, who said nothing, though his knowing smile held approval for the pair of them. It spoke volumes to Wangji when his brother gave his quiet nod of blessing, clearly understanding that he and Wei Ying had finally come clean about their feelings. 

His brother could easily read Lan Wangji’s thoughts and feelings when others saw nothing but a blank expression. It was not a surprise that his brother knew, and he was glad that no explanation was needed.

Spotting the Jiangs had been easier than Wangji thought, and all evening he’d taken subtle glances their way while shielding Wei Ying from them. His omega was happy. Wei Ying was his and every alpha and omega at the party knew it. 

The Nie brothers had come over to visit, Mingjue was close friends with Xichen and they chatted idly while the younger brother, Huaisang, had instantly found kinship in Wei Ying. The two of them laughed and talked about all sorts of things while Wangji stood vigil, using his presence to create a protective bubble around the two. Every time someone congratulated them on their pairing, he would nod politely, yet his focus remained on Wei Ying’s happiness and keeping him safe. Scenting Wei Ying had been the right call.

Yu Ziyuan and Jiang Fengmian were dressed in family colors, just like the majority of clans present. Their deep purples complimented the pretentious gold of the Jins who stood nearby casually conversing with them. Jiang Fengmian’s tang suit was a deep purple with gray and white lotuses embroidered into it. The frog buttons and cording were black, as were the hems that finished off the look. He had an easy smile and seemed quick to laugh. His face was weathered with his years and there were hints of dark shadows under his eyes as if he worked too hard. Tall for a beta, he was healthy and trim with no hint of added weight.

Yu Ziyuan was much more slight in stature. She wore a high collared cheongsam with long, loose sleeves. It was a deep plum in colour with soft white and silver lotuses embroidered on the bodice. Her dark hair was pulled into a severe braided bun and silver hair pins with glittering jewels finished off the look. Her eyes were dark and sharp and her expression was sour as she surveyed her immediate surroundings. Yu Ziyuan held her chin high and her back straight, which were sure signs of overinflated pride radiating from every line of her posture. 

Lan Wangji was not impressed with the face of evil. He hadn’t expected to be really. All he saw were two insecure individuals with a penchant for lashing out. The latter applied more to the wife than the husband, yet he could see the irritation they both had for Jin Guangshan and his posturing. 

It hadn’t been until the woman glared at Wei Ying and went to intercept him that Lan Wangji took action. Xichen had been waiting for it, he immediately suggested they take a look at the silent auction items and Wei Ying happily went with him away from the upcoming confrontation. Now Wangji found himself facing off against Yu Ziyuan, telling her to back down.

Her snide response almost made him growl, almost. 

“Wei Ying is my mate, something you might have known if you had not threatened him and forced him to run away.” His calm exterior remained, but he let the heat of his anger show in his eyes. With their relationship out in the open, he felt a smug sense of gratification while taking in the reactions of Wei Ying’s adopted parents.

Yu Ziyuan’s mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water for several gloriously long seconds. It was enough time for Jin Guangshan to process what was being said and his face reddened with some mixture of amused surprise and shock.

“Nonsense! He was not forced to leave.” Jiang Fengmian was the first to speak up.

Lan Wangji kept his focus on Yu Ziyuan even as he replied to the husband. He knew which was the more dangerous of the two. “Wei Ying explained what happened, in detail. You both will keep your distance from him.”

The claim was stated, the challenge made. He hoped they’d resist. He wanted them to fight back so he could put them on the ground. It didn’t even matter that this face of evil wore the mask of a woman. He would obliterate them.

“If I had known it’d be you..” Wangji barely heard it, but his gaze snapped to Jiang Fengmian.

What does that mean?  

The man looked conflicted and upset. Regret painted every line of his features and he frowned. Wangji wanted to hone in on his statement and interrogate the man, but he didn’t get the chance. Jiang Fengmian wouldn’t make eye contact with him. Instead, he tried to pull his wife back away from the growing conflict.

This snapped the Jiang matriarch out of her stupor and she snarled, hand whipping up with the intent to slap Wangji. Good! The vicious thought was hot in his veins as he intercepted her with lighting speed, and caught her wrist. He held it easily and saw when her rage morphed to fear. Onlookers gasped in shock and the whispering started.

“Do not,” this time he was blatantly using the alpha’s commanding tone. “If you persist in this behavior, you will lose.”

He’d done it. He’d looked into their faces and had gazed upon the demons that had haunted his mate’s existence. He had made his claim known. No one had died. Now he could proceed with plans to destroy them, and they would know exactly who it was that did it to them.

“You ignorant child! ” Yu Ziyuan snarled at him, her face red with rage and embarrassment, yet she’d stopped trying to attack him and just yanked her arm trying to break free of his hold. Word of this encounter was already spreading through the throngs of people nearby. “Wei Wuxian isn’t yours !”

“He carries my child. We are mates.” He still hadn’t let go of her wrist.

“He’s promised to the Wens!” 

Lan Wangji’s expression imperceptibly shifted with hints of surprise, and his grip tightened a fraction. It was enough to make the woman wince, even though she was doing her best not to. The molten gold of his eyes blazed and the focus was fixated with deadly promise on the woman.

“Any rights you had to decide the fate of Wei Ying ended the moment he became pregnant with my child. Do not interfere.” Then he let go and walked away before he could do anything regrettable. He would not end up in jail on the night of his first date with Wei Ying. 

The words she’d uttered had been meant to get a reaction. He’d nearly given her one, too. 

It was concerning though. The connection to the Wen family was everywhere around Wei Ying. Wen Ruohan had some part to play in his life with the Jiangs. He had a friend who was related to Wen Ruohan as well. Now Yu Ziyuan was making claims to some arranged contract. Wei Ying had never mentioned anything like that. It was very likely his beloved didn’t even know anything about a contract.

The concept of such an arrangement wasn’t out of the realm of possibility considering he knew Wei Ying’s shijie was in a similar situation. A line formed between his brows as he moved through the crowd to find the man who was Wangji’s entire reason for existing. Whispers followed in his wake about the confrontation. Lan Wangji ignored it all. He was not content until he’d put eyes back upon Wei Ying, still happy and visiting with Lan Xichen and the Nie brothers. 

“Wei Ying.” Reaching his beloved, Wangji put a hand low on his back, placing himself right at his side.

“Lan Zhan!” The radiant smile that washed over Wei Ying was beyond perfect. “Nie Huaisang tells me there’s this fantastic shop with bubble tea. We’re going to go there tomorrow, and we’re going shopping for some things for Radish too.”

Wangji looked over at Nie Huaisang then back to Wei Ying. “Mn, so long as you do not overdo it.” 

“I won’t, promise! Huaisang! We’ll have so much fun!” Wei Ying fit himself easily along Lan Wangji’s side and he curled his arm around his omega’s waist so he could possessively place a hand over his stomach. 

“Did you find who you were looking for, Wangji?” Lan Xichen casually asked while Wei Ying and Nie Huaisang started to discuss details of their excursion. Wei Wuxian’s fingers slid over Wangji’s hand, stroking gently and it soothed the protective instincts within him.

“I did. We can discuss it later at work.”

He would destroy the Jiang couple. The Wen family too, if he had to. Nothing was going to hurt Wei Ying ever again.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Wei Wuxian was blissfully snuggled up against Lan Wangji’s shoulder. He’d had to figure out how best to do it with the car’s central console in the way, but he was happy. Lan Wangji was driving them home. They’d eaten fantastic food, visited with friends, and Lan Wangji had even held him close swaying to one of the songs the band had been playing. It wasn’t really dancing, their feet didn’t move much, but it had been special and it made his heart melt all over again.

He also managed to make a new friend, and they had plans to meet up already. He was looking forward to it. Everything about the evening screamed of life moving forward and future joy shining on Wei Ying’s horizon. 

The best part about the entire evening was that uncle Jiang and madam Yu hadn’t come after him. Not once. He’d caught sight of them, sure, and he’d noticed Wangji watching them with that wildly protective scowl only Wei Wuxian could really see. Determined to not let them ruin his mood, Wei Wuxian put it aside, trusting in his alpha to keep them away and threw himself into enjoying the event.

They’d even bought a tiger amulet from the silent auction. It was rumored to be ancient and it was crafted out of heavy iron. The placard had some wild mystery about it being a powerful artifact of superstition and its weird and quirky story totally stirred up Wei Wuxian’s flights of fancy. Lan Wangji got it for him. Wei Wuxian didn’t know how much it cost, his stubborn alpha wouldn’t tell him.

It was nestled in a box on the back seat for now. He would have to find a place for it when they got home. “Lan Zhan?”

“Mn?”

“Can I move into your room? I don’t use mine.” his fingers were sliding lightly over Lan Wangji’s thigh.

“Our room.” Lan Wangji corrected gently. “It is our room, Wei Ying.”

Wei Wuxian’s smile made his cheeks hurt and he kissed Lan Wangji’s shoulder. All that pining and all that worrying and here they’d both been feeling the pull toward one another. Wei Wuxian had proudly walked around with Lan Wangji’s scent clinging to his skin. 

He’d blushed at first when he saw the knowing smile on Lan Xichen’s face, but there was no disapproval. In fact, Xichen gave his genuine blessing and told him how happy he was to be the first to welcome Wei Wuxian to the family. It was like they’d gotten married while Wei Wuxian wasn’t looking. He kept tucking a finger under the collar of his suit to make sure there was no mating scar there.

Lan Wangji glanced at him a few times, letting go of the steering wheel with one hand to settle his over Wei Wuxian’s wandering fingers. “I will not be able to concentrate if you keep doing that.” 

Wei Wuxian licked his lips, looking down into his alpha’s lap and purring. “Lan Zhan! You’re driving.” It was a teasing rebuke and they both knew it.

This thing of theirs, while new, also had a familiar feeling to it. They’d been living together for a while now and Wangji had seen Wei Wuxian at his worst in the hospital already. They knew what they were about and what they were getting into, too. They didn’t have any secrets. 

Lan Wangji pulled Wei Wuxian’s hand to his lips and kissed his knuckles. “We will be home soon.” 

The excitement and joy of the evening was finally wearing Wei Wuxian out and he nodded, yawning and snuggling into Wangji’s shoulder. They rode in silence like that for a few minutes before his phone started to jingle loudly with an incoming call. Sighing, he sat up to pull it out and looked at it.

“That’s weird.”

“Who is it?” Lan Wangji glanced his way but stayed focused on the road.

“Wen Ning. Why’s he calling me this late?” Wei Wuxian answered the call. “Aiyo! You know the time right, Wen Ning?”

“S-sorry, Wei Wuxian. It…couldn’t wait.” Wen Ning stuttered whenever he got nervous or upset. Something had happened.

“What’s wrong? Are you ok?” He was sitting straighter now, worry gently began easing into his happy mood and adding sour notes to his usually delicious citrus scent. Wei Ying naturally glanced over to Lan Wangji seeking comfort. For his part, Wangji just gave his hand a squeeze of reassurance and continued to drive.

“Oh! Oh I’m fine! It…It's your shijie. She’s here with Jiang Cheng. He’s very mad, Wei Wuxian.”

Wei Wuxian’s stomach bottomed out instantly and the sour tang of fear intensified, clogging his nose and making him suck in a sharp breath. Eyes wide, he dimly heard Lan Wangji asking what was wrong. The car pulled over and stopped shortly afterward. Other vehicles kept passing them by on the busy street, but Lan Wangji had turned fully in his seat and was watching Wei Wuxian intently. The calming scent of sandalwood got stronger in the confines of the car trying to smother out the sour notes of Wei Wuxian’s fear.

“Why is shijie there?” Wei Wuxian was afraid of the answer, his lower lip quivered and he took in a shaky breath. 

Lan Wangji reached out and took the phone out of his hands. “Lan Zhan!”

“Shhh, let me talk to him, Wei Ying.” Desperate to know what was going on, Wei Wuxian almost argued but he trusted Lan Wangji, he nodded and stared with worried eyes. 

Lan Wangji took his hand and threaded their fingers together, speaking into the phone with his deep relaxing voice. “Wen Ning? Mn, this is Lan Wangji. What happened?”

The sound was too muffled for Wei Wuxian to make out, but it was a long explanation. He found himself staring at the car’s clock counting the minutes - literal minutes, and every so often Lan Wangji would make a sound like he wanted Wen Ning to continue. 

“When did they get there?” Another pause. “Is your sister helping?”

Wei Wuxian frowned and sucked in another sharp breath. Wen Qing was a medical researcher. She had access to all kinds of cool shit and often helped omegas quietly when they were in trouble. If she was involved, it was bad. 

“Oh God! Oh fuck! What happened!?” Panic clawed up Wei Wuxian’s throat. “Lan Zhan!?”

Lan Wangji squeezed his hand again. “Shh, Wei Ying, everyone is safe.” Then he was listening to the phone again. “Mn. My brother can get them. Do not let them leave. Give me the address.”

What in the hell was going on?! Not knowing was killing him!

When the call ended, Wei Wuxian gripped Lan Wangji’s arm tightly, the fear was in his eyes. “Why was my shijie at Wen Ning’s? Why is Wen Qing there? What happened?” He was gasping and losing his grip on the situation. Wei Wuxian could feel the darkness closing in around him, it was getting hard to breathe.

“Wei Ying! It is alright, you are safe, your sister is safe. Breathe for me, Wei Ying.” Those big warm hands were cupping Wei Wuxian’s face and the words slid along his frayed nerves gently and more earthy sandalwood filled the cab of the car. It was laced with his alpha’s calming intentions and reassurances.

“Lan Zhan! Please tell me?”

“I will, just breathe for me first.” He waited until the panting stopped.

It didn’t prevent Wei Wuxian from fearing the worst as he sat there, following Lan Wangji’s guidance as he had him inhale and exhale slowly. Finally, when he was no longer in danger of hyperventilating, Lan Wangji leaned in and kissed him gently. 

“I do not want you to panic, Wei Ying. Your shijie is safe. You are safe. Our Radish is safe. No one can hurt any of you. I will not allow it.” Every sentence was punctuated with a gentle kiss. 

“Then what’s going on?” The sandalwood around him soothed and kept him from freaking out, as did the warmth of Wangji’s presence.

“Jiang Cheng took your shijie away from their home. She is injured, but it is not life threatening. He went to Wen Ning because he knew you used to when you were hurt. They are there now.”

Wei Wuxian’s lip trembled. He loved Lan Wangji’s honesty, really he did, but right now - the truth terrified him. When Wei Wuxian was hurt…That meant a beating. The only time he’d sought outside help from the Wen siblings was after a severe beating by madam Yu. 

The sour smell of oranges started to seep into that comforting sandalwood. Lan Wangji leaned in and kissed him gently. “I am going to call Xichen, he will get your shijie and bring her home. She is safe, Wei Ying. We will protect her.”

Wei Wuxian wanted to go straight to his shijie. However, panicking in front of her wasn’t going to help and he knew if he saw her right now, he’d lose it. Giving a stiff nod of consent, Lan Wangji shifted back to driving the car. In no time they were back on their way toward home, albeit with Wei Wuxian beating himself up mentally.

Shijie! Fuck this is all my fault! I should have been there!

It didn’t matter if he was battered and bloody, his shijie did not deserve whatever had happened. He could take it for her. He would, he always did! Yanli was so sweet, and she was the first kind person who cared about him after his parents were gone! How could this happen? Why hadn’t Jiang Cheng protected her?! Did he hate Wei Wuxian enough to let his own sister suffer?

“Lan Zhan, I feel sick! Fuck! I don’t know if I can do this!” Driving away from his shijie was killing him.

“We are almost home. Everyone is safe, Wei Ying. Your shijie will be with you soon, I promise.” Wangji’s voice was steady and even, soothing as much as possible. It was clear that Wei Wuxian was not going to be taken to Wen Ning’s, which was probably for the best. He wouldn’t be of much help there and his stomach was in knots. 

Not only was he panicking about his shijie, now he was worried this new stress would hurt his little Radish. A whine escaped him and Wei Wuxian pulled his knees up onto the car’s seat, hugging them to his chest protectively. “Fuck Radish! I’m sorry baby!”

“Breathe, Wei Ying. Everything will be alright. Trust me.”

Not being able to hold Wei Ying in that moment was pure torture for Lan Wangji. All he wanted to do was comfort him and fix everything. The car was not safe enough. He had to get Wei Ying home. Then he could calm him down and take care of everything. With a frown, Wangji pressed a button on the steering wheel and connected a call to Lan Xichen.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Pulling up to the modest apartment complex, Lan Xichen parked on the street and got out of his car. He had left directly from the gala to come here after talking with Wangji. Anger didn’t begin to describe the emotion he was feeling right then. This was a delicate situation, though, and he’d given his word to handle it discreetly. 

Xichen pressed the call button at the entry door and a young man’s voice crackled to life. “Yes?”

“Wen Ning? This is Lan Xichen.” 

“R-right! Come on up.” There was a buzzer sound as the door unlocked and Lan Xichen opened it heading inside. 

Thoughts of Jiang Yanli suffused his mind as he took the steps up to the second floor. She was petite and angelic with a disposition to match. Her brothers cared deeply for her, and Xichen believed he understood why. Jiang Yanli was a rare treasure in modern society. She wasn’t jaded by the realities of the world or her situation. That wasn’t to say her situation was horrible, the woman lived in apparent comfort and wealth. Even so, she was also a victim of abuse.

The door to Wen Ning’s apartment was open already and Jiang Cheng was standing in the hall glowering at him. “Great! Why are you here!? Fucking alphas! Can’t even trust Wen Ning!” 

Jiang Cheng seemed to be in a foul mood, it was hard to tell if this was the exception or if it was normal for him. Lan Xichen frowned and approached ready for a confrontation with the angry brother if need be. “Where is your jiejie?”

“Oh get off it! She’s inside, you think I’d keep her out here? God damn! I thought you jackasses were supposed to be smarter than the rest of us.” Turning on his heel, Jiang Cheng went inside, muttering the entire way as he led him through a short hallway to a modest living room.

I was at a party with their parents only an hour ago while she was in pain.  

Guilt washed through him again. He saw the head of a young woman bent over the couch speaking gently to someone he couldn’t see yet. When he got closer, he finally set his eyes upon Jiang Yanli. Her delicate body took up a fraction of the length of the sofa. She was laying on her stomach, a light looking soft sheet covering her body. She had her head turned to the side and her cheek resting on a pillow. She smiled, clearly embarrassed by the commotion.

“Oh dear! I’m so sorry! A-Cheng is making it into more than it really is. He shouldn’t have bothered you with this, it’s nothing, really.” How could she be smiling when she was so obviously in pain?

The other woman looked up, she was scowling. “Where’s Wei Wuxian?”

“A-Xian was almost home, I offered to come in his stead and bring his sister to him at the Lan estates.” He was resolutely ignoring Jiang Cheng who sputtered and swore at him under his breath. 

The little woman with Yanli had a cunning gaze and fine features. She was small as well, though she seemed far more confident, an alpha female trapped in a beta’s body. How interesting. 

“He’s still pregnant?” Her blunt questions didn’t phase him outwardly, inwardly he was getting defensive. Who did she think she was asking something like that?

“Yes, he is. I am Lan Xichen, and you are?” He offered his hand to the protective little woman.

“Wen Qing. So you’re a Lan?” She briefly shook hands with him and then double checked to make sure Yanli’s modesty wasn’t being jeopardized. 

“And you’re a Wen.” his grin didn’t falter as he said it, hoping this gatekeeper would see him as an ally. 

Just then another alpha entered the room. Xichen was familiar with him as they’d met at the hospital when Wei Wuxian was being treated. Wen Ning and Wen Qing were clearly siblings, they had similar features with the same large dark eyes that saw more than one imagined. Even though Wen Ning was an alpha, his build was on the small side. His alpha scent was floral, which was unique all on its own and easily identifiable. Both siblings were quite unique and very memorable. 

“Lan Xichen! I’m glad you’re here.” Wen Ning smiled, bobbing his head up and down as he came into the room. He was a recessive alpha, and a quirky one at that. Xichen liked the gentle soul. These two did not fit the typical Wen personas Lan Xichen knew and he was glad for it. The only person that he really was struggling with in this small apartment was Jiang Cheng. 

“Really, this is too much. Mother and father will be upset if we don’t get home soon, A-Cheng.” she took in the attire Lan Xichen wore. It was formal, a tang suit in rich blues with white accents and embroidered clouds throughout the whole ensemble. Clearly he’d been out for the evening.

Xichen could see the thoughts flitting across her lovely face. She didn’t want her family to know she was missing, and she was worried about the fallout. There was no way Lan Xichen was going to allow her to go back to that hellish environment. He failed the Jiang siblings once before - he could not do it again. 

“Miss Jiang.” He moved toward the couch and knelt down near her head so that they were eye level with one another. “I am concerned about you and I would very much like to help, will you trust me to do that?”

His tone was gentle and warm while he kept a sincere expression on his face. No matter what she said, Xichen wasn’t going to let her go back, and it would be easier if she agreed to come with him on her own. He couldn’t tell the extent or type of injuries as the sheet covered her and she was quietly taking shallow little breaths to keep herself from exposing her pain. He was very conscious of their audience. Everyone was waiting to see how Yanli responded.

“I assure you, my home is perfectly safe. This is all my fault.” Even her denial sounded very sweet and forgiving. “I was merely careless. Our home has rigid standards, my injury is nothing horrid, it just stings a bit.”

Jiang Cheng snorted in disgust. “Your back is covered in welts, shijie.”

Jiang Yanli winced at her brother’s words and a surge of fury lanced through Lan Xichen’s veins abruptly. It took a lot of effort for him to stay where he was, kneeling next to the couch and not leaping up to put his fist through something. 

He honestly didn’t have the right to get this involved, yet he really wanted to. Briefly, Xichen wondered if her brother ever turned that vile temper of his toward Yanli. If that were the case, Lan Xichen would be obligated to educate him.

He’s a victim too. Control your temper.  

The thought washed through him quickly and Lan Xichen had to admit that he was becoming protective and possessive when he had no right. None of this really made sense, he was sure it was the situation that was making it difficult to control his urges.

“Can you tell me what happened?” Lan Xichen kept the gentle tone while also keeping his hands to himself. She was helpless in her current situation. He couldn’t act without her permission, even if it was to check the state of her injuries.

Behind him the Wen siblings were arguing softly and had moved off to the kitchen. The sister didn’t understand why the brother had called the Lans. He’d gotten that much of the conversation before they’d gotten too far away.

“Honestly, Lan Xichen, it is not that serious.” Yanli smiled at him. “I’m sorry you came all this way. Really, there was no need.”

Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes and let out an annoyed huff. “Listen, jackass. I’ve tried to reason with her already. She thinks everything’s fine. That’s why I wanted that idiot here, he can talk sense into her sometimes.”

Lan Xichen turned his head to look at Jiang Cheng with carefully controlled rage. Fortunately, this action hid his face from Yanli for the time being and he used that to his advantage, letting Jiang Cheng see murder in his eyes for a split second. The very last thing Jiang Yanli needed right now was to be upset over her brother’s rude behavior. They were both handling the ordeal in wildly different ways, yet he couldn’t help but try to intervene, even if it meant scaring Jiang Cheng into shutting up for the time being.

“Yes, I can see why she didn’t listen to you. How about you go get some supplies together.” Dismissing Jiang Cheng would alleviate some tension for now, and it seemed they both knew it.

Bristling with fury, Jiang Cheng stewed in the corner of the room, muttering and swearing as he took off to go find the Wen siblings in the kitchen. “Wen Qing! You have more of that ointment?”

Xichen turned back to Jiang Yanli and his calm gentle face was back. “Miss Jiang.”

“Yanli, please. You don’t need to be so formal, Lan Xichen.” she interrupted him with another beautiful smile.

“Miss Jiang.” He smiled gently, a warmth pooling within known he had permission to be less formal, yet he was doing his best to not get too familiar. It wasn’t his place, she was not his. 

“I know you don’t want to hear it, but your home is not safe. You’ve been hurt, and from what I understand, it was someone who lives there.” 

Jiang Yanli was withdrawing and it broke his heart. He almost didn’t continue, but he had no choice. She needed to see his rationale before she would trust him.

“It is not safe right now. Please let me take you to my home temporarily. You can see A-Xian that way and have time to recover before deciding what to do. I recall offering assistance to you once before, I was very sincere then and I am still quite sincere now. I cannot, in good conscience, let you go back somewhere that puts you in danger.”

Her beautifully dark eyes welled up with unshed tears and she licked her lips as her expression was one of sorrow. He didn’t say anything else, he just waited patiently, staying close while resisting the urge to comfort her with a gentle hand. He wanted to check her injuries for himself so very badly. Doing so would not help him reassure her right now. It gutted Lan Xichen to see her on the verge of tears and he began reciting precepts in his head to try and calm his tumultuous thoughts.

“Alright. Just for the night though.” She sounded so nervous.

“We can discuss it tomorrow, yes.” Though he was loath to do it, Xichen glanced to the kitchen then back to her. “Your brother is also welcome, if that makes you feel more comfortable.”

Her nod was all he needed before he began to act.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Wei Wuxian was shifting from one foot to the other as he stood in the cool air by the Hanshi’s front door. Lan Xichen had called a few minutes ago saying they were almost here and he’d insisted that he go with Lan Wangji to see them in person. They’d bundled up and walked down a neatly cleared snowy path in record time and now he had to wait. He hated waiting sometimes.

“Wei Ying. She is safe. Xichen will not put her in danger.” Lan Wangji patiently called to him as he watched the pacing.

“I know! I do know that, Lan Zhan. But…If he took her to Wen Qing....” A shudder rolled through him. “That means it’s bad. It means Madam Yu used a cane…or a whip.”

The protective growl would have been sexy any other time, but right now his focus was on the winding drive that led up from the main gate. “Yu Ziyuan deserves to be arrested for her actions.”

Lan Wangji held out his hands, beckoning Wei Wuxian over and he naturally came to his alpha, hugging him tightly. Warm hands slid up his back and a kiss was pressed to the top of his head. When they’d gotten home, Wei Wuxian had been on the precipice of total self loathing. Everything had to be his fault and he was to blame for the hurts his shijie had suffered. He kept telling Lan Wangji as much and all his big alpha did was pick him up and carry him into the Jingshi. 

They curled up together in the nest by the koi pool, Wangji holding him and comforting him by humming a tune Wei Wuxian didn’t quite recognize. It was soothing. Combined with the safe scents of his nest, Lan Wangji had him coming back to himself soon thereafter.

“Ha, madam Yu in jail. Hell will freeze over before that happens.” Wei Wuxian chuckled at his handsome alpha and sighed. “There they are!” 

The crunch of snow and gravel gave the car away as it rounded the last bend. Headlights flashed over the pair of them while the vehicle pulled to a stop before the Hanshi. The passenger door opened at the same time as the driver’s door. Lan Xichen and Jiang Cheng were the first to get out. Jiang Cheng was here?! He honestly hadn’t expected it.

“There you are, idiot.” Jiang Cheng groused and moved to the back door, opening it and leaning in carefully to help their shijie out. She was moving cautiously and had hugged a very soft looking blanket over her shoulders like a protective coat of armor. 

Oh God, it’s so bad! Why wasn’t I there!? I should have been there!

“Shijie!” Letting go of Lan Wangji, Wei Wuxian moved up to see her and Jiang Cheng shoved his shoulder. It was familial and gentle. It didn’t mean anything, but the second it happened, two very angry alpha growls echoed front and back of the little scene. Jiang Cheng froze in place and swallowed hard. Sensing the situation going awry, Jiang Yanli was the first to react.

“A-Cheng! Be nice. We owe our gratitude, not our anger.” Her smile became apologetic as she turned to address the Lans. “He is just worried, please don’t be upset.”

Wei Wuxian blinked, looking at his alpha, then at Lan Xichen. Both of them were triggered. Wangji’s face looked composed with the barest hints of danger lining his features. Lan Xichen had no compunctions about showing a more aggressive expression. His dark amber eyes were glowing with anger. 

“I’m fine, everything is fine.” Wei Wuxian spoke firmly to both Lan alphas.

No doubt Jiang Cheng had annoyed Xichen on the entire trip to the Hanshi and he was likely at his wits end. Two alpha scents permeated the space around them as the smell of earthy sandalwood and Lan Xichen’s refreshing aroma of fresh mint and amber swirled around the group.

Leave it to Jiang Cheng to almost get pummeled within ten seconds of his first visit here.

“I still don’t get why we couldn’t stay with Wen Qing.” Jiang Cheng groused wholly oblivious to the undertone of smells he couldn’t detect, and this time Wei Wuxian rolled his eyes. 

“She lives across the city, not with Wen Ning, and she doesn’t have the space. Neither of them do. Did you make her come all the way down there?” So far, the Lan brothers were silent as the group slowly moved toward the entry of the Hanshi.

The further they got, the less tense both alphas seemed to be. It helped to get away from the pheromones they’d released, he supposed. As much as Wei Wuxian wanted his siblings in the Jingshi with him, it seemed Lan Xichen had extended the offer of his home already and he was stubborn about keeping it that way. 

It was probably for the best too. If Jiang Cheng found out Wei Wuxian was moving into Lan Wangji’s bedroom, he probably would have pitched a fit. Images of Lan Wangji beating Jiang Cheng into the ground weren’t hard to conjure either, considering how A-Cheng’s temper would clash wildly with Lan Wangji’s stubborn nature. Jiang Cheng definitely would have also complained about his nest next to the koi pool too, and Wei Wuxian kind of didn’t want to share that special space with anyone but Lan Wangji for the time being.

At least for tonight, his siblings would be Lan Xichen’s guest. They could figure stuff out in the morning after everyone got a chance to rest and calm down. Madam Yu couldn’t find them here. He knew they were safe and that was what mattered most.

The Hanshi was styled much in the same fashion as Lan Wangji’s on the exterior. Inside, it had a naturally cozy and more lived-in feeling. It had many personal touches that spoke of Xichen’s life and hobbies. Pictures and art lined the walls while the grand entry housed a cozy hearth that had a low fire already going. The layout was an open air concept with half walls and ornamental screens dividing different spaces. Plush rugs and comfortable furniture created inviting spaces and it had picturesque windows that looked out toward the city and onto well manicured gardens in the back.

“Wei Ying, we should let your siblings rest. We can visit tomorrow.” Wangji was nearing the end of his tolerance.

Wei Wuxian looked at Jiang Cheng, who was stubbornly ignoring him as best he could, then Yanli. Her smile was gentle and sweet, just like it always was. She looked pale and tired too. If he’d only been there….

“Yeah…Alright. If you need me, I’m literally right up the path. Call me as soon as you’re awake.” Afraid of hurting her if he touched the wrong spot, Wei Wuxian gave a little smile and leaned in to kiss her forehead.

“We’ll be fine. Get some rest, A-Xian, you need to think about your baby.” Yanli’s soft voice was all the reassurance he needed. Jiang Cheng muttered something under his breath and Wei Wuxian watched as the door closed behind them. Tears were filling his eyes again. He hated this emotional yo-yo thing he kept doing!

“Lan Zhan, you’ll wake me up early right? Can we come over as soon as they’re up?”

“Mn, we can.” Wangji wrapped his arm around Wei Wuxian’s shoulders and started to guide him back to the Jingshi. They walked in companionable silence. 

“Do you think Jiang Cheng will be alive tomorrow?” Wei Wuxian was sure he’d never seen Lan Xichen react so strongly before.

His gorgeous alpha actually chuckled softly. Wei Wuxian looked at him in astonishment. “Xichen will hold his temper in check. At worst, Jiang Cheng may be bound and gagged by morning.” 

“I can’t believe people think you aren’t funny, Lan Zhan.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Lan Xichen had set down two pairs of guest slippers for the Jiang siblings and had made sure the door was secure behind them. Usually he wasn’t so concerned. The Lan estate was large and well protected with a high wall and strong gate. However, it was not just him in here anymore and he would never forgive himself if something were to happen from a carelessly unsecure door.

“I am sure you are both tired. There are guest rooms upstairs, I can help take you up if you like.” His offer was innocent enough, yet Jiang Cheng did not take it that way.

“She’s not going into your bedroom you fucking prick.” Jiang Cheng didn’t hold back with his venom, even inside the Hanshi.

Lan Xichen leveled him with a scowl. “Perhaps I did not make myself clear. There are guest rooms for you and your sister.” His explanation was clipped but softened the second he looked at Jiang Yanli. “I would never take advantage of you in this situation. You have my word.”

Her cheeks flushed a delightful rosy shade and Lan Xichen could feel his own embarrassment trying to creep up his neck. He was not accustomed to being so easily riled. Jiang Yanli was a sweet and gentle soul that Xichen couldn’t help but respond to. He had to continually remind himself that she was engaged. 

His assistance right now was due to the fact that they were A-Xian’s family. Lan Xichen wasn’t allowed to have feelings for this woman. It was also wholly inappropriate while she was injured in such a way. 

“A-Cheng, please be nice. Lan Xichen has opened his home to us, he didn’t have to do that.” She licked her lips as she looked around, eyes alighting on the stairs. “I would appreciate being shown the room, I am quite tired.” The last was said apologetically and Xichen had to bury the desire to make her brother pay for upsetting her. 

“I am glad I can help. Jiang Cheng, as you are quite concerned, would you like to assist your jiejie up the stairs?” His gaze swiveled to the arrogant beta. 

Upset her again, I dare you.  

The silent thought was written all over Lan Xichen’s face as he focused on Jiang Cheng, giving him the chance to decide his fate. It seemed that the brother could be reasoned with, though, as Jiang Cheng wisely held his tongue and began to assist his jiejie. Lan Xichen was mildly disappointed with that.

Leading the way, he started up the stairs, taking his time and glancing back more than a few times to check their progress. Ever the one to be cognizant of politics, Xichen was navigating the landmines of familial bonds and protective natures. If this was even a fraction of what his brother felt every time he was faced with the realities of Wei Ying’s living situation, it was a miracle Wangji wasn’t already in jail for murder.

By the time Jiang Yanli was settled in the spare room and resting, Lan Xichen had retreated to the main floor to collect himself. It had been a trying ordeal to keep his composure as the facts kept buzzing in the back of his head. He’d messaged Yanli only a day or two ago to let her know how A-Xian was doing. They’d been keeping in touch ever since that first day at the hospital. While he’d worried about her lack of response then, he also assumed she was just busy.

When they’d been helping her get into bed, he’d seen the hints of those angry welts marring her delicate skin. It haunted Xichen. She was so small and gentle, there had been so many marks too. How could a parent be so cruel to their own flesh and blood?

Every time she flinched or gasped with a hiss of pain, Xichen felt it in the very depths of his soul. Jiang Cheng came close to losing his teeth several times during the drive over griping about Xichen’s driving causing Yanli grief. Fortunately, Jiang Yanli was very good at handling the temperamental beta, Lan Xichen truly admired her skill and it made him grin as he stared out into the inky darkness of the living room windows.

The Jiang siblings were a bit of an enigma to him. How could they care for one another when they did not protect each other from all things, including the abuses of their parents? Did they honestly believe this kind of treatment was normal and acceptable? He sincerely hoped not. 

It was also shocking to realize that he reacted strongly to both of them. Jiang Yanli was an omega, he naturally was inclined to be protective, it was simply the nature of biology. Jiang Cheng, on the other hand, was a mystery to him. The aggressive nature of the beta set his teeth on edge and Lan Xichen struggled to hold back from responding in kind. 

The footsteps behind him and reflection of Jiang Cheng in the window alerted him that he was no longer alone. Lan Xichen was prepared for this, he instinctually was eager for it even, and that concerned him. There was an awkward pause and then the sound of a throat being cleared.

If he came here to argue, he is going to regret it. 

No, No he is a victim too, I cannot take it out on him.

Turning from the living room window and resolving to not go on the attack, Lan Xichen took in the sight of Jiang Cheng standing at the opposite end of the space from him. His dark eyes were sharp and angry looking as he scratched at the back of his neck in clear discomfort. Both Jiang children were bestowed with good looks. It was harder to see in Jiang Chang as the young man tended to always wear this rage infused mask like it was some sort of armor against the world.

“Jiejie is sleeping now.” For once there wasn’t a snarl in his voice. “I appreciate your help. You didn’t have to do that.”

“I wanted to.” Lan Xichen was still itching to hit the beta just so he could vent his frustration at the situation. Schooling himself into that calm and collected persona he used for business dealings, he forced down the urge. 

Jiang Cheng fidgeted in place. He didn’t shy away from making eye contact, but he couldn’t maintain it either. It made an irrational smug sense of satisfaction course through Lan Xichen’s veins. “This wouldn’t have happened if….” 

If? If what?

“What exactly did your shijie do to get punished like that?” Xichen desperately wanted to know, and so far, Jiang Yanli hadn’t been willing to enlighten him.

He could tell that Jiang Cheng was struggling with answering. Silence filled the space between them. The longer it stretched, the more upset it seemed to make Jiang Cheng. Finally with a growl he paced the length of the room, and Lan Xichen took note of the fact that the man kept the furniture between them. Could Jiang Cheng be nervous about retaliation? 

“If you had left us alone!” The answer was venomous and full of frustration. “Jiejie’s a good person. You just couldn’t leave it be. You had to keep in contact! Mother saw some message you sent about Wei Wuxian.”

This had been because of a text message? 

Lan Xichen took the revelation like a blow to his gut. He had inadvertently caused Jiang Yanli pain. After all the promises and platitudes about keeping her safe, he was the reason her back was riddled with welts. Bile rose in the back of his throat and he swallowed hard.

“Your mother inflicted those wounds because of a text message?” There was a tenuous hold on his temper. 

“Yes! Fucking alphas. You don’t get it!” Jiang Cheng was ranting and Lan Xichen let him.

“It’s not easy to raise an omega. Mother says it all the time. You need a heavy hand to keep them in line. As soon as Jiejie presented, Mother made sure she understood.” Even while he spoke, Lan Xichen could tell this was him just regurgitating information more than believing it himself. It was the only reason why Jiang Cheng was still breathing.

“I’m the only normal one! Mother didn’t need to worry about me causing a mess. She’s right, you know. Look at Wei Wuxian! He’s pregnant because he couldn’t just do as he was fucking told!” Jiang Cheng was scrubbing at his face and his pacing was agitated. The anger morphed into absolute anguish.

“If Wei Wuxian had been home, he would be the one with the beaten back.” There were angry hurt tears in the beta’s eyes. “He would have gotten in the way, or done something to protect her! I didn’t even know! I didn’t!” Jiang Cheng dropped to a crouch in the middle of his pacing and held his head, a sob escaped him.

Lan Xichen was stunned. Should he comfort him? Would Jiang Cheng get angry if he did? Most likely. 

In the span of a few minutes, he’d not only learned he was the cause of Jiang Yanli’s suffering, but that if A-Xian hadn’t been thrown out, he would have stepped in to protect his shijie without a second thought. How much abuse had Wei Wuxian suffered to protect the ones he cared about in his life? More importantly, why hadn’t Jiang Cheng done anything? 

“How could you not know?” Lan Xichen’s voice sounded rough, more than he’d expected.

“I wasn’t home, jackass! I work for a living!” Jiang Cheng was so very lucky the furniture blocked Lan Xichen’s path. 

There was a limit to his patience when it came to this beta. Taking a slow, measured breath of air, Lan Xichen focused on keeping himself in control.

“Why didn’t you take her to a doctor?” He was asking this out of genuine curiosity. It was bad enough Yanli was hurt, the fact that she’d suffered until getting to the Wen apartment tonight was unfathomable. 

Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes standing up again. This time, his temper had taken hold and he was stalking forward toward Lan Xichen, ignorantly removing the barricade between them.  

Good, get closer…No! Stay back, this is unwise!

Xichen tucked one arm behind his back standing in that collected pose he often held. It worked well to hide his clenched fist. This situation was quickly becoming dangerous for the both of them.

“You don’t get it! You Lans in your perfect fucking world. All of you are goddamn alphas . The world bends over backwards for your shit!” Jiang Cheng’s face was flushed red with his renewed rage. “Do you think anyone would care if an alpha did that to her?”

Although betas didn’t exude pheromones like alphas and omegas, their strongest emotions produced a flavor all their own. For Jiang Cheng, his fury was as hot and bitter as a mouthful of ash. It clung to Lan Xichen’s tongue the closer the beta got to him. Xichen’s nails dug into the palm of his hidden fist.

“If an alpha did that to her, I’d rip their throat out.” Lan Xichen was rather proud of his even tone. 

He didn’t even want to picture another alpha touching Yanli right then. Alphas were too aggressive and she was just too fragile. He also was painfully aware that he had no right to be thinking about any of this. Jiang Yanli was not his omega, she was promised to another.

Jiang Cheng snorted in derision. “And the world would applaud you for it! Fucking hypocrites. If I did it, I’d be arrested and thrown in jail for life!” He jabbed a finger in Lan Xichen’s direction. Did he need all of his fingers? “If A-Li sees a doctor like this….Mother would suffer, the company would suffer.”

Yes, Yu Ziyuan would go to jail. Lan Xichen didn’t see a problem at all with that. He frowned at the glaring beta. “You’d rather let her endure pain in secret instead of seeking justice?” There was a very dangerous hint of fire in Xichen’s words. What kind of horrible conditioning did the Jiang siblings receive at the hands of their parents to think this way?

“God! You still don’t get it!” Jiang Chang raised his voice. “Do you think A-Li would be happy to lose her mother? Do you think she wouldn’t blame herself?! She’s an omega! She needs discipline and structure! You might not like it, you goddamn prick, but it’s the truth.” Jiang Cheng jabbed his finger against Lan Xichen’s chest.

“Yanli’s whole world would collapse if this ever got reported! She would lose everything! Her home, her family, all the security she relies on!” That finger jabbed against Lan Xichen again and again with each idiotic point Jiang Cheng listed. He really didn’t need all his fingers, did he? This had to stop before it went too far.

Lan Xichen calmly grabbed Jiang Cheng’s wrist and squeezed hard around the delicate bones. There was a yelp and a hiss of pain, it didn’t stop Xichen though. He pulled that hand away from himself, his deep amber eyes blazing, yet his movements and actions were so collected and relaxed. Shufu would be impressed with his control.

No matter how hard Jiang Cheng tried to resist, his strength did not match Lan Xichen at all. His arm was pulled to the side, then up so he was almost dangling on his toes. Lan Xichen wanted to frighten the beta. He wanted to crush his wrist too. He really didn’t understand why he wanted to. Jiang Cheng needed his help as much as Jiang Yanli did. Hurting him didn’t make sense.

“You should ask for help then. Don’t just sit there like a helpless child and suffer.” It was easier said than done - Lan Xichen knew that.

Fear and pride were often the things that held victims back. No matter how much he hated to admit it, Jiang Cheng was as much a victim as Yanli was, though he was a victim of his pride and whatever fears Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan had filled him with. The things he’d said about society weren’t entirely wrong either. Alphas did have more leniency on account of their instincts overriding their ability to control themselves at times. Even Omegas were afforded allowances when situations arose due to their bodies making choices for them.

It was why the Lan family had adhered to precepts and rules for centuries. The self-discipline and restraint they learned as children could be attributed to how they’d prevailed over instinct. It was also why at this very moment in which Jiang Cheng was still breathing and not dead on the ground at Lan Xichen’s feet. The beta was able to wind him up so easily - it was disconcerting.

“Let go, jackass!” Jiang Cheng smelled of sour fear and ashen fury now. Good, he should be afraid, it was only fair considering he’d evoked such powerful turmoil in Lan Xichen’s otherwise rational behavior.

“Before I do, you and I are going to come to an agreement.” A pleasant smile ghosted across Lan Xichen’s face. It made Jiang Cheng stop struggling and go pale. 

They were going to have to establish some kind of understanding, otherwise this would not work. Tomorrow he would speak to his shufu about getting the guest house ready for Jiang Cheng and Jiang Yanli to stay in. That was the wisest course of action to take. No matter his complicated feelings around these two, he couldn’t behave as if he had a right to make all the decisions for them.

“The fuck does that mean?! Let go!” Lan Xichen squeezed his wrist a bit harder to make him stop and Jiang Cheng almost fell to his knees, crying out in pain.

“Not only am I willing, but I already am helping your siblings, it is best you accept this. I will also help you, provided you follow some simple rules. You may consider them requests if you like.” The unnerving calm of his voice would likely give his statement more impact than if he’d been yelling and throwing fists. 

“Jiang Yanli will not be taken back to your home. You cannot enact any sort of ‘rigid discipline’ upon her, ever. Wei Wuxian is off limits as well in that regard. You will control yourself while you are a guest here, and if you value your life, you’ll quit with your inane insults and try to act like a proper human being.” This was not just because of Lan Xichen’s strong response toward the Jiang siblings. He knew Lan Wangji would struggle to handle the beta and his hostile nature around A-Xian. It really was for Jiang Cheng’s safety that this was made clear.

Jiang Cheng snarled and started to claw at Lan Xichen’s hold on his wrist with his free hand. It barely phased Xichen who just casually pulled his arm from behind his back and trapped Jiang Cheng’s other hand in his grip, essentially shackling the beta with his hands alone. 

He’s a victim too, remember that. He’s afraid right now and this isn’t helping. Calm him, don’t enrage him.

Letting go, he took a step back, giving Jiang Cheng a chance to regain some sense of control. “I apologize, Jiang Cheng, I know this is not easy, however, I am not your enemy. Stop trying to attack me and I will not restrain you.”

He waited cautiously, using the moment to find his own composure. It didn’t make sense for him to be so easily angry like this. Lan Xichen was very accustomed to dealing with disgruntled people of all walks of life. The Jiang siblings seemed to be able to get under his skin so easily. Likely it had to do with what he knew of A-Xian’s childhood. The injustice of it all, especially if the Jiang siblings had suffered as A-Xian had, sparked fury within Xichen’s soul. He wanted to fix it somehow and Jiang Cheng’s anger was just the fuel needed to make him behave irrationally. 

“No one will be disparaged or disrespected while you are a guest here in my home. I will also give my word to respect both you and your sister as you both deserve.” 

They are victims, they need your help, not your fury.

Xichen could see plainly that Jiang Cheng was struggling to accept what he had said, and he couldn’t fault him for it either. When Lan Xichen looked at Jiang Yanli, he felt overwhelming urges to reassure and protect her. Yet when he looked at Jiang Cheng, it was a struggle to remember he too was in need of protection and reassurances. 

“Fine. I’ll try to hold my tongue. You better not try anything with my jiejie. She’s been through enough.” Jiang Cheng folded his arms stubbornly.

Lan Xichen schooled himself with patience and gave a reassuring smile, hoping Jiang Cheng would finally believe his sincerity. “I may be an alpha, but I would never force myself upon anyone or make unwanted advances. Jiang Cheng, you and your jiejie are very safe here, I give my word.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Nie Huaisang hummed as he inspected his new antique folding fan. The gala was winding down now, and it hadn’t been a total waste of his time. He’d enjoyed meeting Wei Wuxian, and understood why the Lan brothers had come to him. As a beta, Huaisang was often ignored or overlooked so he did what he knew best, collected information. Everyone talked around betas, because they didn’t care and didn’t see them as a threat. It allowed him to learn quite a bit and he had made a tidy sum of money selling secrets.

He was sipping wine, watching as the Yao elder got his face slapped by an angry wife when his phone pinged with a message from Wei Wuxian. It was an apology, cancelling their plans for tomorrow. Something had come up and he couldn’t get away. The way he’d been rubbing up on Lan Wangji all night, Huaisang had some ideas about why his newfound friend couldn’t get away. Still, he’d seemed so excited to meet up, maybe this was something different altogether?

With his afternoon now a lot more free than he’d planned, Nie Huaisang figured he could spend it digging into the Wens a little more. He enjoyed the task of rooting out the secrets and the challenge this presented was right up his alley. Leaning against one of the draped columns in the banquet hall, Huaisang ducked his head and started scrolling through social media to see if any new juicy tidbits had come up since the beginning of the party. 

So far, it seemed like there was gossip about Jin Guangshan’s latest mistress. Most of it was focused around Lan Wangji’s conversation with the Jiangs though and he read everything he could about the encounter.  

Very interesting!

Huaisang already knew about the baby, that wasn’t a shocking revelation at all. The fact that Wei Wuxian had fled a rumored abusive home was indeed gossip! Yes, he knew that too, technically, but he ate up every regurgitated word all of the ‘eyewitnesses’ had heard, especially the part about Wei Wuxian being promised to a Wen!

“You said they were still here!” Wen Chao’s loud voice was hissing in agitation just one table over and opposite Huaisang’s resting spot against the pillar.

“They were just here, talking to the Nie brothers, I am not lying.” The second voice was older, he knew it, he just couldn’t place it yet. “Keep your voice down.”

“Old man, how the fuck did you lose him in the first place? Wei Wuxian ran out on you and tonight’s the first night you finally could tell me where he was? Not only that, but I got here and he’s already gone! Like a ghost!”

Nie Huaisang froze, mouth full of wine that suddenly had the taste of chalk on his tongue. What in the absolute fuck?! He slid around the large column to keep it between himself and the two men. Peeking around the edge, he took a look at Wen Chao and his companion, Jiang Fengmian. They hadn’t noticed him. 

“They were talking with the Nie’s for most of the night, Ziyuan couldn’t keep her eyes off them.”

Swallowing painfully, Nie Huaisang pulled out his phone and hit record. He held it as close as he dared while staying hidden so it would catch their conversation better. 

“Well he’s gone now! This is the second time you’ve fucked up lately.” Wen Chao’s arrogant retort was loud enough to make a few people look his way.

Jiang Fengmian looked uncomfortable and frowned. “The train wasn’t my fault. I did exactly what you told me to.”

“Then WHERE the fuck was he!? I checked, he never got to his seat. Did you give me the wrong train car after you slipped him the inducers?” Anger laced his tone as he glared at Jiang Fengmian.

“Wen Chao! Lower your voice!” Huaisang’s eyes were wide as he listened. 

What inducers!? Don’t stop talking now!

“I did what you said, I switched his medication and sent him on his way. When he told us he was pregnant…I assumed it was yours.” Nie Huaisang’s eyes bulged at the revelation. Wei Wuxian’s own family had set him up?!

A dark laugh filled the air. “You Jiangs are so pathetic. All of this over a fuck up a decade ago and you still can’t get your shit together. You owe me twice now. Find out when he’s gonna get away from those Lans. You’re lucky I’m still willing to take Wei Wuxian after all this - even if he’s used goods because of that fucking Lan.” 

“How was I supposed to know what your plan was? I did as you asked, you can’t hold that against me!” There was frustrated anger in Jiang Fengmian’s voice. 

“Whatever helps you sleep at night, old man. I’ll even take care of his pup if I have to, or throw it to the Lans like a consolation prize. Just get Wei Wuxian away from them and I’ll handle the rest.” There was a pause in the talk and Nie Huaisang almost peeked to take a look. “ I don’t care how you do it, just make it happen, or would you like the world to know what you and your wifey did all those years ago?”

I’m so dead if they see me! Look casual, Huaisang! Stay out of sight!

Never in all his life had he felt so afraid in that moment. Wen Chao was no joke. That guy had done some rather heinous shit in recent years and every time his name came up, Huaisang was glad he hadn’t had to deal with him personally.

It was time to go before he got caught. This bombshell was exactly the kind of thing the Lan brothers had asked him about - it was a link between the Wen and Jiang families. Pretending to be drunk, Huaisang stumbled away from the general area while the men were still arguing at the tables. His phone was in his hand and he hit stop on the recorder, saving the little audio file and tucking it into his suit pocket.

Jiang Fengmian had set Wei Wuxian up with heat inducers and put him on a train. What kind of plan was that!? It was insane! Why did Wen Chao want that? Did they actually plan to trap Wei Wuxian and have Wen Chao get him pregnant? Why would they do that? What did the Jiangs do to become lackeys of the Wens? He had so many questions!

I’m a dead man if the wrong person finds out I know this!  

His drunken stumbling morphed into quick walking as soon as he was sure no one was paying attention to him and he beelined straight for Nie Mingjue. “Da-Ge! Can we go now?”

He had to tell Lan Wangji what he’d heard. First, he had to get out of that damn banquet. 

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Chapter Text

It was dark, hot, and cramped in the car. Lan Wangji’s growl reverberated wickedly, full of desire as he palmed Wei Wuxian’s ass, grinding against him demandingly. They were in a parkade at some professional building in which the obstetrician's office was located having just finished Wei Wuxian’s follow-up examination and ultrasound appointment. 

He’d made it through the dangerous period of his early pregnancy. Radish was safe and thriving. They’d gotten pictures of their little baby from the ultrasound and together, they heard Radish’s heartbeat for the first time.

The couple had been elated by the news. In fact, they hadn’t been able to keep their hands off one another since. Lan Wangji had pinned Wei Wuxian up against the wall of the elevator on their way to the car, and started grinding against him while kissing him passionately. They’d left that spot thoroughly drenched in their pheromones and Wei Wuxian couldn’t find it in himself to feel any guilt or remorse for the poor soul who had to go in there after them. He was too fucking excited!

The parking lot had seen another round of heavy petting against the car before the squeal of tires in the parkade had made them separate. Breathing hard, Lan Wangji had taken Wei Wuxian’s hand and pulled him into the back seat. Hidden behind its tinted windows, the alpha started undressing Wei Wuxian ravenously. 

His shoes were the first thing to go, and they were immediately followed by his pants which were unceremoniously discarded on the floor of the car. As soon as Lan Wangji’s fingers hooked in the waistband of Wei Wuxian’s shorts, he mewled with desire and lifted his hips. Their lips were melded together as they kissed and savored in each other’s taste.

He absolutely loved how aggressive Lan Wangji could get, over the last few weeks, Wei Wuxian had been intimately learning exactly what drove his alpha crazy. Ever since they’d confessed to one another, they hadn’t resisted giving in to their urges, and had shamelessly spent their time doing it in every single room of the Jingshi. All it took was the right look, a little rush of his spicy sweet scent and a whimper before Lan Wangji would pin him up against whatever the nearest surface was and have his way with Wei Wuxian.

No matter how wild it got, his perfect alpha always kept Wei Wuxian’s comfort in mind. It’s why he was now in Lan Wangji’s lap instead of still being sprawled out on his back across the seats - the seat belt buckles kept jabbing him in the side and he’d complained. Wangji wasted no time wrapping his arms around Wei Wuxian to pull him onto his lap like he weighed nothing. 

This also allowed Wei Wuxian to feel more in control, a thing he truly loved. He urgently unbuttoned Lan Wangji’s fancy dress shirt so he could tease his alpha with playful caresses down his chest and stomach before reaching lower to undo Wangji’s pants. Wei Wuxian’s hands shook as he squeezed his partner’s cock and started to stroke him after freeing that heavy shaft from the confines of cloth. He loved how hard his alpha always was for him. 

At the same time, Lan Wangji’s fingers were already pressing into his tight hole, pumping in and out slowly, stretching and preparing him for what was to come next. Sweet slick dribbled out of Wei Wuxian and it added an extra layer to the flavor of their scents. Lan Wangji’s skilled touch had Wei Wuxian throwing his head back and crying out in pure bliss as those long powerful fingers deftly stroked and teased his most sensitive spot inside. 

It made Wei Wuxian’s dick twitch and throb between them and he ground himself down against Lan Wangji. Fisting his hands around both their shafts, Wei Wuxian moaned, relishing in the erotic slide and Lan Wangji bucked up groaning with his desire.

“Ah fuck! Lan Zhan! Lan Zhan!” Wei Wuxian threw his head back as he shuddered in Lan Wangji’s lap.

“Wei Ying!” Lan Wangji grunted and nipped at Wei Wuxian’s shoulder, leaving hot little marks all over his pale flesh.

Wangji pressed a third finger into Wei Wuxian, coaxing him to open up just a bit more before Wei Wuxian couldn’t stand it any longer. “Lan Zhan! Lan Zhan! In! Inside now!”

He wanted to come with that gloriously massive cock stretching and stuffing him. Lan Wangji didn’t even hesitate. His fingers withdrew, making Wei Wuxian whine with desperate need and cling to his alpha’s shoulders. Gripping the omega’s hip in one hand, Wangji used the other other to guide the tip of his hard cock along the crack of Wei Wuxian’s ass, coating its length in the slick continually dripping from Wei Wuxian.

“Alpha! Please! I need it! Lan Zhan!”

Wei Wuxian felt the pressure against him and then the wicked stretch that was both painful and pleasurable all at the same time. His wail of ecstasy was swallowed up in Lan Wangji’s kiss and he shuddered, sinking down on his alpha’s cock. They didn’t stop until Wei Wuxian was fully seated in Lan Wangji’s lap, the alpha’s dick buried all the way inside his ass.

Breathing heavily, Wei Wuxian rocked his hips, moaning and arching his spine so he could get Lan Wangji just a little deeper inside of him. His throat was bare and exposed to his alpha, and in no time, Wei Wuxian felt the slide of a hot tongue and sharp teeth grazing over his pale skin. Mouthing at the sensitive scent gland only made Wei Wuxian keen with bliss and his body clenched tightly around Lan Wangji while he tipped his head further back to give the man more access to his vulnerable throat.

They weren’t going to last long like this, both of them were too worked up. Lan Wangji’s hands gripped the globes of Wei Wuxian’s ass, leaving bruising marks in his flesh as he started to guide him up and down, bucking beneath to drive his cock hard inside every time Wei Wuxian slid down on top of him. Little flashes of heat and pleasure arced through every inch of Wei Wuxian as the tempo increased.

Heavy gasps and grunts and the sound of wet flesh clapping against Wei Wuxian’s ass filled the confines of the car. Their scents permeated every corner and it was so strong it made Wei Wuxian dizzy. His cock throbbed as it was pressed against Lan Wangji’s taut stomach. The pace was hard and fast, matching their eager need. It had Wei Wuxian mewling again and again as that thick girth inside of him set every nerve on fire with pleasure.

Wuxian’s toes curled each time Lan Wangji’s cock hit the perfect spot, and his fingers tunneled into his hair, clinging to his alpha. “Fuck Lan Zhan! So close!”

Lan Wangji growled against Wei Wuxian’s throat, bucking up harder. There was a wild stretching sensation as his alpha’s knot started to swell and catch every time it slipped past the rim of Wei Wuxian’s ass. 

Unable to hold back, Wei Wuxian shouted, nails digging into Lan Wangji’s shoulders as he started to come. His balls tightened up, spilling his release between them while every muscle in his body clamped down tight around Wangji. It was filthy and hot and absolutely exactly what Wei Wuxian needed.

“Wei Ying! I…I’m..!” Lan Wangji bucked up once more, yanking Wei Wuxian’s hips down hard and he shuddered as scorching pleasure rushed through him from the swell of Wangji’s knot locking them together. The hot wash of his alpha’s come warming him sent Wei Wuxian spiraling through another climax and he fell forward, teeth sinking into Lan Wangji’s shoulder to try and muffle his screams of pure bliss.

It took several minutes before they came back to their senses. Locked together intimately. Every shift sent a jolt through Wei Wuxian. He grinned with that drowsy sexy satiated smile of his and kissed Lan Wangji languidly. They both were trying to catch their breath as they stroked each other’s hot sweaty skin and savored the moment.

“The car’s gonna smell like sex for weeks after this.”

“Mn.” Wangji nuzzled his way beneath Wei Wuxian’s jaw.

Those big strong hands had swept up his body, teasing slowly along Wei Wuxian’s spine before hugging him close. He loved it. It was a far cry to how things had been before he’d gotten on that train all those months ago. Wei Wuxian couldn’t bring himself to regret any of it. He was just too damn happy.

“We’re having a baby, Lan Zhan.”

It was a miracle all on its own. As a recessive omega, pregnancy wasn’t a guarantee, especially for a male omega. At twelve weeks, his doctor was giving them a positive checkup and his baby had a heartbeat! Wei Wuxian’s chances of keeping the pregnancy had increased tenfold. It warranted celebrating.

“We are.” Lan Wangji pulled Wei Wuxian in for another kiss, sliding his tongue along the seam of his lips.

They stayed like that for quite a while until Lan Wangji’s knot finally started to subside. Withdrawing made Wei Wuxian whine petulantly, and he winced moving stiff muscles to climb off his alpha’s lap. Slick and come were oozing out of him and the erotic feeling made him shiver in delight.

Car sex, Wei Wuxian decided, was fun but messy.

He didn’t want to put his clothes back on, they were just going to get wet and sticky and uncomfortable. As soon as he complained, Lan Wangji leaned forward, between the front seats to open the glove box and pull out a package of wet wipes he had in there. The man was oddly well prepared for this kind of situation and it made Wei Wuxian wonder if perhaps it hadn’t been a little fantasy to fuck in the back seat of the car.

“Let me...”

The husky murmur of that deep voice always did wicked things to Wei Wuxian and he nodded, laying back against the passenger door, legs splayed wide so he was exposed to his lover’s care. The wipes were cool and damp, but they did the trick, mopping up the worst of it for now and cleaning Wei Wuxian enough that he was amenable to getting dressed. 

He loved Lan Wangji so fucking much! Being with him felt like a dream.

“Lan Zhan? Will you help me when we get home?”

“Of course.” He didn’t even ask what Wei Wuxian needed help with.

“I…I want to build our nest.”

Lan Wangji paused in holding out Wei Wuxian’s underwear to him, staring deeply into his eyes. He knew how important - how monumental, the admission was. The last few weeks had been a bliss filled period for them. He and Wei Ying spent every moment they could together and they were only apart when Lan Wangji could not put off going into the office for work. In all that time, however, Wei Ying had not made a nest in their room. 

He’d kept the little nesting spot out in the atrium of the Jingshi next to the koi pool instead. Wangji had wanted desperately to ask about it, but he worried that Wei Ying still didn’t feel safe. After everything that happened, Wangji came to the conclusion that it wasn’t surprising Wei Ying still had reservations, and it just made Lan Wangji redouble his efforts to be as attentive as possible toward his omega.

Leaning in, he kissed Wei Ying tenderly. It was different from the passion filled kisses they’d shared earlier. This one was full of his joy and love for his omega. Wangji hoped it would tell Wei Ying everything he failed to say often enough with his words.

“I will help you. Whatever you need, Wei Ying. It is yours.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

The nest making didn’t happen quite as soon as Lan Wangji thought. They first showered, which ended up with Wangji kneeling in front of Wei Wuxian, sucking on cock until his omega came apart for him one more time. They spent the rest of their shower cleaning one another reverently, cherishing their intimacy. By the time they’d gotten out, and dried off, Jiang Yanli had come to the Jingshi to check in and see how the doctor's appointment had gone.

Yanli had moved into the guest house of the Lan Estates a few days after staying in the Hanshi. It had taken that long before she could move easily on her own without difficulty. Xichen had been tending to her care personally throughout her recovery, much to the consternation of Jiang Cheng who constantly hovered and bickered every chance he got during his visits. The young woman looked much better now and her injuries were mostly healed. Currently, she and Wei Ying were in the living room visiting.

“Oh A-Xian! Your baby’s so precious!” They were admiring the image from the ultrasound.

“Wanna hear the heartbeat? I got a recording of it sent to my phone.” Wei Ying was vibrating with his excited joy, already pulling up the recording for Yanli to listen to.

The quick rapid beat of the baby’s heart filled the silence and Wangji could see the sheen of happy tears in his omega’s eyes once more. He felt a hot sting of tears behind his own eyelids and Wangji looked away quickly before standing. He couldn’t help but reach out to squeeze Wei Ying’s shoulder leaving the room to refill the teapot from the kettle in the kitchen.

He was going to be a father. The heartbeat made it so much more real! Wangji’s fingers shook as he texted his uncle. 

I heard the heartbeat. 

It was such a strong and fast sound and it reverberated in Wangji’s soul. He wasn’t sure how it was possible, but he already loved that little baby and it wasn’t even here yet. Warm tears clouded his vision as he refilled the kettle. He was wholly overcome with emotion thinking about his little Radish. That life was extremely precious to him. His budding family was all that mattered and he desperately wanted to make it official. The buzz of his phone had him swiping at his face quickly to clear his vision and read the reply.

Did the examination go well? Radish is healthy?

Lan Wangji’s lips curved in a smile, it was small but it was definitely there. Having his uncle and brother on their side helping had been a godsend. They were supportive and always willing to stay with Wei Ying if Wangji had to work late. Shufu had gone so far as to demand a weekly family dinner for them, it included Jiang Yanli as well. All of it made Lan Wangji thankful to have the privilege to be raised in such a caring environment. It was something he was determined to give Radish, and Wei Ying as well.

Very well. The doctor believes Wei Ying will carry close to full-term if he continues this way.

Tucking the phone into his pocket, Lan Wangji spent an extra minute composing himself. With the stoic expression firmly back in place and a deep steadying breath to calm himself, Wangji took the refilled teapot back out to the living room where Jiang Yanli was gushing over the details of Wei Ying’s appointment with him and debating names.

“Ah, Lan Wangji, help me! My dear sweet brother seems to think he can keep the baby’s name Radish once it’s born!” Yanli was giggling at her adoptive brother.

Wei Ying laughed, leaning back on the couch. “What?! Radish is a great name! My Lan Zhan likes it, tell her, Lan Zhan.”

A wrinkle formed between Lan Wangji’s brows and he shook his head. “Radish is a good nickname - for now. The baby will need a proper name once it is born, Wei Ying.”

“See! Even your precious alpha agrees with me.” Jiang Yanli smiled warmly, her indulgent teasing having the desired effect on Wei Ying. 

She was a completely different person from the timid and demure lady he’d met at Lotus Pier. Away from the harsh standards of her mother, Jiang Yanli had blossomed with her warmth and kindness. It had been a struggle initially. She remained cautious and closed off as if she expected harsh rebukes. 

Eventually, Jiang Yanli accepted the fact that she was safe here and that going home simply was not an option for now. Once she came to accept it, and once Xichen managed to convince her to change her phone number to prevent the angry calls and texts, things had gotten less stressful for her.

Lan Wangji was still very cautious about moving too quickly around her. He did not want to frighten her or trigger any traumatic memories by being imposing. The Jingshi and the Lan Estates would always be safe for Jiang Yanli. It was a promise that had been given from that very first day and all the men of the Lan family had worked hard to ensure it was upheld. 

Jiang Cheng had initially stayed long enough to see his sister moved into the guest house. Then he’d gone back home to face the wrath of Yu Ziyuan and Jiang Fengmian. From the small bits of information they’d gleaned from Jiang Yanli and Lan Xichen, the confrontation had been ugly. Jiang Cheng had come back, nursing his pride and sporting a bruised face. He’d stayed for a few more days after that, then returned home once more.

Jiang Yanli had sent a message to her parents informing them that she had sought refuge in a shelter after the severe beating and that she would not return until her mother had undergone counselling. Jiang Yanli’s whereabouts was kept a well guarded secret for now. They did not want to risk the wrath of madam Yu coming to try and drag her bodily back home. 

Unsurprisingly, Yu Ziyuan refused the demands of her daughter and called her out for being silly. She cursed her when that didn’t make her child return to her and told her that she would change her mind soon enough, shelters weren’t known for their comfort or safety after all.

Lan Wangji and his brother had not taken kindly to the veiled threats from Yu Ziyuan. It was beyond comprehension that anyone could be so heartless toward their own children. In Jiang Yanli’s case, it was believed that it purely stemmed from the fact that she had not presented as a beta. Whatever the reason, the Jiangs had issues with omegas - even if it was their own flesh and blood. 

Unbeknownst to both Wei Ying and Jiang Yanli, The Jiang patriarch had shown up at the gates of the Lan estate seeking his adopted son. He had been firmly turned away and told not to return. Lan Wangji wondered if the man had hoped he’d be invited in to see Wei Ying and welcomed with open arms. It would never happen, not after all the heartbreak and sorrow he’d seen his omega suffer because of that man and his horrible wife.

“Lan Zhan! Radish is great! It’s strong and a survivor! We agreed!” Wei Ying’s mock cry of disappointment pulled Wangji’s thoughts back to the present.

“Radish is a good strong nickname for our baby. When they are born, they need a proper name, Wei Ying.” The smile was in his eyes as he settled down next to his happy omega on the opposite side from Jiang Yanli.

“Fine, what do you think is appropriate then?” he asked with a narrowed gaze prepared to judge any and all suggestions. Jiang Yanli just grinned next to Wei Ying, waiting with anticipation it seemed.

“That would depend.”

“Depend on what?” Wei Ying countered quickly.

“Will our baby carry the Lan name or Wei name?” The question was asked with a very neutral voice, Lan Wangji did not want to skew the answer in any way.

Wei Ying’s mouth hung open for a second and he was at a loss for words. Jiang Yanli chuckled softly and shook her head. “A-Xian! You haven’t discussed this at all yet? You’re three months pregnant!”

“It's just…We’ve been busy, shijie!” Suddenly Wei Ying was on the defensive, though it was all in good natured fun.

She laughed lightly, it was a musical sound. “Lan Wangji, as you can see, A-Xian is very poor at planning ahead sometimes. I’m afraid you’re going to have to push him a little to commit to a choice.”

“Mn. It is something that does need discussing. We have time still” He was taking the safer middle ground in the discussion, but his heart had begun to beat faster in his chest. Maybe this was the time to broach the subject?

Wei Ying rolled his eyes. “You say that, but I can hear it now, you will keep asking me until I give an answer.” 

Lan Wangji leaned in close to his omega, lifting Wei Ying’s hand in his own to kiss his knuckles. “We could simplify the situation.” 

“How do you figure?” 

“Marry me.” Wangji spoke in a steady and serious manner. He wanted this very much.

It wasn’t how he’d planned to propose, but he couldn’t help himself. He loved Wei Ying, heart and soul. He wanted to have that dream of a full and happy family with him. The moment had been so joyful and light with warmth, it had seemed the perfect moment.

“Lan Zhan!” Wei Ying’s shocked response had his voice pitching up an octave. 

Jiang Yanli gasped softly, covering her mouth with a hand, though the excited twinkle in her eyes hinted at her hoping that there would be a yes in there somewhere. She was a romantic, that much was something Lan Wangji had figured out quickly enough.

“Wei Ying.” His response was patient, if a bit teasing. Inwardly, Wangji was terribly nervous.

“We’ve only known each other for a few months!” Wei Ying was hesitating, Lan Wangji had expected this, he just didn’t expect it to sting so much.

“And we are going to have a baby.” It was a sound argument for marriage, though it was by far not the only reason. 

They may have only known each other for a few short months, but Lan Wangji had fallen for him from that first meeting on the train and again when they were reunited in his office. Wei Ying had consumed his waking thoughts and had starred in many dreams ever since that fateful trip. Baby or not, Wangji was confident he would have eventually sought out his omega regardless.

“I mean.. Yes, we are having a baby.”

“Do you not want to marry me, Wei Ying?” Lan Wangji’s gut was twisted with anxiety, though he didn’t let it show. This wasn’t how he’d planned to propose after all. He hadn’t even gotten a ring for him yet.

“Lan Zhan! Don’t put words in my mouth! I just wasn’t expecting this!” Wei Ying quickly answered, hand on Lan Wangji’s arms and clinging tight so Wangji couldn’t move away. He rather liked that.

“Is that a yes?” No matter how hard he tried to hide it, hope tinged the tone of his words.

“I…I don’t know! It’s so fast, Lan Zhan!” Wei Ying worried about his lower lip with his teeth and Lan Wangji had to suppress the urge to suck on the ripe flesh.

“Wei Ying, I cherish you, I want only you, that will not change. Marry me?” 

Not for the first time, Lan Wangji wished he was as good with words as his brother was. He’d be able to convince Wei Ying so much more easily then.

“My heart! Lan Zhan! You need to warn me when you’re going to say things like this!” Wei Ying’s smile was brilliant. “Yes! Yes, Lan Zhan. I’ll marry you!”

Jiang Yanli let out a happy little squeal and clapped her hands together as the couple embraced. “Oh A-Xian! Wangji! I am so happy for both of you!”

Just like that, Lan Wangji was engaged to the most enchanting omega he’d ever met. They had a baby on the way, his life was full of true genuine joy. Nothing could take this feeling away from him.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

After agreeing to the marriage proposal, Lan Wangji wanted to announce it to everyone close and important to them both with a text message. Wei Wuxian had issues with this, naturally, and insisted a text wasn’t the way to handle it. Jiang Yanli thankfully agreed with her so they’d planned to invite close family members for an impromptu dinner.

With Yanli there, preparing dinner had been a snap. In fact, Wei Wuxian had been denied entrance to the kitchen with her insisting this was an engagement gift from her. Lan Wangji tried to offer assistance as well and was also sent away. A little out of place, the pair retreated upstairs to their bedroom and, with Lan Zhan’s help, started to work on building their nest. 

Wei Wuxian had been itching to do it for a while now. The one down by the koi pool and garden was cozy, but it wasn’t the special private nest Wei Wuxian needed. It had taken all of five minutes for Lan Wangji to understand that his role was to hold blankets, pillows, clothing and other random items and hand them over when asked. Wei Wuxian did everything else. 

Nesting was as much an instinctual drive as it was a comfort thing. Omegas needed it in ways that just couldn’t be easily explained. What most non-omegas knew of the process was that it was never logical to anyone but the omega who was nesting and the only golden rule was to not mess it up. After a few tries, there was finally a cozy nest dominating their bed. It was full of soft blankets and pillows. The sweater Wei Wuxian had worn the day Lan Wangji insisted on scenting him was there near the top, along with many other items that smelled of his handsome alpha. 

They cuddled together in the best nest Wei Wuxian had ever made. It was perfect in every way that mattered and the most important person in his world was there with him. He’d never made a nest for anyone other than himself. Sharing it with Lan Wangji had made it so special and it felt absolutely right and perfect. Lan Wangji was gently stroking his fingers over Wei Wuxian’s abdomen as they lay together. 

“Mmm…that tickles.” Wei Wuxian sighed softly, pressing his nose against Wangji’s chest. They were laying on their sides facing one another.

“Our baby is in there.” Wangji pressed his palm flat to Wei Wuxian’s stomach.

So far, the added weight on Wei Wuxian had not made his belly stick out much at all. It merely made him take on a healthier appearance and shed the waif-like figure he’d inherited from his excessive bouts of morning sickness. Placing a hand over Lan Wangji’s he smiled up at his alpha.

“This feels like a dream sometimes, you know.” Inside their nest, Wei Wuxian felt so comfortable and safe. 

Never had any space felt this good to him before. He had nested many times in the past, but it was always a necessity for his heats or just a way to seek some form of comfort. This time, it was different. He couldn’t quite explain, he just knew that nothing bad could ever happen to him here. He was loved, he was safe, and he had everything he cherished all in one spot.

“It is real. I promise.” Lan Wangji kissed his forehead softly. 

“I don’t know what I did to deserve you.” Honesty had also become a lot easier between them. 

Lan Wangji smiled, it was one of those rare moments that only Wei Wuxian got to experience. He loved that smile, the brilliance of it outshone the stars. “Wei Ying, you deserve all that your heart desires. I want to give you everything.”

“I just want you, Lan Zhan. You and our baby.” The only thing Wei Wuxian wished was that they’d confessed their feelings for one another sooner.

Lan Wangji’s arms tightened around Wei Wuxian as he held him close. “You have me. You have had me since we met on the train. Soon, our baby will be here with us in our nest.”

God, if Wei Wuxian had only known then what he knew now! “Old man Lan is going to be happy when we tell him tonight that we’re engaged. I think he’s been struggling with all of this and doesn’t wanna admit it.” 

“Shufu is traditional.” Wei Ying grinned as Lan Wangji said this and supposed it was a simple way to say his uncle was ‘old fashioned’.

Lan Wangji’s fingers started to play along Wei Wuxian’s side in a distracting manner. “How do you want to spring it on him? Just tell everyone all at once? The last time I sprang news at dinner, it wasn’t well received, Lan Zhan.” 

“I want you to wear my pendant.” Lan Wangji took Wei Wuxian’s hand and placed his palm over the cloud necklace he was wearing.

“Huh? Why?”

“My ancestors held many beliefs and traditions, and we try to honor those customs.” Wangji kissed Wei Wuxian’s forehead gently. “They used to wear a headband, it was sacred. Only their fated love could touch it. Over time, as the world changed, our tradition changed too. Instead of a headband, it became a necklace.” The explanation was given in that warm deep tone that Wei Wuxian adored. He grinned widely and stroked the pendant.

“So if I wear it, I’m your fated love?” We Wuxian was pretty sure if it was a headband, he wouldn’t have been able to help himself but play with it. Lan Wangji would have been driven mad by him always tugging on the tails of the fabric for sure.

“Mn…You always have been. It is an old tradition. It was how my ancestors demonstrated restraint, they could only be unrestrained with their family and their fated love.”

Wei Wuxian liked this explanation. He loved how it fit his alpha so well too. The stoicism and the way he always held himself made so much more sense knowing that. “So I touched it all this time….”

Lan Wangji grunted softly. “You are the only one who has ever touched it.”

“Not even your family?” When Lan Wangji shook his head, Wei Wuxian felt the world tip a little. He was the only person. Somehow, knowing this made it that much more precious to him. It was like he was being handed his alpha’s heart.

“Uncle Lan and Xichen will know we’re engaged the second they see it on me, won’t they?” 

“They will think we have eloped.” Lan Wangji clarified with another rare smile.

“Lan Zhan! How scandalous! The second Jade is known to be an upstanding and righteous gentleman! Won’t this tarnish your reputation with your family?” The teasing tone was warmed by Wei Wuxian’s grin as he stroked the pendant with a gentle reverence.

“They will understand. You are my fated love, Wei Ying.”

Wei Wuxian propped himself up on his elbow and grinned at Lan Wangji. “My heart, Lan Zhan! You say the sweetest things to me!”

Lan Wangji sat up in their nest, pulling Wei Wuxian with him and guiding his hands to his neck. “Will you wear it, Wei Ying?”

Holy crap! He really was giving him his heart! That’s what this was, right? Biting his lip and nodding almost shyly, Wei Wuxian slid his fingers along the chain until he found the clasp and undid it. The pendant was heavier than it looked and he pulled it away from Wangji’s neck bringing it to his own. “No matter what your ancestors did, we still have to legally get married.”

Lan Wangji’s gaze was fixed upon the necklace in Wei Wuxian's hands and his breathing had become slightly ragged. The reality of the moment slammed into Wei Wuxian as he held it up to his neck. “Help me put it on?” 

The hot growl of his alpha made Wei Wuxian’s body have a mini-meltdown. He closed his eyes and focused on the feel of Wangji’s fingers deftly helping him secure the chain around his neck. If this were ancient times, apparently this would have been as good as marrying his alpha in the eyes of Lan Wangji’s elders. 

How in the hell had he managed to become Lan Wangji’s fated love?  Wei Wuxian pinched his arm to make sure he wasn’t dreaming. The pendant was still warm from Lan Wangji’s body heat and it settled heavily in place on Wei Wuxian.

“I’m all yours, Lan Zhan. Body and soul.” The promise was sealed with a kiss.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

That evening they broke their good news to uncle Lan and Lan Xichen over dinner with Jiang Yanli. As expected, the second old man Lan saw the necklace on Wei Wuxian’s neck, he’d assumed they had indeed eloped. Perhaps betting against Lan Wangji on that topic had been a misguided decision, but Wei Wuxian had been so sure the old man would have known him well enough by now to realize that he wouldn’t elope without them there.

The Lan family was his family - more than Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan had ever been to him. He was starting to realize just how screwed up his childhood had been. Every time that he freaked out at the small stuff, and then had to go through the song of dance of explaining how that was just ‘normal’ to the three Lans, made him come to understand how wrong some of it was.

Yes, he knew how fucked up madam Yu’s penchant for beating him was. He got that. Wei Wuxian also knew if it wasn’t him, it would have been his shijie - the proof was there. Yanli had to flee her family because of him. He wasn’t able to take the crap for her anymore and in some weird twisted way, he felt guilty for that. She lost her parents because of him.

It was just a fucked up mess there.

He still counted Yanli as his sister though, and even Jiang Cheng as his brother. There had been a lot of talks with his Lan Zhan about them over the last few weeks. Wei Wuxian would curl up on top of him before they went to sleep at night and he’d tell his alpha all about his childhood. Things they’d done, the way Jiang Cheng took crap from madam Yu for never being ‘good’ enough in her eyes. 

He told him of how Jiang Cheng had gotten so sick once that madam Yu had yelled for half a day at how her son needed to toughen up if he was gonna make it in the real world. Jiang Cheng had to start taking supplements after that so he’d never fail his mother again. It’d been a really bad illness, but madam Yu just saw weakness and whining instead of a genuine medical condition.

Admitting that Wei Wuxian’s adoptive family was full of abuse was hard to do - even now. Lan Zhan was there for him though. He even counseled Wei Wuxian into understanding how Jiang Cheng being an asshole was just his way of coping with all the shit. He wasn’t wrong either. Jiang Cheng had always been put under pressure and always judged as unworthy. It never made sense to Wei Wuxian either.

Jiang Cheng presented late as a beta, sure, but he was a beta. That should have made Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan quite happy when he really thought about it. They’d been so disappointed in A-Li when she presented as an omega. Maybe nothing could please them though. The heavens knew Wei Wuxian had tried his best, he’d even taken the brunt of the hell for his siblings to make things easier on them.

“Wei Ying.” Lan Zhan’s voice pulled him out of his dark thoughts.

“Hmm?” He was lounging next to the koi pool with his fingers dangling in the water. Goldie and Spot kept sucking on the tip of his thumb. 

“You have that far away look.” Lan Zhan came over to the edge of Wei Wuxian’s little lounging nest but didn’t step within it. 

It melted Wei Wuxian’s heart every time his alpha did something that considerate. Yes, they were engaged, and a couple, but Lan Zhan never assumed it gave him the right to act without checking either. Patting the cushions in invitation he smiled up to his love. 

“Just thinking. I can’t believe old man Lan thought we already got married!”

Lan Zhan easily moved into the cushioned nest and sat down near Wei Wuxian. He moved as soon as his alpha was settled and curled up against his chest. Everyone had gone home by that point and it was just the two of them. Pressing a kiss against Lan Zhan’s chest he sighed, hugging him close. 

“Shufu is very set in his ways. He is happy for us.” That big warm hand was sliding up and down Wei Wuxian’s spine comfortingly. “What are you thinking?”

“Just about how lucky I am. You, Uncle Lan, and Xichen-ge are my family; more than my adopted parents ever were. I’m so glad for that too. I was excited tonight, and I wasn’t afraid of being in trouble or anything. I got to be happy about our news, and I got the chance to share it with people we care about.” It meant a lot to him.

Lan Zhan pressed a kiss to the top of Wei Wuxian’s head in that comforting loving way of his. “I wish we had met sooner.”

Grinning up at his alpha, Wei Wuxian’s eyebrows arched with curiosity. “Yeah? How much sooner?”

Lan Zhan’s ears started to turn pink and it just made him that much more endearing to Wei Wuxian. “The sooner the better. I would have made sure you always had joy in your heart.”

For a man that always worried he was bad with words, he managed to melt Wei Wuxian’s heart on a regular fucking basis. “Lan Zhan! You need to warn me when you’re gonna say stuff like that!”

This granted him one of his alpha’s brilliant small smiles. God, he loved that grin. “If you’d known me any sooner I might have annoyed you to the point of you hating me though. I was a shit when I was younger, Lan Zhan. Maybe we met just in time.”

Lan Zhan had the audacity to chuckle and shake his head. “I would still have tried to give you everything, even if I was furious with you.” 

Wei Wuxian did not deserve this man. He was too fucking perfect and good to him. He didn’t answer with words, he just smiled and snuggled into Lan Zhan’s embrace. They sat there in the quiet of the Jingshi, enjoying each other’s closeness. It was starting to get late, Wei Wuxian was actually tired at a normal hour for a change. He blamed Radish and claimed it took a lot of energy to grow a baby. Lan Zhan always took it in stride though. 

“Wei Ying?” The voice was gentle and warm. “Would you hate me if I ruined your adopted parents?”

No matter how much Wei Wuxian thought he understood Lan Zhan, the man always seemed able to throw him for a loop! Drowsiness forgotten, Wei Wuxian sat up and stared into the molten gold eyes of his future husband. 

“Ruined? How?” He needed a hell of a lot more information than just ‘ruined’.

Lan Zhan seemed to be considering his answer carefully. “They hurt you and your siblings. They have been unforgivably cruel. They must be punished. If I do it…they will likely end up in jail.”

Holy fuck! Jail? For real? Could he really put them in jail?

“Jiang Cheng…Shijie, they would…they would hate me.”

“It would not be you doing it.” Lan Zhan spoke gently. “They are victims, too.”

Wei Wuxian’s teeth trapped his lower lip and he rubbed the side of his nose as he thought about it seriously. “What about the business? Wouldn’t Jiang Cheng be left picking up the pieces?”

He could see the frown on Lan Zhan’s face. “Their shares could become his, yes.” Wei Wuxian could see him trying to pick and choose his words now. “You own shares too.”

“What?”

Lan Wangji let out a long breath. Perhaps it had been a mistake to ask this. He could see Wei Ying struggling with it. Pulling him close, Lan Wangji pushed onward. There wasn’t much he could do now but continue. “I bought them for you. I wanted to give you the chance to decide what happens to them.”

Wei Ying had a shocked look on his face, his lips were parted and those brilliant eyes were zeroed in on Wangji. “H-how much?”

“Thirty-nine percent. There are a few difficult shareholders who will not sell.” Lan Wangji frowned slightly with his annoyance. 

“Thirty-nine percent!?”

“Mn.”

“ How!? ” 

“I offered to purchase at a more than fair price. The former owners of those shares are representing you at board meetings currently, the Jiang couple do not know who the new shareholder is yet.” He was worried he’d overstepped.

Wei Ying just stared at him for an unfathomable time. When the trance broke, it was a snort of laughter. “Holy fuck, Lan Zhan! Are...Are you telling me I’m the next biggest shareholder of Lotus Enterprises outside of the Jiangs?”

Lan Wangji nodded slowly. “You are.”

“God! The cost! Lan Zhan! How much did it cost?!”

“It was an acceptable cost, it is my gift to you, Wei Ying. You deserve justice.” He would do more than the thirty-nine percent. He would make sure Wei Ying had enough sway to enact a hostile takeover if he so desired. The Jiangs collectively owned only ten percent more than Wei Ying at this point. It would not take much more to throw the balance in his favor. 

“But, that’s Jiang Cheng’s future! It..It’s his!” There was panic in Wei Ying’s voice.

“If you want to give it to your brother, you may. They are your shares to do with as you please. My gift is the choice, Wei Ying. You can decide their fate.” The air started to smell of soothing sandalwood as he tried to calm him down with his pheromones. 

Lan Wangji really needed Wei Ying’s permission before he wrecked the Jiang couple. Regardless of the business, he would see Yu Ziyuan and Jiang Fengmian behind bars for the abuse they inflicted on their children. If he were honest with himself, he wanted to beat them within an inch of their lives. Putting them behind bars would be just as good, though. 

The fate of Lotus Enterprises would be wholly in Wei Ying’s hands, no matter what. Wangji hoped it would empower Wei Ying into feeling like he had control over his life and choices once more. Wei Ying had spoken so fondly of his joy for life and the pride in the choices he’d made. To see him so hesitant now was heart wrenching. 

Wangji also now understood the environment in which the Jiang children had been raised. He  could not blame Jiang Yanli or Jiang Cheng for the misfortunes as they too were suffering. It was difficult at times, as Jiang Cheng had lashed out aggressively at every chance he could. 

Xichen confided in Wangji once fearing that Jiang Cheng was conditioned by Yu Ziyuan’s sick outlook on society. It was an archaic behavior that had no place anywhere near the man Lan Wangji loved. The true blessing was that Jiang Cheng seemed able to identify right from wrong still. It was because of Jiang Cheng that they’d been able to get Yanli out of that situation and somewhere safe. He tipped Wei Ying’s chin up and kissed him softly. 

“I cannot ignore what they have done.” He needed Wei Ying to understand. “I can give you the power to choose whether you want to protect or destroy their company, either for yourself or your siblings. Your adopted parents will face justice, Wei Ying. I do not want you to hate me for doing it, but I must make them pay for their actions.”

“I don’t think I could ever hate you, Lan Zhan.” Wei Ying was pressing close. “Shijie still cares about her parents, and I know Jiang Cheng does too. Justice is gonna hurt them.”

“Your siblings know that their parents are in the wrong. They would not have broken away otherwise.” Wangji reasoned.

Wei Ying sighed and buried his face against Lan Wangji’s neck, inhaling deeply. “Don’t do anything to them without telling me first, please?”

It wasn’t a no. It was giving him permission in a very loose sense of the word. If all he had to do was warn Wei Ying before he acted, perhaps it was because he wanted to help. Whatever the case, Wangji now had his implied permission.

“Mn, I promise.” He kissed the top of Wei Ying’s head again as he hugged him close. 

In response, Wei Ying snuggled into Wangji’s arms. “Take me to bed, Lan Zhan. I’m so sleepy tonight.” 

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Jiang Cheng glared at his phone and re-read the message A-Li had sent. Wei Wuxian was gonna marry that jerk? It didn’t seem fair. Why did Wei Wuxian get to be so happy when Jiang Cheng and Yanli had to suffer still? 

Deep down, he knew it wasn’t Wei Wuxian’s fault. He just couldn’t help but blame his adopted brother, either. It’s just how things always went. It was normal in a weird way and Jiang Cheng was only now starting to understand how his normal was not necessarily a good thing.

Coming home after leaving A-Li at the Lan estates had been eye opening. He loved his sister. He also loved his parents very much. They were his bedrock and he always thought that they loved him, even if there was all this disappointment and anger and all the fighting. That was just them being really passionate about their beliefs and feelings. Mother wouldn’t be so angry if she didn’t care.

To say that Jiang Cheng’s parents had been furious was an understatement. Officer Yang was at the house when he’d returned, it looked like he was taking a statement. Jiang Cheng wasn’t entirely fond of the officer in question, yet it seemed like every time something happened, he was the one who showed up. The second mother saw him, she seemed relieved at first, then her face had twisted into that ugly furious glare and the next thing he knew, the entire half of his face stung from the hit she gave him.

It wasn’t the first time he’d been hit, but it’d never been quite so vicious as this. It made Jiang Cheng angry and he lashed out at his mother with his vicious words, and then father got into the thick of it. When it settled down again, it was because of officer Yang. He broke up the argument by handcuffing Jiang Cheng, which left him defenseless to his mother’s wrath until she was exhausted.

He’d hurt so bad after that, and he was pretty sure he had a cracked rib. His pride was also wounded by the confrontation. No matter what they said, though, he insisted he didn’t know where his jiejie was. Every time he felt guilty about it and nearly said something, Jiang Cheng would see his poor jiejie sprawled out on her stomach, flinching when she breathed because her skin was so raw and tender. He couldn’t betray her. He had to do something for a change to protect her.

Wei Wuxian had always been the fucking hero, stepping in and taking the beatings like he was some sort of sick masochist or something. Jiang Cheng always assumed that Wei Wuxian was doing it to look good and be a braggart. Never once had he considered the fact that maybe he was doing it to genuinely shield them from the horrors that existed in his family. 

Jiang Cheng really hated to admit it, but his parents were fucked up. His family was a fucked up mess. Has it always been like this? As far as he could recall, mother and father argued endlessly. It didn’t always become physical, though there were a few times he’d seen his father sporting a bruise here and there that he’d try his best to hide. Mother also had a bruise now and then that didn’t make sense, he vividly remembered her having a fat lip once when he was around eight years old. 

It had been right after Wei Wuxian had been brought home. Jiang Cheng had laughed at his mother’s funny lip, which made her angry though he didn’t understand why at the time. Wei Wuxian was given a thorough spanking later that day for being too loud. As a child, it seemed perfectly reasonable. Looking back at it now, Jiang Cheng could see how it was a little fucked up. The signs of abuse were there, he just didn’t want to believe it.

There weren’t really any friends he could confide in either. It was a sickening moment to realize he had no friends to turn to after that ugly and humiliating fight with his mother and father. They let officer Yang cuff him so she could keep hitting him! 

He ended up calling Lan Xichen asking for help once he was alone that night. It hurt when he tried to breathe deeply. He had been humiliated and calling a fucking Lan was the last thing he wanted to do. There was just no one else he could turn to.

Wen Qing had made it painfully clear she didn’t want him involving her or Wen Ning in their bullshit anymore. It wasn’t like he could ask her for help, she would have refused him. He’d been an asshole to her that night.

The worst part was that Lan Xichen had come right away and had helped without question. He didn’t mock him either, so Jiang Cheng felt like a complete jackass every time he lashed out and snapped at the fucking alpha. Xichen had waited down the block from the house, as requested,  and he’d driven Jiang Cheng to the hospital, staying with him until it was over. Jiang Cheng had a cracked rib and a few concerning bruises that the doctors had obsessed over endlessly. 

The entire time, he was terrified they’d notify his parents and that officer Yang would show up to lecture him on filial duties or something equally dumb. The more afraid he got, the angrier it made him and he took it out on Lan Xichen. The fact that the alpha didn’t get frustrated and lash out, not even once, was a shock, it also made Jiang Cheng feel even fucking worse. 

By the time he was released from the hospital it had been mid-morning. His parents hadn’t even bothered to check in with him and in a humiliating moment of weakness, he’d wept in front of Lan Xichen of all people.

Jiang Cheng scowled at his phone and deleted his angry reply to his jiejie with a sigh. It wasn’t her fault. He was just pissed at the world; he always had been.

Tell him I said congrats.

He sent the reply with an overly forceful press to the send button and tucked it into his back pocket. Six weeks on from having a cracked rib and it still ached. The pain made him cranky. Without thinking, he downed the painkillers the doctor had prescribed along with his daily supplements and then headed down the hall to go face off against whatever new threat mother had in store for him.

“Ziyuan! You’ve made this so much more difficult than it was supposed to be!” Jiang Cheng frowned, why was father still home?

“I made things difficult?! YOU are the one that insisted we bring that bitch’s whelp home! If it wasn’t for Wei Wuxian..”

“A-Xian was going to get us out of this mess!” There was genuine rage in his father’s voice. “You couldn’t help but lash out at him! I thought we could use it to make it A-Xian’s idea so I let you! I never should have! If we’d known it was a Lan ....”

“What! What good is a fucking Lan to our problems? Do you think he’d help us out of the goodness of his pristine little heart? Those egotistical arrogant holier-than-thou Lans don’t give a shit about the problems of others.” Jiang Cheng could hear the venom in those shouted words.

He hovered upstairs, hidden away down the hall still and just listened for now. He didn’t have it in him to get into another fight right now. It never made sense why mother had hated Wei Wuxian from the moment he showed up. He was just a kid then, he hadn’t presented as a goddamn omega, he was just like Jiang Cheng. What was so wrong with that?

“We could have bargained with them, it would have paid our debts. Do you know what that despicable boy made me do to A-Xian?!” Ice creeped through Jiang Cheng’s veins. What boy? Did father mean Lan Wangji?

“You didn’t do enough in my opinion!” mother snapped back angrily.

“Ziyuan! A-Xian is our ticket out of this mess! We need to mend the fence, invite him home.” 

“Absolutely not! That whore has no business here! Look what he did with A-Li! That little hussy has gone and run off and she blames me!”

Jiang Cheng frowned. Why in the hell did father want Wei Wuxian to come home? He could hear the desperation in his father’s voice. He had no clue what mess they were talking about either. All he knew was that some mystery investor was buying out shareholders and it had his parents worried. Jiang Cheng didn’t even get why that was an issue. Between the pair of them, mother and father held majority shares in the company, no one could overthrow them, right?

“You went too far with A-Li! She’s our flesh and blood. It’s bad enough you think allying with the Jin family will fix our issues.”

“The Jin family has money! We need that if we’re ever going to get away from Wen Ruohan!” mother was almost screaming at this point. That angry surge of frustration boiled in Jiang Cheng’s gut. He wanted to make them stop.

“Money doesn’t fix it! They don’t give a fuck about money! They’re using us, Ziyuan! We have to give them something they want!”

What the fuck was this all about? Why did they keep fighting about money? They had plenty of money. He didn’t like the peacock that mother had set jiejie up with, but how was that a fix to any problem? The more Jiang Cheng listened, the more confused he got.

“Then why didn’t you just let them take him back then?! It would have saved us all so much grief if he’d just died in that accident.”

What? Wei Ying?

Jiang Cheng tried to wrap his head around what they were saying instead of mulling in his own spite. Everything had been so fucked up lately, could it have been fucked from the very beginning? Did mother really wish A-Xian had died in the car accident?

“This is all your fault! If you’d just held your temper for once in your life, we wouldn’t even be worried about any of this!” Jiang Fengmian was growling at his wife and then there was the sound of a smack. It killed the argument.

Jiang Cheng crept forward to peer over the landing to see if he could spot his parents. Mother was shaking and livid as she glared at father. Jiang Fengmian had his hand covering his left cheek. Mother had slapped him then. At least it was mother hitting and not father.

“For once in your life, side with your wife and not that fucking bitch!” Yu Ziyuan was a terrifying person when she let her anger take over. “You can’t even produce a decent heir, A-Li’s an omega and she’s run off, and A-Cheng…” 

Jiang Cheng didn’t realize he was leaning over the railing to hear until the conversation stopped and he locked eyes with his mother. He’d been noticed. What? What about him? Why wouldn’t his mother finish it? Was she still that disappointed in him for not bringing A-Li home? Fresh anger twisted his gut and he felt the burning spite at himself and his family creeping up his spine.

Father looked up and noticed Jiang Cheng then as well and that simmering rage boiled within him. Why did they both look so guilty? He scowled at his parents. It really wasn’t fair that Wei Wuxian was so happy and he was so miserable. His family was falling apart and it had something to do with Wei Wuxian - it always came back to his brother.

“Don’t mind me.” His tone was acidic with his sarcasm.

“A-Cheng! You get down here right this instant!” Mother was turning her anger on him, he could feel it.

“Go to fucking hell! I’ve had it with this shit!” he glowered down at them both and then took off in the opposite direction to leave the house, the yells of his parents following him.

Why couldn’t he have what Wei Wuxian had?

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Su She sighed as he walked morosely across the street downtown. Lunch had been disappointing, again. There was no sighting of Lan Wangji at his usual restaurant. He didn’t get it. The Twin Jades always had lunch together like clockwork. What changed? Why weren’t they following their usual routine? He knew it by heart - he’d spent years learning it and observing from afar.

From that first day of kindness when Lan Wangji had helped him up after he’d been knocked down in a crowd crossing the street, Su She had been infatuated. He had only been sixteen at the time, and he’d presented only a year or so prior to that encounter as an omega. Even when he’d panicked and his strawberry and vanilla scent had gotten overpowering with his instant crush on the handsome alpha, Lan Wangji didn’t give him flak for it. He just helped him up, and asked if he was alright.

That was where it all started. After that, Su She did everything he could to be the perfect omega for Lan Wangji. Someone proper and quiet with impeccable manners. He was obsessive about cleanliness and perfection, just like his Lan Wangji. Even his career choice had been dictated by what gave him the best chance to work with the Twin Jades, just so he could bask in Lan Wangji’s presence as often as possible.

So to have the routine change like this - to lose out on his opportunity to maybe catch a new micro expression to add to his wall at home…it was upsetting.

Su She always left for lunch fifteen minutes before Lan Wangji and Lan Xichen did. It gave him time to get to their preferred restaurant in advance and find his usual tucked away table to observe them. Lan Wangji always sat in the same seat, and after a lot of trial and error, Su She had found the best angle to get discreet images of the alpha.

He’d heard the recent rumors floating around the accounts department about Lan Wangji’s confrontation at the gala a while back. He’d even looked it up several times already. The pictures he’d found of the mystery person in a Lan clan styled suit were also something he’d printed out and angrily scribbled upon, tacking them up on his hate wall away from the perfection of Lan Wangji’s wall. Whoever the man was, Su She despised him. It still wasn’t a fact yet if the rumors were true, no one could give a proper account of the event. He didn’t believe it since everyone said something a little different.

Maybe the stranger was some distant relative, he’d been handsome enough to be counted as a Lan member at least. It wasn’t the classical powerful image of the Twin Jades, but it was still striking. More than Su She was - which made him awfully jealous for no real reason. Sure his face was a little flat and his nose a pinch crooked. He didn’t like how his eyes slanted too much and made him look like he was easy to scowl. The roundness of his cheeks also infuriated him to the point that he’d starved himself on more than one occasion trying to get that thin angular look.

Today was a wash. It was obvious he wasn’t going to see Lan Wangji and it made him sulk a bit. Working for Cloud Recesses had left this odd belief in Su She that he’d spend inordinate amounts of time around his perfect Lan. The reality wasn’t as great. He worked in accounts payable, several floors down from the executive offices above. There was this barrier between him and his love that he hadn’t been able to breach yet. All he had to do was prove he was competent and eventually the man would notice him. 

The morose omega was so lost in his thoughts he didn’t notice the stranger until they’d collided and Su She was sprawled on his ass on the ground. He glared up, the stranger’s identity hidden by the glare of the sun behind him, casting his identity into an odd silhouette. Was it his fault or the stranger’s? It was probably his, but that galled him to the point of anger. Lan Wangji wouldn’t have been knocked down so easily, even if he’d been lost in thought.

“Watch where you’re going!” Su She groused, wiping off his hands on his coat. The stranger extended a hand.

“Funny way to talk to someone who can help you get what you want, Su Minshan.” 

Su She froze. That voice was arrogant and confident, yet he was pretty sure he’d never heard it before. How did he know his name? Frowning, he took the offered hand and let the stranger help him stand back up. As the light of day revealed the face before him, a weird sense of foreboding washed through him. It was Wen Chao.

Why does he know who I am?  

It wasn’t surprising that Su She knew who Wen Chao was. Wen Ruohan and his two sons were a big deal and they held a lot of power and influence in the corporate world. In particular, the youngest son was known to be a cruel and belligerent asshole that frequently caused trouble in tabloids. Being known by him wasn’t exactly a good thing.

“C-can I help you?” It had been a mistake to come out today, Su She decided.

“Yes, actually, you can.” Wen Chao’s grin was wicked and Su She felt his gut twist with terror.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

“Look, I lost my phone, just call him, please? I’m his fiancé.” Lan Wangji was just getting out of the elevator when he heard Wei Ying’s voice in the lobby of Cloud Recesses Incorporated. 

He and Xichen were leaving the office to head to a meeting with Nie Huaisang. It had become obvious the man was avoiding their calls and they worried something had happened. There had been no word from him for weeks now. The only reason why they hadn’t gotten truly concerned was because his brother, Nie Mingjue, was not uncharacteristically upset. 

Clearly Huaisang was in one piece and behaving normally around his brother. With that in mind, they’d set up a lunch meeting between the four of them and the Nie brothers had agreed. Hearing Wei Ying’s voice, Xichen glanced Wangji’s way as they exited the elevator, his confusion was plain to see on his face. 

Why is Wei Ying here?

“Sir, if you don’t have an appointment, you are going to have to leave.” 

“I’m telling you, I’m his fiancé! I can’t leave, I don’t have my phone!” Wei Ying was starting to sound a little agitated and Wangji was already moving forward, a frown pulling at his brows. “Hey! Ow! Let go of me!”

The second he heard Wei Ying’s voice rise in alarm and make an exclamation of pain, Lan Wangji saw red. Even Xichen hadn’t been fast enough to grab him and hold him back. Wangji moved before he even realized it, heading straight for the lobby where everything seemed to be happening. He could only hear Wei Ying pleading to be let go, nothing else registered through the haze of his anger. Sour oranges and spice teased the air and it added to his enraged state. Wangji lost control to the imagined horrors of Wei Ying in peril.

The brothers emerged around the corner from the bank of elevators nearly at the same time. Xichen's voice calling out to him hardly registered as Wangji finally caught a glimpse of the scenario before them. The sight of security restraining his omega ripped a snarl of absolute rage from Wangji’s throat. Wei Ying’s arm was twisted awkwardly behind his back and he was clearly hurting from the pressure being exuded upon him by the guard was driving him toward the exit.

“Sir!” A woman’s voice, likely a receptionist, called out off to the side.

“Unhand him! Quickly!” Lan Xichen's shouted words echoed behind Wangji, but it wasn’t really fast enough.

“Lan Zhan!” Wei Ying’s voice sounded utterly relieved but still panicked. That was the voice Wangji focused on. 

Mine! My omega! My mate!

At Lan Xichen’s warning, the guard had enough time to turn around and see the fist coming for his face. His head snapped back with a sickening crack as Wangji’s knuckles connected solidly with his nose. The grip on Wei Ying instantly loosened and the guard collapsed, sprawled out on the floor. It wasn’t good enough. The man had to pay for hurting his beloved Wei Ying!

“Wangji! A-Xian! No, stay back!” He was barely aware of the people around him as he advanced on the guard.

Another growl tore from Lan Wangji’s throat and he reached down, grabbing the injured man by his necktie and hauling him up. In one swift motion, he pulled his fist back before cracking it against the guard’s jaw. The blows started to rain down on the man beneath him, who, perhaps to his credit, did not try fighting back. His opponent merely curled in on himself trying to protect his vital points as best he could. 

In all that haze of fury and anger, warm hands suddenly curled around Wangji’s raised arm and the scent of citrus and spice invaded his space. The flavor teased his senses, full of reassurance and joy, it was calming and the sour notes of fear were gone from it like they had never existed. Wangji froze, fist pulled back, knuckles bloody and limbs trembling with the need to exact justice for his Wei Ying. Soft purring teased his ears and a cheek pressed against his shoulder. 

Lan Wangji blinked, breathing heavily through his clenched jaw. The victim in his grasp not moving at all. He was unconscious by that point and hung limply in utter defeat. Beside Wangji, the warmth of Wei Ying started to seep into him and he turned his head. 

“Lan Zhan! It was a misunderstanding, I’m alright, everything’s fine. Let him go.” Those beautiful eyes and his warm smile eased the knot of fury and he sucked in a deep shuddering breath.

“Wei Ying?” Wangji’s voice felt rough with lingering rage and the protective need to avenge him began to subdue just from his omega’s touch.

“A-Xian, move away. He’s not thinking clearly right now.” Xichen’s steady voice dimly registered in Wangji's brain, yet he misunderstood the intention.

From his perspective, there were further threats nearby. It made him snarl again, the urge to shield Wei Ying surged through him once more. He didn’t notice the glare Wei Ying sent Xichen’s way.

“Lan Zhan, it’s me, it’s your Wei Ying. Let him go. Please, Alpha?” Another bloom of Wei Ying’s scent wrapped around Lan Wangji and he paused, struggling with his instincts in a wild attempt to regain some control.

Instead of moving away, his omega just pressed closer, hugging Wangji’s arm and preventing him from doing further harm to the guard. He didn't understand why he had to stop. Such a threat shouldn't exist. He needed to protect Wei Ying.

“Wangji, put the guard down.” Xichen’s voice finally broke through the last vestiges of his angered haze.

Slowly, Wangji looked from Wei Ying to his brother then down at the man who had yet to move. Blood steadily oozed out of the guard's very painfully broken nose and the one side of the man’s face was swelling from the hits he’d taken. The nametag read Da Peng. This man worked for him.

What had he done?

“Lan Zhan. I’m here, everything’s fine. I promise. C’mon, you’re gonna make Radish upset if you don’t say hello.” Wei Ying's petulant whine finally released the last vestiges of the alpha’s instinctual need to defend and he let go abruptly. 

“Are you alright? Did he hurt you?” Wangji's voice cracked awkwardly.

Inwardly, Wangji knew he needed to apologize, but he couldn’t yet. He feared moving at all if he were honest with himself. Did he really have any grip on his reactions? Was Wei Ying safe standing so close? He still wasn’t entirely clear headed, which became evident as soon as someone tried to get close. He warned them off with a wash of powerfully hostile pheromones and a murderous scowl. The only person who didn't get the memo was Wei Ying.

“I’m good, I promise! I was just surprised, that’s all.” Wei Ying smiled at him again, leaning in for a kiss. 

Slowly, tension started to leave Wangji. He wrapped his arms protectively around Wei Ying and held him close. It was a shocking sight to the people who worked for him. Lan Wangji was well known to have the ultimate restraint on his emotions, and he rarely touched anyone. There were many who jokingly referred to him as icy and cold yet here he was, in the middle of the lobby, standing over a collapsed guard and embracing an omega no one knew - and he wouldn’t let anyone get close.

Lan Xichen was keeping everyone back, including the new guards who’d arrived. They were all alarmed at the sight of their co-worker, but no one was brave enough to go against Xichen’s cautionary advice to stay back. Alphas could be very dangerous if they lost their senses and went rabid. Unlike omegas with a drop, rabid alphas could do untold damage before they were subdued.

“Lan Zhan, c’mon, let's go uhhhh…” Next to him, Wei Ying glanced toward Xichen briefly and the man pointed to the elevators. “Let’s go to your office, yeah? Come with me, Alpha.”

The tug on Wangji’s arm had him woodenly moving with Wei Ying. They didn’t cross paths with anyone and were soon back by the elevators out of sight of the crowd. They got in and Wei Ying pressed buttons, swore realizing he needed special access, then fished in Lan Wangji’s pocket for the pass card and used it to send the elevator up to the top floor. 

“There we go all safe and sou-mmm!” Lan Wangji pinned Wei Ying up against the wall of the elevator and kissed him hotly.

Hands slid down the omega’s sides, reaching back to squeeze the globes of his ass and lift him up. He crowded close, a growl rippling up his chest in pure satisfaction. In response, his omega wrapped those gorgeous long legs around him and tugged at his hair with his delicate hands. 

Once again, all sense of logic fled Wangji. He needed his Wei Ying.

The dizzying scent of sandalwood and spicy citrus filled the small elevator car as they rocked together. Wei Ying mewled with desire bucking against him, nearly driving Lan Wangji out of his mind. The sting from his scalp as Wei Ying persistently tugged on Wangji's hair was enough to make him groan and fuse his lips on his omega’s neck. The urge to mark him rose up hot and urgent. Wangji began licking and nibbling his way down the column of Wei Ying’s throat, struggling to remember why it was a bad idea to just claim the man the way he wanted to.

“Lan Zhan! Fuck! Oh Lan Zhan!” His Wei Ying panted raggedly, crying out with his desire. Encouraged, Lan Wangji began to work one hand beneath the waistband his omega's pants to palm Wei Ying's ass and press his fingers along the seam to tease him. “Ah! N-Not here! Lan Zhan!”

Wei Ying pulled harder at his hair and the sharp sting was enough to make Wangji look into his omega’s eyes. They were glazed with desire, dark and full of passion. They were also a little panicked. That sobered Wangji more than any words could have. 

“Put me down.” Wei Ying's voice quivered with his demand. Wangji didn’t move a muscle, panting to try and catch his breath, wholly unbalanced by that shock of anxiety he'd glimpsed. “Lan Zhan! The elevator’s almost to the top floor. Put me down!”

Wei Ying bucked against him, pushing at his shoulders this time. Wangji blinked slowly and the chime in the elevator loudly went off as they reached the top floor. Fresh air slid into the car as the doors rumbled open, soothing Wangji’s frayed nerves. He inhaled deeply, dimly aware of a surprised gasp somewhere out behind them, and carefully withdrew his groping hand.

“I…I….What did I do?” The doors slid shut behind them, enclosing them once more in silence. Dread trickled down his spine.

“It’s fine, just take me into your office first.” When Wangji didn’t move right away, Wei Ying whined softly and leaned in to nip at his chin “Alpha! Office…Take me to your office.”

He couldn't make himself put Wei Ying down. Instead Wangji hugged him tight to his body, groaning when he felt those long legs squeeze tightly around him. At Wei Ying’s coaxing, Lan Wangji managed to make himself moved toward the panel of buttons and his omega leaned over just enough to push a button. The doors opened for a second time. Somehow he listened and woodenly stepped out of the elevator, carrying his omega past the shocked faces of the secretaries straight into his office and kicked the door closed. 

He was rewarded with a tongue teasing the lobe of his ear. “Good boy. Couch.”

Worry continued filling Wangji’s heart as he moved to the leather sofa and sat down unwilling to let go of the man in his arms. For his part, Wei Ying just purred and nuzzled his way along Wangji’s neck, scenting him while he got comfortable in his lap. It was exactly what Wangji needed and he sighed, nuzzling Wei Ying back and scenting him in return. 

They particularly liked doing this neck-to-neck. It was intimate and spoke volumes about their feelings for one another. It grounded Lan Wangji and he held Wei Ying tightly. When he finally started to feel back to normal, he leaned back so he could look up at Wei Ying. 

“Tell me, what did I do?” Wangji had never lost time like this. He’d never had his control snap so easily and let the alpha in him take over so absolutely. He did not like it.

“You protected me.” Wei Ying replied, not telling him everything.

Wangji gave him a flat look.

“Fine!” Wei Ying sighed dramatically. “You attacked the guard that restrained me.”

Two emotions surged up in his soul. The first was anger, he tamped that down viciously and kept a tight rein on it. The second was confusion. “Why did the guard restrain you?” Wangji could feel the tension in his words and began to mentally recite his family clan precepts.

Laughter filled the silent office and Wei Ying grinned brightly at him with that bright mischievous expression Lan Wangji adored. “I tried to go past him to the elevators so I could surprise you.” 

A finger tapped Lan Wangji’s nose gently. “They wouldn’t let me in, Lan Zhan! They kept saying I needed an appointment. No one here knows who I am apparently. It’s all my fault. I forced the situation to get to that point. You can’t blame the guard, he was just doing his job. Okay?”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Wei Wuxian grinned watching the emotions and thoughts play over his alpha’s face. To others, he might look like a stony statue, but he had gotten pretty good at reading Lan Wangji's secret expressions by now. He’d taken a few pointers from Lan Xichen as well, and caught on quickly. Living with the alpha, and sleeping in the same bed, also helped him figure out his handsome fiancé’s thinking. Right now, he could see the remorse, shame and conflict raging within him.

“Don’t worry, Xichen-ge is taking care of the guy. I’m sure everything’s going to work itself out. You should clean up before you think about apologizing.” Wei Wuxian leaned down to kiss his alpha’s lips.

It had been a mixture of feelings from horror to excitement watching Lan Wangji obliterate that poor guard. There had been the stoic face, split with a snarl and blazing molten gold eyes, pummeling the other man into unconsciousness. All Wei Wuxian could think in the moment was how fucking hot it was. Did that make him sick in the head?

Thank God he’d ignored Xichen-ge and gone with his gut, stopping Wangji from actually killing the man. He had no clue what kind of legal repercussions there would be from this, but he knew in his heart that if it had been any worse, his alpha would never forgive himself. Releasing more of his warm citrusy spice scent, Wuxian purred softly for his Lan Zhan, doing whatever he could to help soothe the man he loved.

“I should have called. I think I left my phone in the DiDi though. I can’t find it.”

Lan Wangji huffed and tucked Wei Wuxian against his chest. “We will get you a new one.”

“Lan Zhan! How about we try calling the driver to come back with it first.” It wasn’t like he hadn’t done this before. Wei Wuxian had gotten into the habit of using the same few DiDi drivers because of it. The cost of replacing a phone always seemed like too much, and he could remember the names and numbers of a couple drivers. Those guys now knew him well enough to check to see if the phone was there. Who knows, maybe they’d already come back and dropped it off.

“Mn, you know which driver it was?” Wei Wuxian swore he could taste a hint of vinegar in the air.

“I do. I’ve forgotten my phone before.” He explained with a smile. Lan Wangji scowled. “Hold me, Lan Zhan! I’ve missed you.” Wei Wuxian was getting a kick out of this jealous side of his alpha.

Lan Wangji pulled his phone out and Wei Wuxian stared at the screen. It was flooded with text message alerts from Xichen. He didn’t see them all, just the last few asking if Wangji was ok and informing him that things were taken care of. At least that meant the guard would be alright. Wangji closed the messages after giving a curt reply then handed his phone to Wei Wuxian.

“Check and see.”

Not long after that, there was a knock on the door and one of the secretaries came in to set the misplaced phone on the low table in front of the sofa. Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji hadn’t moved yet. The secretary didn’t say a word. She had blushing red cheeks and ducked out of the office as quickly as she could. It made Wei Wuxian ridiculously happy to know that people tip-toed around his Lan Zhan.

“Were you leaving for the day?” Wei Wuxian asked gently.

Whatever the reason for his alpha being in the lobby at that moment, Wei Wuxian was glad for it. He didn’t relish the thought of being humiliated by being thrown out. It would have sucked to wait outside for someone to recognize him and get him past security.

“Xichen and I were headed out for a lunch meeting.” Wangji replied easily, nosing his way along Wei Wuxian’s collarbone. It was comforting and they both seemed to need that right then.

“Oh shit! I fucked it up didn’t I?” Guilt washed through Wei Wuxian as he inwardly winced. Surprising Wangji at work hadn’t turned out like he’d hoped it would.

“Xichen can handle it without me. You are more important.”

“Lan Zhan! We’ve talked about this! You have to warn me before you get romantic like that!” Wei Wuxian grinned widely, loving every second of his alpha’s attention.

A ghost of a smile teased at Wangji’s lips and it made Wei Wuxian’s heart do backflips. “How should I warn you, Wei Ying? With a kiss?” warm lips pressed to Wei Wuxian’s and he moaned softly. 

“Mmmm, that is a good way.” He smiled nuzzling close again. Wei Wuxian just wanted to savor the moment. “How long do I get to keep you like this?” 

“As long as you want.”

“Lan Zhan! What will your staff think!? This can’t be good for your image.” His tone remained light and teasing.

“They will survive.” Wangji’s arms tightened around Wei Wuxian and he grinned, snuggling into his embrace.

The whole ordeal had Wei Wuxian forgetting why he’d come in the first place. Sure, it’d been to surprise Wangji for lunch, but he’d had other reasons. Namely, Wei Wuxian was fucking bored at home. 

He wanted to do something, anything really. He was tired of sitting at home like a good little wife and not contributing whatsoever. He needed to pull his own weight and Radish was safer now than in the previous weeks, the doctor even said so. Surely to god he could -do- something, right?

After this blowout, however, Wei Wuxian wisely said nothing and just savored being held by his alpha. They could talk tonight.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Lan Xichen was late. Taking care of the mess in the lobby had taken longer than expected. Once Da Peng had woken up, Xichen insisted he see doctors to make sure he was truly alright. He also apologized and explained what had happened. Xichen planned to personally see to the compensation and official inquiries into the matter to spare his brother from it as much as possible. Wangji’s control was getting stronger in some cases, but worse in others. His brother had become hyper protective of Wei Wuxian, which was a good thing, however it had its drawbacks.

It had been an awful breathless moment watching A-Xian press close to that terribly unhinged version of Wangji. If he’d gotten hurt, Xichen was positive his brother would not have recovered from it. The guilt alone would have done him in. The guard was a beta and he couldn’t smell Wangji on A-Xian no matter how hard he tried. Usually, betas were excellent for security because they weren’t compromised by the influence of pheromones so much. In this instance, it had been a drawback. 

The whole incident made the argument for Wangji and A-Xian taking their relationship up to a mating bond relevant again. He knew they wanted to wait for their marriage to be official before placing their mark on one another. When it came to anyone other than his future brother-in-law, Xichen had complete confidence in Wangji’s restraint and control. As a dominant alpha, his brother worked hard to contain his baser instinct. Yet with Wei Wuxian in the mix, that control was tested to its limits, and today they’d found the snapping point.

It could have been much worse.

Checking himself one last time to make sure there was no blood on his suit, Xichen entered the restaurant, gave his name and was led to a private dining room. The Nie brothers were waiting inside and Xichen smiled as soon as he saw Nie Mingjue. They had been fast friends since their university days and he enjoyed the other alpha's rather blunt outlook on life. For now, Xichen needed to focus on this meeting and find out why Huaisang had essentially ghosted them.

“Apologies for being late, a matter came up at work and Wangji stayed behind to attend to it.” He settled down across from his friends. 

“No worries, we only just got here ourselves.” Nie Mingjue replied, giving his oddly silent little brother the side-eye. It jolted Huaisang and he instantly bobbed his head in agreement, mumbling a quick hello.

“I’m glad then! Shall we order?” A waiter appeared and they were soon waiting for their food and visiting casually.

“Huaisang tells me you have him doing some research.” Mingjue was the first to broach the subject and Xichen gave his amiable nod and smile.

“Yes, with Wangji’s engagement to Wei Wuxian, we want to make sure we have all the information we can in case his family takes issue with anything.” He trusted the Nie family implicitly, Mingjue had always been a voice for justice and believed in doing the right thing. 

“They’re engaged? Well that’s excellent news!” Mingjue grinned wide and held up a glass with some sort of liquor in it as a toast. “Give them my congratulations.” 

Huaisang didn’t necessarily look surprised, but he still grinned and agreed along with his brother, holding up a cup of wine. Xichen couldn't help but notice how the younger beta had shifty eyes and kept nervously watching the entrance to the private room. It was as if he were expecting ghosts to pop out at him. Xichen found it very concerning.

“Mn, we are all quite excited. I think Wangji and A-Xian make a fine pair and the baby was given a clean bill of health at their latest check-up.” He settled his best disarming smile upon Huaisang. “Though we were concerned when you hadn't reached out to us. It’s been a while now - perhaps you discovered a problem?”

Huaisang coughed as he swallowed his mouthful of wine and gave a sheepish grin. “Oh! I’ve just been…ahh…busy getting it all together!” he squirmed uncomfortably in his seat.

Mingjue frowned at his brother suspiciously. “What’s wrong with you?”

“N-Nothing! Wine just went down the wrong way.” Huaisang waved off his brother with a brittle grin.

“What have you found then? Anything Wangji needs to be concerned about?” There it was again, the twitch at the corner of Huaisang’s eye. Xichen glanced around the room, reassuring himself that they were indeed alone. “Huaisang, did you find something?”

“Out with it if you have. Don’t keep Xichen-ge waiting.”

“Da-ge! Don’t push me like that!” Huaisang complained, the theatrics he was known for rising to the surface as he clapped a hand over his face dramatically.

“Huaisang!” 

“Fine! Yes…I found something!” Huaisang looked around nervously and then leaned in closer. “I don’t have the details yet, but you should know…It might be best if Lan Wangji hears it from you as well.”

Huaisang looked a little pale, as if he feared Wangji’s reaction. The nervousness had Xichen on guard, he could see Mingjue also tensing up. Instead of explaining, Nie Huaisang pushed over a manila envelope toward Xichen.

“This is what I’ve pieced together so far. It…it’s not pretty. Wei Wuxian is innocent though! He didn’t do anything wrong! It’s his family.” The last came out in a not quite so silent whisper.

Lan Xichen drug the envelope close and opened it, pulling out the sheaf of papers within. There were pictures clipped to the first page, they were of Jiang Fengmian meeting Wen Chao at a coffee shop. “What’s this?” 

“Just…Read the top page.” Huaisang nervously looked around again. “Da-ge, if someone comes to stab me, you’ll stop them right?”

“What the hell?” Nie Mingjue scowled at his little brother but looked around all the same with a newfound sense of wariness.

Xichen stopped listening to them as Mingjue started to interrogate his little brother on why anyone would be trying to hurt him. With a sense of foreboding, he began to read the page in question. It contained a synopsis of the discussion Huaisang had overheard at the gala. The more he read, the darker Xichen's expression became.

They drugged him on purpose?!

As he read, Xichen began recalling snippets of dialogue from A-Xian and all the times he'd explained how he and Wangji had met. Wei Wuxian blamed himself for sending Wangji into a rut because he believed he'd forgotten his suppressants. According to this revelation, he’d unwittingly taken inducers instead. 

Wei Ying also frequently called their meeting driven by fate and tardiness, explaining that he had missed his original train that day. He vividly recalled A-Xian laughing about how he'd overslept and been late because of it. Xichen could taste bile in the back of his throat. A-Xian’s tardiness was probably the only reason things turned out the way they had.

Would Wangji think he’d raped A-Xian if he knew this? 

Xichen wasn’t sure he should tell his brother. Neither one of them would have been able to stop, no matter how much they knew back then. Biology was a cruel mistress at times and in this case, if it hadn’t been Wangji, it would have been someone else on that train, or worse yet, several people. It made Xichen shudder to think how close his future brother-in-law had come to being a gang rape victim at the hands of his adopted father’s actions.

“Is this accurate, Huaisang?” He suddenly asked, interrupting the bickering between the two Nie brothers.

Huaisang flinched then nodded quickly. “I have a recording, there’s a flash drive in the envelope.” Nervous eyes looked around while he licked his lips. “I kept it secure and away from everything. I swear I keep running into Wen Xu now. Everywhere I go, he’s there!”

“Did you find out anything about the car accident?” Xichen asked smoothly, trying to eradicate thoughts of Wei Wuxian nearly being raped. He needed more information and had the sinking suspicion that there was far more to the story than this one horrifying incident.

Nie Mingjue was listening but he seemed lost on what they were going on about. Xichen began re-reading the first page, his heart breaking for Wei Wuxian and the Jiang siblings. What had they done to deserve such atrocious parents? It hardly seemed right.

“Xichen, have you gotten my brother mixed up with the Wens?” Mingjue demanded in a sharp tone.

“Not on purpose, I assure you. We didn’t know for certain if there was a real connection until now.” Xichen frowned while Nie Mingjue swallowed the rest of his drink with a scowl.

“All I have are rumors, Xichen-ge.” Huaisang was hesitant as he spoke. “The best lead I have claims it wasn’t an accident at all. I don’t have facts to back that up yet. Somehow Yu Ziyuan and Jiang Fengmian became indebted to Wen Ruohan after that.”

Not an accident? Drugging an omega? Is there anything these two haven’t done?

It was a good thing Wangji wasn’t here right now. Lan Xichen knew it would have ended badly, especially after that scene in the lobby earlier. Thank heavens they’d gotten Jiang Yanli away from her parents. Xichen might have actually joined his brother in a murderous rampage if they’d tried something like this with their daughter as well. She was far too warm and kind to be raised by such wicked people.

“There’s more…” Nie Huaisang said timidly. Xichen just looked at him warily. “It’s about Jiang Cheng and Jiang Yanli.”

Xichen’s eyes narrowed.

He had a strange relationship with Jiang Cheng. His reactions to the beta's moods were visceral and powerful. Xichen always had to remind himself that the Jiang Cheng was just a much a victim as his sister. The beta was so hostile and angry, it made it easy to forget at times. Especially when he started to rant, spewing the nonsense his parents raised him to believe. If Jiang Cheng was complicit in any of this, Xichen would be shocked. He'd seen how utter defeated the man had been when Xichen drove him to the hospital.

As for Yanli; Xichen was rather fond of the woman. He felt a desperate need to protect her and had been thoroughly disappointed that the young Jin fellow engaged to her hadn’t tried to contact Yanli at all. Had she been his fiancé, Lan Xichen would have moved heaven and earth to contact her and find out where she’d disappeared to. She was engaged in name only it seemed, and her only support came from her brothers and the Lan family now. Xichen was not impressed by Jin Zixuan, yet he also couldn’t help but feel a little smug that Yanli turned to him instead of her fiancé.

What he did know with absolute certainty, was that he felt protective of both of them, even if they did garner entirely different reactions in the process. Xichen truly believed they were both unaware of what their parents had done to A-Xian.

“What about them?” Lan Xichen’s tone became guarded and he kept a tight hold over his pheromones so he didn’t make the other alpha uncomfortable.

Nie Mingjue was listening intently now. “I think you two should fill me in on everything.” 

“Ah…do you know if either of them are….taking health supplements?” Huaisang ignored Mingjue’s demand for information.

A stone settled in Xichen’s gut. What an odd question. “Jiang Cheng was taking something when he stayed with his sister. I don’t know what it was, I never asked.” At the time, he thought it might be antidepressants and had actually hoped it had been.

Huaisang licked his lips. “They’re…not on the market.”

Xichen felt ill. “What do you mean? What are they?”

“I don’t know. I can’t find information on them anywhere, and I'm not a doctor. I would bet money they aren’t good for him. If Jiang Fengmian did…that…to Wei Wuxian, who’s to say he didn’t do something to the other two as well?”

“Lan Xichen!” Nie Mingjue had hit the end of his rope. “You best explain everything, now.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Jiang Cheng was pissed. He hadn’t gone into the office after all. Instead, he logged in remotely on a laptop to check the finances of Lotus Enterprises. He even emailed a few of the accounts people to get reports sent to him. Everything looked fine. They weren’t hurting for money, and the latest project was doing just what they thought it would. It didn’t make sense!

What in the hell had his parents been fighting for if the company was fine? He scowled as he leaned back in the comfy chair at a random coffee shop. Everything always came back to Wei Wuxian. With a frown, he emailed his accounts clerk again, asking for information on Wei Wuxian’s investments. Jiang Cheng was pretty sure there were none, especially now that A-Xian wasn’t working for the company anymore, but it was the only thing he could think of.

His parents were fighting for a reason. They always fought for a reason - it wasn’t just because. Waiting, he flipped back to the accident article he’d been reading. It was a decade old and the details were vague. Speed and alcohol were suspected. Everything he read claimed it was an accident. Witnesses couldn’t save the couple and A-Xian hadn't been there at all. 

His email pinged and Jiang Cheng checked it. There was a file attached and he scratched his head. The message in the email was fucking cryptic with a ‘for your eyes only’ warning attached. What the fuck was this? It was clearly from his accounts guy, but why the hell was there a record for Wei Wuxian having any kind of investment with the company?

“What the fuck?”

Jiang Cheng opened the attachment almost warily. The file was a payment record stretching back all the way to the year of the car accident. It showed a large lump sum that had been steadily drained and was only a fraction of what it once was. The descriptions for the dwindling assets were vague and made less sense than the existence of the money in the first place. What the hell was this??? His eyes were going cross from staring at it trying to make sense of the numbers.

Jiang Cheng's phone buzzed with an incoming call and he answered it gruffly without even checking to see who it was. “What?”

“Good afternoon, Jiang Cheng.” Lan Xichen’s perpetually happy voice came over the speaker.

Grimacing Jiang Cheng pulled the device away from his ear to scowl at the caller ID. He did not need this right now. It could be important. Against his better judgment, he decided to respond instead of hanging up on the alpha.

“What do you want, asshole? Did something happen to Yanli?” This was the only thing Lan Xichen would be calling him about.

There was a pause. It was long enough to make Jiang Cheng stop reading and pay attention. “Are you busy right now?”

Jiang Cheng pulled the phone from his ear again and glared at it. Today was just one of those days. It had to be the world giving him the middle finger and laughing at him. “Would you care if I was? What do you want?”

He could hear the exhale and it made him smug for a second. Was he pushing Lan Xichen’s buttons? “Can you meet with myself and a couple friends? It’s about your sister but I don’t want to discuss it over the phone.”

Well that was just cryptic as all hell. It also made him nervous. The whole mess with his jiejie was something he struggled with. Yanli seemed to be doing better away from home, and even though he could see that, he wasn’t happy about it. Why did it always make him so resentful though? He cared, Jiang Cheng just hated that he got hurt every time it was about her and Wei Wuxian. No one ever cared if he was suffering.

“What happened?”

“Please, Jiang Cheng? Can you meet with us? It’s important, I assure you.”

Nothing was going his way today. “Fine. Where and when?”

“Now." Xichen replied quickly, evaporating all irritation Jiang Cheng had been feeling and replacing it with sudden alarm. "Are you at Lotus Enterprises?”

What the fuck?

“No.” He felt wary and suspicious, looking around to make sure the fucker wasn’t staring at him through the coffee shop window or something equally creepy.

“Can you meet at Fojiao park in say…twenty minutes?”

Fucking alphas! What was this bullshit? This cloak and dagger feeling had Jiang Cheng on edge. He’d been in a shitty mood all day and now this crap was going on. His tolerance for mystery was at an all time low.

“If this is a waste of my time, you’re gonna regret it.” He warned, balling a hand into a fist on the edge of the table. 

“I assure you it is not. We’ll be waiting.” Not only did the asshole call and get all cryptic on him, but the fucker hung up without another word.

“God damn fucking Lan asshole!” 

People in the shop started to scowl in his direction. The barista looked like they wanted to ask him to leave but they also weren’t getting anywhere near him. Jiang Cheng scowled at the guy forcing him to look away nervously. Good. He didn’t want to deal with people. Why the hell had he agreed to meet Lan Xichen then? Who the hell were his friends?

It was a fifteen minute drive to get to Fojiao park, the place was one of those Zen garden type of tourist traps with all sorts of bullshit Buddhist vibes to it. He knew it well enough and had wandered around a time or two, but it wasn’t an overly familiar place. The park was small enough that there was only one parking lot for it and he pulled in a few spots down from a dark town car he assumed belonged to Lan Xichen.

Jiang Cheng didn’t know what to expect. He slammed his car door as he got out, stalking his way toward the other vehicle. The early evening sun had just begun kissing the horizon by that point. They were the only vehicles in the entire parking lot.

“Alright, asshole, I’m here.” He called out loudly as he got closer.

The doors opened and Lan Xichen emerged first, followed by another fucking alpha - this one was so blatantly obvious that he didn’t even need the usual markers to warn him. The guy was huge and he had a powerful build. The other was a beta. At least Jiang Cheng wasn’t the only one for a change. 

“Who are they?” The hostility in his voice dripped off that little question.

“Jiang Cheng, meet Nie Mingjue and Nie Huaisang.” For the life of him, Jiang Cheng would never understand how Lan Xichen always seemed to be smiling. 

“The Nie family? What the fuck do you want?”

The bigger one, Nie Mingjue, snorted with a chuckle “You weren’t kidding when you said he had a temper.”

Jiang Cheng glared at Lan Xichen. “What the hell are you doing talking about me to these assholes?”

Nie Huaisang just sort of hid behind his brother and Lan Xichen and watched quietly. Nie Mingjue, however, laughed. “I like him, Xichen.”

Great, now a fucking alpha liked him? He did not need this.

“Fuck forget it! Just…keep Yanli safe like you said you would.” Jiang Cheng turned to leave but a rather large hand grabbed him by the shoulder.

It wasn’t Xichen’s hand and he stiffened, glaring up at the taller alpha. “Let. Me. Go.”

“Mingjue, please. Jiang Cheng, don’t leave. This is important.” Lan Xichen implored doing his best to be some kind of miracle mediator. 

Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes, shrugging his shoulders roughly to make Mingjue let go. “You have five minutes.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

“You’re late! Your lunch break isn’t two hours, Su Minshan.” Director Yao snipped as Su She returned to his desk. He frowned, picking at his nails in agitation. No one here respected him at all. He hated it, but it was the only way he could get closer to his Lan Wangji.

“Apologies! There was an accident and it took a while to get traffic moving again.” The lie was smooth and believable.

“Call next time, I don’t want to have to send out a search party. Your report’s due at the end of shift.”

“Yes sir! I’m almost done with it.” Bending to the task at hand, Su She started to get back to work, still in a bit of a sour mood after his lack of a Lan Wangji lunch sighting.

The entire time he struggled to make sense of the impromptu conversation he had with Wen Chao. Was it some kind of test CRI did to their employees? It would be corporate suicide to get involved with Wen Chao and his demands. The guy was crazy, he wanted financial information on the company. The stuff he wanted would get Su She fired and in jail in an instant. Not only was it that blatant, but Wen Chao had the balls to approach him in broad daylight in public.

Wen Chao hadn’t cared who heard them. He didn’t seem to mind if people knew he was associated with Su She either. It didn’t matter, he was loyal to Lan Wangji. He wasn’t going to spill trade secrets to a Wen, even if the offer was everything Su She had ever dreamed of.

“I can help you get what you really want. Even the untouchable Second Jade will do what I say once you give me what I need.”

He didn’t know what was more disturbing; the fact that Wen Chao wanted corporate secrets or that he knew about Su She’s infatuation with Lan Wangji. It wasn’t like it was a big secret, everyone in his department knew he kept trying to impress the handsome alpha. They just didn’t quite know how much Su She admired him.

Somehow, Wen Chao knew about it. He’d even shown Su She pictures of his own home with his little shrine wall to Lan Wangji in it and the wall of hate for those who got too close to his favorite alpha. Knowing that someone had invaded his home like that made Su She’s skin crawl. He’d shouted at Wen Chao and called him despicable before running off. It was why he’d been late getting back to work. 

“Did you hear about the fight?” 

“God yes! I think everyone’s talking about it. Su Minshan! You missed the excitement!”

Rong Yan and her friend Qin Su came over to his desk. “What fight are you talking about?”

“Lan Wangji went full alpha on one of the security guards at lunch. The guy had to go to the hospital.” Rong Yan was whispering in a theatrical kind of way as she spoke.

“All for that cute omega too. I hear they’re engaged.” Qin Su quipped lightly. “Sorry, Minshan, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it seems like your Lan Wangji has found himself a partner.”

Both women giggled brightly.

A partner? 

“What?” he asked dumbly, then scowled at Qin Su. “He’s not my Lan Wangji, I just admire the man’s work ethic.”

The women gave each other knowing grins before laughing and walking off while they continued to gossip about the incident. Su She had missed the whole ordeal by mere minutes from the sound of it. Lan Wangji was engaged? Since when?! 

He listened in as the girls kept chatting at their cubicles nearby. The longer it went on the more furious he got. How could Wangji betray him like this?! He was so arrogant! He didn’t care about the people who genuinely admired him at all! The betrayal he felt was so painful.

“Did you see those silver eyes? They were so pretty! I don’t think I’ve ever seen an alpha get that violent over an omega before, but I think I get it. The man was gorgeous!” Rong Yan gushed over this stranger who’d stolen his Lan Wangji.

“I swear they started scenting one another right there over poor Da Peng!” Qin Su added dreamily, and the women started to giggle at the scandalous image they were painting in their heads.

Had he passed this omega in the lobby? The harder Su She thought on it, the more he could picture the long-haired omega he’d brushed by on his way out to make it to the restaurant ahead of the Twin Jades. He had stunningly bright silver eyes. Was that who they were talking about? Is that what his Lan Wangji liked??

It was almost time for his heat to hit him and he had been hoping to get some new pictures of Lan Wangji before he had to take time away from work. He hadn’t cared about some dumb omega flouncing around the lobby. Su She had been huffing on the handkerchief Lan Wangji had given him once in passing as he’d left the building this afternoon. It smelled like the alpha still and it clearly had blinded Su She to the fact that there was an omega drenched in Lan Wangji’s scent.

If he’d known, he would have knocked the omega’s lights out.

Wen Chao’s words echoed in his head again and he stewed over it for a few more minutes. If he couldn’t have Lan Wangji, no one should. Decision made, Su She pulled out the paper with Wen Chao’s number on it and started to send him a text.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Chapter Text

Jiang Cheng stared down at the pebble strewn ground, trying to digest what he’d been told. He was sitting on a large rock in one of the garden spots in Fojiao park after storming off on the trio of nutjobs trying to make him believe in wild conspiracy theories involving his family. Scooping up pebbles around the base of the rock, he started to whip them at the tree across from the garden. He missed as much as he hit the trunk with the pebbles.

“You’re throwing your aim off with your wrist.” Jiang Cheng bristled as Nie Mingjue’s voice reverberated behind him, the last shot missing by quite a bit.

“Fuck off, asshole.”

There was a deep chuckle and the goddamn alpha did the exact fucking opposite thing, coming to lean against the next closest rock to Jiang Cheng’s. His arms were as thick as Jiang Cheng’s thighs and they were folded across a broad chest. Nie Mingjue had long hair and it was pulled back into a leather tie at the base of his neck. His eyes were intense and focused, and the grin gave him that devilish charm that probably made women melt at his feet. Jiang Cheng resented him for it.

“You left before they got to explain.”

“Don’t care.” It galled Jiang Cheng to no end to realize he was sulking and there were witnesses.

“You scared A-Sang with your temper.” Mingjue casually scooped up his own handful of pebbles and started to whip them at the same tree trunk as Jiang Cheng. His pebbles hit every single fucking time.

“Good, he’s a nosy little shit that doesn’t know when he should back the fuck off. Kinda like his da-ge.” Part of him knew he shouldn’t piss off the head of the Nie family - if only for the sake of doing business with them in the future. He just couldn’t help it. They were trying to convince him that his own flesh and blood had possibly screwed over his entire life.

Instead of anger there was another laugh. “Good! My didi needs to get put in his place now and then. Might make him actually grow up a bit.” Another rock smacked into the tree trunk, it left a mark.

Jiang Cheng gave him the side eye. It was dark now, the sun had long set and he was kind of surprised it was the alpha he didn’t know that had come looking for him instead of the one he did. When he thought about it, Jiang Cheng was almost disappointed by that. Making Lan Xichen lose his shit would have most likely made him feel immensely better. He enjoyed making that arrogant bastard’s composure crack, especially since he knew the fucker was trying to be kind. He didn’t need the fucking pity of the Lans.

Instead, he was stuck with this hulking jerk that didn’t seem the least bit phased in the slightest. The day had been shitty right from the get go. First there’d been the news about Wei Wuxian getting everything he ever fucking wanted. A-Li wasn’t even home anymore and he resented the Lans for it mostly. Then he’d been unsettled by his parents’ argument and confused by the weird information about Wei Wuxian. It was one bad thing after another. He was sick and tired of being the one to get shit on all the time.

“Why the fuck are you even here?” He finally asked in annoyance.

“Couldn’t let A-Sang meet you alone, I’ve heard you’re a feral little fuck that might go rabid at any second. Plus, I was curious. Xichen-ge seems really invested in helping you.” There was a rapid thwack-thwack sound as two stones hit the tree in rapid succession.

Great, just what he wanted! A fucking audience to his misery! 

“So I’m a freak show for you? Well you can really fuck off now! Goddamn shithead alpha.” Jiang Cheng’s voice cracked and he glowered standing up abruptly to pace off down the park path before he really humiliated himself in front of this asshole.

He could hear the footsteps behind him and Jiang Cheng picked up the pace, walking steadily faster as he followed the meandering path through the tourist-like serenity that the area was known for. He didn’t feel any of that serenity at all. The term ‘hunted dog’ worked better in this instance. Unable to stand it he twisted around for a few steps, walking backwards, just so he could snarl at his pursuer. “I said fuck off!”

Walking backwards was a bad idea. Jiang Cheng was already upset and now he wasn’t paying attention to where exactly he was going or what was ahead of him, well behind him really. When his heel hit the edge of the path and the uneven rise of a grassy mound, it was game over for him looking even partially coordinated.

Nie Mingjue’s eyes widened for a fraction of a second, just before Jiang Cheng realized he was going to fall flat on his ass, and then the big alpha was moving fast. Someone so big shouldn’t have been able to move as quickly or gracefully as that arrogant bastard could. There was a heartbeat of time in which Jiang Cheng felt the weightlessness of falling, then strong bands of muscle were wrapped around his waist, preventing the fall.

It brought him up close and personal with Nie Mingjue and he just really wasn’t prepared for all of that. “Get off me!” 

Scrambling to regain his footing, face hot and red with a myriad of emotions, he shoved at the chest that was more like a goddamn wall. For some reason, the asshole didn’t let go right away and it almost made Jiang Cheng panic. His heart was in his throat and he was yelling by that point, balled fists smacking against Nie Mingjue’s chest uselessly.

“God fucking dammit! What the fuck is wrong with you!?” Every one was fucking against him, and now this prick was probably thinking Jiang Cheng would be grateful to be saved from falling on his ass. “Fucking alpha prick! Let go!”

It wasn’t just that though. He was wrung out and upset at everything. If these idiots were telling him the truth, his own parents were drugging him for some stupid reason and he had been too dumb to ever question it! Had he been a fucking tool, a pawn all his shitty life? Did his own parents not even care about him at all?

His eyes stung with his anger and frustration, Jiang Cheng was NOT crying! It didn’t matter if everyone betrayed him, he could take it! This sucked so bad! Did mother really hate him enough to feed him some weird drug??? 

No! I was sick! It helps me not have a relapse! It keeps me strong!

The denial was fierce. Someone was sobbing, probably that shitty alpha’s didi was afraid or something. It was not Jiang Cheng! He couldn’t be crying! 

“There you go, just let it out.” A big hand was patting his back gently and his face was pressed up against a hard shoulder. 

Another sob echoed in Jiang Cheng’s ears. Fuck. Was it him? 

Was he really sobbing on some asshole’s shoulder? In a park!? It had been a hellish day and he was done. He couldn’t fight it anymore. Between the shit his parents had been screaming about and all his doubts and worries, this was the icing on the cake to send him over the edge. Everyone had a breaking point, right? He couldn’t be blamed for this.

There was the faintest notion of cinnamon and maple in the air. In the back of Jiang Cheng’s brain, he wondered if there was a bakery nearby. Another sob tore from his throat and he buried his face against that damn powerful shoulder. No one could see this except the asshole. Every so often his fists would thud dully against the man’s chest. Betrayal was a bitter taste in his mouth and it sucked. 

“I don’t know what to do! I don’t!” Jiang Cheng’s words were furious but muffled and he sniffled loudly. 

“Keep hitting me if it helps. I don’t mind.”

“Fuck! I’m fine! I’m FINE!” Jiang Cheng shoved hard at Nie Mingjue until the alpha finally let him go and he stumbled a few steps, swiping his arm across his face to ruthlessly banish the shame of his tears. 

“I’m not some weak fucking omega! I can take care of myself! Fuck!” 

“Can you though? I mean, you don’t even know what those drugs do.” The asshole was not good at softening the blow. Jiang Cheng flinched.

“What the fuck man! What the hell’s that supposed to mean?! It’s like you’re begging for a black eye!” 

Arrogant prick! If you treat me like some fucking omega….

Nie Mingjue grinned and spread his arms out wide. “Go ahead, take your best shot. You’ve had a tough day, I won’t even try to hit you back.”

Did he think Jiang Cheng wouldn’t do it?! He could hear his mother’s voice in the back of his head. All her fucking lectures on being a respectable beta, how they had to work twice as hard as anyone else so the cocksure arrogant alphas would take them seriously. It pissed him off. Why the fuck did he have to work twice as hard, just to be acknowledged?

He snarled, fist balled at his side and he didn’t hesitate. Fuck being proper, fuck society, fuck his fucking family! He punched Nie Mingjue as hard as he could, right along his left cheek. The alpha’s head snapped to the side and he stayed frozen in place for a good solid minute afterward. There was a sharp tingle of warning making the small hairs on the back of Jiang Cheng’s neck stand on end. 

Realization at what he’d just done came a lot more slowly. The fury melted away and fear replaced it. Did he seriously just clock the guy? Yea sure he offered, but he was massive! It wasn’t fat either, the guy was a fucking living breathing tank of muscle, and Jiang Cheng just punched him across that handsome arrogant face.

Who the hell cares if he’s handsome?! God what is wrong with me?!

Nie Mingjue’s tongue slid out to taste the corner of his lips like he was checking for blood or something. His hand came up to rub his jaw even as he opened and closed his mouth a few times, testing to make sure it wasn’t broken most likely. Jiang Cheng had serious doubts about being able to break any part of the shithead in front of him. That dangerous tinge was still hanging around the air though and it was making the situation a lot more nerve wracking than it should have been. 

Jiang Cheng might not have been able to really smell pheromones since he was a beta, but even betas knew when they were in danger. This was one of those moments where he was quite sure he might have actually gone too far for once. Here, in a stupid Buddhist park in the middle of this shitty town - this was where he was going to get himself killed. He could feel it coming.

Fucking bring it! Not like it can get any worse at this point.

“Not bad. Not bad.” Nie Mingjue gave a dark little grin. “Didn’t think you actually had the balls to do it. Next time…”

Jiang Cheng flinched, lifting his fists prepared to fight to the death. It might be the end but he wasn’t going to be some weak little whining shit, he was ready to defend himself. Nie Minjue didn’t even seem to notice and he didn’t hesitate, wrapping his big hand around the fist that’d just clocked him.

“Make sure you hit with this part of your fist.” His thumb swept over Jiang Cheng’s first two knuckles. “Flat and horizontal, but be careful, you might shatter these…” His thumb was still sliding over the bones of Jiang Cheng’s hand. It made him shiver, not from the cold, though he didn’t really understand what the fuck was going on now.

“Still, you almost made me stumble. I’m impressed.” There was a dark mark forming under Nie Mingjue’s eye already.

Jiang Cheng yanked his hand back and looked around a little nervously. Where the fuck was that righteous Lan Xichen anyway!? Wasn’t that jackass always trying to play Mr. Nice Guy? He’d stop the wall of muscle from killing him for real, right?

“You offered.”

“I did.”

“You can’t get pissed at me now and take it back.”

“I won’t.”

“Better not be fucking lying.”

“You always swear like that? Makes me think of a chipmunk screaming in a tree.”

More heat rushed over Jiang Cheng’s face. It was a weird mixture of anger and embarrassment. “The fuck do you care?! You’re just here for the fucking show! Like you give a shit about any of this.”

Nie Mingjue was rubbing his jaw while Jiang Cheng snapped at him and he smirked. “I don’t let everyone get in a free punch. I like you. You’ve got some fire in you. It’s a good thing, you've just got to learn how to channel it.”

Like me? Am I a pet!?

“Whatever! Next you’re gonna tell me you want to help.” It was time to get out of this weird little twilight zone and go….somewhere.

Shoving past the alpha was his ticket to freedom. He could head back to the parking lot, swear at Lan Xichen and threaten him if he didn’t take care of A-Li. An added bonus would be making the little beta brother piss himself with fear. Yea. That’d make him feel better.

“Are you asking for help?” The words were cool and casual.

Jiang Cheng glanced over his shoulder, scowling. “How in the hell do you think you can help me with any of this?” 

He didn’t wait for an answer, he just stalked off toward the parking lot. The soft chuckle behind him blackened Jiang Cheng’s already bleak mood. Fuck all of them. He didn’t need their help.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

“Yes? Who is it?” The voice crackled over the speaker, it sounded more tired than Jiang Cheng expected.

He’d lost track of time ages ago and he was pacing before the bank of buzzers at the apartment high-rise he’d ended up in front of. It was definitely Wen Qing’s voice. At least that shit brother of hers hadn’t given him a bogus address.

“It’s Jiang Cheng. I know it’s late, can I come up?” It was really difficult keeping his voice even and nice right then.

“Jiang Cheng?” There was a pause, he thought she wasn’t going to say anything else. “Is everyone alright?”

Of course she was thinking about Yanli and Wuxian before him. Nobody ever thought it could be about him! Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes and balled his hands into fists at his sides. Why did it piss him off so much still? He should be used to this by now.

“They’re fine. It’s not about them. Look, I just…You’re a medical person right?”

Another long pause inhabited the conversation. He did not want to talk about this over a fucking intercom speaker. It was almost like she was trying to decide if she wanted to respond. A memory of her warning him not to get her or her brother involved flitted through his mind. Fuck.

“Did Wen Ning tell you my address? Nevermind, come up, we can talk here.” The lock on the door clicked with a buzz, unlocking for him and he yanked it open swiftly.

Wen Qing’s living situation seemed a bit better than her brother’s, though it was still a small one bedroom apartment. He took the elevator up to the twentieth floor, pacing inside the small space as it trundled slowly upward. When he got out, he was in a central landing type area that led off in either direction with doors up and down the halls. It didn’t take long to find Wen Qing’s unit and he rapped swiftly on the door.

She must have been waiting because it opened after the first tap of his knuckles against it and she just stared at him suspiciously through a crack in the door. “What is it, Jiang Cheng?”

“Can I come in?” He grit his teeth and huffed in defeat. “Please?”

Slowly, she opened the door wider and stepped back to let him move inside. As soon as he stepped forward, she moved away and scooped out a pair of men’s sandals at the door, probably her brother’s, and set them down for him. “Lock the door, will you? Want some tea?”

“No, I’m good, thanks.” He was awkward talking to women nicely at the best of times. Shuffling behind her, he loitered in the kitchen, watching as she made herself a cup of tea. Wen Qing kept glancing curiously at him, but she didn’t say shit, not until she’d curled up on a cozy chair in her living room and waited for him to sit down opposite her.

“So, what brings you here at this hour?” The mug was cupped in her hands and she blew softly at the steaming liquid.

“You work with drugs, right?” There wasn’t a lot of point hedging his bets. It wasn’t like he could ask anyone else. His doctor had been the one prescribing this shit for his entire adult life. Mother and father likely wouldn’t tell him, especially after he’d told them off like that.

“I do medical research. Sometimes it involves drug research and drug interactions.” Her answer was careful and it looked like she was trying to decide if he was high or something. It made him glower at her. 

“I’m not a fucking junkie, alright? Stop looking at me like that.”

“Can’t blame me, we aren’t exactly friends or anything.” Her tone was dry and she busied herself with that fucking cup of tea taking another sip.

“I wanted to ask if you could do some testing for me, off the record.”

Wen Qing’s eyebrow shot up and she looked at him incredulously. “Off the record?”

“Yeah, fuck, I don’t know! Look, I got told some shit, I wanna see if it’s good or bad, you ok with that?” His temper was burning beneath his skin and he itched to plant his fist in Nie Mingjue’s face again. 

Why the fuck am I thinking about that jackass?!

“Calm down. How about you start from the beginning?” At least he had her undivided attention.

“When I was a kid, I got sick, real sick. Fever that wouldn’t die, my bones ached, it was hard to breathe, that kind of thing.” Wen Qing set her cup down on the coffee table as he spoke. “I was maybe fifteen? They told me it was some family condition and that I’d have to take some supplements to keep me from relapsing. I was a kid, I didn’t really fucking pay attention and mother said it was necessary.” In other words, he hadn’t questioned it.

He fished a pill bottle out of his jacket pocket and stared at it with a mix of emotions now. Could he trust his mother? His father? Had they been poisoning him all this time? Maybe this really was for his benefit though. A-Li and A-Xian had a shitty hand dealt when they presented as omegas. He was different though, he was the beta that didn’t cause any trouble. Why would they do something against him at all?

Wen Qing’s eyes were drawn to the bottle in his hand and he shook it, holding it up for her to see. “I got put on these little guys around that time. I’ve been on them ever since.”

“Alright, so why come to me?” She was cautious, he liked that about her.

“It’s come to my attention that these drugs aren’t on record anywhere. They might not be simple supplements, but I don’t fucking know. I don’t have a medical degree. I also don’t know who to trust, you’re the only person I could think of.” Let her take that however she wanted. If it got her to look into it for him, all the better.

The silence made him antsy. He didn’t like the way she was staring at him, like he was some sort of broken freak. He scowled and tossed the pill bottle on the table so it’d slide across close to her. “Do you recognize it?”

Hesitantly, Wen Qing reached out and picked up the bottle. She read the label, turned it around a few times and opened it to pour out a couple pills into her hand. One was held up to the light a little so she could read the imprints on it front and back. “You take this twice a day?”

“Morning and Night, yeah.” It made him uncomfortable talking about this with a fucking friend of Wei Wuxian’s. What if she blabbed to him?

“Ever forget to take it before?” There wasn’t any judgement in her voice as she asked her question. Wen Qing’s eyes were still scrutinizing the pill in her hand.

“Once or twice.”

“Any side effects?” Another simple question, it set his teeth on edge though.

“My heart rate spiked and I thought I was gonna pass out.” He hated admitting weakness. He hated himself for being fucking broken.

“Hmm…”

Hmm????? What the hell does that mean!?

With a sigh, she deposited the pill back in the bottle and sealed it shut. “I don’t recognize it, but there are thousands of drugs out there that I’ve never dealt with. The name is some weird bullshit that doesn’t really make sense. If you want to know what it does, I’m going to need some time and a sample.”

He scowled and waved at the bottle “Take what you want. I can always get more….” He could, really easily, it was disturbing how easy actually.

“Can I have the whole bottle?” she asked quickly, there was an eager curiosity in her disposition all the sudden. Great….he was a fucking lab rat now. “You can’t miss your dose though, and don’t stop taking it until I know what it is, got it?”

“This can’t get out. I…I really don’t know who to trust, Wen Qing.” The breath he let out shuddered and he scrubbed at his face. “Take it all, I have more at home.”

Wen Qing leaned back in her chair and studied him. “How’s that going anyway? I haven’t talked to A-Xian much lately.”

Jiang Cheng snorted. “Jerk went and got engaged to that Lan asshole.” 

“I saw that coming.” She seemed a little smug about it. The mood was relaxed now that they weren’t talking about his medication.

“I guess the baby sort of forced shit.” Jiang Cheng had to admit it was pretty big of Lan Wangji to not run away from his fuck up.

“It’s more than that, you could see it in his eyes. They never left A-Xian, the guy’s smitten with your brother.” Wen Qing grinned. “I only really got to see it once at the hospital, but yea, he’s hooked. I’m glad they’re engaged.”

Jiang Cheng shrugged. “A-Li likes it there. She’s always been happy but…I don’t know, she’s happier I guess.” It galled him to no end that she was thriving away from Lotus Pier. He was all alone there now, he had to deal with mother and father alone and they were so much worse these days. Nothing he did was right anymore.

“What about you?”

Jiang Cheng snorted. “I know we aren’t really friends, if you’re doing this just because, you don’t have to.” He flat out refused to humiliate himself again today. It was bad enough he’d actually fucking cried once already. What the hell was that anyway?

Wen Qing was just smiling while she shook her head. “Doesn’t mean we can’t be friends in the future. I’ll look into the supplements for you. I will keep it private too.”

“I appreciate it.” At least someone was being reasonable tonight. He was still dreading what answers he might find. Not knowing wasn’t an option, though - especially after the disconcerting argument that morning.

When he was back in his car after having left Wen Qing to sleep, Jiang Cheng realized it was well past midnight. Fuck. Tomorrow was going to suck so bad. He never did well if he didn’t get enough sleep. His phone vibrated with a message and he glanced at it - unknown number.

It’s Nie Mingjue. 

The phone vibrated again with another message.

Xichen-ge gave me your number. 

What was with this guy? It was bad enough he’d humiliated himself in front of the prick, now he was texting him? His phone buzzed again with a third message.

If you change your mind and want help, call me.

Fucking arrogant alpha.

“Fat chance of that happening.” he muttered, tossing his phone onto the passenger seat before starting up the car to head home.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

It had been a couple days since Su She had met up with Wen Chao. He’d given the alpha what he wanted, handing over a copy of the financials for CRI. As a reward, Wen Chao had given him a little baggie of pills. They were inducers. 

“If you want Lan Wangji, trap him. Use those and be the only hole in sight so he uses you to his heart's content. Then you’ll be his. Simple.”

Wen Chao’s instruction had been pretty straight forward. If Lan Wangji took Su She during his rut, would he drop the omega everyone kept talking about? This Wei Wuxian from nowhere had put a sour mood on everything. 

It was simple. Would it work though? 

The main issue was that no one had seen Lan Wangji since the attack had happened in the building’s lobby. The rumor was that he’d taken a few days to work from home. Su She’s heat was coming up, he’d been trying to time his heats to Lan Wangji’s ruts for years now and he was sure this time around, it was going to happen. It’d taken using inducers on himself to force his heats onto different varying schedules every time Lan Wangji took time away from work. 

It had been hell on his system, especially when he mistakenly induced himself into a heat when Lan Wangji was merely away for business and not personal reasons. That whole fiasco had prompted Su She to get into the personal assistant’s computer to find Wangji’s schedule so he could time it better.

The absolute worst part about this round was that even though he was positive he’d finally synced up their cycles, Su She had no new images to tide him over during his heat. He couldn’t fantasize about his Lan Wangji with fresh imagery like he’d hoped. Unless…..Unless he took some work files to him at his home? That would work, wouldn’t it? If he got inside and had tea with the man and…slipped in the inducer….well that’d work right? Instead of pictures, he’d get to spend his heat with the man of his dreams.

No, he doubted he’d get past the doorman, assuming there was one. He’d have to find a reason to have Lan Wangji come into the office one more time before he closed himself away for his rut. Su She didn’t have a lot of time - maybe he could use the financial information leak to his advantage too? 

He could request an emergency meeting. It wouldn’t hurt whatever Wen Chao was doing, not that he really cared anymore. He just needed to get Lan Wangji alone for just a little while.

“Su Minshan! Did you get the report done for the new research project?” Director Yao’s voice boomed over his shoulder and the omega yelped, straightening up.

“Yes sir! I just need to finish up the closing details.” Heart hammering in his chest, he grit his teeth.

The last place he should be daydreaming about this was at work. Qin Su was passing by and she nudged Su She’s shoulder. “Stop daydreaming, Shushu.” her teasing tone was not appreciated.

No one at work took him seriously! He was just a fucking grunt making reports! He’d expected to at least be in Director Yao’s position by now. Maybe this would help him get there. No. No if this worked, he would be the omega to Lan Wangji - he wouldn’t need some shitty job in the bowels of the building.

“Just make sure you get to him when Wei Wuxian isn’t around, and tell me.”

He didn’t give a shit about this Wei Wuxian person. He hated that every time a long-haired man walked past him, he was checking to see if they were omegas and had silvery eyes. He’d followed more than a few people by mistake since learning of Wei Wuxian’s existence. Frowning, he texted Wen Chao to let him know he’d have Lan Wangji tied up and busy by the end of the week for sure.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

The Nie brothers were half siblings. They had the same father and though their mothers were gone now, they had developed a strong bond with one another. Over the years, Nie Huaisang had come to rely on his elder brother quite a bit. He had no interest in taking on any part of the family business and with his da-ge there to be all responsible and the heir to the family fortune, Huaisang got to do as he pleased.

Mingjue often tried to steer him down a different path, but all Huaisang wanted was to be free to make choices without all of high brow society dictating his every move. It had wrought hell on more than a few people - especially the Jiang family. Never in all his years of trading secrets had Nie Huaisang hit on something so twisted and ugly.

Oh there were things with others too, the dirty list of women that had illegitimate children with Jin Guangshan, the sordid rumors about the Wens and their penchant for betraying one another. There were even a few incestuous rumors that floated around now and then. It all paled in comparison to the manipulation of the Jiangs with their very own flesh and blood.

It had been a few days since they’d tried to warn Jiang Cheng. That guy was so angry at life, it was amazing he didn’t have heart health issues at this point. Huaisang’s da-ge was amused by Jiang Cheng though, and he’d put his focus on ‘helping’ the other beta, which meant he was giving Huaisang some much needed breathing room for once!

This was how he’d come to find himself in a janitor’s uniform, pushing a cart of cleaning supplies through the upper halls of Qishan Industries. If da-ge knew what he was doing, he’d have boxed his ears. It was the only way he was going to find anything else about the car crash. Every single avenue he’d taken outside of this had resulted in the same kind of dead end. It was to the point that even Huaisang believed it was nothing more than a tragic accident and Wei Changze had been driving drunk.

There were blood-alcohol reports and evidence of excessive speed in all the police documents he’d pilfered from his back door hack into the department’s records thanks to the efforts of Xue Yang. The guy gave Huaisang the creeps, but he was really good at getting his hands on police records. All it’d cost him was a few secrets about some outlying well-to-do fellow who was trying to make a name for his family. The way Huaisang saw it, the trade was a steal of a deal! Few people cared for secrets of the less successful clans after all. 

Unfortunately, the only reference he could find that linked everything together had to do with a detective who’d only ever signed anything with his initials. This particular detective worked in homicide and he had handled several cases involving references to the Wens with the defining one having him putting his name on several of the documents relating to the car crash that claimed the lives of Wei Wuxian’s parents. It couldn’t be a coincidence. After the crash, it was as if the detective had just vanished from the detachment all together.

After everything he’d learned, it just seemed way too odd that Wen Ruohan had nothing to do with any of this. Which brought Huaisang to the here and now. He was going to go through the personnel records of Qishan Industries to try and find the missing link. Xue Yang had warned him about firewalls, but Huaisang didn’t plan to go through computer records. What he wanted likely pre-dated that anyway. He was going into the belly of the beast with the hopes of finding actual hard copy files.

All he had to do was stay innocuous and unrecognized and everything would be fine! It was also almost the end of regular business hours for the day, which meant he had fewer people to worry about. The janitorial outfit had been perfect and the key card he’d swiped would get him past pretty much any locked door he came across. It felt all very much like he was some secret agent in a television thriller. 

Nie Huaisang, the secret agent beta! Eat your heart out, James Bond!

He grinned at his own thoughts. God help him if anyone discovered him and why he was really there. Without his da-ge there to save him, Huaisang was pretty sure he’d be a goner. Perhaps he should have at least warned Mingjue about where he was going. Xue Yang was beyond unreliable in passing messages and he played as many sides as he needed to get what he wanted - so relying on that jerk was out of the question too.

“So stupid….” He was muttering to himself and flinched when someone passed by rather closely. Huaisang kept his head down, cap firmly in place and started to whistle poorly, pushing the cart to the first set of doors of the human resources department.

He kept looking around warily for people and did his best to not be obvious about spotting cameras in hallways and main office areas. How did secret agents do this without being noticed?! It was so hard! The only saving grace he had was that he was a beta, his pheromones were so negligible and non-existent that he couldn’t give himself away through them. It also meant he had no idea if there were others around him, like alphas or omegas. 

He had to rely on himself and not his sense of smell. “It’s fine…just another day at work.”

In all honesty, this was something he lived for. Nervous as he may have been, Huaisang liked to think it gave him an extra edge since he was prepared to jump at the slightest change. No one could sneak up on you when you were so hyper focused on looking for people sneaking around. He felt pretty confident as he got through the third set of rooms and stood in front of the records room door.

“You lost?” Nie Huaisang screeched and jumped a few feet into the air.

There was a chuckle behind him and he slowly turned around, head ducked down looking at a pair of fancy snake skin boots that looked really expensive. Fuck! How had he missed this guy!? Was it security? No, security wore tactical boots all the time, they didn’t go for fancy expensive things. They couldn’t afford it. 

Huaisang cleared his throat. “Ah! N-no! I was going to m-mop the records room. I drew the short straw today.” That’s something a janitor would say, yeah?

There was the unsubtle sound of someone sniffing the air. “Why are you so scared then? I didn’t know we had beta janitors.”

Who paid attention to whether janitors were betas or not?! Huaisang risked looking a little higher, still keeping the brim of his cap low over his eyes so that he wasn’t easily recognized. The stranger was tall and lean, well dressed and his stance was cocky. Fuck, fuck! This wasn’t good! Who the hell accosted janitors!?

“You surprised me. I didn’t notice you.” Honesty, as they say, was the best policy sometimes.

“I saw you shuffling through the hall like you were lost. You’ve gone through so many rooms and you haven’t cleaned a damn thing yet.” The voice drawled like honey over toast and Huaisang once again wondered how secret agents dealt with stress like this. No doubt the agents would fight their way out of it.

“I’m new.” The excuse was lame, but he was running out of ideas!

“Hello, New. I’m Wen Xu.” The amusement in his voice was obvious.

Nie Huaisang looked up abruptly, wholly forgetting that he was trying to hide who he was, and stared into the unfathomably dark eyes of Wen Ruohan’s eldest son and heir to Qishan Industries.

I’m a dead man. Da-ge, don’t hate me, say nice things at my funeral!

Wen Xu was the shadow that Nie Huaisang just couldn’t seem to shake these days. Everywhere he went, he kept catching glimpses of the man! It’d gotten worse after he had overheard Wen Chao at the gala a couple months back. Was this the Wen hitman then? Was he going to expire here and now, in a fucking janitor’s uniform of all things?!

“W-Wen Xu! What are you doing here?”

“It’s my father’s company, why wouldn’t I be here?” The reply was still amused and Wen Xu leaned closer to Nie Huaisang’s face. “You look kinda familiar.”

“Oh! N-no! I’m just…I’m new.”

“Mhm, you said that.” The taller man folded his arms and crowded Nie Huaisang’s space, which forced him to back up until he collided with the records room door. He was trapped.

“I just…aren’t you…too important to be….here?” Huaisang’s heart was racing and he was trying to find a way out of the corner he was currently backed into.

“I swear I’ve seen you around somewhere.” Wen Xu was tapping his chin as he squinted down at Huaisang. “You aren’t new at all, are you?” It wasn’t really a question.

“I…I don’t know what you’re talking about. We’ve never spoken before, ever.” Which was one hundred percent true! Nie Huaisang worked very hard to never engage directly with the Wens. They freaked him out so it said a lot about his efforts to find the truth for Wei Wuxian and the Lans that he had put him in this predicament to begin with.

Wen Xu’s face turned stony and he frowned at Huaisang’s denial. Without a word, he yanked the badge off Huaisang’s outfit and looked at it then to Huaisang. “If you’re going to pretend to be someone else, try to find a guy who is remotely close to the same age as you, hmm? You aren’t fifty.”

“What!? Of course not! I must have…ah grabbed the wrong badge!” 

Shit! Fuck! Oh God I’m gonna die!

Clearing his throat, Huaisang gathered all his courage and pushed ahead, trying to twist his way around the body in front of him and get out of there. “I’ll go find mine, right now!”

He hadn’t even made it past Wen Xu when the hand closed on his upper arm, stopping him. Nie Huaisang flinched and panicked. He started to grunt and struggle wildly.

“Calm down, if I wanted to hurt you, I would have already.” There was a touch of annoyance in the voice now and his grip was tight to the point of pain.

“Don’t kill me! I’m too young to die!” Full blown fear had him now, and Huaisang started to babble. “Da-ge will kill me for you! He’s gonna be so mad! Oh God! Please! I’ll go, I won’t say a word! I won’t do anything! I’m sorry I’m sorry!”

Wen Xu snorted and shook him by the arm. “Shut up.” 

Nie Huaisang squeaked again and froze, peeking up at the Wen who starred in many of his nightmares. “S-sorry! Sorry!”

There was a heavy sigh and then he was being pushed back to the records room door, this time it was opened and they disappeared inside, together, alone. He was so fucking dead! Oh man this was it! He hadn’t even kissed anyone and he was gonna die a virgin in between the dusty rows of shelves at the hands of a monster!

“Relax, if I wanted to murder you I’d do it somewhere with a lot more plastic so you didn’t leave a mess behind.” Talking casually about killing almost made Huaisang faint on the spot. 

He stumbled as he was pulled deeper into the room. They didn’t stop until Wen Xu had him pinned against a desk at the back of the room. His shoulders and arms were shoved against the wall the desk sat before, and his ass was painfully wedged against the edge of the desk and Wen Xu’s body. It would have been one of those bodice-ripper poses from a cheesy romance novel considering he was almost laying atop the desk this way. All the self defense lessons his da-ge had tried to teach him had gone out the window with his terror. If only he’d paid more attention back then!

“I do recognize you, I just can’t think of a name to put to that innocent face of yours.” Huaisang flinched every time Wen Xu leaned close. He’d crowded right into his space and he couldn’t breathe without his chest pressing to the larger man’s in the process. “Tell me your real name, it’s in your best interest to not lie to me right now, I can taste your fear.”

Eyes wide, Nie Huaisang looked left and right, there was nothing - he couldn’t reach anyway. Maybe if he got his ass up on the desk he could kick? He tried. Wen Xu gave a little snort of amusement and crowded closer, forcing himself between Nie Huaisang’s legs so that the beta’s flailing legs did nothing of consequence. 

“You’re testing my patience, Newbie.” There was a subtle growl in his words. Nie Huaisang froze. 

“Uhmm..” 

“Your name is Uhmm now? I kind of like Newbie better.”

“Huaisang! It’s Huaisang.” Looking toward the ceiling, Huaisang swore he could feel his heartbeat in the back of his throat.

“That wasn’t so hard, was it, Newbie?” Wen Xu was grinning. “Family name?”

“N-Nie.” There wasn’t much he could do at this point. All he could hope was that Wen Xu would return him in one piece to his da-ge.

“You’re a Nie? Well that’s entertaining.” He had the audacity to laugh at the poor beta trapped in such a compromising position. “Alright, I’ll bite. What is a Nie doing snooping around here? I didn’t think we had business with your family.”

Oh shit! Nie Huaisang’s eyes widened. “No! I mean! No business! Nope, I’m here out of…personal curiosity! It has nothing to do with my da-ge or business!” He could NOT implicate his brother and get him in trouble.

“Then why are you here, Newbie?”

There was this sense that Wen Xu was dead serious about needing plastic for murder. Huaisang kept looking around as much as the other man allowed to see if there were plastic rolls or something hidden in the depths of the dimly lit records room. The squeeze on his restrained arms made him yelp. 

“I was looking f-for a n-name! That’s all. Just a name!”

He had piqued the curiosity of his captor at least. The pain had receded and those sharp dark eyes scrutinized him. “I’m listening.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Jiang Cheng glowered at his phone. He’d been sitting in his car now for an hour staring at the apartment high-rise that Wen Qing lived in. She’d texted him to come by so they could talk about the pills. He would get answers tonight, but part of him really didn’t want to know.

Deep down, he was terrified he was about to learn how awful his mother could actually be. His sister’s life had been wrecked - it was too risky to come home, and if she stayed away, her future with the peacock was basically impossible. There was no way mother would let Yanli go without teaching her a lesson beforehand. 

Wei Wuxian was beyond gone and no matter how much they fought over him and about bringing him back, Jiang Cheng knew it’d never happen. That Lan asshole wouldn’t allow it for one thing. He also doubted Wei Wuxian would willingly go back even if he were given the chance. His family was fucked and broken. It might have started with an unplanned pregnancy, but if he really was honest with himself, he couldn’t blame it on that either.

He looked back down at his phone and the text message. 8pm, my place, I know what it is. He didn’t like how brief it was or how cryptic. If she knew, why didn’t she just call him and tell him? Why all this cloak and dagger shit? Letting out a breath, he replied with a simple I’m here and the door buzzed unlocked the second he’d pushed the number for her apartment.

That wasn’t ominous at all.

The entire elevator ride up to Wen Qing’s floor, Jiang Cheng had paced and muttered to himself. He wanted to know, he needed to know. It was nothing more than a fucking health supplement, something for his heart. It was good for him, it wasn’t anything awful. Mother might be disappointed in him at times, but she wouldn’t stoop so low as to drug him for awful reasons, right?

He didn’t get to knock on her door before it opened and she was staring at him. “Come inside, take off your jacket.” 

What the fuck! Why?

He hadn’t even opened his mouth yet and she was already talking again. “I need your blood to determine how much damage it’s done.” 

The knots in his stomach twisted painfully. Fuck, it was bad? His own goddamn mother was poisoning him??? Why!? “Tell me what the fuck it is.” 

Wen Qing checked the locks on her door then brushed past him down a hall away from the kitchen and living room. She went straight into the kitchen to the counter which was far different from the last time he’d been here. There was medical equipment lining the entire length of it. A microscope, and other machines he couldn’t even fathom what their uses were for, sat quietly awaiting her. At the end of it all was a laptop.

“What are you waiting for, take off your jacket, roll up your sleeve.” Wen Qing put on a pair of gloves and picked up a tray that had empty vials on it and a syringe - everything she needed to take his blood. 

“What the fuck!?” 

“Look, you said you wanted to know, right? This is part of figuring it out. Either you do as I say or you leave, right now.” She was fearless as she faced off against him.

Jiang Cheng stared for a solid minute at her. Wen Qing didn’t even flinch. “Fine! Take it all if you want. Fuck!” 

Yanking off his jacket, he did as he was asked and sat down where directed. Wen Qing was quick and efficient. She didn’t talk, she didn’t try to comfort him, she just wrapped a rubber band around his upper arm, made him ball up his fist a few times and smacked at his inner elbow until she jabbed the fucking needle in.

“Ouch!”

“Don’t be a baby.” Her eyes were sharp as she attached the first vial and started to fill it with his blood. It was odd doing this in an apartment kitchen. Somehow it seemed so….dirty.

“When do I get to know what it is?” His voice was tight, he was anxious more than he was angry at the moment, it was tempering his responses.

The vial was switched for another, then a third. Wen Qing still didn’t speak. It wasn’t until the fourth vial was done that she looked at him, pulling out the needle and pressing a cotton ball to his arm. “Hold that.” 

Jiang Cheng was getting irritated. This wasn’t how he had expected this to go at all! Why the fuck was she being so annoying and evasive!? Wen Qing collected her stuff, disposed of the used needle, affixed labels to the vials and set to starting tests. Was that a centrifuge? 

“Come, sit down, Jiang Cheng.” Wen Qing had tapped something on her laptop, machines started to whir and do shit and she walked away, leading him to the living room chairs where they’d first talked. The gloves were being pulled off methodically as she sat down with a sigh and stared at him. Nothing else was said until he was seated.

“You’ve been taking this medication for your entire adult life.” It was a fact, and it made him glower at her. “When did you present as a beta?”

What’s that got to do with this?!

“Twenty-two.” his teeth were gnashing together as he admitted to his late presentation. 

Wen Qing leaned forward and picked up a notepad he was only just now noticing. Her coffee table was covered in scientific looking documents. How had he not noticed all this shit? She was reading something and writing notes next to it. Was she doing math? What the fuck was going on?!

“You need to stay cool while I explain this. Remember, you came to me.” It was an ominous way to start this conversation. “You have been taking a type of inhibiting drug that’s tailor made to prevent the subject from presenting their secondary gender. It wouldn’t go unnoticed if you ever saw a medical professional who ran blood tests outside of your family physician. It’s experimental and you’re the only test subject I’ve found so far. From what you’ve told me about missing dosages, your body immediately starts to try and induce your presentation.”

Jiang Cheng held up a hand to stop her. He needed to process what he was hearing. “You’re saying, I’m a lab rat?” His mother was using him to test experimental drugs? He was a fucking beta! Why would he be a test subject for this shit? “I’m a beta, I already presented!”

Wen Qing pursed her lips and frowned. “Before you got sick, did you ever notice odd scents or get impressions of people’s moods just by being around them?”

“Fuck I don’t remember! It’s been fucking years, Wen Qing!” Jiang Cheng was upset and frustrated. His voice had risen considerably and he was almost yelling now.

“Take a breath and just think about it. Your temper is always high - I think this has made it worse to be honest. You might have a naturally short fuse, but this drug’s side effects might have made it even shorter.” She was jotting notes again. He was a fucking science experiment to her now.

“What in the absolute hell does my being a beta have to do with a fucking experimental inhibitor?” He had toned his voice down, but he was growling out every single word.

“Jiang Cheng, you are not a beta. You were never a beta.” This shut him up. What was he supposed to say to that? 

Is she a hack? Does she even know what she was doing?

“Then what the fuck am I? I don’t have any pheromones, I don’t have any funky alpha hoodoo voodoo powers, I sure as shit have never had a rut or a heat.” Thank fuck for that too. 

He’d seen how his siblings had suffered. Not explicitly of course, just he’d heard them weeping, he’d seen them looking haggard after a few days in isolation while they rode out their heat cycles. He didn’t want that.

Wen Qing waved to the machines busily working away. “That’s what the blood test is for. You have been taking an inhibitor for a very long time. There are a lot of risks and side effects. Even if you were supposed to present as an alpha before, I believe you will now present as an omega.” 

Now THAT didn’t make any kind of fucking sense whatsoever! “What the hell! Why!?”

Jiang Cheng had jumped up to pace the length of the living room while Wen Qing watched him. “It’s part of the risk factor. Every animal this drug was tested on had that kind of result when the subject stopped taking them. You can’t stop cold turkey though, understand? It’ll kill you.”

He was gonna be sick. This couldn’t be true! Mother would never have risked turning him into a fucking omega! That was like saying she had forced him to be a beta or bitch himself! There was no way! 

“NO! No you’re wrong!” The room tipped and Jiang Cheng swayed.

“Shit! Here…Hold on!” Wen Qing was on her feet and she’d grabbed him by the wrist to drag him to the bathroom down the hall. 

Before he knew it he was dizzily and staring at the fucking toilet losing his dinner. His stomach heaved again and again until there was nothing but bile coming up. A hand was patting him awkwardly on the back. When it started to subside, the sink tap turned on and a cool damp cloth pressed against the back of his neck. “Don’t push yourself, if you’re gonna get sick again, just stay here.”

His snarl of a response was cut off as he started to gag and heave again. More awkward patting followed. Tears clouded his vision and he was shuddering as he leaned against the wall of the bathroom gasping for air. Jiang Cheng was dimly aware of things happening around him. The toilet was flushed, a cup of water was put in his hand, he was told to gargle and spit into the sink. The damp cloth wiped down his face.

“You gonna fall or are you good? If you think you’re gonna fall, sit down now.” 

His glare was vicious as he looked over at Wen Qing. She held her hands up in surrender. “I’ll give you a few to calm down. When you’re ready to talk more, I’ll be in the kitchen.” 

Leaving him alone, he waited until she retreated and slid down the wall of the bathroom, legs too weak to hold himself up. What the fuck was this nightmare!?

“Jiang Cheng! You don’t get it! Omegas are delicate and fancy. You can’t just throw your weight around like that! What if we break?! Be glad you can’t smell other omegas and alphas though! Some of them are just god awful.”

“He’s right, A-Cheng. Some scents are just repugnant.” The Jiang Yanli of his memory laughed.

The teasing sound of Wei Wuxian’s laughter in his head made Jiang Cheng gag again. There was nothing left for him to vomit though so he stayed where he was, gasping and staring at the ceiling. Back then he’d ached to have the fancy traits of the alphas - not so much the omegas. He’d been raised to believe omegas were a problem, and he’d seen the trouble both Wei Wuxian and his jiejie had caused. There was no denying that omegas were a lot of work.

Weren’t alphas too though? He’d spent enough time around the Lan family now outside of the public eye to see what they were all about. Yes, they kept to their strict fucking rules and beliefs, but he had been warned more than once that he was pushing the limits of what an alpha could tolerate. That’d made him push harder of course, determined to see what would happen if they actually fucking snapped for a change. He wanted to see them crack and be helpless to their baser instinct just so he could lord over them and mock them.

Now he was looking down the precipice of the same sort of fate and he didn’t know what to think anymore. Why would his parents do this to him? Had he actually ever even been sick? Jiang Cheng felt betrayed and humiliated. Everything he knew, the family he thought he loved, was a lie. Did his jiejie know? Did Wei Wuxian?

There was a rap on the door. “Still alive? You’ve been in there for an hour.”

Jiang Cheng blinked slowly and looked at the door. “I’ll be out in a minute.” His voice cracked and sounded rough. 

Twenty minutes later, he was quietly entering the kitchen, the machines had stopped doing whatever it was they were supposed to do and Wen Qing was bent over her microscope. She looked up when he came in. “You gonna be alright?”

With a shrug he just stayed where he was. If he got closer, would that make it more real?

“Your typing test is done. Do you want to know the result?” Wen Qing was watching him carefully.

Jiang Cheng hugged his middle and shook his head. “Not yet. Not… I need to know why.” 

She sighed and shook her head. “I honestly don’t know. This drug…it failed to make it to human trials because of its risk factors. Back at the time, it was the only thing like it in production, maybe they felt they had no choice? You said you were sick, right?”

He nodded, every action feeling defensive and stiff as he hovered at the edges of the kitchen. Why did they do this to him?! He tried to remember back to that time. A-Li had presented the year before, Wei Wuxian had presented maybe a handful of months after that. He’d gotten sick, feverish and uncomfortable. Everything ached…it was bad. He remembered begging them to make it stop. God, had they done it because he’d asked them to?

Would his mother actually give him inhibitors? If it meant he didn’t present as an omega, yeah…she just might. Fuck. Was that why? Was it really because she hated omegas that much? She’d jeopardized his life just to have a fucking beta heir? Did his father know? Had his father agreed?

Pain - emotionally crippling pain, radiated inside him and he swiped at his face. “Does a fever indicate a heat or a rut?” Why did his voice sound so choked?

“Both. Fevers are part of the whole thing, usually it’s not a life-threatening fever but more an increased temperature and a feeling of being feverish. A-Ning describes it as his skin being too sensitive and everything aching. His temper goes haywire and he needs to satisfy the demands of his body.” The clinical way in which she spoke of a rut, especially her own brother’s rut, was disconcerting. 

“I’ve helped many omegas, they’ll say the same sort of thing. They get feverish, they become hyper sensitive. Their sex drive multiplies exponentially, they’re desperate to reproduce, it fogs rational thought entirely.” She paused as if she was expecting him to go ballistic again.

“Depending on the connection between an alpha and omega, the pairing can be extreme and exacerbate the symptoms. Usually highly compatible couples will benefit from that - there have been some cases when it’s the opposite, but that’s pretty rare…” Wen Qing sighed.

“I don’t imagine this is easy but you have a choice now, Jiang Cheng.” He doubted very much he was going to like his options.

“What are they, bitch myself or die?” The sarcasm was thick on his tongue.

“More or less.” His startled eyes landed on her and she continued. “You’re an omega, or at least you would be if you weren’t on the inhibitor. If you continue to take the drug, you’ll never properly present. There will likely be more complications and side effects and they’ll get worse, especially if you miss a dosage. It could be life threatening. You may not like this, but I’m advising we wean you off it, immediately.”

Reality made the world spin again and Jiang Cheng crouched down, sitting on the floor in a heap holding his head. He couldn’t breathe! A horrible sound between a sob and a howl of anguish echoed around him.

Fuck! I’m a fucking omega!? Oh God!  

Darkness was curling around the peripheral of his vision, everything was fuzzy, there was a weird buzzing in his ears. He was a fucking omega?! What was he supposed to do now?! His own parents had done this to him! He couldn’t call them. He couldn’t face his siblings! Not like this! God he was going to pass out!

“Can’t…breathe!” Jiang Cheng was gasping.

“Head between your knees. Slow and steady….” Wen Qing was talking steadily to him. 

She started to coach him through his panic, getting him to inhale and count it out, asking him for things he could see and touch and smell and hear. One after the other, distracting his brain to try and bring him back from the brink of oblivion.

Did he even have anyone he could call? Was there anywhere he could go? Tears were sliding down his face constantly and he couldn’t stop it. He was sobbing in front of this put together cool and controlled woman like some fucking child. Everything Jiang Cheng thought he knew was born on a bed of lies. It hurt so much!

“Ah fuck! Why!? Why did they do this!?”

“I don’t know.” Her voice was gentle for once. “I really don’t and I’m so sorry they did it to you.”

Jiang Cheng fumbled wildly for his phone, Wen Qing ended up helping him and he stared at the screen. “What do I do! What do I fucking do!?”

“Can you stay with A-Li? Jiang Cheng, you need to stop taking the drug, we need to wean you off it carefully, you understand right?”

He sobbed again, shaking his head. “No! Not them! I can’t...can’t face them!” There was no way he could face his jiejie after how he’d behaved toward her because of what she was all this time! 

“This is a lie! It has to be!” Denial was sharp on the heels of his shock and sorrow.

“It’s not a lie. I wouldn’t do that.” Her words were not comforting.

“Fuck!” He sobbed and folded in on himself. 

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Lan Xichen was quite energized by Friday afternoon. It had been a long week with a lot of ups and downs, starting off with his didi's explosive blow out and dealing with the mess it left behind. He’d gone to visit Da Peng in the hospital just the other morning before they released him. Fortunately, there was no blame and he understood why after Xichen explained. He discovered Wangji had already come to apologize as well.

Always one to have a sense of responsibility and need to ‘do right’, Xichen should have known that Wangji wouldn’t just dismiss the whole thing as if it had never happened. In fact, he was the only real concern Lan Xichen had right then. The bond between A-Xian and Wangji was special, it was also very delicate. They scented one another regularly, they were intimately close - a fact Xichen had accidentally walked in on one afternoon and he still hadn’t been able to forget what he’d seen. 

Never would he look at those cushions by Wangji’s inner garden the same way again. All those limbs…the sounds…the pheromones. They were like a pair of teenagers. He was happy for them, and very relieved things seemed to be working out. Lan Xichen just did not need to see his brother’s bare ass like that ever again.

Giving himself a mental shake, Xichen sighed, packing up the confidential documents in the office and preparing to leave for the day once his last task was taken care of. A knock at the door to his office made him look up and he grinned seeing his assistant.

“Perfect timing, I was just getting everything ready. Did you call him up?” He asked casually, making sure his desk was clear yet a little haphazardly mussed with random inconsequential papers and documents.

Li Cheung was his long-time aid and he worked well with Lan Xichen. He nodded, his face a replica of Wangji’s stoic facade. Xichen knew he’d been practicing it and he was tempted to commend him, but they had business to attend to.

“Good, bring him in.” With everything he wanted to take home all secure and the sensitive documents tucked away, Lan Xichen sat himself at his desk once more.

He adopted a slightly haggard and concerned expression, holding up the first few sheets of fiscal reporting for the quarter and made himself look engrossed. There was a rap at the door again and Li Cheung led in a nervous looking omega. It was time to do a bit of acting.

“Oh! Good! Thank you for making time for this meeting, I know it’s short notice.” Lan Xichen smiled wearily at the man who shuffled in with slightly wide eyes and looked around. Encouraging him to approach and come sit, Xichen studied the man with his worn out smile solidly in place.

The man in question had a bit of a flat face and soft, rounded features. He was small, like most omegas and he moved with jittery energy. Su Minshan was his name, and he was looking around the office, mouth slightly agape, taking in the surroundings and only belatedly looked toward Lan Xichen. Was this truly the person who’d dug into the personal investments of himself and Wangji?

The news had come to Xichen only that morning. Someone had accessed the fiscal reporting data. While that in itself was common and not something to cause alarm, the inquiries into the personal financials were. As owners and shareholders in the company, Xichen and Wangji both had gotten into the habit of having open fiscal accountability to the board of directors that they worked with. It helped them prove there was no illicit scheming, nor were they trying to screw over their directors by personally investing in a fruitful venture whilst leaving CRI and the shareholders out of it.

As such, they had secure personal records stored within the company. Only the directors should have had access, yet somehow, one of the accounting clerks had gotten a hold of the files and copied them. Security had done its job well and the users who’d touched those files in the past month had all been identified. The only unknown was Su Minshan. 

“O-of course, President Lan! I’m always available to assist as needed. I was surprised you asked for me!” Su Minshan was simpering and stuttering a little from talking quickly and stumbling over the words.

He came forward and dropped into the chair in front of Lan Xichen’s desk and his dark little eyes slid over the paperwork with poorly concealed curiosity. It disappointed Lan Xichen to see it, though it wasn’t enough to call him guilty outright. 

“Yes, we’ve had a discrepancy in our records and I was hoping you could assist since it’s your area of expertise. Your superior has always complimented your work ethic - I trust you can be discreet about the matter?” Lan Xichen spoke smoothly while maintaining that fatigued undertone - he really should have considered acting as a profession.

“Discrepancy? What kind?” There seemed to be an affronted energy to Su Minshan as his department’s work was called into question. 

The man was obviously displeased with there being any sort of lack of perfection. If it weren’t such a serious matter, it would have been amusing. Lan Xichen watched him carefully while simultaneously flipping through a few sheets to pull out the page with the red underline that highlighted a fabricated entry. He and Wangji had planted the information after discussing it thoroughly that morning.

Originally, Lan Xichen had thought to blatantly question the man and then fire him - however with the work he and Wangji had been doing, it felt like that would have set them back quite a bit. Instead, Xichen was going to use this little traitor to their advantage and see whom exactly he was relaying information to.

Lan Wangji had come to the same conclusion after their discussion and agreed that planting some information would help them identify who was the true saboteur and what they were up to. It had to be something that couldn’t be discounted as entirely false right away, and it had to be tempting enough for their prey to fall into the trap. The false information dealt with a poorly made business venture into medical research equipment. The company was reporting as failing and the board had planned to intervene.

This false report, however, said it was turning a gross profit but that funds were being siphoned off into a trust account. They’d used Lan Wangji’s name as the one who’d opened the trust account under the guise of him preparing for his child’s future. It was wholly plausible, though in order to do something like this with corporate assets, Wangji would have had to have taken it to the board and gone through endless red tape. This made it look like his didi was taking advantage of the situation and bypassing the shareholders entirely.

The kicker was that the information was monitored and compiled by the accounting branch of their main offices in which Su Minshan worked. Lan Xichen already knew Su Minshan was the traitor, they just didn’t know who he was working for.

Xichen leaned forward as he showed off the document. “Someone in your office is aiding my poor Lan Wangji into making a terrible mistake. Has anyone been….behaving strangely?”

Confusion and then alarm slid over Su Minshan’s face as he reached for the document and examined it. He held out a hand quietly asking for the next and Lan Xichen fed it to him. The more the man read, the more upset he became. At least they’d chosen their ruse well, it seemed this omega had a beef with Lan Wangji’s actions.

“Qin Su and Rong Yan were talking quite a bit about the…incident this week.” He offered hesitantly. “I would suspect them. Sir, this is a trust f-for a child?”  

Xichen nodded slowly. “Lan Wangji’s mate is expecting, I know he worries about the future, but this seems to be the wrong way to prepare. The shareholders might try to oust him from the company entirely, I fear.” He played the part of a concerned brother perfectly. Mostly because he was indeed a concerned brother, so it came naturally to him.

“I had no idea he had a mate.” Xichen caught the lie instantly but he nodded serenely. 

“Oh he does, they haven’t sealed a bond yet though. They are waiting for the wedding.” An aggressive surge washed through Xichen prompting him to tightly restrain his alpha’s instinctual reaction as the scent of overripe strawberries and sickly sweet vanilla bloomed out around the omega. It was enough to make Xichen’s teeth tingle like he’d bitten into something far too sweet to handle. 

The scent was not pleasant for him. The underlying tones were screaming at Xichen that this particular omega was very unhappy about the little revelation he’d been given. Thankfully, Xichen had contained his reaction well enough and remained impassive, politely ignoring the lapse in the omega’s control. If their traitor realized what he’d done, he didn’t seem to notice or care. That was also rather intriguing all on its own.

Su Minshan frowned and he rifled through the stack of falsified documents they’d prepared for him. “I will find out who has done this, President Lan, I swear it.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

It was late in the afternoon by the time Lan Xichen was pulling off the main roads toward the gate to the Lan estates. The ruse was set and their traitor had taken the bait readily. They had supporting evidence ready to prove Wangji’s innocence when the falsified information invariably came out in an attack toward Lan Wangji and his overbearing decision making within the company. Xichen was concerned it was a ploy of the Jiangs but he wasn’t sure if Yu Ziyuan or Jiang Fengmian had that kind of foresight. 

They’d done heinous things, however all of it had been for the personal betterment of themselves. There was clearly a point where the pair of them were striving to reach the same level as any alpha. In essence, they were reaching past their social standing and they expected to not get hurt doing it. The whole concept wasn’t foreign by any stretch of the imagination, it was just heartbreaking as it had taken its toll on the innocent, especially their children.

He’d just pulled up to the gate and it was trundling open when he spotted her. Jiang Yanli was walking down toward him. She was a lovely vision and the soft afternoon light made it seem like she was glowing as she floated down along the drive with an easy gait. They’d often gone on walks around the property together and it looked as if she’d decided to take in the air on her own today. Pulling up carefully he rolled down the window and smiled at her.

“Working up an appetite for tonight’s dinner?” His tone was teasing and warm.

Jiang Yanli laughed lightly and shook her head. “I love my dear sweet A-Xian, but his cooking is terrifying! I’ve already made a midnight snack in case his dinner is too much to handle.”

Xichen parked his car along the side of the winding drive and got out so he could walk with Yanli. She glanced at his car then him with an amused twinkle in her warm deep chocolate eyes. “You’re not worried it’ll be in the way?”

“Hm? Oh no, it’s fine. I can move it later, there’s plenty of room to get around it.” He held out a hand to her, hoping she would take it. “I am wondering if perhaps you’ve made enough snacks for later to save me as well?”

Her voice was melodious naturally, but when she laughed it was sweet and delightful. “Lan Xichen, I dare say you’ve been a victim of my brother’s penchant for spicy food already if you’re hoping I’ve got snacks to spare!” Delicate fingers wrapped around his offered palm and inwardly his alpha was strutting and smugly pleased.

Chuckling he gave her his best guilty as charged expression. “It was an eye-opening experience.” His admission was happily delivered.

They started to meander along the path that twisted in and out of the woods lining the drive up into the hills. With spring well on its way, the ground was damp and soft beneath their feet. Most of the snow had melted away and only pockets of it still existed in the more shaded parts of the ground. The air had warmed considerably so there was only the occasional puff of steam from their breaths as they climbed higher into the hillside.

“I may be able to rescue you if you cannot eat the meal tonight. I’ve counseled A-Xian into making a less spiced version for us and adding more spice to his meal alone. We’ll see if he listens to me.” The amused lilt and the easy stride she had walking alongside him was extremely comforting.

“I look forward to being saved.” Xichen chuckled and held his other hand out for support as they walked over a half frozen puddle on the path. “How have you been doing? We haven't had a chance to walk together these past few days.” It was part of why he had eagerly left his car along the drive just beyond the gates. Xichen treasured his little moments with Jiang Yanli.

Her head had tilted slightly in consideration as they walked. “I’m doing well, much better than the first day here. Though…” When she didn’t speak right away, Xichen grew concerned.

“Is something wrong?” He couldn’t help but ask.

“Honestly, I worry that I am a burden at this point. My injuries have healed, and A-Xian is happy and well cared for. The one I truly worry about now is A-Cheng, and he’s not bothered to call in a few days now.” Yanli’s lips were pursed with concern. 

Lan Xichen felt a little guilty at her admission. He was quite sure the reason Jiang Cheng had become a bit of a ghost around the Lan Estates was his fault. The beta had taken the news about the medication poorly. When Nie Mingjue had come back to talk, he’d warned them that Jiang Cheng would need time to accept what they’d told him. He’d even suspected that the beta would go looking for evidence before he’d trust what he’d been told.

Mingjue had asked for the beta’s number and Xichen had gladly given it up. Nie Mingjue looked amused as he’d texted Jiang Cheng’s number right then and there. Lan Xichen could do with another alpha experiencing the devil that was Jiang Cheng. At least then Xichen might not be the only focal point of the rage that poured off Yanli’s didi at every turn. It was quite amusing to think of Mingjue following Jiang Cheng around, his friend wasn’t one to take tantrums lightly.

The bruise on the larger man’s face hadn’t gone unnoticed. In fact, Nie Huaisang had squeaked in fright. He’d never seen his da-ge injured like that. Xichen had, but they had gone to school together and had been fast friends getting into all sorts of trouble in their youth. The really interesting part was Mingjue’s grin - was the man interested in Jiang Cheng?

“You are not a burden, please never think that of yourself.” Xichen’s warm gaze focused on Yanli as they continued their amble through the trails. “Your brother has a lot of anger in his heart, I think he’s just trying to deal with all that’s happened. Has he spoken to you about any of it?”

Yanli shook her head and sighed. “No, not really. All he felt the need to report to me on was the way my mother has been ranting about my engagement.” A furrow of displeasure creased its way between Yanli’s eyebrows and Xichen’s fingers itched to smooth it away with a gentle caress.

“I’m beginning to wonder if you truly do have a fiancé, Miss Jiang.” Lan Xichen gently nudged her with his elbow while they walked, it was friendly and teasing. He had a dislike for Jin Zixuan because of this engagement and it truly wasn’t fair to the man. Xichen just couldn’t help it. If these were the days of old, he would have already issued a challenge to the other alpha to win the right to approach Yanli.

Lan Xichen was enamored with the lovely woman. Her warmth and kindness had not been diminished under the harsh conditions of the Jiang household. She was a genuinely loving spirit and he wanted to cherish and treasure her, if only she would allow it.

“Oh he exists.” Her voice was slightly exasperated. “A-Cheng and A-Xian both call him the peacock.”

Chuckling, he looked down at her. “I’ve heard them mention the nickname, I just didn’t realize that was whom they were referring to. They take issue with your intended husband?”

“Mm, you could say that. It wasn’t an engagement by choice really.” She admitted easily enough.

“You know your family cannot force you if you disagree.” God, he really hoped she didn’t want this engagement. If that were the case, did he stand a chance?

“I know. It’s my duty as their eldest and an omega. Mother claims it is necessary for the future of our family.” 

“What do you believe?” Should he be pushing so much about this? Perhaps not.

Yanli shrugged delicately. “We hardly know one another. I’ve heard of his father’s reputation and I worry it will be the same with him. He’s not tried to reach out since the engagement was announced.”

Lan Xichen wanted to punch Jin Zixuan at that moment. How could anyone ignore the grace and beauty that walked alongside him? Arranged marriages were almost unheard of these days and if he didn’t know about the debts that hung over Yu Ziyuan and Jiang Fengmian, he wouldn’t understand why they were so adamant. Xichen wanted to save Yanli from the fate of a loveless marriage.

“You do not owe your parents anything, not after the way they’ve treated you. If you wanted to end the engagement, I can help you” He would bury Jin Zixuan’s body deep so it could never be found if that’s what was required of him.

“Lan Xichen! Hero to damsels everywhere.” Yanli proclaimed and then smiled. “Part of me thinks he is the one against the arrangement. I’d have to speak with him to know how to proceed.” Her shrug was a little helpless. “For now, I suppose it will just remain as it is, hanging there and keeping us all in limbo.”

“I don’t know if I’m very good at limbo. I tend to act and solve as best I can.” Xichen admitted. They were almost to the Yashi, which was the guest house Yanli currently lived in. He stopped and turned to her. 

“Yanli, would you like me to arrange a meeting for you and your fiancé? Without the parents to intervene? I can chaperone it if that’s necessary.” He’d insist, actually. If it helped her move past it, and end it, Lan Xichen would harness the moon for her.

“That is an interesting offer, A-Chen.” It was the first time she’d used such a familiar honorific for him and he was ridiculously happy about it.

“Say the word. Though it will take a few days. The Jins are quite busy most weekends.” 

Yanli’s smile was bright and she looked less tense. “In that case, I accept your offer to arrange this. I would like to know where we stand before I make any more life-altering changes.”

Lan Xichen walked her to her door. “I’ll contact him and make arrangements. Do you still need to get ready for tonight’s spice fest?” 

Jiang Yanli laughed her melodious laugh again and it warmed the depths of Lan Xichen’s heart. “I do, see you there?”

“Mn, I look forward to it.” 

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Family dinners at the Jingshi had become a weekly occurrence. Every Friday, Wei Wuxian would play host to the Lans and his shijie. Tonight was no exception, aside from the fact that he really wanted to get Lan Wangji to agree to his idea of working again. It had been amazing finding his place here. He was accepted, and he was loved. Everything he could possibly need was in one place. If it wasn’t, all he had to do was ask and it’d show up.

Sometimes even that wasn’t required. A little low shelf had materialized next to his nest by the garden and koi pool. Wei Wuxian had started referring to that area as his nook. The shelf was low enough to use as a writing surface and it also had space beneath to store things like his music and books. A little stand had also appeared for Chenqing - his dizi. Lan Wangji was the source of these new additions, and they worked perfectly. Wei Wuxian loved it.

Dinner was going to be a simple affair of stir fry and rice. There was the bland version for those with delicate taste buds and then there was the spicier version for those who wanted flavor and a bit of kick. He was cautious to not overdo it though. While his shijie enjoyed spicy foods, she wasn’t quite as wild as Wei Wuxian was. It was fine because there was a never ending array of spices and oils that Wei Wuxian could add to his food to liven it up after the fact as well.

Tonight he’d broach the subject of working. He was three months into his pregnancy, sure, but he was so bored. He needed something to do, if he could convince everyone at dinner then he’d have a better chance of contributing something to his new little family other than making meals and loitering around the house talking to the fishes.

It’d been a few days since he’d surprised Lan Wangji at work. Since then, Wangji had been staying home to work from his study - he claimed he wasn’t quite in control of his reactions yet. Wei Wuxian had a sneaking suspicion that maybe his Lan Zhan was just getting really close to a rut. His scent had changed a bit in the last day or so, the sandalwood was sharper and almost peppery with its scent and the earthy tones were richer somehow. 

Part of him was kind of excited for the rut to come on. He had hazy memories of the train encounter and how fucking amazing it’d been. He was pregnant now, yes, but he could still be there for his love. Wei Wuxian had been researching it - everything he’d found said it was perfectly safe for Radish and that sex with an alpha in rut wouldn’t have a negative impact on their baby. Just thinking about it was getting him all hot and bothered.

There was a small tiny part of him that was worried about Wangji refusing him during the rut too though. It was a very small part that feared being rejected - after all, he’d been living the dream since he’d accepted coming to the Jingshi. Wei Wuxian kept expecting the other shoe to drop and for Lan Wangji to tell him that he was just being kind because of Radish and that he didn’t really love him after all. 

He fiddled with the cloud pendant necklace around his neck - he hadn’t taken it off since Wangji had asked him to put it on. Would his alpha’s feelings change for him during his rut? The incident the other day with the guard was still fresh in everyone’s mind. Xichen-ge had assured Wei Wuxian that the guard - whose name he learned was Da Peng, was recovering and he didn’t blame either of them for what had occurred. Even so, Wei Wuxian had asked Wangji to apologize for him when he went to see the man the day after. It had been decided that it wouldn’t be wise for Wei Wuxian to be in the mix again, just in case.

He knew Wangji was concerned about the whole incident, his eyes had that tight strained look to them and his jaw was stubbornly set every time Wei Wuxian brought it up. If he had warned Lan Wangji that he was coming, it probably never would have happened in the first place. Spontaneity wasn’t always a good thing it seemed - at least not right now.

There was a way to fix it all, but Wei Wuxian was afraid to bring it up. His relationship was perfect right now. They were engaged, and everything was coming together. The mating bite was the next logical step - especially because they already had a little Radish on the way. Lan Wangji hadn’t brought it up once though. If his feelings changed, would he regret it? Maybe he just wanted to wait for the wedding before they sealed their bond. Thinking about it gave Wei Wuxian a headache so he stopped and focused back on the task of preparing to host his family.

Admiring the table and the food ready to go, Wei Wuxian rubbed his hands together and went to check on the kettle to make sure it was full and already hot so old man Lan could have a cup as soon as he got in. He was humming as he moved from one room to the next when he heard Lan Wangji’s slightly raised voice. That wasn’t normal.

“I will not do it. No, he has not asked.”

Leaning back, Wei Wuxian looked across the foyer to see Lan Wangji pacing through the open door to his study. Who hadn’t asked for what? It wasn’t Wei Wuxian’s habit to eavesdrop, but his Lan Zhan sounded annoyed and maybe a bit upset - another sign his rut was coming soon, the man was clearly easily agitated.

“You know why. I will not force anything on him.” There was a pause and he saw Lan Wangji’s fist clench at his side. Wow, what the hell?

“Not even at the wedding, not unless he asks me.” Okay, the ‘he’ was definitely about Wei Wuxian. “Mn, soon. No, I will leave. It is dangerous.”

Dangerous? Panic surged through him. Why was Lan Wangji leaving? When? Where was he going? Wei Wuxian started to make his way across the foyer to get his alpha’s attention. He needed to be a part of whatever they were discussing.

“Wei Ying does not need to see it.” Lan Wangji’s nostrils flared with a heavy exhale. “It is dangerous! I will not.”

What don’t I need to see?!

“We will not discuss this tonight. The decision is made.” That meant it was either Xichen-ge or uncle Lan on the phone. “Wei Ying is better off without me.”

What?

Wei Wuxian froze in place and all his nervous worries rushed to the forefront. What did he mean by that?! Fuck, it was true wasn’t it? Lan Wangji’s feelings were changing for him. His heart ached so bad that he put a hand over his chest. A rough gasp of air rushed out of him and his alpha’s eyes snapped up and locked on him. He looked guilty.

Wei Wuxian’s stomach twisted in a knot and he could taste bile. Lan Wangji began moving toward him and he held up his hand to stop him. There was no way Wei Wuxian could hear excuses, or worse yet, the truth. Not right now! Wangji froze instantly and his expression twisted into worry and frustration all at the same time. 

“I have to go.” The call was immediately disconnected. “Wei Ying, it is not what you think.”

How the hell could he say that?! It was written all over Lan Wangji’s face! He could feel tears stinging his eyes. No one could love him. He knew it. 

“Wei Ying!”

“No! Lan Zhan! Not right now! Please don’t!” Wei Wuxian’s voice cracked. 

There was a knock at the door, it opened a few seconds later and Lan Xichen and Jiang Yanli were talking as they came inside. They hadn’t noticed the tension yet. Blinking rapidly, Wei Wuxian looked away from the alpha of his dreams and scrubbed at his face quickly, desperate to cover up the emotional trainwreck in progress. Lan Wangji didn’t want him after all. He thought Wei Wuxian was better off without him. 

“A-Li! Xichen-ge! I’m glad you’re here, dinner’s ready…I’ll be a few. Lan Zhan…” Wei Wuxian was already going up the stairs. He didn’t go for their bedroom, instead he headed down the hall toward the guest rooms and retreated back into the spare bedroom he’d first used when he came to the Jingshi.

“Wei Ying!” 

The door shut firmly behind him and the lock clicked in place. He hoped Lan Wangji would knock on the door or try to force his way in, but there was nothing. Maybe he really didn’t love him. God this hurt so bad! Wei Wuxian pressed his back to the door and slowly slid down until he was sitting on the floor and hugged his knees to himself while he wept.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Lan Wangji was in a full blown panic. Whatever Wei Ying had overheard, he’d grossly misunderstood the situation. His eyes were wide and his heart was racing. Wei Ying hadn’t gone toward their room. He needed to go to his omega. 

“Wangji! We are not done with this conversation!” Shufu’s voice resonated in the foyer. 

His uncle was still holding his phone and he was puffing as if he’d rushed the rest of the way down the path to get to the Jingshi. They’d been arguing about mating bites again. Wangji did not want to force the choice on Wei Ying. Even though he desperately wanted to seal that bond with his love, he would not demand anything either - too much had been out of Wei Ying’s control throughout his life.

Shufu didn’t agree, especially after Wangji’s loss of composure at work. It was dangerous to let Wei Ying remain unmarked, not just for the omega but for everyone else around Lan Wangji as well. The last few days had made it clear his rut was going to be violent this time around and he had planned to protect his family by checking himself into a facility to ride out the storm alone. It certainly wasn’t his first time dealing with this, nor would it be the last.

Lan Wangji didn’t want Wei Ying to see him like that. He didn’t want to endanger the most important things in his life because of his inability to control his baser instincts either. Wei Ying would understand, or so he thought. That heartbroken look on his omega’s face flashed before his eyes again and Wangji growled viciously in his shufu’s direction.

“Wangji?” Lan Xichen had moved to stand in front of Jiang Yanli.

“Look at you! Your control is hanging by a thread, Wangji. You need to mark him.” Lan Qiren continued on, ignoring the warning signs. 

Lan Xichen didn’t even look at the omega behind him, he just spoke calmly and evenly, clearly in control of his baser instincts - unlike Wangji. “A-Li, please wait outside.”

“A-Xian is…” Lan Wangji’s eyes snapped to Jiang Yanli as she spoke his mate’s name.

“He’s safe, just do as I ask, please?” Xichen cut her off as the mere mention of Wei Ying’s name had Lan Wangji practically snarling at the trio by the door.

The scent of three alphas suddenly facing off was powerful and Jiang Yanli made a distressed sound before cautiously backing out and closing the front door to put a physical barrier in the way. Lan Wangji watched her go while he maintained his focus on his brother and uncle. 

Lan Qiren was starting to realize how little rational thought was happening at that moment and he stilled next to Xichen. “Wangji, calm down.”

Lan Xichen held his hands out to his sides, trying to look as placating as he could. “We do not want your mate, Wangji. We only want what is best for the both of you.”

There was a red haze of anger threatening Lan Wangji’s sanity. It was clawing at the edges of his mind and he gripped the wrought iron railing of the stairs tightly. “Do not get closer.” The warning was issued through a clenched jaw.

His Wei Ying was upset, he had misunderstood! He needed to fix this, but his entire being was telling him to remove the challengers in his home. The other alphas became a symbol of someone trying to take his mate. It was absurd. Lan Wangji knew that his brother and uncle were not after Wei Ying, but everything was going haywire as instinct was driving him to act instead of rationalize.

Fear that he’d harm his family, or worse yet, that he’d harm Wei Ying, held him in place. He locked his limbs and just stood there, growling at his own family and flooding his home with his scent in challenge.

“Wangji,” Lan Xichen’s voice was soothing, “your mate needs you. Go see him, we will not follow.”

Lan Qiren scowled but he nodded slowly. “Go to your mate. Explain it to him, Wangji. Seal the bond.”

Wei Ying! I need my Wei Ying!

Unable to look away from the two alphas in his home, Lan Wangji began backing up the stairs slowly. He had to get to his omega, he also refused to turn his back on a threat. Both Xichen and his shufu were not moving a muscle, which was for the best. When he reached the top of the stairs, Wangji heard the first sob.

“Wei Ying!”

His heart lurched painfully in his chest and he turned away from his family to move down the hall to the door of the spare room. It was locked. Wangji’s hand shook as he pressed against the door. Downstairs, there was the faint click of a door being closed - his brother and uncle had left. 

“Wei Ying! Open the door.”

“Leave me alone, Lan Zhan!” the sobbed response almost did him in. 

“Wei Ying, please! Open the door.”

There was silence and a muffled sound from within the room. Fear crept along his spine. Wangji needed to see his omega and make sure he was safe. He needed to hold him and reassure him. HIs palm smacked against the door. There was no response. 

Lan Wangji had enough sense to know he couldn’t break the door in, not without knowing where Wei Ying was inside. What if he hurt him by mistake? Even in his current state, he couldn’t do something so rash that could jeopardize the love of his life like that. He turned abruptly and rushed down the hall to their room, crossing the space quickly to go out onto the patio. The air was cool but warming with spring, there was a damp tang from the recent melt that made everything a little slick.

Wangji barely paid attention as he quickly moved across the length of the patio to the door that led to the spare room. He caught sight of his omega then, curled in a ball on the floor hugging a pillow as he wept. He was in front of the door to the hall. Lan Wangji yanked at the patio door. It was locked. 

“Wei Ying! Please? Open the door.” His omega didn’t even look up. 

Lan Wangji’s entire world narrowed down to the scene before him. He couldn’t stand it. He needed to get to Wei Ying. The first crash against the patio door produced a loud thud as his shoulder connected solidly to the tempered glass, pain blossomed from the contact. A snarl ripped through him and he collided with it again, it made Wei Ying’s head snap up as there was a wicked cracking sound. The third crash of his shoulder to the door made the glass splinter even more and Wangji’s shoulder had gone numb from the impact. The fourth had Lan Wangji falling through it and stumbling forward toward his beloved.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Chapter Text

“Lan Zhan!”

The glass crashed down in a wild hailstorm of glittering shards around Lan Wangji. Even through Wei Wuxian’s sobbing and tears, he could see the red streaks darkening beneath Lan Wangji’s sweater while his alpha moved toward him. Those molten gold eyes were blazing, and it was perhaps the first time ever that Wei Wuxian felt a little fear at being captured in that gaze.

Sandalwood assailed him as the scent sharpened in the room, gusting in with the light breeze from the broken door. Its usual earthy undertones were replaced with a peppery tang that, while not unpleasant, was wholly unlike his Lan Wangji. The notes of fear and worry couldn’t be masked in his alpha’s pheromones as the man stumbled closer. The usual stoicism was gone as well, Lan Wangji was openly wearing his distress on his face for a change and it did weird things to Wei Wuxian’s sense of security.

Glass crunched beneath his slippered feet and Wei Wuxian flinched, eyes wide with tearstained tracks running down his cheeks. Lan Wangji froze halfway to Wei Wuxian. His alpha was breathing heavily, the bloody streaks on his shoulder and arms were darkening. Glittering bits of glass caught the light in his hair and throughout his clothes. The man had come through a fucking door for him!

“W-what are you doing?!” Was it even really his Lan Zhan? 

This went against everything he’d ever assured him of. This room was supposed to be a sanctuary - safe and secure, even from him. Would his Lan Zhan hurt him? What about their baby? Wei Wuxian’s scent soured with terror and he flinched back, the solid door behind him trapping him in place. It wasn’t rational at all, he knew with all his heart and soul that he was safe, yet in that moment, his fear was in charge.

Lan Wangji groaned. It was a pained sound and his fists clenched at his sides. “Wei Ying, I will never hurt you! Please, hear me out.”

His alpha collapsed to his knees, right there in a sea of glittering bits of glass, and looked imploringly toward Wei Wuxian. He didn’t flinch or complain, though it had to hurt, he was obviously bleeding and injured. The man had just come through a secured door without a damn key! No matter how hard he tried, Wei Wuxian couldn’t get past that little detail and bit his lower lip, fingers digging into the pillow as indecision warred with his want to go toward Lan Wangji.

He needed him so badly that it hurt, but after what he’d heard, how could he? It was an awful feeling knowing your partner was forcing themselves to be there out of obligation. Was it really only that though? Why did Lan Wangji tell him all those things then? The love, the promises, all of it! Did his feelings really change that much because his rut was coming on? That was the difference, right? What if it was just the rut and not what his Lan Zhan really thought?

“You’re bleeding!” He didn’t know what else to say.

“You are more important.” The conviction in Lan Wangji’s words was powerful. “Wei Ying, please. Let me hold you?”

Wei Wuxian sobbed and buried his face in the pillow, peeking up as he heard the anguished sound from Lan Wangji. “You don’t love me though! You...You said I’d be better off without you! I heard it, Lan Zhan!”

“No!” Glittering bits of glass rained out of his hair as Wangji shook his head firmly. “I need you, Wei Ying. I will always need you! I love you.”

“Then why did you say that!?” Heartbroken Wei Wuxian sobbed again, he hadn’t moved toward his alpha; he couldn’t, every fear he had about being tossed aside had come boiling to the surface and he was lost in remorse while blaming himself for not seeing it coming sooner.

Lan Wangji trembled as he reached for Wei Wuxian, he was still too far away to really touch him, but he tried anyway. The crunch of glass under his knees was a very audible sound, as was the hiss of air between his clenched teeth. His alpha was hurting himself. 

“I wanted to protect you.” There was a painful pause as Wangji sucked in a breath. “I did not want you to see me at my worst.”

Wei Wuxian didn’t understand. “Your worst?! What the hell, Lan Zhan! We’re getting married if I can’t see all sides of you, who can?!”

Lan Wangji groaned and licked his lips. “May I hold you, Wei Ying?” His alpha was losing the battle of wills to stay put, Wei Wuxian could see it in every line of his body as he quivered and shifted forward bit by bit.

“Explain it first.” The hurt was fucking with his head and his heart. He couldn’t just let it go so easy. “How does it protect me to make me think you don’t love me?”

Silence filled the space between them. He could see how Wangji flinched at his words and Wei Wuxian panicked thinking that he wouldn’t get an answer. His citrus and spice scent had been so rotten with his sorrow, and he used it like a weapon, letting it out a bit more so that it snapped Lan Wangji’s focus and forced his alpha to feel what he’d done to him. Wei Wuxian stayed hidden behind the pillow, like it could stop Wangji from coming closer.

“I love you, Wei Ying. You are my heart and soul. Never think I do not love you.” The depth of his words were shown in every inch of his expression, his face was sincere and imploring and his eyes - God, those eyes! 

Liquid gold, burnished under a setting sun - they were intense and focused only on Wei Wuxian. If he had any doubts, those eyes were reassuring him in ways he couldn’t understand. Even Lan Wangji’s scent was echoing what he said. The panicked upset tones had morphed into the warmer sweeter notes of love. The flavor of it enveloped him and was comforting. That scent alone was telling Wei Wuxian he was cherished beyond measure. It was virtually impossible to fabricate that kind of sincerity.

“Why did you say I was better off without you? Don’t evade the question, Lan Zhan, tell me exactly why you said it!” Wei Wuxian still clutched the pillow, but he’d sat up a bit more and was leaning forward, unconsciously seeking the comfort of his alpha.

“My…my rut is coming, Wei Ying.” Lan Wangji’s earlobes were scarlet. “I can be violent. I am afraid I will hurt you and our little Radish.”

That’s what he meant? Why didn’t he just talk to me?!

To say he was upset was putting it mildly. Wei Wuxian had really been convinced that everything had been a lie up until his Lan Zhan gave this little revelation. Yes, he’d jumped to conclusions and assumed the worst, that was on him. It wasn’t just his fault though. Even as relief flooded Wei Wuxian, his wounded pride still had control. Sulking he swiped at his face and hugged the pillow to his chest.

Lan Wangji could have mentioned this earlier, he could have explained his worries and they could have talked, right? Maybe he had planned to, but the fact that he’d already arranged to leave - that meant Lan Wangji had made the decision without considering his partner. He hadn’t even given Wei Wuxian a chance to talk it out and discuss the risks with him or whether it was the right call to make.

“Lan Zhan.” Wei Wuxian’s voice cracked and he took a breath before continuing. “I wanted to spend your rut with you! I was looking forward to it.” 

He felt so stupid crying still, but his hormones were all over the map and Wei Wuxian didn’t have the best control over them. Being pregnant was an emotional roller coaster and the normally thick skin Wei Wuxian armed himself with had become decidedly thin and sensitive - especially now that he’d been tipped over the edge. Was it so horrifying to think about being with him like that? Had Lan Wangji been forcing himself all this time?

“Wei Ying! I am not safe.”

“Yes you are! You’re my safe place, you always have been!” Wei Wuxian’s rebuttal was immediate. 

“I have hurt people.” Lan Wangji looked ashamed. He was clearly thinking about the guard.

“It was a misunderstanding! No one blames you, it was my fault it happened, Lan Zhan!”

“No! It is not your fault! Never think that!” 

It seemed that blaming himself was too far for Lan Wangji. He rose up enough to move the last few feet to Wei Wuxian and wrapped his arms around him, blanketing him in warmth. A sob tore out of Wei Wuxian and his arms curled around his alpha immediately. He buried his face into the crook of Lan Wangji’s neck and wept. 

“Lan Zhan! Hold me!”

“I am here! I will always be here!” Lan Wangji’s earnest words wrapped around Wei Wuxian’s wounded heart.

Glass pinched against his cheek as he clung tightly to Lan Wangji. “Don’t leave me, Lan Zhan! Don’t you fucking dare leave me!”

It was an emotional moment. Insecurities and fears boiling over as that reassuring embrace comforted him. Strong arms shifted and hands gripped the backs of Wei Wuxian’s thighs. He was being lifted up as Lan Wangji stood. Wei Wuxian wrapped his legs around Wangji’s waist, hooking his ankles together while his arms curled around his shoulders. 

“I will never leave. You are my heart, Wei Ying. I will cherish you, every day of our lives.” Lan Wangji’s lips were ghosting along the shell of Wei Wuxian’s ear as he murmured his promise. One hand stroked comfortingly up and down his back while the other gripped his thigh still to help hold him up.

Wei Wuxian whimpered softly and turned his head so he could look into Lan Wangji’s eyes. “Every day?” Their lips were so close he could feel the warmth of them as he spoke.

“Every day.” They mutually closed the last whisper of distance for an emotionally charged kiss.

The sour citrus scent began morphing into something warm and spicy as Wei Wuxian was held and cherished by his alpha. With his first little gasp, he felt the glide of Lan Wangji’s tongue teasing at the seams of his mouth, tentatively seeking entrance. Wei Wuxian tilted his head, lips parting for his alpha and moaning as the kiss spoke for them. 

He loved how Wangji’s lips always had the ability to say exactly what he felt for Wei Wuxian. When they were pressed like this, he knew without a doubt that Lan Wangji cherished him beyond measure. There was never any question or confusion once he’d tasted that unconditional love and devotion. 

Things were getting heated, Wei Wuxian started to tunnel his fingers into Wangji’s hair, but he winced, hissing softly and yanking his hand away. A bead of blood stained the tip of his finger. “Lan Zhan! You’re full of glass!”

Lan Wangji growled, it was deep, sexy, and provocative somehow while still managing to be wholly protective. His lips wrapped around the tip of Wei Wuxian’s bleeding finger and he lapped at that spot of red, lavishing the tip gently with his tongue.

“Lan Zhan!” A timid smile teased at his expression while Wei Wuxian watched his alpha ease the hurt of his wounded finger. 

“Mn, I should clean up.” More kisses slid along Wei Wuxian’s finger and down his palm before Lan Wangji was nosing gently along Wuxian’s neck. 

There was a snort of laughter. “It’s your fault, you came through the door! Don’t you have a key?”

“My Wei Ying needed me. There was no time for a key.” Wangji’s hands were gripping Wei Wuxian’s ass and he moaned softly, kissing his alpha again.

“Such a brute! The only thing in danger during your rut will be the house, Lan Zhan!” He could feel Lan Wangji stiffen up and he let out a little groan of frustration. “Alpha! You’re my mate, I’m not letting you leave to suffer a rut alone. I trust you, I love you.”

Wei Wuxian tugged on Lan Wangji’s hair to pull his head back so the man would look him in the eye. “Wei Ying, the glass.”

“Don’t care. You’re gonna listen to me right now, Lan Zhan.” He felt a sting in his palm and ignored it. “You are spending your rut at home with me. I already researched it, you can’t hurt Radish. I know you won’t hurt me. Don’t even argue about it.”

Lan Wangji’s eyes narrowed. “When did you start researching this?”

“Your scent started to change, I’ve known it’s been coming for a couple days now.” Wei Wuxian kissed the tip of Lan Wangji’s nose. “Promise me, Lan Zhan. You’ll stay with me for your rut.”

“What if I hurt you?”

“You won’t, and if it gets too rough…..I’ll tie you up!”

There was a hot, almost aggressive sound rippling up Lan Wangji’s chest and it gave Wei Wuxian a thrill. “Hmm, you like that idea? Want me to tie you up, er-gege?”

Wei Wuxian wasn’t as experienced as some people had accused him of being. His knowledge stemmed wholly from what he’d watched on the Internet prior to his encounter with Lan Wangji on the train. For some reason, he had vivid images of being helpless and unable to move his arms. It had been a memory that elicited excitement and desire. The curse of their time on the train was that they’d been so consumed by their urges that his memory was nothing more than a hazy fog of images and feelings.

The idea of being tied up though, or doing the tying up - it seemed to trigger something hot and primal in both of them. He wanted his alpha. Right now. Lan Wangji also wanted him, he could feel how much his man wanted it. The way he was being held let Wei Wuxian savor the hard length of Lan Wangji pressing up against him in a very explicit manner. He fucking loved it.

“Not…that name.” Lan Wangji nipped at Wei Wuxian’s shoulder while those skilled hands palmed his ass and made Wuxian whimper with desire. 

“You don’t like er-gege? Mmmm what about Zhan-er? Ahh!” Wei Wuxian let out a cry as teeth scraped along his throat and Wangji’s hot tongue lapped at his unmarked scent gland.

“Wei Ying….I…cannot control…” 

“Then don’t! I won’t break. I pr-promise! Ahh! Lan Zhan!” Wei Wuxian’s head fell back as he rocked himself up against his alpha. 

His throat was exposed and vulnerable and Wangji took full advantage, licking and nibbling - teasing him to distraction. It was so close, all he had to do was bite. God, he wanted that bite so bad! How did he get Lan Zhan to do it? Wei Wuxian mewled with desire, his scent sweet and spicy clouding around them while he tipped his head as much as he could offering his neck to his mate. Just one hot fucking bite, that’s all he needed, he even tugged Wangji’s head to his throat as much as he could.

“Wei Ying!”

“Do it Lan Zhan! Fuck, please?! Bite me, Alpha!”

Wei Wuxian’s back crashed against the wall of the room and Lan Wangji’s forehead was pressing against his shoulder. He was breathing hard and had started rutting up against Wei Wuxian while he held him. The dizzying sandalwood scent was strong with peppery notes that had never been there before - it was his rut. It was so close to hitting him that all those urges had to be riding his alpha hard. Wei Wuxian wanted to tip him over the edge and force it out.

“Alpha! Bite me!”

They were both of sound mind still, at least mostly of sound mind. They both wanted this, didn’t they? Wei Wuxian sure did! He’d been dreaming about it. The sting of glass in his palms hardly even registered as he kept tugging at Wangji’s hair, desperate to bring his mouth where Wei Wuxian needed it most. Lan Wangji was resisting, probably worried about going too far. Now that Wei Wuxian sort of understood his reservations, he wanted to shatter them.

Fuck being gentle. Screw this whole taking it slow garbage! They were engaged! They were having a baby together! They loved one another. He wanted the damn mating bite. When it still didn’t happen, Wei Wuxian let out a hot little growl of frustration and bent his head, nosing his way against Lan Wangji’s neck to nip at his scent gland. 

“Make me only yours, Lan Zhan. Do it, Alpha!”

That final push broke through the last strand of restraint holding him back. Growling hotly, Lan Wangji fisted a hand in Wei Wuxian’s hair and tugged his head back, exposing his neck again. It was beyond thrilling! The sting in Wuxian’s scalp only added to the excitement of the moment and he whimpered, begging for the mark while willingly submitting to his Alpha’s grip.

Lips sealed around the delicate flesh making him shudder and claw at Wangji’s back. Then he felt it, the sharp sting of teeth sinking into his neck. It was primal, and the trickle of Wei Wuxian’s own blood seeping around those teeth made him buck up in his mate’s arms, grinding against Lan Wangji as he was held fast pinned to the wall. 

Wangji hadn’t even really touched him intimately yet, and Wei Wuxian was experiencing a hot wicked orgasm, his come spilling out of him and slick soaking his clothes. This was what they’d both needed, it settled something in his heart, like a missing puzzle piece finally fitting into place. It sealed a bond so tightly between them that nothing could break it.

“Alpha!”

Lan Wangji didn’t pull away for a long time, when he did, his tongue lapped at the mark and he growled hotly. “Mine!”

“Yes! All yours!” Wei Wuxian was dimly aware of cloth ripping and the frantic struggle to feel Lan Wangji’s bare skin against his own. 

There was a new awareness about him as the mating bond settled into place. Lan Zhan’s presence was there in the back of his mind, flooding him with warmth and love. Every single doubt he had, and every worry - they melted away as their link formed and tears slid down Wei Wuxian’s face. He was so happy, and so overwhelmed with the ability to feel Lan Zhan’s emotions. They were intense. 

“Lan Zhan! Oh God! Why didn’t you tell me!” They were bare chested now, the angry lines on Wangji’s shoulders from the broken glass were vivid and Wei Wuxian dipped his head to nuzzle against his mate’s neck. 

“Do it!” The growled words made Wei Wuxian shiver and mewl as he rolled his hips against Wangji. 

Tonguing along Lan Zhan’s neck, his pheromones were almost out of control with euphoria and joy. The second his teeth scraped along his alpha’s scent gland, there was an almost painful moan of desire and Wangji trembled. God, he loved this man! Not willing to second guess or hesitate for a second longer, Wei Wuxian sealed their bond, biting hard until the coppery taste of blood trickled over his tongue.

The sensation was electric, their awareness of one another growing by the minute. Lan Wangji had somehow yanked Wei Wuxian’s pants off his hips and they dangled down around his ankle. Fingers delved into the crease of his ass and smeared the slick pooled there around his tight entrance. He didn’t stop biting Lan Wangji until one of those fingers pushed inside of him. 

With a sharp cry, his lips came off his mate’s neck and hips jerked while every muscle clenched down in pleasure. “Fuck! Lan Zhan! Er-gege! Fuck! Need you!”

Lan Wangji growled with his desire, pulling Wei Wuxian’s attention which allowed him to capture his lips. They kissed passionately, tongues teasing along each other’s lips. The tang of coppery blood was fading the longer they feasted upon one another and Wei Wuxian’s hands slid down Wangji’s chest. 

His own back was braced against the wall of the spare room which let him roll his hips to ride the finger delving inside of him. It also let Wei Wuxian shove Lan Wangji’s pants down off his hips so he could squeeze and cup his hard cock. Rational thought was gone. All that mattered was here and now; and right now, he needed to be filled and knotted by the man of his dreams.

“Alpha! So fucking good! Love…mmphh Love you so much!”

“I love you!” Just hearing Lan Wangji say it made the world brighter. Wei Wuxian swore their hearts had synced up and were beating in time to one another.

Another finger pressed into his clenching little hole and Wei Wuxian whined at the delicious stretching sensation. Why was it so much more intense?! Was this what the bond could do? Fuck! Why didn’t they do it sooner!? It was as if they always had to make things difficult for themselves.

Palming his alpha’s cock, Wei Wuxian was determined to drive Wangji mad. He relished in the shared bond, thumb sliding along the sensitive glans and tormenting his mate every time he felt the thrill of pleasure washing over him intensely. The heat of the moment had Wei Wuxian bucking with his need, grinding on his Lan Zhan, their hard shafts sliding against one another while a third finger buried itself inside. 

Lan Wangji was wasting no time opening him up, curling his fingers to stroke and tease the inner walls of Wuxian’s ass. When he hit that magical spot, there were stars blooming in Wei Wuxian’s vision. Fresh slick coated his alpha’s fingers and he cried out from that wicked touch.

“N-no! No mmm! Lan Zhan! I want to...ahh! Ah fuck! I want to come on your…Ahhh!” 

More words weren’t needed. Lan Wangji withdrew his fingers and pulled back just enough to line the tip of his cock up with Wei Wuxian’s slick entrance and he thrust in hard. It tore a scream from Wei Wuxian and made his legs tremble as they tensed and squeezed around Wangji’s hips. He didn’t stop pushing in until they were pressed flush against one another. 

Panting hard and staring into his alpha’s molten gold eyes, Wei Wuxian was drunk on the ecstasy of the moment. “So fucking good, Lan Zhan! I’m yours! All yours!”

“Wei Ying! I..I need..”

Wei Wuxian kissed him, smiling and blissed out as he rolled his hips, moaning with the feel of his alpha’s big shaft moving inside of him. “I know! Fuck me, er-gege!”

There wasn’t room for talking after that, Lan Wangji pulled back, withdrawing and making Wei Wuxian whimper, before snapping his hips forward hard and fast. It was forceful enough that it had Wei Wuxian’s lower back and ass smacking against the wall he was pinned up against. There was no way he’d last long at this pace!

The carnal need was mutual as they shared breath and rode that wild pleasure arcing between them. Every time Lan Wangji slammed deep, Wei Wuxian would clench tight on his girth, drawing him deep inside. The wet sound of their joining filled the room, along with the dull rhythmic thudding of the pace they set. A framed picture fell off the wall and crashed to the floor. They hardly noticed.

“Lan Zhan! There! Ah! I’m!! It’s…God!” 

Wei Wuxian’s world melted down and he shuddered in his alpha’s arms. Heels pressed hard to the small of Lan Wangji’s back, encouraging him to go as deep as he could, the hot bump of his knot teasing the spasming rim of Wei Wuxian’s entrance. Slick coated his mate’s shaft and Wei Wuxian’s cock twitched, spilling his come against Lan Wangji’s stomach. 

“Wei Ying!” Lan Wangji slammed into him a few more times, the swell of his knot catching again and again until he forced himself deeply within. The knot stretched Wei Wuxian even more, the painfully erotic sting of it making his orgasm last forever as he ground himself down against his mate.

They were panting hard as they clung to one another. The room was flooded in their combined pheromones and it was only then that Wei Wuxian could tell their mixed scent had morphed slightly. Individually, nothing had really changed. 

Lan Wangji still smelled like his delicious earthy sandalwood, although it had those peppery notes of his impending rut. Wei Wuxian also still smelled like his sweet yet spicy citrus self. Together, however, it was a whole new perfect thing. Their pheromones mingled perfectly, combining into a cozy loving thing that was unique, combining the best of both of them and marking one another as pack, family, and mates.

He kissed his alpha again, this time more gently. The culmination of all their feelings were poured into that press of lips and he purred with joy, smiling and looking into Lan Wangji’s eyes. “All yours, Lan Zhan.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Jiang Yanli was upset when Lan Xichen emerged with his shufu from the house. He could see her panic and confusion and immediately put on a gentle smile. 

“Don’t worry, A-Xian is safe. It would seem Lan Wangji’s rut is closer than he led me to believe, he’s just being overly protective of his home.” It wasn’t a lie, though he could tell there was more to it than that. 

“Are you sure?” Her voice was timid and slightly shy with color blooming on her cheeks. 

It only dimly registered to Lan Xichen that talking so frankly about things like an alpha’s rut was probably something Yanli had never really had to deal with. He was accustomed to it as everyone in the immediate family was an alpha. It made warmth crawl up Xichen’s neck as the faux pas started to dawn on him. 

Lan Qiren scoffed, shaking his head. “Those two. They haven’t done anything in the right order since meeting.” he softened his tone when he looked directly at the young omega woman. “Usually they would wait for their wedding to officially mark one another, but with the baby…” he trailed off and sighed.

“With Radish in the mix, my didi has become extremely protective and he’s struggling to manage it.” Lan Xichen explained gently. “On the bright side, we are spared A-Xian’s spicy cooking tonight.”

The laugh hiccupped out of Jiang Yanli and she nodded. “I suppose so. A-Xian looked a little upset, you’re sure he’s alright?”

No one could miss the sound of shattering glass. They all froze, holding their breaths prepared to spring into action if the worst were to happen. Shufu was already moving back toward the Jingshi’s front door, but Lan Xichen held out an arm to block Yanli’s path. His heart was in the back of his throat at the thought of her going anywhere near that house right now.

“Shufu will check. Don’t worry, we’ll stop it if things are dangerous.” She was closer to Lan Xichen and his heart was beating hard and fast. 

“You’re sure?”

“Your brother is hardly helpless, if anyone has the ability to control Lan Wangji at the height of his rut, it would be A-Xian. He is safest right where he is.” Xichen was using his calmest voice possible, letting it soothe the tension. 

There was one guaranteed constant in this world, his didi’s love for A-Xian was unparalleled. Lan Xichen had realized it from that very first day when the energetic omega had arrived to drop the pregnancy news at Wangji’s feet. Even before he’d known what had happened between his brother and Wei Wuxian, Lan Xichen could tell they were a true mated pair. 

He vividly recalled Wangji’s question that day, asking about scents that lingered. Xichen had admitted then that there was one for him that he couldn’t forget. It was standing before him right now. Sweet berries and soft lotus blossoms drifted lightly in the air like a halo. 

The first time he’d caught that scent was at Jiang Yanli and Jin Zixuan’s engagement party. At the time, he hadn’t realized how significant it was until much later when trying to forget the unique combination was next to impossible. Jiang Yanli was promised to another, though, so he’d remained silent and kept that secret to himself. 

Knowing how he felt about her and what he would do for the woman, Lan Xichen had no fear whatsoever for Wei Wuxian’s safety in that house. It could be on fire and he knew that no harm would come to Wangji’s fated love. How did he explain that without revealing what made him so positive though?

Lan Qiren’s return saved him from having to try to reassure Yanli further. “I believe Lan Wangji’s rut has begun. We should give the happy couple their privacy.” His shufu’s face was red with the flush of embarrassment - Lan Xichen could only imagine what he’d heard or perhaps seen. 

Xichen nodded in agreement. “That settles it then, we will just have to make do with dinner at the Hanshi then. If they need us, I’m sure they’ll call.” Holding out an arm to Jiang Yanli, he gave a gentle grin. “Shall we?”

Yanli looked back toward the house, then between both Lan Xichen and Lan Qiren before she gave a small nod and timid smile. “I do hope A-Xian’s cooking hasn’t frightened you away from all kinds of spice. Done in moderation, it’s quite good, you know.”

Lan Qiren snorted in disbelief and Xichen just grinned. “Perhaps you can educate us.” 

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Moonlight was the only illumination in Wen Qing’s living room. Jiang Cheng was standing in front of the balcony window staring out into the starless sky. There was too much light from the city for them to see the stars here. The moon was also full and it ate up all the real estate in the inky darkness to wash the buildings in its silvery pale light. Everything was quiet this high up. The bustle of night-life was far, far away and in the predawn hours, it was as close to sleeping as the city ever got. 

Wen Qing had allowed him to stay the night, claiming they could go over her plan to wean him off the drugs in the morning. It was charity and pity. After that god awful revelation, he hadn’t been able to function. Holding his phone and sobbing with no idea of who to call, Wen Qing had just given up and left him with a blanket and pillow to rest. 

There was no way he could go to A-Li or A-Xian, not after how he’d always treated them. Nor could he go to the Lans, much for the same reason. It still hadn’t registered that his own mother had poisoned him like this. The lie Jiang Cheng had been living was a gross one, it appalled him and he’d gotten sick more than a few times that night dwelling on it.

What the hell was he supposed to do?! Go home and act like nothing was wrong? Pretend to take the drug still but come off it slow and steady? Mother and father wouldn’t really notice at first. There were markers but he could hide those with the right clothes and hairstyles. God, was he seriously thinking about growing out his hair?

Jiang Cheng had always kept his hair trimmed short with a bit of boyish charm so it covered his brows if he didn’t sweep it back and style it properly. A lot of omegas had long hair, and for the first time in his life, he was realizing it might not just be to identify themselves as omegas but perhaps to protect their necks. Fuck, did he have to worry about that?

Was there always going to be this cautionary fear within the back of his mind that he was vulnerable to some asshole alpha’s wants and desires? Was he going to be weak and helpless in the face of powerful pheromones? Fuck did he have pheromones? The knot in his stomach tightened again but Jiang Cheng ignored it. Gagging was about all he could do at this point, there wasn’t even bile to lose anymore.

A door creaked open in the apartment and he heard the shushing sound of slippered feet moving down the hallway. The sigh behind him was pitiful and it made Jiang Cheng grimace and stiffen with anger. He didn’t need pity, he needed solutions.

“Jiang Cheng, you are going to need support, more than I can give. Have you called your jiejie yet?” She’d asked this earlier as well.

“I can’t. You won’t either, understand?” Tearing his gaze from the glittering lights of the city, he scowled at the woman.

Wen Qing held her hands up in surrender. They’d gone through this a few times already. Jiang Cheng couldn’t face his family, not right now. It just hurt too fucking much to think that his parents had knowingly done this to him and he feared learning if A-Li had known all along as well. Was that why she’d always been so patient and kind even when he was a complete jackass?

“Someone else then? A friend? You’re going to present and when you do, you’re going to experience your first heat. It’ll likely be intense since it has been held back for so long too.” The woman was persistent. 

“I don’t have anyone to call.” It was galling to admit he had no real friends he could count on. His phone was in his hand and Jiang Cheng unlocked the screen to stare at it for the thousandth time. It was on the text message from that arrogant prick.

If you change your mind and want help, call me.

There was no way calling Nie Mingjue was his only choice, was it? When Jiang Cheng thought about his friends, they were all business acquaintances and employees. Each and every one of them wouldn’t hesitate to throw him under the bus the second his mother and father came looking. Of course, that was if they came looking at all. They’d thrown a fit about Wei Wuxian and Yanli, but would they care about him?

He was the fucking beta child that never caused a problem. The worst part about him was his attitude and consistent ability to always disappoint his mother. Did they care enough to even check in? Neither one had called to ask where he was tonight. It was a very lonely feeling to realize he had so few people he could call on if he was in trouble.

“There are centers you can check into.” Wen Qing was talking gently now, he didn’t like that. Jiang Cheng much preferred the harsh brutal truth from her.

“What, like for drug addicts?” Rolling his eyes, Jiang Cheng scowled at her. “I can’t go there, the gossips will know in hours and then all hell will break loose.”

She sighed in frustration. “Jiang Cheng, you need support and you cannot live here and have your first ever heat on my living room couch. It isn’t healthy for you.”

“Why not?” Belligerent responses were his friend at times like these.

“Because you won’t feel safe, you can’t nest properly. Don’t you know anything about an omega’s heat? You have two omega siblings! You’re as likely to throw yourself off the balcony if you stay here.” Wen Qing eyed him flatly.

Was it really that fucking bad? Was he going to try to kill himself? Now that Jiang Cheng had to think about it, he couldn’t deny that he might try it. Omegas were helpless and they were nothing but trouble. Mother had raised him to believe that, even father had never disagreed with her. Omegas couldn’t be trusted, they were the ruin of most families. He was a fucking failure to his family - again.

He couldn’t check into a facility, not without explaining his condition. That’d get his family in hot water, and until he knew why they’d done it, he didn’t want to implicate them. Maybe there’d been no other choice. No matter how horrific this was, Jiang Cheng couldn’t condemn his mother so easily - there had to be a reason, right?

If you change your mind……

Fuck!

Sighing, he unlocked the screen again and hit the call button on Nie Mingjue’s number. Wen Qing watched quietly and wisely said nothing. The phone rang twice before the asshole answered.

“Are you alright?” The timbre of his voice was alert almost as if he’d been waiting for the call.

“Don’t you sleep?”

Nie Mingjue’s chuckle teased Jiang Cheng’s ear through the phone. “You don’t sound like you’ve slept, maybe you should worry about that before you worry about me, hmm?”

“Whatever, jackass.” Jiang Cheng was regretting this already.

“That my new pet name? Didn’t think we were that well acquainted yet.”

“Forget it, I’m hanging up.”

“Wait!” Nie Mingjue’s voice had gone from teasing to serious in a heartbeat. “Tell me why you called first.”

Wen Qing was giving him a flat glare, arms folded as she watched him. Jiang Cheng sighed in defeat. “I need your help.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Morning sunlight added a warm glow to the roadside diner as it shone through the large picture windows. Nie Huaisang couldn’t even enjoy that warm honeyed glow as he sat across from Wen Xu in a booth, nervously fidgeting. A cup of coffee had been set in front of him, along with a plate of pancakes and sliced fruit. It wasn’t his usual fare but his kidnapper seemed to be enjoying his own similar meal.

Nei Huaisang was actually afraid this was some strange ploy to drug him, so even though he was hungry, he abstained. Wen Xu rolled his eyes and picked up one of the apple slices on Huaisang’s plate, popping it into his mouth. Those dark eyes of his were challenging and amused all at the same time as he chewed the apple slowly. 

“It’s not poisoned, Newbie.” The voice was languid as if he hadn’t a single care in the entire world.

Huaisang supposed that was true to some degree. Wen Xu was the heir apparent to Qishan Industries. He was set to make a fortune just by existing. Just because he was a multi-billion dollar heir didn’t mean he wasn’t above poisoning people like Huaisang for fun. Why had they come to a diner in the middle of nowhere anyway?

Last night was a harrowing experience. After getting cornered in that records room, Wen Xu had demanded answers and Huaisang had given them. What else could he do? If he hadn’t, the likelihood of being murdered right then and there was high. He’d caught sight of a roll of something in the back corner and the threat of plastic to hide a messy murder nearly made Huaisang wet himself.

After confessing the name Huaisang had been searching for, Wen Xu’s entire demeanor had changed. He had gone from being cocky and domineering to being silent and fucking deadly. Huaisang’s hands had been tied together and he’d been physically dragged out of the building and shoved in a fancy car. They weren’t even in the city anymore.

“Are you going to kill me?” Huaisang’s voice was ragged from lack of sleep and it cracked slightly.

Wen Xu leaned back in his seat across from him, drumming his fingers on the table top. The silence was deafening and it gave Nie Huaisang all sorts of time to imagine his impending demise. There was no way he could look his captor in the eyes. Huaisang held his still discreetly bound wrists in his lap and curled in on himself.

“No, at least, not yet.” 

How could the jerk be so casual about killing?

Huaisang’s head shot up, shock widening his eyes and Wen Xu laughed. “At least you’re looking at me now. Eat up, we’ve got a bit of a way to go still. Oh, unlock this for me will you?” 

Nie Huaisang’s phone was held out so he could put his thumb on the screen to unlock it. When he wasn’t fast enough, Wen Xu wiggled the device in front of him. Reluctantly, he did as he was told and watched as Wen Xu scrolled through his contacts and did something. 

“What are you….”

“I’m telling your nosy big brother that you’ve gone off on a little trip for the weekend so he doesn’t raise the alarm looking for you.” Wen Xu looked back at him with a smug grin. “Now we have all this time to talk!”

“If…If we’re talking, why are my hands still tied up?” Huaisang was too afraid to shout for help, he’d been warned about that too.

“Well,” Wen Xu popped another slice of apple into his mouth, “I’m worried you’ll try to run off before we can get down to the nitty gritty.”

They were in the middle of nowhere and Wen Xu had his phone! He wasn’t going anywhere without him. There was hardly anyone else around, and those Huaisang had seen didn’t look that eager to help themselves let alone a total stranger. 

“I give you my word, I won’t run away, I won't get far even if I tried.” He did his best to be as sincere as possible.

That amused grin was back and it made Nie Huaisang shiver with concern. He was about to regret asking for this, he could feel it in his bones. Wen Xu was an alpha, a cocky and arrogant alpha that really didn’t seem to have a single care in the world. A bomb could probably go off next to him and he wouldn’t be phased in the slightest!

“If you want me to untie you, crawl under the table and come sit next to me.” Wen Xu gave the bench seat next to him a pat with his hand.

Huaisang’s mouth hung open as he stared at his captor. “You’re kidding, right?”

Wen Xu smirked and arched his brow in silent challenge. He patted the seat again then leaned back, relaxing with his arms up behind his head. “I won’t make it difficult, you can either crawl up beside me, or sit there sad and helpless. It’s your choice.”

Everything about this situation was surreal. Had he really thought a kidnapper could be reasoned with? How had he, a simple unassuming beta worth no interest whatsoever, been kidnapped in the first place?! Huaisang had to admit he’d gotten caught up in the mystery and now it was biting him in the ass. 

Da-ge, if I die, please speak well of me.

Exhaling in resignation, Huaisang started to slide beneath the table. It wasn’t the easiest maneuver, especially with his wrists held fast together under the baggy sleeves of the hoodie he had on. Crawling under tables in restaurants wasn’t something he’d done since he was a toddler. Huaisang was puffing once he finally managed to wriggle onto his knees below the table. Wen Xu’s legs were splayed wide, blocking the majority of space. 

A small tiny part of Huaisang wanted to punch him in the junk. Two fists at once would be a double whammy, right? He was pretty sure it’d backfire on him if he did it. He must have been under there too long because Wen Xu reached down with a hand between his legs and crooked a finger in that come-hither way. 

Huaisang scowled and shuffled on his knees, grunting and worming his way up beside Wen Xu. He was half way onto the seat when he twisted and got comically stuck. With his hands bound, he couldn’t reach behind himself to pull his weight up the rest of the way and sit on his ass. He’d already flipped himself over though. There he was, splayed out with his legs pushing him back onto the seat, head pressed against the backrest, and his hands helplessly gripping the edge of the table. 

“Uhmmm….a little help?”

Wen Xu smirked down at him and casually started to pet his head. “Dunno if I want to help you yet. You’re kinda cute all next to my lap.”

Nie Huaisang’s legs were getting tired trying to keep his ass off the floor and he grunted, huffing as he attempted to force himself the rest of the way up. There was a tug at his hair and Huaisang feared two immediate outcomes. Either he’d be pulled up painfully this way, which would suck immensely, or he’d find his face planted in Wen Xu’s lap. 

“P-please help?” Being pathetic in this situation was a Huaisang specialty.

That big hand gave his cheek a pat before reaching to hoist him up under the armpit. In mere seconds, Nie Huaisang was sitting, red cheeked and panting, rather closely to Wen Xu on the same side of the booth. It was unexpected. Huaisang had really believed he’d be toyed with more than this.

“Eat.” An apple slice was stuffed in Nie Huaisang’s mouth before Wen Xu reached down to loosen the ties he’d made to bind his wrists together.

It wasn’t that he didn’t like apples, in fact, he really enjoyed them. Being hand fed an apple by one of the scariest alphas Huaisang knew of was not how he’d expected to eat one though! There wasn’t much he could do besides chew on it or spit it out and he’d already promised to not be difficult, so he obediently began to eat the crisp fruit.

The moan that escaped Huaisang’s lips was two-fold. The fruit was fucking delicious and he’d been starving. The easing of the tight binds on his wrists was like heaven and hell all at the same time. Coupled together, the sound he made just couldn’t be helped. Pin pricks crawled down his fingers as the binding was loosened and blood rushed back into his hands. They had been tight, but not enough to cause real damage. He was just a pansy when it came to the tougher side of super secret agent type work.

The second he was free, Huaisang backed himself up against the window to put as much space between him and Wen Xu as he could and rubbed at his wrists. “Thank you…”

“Yea, sure. Eat more, we’ve got a long way to go still and we won’t be making a lot of stops.” An arm looped around Huaisang’s shoulders pulling him back to Wen Xu’s side. “Stick to me like glue and I will let you keep your hands free.”

It was the most awkward breakfast Nie Huaisang had ever endured. He picked at his food and drank the bitter coffee as best he could, peeking to the side to look at the larger man he was pressed up against. They probably looked like a couple to anyone glancing their way. Was that on purpose???

“Where are we going?” The food was nearly gone.

“Somewhere safe. You’re asking about ghosts and ghouls. That shit isn’t something we can talk about just anywhere.” 

Wen Xu was worried about safety? Safety for whom though? Himself or Huaisang? It made the beta swallow nervously and squirm in his seat. Wen Xu’s arm tightened around his shoulders in some silent kind of demand that he stay close against him.

“How far is it?” There had to be some way he could alert his da-ge!

At this rate, they’d be out in the wilderness in the middle of some creepy forest where there was a tiny hut or something and Wen Xu would do god awful things to him where no one could hear him scream. Nie Huaisang’s imagination was taking flight with all sorts of horrific realities awaiting him.

“Should get there before nightfall.” Wen Xu leaned back again in the bench seat and casually pulled Huaisang’s head back by his hair. It definitely looked like they were a couple. He had a serious look in his eyes though and it left Huaisang holding his breath. 

“Oww, can..can you let go?”

Chuckling again, Wen Xu leaned in, both hands framing Nie Huaisang’s face and trapping him. They were so close they were practically sharing each other’s breath and Huaisang’s eyes were crossing as he tried to gaze up at the bigger man. “Be good, put your arms around me, look cute. We have a shadow.”

What?!

Fuck was he going to die in a diner?! Would he never know the truth?! Huaisang robotically did as he was told, looping his arms around his captor. He tried to look, but Wen Xu held his face still and tutted gently. “Focus on me, Newbie. We’re going somewhere to talk because I have a proposition for you. First, we need to lose the shadow. Gimme a kiss now and make it believable.” 

There was no way to tell if Wen Xu was yanking his chain or if there really was someone watching them. He also didn’t have the advantage of being able to eke out the scents of pheromones that would tell him so much more than the average senses could. Being a beta and trying to be a secret spy agent was absolutely hell!

Heart racing in his chest, Nie Huaisang gave up his first ever kiss to a Wen. Their lips met in a soft press that was as gentle as it was timid and it made the alpha growl low and deep, while his hands tipped Huaisang’s head to change the angle and deepen the melding of lips just a bit more. It was as terrifying as it was thrilling. 

When they parted, Huaisang’s lips were still tingling and they felt a little more puffy than usual as he stared up slightly dazed. He belatedly realized his grip on Wen Xu was tight and his fingers were curled as they dug into the man’s back. When had he started to cling like this?!

“Good job, Newbie.” That smile was lethal. “They’re still watching though, so you just stay nice and close.” Wen Xu was speaking softly while nosing at the shell of Huaisang’s ear.

It made him shiver and he had to swallow the whimper that threatened to escape him. What in the absolute fresh hell was this?! Since when did digging up secrets involve pretending to be romantic with his kidnapper!? Clearly secret agent sleuthing was not Huaisang’s forte. He would stick to being the one who sold the secrets, not the one who dug them up. Of course, that was if there was going to be a future.

“Wait…what do you mean by a proposition?” He was whispering in spite of himself, terrified that someone might actually be watching him and looking for an opportunity to kill him.

I will never again turn my nose up at da-ge’s self defense lessons ever again!

Wen Xu grinned. “I want us to get hitched.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Wei Wuxian squinted his eyes open as sunlight invaded their nest. His body was deliciously sore and he felt boneless. Something was prodding him though, pinching his cheek and teasing his sides trying to rouse him fully from his slumber. He flapped an arm out haphazardly and turned to bury his nose against Lan Wangji’s chest. 

“Five minutes….” 

A soft chuckle suffused the room and a warm hand started stroking through Wei Wuxian’s tangled hair. “It is nearly noon, Wei Ying. It is time to wake up.”

“Lan Zhan! Five minutes….c’mere.” Wei Wuxian wrapped his limbs around his alpha and clung to him, burying his face even more to block out all sources of light and inhale that sexy scent that was all Lan Wangji. 

Last night had been a roller coaster of emotional highs and lows. After they’d come crashing together and sealed the bond, they’d slowly made their way back to the master bedroom, though it took a while since they couldn’t seem to make it more than a few steps before they were desperate to indulge in their desires. Wei Wuxian had come under the stars that night on the balcony more than once before they’d made it to their room.

It had been wicked and delicious and he remembered every hot second of it. No wonder he was pregnant! Lan Wangji was a beast and he had filled him over and over until they were both a sloppy mess and had to seek refuge in the shower to clean off. Of course, that ended with shower sex - something Wei Wuxian had found he was deliriously in love with, before they eventually collapsed in their nest with Lan Zhan knotting him one more time before they both finally succumbed to sleep.

A hand settled heavily on Wei Wuxian’s ass, giving him a gentle pat. “Time to get up. You need to eat and I need to prepare.”

Oh hell. This was pre-rut Lan Zhan!? He looked up through squinty eyes at his alpha. “You’re not in the beginning of your rut now?”

A sexy smile warmed Lan Wangji’s face and he kissed the top of Wei Wuxian’s head. “If I take suppressants, I can hold off a little longer. I need to finalize some business.”

“Why can’t Xichen-ge do it for you?” The pout was audible.

“It is not his responsibility.” That hand on his ass was squeezing and playing with the ripe flesh.

“Ruts excuse you.” Wei Wuxian didn’t want to get up and he didn’t want his Lan Zhan going anywhere, not when he was literally starting his rut. “Drugs are…mmm….bad for you…”

Mn. The sooner I go, the sooner I can return.” 

“Can I come with you? Y’know…just in case?” 

Lan Wangji growled that sexy growl that made promises of toe-curling orgasms and mind-blowing sessions of sex. Wei Wuxian couldn’t help the mewl of desire that danced up his throat and he trapped one of Wangji’s thighs between his legs so he could grind against him slowly. 

“It is…not safe.” 

Wei Wuxian snorted. “Lan Zhan! It wasn’t safe before you marked me, but now I’m marked, I’m SO marked! No one would dare get anywhere near me.”

It wasn’t a lie either. Wei Wuxian almost looked like he was suffering from smallpox from all the marks Lan Wangji had left upon him. The most prominent, however, was the bite on his scent gland. It was vibrant and fresh and it clearly stated that Wei Wuxian was a taken omega. 

“Besides, what if your rut hits when you’re on the way back? I can take care of you and get us the rest of the way home. You promised to be with me for it, Lan Zhan. There’s no accidentally coming down with your rut away from the house to avoid me.”

They were going to spend Lan Zhan’s rut together. Wei Wuxian was prepared to tie himself physically to Lan Zhan to make sure it happened! ‘Mn, the door needs to be replaced as well.”

“A stronger door. You promised that room was my safe space then you barged right in!” 

“Wei Ying, the entire Jingshi is your safe space. I want to be counted as your safe space as well.” Graceful fingers were tucking Wei Wuxian’s wild hair behind his ear and all arguments fled him.

“How many times do we have to talk about this, Lan Zhan! You need to warn me if you’re going to get romantic like this!” Whether he wanted to be or not, Wei Wuxian was fully awake by this point. Rising up on his hands, he slid higher along his mate’s body so he could kiss him lovingly.

“I like knowing I set my Wei Ying’s heart racing. If I warned you, I fear it might not happen as often.” Molten gold eyes seared into him as he whimpered softly.

“I’m mated to a rogue! Lan Zhan! What would society say if they could hear you now, hmm?” Grinning like a love-sick fool, Wei Wuxian laughed happily.

“They will learn to adjust. I will not hide how I feel for you, Wei Ying.” Lan Zhan captured his chin with his fingers and held Wei Wuxian’s gaze. “I never want you to mistake how I feel for you ever again.”

The apology in those words was deep and serious. They’d had a colossal misunderstanding because they hadn’t been as honest with one another as they thought they’d been. This was his alpha’s way of vowing to never take what they had for granted ever again. It melted Wei Wuxian’s heart all over again.

“God, I love you, Lan Zhan.”

“And I love you, Wei Ying. I will cherish you every day for the rest of our lives.”

“I’m still coming with you today.” He laughed when Lan Wangji grunted in defeat to his demands.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Everything about this week had gone poorly for Su Minshan. Lan Wangji had not returned to the office and he feared he’d missed aligning his heat to the alpha’s rut once more. On top of that sad little fact, he had agreed to investigate the issue Lan Xichen had cornered him for. Not only did it not make sense, but it also angered him greatly.

That bitch Wei Wuxian was pregnant with Lan Wangji’s child. How could that filthy omega lead his alpha down such a misguided path!? This whole business of siphoning money from the company - it had to be that little whore’s idea. He planned to find out what he could about Wei Wuxian, especially since everyone seemed to want things related to him. 

There wasn’t anything special about the man from what Su Minshan could recall of him. This of course meant he had to do some research on the competition. If Wen Chao wanted the omega, that was fine, but did he deserve to get Lan Wangji’s pup, even if it was with that filthy slut? He had half a mind to cut the baby out of Wei Wuxian. Lan Wangji was his, not some long-haired willowy looking omega that had shown up out of nowhere! He’d spent years of his life working to get close to his alpha! If anyone was going to have Lan Wangji’s offspring, it’d be Su Minshan.

The worst part about all of it was that someone was trying to frame his alpha because of this unfortunate pregnancy business. Otherwise, Lan Xichen wouldn’t be asking for internal investigations - he would have handled it himself, wouldn’t he? Regardless of the reason, he’d entrusted Su Minshan to the task and now he had to get to the bottom of it. 

Driving was a requirement because of his pre-heat, thankfully it was a Saturday and the offices would be quiet. He could dig into the discrepancy and do some research on Wei Wuxian while he was at it. Even if he’d missed his chance this time around with Lan Wangji’s rut, he could still try to corner him while he was in his heat. Alphas didn’t have a lot of control around an omega in heat; that’s why companies offered paid leave for them and all sorts of other benefits. If Lan Wangji was willing to get a nameless omega knocked up, surely to God, Su Minshan had a chance with the alpha as well. Then he could push Wei Wuxian out of sight and be Lan Wangji’s only omega and mate.

“What the hell?”

Su Minshan looked through his car’s windshield in shock. Lan Wangji was walking across the parkade toward the elevators of the CRI office building. His alpha looked composed and in control and it made a giddy little grin pull at his face. It was too fast for the rut to have hit and passed, right? That meant he still had a chance! Not only that, but the man was here at the office and there weren’t that many people ever here on the weekend! Could he possibly salvage his moment to get Lan Wangji all to himself? Su Minshan reached for the inducers he’d stashed in the cup holder of his car.

Even if Lan Wangji’s rut had passed, Su Minshan was mere hours away from being an absolute helpless wreck if he didn’t take some suppressants right away. Could he trigger another rut hot on the heels of the first one? Was it even possible? Going into heat in front of Lan Wangji would definitely test the man’s control and he could trap him. A weekend in the office with his alpha…there were riskier places to spend a heat.

Every depressed and morose thought he had prior to coming into the office on the weekend fled out the window. There was a chance to salvage this! The only downside was the long-haired man with silver eyes holding Lan Wangji’s hand as they stood waiting for the elevator. Was that Wei Wuxian? 

That would make things a little trickier. Su Minshan knew he was risking his job by purposely planning to induce the president’s rut. There was this huge document in the human resources section of company policies that talked about, and warned of consequences for violating the guidelines regarding heats and ruts. 

From an outsider’s perspective, Cloud Recesses Incorporated was a fantastic company to work for as they had safeguards and rules about how to handle these situations which wholly allowed any gender to work for them. He knew he’d only get one chance at this. If it failed - Su Minshan’s access to Lan Wangji would be greatly diminished.

Did it matter though? From all the rumors he’d heard, if Su Minshan didn’t make a move now, he’d miss his one and only chance to get to be Lan Wangji’s omega. All he had to do was trap him, just like Wen Chao said. Trap him, coerce him into a mating bite and there’d be no turning back. Even if he lost his job, he’d still have Lan Wangji and working would be the least of his concerns.

It just meant that all he had to do was get rid of Wei Wuxian to find his opening. Su Minshan unlocked his phone and sent a quick message to Wen Chao. Today would be the fucking day! He was going to finally get to feel Lan Wangji’s arms around him! Opening the bottle of pills, Minshan took a dosage of the inducers for himself. The rest would be for Lan Wangji. If his rut hadn’t hit, this would send him over the top. If his rut had already passed; which didn’t seem likely given the timing of things, then this would still get him in the mood.

The second the pair disappeared in the elevator, Su Minshan got out of his car. How long were they going to be here? How could he get Wei Wuxian out of the way? As he paced back and forth trying to come up with a plan, the elevator doors trundled open again and Minshan looked that way. The heavens were smiling down upon him! Lan Wangji had walked out, alone, and he was headed back toward his car! 

All I have to do is walk up to him. Ask for help…how am I going to get him to take the inducers?!  

He wasn’t prepared for this kind of opportunity but he also couldn’t pass it up! He sent another text to Wen Chao, Wei Wuxian was alone in the CRI building, probably in Lan Wangji’s office. With that task out of the way he made his way toward his alpha.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Lan Wangji was amused. He could feel Wei Ying’s presence in the back of his mind and sensed that fluster of embarrassment even though they were not in the same room as one another. The bag of snacks had been forgotten and it had instantly distressed Wei Ying. He’d complained loudly and then had gotten flustered because he’d been so upset. The solution was quite simple, yet it had seemed insurmountable in that moment for his beautiful Wei Ying. At least it allowed Wangji to be the hero and retrieve the snacks. 

Sending Wei Ying to his office with a promise to be quick, Wangji was now walking back across the parking lot to their car to retrieve the errant snacks in question. Wangji’s urge to smile was nearly overwhelming him. They had bonded as true mates. Nothing could separate them now. A biting mark was more absolute than a marriage contract, which was why most waited until they’d gotten married to share them. No matter what happened in the future, nothing could come between them.

Wangji knew he would need to give his apologies to his family. Everything about his union with Wei Ying was jumbled and didn’t follow tradition at all. Not to mention his gross lack of control in recent days. The bond had been there, but it was tenuous until last night. It had been hell on his instincts and tested his control beyond the limits of his ability to fully contain his reactions. Wangj was wholly aware he’d nearly attacked family last night. 

Yet, because of that incident, he and Wei Ying had solidified their bond. They’d both wanted it so very much. Giving in had been the best decision he’d ever made and even now, knowing that tradition had been ignored and that everything had been done in reverse; Wangji could not find it in himself to feel the slightest bit of remorse or guilt at his actions. They were meant to be a pair. It was fate. Not even tradition and rules could stand in the way of that.

It took mere minutes to get to the car and retrieve the bag of snacks. The subtle scents of heavy spice assailed his nose and more amusement trickled through him. Everything about today was a happy occasion. Spicy snacks were very much in line with his Wei Ying. It was so powerful that Wangji was sure his eyes would water if he actually opened any of the containers within the bag. If their Radish developed the same sense of taste for food that Wei Ying had, there was a chance that Lan Wangji was going to have to work doubly hard to learn how to tolerate their level of spice. He could do it for them though. For his family.

A fuzzy blanket in the car caught Wangji’s attention. It had been forgotten, along with the snacks. Wei Ying had specifically taken it from their nest after they’d gotten ready today. Likely his omega wanted to snuggle on the couch while Wangji finished up tasks that could not wait, and there weren’t enough soft cozy things in his office. 

This would have to be rectified for future visits. There were new blankets that you could scent mark for your mate. It had caught Wangji’s eye when he’d been looking for items to turn the spare room into a nursery. Maybe he would get a few of them for Wei Ying and more for Radish. Quickly collecting the blanket as well, Wangji straightened up and had just closed the car door when he first heard the distressed sounds behind him.

Having been so wrapped up in the feeling of his bond and thinking of the future, he’d been caught unaware. Turning toward the source of that cry, Wangji was surprised to see Su Minshan stumbling across the parking lot. The overripe smell of strawberries and heavy vanilla assaulted his senses before a word could be spoken. It was powerful and Su Minshan’s face was flushed with the symptoms of his heat. Wangji could taste the intensity of the man’s condition on the air and instead of being driven to help, he was repulsed.

“H-help!” The omega was gasping as he crashed into Lan Wangji and clung to him.

The blanket was caught between Wangji’s hand and the man’s back as he supported him. Thankfully the handle for the bag of snacks had been looped over his wrist so he hadn’t dropped them. Concern for his employee became the forefront of his thoughts, even if the man’s scent was revolting and making him mildly nauseous. 

Su Minshan’s scent had always been off-putting in the past. The aroma of strawberry was not quite fresh. Rather, it was too ripe, and the same could be said for the vanilla undertones. It had always reminded Wangji of a dessert that had been left out in the sun for a day and was on the verge of going bad. Regardless of that, it had never been so revolting as it was now. Likely his bond had changed his response to other omegas in heat. The only one who enticed him was his Wei Ying. 

“Su Minshan? Why are you here?” Wangji’s voice sounded harsh, even to his own ears.

If the man was this overcome with his heat, he shouldn’t have even tried to come to the office. It was against company policy as well. He wasn’t necessarily in a position to scold the omega, especially since his rut was clawing just beneath the surface. Wangji’s exemplary control was the only thing that saved him from doing something horribly upsetting right now. Not for the first time, he wondered how people in ancient times dealt with these kinds of situations.

Suppressants were allowing Lan Wangji clear thought so he could conclude tasks that he was responsible for. It also allowed time for installation of a new patio door in the Jingshi without him being on the verge of attacking strangers in his home. Shufu had fortunately been willing to supervise and oversee the repair while he and Wei Ying were out.

Even with those suppressants at work, instinct was demanding he take action. To his utter horror, Lan Wangji realized that even though he was repulsed by Su Minshan, the alpha in him was telling him there was an omega in need. Shoving hard, Su Minshan was pushed against one of the cars and held there firmly by Lan Wangji’s own hands. The subtle feel of a tremor racing through his muscles unsettled Lan Wangji.

The omega just whimpered helplessly and looked at Lan Wangji with big eyes. Tears had filled Su Minshan’s eyes. He was absolutely helpless and the surge of arousal that colored his scent almost made Wangji gag. All Su Minshan saw was the stoic serious face as he was held fast against the solid frame of a vehicle. It was for the omega’s safety as much as it was to give Lan Wangji a moment to compose himself. 

“Help me! It hurts!” The pathetic whine made Lan Wangji’s skin crawl.

“You should not be here.” 

“I-I’m sorry! It was…so sudden!” Su Minshan’s expression was desperate, his eyes unsettled Lan Wangji.

What was he supposed to do now? Leaving an omega in heat wasn’t an option. He needed to be put somewhere safe. Wei Ying was also waiting for him. Lan Wangji looked around the parking lot like he could find answers amidst the scattered vehicles. He did not anticipate the intrusion of the omega’s hands pawing at his cock. 

“Su Minshan!”

“You know my name! Alpha!” It had to be the heat talking for the poor omega. 

More nauseating smells of overripe strawberries filled the space between them. The situation was getting wildly more tenuous the longer Lan Wangji took to make a decision. He could not leave an employee to his own devices like this, no matter how much it repulsed him, this man was Lan Wangji’s responsibility for the moment. Forcing himself to stay firmly in control, he held the omega back with one hand, carefully depositing the bag of snacks and blanket atop the roof of his car so that he had both hands free to deal with this situation and firmly pulled Su Minshan’s hands off him.

“You are not thinking clearly. You should be home, is there someone I can call?”

The concern he felt through his bond with Wei Ying vaguely registered in the back of his mind as he tried to catch Su Minshan’s hands and get them off of him. Thankfully, his mate was safely ensconced up in his office and didn’t have to witness this awkward encounter. Wangji tried to calm his irritation so he wouldn’t alarm Wei Ying further. It was proving difficult with the way Su Minshan kept managing to free a hand to paw at him or press close to grind up along Lan Wangji’s side.

How had this omega even managed to make it to this far without being assaulted along the way? Su Minshan was clearly fully in heat, and unless he was prone to suddenly dropping into the condition, there was no way there hadn’t been warning signs before this. Had he purposely come to work in this state?

“Please, Alpha!?” Hearing the man call him alpha was nauseating. “Help me!”

Lan Wangji let out a low growl of annoyance, the muscles around his eyes tensing with his irritation at the entire situation. Holding Minshan’s hands meant that the omega was grinding up against him. Where was security when he wanted them?

“Calm down, I will help. Take a deep breath.” Lan Wangji was consciously keeping his pheromones contained as best as he could. He had to get Su Minshan to a confined room, then a plan could be made to deal with the situation.

“I need…fuck! It hurts!” Su Minshan whined and pushed forward suddenly, smashing his lips against Lan Wangji’s. 

To call it a kiss was being overly kind. The omega’s lips were damp and feverish and his teeth were everywhere. A tongue tried to force its way into Lan Wnagji’s mouth and he grunted in surprise. Wangji had been about to push the man away when Su Minshan was suddenly just…gone.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing!” Wei Ying’s angry voice echoed in the parking lot.

Elation at seeing the love of his life suddenly there, was dimmed by the fact that Wei Ying was attacking Su Minshan with brutal ferocity. It was absolute chaos. Lan Wangji could taste blood in his mouth and he spat out a pill that’d been forced in along with the omega’s vile tongue. Anger exploded within him and his rut began abruptly clawing at the surface now that Wei Ying was right there and in the midst of defending his alpha by beating the hell out of Su Minshan.

It was often said that the most dangerous creature in the world wasn’t an alpha lost to their baser instincts but rather an omega defending what was theirs. When an omega growled, it was terrifying and a sure sign that someone was going to suffer. Having been raised in a family of all alphas, Lan Wangji often didn’t believe such stories, yet now he was witness to the carnage first hand.

It only took a handful of hits before Wei Ying’s knuckles were stained with blood. His silver eyes were blazing in rage and there was a singular focus on the helpless omega beneath him as he pinned Su Minshan to the ground and attacked relentlessly - was it wrong of him to admire Wei Ying like this instead of intervening?

“Wei Ying!” Lan Wangji attempted, reaching out to his mate cautiously. But Wei Ying snarled and violently shrugged his hand off.

“You fucking whore !” The man yelled while delivering a kick to Su Minshan’s abdomen. “Are you that goddamn stupid? Don’t you realize, that Lan Zhan-” 

“Is!”

“MY!”

“Fucking!”

“Mate!”  Each word was accompanied by the heavy sound of Wei Ying’s foot colliding with Su Minshan’s abdomen, the kicks knocking groans out of the helpless omega’s lips. To top it off, the last word was delivered with Wei Ying dropping down to land a punch directly to Su Minshan’s nose with a sickening crack. Blood spurted everywhere. It was spectacular!

The gory scene excited Lan Wangji far more than was appropriate for the situation. “Wei Ying! Stop!”

Reaching down to restrain his love, Lan Wangi wrapped his arms around Wei Ying’s chest, hauling him back against him and away from the prone figure of Su Minshan. Releasing the soothing pheromones for his omega, the scent of sandalwood enveloped all three of them. Wei Ying growled, thrashing in Lan Wangji’s iron grip as he was pulled further away. He put the car between the pair of omegas and pinned his mate up against it. 

“Come back to me, Wei Ying.” How was he supposed to soothe a raging omega?

Lan Wangji’s rut was getting harder to control, the situation was dangerous. All that aggressive action had him wanting to pin his mate right then and there to show the world who he’d claimed. It also urged him to obliterate all intruders, which did not bode well for Su Minshan’s safety. 

At a total loss, Lan Wangji did the only thing he could manage without going off the handle and joining in the violence. He pinned Wei Ying against the car and ground himself against that ripe ass in front of him while his teeth clamped down on the crook of Wei Ying’s neck holding him firmly in place.

They must have looked like out of control teenagers to the outside world. Wangji felt out of control. It was a sensation that he was not fond of and he was desperately trying to regain some composure. His growl was low and powerful as it rippled out of him and the sudden move made Wei Ying whine hotly and push back against him.

He couldn’t see his love’s face so he had no idea if Wei Ying was able to contain himself or not, but now they had a situation on their hands. A wounded omega in the throes of his heat, an enraged omega defending his claim, and a frustrated alpha fighting back the urges of his rut all warred for priority in the parking lot.

“Lan Zhan! I’m okay! I…Fuck, Lan Zhan!” It was Wei Ying who broke the stalemate. When he gasped and leaned back against Lan Wangji, it nearly undid him. “Car?! Yeah..Car! Lan Zhan!”

Fumbling for the handle, Wei Ying managed to open it and disappeared inside. His beautiful, awe inspiring, and wild lover instantly twisted, pulling Lan Wangji with him before climbing into his lap. They stared into one another’s eyes panting heavily. Lan Wangji wasn’t aware of which of them had the sense to shut the door, but soon they were enclosed inside the vehicle. It spared them both from the overpowering pheromones of Su Minshan enough to think clearly.

“I felt it. I felt you getting upset! I came as fast as I could.” Wei Wuxian frowned down at Lan Wangji. “You’re bleeding!”

Lifting a hand from Wei Ying’s hip, he touched his lower lip. “I think Su Minshan bit me.”

“What the fuck!? I’m gonna kill him, Lan Zhan!”

“Wei Ying! He’s in heat, he doesn’t know what he’s doing.” There was no need to tell his gorgeous mate about the pill.

“That bitch shouldn’t even be here if he’s that far gone! He touched you! Lan Zhan, I’m so pissed, so is Radish!” Wei Ying was bouncing in his lap with his anger and it was very, very distracting.

“We can’t leave him like that, Wei Ying.” Lan Wangji wiped his mouth with his sleeve and it distracted the man on top of him, pulling his focus from the window to Wangji.

“Let him rot, fucking hussy tried to take my man!” Wei Ying lowered his head to kiss Lan Wangji, but a hand blocked him. Turning his head at the last second, Lan Wangji groaned with frustration. Hurt rushed through their shared bond. It would seem he had to tell Wei Ying about the pill after all. 

“I am not sure, but I think he tried to drug me. I do not want you to get any of it, Wei Ying.” No matter how much he wanted to kiss his love, he had to be careful.

“That motherfucker!” Wei Ying suddenly became a wild hellion in Lan Wangji’s lap and he was struggling to open the door.

It took every ounce of effort Lan Wangji had to pin Wei Ying against his chest for the purposes of stopping him and not for more illicit and exciting ventures. Ridiculously, Lan Wangji’s heart was pounding and he was full of excitement. It made so little sense all he could do was blame it on his impending rut.

“Wei Ying! Stay with me. I need you to call shufu while I call security.” Mentally reciting clan precepts was not helping him at all right now.

“Fuck security! Call the police! No! Don’t call them! Let me kill him, Lan Zhan! We can bury the body!” The absurdity of the whole situation made Lan Wangji chuckle. It snapped Wei Ying out of his tirade almost instantly. He would have to remember how fast his omega responded to the sound of a chuckle for the future.

“Wei Ying, my love, I need you. I…my control…the rut.” Admitting he was losing the battle to stay sane was difficult. “Call shufu, please.”

“Fuck! Don’t get out of the car, Lan Zhan.” Wei Ying was clearly upset but it was righteous fury instead of fear or sorrow. “I will kill him for real if you do.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

That hussy was lucky that Lan Zhan needed him. Wei Wuxian was livid. How dare some jerk try and come on to his mate? Couldn’t he smell that Lan Zhan was taken? It made Wei Wuxian’s scent sharp and strong in the confines of the car, which in turn made his alpha groan, grabbing onto Wei Wuxian’s hips and grinding up against him. 

Whoops! 

Yeah, ok the situation was a little unhinged. From his height advantage in Lan Zhan’s lap, Wei Wuxian could just barely make out the writhing form of the omega on the pavement next to the car. If he was moving, he was alive. That was good enough for him. Calling old man Lan was probably the smartest thing he could do. 

Lan Zhan was laying his head back against the seat and panting softly. At this rate, people were going to think that Wei Wuxian was cursed and brought bad luck to the CRI building. Every time he’d shown up, shit had gone down violently. This was supposed to be a quiet and simple little trip prior to a week of wild rut-induced coupling in the Jingshi. 

They were gonna get his work files sorted, indulge in some office hanky panky, then head home with the hopes that the broken door was repaired when they got there. It had been a perfect plan. Right up until this fucking omega slimeball messed it up. Wei Wuxian had been eagerly hoping to get bent over that big desk in Lan Wangji’s office, and now he knew it just wasn’t meant to be. Fuck.

The whole encounter had Wei Wuxian’s limbs quivering and heart pounding. Lan Wangji was languidly grinding against him with a very hard cock and it was distracting the fuck out of him. Somehow, he managed to dial old man Lan’s number.

“They’re still here, A-Xian. Tell Wangji to be patient, I know he’s tense, but it shouldn’t be-”

“Uncle Lan! Sorry,” Wei Wuxian interrupted quickly. “But we need your help. I…uhh…an omega tried to jump Lan Zhan and I might have almost killed him.” Yep best to blurt it all out at once. Lan Wangji chose that moment to buck up sharply beneath him and Wei Wuxian gasped, biting his lip so he didn’t moan at his future in-law.

“What?”

“I know! Hahaha! Funny isn’t it?! Ah! Lan Zhan!” Wei Wuxian was startled as his mate leaned in to nibble at his neck. “Uhmm! I think the rut’s hitting too! We’re trapped in the car and the omega’s outside. I..ah..I think he’s…Lan Zhan! I’m on the phone!”

“Are you at the office?” The concern in the old man’s voice was easy to recognize through the phone.

“Mhm! Yeah! In..ah..In the parking lot. Lan Zhaaan’s spot!” Wei Wuxian pulled the phone away and whined, trying to scramble off Lan Wangji’s lap. The man was using him like a rutting toy, bucking up beneath him steadily now. “Help? He thinks the omega drugged him.”

There was a click on the phone and Wei Wuxian blinked looking down at his cell. Uncle Lan hung up on him? Lan Wangji growled low and started to paw at his ass. Wei Wuxian enjoyed car sex, he really did, but he did not want to spend Lan Wangji’s rut in the back of a cramped car in the middle of a goddamn parking lot!

“Lan Zhan! Hold on just a little longer. I..I can get us…wait don’t you have suppressants somewhere in here?”

“Glovebox…” His alpha was groaning and struggling so badly!

“Right, hold on. Uncle Lan hung up on me!” Wei Wuxian twisted in Lan Wangji’s lap, turning around to the front to reach for the glove box full of useful things. His ass was being mauled by large hot hands and it had turned Wei Wuxian on so much he could feel the slick starting to flow in anticipation. 

“Here, take one. Hurry, Lan Zhan.” He really wanted to just drive them home right now. Maybe a hotel was smarter. There had to be one close right? There were facilities for this kind of thing too, they were like hospitals but for people who got caught out in public in a rut or heat they hadn’t prepared for. They’d be prepared to handle this right? 

The ring of Wei Wuxian’s phone startled him and he scrambled for it. “Yeah?!”

“I called security. Are they there yet? Do not get out of the car A-Xian. Keep Wangji inside with you.” It was uncle Lan.

Wei Wuxian looked up and around, spotting a few uniformed guards making their way over. “I see them! That omega’s in heat, uncle.” 

“It’s fine, the guards are betas, they can handle it. Do you know who the omega is?”

A frown creased his face. “Lan Zhan said his name was Su Minshan?” That pulled a growl from Lan Wangji and it wasn’t one of the sexy growls. It was an angry one. It was also extremely loud. 

“Is Wangji alright?”

“I..I don’t know!” Wei Wuxian could feel a little hysteria trying to creep into his heart. This was NOT how today was supposed to go! He rolled his hips to distract his alpha from going ballistic as the guards showed up and crouched around Su Minshan. Wei Wuxian locked the car doors, just to make sure no one tried to open them and check on the situation.

“As soon as they take Su Minshan away, I want you to drive and bring Wangji home. Can you do that?” There was a serious kind of authoritative tone to Lan Qiren’s words that Wei Wuxian rarely heard.

“Y-yeah..I think so. Are the…is..the door fixed?”

“The Jingshi will be ready, just get home as soon as you can.”

Well! No one could say that their bonding wasn’t exciting! After a few more words, Wei Wuxian hung up the call and looked out the windows. Thank god they were tinted. One of the guards tapped on the glass the same time he looked over. It made Lan Wangji grip his hips tightly. 

“Sir? Are you alright?”

“Yeah! Everything’s fine! Lan Wangji’s rut is hitting, I can’t open the window!” Wei Wuxian explained quickly. “I’m gonna..take him home!”

The guard seemed to understand and took a step back from the car. Su Minshan was being carried by the others and taken away. If things weren’t so chaotic, Wei Wuxian might have asked where they were going to take the omega. 

“That guy’s in heat. Don’t dump him on the street!” No matter how repulsive Su Minshan’s actions had been, Wei Wuxian couldn’t condemn him to being a potential rape victim just because he was pissed off.

“He will be properly detained.” That wasn’t ominous at all!

“R-right! Ok, We’ll be going now.” The guard moved away from the car and joined the others. Wherever they were taking Su Minshan, it was of little consequence to Wei Wuxian’s current predicament. 

“Wei Ying!” Lan Zhan sounded like he was desperately fighting to maintain his composure.

“We’re going home, Lan Zhan. Shufu will handle everything here.” He kissed Lan Wangji’s forehead quickly and scrambled out of his lap to get in the driver’s seat. Miraculously, his alpha let him go and didn’t interfere. It wasn’t exactly how he planned things, but at least Lan Zhan wasn’t trying to get out of the car. In mere minutes, they were on the road and headed home. 

“Never a dull moment is it!?” At least Wei Wuxian was getting his wish, he was going to get to share in Lan Zhan’s rut in the safety of their home! They just had to get there.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

The squeal of car tires pulling out the parking lot echoed in Wen Chao’s ears as he watched everything unfold. That fucking useless omega had screwed up a surefire plan. All Su Minshan had to do was corner Lan Wangji and seduce the man. Even in the throes of a fucking heat, he seemed incapable.

Not only that, but Wei Wuxian had shown up and things had gotten crazy fast. It would have been a lie to say the display of violence hadn’t gotten Wen Chao excited. If Wei Wuxian was into that kind of thing, he was more than happy to indulge him. Lan Wangji was the problem, though. When it came to who would win in a fight, Wen Chao knew when he was outmatched in a fair encounter. Good thing he wasn’t a fan of things being fair.

Frowning, he kicked a pebble at his feet. He couldn’t get to Su Minshan right now either, those guards had dragged him off fast and he could hear the sirens of an ambulance getting closer. What kind of magical lucky charm did Wei Wuxian have to escape Wen Chao so many times? Maybe it was about time to admit defeat and ask father for help. The Jiangs were useless, they’d lost control over both Wei Wuxian and Jiang Yanli, and they were already begging his father to handle some financial concern with their precious business.

With a sigh, he unlocked his phone and scrolled through his contacts until he came across Xue Yang’s name. He pressed call and waited.

“I was just thinking about you, did you sneeze by chance?” The amused cocky voice of the younger man irritated Wen Chao.

“Shut up. I have a job for you.” 

“It’s about time you realized I was your only option.” There was a pause and then a chuckle. “Are we meeting to discuss it then or are you going to tell me now on the phone?”

“Kill Lan Wangji and bring me Wei Wuxian, alive.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Chapter Text

Never had a drive been quite so difficult as the one Wei Wuxian had just pulled off. Between the powerful pheromones Lan Zhan had been giving off and the extremely handsy touching, it was a miracle they hadn’t gotten in an accident. His body was shivering with excitement and he was so goddamn hard he didn’t think he’d be able to walk! Lan Zhan had been growling and pawing him from the passenger seat the entire trip - at least he had held off stroking Wei Wuxian’s cock until they’d gotten off the freeway and onto the quieter roads.

Weeping in relief as he put the car into park, Wei Wuxian launched himself at Lan Zhan, kissing frantically as he leaned across the car. 

“Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan! We’re home! Come…Come get me!”

He loved Lan Zhan, that didn’t mean he was going to just let him rail him in the car after everything he’d done on the drive home. Nope! The man would have to work for it and make it up to Wei Wuxian. They needed room and something a lot more comfy than the front seat of his fancy car. Unbuckling quickly, he slipped out of the vehicle, trying to desperately tuck his oversensitive cock back into his pants as best he could.

His alpha looked adorably confused for a minute while he fought with the seatbelt. The rut was in full swing by this point and Wei Wuxian dimly realized he may have bitten off more than he could chew! It really was difficult to walk like this, his dick just ached with need and there wasn’t enough room in his pants to be remotely close to comfortable. At least there was no repair truck in the drive, did that mean they’d finished?

By the time he’d made it to the bridge over the stream, Lan Wangji had caught up and was holding him by his hips to grind against his ass. Wei Wuxian moaned, laying his head back on Lan Zhan’s shoulder.

“Wei Ying!”

“I know! Fuck I know, Lan Zhan!”

It was midafternoon and the weather was pleasant outside. Even with that in consideration, the wood planks of the bridge would be murder on his knees if he succumbed to his alpha’s needs right then and there. 

“Just...a few more...Mmmnn! A few more steps! Please, Lan Zhan!”

It seemed like his mate couldn’t really hear him anymore, the slick soaked pants came off and Wei Wuxian staggered forward on sock feet, what the hell had happened to his shoes?! Fingers pressed between the cheeks of his ass and teased his tight slippery hole. Two of Lan Zhan’s fingers disappeared within him easily - he’d been teased and prepared on the way home so he was beyond ready to take something thicker than fingers.

“Too far…I need…now.” Lan Zhan held him still by his hips and Wei Wuxian felt the head of his alphas hard cock pressing against his wet hole. 

It was so fucking hot that all Wei Wuxian could do was spread his legs a bit more, reaching back to cling at Lan Zhan’s hip while he was filled. Everything felt bigger like this, probably because he was standing on the path to the Jingshi, and Lan Zhan was fucking him from behind! It just felt so good!  

“Ahhh! Lan Zhan!” Wei Wuxian’s shout was loud, he couldn’t hold it in.

Lan Zhan’s hips snapped forward, burying himself deep within the wet confines of Wei Wuxian’s body. Hot stinging pain melded with the pleasure and Wei Wuxian stumbled forward a couple steps. The moan was hot and his alpha held him upright, picking up a rhythm as they stumbled forward every few thrusts until they were at the Jingshi door. 

He couldn’t stand anymore, Wei Wuxian’s knees wanted to give out! It was so much tighter in this position and he swore Lan Zhan felt so much bigger than before. His mate was driving deep, deeper than he had in the past, too. Everything just felt so much more intense. Sweat dripped off Wei Wuxian’s chin and he howled and stopped trying to stand, letting his man hold him up. 

Wei Wuxian braced his hands against the front door and he felt Lan Zhan’s strong grip sliding down his thighs, picking him up so he was held up aloft by the backs of his knees. Gravity did a lot of the work for them, pulling Wei Wuxian down onto Lan Zhan. He knew there would be bruises in his skin from this, but he really didn’t care. Wei Wuxian’s entire focus was on the feeling of his mate driving into him. He was lifted up and dropped back down onto Lan Zhan’s cock again and again while he braced himself against the door.

Nothing made sense anymore as Lan Zhan suddenly plowed deeper into Wei Wuxian. The intense action tore a sharp cry from Wei Wuxian and he left claw marks in the wood of the Jingshi door. Lan Zhan was bottoming out inside of him and this fleeting moment of panic about their Radish skirted through his scattered thoughts. 

There was no holding back, it was just way too intense and the pace was far too wild to drag it out. Wei Wuxian’s world narrowed to the feeling of his balls tightening up and his ass clamping down wickedly around his mate’s gloriously hard cock while he started to come.

“Lan Zhann!!!” His alpha growled and bit down on Wei Wuxian’s neck again, rutting into him the entire time. 

Oh baby! We might not survive this!

The thought danced through his orgasmic haze while his body milked Lan Zhan, enough to make the Alpha snarl and drive into him even harder than before. It eked out another spurt of come from Wei Wuxian, his balls tightening up almost painfully and dick twitching and another burst of come splattering against the door. God! They should have stayed home today! At least then they’d be in their nest! There was no denying how fucking amazing this was though. Wei Wuxian needed it as much as Lan Zhan did. The parking lot incident had driven him into a haze of possessive need to mark his alpha. 

“Does it feel good, Lan Zhan?! Do you…ah fuck! Do…mmmm Do you like it?!” The more intense it got, the more Wei Wuxian started to run his mouth. “God you can fuck me! Only you! Anywhere you want! Lan Zhan! Er-gege! You’re killing me with your cock!” 

He should have known when to stop, but Wei Wuxian had never really had common sense when it mattered most. Especially when his world had become focused on the sensations of being stretched out around that heavyweight shaft and pounded into like he was a living breathing sex toy. The second Lan Zhan’s head pulled back from his neck, We Wuxian reached back with an arm, looping it around his alpha’s shoulders so he could lay back against him and just ride out the hard pace. 

Knees bumped against the door and Lan Zhan groaned hotly, the knot was swelling and he pushed it deep inside Wei Wuxian, keeping it there and rutting up into him continually as it grew even more, locking them together. It may have looked particularly violent or even one sided, but Wei Wuxian loved it. He fucking relished this and his eyes rolled back as the stinging pain of being sealed together by that heavy knot sent him over the edge again.

By the time he came to his senses, Lan Zhan was panting heavily against his ear and he was still being held up, legs lewdly splayed wide apart, his oversensitive dick twitching in front of him. The heat of Lan Zhan’s come filling him was erotic and overwhelming all on its own and Wei Wuxian moaned. 

“In…Inside the house, Lan Zhan! Be a good boy, take your poor little omega to our nest.”

It was a mistake to get Lan Zhan to move while they were locked together with that knot. Every step had it tugging and tormenting Wei Wuxian’s insides. By the time they were in the Jingshi and half way across the foyer to the stairs, Wei Wuxian had begged him to stop. They ended up in the little nook nest next to the koi pool, collapsing there and laying on their sides catching their breath.

“Wei Ying, I…I…sorry!” He knew Lan Zhan’s remorse was because the rut had robbed his control and Wei Wuxian was just along for the ride at that point. He could feel it through their bond though he really didn’t need it to understand why his lover was apologizing.

“Not your fault. No apologies, Lan Zhan.” Wei Wuxian twisted enough so he could turn his head and kiss his Alpha. “I’m fucking happy. Just promise we’ll go upstairs before we go again?”

There was a low growl of sound from his sexy alpha and his cock twitched inside Wei Wuxian making him gasp and mewl hotly. “Anything for my Wei Ying.”

Laughing in his bliss, Wei Wuxian kissed Lan Zhan again and relaxed in his arms. “You better not forget your promise.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Lan Xichen’s nose wrinkled as he caught the scent of his little brother and Wei Wuxian’s pheromones. He hadn’t even set foot on their private driveway yet and he could already smell them. It made him hesitantly move a little closer, cautious that they might be outside with him. Wangji’s car was there, it was still on and idling with the doors left wide open. 

Scuff marks and clothing littered the path to the Jingshi and he did not need to get any closer to realize that things had gotten intense. Were those scratch marks on the door? The sound of a moan and a laugh echoed through the Jingshi walls, at least they were home and safe inside. Quietly as he could, Xichen moved to the car and closed the passenger door then turned off the vehicle and closed the driver’s door. He’d keep the keys for now. Those two weren’t going anywhere for the next week most likely.

Just as silently as he’d approached, Lan Xichen turned and retreated down the path that led to the Hanshi. He didn’t relax until the scent of Lan Wangji and Wei Ying faded from his nose allowing him to think clearly without having to worry about his instinct kicking into gear. Pulling his phone out, Xichen pressed the call option next to his shufu’s name. 

“They’re here. You said Su Minshan did this?”

His shufu grunted. “It seems so, I’m reviewing the security camera footage. They took him to a facility so he can ride out his heat there. He had to be sedated so they could set his nose and patch him up.”

“Did Wangji?”

“No.” There was a note of amused pride in Lan Qiren’s voice. “It was Wei Ying. That boy is impressive when he’s defending Wangji.” 

The admiration in those words had Lan Xichen curious as to what exactly had unfolded. He felt a pang of guilt since he’d set Minshan on the wild goose chase earlier that week. Did it make Wangji the man’s unintended focus and he went into heat over it? It still boggled his mind to think that Wei Ying had been the one to nearly kill Su Minshan. After all, Xichen had witnessed A-Xian in the throes of a panic attack, wholly vulnerable and consumed with fear. To think there was a wildly aggressive side buried within him - it was hard to imagine.

“Will we be able to question him before the authorities get involved? Shufu, I’d asked Su Minshan to look into false data for me. I wanted him to lead us to whomever he was being hired by to sell information.”

Lan Qiren’s sigh spoke volumes. “I wish you’d consulted me.” There was a pause as his uncle’s voice became muffled for a second. He was asking a technician to pause and back up the footage. ”Do you think it was Yu Ziyuan?”

Xichen’s pace slowed slightly as he considered the possibility. “No. Lotus Enterprises doesn’t have the capability right now to use any of the information Su Minshan stole from us. It had to be someone else.”

“There. What was that? Did you find it? A pill?” Shufu was talking to someone else again and Xichen waited, worrying about what he heard. A pill? He wanted to see this footage for himself very much.

“Nothing will happen until his heat passes. We have time, Xichen.” Shufu sounded concerned regardless. 

“A-Xian really injured him?” He still couldn’t quite believe it!

“Mn. I’d say if Wangji ever steps out of line, he’s going to get a surprise.”

Xichen chuckled, shaking his head in amazement. “I’ll have Li Cheung keep tabs on the situation. Do you need my help cleaning up there?”

“No, I’m almost finished, I’ll be back before dinner. We can go over this mess together and you can fill me in on what you two have been up to.” Lan Qiren’s tone brooked no argument.

“Very well. If we can keep this quiet, it will be for the best. I also need to arrange a meeting with Jin Zixuan.”

“Xichen, are you sure you want to open that wound?” The concern laced every part of the question.

He caught sight of Jiang Yanli outside of the Hanshi and nodded absently even if his uncle could not see it. It might have been self-destructive to encourage Jiang Yanli to connect with her fiancé, especially since he wanted nothing more than to have a chance to win her heart himself. No matter what pain it might bring, however, he couldn’t let her down either.

“I gave my word. I’ll see you tonight? Bring a copy of the footage, I’d like to see how dangerous my brother-in-law really is.”

The call ended just before Yanli caught sight of him. Her smile was warm and bright as she stood from the bench she’d been resting on and waited for him to get closer. 

“Xichen, I wondered if you’d care to take a walk with me?” 

Lan Xichen smiled a genuine happy smile as he offered his arm and waited for the beautiful omega to join him. “I’d love to.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Wen Qing and Nie Mingjue were glaring at one another as they sat at the kitchen table. Jiang Cheng looked between the pair of them and scowled. Fuck, how was this even going to work!? It was bad enough that she’d convinced him to ask for help, now he had to explain it too? Wen Qing refused to let him leave if he didn’t warn the jackass about what he was agreeing to. Not only was this suddenly like asking for permission to go out on a date, but Wen Qing also threatened to call an omega facility to deal with him if he didn’t sit down here and now and talk it through.

Needless to say, Jiang Cheng was miserable and exhausted. The most sleep he’d had in the last twenty-four hours had been when he’d passed out from throwing up too much. Jiang Cheng didn’t even think it was possible to get sick anymore. Wen Qing had started him on the process of weaning him off his medication. They were going to do it slowly, but still rather quick, at least that’s what she’d said - it made no sense to him at all. Was it slow or was it fast? 

What he really didn’t get was why Nie Mingjue and Wen Qing were glowering like that. Did they have some weird beef he didn’t know about? It was entirely possible, one was a Wen and the other was a Nie. Did those two families have beef? He really should have paid more attention when mother was lecturing him about big families. Jiang Cheng honestly didn’t give a fuck about people he didn’t have to deal with for work and Wen Qing had always been that annoying person who helped Wei Wuxian at the drop of a hat. Everyone helped his siblings before they ever thought to see if he needed help.

Not like I’ve ever really been approachable either though.

His thoughts were morose as he folded his arms stubbornly and joined in the glaring contest. This was probably a big fucking mistake. After he’d asked for help, Nie Mingjue had surprisingly agreed quite readily and offered to come get him. He hadn’t expected that. It wasn’t until the alpha saw Wen Qing that things got frosty and weird.

“Look, she won’t let me leave until I explain it. If you start growling like some fucking alpha prick, you can forget about all of this.” Jiang Cheng rapped his knuckles on the table to try and grab Nie Mingjue’s attention.

“Thought my nickname was jackass.” Nie Mingjue didn’t look away from Wen Qing, not even for a second. 

Jiang Cheng shook his head, annoyed. “Yeah, you’re a fucking jackass alright.”

Wen Qing gave in first, rolling her eyes and swearing under her breath. “Enough, this is important. Are you going to help Jiang Cheng or not?”

Nie Mingjue smiled a smug satisfied smile when the woman backed down. He leaned back in his chair, arms folding across his broad chest. “I’m here, I have offered my help, and I fully intend to keep continuing to do so if Jiang Wanyin asks for it.”

That caught Jiang Cheng’s attention. Most people didn’t seem to care that he had a courtesy name, they all just followed Wei Wuxian’s example. It had always irritated the fuck out of him and made him crankier than ever at people. He figured most of them just thought that his birth name was his courtesy name at this point. How the hell had this jackass learned it?

The pair of them were talking cordially enough, but it was like a fucking battle of words. There were subtle challenges in every new goddamn statement they made. Jiang Cheng’s head was starting to ache from all the tension, none of which was his doing for a change.

“Stop it! Fuck! This isn’t about you two idiots. Knock it off.”

Wen Qing had the sense to look embarrassed at least. Nie Mingjue just grunted and turned his focus to Jiang Cheng. “Alright then, let’s hear it, what kind of help do you need from me?”

He saw Wen Qing opening her mouth to answer and he snarled at her. She sighed and looked across the room, ignoring the large alpha for the time being. Finally! Someone was listening to him! What a goddamn miracle that was!

“I need a place to stay for…a while. I can’t ask my siblings, it needs to be…secure and safe - for me.” Wen Qing rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed that he hadn’t given real details.

“You can stay with me at my family home. Anything else?” Not a single fucking question, just immediate acceptance. Jiang Cheng was a little thrown off balance.

“Secure means he’s safe, from you and your family, as well as from people who don’t live in your home.” Wen Qing’s words were frosty. 

“Unlike the Wen, I have honor and I keep my word. If I say it’s safe, then it’s safe.” Nie Mingjue growled low and Jiang Cheng scrubbed at his face.

“Shut up! Fuck! Let me tell him, alright?”

“Then stop beating around the bush! We already started to wean you off, he needs to know what he’s getting into.”

Jiang Cheng caught the slight stiffening of Nie Mingjue’s back and how his sharp gaze focused tightly on him. God fucking dammit! Why couldn’t she keep her fucking mouth shut?! Anger was heating up his skin, he could feel it clawing up his chest and neck. Why was it any of his business anyway!? If he was gonna give him a safe space, that’s all he needed to do, right?

“Weaning off the drugs?” Nie Mingjue wasn’t stupid, he’d been there when Lan Xichen had explained things. Hell his little brother had been the one to reveal the unknown drug to all of them.

It still pissed Jiang Cheng off though, and his leg started to bounce under the table as his temper kept climbing higher. “Yea its the fucking drugs. She tested them, they’re not good, I need to come off of them.”

“Sooner, rather than later.” Wen Qing then held up her hands in surrender as Jiang Cheng growled at her. “Just tell him!”

Nie Mingjue’s previous hostility toward the Wen woman had dissipated as he turned his full attention to Jiang Cheng. In that moment, it actually felt like someone fucking cared about him - it was so weird he didn’t know how to handle it.

“Tell me what? What do the drugs do exactly?”

Now that the moment was here, Jiang Cheng couldn’t tell him this! Mingjue was going to be disgusted and for some reason that bothered him. Nie Mingjue was one of those perfect alpha assholes that didn’t know an ounce of suffering in his entire life. How the fuck was he going to be able to understand this without being repulsed? Wen Qing was gearing up to answer and he glared at her again. If he didn’t say it, she would.

“They’re experimental inhibitors. They’ve stopped me from presenting properly.” His knuckles had turned white as he waited for the revulsion to hit him.

“I don’t get it, you’re a beta.” Nie Mingjue frowned at him in confusion.

“I wasn’t supposed to be.” He looked down at his fists on the table, shame making his voice crack. “I…I’m…It fucked me up. It’s making me…” He growled and stood up abruptly and paced the length of the kitchen.

Nie Mingjue watched him carefully then looked at Wen Qing. He was clearly waiting for an explanation. Jiang Cheng felt sick. “Fine! Fuck you tell him!”

Unable to look at the alpha anymore, he turned his back and braced his hands on either side of the sink. If he got sick again, at least he could just lose it all right here and wouldn’t have to make that embarrassing rush down the hall to the bathroom. Wen Qing sighed behind him. It sounded like more pity and it made his spine stiffen with rage and humiliation. 

“The drug never made it through to human trials. It inhibits a user’s presentation and they look like a beta. I believe Jiang Cheng was supposed to present as an alpha originally.” She paused looking over his way, he could feel both of them staring at him, it made his skin crawl.

“So he’s an alpha? I suppose I can see that, there’s enough of a temper there.” Nie Mingjue didn’t seem upset yet. 

“I said he probably should have presented that way. Unfortunately, that’s no longer the case. The drug has side effects and complications. It’s why it never made it beyond animal testing. The major one is that it had an extremely high rate of altering the user’s genetic makeup forcing them to present as an omega, regardless of what they should have been.” The more she spoke the more Jiang Cheng’s shoulders hunched and he curled over the sink. 

“I did bloodwork on him, he’s an omega, or rather, he will be once he fully comes off the drug.” Jiang Cheng heaved as his shame was laid bare for the jackass.

Silence reigned in the kitchen. The only sound was Jiang Cheng gagging and losing what little food he’d managed to eat that morning down the sink. A chair scraped across the tile and footsteps moved toward him. He’d expected it to be Wen Qing, she’d been the one dealing with this after all. 

A large, warm hand settled on his back, rubbing soothingly while the other got a cloth and turned on the faucet to rinse out the sink and get the cloth wet. It was held out for him to wipe his face. Nie Mingjue was right there beside him. Jiang Cheng flinched miserably. 

“Need some water?” There wasn’t any scorn or judgement in Nie Mingjue’s voice.

Jiang Cheng nodded, blinded by tears that had yet to fall as he took the cloth and scrubbed at his face to hide his humiliation. There was a little rustling next to him, all while that big hand stayed on his back comfortingly. The sound of water filling a cup dimly registered and he peeked out around it to see Mingjue holding out a glass for him to take. Jiang Cheng’s hands trembled a little as he took it and the first mouthful of cool water was used to rinse out the taste of bile. The second soothed his raw throat.

He was prepared for the condemnation. He had braced for insults and berating. What Jiang Cheng hadn’t prepared for was this fucking kindness. Was it done out of pity? He couldn’t tell. Nie Mingjue was hard to read when he got all quiet like this. All he did know was that he felt a lot less upset with the idiot standing beside him like that and Jiang Cheng wasn’t sure if that was a positive thing or not.

“Are you good to sit down again?” There was no pressure in the question, it was simple and easy. Jiang Cheng shook his head. “Alright, we can stand here.” The hand resumed its gentle stroking along his back.

Nie Mingjue didn’t ask any more questions. He just waited patiently while Jiang Cheng made a fucking fool out of himself and bit the inside of his cheek to choke back a sob of misery. Wen Qing, however, didn’t seem to get the memo. She pushed onward.

“He needs a safe place. He is going to go into heat, it’s likely going to be intense. He hasn’t told anyone and he doesn’t want to tell his siblings.” A buzzing had started in Jiang Cheng’s ears and he tuned out what Wen Qing was saying as she spoke to the alpha.

For his part, Nie Mingjue just stayed next to Jiang Cheng, offering silent comfort. He had no clue how long they stayed like that, eventually though, he was being led to the sofa in the living room again. Sitting down almost robotically, he stared at the two people in the room with him. The jackass was being weirdly nice all the sudden.

“Jiang Wanyin, I would like to take you to my home. You’ll be safe, I give my word. You can stay as long as you need, I will help you through this if you want me to. Everything will be your choice.”

What else could he do but nod? He couldn’t go through this with his parents. Even if it had been the only way, they should have told him. All these years, he’d been taught to hate omegas and conditioned to blame them for every crack and fault in a family’s foundation. Now he was going to be an omega, did that make him a problem? Was he a fucking mistake?

“This isn’t the end of the world. You’ll see.” Nie Mingjue was being weirdly gentle. 

“Easy for you to say, you aren’t a fucking lab rat.” Jiang Cheng hung his head in misery while the two who knew his shame discussed details. He didn’t pay attention, it was better to just let the buzzing in his ears drown it all out. Maybe then it wouldn’t feel so real. Before he knew it though, Nie Mingjue was leading him outside to some big shiny jeep.

Was this how all omegas felt? Did they just let everyone else decide everything for them? A-Li never really fought back. Wei Wuxian got himself pregnant because he couldn’t say no. Jiang Cheng’s gut twisted again as he thought about that. Could he get pregnant? Would that be his fate? Was some asshole going to try raping him?

“Hey, whatever you’re thinking about, it’s not as awful as you’re imagining. What’s happening to you is fucked up. Those who did it will be held accountable - I’ll go wreck them for you right now if you want. Give me the doctor’s name.” Why the hell did Nie Mingjue’s voice calm him down so much!?

“Are you doing that freaky alpha voodoo on me?” The glare he gave Mingjue was extremely hostile.

“Yep! Didn’t think it’d work that well since I usually really have to put in some effort with most betas.” The alpha grinned at him. “I’m not controlling you, I’m just using pheromones to keep you from yakking in the jeep.”

Pheromones? The hell!? Pheromones could do that!? Sure he’d read that omegas and alphas were affected by them quite a bit and that they could use it to read a room. Jiang Cheng had seen more than a few alphas and omegas in school who’d run from the room covering their faces because someone had pheromone bombed the space. He never understood it. How the hell did a smell have that much power?

“I can’t smell anything. Fuck is it like bad B.O. or something?”

Nie Mingjue shook his head, eyes focused on the road more than anything. They were headed toward Lotus Pier. Jiang Cheng hadn’t realized it until right at that moment. 

What the fuck?! Why are we going to my place!?

“Everyone’s scent is different, even betas have a little bit of a scent if you get close enough. Most smell decent, some are really good and some are fucking awful. Alphas generally have a woodsy or strong scent of some sort. Omegas tend to be on the sweeter side usually.” Did he already have a scent he was unaware of?

“Why are we going to my house?” Tension filled every word as Jiang Cheng stared out the window. How the fuck did he even know where Lotus Pier was?

“You need some stuff, don’t you want your own things?” Mingjue asked curiously.

Fear slammed into his gut. He wasn’t prepared to face mother and father, what if they were there? Jiang Cheng’s expression must have been screaming what he was thinking because Nie Mingjue frowned.

“Look, you don’t have to talk to them. Grab some clothes and whatever else you need or want. Omegas need familiar things, it has a lot to do with scents, and you probably don’t notice it yet, but this is important, you gotta trust me. You aren’t a kid, they can’t stop you and if they try anything, I’ll stop them.” 

He held up a hand to prevent Jiang Cheng from growling at him “I won’t hurt them. I’d rather the law did that. I will make sure you can freely do what you need though. This is me helping, Jiang Wanyin.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Lotus Pier was starting to really take a shine to its namesake as spring settled in. The trees were beginning to bud with blossoms and the waters were opening up. Most of the snow had disappeared so everything looked damp and ready for that first blush of green that announced the arrival of warmer days. It had been home and it was full of all kinds of memories; some good and some not so great. 

Jiang Cheng had never once thought that coming home would be as nerve wracking as he felt right now. They hadn’t had to call up to the house since he knew the gate codes, and they were just stopping in the drive when Jiang Fengmian appeared out the main door. His father was squinting to try and see through the glass of the jeep’s tinted windows. Nie Mingjue threw the vehicle into park and twisted in his seat.

“Right, so we can do this a couple ways.” he snapped his fingers to grab Jiang Cheng’s attention. “Look at me, ignore him right now.’

“Stop with the fucking alpha voodoo crap.” The words ground out of Jiang Cheng hotly.

“I’m not using anything right now. I want to know how you wanna handle this. I want your honest answer, no pheromones to cloud your judgement, I promise.” Mingjue looked serious.

Jiang Fengmian started to walk over and Nie Mingjue just hit the lock button on the doors. “He can’t see us. Tell me how you want to handle this.”

“I..I don’t know!”

“There are a couple options.” He held up a finger as if counting. “You confront him, we fight it out here and now, get your stuff and we go.”

A second finger was lifted. “We can lie to them, tell them you got your own place. They will be none the wiser. I’m just helping a friend move.”

A third finger was lifted as Jiang Fengmian rapped his knuckles on the door. “You hide in here and don’t come out and we leave as soon as I can get rid of him. If you’re not ready, we can always come back later to do this.”

Nie Mingjue grinned as he held up a fourth finger. “Or, we shock the shit out of them and I call you my lover and tell them that I’m kidnapping you and whisking you away to be my partner for life. They get the giddy sense of being associated with a big name family and you don’t have to do anything but reassure them you’re madly in love with me.” There was a smirk in his eyes with the last one.

Jiang Cheng was pretty sure he said it just to make him laugh and roll his eyes. It worked, he was relaxing as he thought of the absurdity of it all. 

“Think about it, I’ll go talk with your old man, when you’re ready, come out of the jeep, or not, it’s up to you.”

The doors were unlocked and Nie Mingjue opened it swiftly which caused Jiang Fengmian to stumble back a few steps. He briskly stepped out and closed it behind him leaving Jiang Cheng to get his shit together inside the vehicle.

“Jiang Fengmian! I know my visit is unexpected, I hope you don’t mind?” Was that asshole talking loud so Jiang Cheng knew what they were saying?

His heart was full of self-loathing and hate. The first option sounded really fucking good to him, but he was afraid too. What if they confessed and told them it was the only way? What if they had a really good reason? Worse, what if they didn’t know and the doctor was the one who had decided to turn him into a lab rat on his own?

Wen Qing had said it was experimental and hadn’t been given approval. Would he have been the only chance for it to have a long term study? It was very possible that the doctor had used Jiang Cheng’s illness as an excuse to administer the drug under the pretense of it being a supplement to stabilize him. Part of him really really wanted to believe that. 

The more rational side knew that there was no way his mother and father would let him blindly take drugs without knowing exactly what it was for and what it did. That left him with the less confrontational excuse of having moved out into his own place. Mother wouldn’t go for it, would she? It would spare her from having to look at him with disappointment every day.

Nie Mingjue was talking about the grounds with his father, it sounded casual and relaxed. That jackass was actually going to let him decide. Somehow, he’d expected him to force it. Jiang Cheng suddenly realized he could actually get away without letting his family even know he was there if he let those two walk off together. The alpha hadn’t looked back at the jeep once. 

He couldn’t just hide! With a snarl, Jiang Cheng shoved the passenger door open and hopped out of the jeep, slamming the door shut more forcefully than necessary. Fuck this whole fucking situation!

“A-Cheng? What are you doing with Nie Mingjue? Where’s your car?” His father’s perplexed voice irritated him. Nie Mingjue looked his way, the calm expression supportive as he waited for Jiang Cheng to decide how he wanted to proceed.

“I’m moving. He’s helping me get my shit.” Fighting was too much right now, he couldn’t face the possibility that they’d knowingly poisoned him.

Jiang Cheng kept the hood of the jeep between himself and the pair of men. Nie Mingjue just gave an accepting nod and folded his thick arms over his chest. “Need me to carry anything?”

“What do you mean you’re moving? Is this because of A-Li? Son, your mother-” 

“Shut up! I don’t give a fuck. I’m moving!” Jiang Cheng was vibrating with pent up rage.

“Jiang Cheng! You were raised better than that!” Jiang Fengmian moved to round the vehicle and came at his son. It made Jiang Cheng flinch back, but his father didn’t get far before Nie Mingjue's hand was on the older man’s chest stopping his progress.

“Jiang Fengmian, I strongly suggest you don’t make a scene. Where’s your wife? Why don’t we have a drink while Wanyin gets his things, I insist.” Jiang Cheng bristled ready to hit something.

He didn’t get how Nie Mingjue could so easily control the situation, but somehow, his father was backing off and fucking bowing a little as he nodded to the alpha. “I suppose she’ll need to be informed. This is rather sudden though. The boy’s manners are awful, I apologize, Nie Mingjue.”

“Oh no need, we’re good friends. We even have nicknames for one another.” He grinned winking at Jiang Cheng. “You gonna be good on your own for a bit?”

What in the absolute fuck?! Does he really think jackass is a nickname for him?

“Yeah, I’m fine.” His glower was still there, but Jiang Cheng was unsettled. 

“Call me if you need anything, I’ll be visiting with your parents.” Nie Mingjue physically blocked Jiang Fengmian’s path to his son and waited for the elder to lead the way into the house, supposedly seeking out his mother. 

Just before they went inside the house, Mingjue looked back toward Jiang Cheng and gave him a reassuring nod. What the hell had just happened?!

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

The road was winding back and forth through a heavily forested valley. There hadn’t been another car on the narrow strip of pavement for quite a while now and it made Nie Huaisang terribly nervous. His da-ge must have bought the line his kidnapper had fed him because he hadn’t even texted back to get details, he also hadn’t called.

Then again, maybe there was no signal out there and his da–ge was frantically trying to find him right that minute. God, he really hoped so! Nie Huaisang was in deep fucking shit! He was trapped with a lunatic alpha that wanted him to get married. Not just married in the future either; oh no, they were on their way right now to some old temple or something to get eloped. Wen Xu had said it was ancestral land and important to his family or some crazy bullshit.

“I am not marriage material.” He was trying again, for the hundredth time, to dissuade the man. “I won’t sign anyway, this is a waste of your time.”

Wen Xu glanced over at him then back to the road. “You’ll sign. It’s a good deal, and you’re curious about the ghoul, if you wanna know what happened, this is the only way. Plus I’m the only one who can keep you alive now that you’ve poked the hornet’s nest.”

There was a smirk on the alpha’s face and he reached over to muss up Huaisang’s hair. This was the crux of the problem - Huaisang was morbidly curious and equally terrified Wen Xu wasn’t lying about being in mortal peril. Could he die over a simple name? Yes, yes he could. Nie Huaisang was no stranger to selling secrets, he knew the price some bits of information had. Was what he knew so dangerous?

Wen Xu had allowed Huaisang to stay unbound after they’d left the diner, but he wasn’t allowed to have his phone. Fear of some weird shadow following them had haunted Huaisang into silent obedience until they were the only people left on the road heading off into the middle of nowhere. It had only been then that he’d tried to get information. Each time, Wen Xu told him he had to wait until after the ceremony.

“At least explain why you think marrying me, a total nobody, is a good idea?” He wasn’t whining, really, it wasn’t him making that pathetic sound.

“You’re cute when you sulk.” Wen Xu glanced at him again and chuckled. “It’s because you’re a nobody that you are the most perfect partner I could ever have.”

“But you’re a Wen! Not just any Wen either! You’re the Wen! Heir apparent!” Panic was clawing through his voice. “You have to have your own kids to have heirs of your own! I can’t do that for you, I’m a beta, I’m worthless for your future.” Never in all his life had Huaisang been more ecstatic to be a beta as he was while rationalizing why he was a terrible choice for marriage.

“Good thing I don’t want any heirs then, isn’t it?” Wen Xu was still petting his head and it drove Huaisang nuts, shoving the alpha’s hand away from him. 

“Stop it! I’m serious! This is…it’s insane! Your father will KILL me! He’s not going to agree to this!” He was too young to die. He hadn’t had his first love yet! Sure he’d had his first kiss, but that didn’t count if it was under duress did it?

“Even that old fuck can’t stop me if I get married out here. It’s special. He can’t go against the elders if they witness it and approve. Once we consummate the union, we’ll be life-partners. Exciting isn’t it?” Wen Xu grinned at him and reached down to give Nie Huaisang’s thigh a little squeeze.

He jumped in his seat, squeaking in shock and grabbed Wen Xu’s wrist to stop him from letting that hand wander on his lap. How!? How had looking up a name gotten him in such a fucking mess?! 

“W-what about my family!? Da-ge hates the Wen Clan! He…he will be pissed! He’ll make us divorce!” Fuck! Divorce? Was he seriously considering going through with this just to survive the weekend?

Wen Xu snorted. “Your big brother is annoying. You will just have to convince him you love me and can’t live without me. Tell him I’m the good one.”

Nie Huaisang just stared at Wen Xu. He couldn’t seriously think he was the good guy here, could he? The man had kidnapped him and now he had delusions of getting married! There had to be a way out of this! “Papers! I don’t have my household papers with me! We can’t get married. We haven’t filled out an application!” 

It was the best he could come up with! Paperwork made the world go around! Without it they couldn’t legally be married, could they? Plus, da-ge kept the household registration stuff under lock and key, there was no way he could get his hands on it without Mingjue’s permission. 

Thank you to whichever God decided I needed a protective da-ge! My kidnapper’s plans will be thwarted by paperwork!

Wen Xu laughed and shook his head. “That’s being taken care of.”

What the fuck does that mean!?!

Nie Huaisang’s mouth opened and closed a few times and he squeaked as Wen Xu’s hand squeezed his thigh again. Sonofabitch! This wasn’t legal! “How?! How are you taking care of it!?”

“Shhh, we’re here.” Wen Xu slowed the car down and pulled off the road onto a mostly overgrown trail. 

Grass whipped against the bottom of the car and it sounded overly loud in the silence. Bushes and wild bamboo crowded the lane and slid against the sides of the flashy car. It was early evening, and most of the light was blocked by the heavy overgrowth as they traversed slowly along the trail. It felt wildly claustrophobic to Nie Huaisang. He cringed away from the window, which brought him closer to Wen Xu who took the opportunity to drape an arm over Huaisang’s shoulders.

“Awww, you’re coming to me for comfort already!” The jerk was happy? Fuck, why was he happy!?

Ahead of them, the path slowly opened up into a clearing. It reminded Huaisang of some sort of ancient commune or something. There was a massive temple up on the hill, it sort of dominated the area and had gabled rooftops giving it that ancient air of royalty to it. The buildings below were well organized and some were more ornamental looking than others. A few people walked around in hanfu and tang suit outfits. It literally felt like he’d stepped back in time.

The only oddity was Wen Xu’s car. It was grossly out of place. There were carts and animals everywhere, and one shiny sports car. How much more jarring could it get? Where the hell were they!? They pulled up in front of a rather large and imposing looking house. It had a pagoda and raised walkways that surrounded the classically rich looking building. Huaisang’s imagination had him believing some mafia gangster shit happened here regularly.

“Just wait until you get inside, the bedroom is great. We’ll have the marriage chambers for the next few days. Father isn’t due out until the day after tomorrow. Once the old man’s here you have to already be wedded and properly bedded too, it’s the only way I can keep you alive.”

Dear God in all the Heavens, please, please save me!

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Yu Ziyuan watched the dark jeep drive away with her son in the passenger seat. The audacity of that Nie alpha had rankled her fiercely. The man was a Nie though, they had a healthy portfolio of businesses that branched out into three main areas, Restaurants, Grocery, and oddly enough, Steel manufacturing. Prism, as their company was known, had thrived over the years and every time something fell short, the other areas of the business were there to supplement and support it.

They had vast resources which translated into deep pockets. They were also an old family with long standing traditions. In short, Yu Ziyuan could not afford to make an enemy of the Nie family. Not with the Lan family already stealing her children and holding her only bargaining chips out of reach. Without A-Li and that slut that plagued them, they were running out of ways to pay back the Wen family.

“I don’t like him.” she finally mussed in irritation.

“You don’t like anyone.” Jiang Fengmian sadly shook his head going back into the house.

“This is your fault, you know. If you hadn’t clung to that bitch and her runt, we wouldn’t be in this position!” It always came back to Canse Sanren and Wei Changze.

“Ziyuan, I’m too tired to have this fight with you today. Our son has just moved out, our daughter is in hiding, you chased away our only chance to make Wen Ruohan leave us alone and you want to blame me. Fine. Go ahead, but don’t think for a second that it’s my fault alone.” Fengmian had moved to pour himself wine from a decanter on the kitchen counter.

Following hot on his heels she snarled and smacked his back. “You can’t be serious! Wen Ruohan doesn’t want Wei Wuxian! He’s going to make us pay for our entire lives if we keep doing this bit by bit, no omega whore will appease him.”

“Enough! You don’t even realize! I had a deal with Wen Chao! He’d take Wei Wuxian! He wanted there to be no way out! I switched his suppressants for inducers! He was supposed to meet Wen Chao on the train! It was supposed to be the next Wen Heir, Ziyuan!” The utter frustration in his voice was something she could actually feel.

There had been a deal she didn’t know about? How was she supposed to know if he hadn’t told her!? “Is that why that stupid ingrate kept on calling?” 

Wen Chao was someone she severely disliked. The boy had an attitude of entitlement, and while it was true, she didn’t like how he rubbed it in the faces of everyone. He was arrogant and crude. Part of the reason A-Li had been engaged so quickly after she’d presented was to shield her from that lecherous little fuck.

The worst part was that Wen Chao was the one that was trying to take the place as the obvious choice to be Wen Ruohan’s successor. This was a problem for them. Wen Chao knew the dirty history - he abused his knowledge of that secret quite liberally. The amount of times they were coerced into doing something god awful just for that little shit to get his rocks off had left a sour taste in their mouths.

They’d tried to get on the elder son’s good side, but Wen Xu wanted nothing to do with them. He’d called Yu Ziyuan trash and laughed in her face when she’d offered up Wei Wuxian like some prize cow. When he suggested Jiang Cheng be the prize, she’d stopped trying to talk to him. It was useless. The children of Wen Ruohan were not going to be any better than the man himself.

“If Wen Chao was happy, he’d leave us be! We needed that, Ziyuan! The shareholders aren’t speaking about the buyer, we’re on the verge of losing everything! Do you know that now we’re going to have to beg Wen Ruohan for help again? MORE debt, all because you chased A-Xian off! He would have claimed that babe as his own, but A-Xian got to the Lans too fast!”

Fengmian was pacing the length of the kitchen and laughing. It was manic and pathetic, the sound unsettled her rage. 

“Now all of our children are gone. A-Li, A-Cheng, and A-Xi-”

“Wei Wuxian is NOT our child! That filthy little mistake will NEVER be ours! I don’t care what kind of adoption papers YOU signed, I never did!” Ziyuan’s shout was powerful.

“I wish I’d never married you.” Fengmian sighed tiredly.

“I wish you’d just die so I didn’t have to deal with your pathetic sniveling!” If he’d been closer, she would have hit him. “This is your fault, Fengmian! Keeping secrets is what fucked us over - you did it back then and you’re doing it again. You never learn!” 

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Jiang Cheng was glaring at the courtyard of the Nie household while he stiffly followed Nie Mingjue. It was an old family home, and they clearly had a lot of money and a penchant for history. All the buildings were well maintained, yet he could tell they were old and held that classic look. He wouldn’t be shocked if it had a dungeon somewhere or something equally strange. There was a huge open space that had an archery board at one end of it and under the roof of an open square pavilion, he could see training mats, heavy bags and other odds and ends. The only thing missing were racks of weapons lining the space and straw everywhere.

If it had that, he’d totally believe it was the set of some martial arts movie. The grounds were landscaped and well maintained. The theme seemed to be deep grays and dark greens for most of the buildings. Like all of the big rich families, the entire place was surrounded with a high security wall and gates. The difference was that their gate had an actual old guard house next to it and there was actually someone fucking working it. Maybe Mingjue didn’t trust modern technology.

“A-Sang’s out for the weekend. Said he went for a trip to some spa retreat.” Nie Mingjue’s voice held a snort of derision in it. “You don’t have to worry about explaining anything to him either. I’ll handle it.”

“Your didi has a big mouth.” Jiang Cheng didn’t really like the idea of Huaisang knowing his secrets. The guy gave him the creeps as it was.

“I said I’d handle it. If I tell him it’s off limits, he’ll listen to me.” Nie Mingjue smirked. “He’s still got a healthy dose of fear for his da-ge.”

The further into the main house they went, the more Jiang Cheng realized how unique the place was. It held that old world feel, but the interior had been modernized so it was comfortable and functional. The ceilings were vaulted inside and the lighting was subtle in some rooms and outright hidden in others. Ornate looking screens divided areas and there were racks of sabers that looked ancient, hanging from the walls in various rooms.

The centre of the house was one massive outdoor courtyard, it was mostly clear in the center and there seemed to be a space with fine sand and nothing else. The edges had manicured trees and garden spaces. Was the guy into Zen garden stuff?

“The guest room is right through here. It’s got separate ventilation so it won’t cause a problem if you want to use it for your heat. I know omegas prefer familiar and safe places for those times.” Embarrassment and nausea warred within Jiang Cheng as the alpha casually spoke of his impending doom.

“The door locks from the inside too, but if you are worried about getting out and doing something stupid, I can add a lock to the outside - if you trust me. I know a bunch of omegas who do that.” Nie Mingjue continued on either oblivious about Jiang Cheng’s discomfort or uncaring about how he felt.

“You want to lock me up?” Anger was his only constant. Jiang Cheng glowered at him, but he knew both Wei Wuxian and A-Li had exterior locks on their rooms when they’d all lived in Lotus Pier. He didn’t know if that was his mother being cruel or if it really had been for their own safety. “I’d rather not be trapped.”

Nie Mingjue watched him for a minute then nodded. He had a bag of Jiang Cheng’s clothes slung casually over his shoulder. “Alright, no exterior locks. If you do get out during your heat though, I’m gonna have to put you back, you ok with that?”

“You going be able to do it without getting stupid?”

“Man, I really do love that fire you have, don’t lose it, Wanyin.” 

The room had a set of double doors that led into a large living space. The bed was shrouded in light gauze that hung from a ring in the ceiling high above. It was drawn open at the moment, but he could see how that could be cozy - it definitely looked more frilly than he expected though. There was a low table with cushions around it for sitting and a stone tea set on its tray in the middle. A door off to the side led to a bathroom and the far wall was mostly occupied with a wardrobe and built-in shelving. The room even had a modest desk and a modern TV hanging on the wall next to a door and a pair of windows that looked out onto the courtyard.

“Both doors lock, inside only, you can check.” Nie Mingjue must have been trying to reassure him as he wandered around the space. “I can get rid of the net, I think it was one of A-Sang’s hairbrained attempts at interior decor.” 

“I kind of like it.” He found that he really did too. It could make that space into a little cocoon if he wanted. 

“Oh! Are you afraid of dogs?” Mingjue moved to place the bag he’d been carrying on the bed.

“No, I like them, just never had any around to raise after I was a kid.” A-Cheng had set down his own bag he’d been carrying and dumped his laptop case on the desk. Packing in a rush, he’d taken the necessities and left a lot of useless junk behind. Furniture had been out of the question, but odd trinket items like the lotus bell he’d gotten from his father as a child had easily fit into the things he had grabbed. 

“Good, I have a few of them on the property. They’re mostly guard dogs, but they will whine and try to beg for your food if you let them.” There was a fondness for the dogs, he could tell. 

“C’mon, I’ll give you a tour and get you set up in the security system.”

“Aren’t you a little freaked out by me?” He couldn’t hold back anymore. Jiang Cheng growled and kicked his bag on the floor. “You don’t even seem bothered at all!”

Nie Mingjue paused and leaned a shoulder against the frame of the bedroom door. “I think we’re upset about different things, but yeah, I’m pissed, just not at you or what you are.”

“Why not?!” Jiang Cheng was furious with what was happening to him. Being turned into a fucking omega was not something he ever would have chosen for himself.

“Well, as arrogant as it makes me sound, it’s just a gender. You’re still you, that isn’t changing.” He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “I’m more upset that you were forced into this mess by people you should have been able to trust. It’s criminal what they’ve done without your consent.”

“Same thing isn’t it?! They had a part in doing this to me, making me into an omega !” 

“So instead of being a cranky beta, you’ll be a cranky omega. You’ll terrorize the alphas and have the power to make them drop to their knees. What’s wrong with that?” Nie Mingjue was grinning at him again. “We just gotta teach you how to channel all that anger of yours.”

“What do you mean power? Omegas are fucking helpless! Smells aside, you goddamn alphas can make them do whatever you want! Fuck Lan Xichen managed to make me freeze on the spot with that fucking alpha voodoo crap once already!”

The easygoing smile faded from Mingjue’s face and for the flicker of a second, something dark and dangerous passed through his eyes. “What do you mean Xichen-ge commanded you? When?”

Throwing up his hands he made a frustrated sound. “I don’t know! A couple months back when shit hit the fan! I was…angry and he wasn’t gonna let me hit his brother. Fucker deserved it too, gave ma fat lip and my tooth was loose for a week.”

“You were going to attack Wangji?” Disbelief tinged Nie Mingjue’s voice. “You know he fights, right?”

“Everyone fights! Fucking asshole got Wei Wuxian pregnant and my entire world fell apart because of it.” He blamed it on that at least, everything had come to a head because of the pregnancy.

Scrubbing at his face, Mingjue chuckled. “Well, you have balls. I know better than to throw a careless punch at that guy, he’s a dominant alpha y’know. Tell ya what. I’ll teach you how to fight while you’re here - proper fighting not just flinging fists because you’re angry. Maybe it’ll be good for you, plus I’ve got a bunch of heavy bags that look like people, we can pin Wangji’s face to one for you.”

“Whatever, I can already fight though. I hit you didn’t I?” Jiang Cheng was moving to follow the older man as he led the way through the building on an informal tour.

“Yea, you did. I was impressed. I like your fire, Wanyin, it’s gonna be good having you here.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

The bedroom was as fancy as Wen Xu had promised. Nie Huaisang had to admit the place lived up to the hype. He was pacing at the foot of the large bed. On it there was a red silk hanfu, complete with multiple layers and fancy embroidery. It was a wedding outfit! They didn’t know his size did they?! How did they know his size?

He had no cell phone, no idea where he was, and no way to run off in the woods without being found by Wen Xu or his goons. Huaisang had quickly discovered that the forest beyond the mini village of Wens had steep slopes and difficult terrain. He also couldn’t tell north from south and wasn’t sure which way to go other than back toward the overgrown path they’d driven up in the car. That was way too obvious though, wasn’t it?

He had considered taking that shiny sports car and just peeling out of there. Huaisang wasn’t the best driver, but he could get from point A to point B relatively painlessly. Doing that while being chased down by goons and a delusional alpha that thought they were engaged was a whole different story!

“Am I seriously trapped here?!” Hands in his hair, he just stared at the damn hanfu like it was a venomous snake.

“You haven’t changed yet?” The sound of Wen Xu’s voice made Huaisang yelp and jump a foot into the air.

“Stop doing that!” He was clutching at his chest trying to calm down his racing heart. If Wen Ruohan didn’t kill him, these jump scares surely would!

“Newbie, we don’t have time. The elders are waiting.” Wen Xu started moving toward him, it was then that Nie Huaisang realized the man was decked out in similar red robes to the one laid out on the bed.

Holy hell! Was this actually happening? Had he finally met the most deranged Wen in all of creation? This was next level stalker or psychopath type stuff! Didn’t someone make a movie about a crazy person doing this to the object of their affections? Who died in that movie? He couldn’t remember! 

The closer Wen Xu got, the more Huaisang stumbled back away from him. Eventually there was nowhere left to go and Huaisang had backed himself up against the far wall. His eyes were wide and he hugged his arms around his torso like that’d protect him. Wen Xu’s hands came to brace against the wall either side of Huaisang’s head, effectively caging him in.

“You can’t be serious about this! It’s not funny anymore! I’m sorry, okay! I’m sorry I snuck into Qishan Industries! It was wrong of me, I never should have don-mmph!” Lips were pressing against his in his second ever kiss and it was to the crazy alpha again!

It was chaste as far as kisses went and when Wen Xu pulled back, his eyes were dark and intense. “There we go, less talking.” His right hand came away from the wall to ruffle Huaisang’s hair.

“This really is all a mean joke right? You’re not seriously introducing me to your elders and asking them to bless a marriage between us, are you?” All he could do at this point was ask and pray to god the ruse would be over soon.

“No joke, Newbie.” Knuckles lightly brushed against his cheek. “I think this is a great match, I won’t demand a ton out of you, and you’ll get all the benefits of being my partner. All the power of the Wen at your fingertips if you really want - and, I’ll let you in on all those dirty secrets you love.”

There was a hot sting in his eyes, was he really going to cry? Fuck this was so messed up! “But…the paperwork…”

“That’s been arranged. Just call me A-Xu in front of the elders, cling to me like a blushing bride and behave yourself, no babbling, alright? I’m protecting you, Huaisang. You've got to trust me on this.” The alpha was serious. God he was actually serious!

“But, my da-ge…”

“If I could get him here in time to witness it, I would. Don’t worry! We’ll take a video, you can show him how much you adore your husband in that.” Wen Xu’s hands reached down for the hem of Huaisang’s hoodie. “C’mon, time to change.

Panic flared up in Huaisang and his hands dove down to hold his hoodie firmly in place. “Wait! Wait! Y-you can’t see me naked yet!”

A grin slid across Wen Xu’s face. “Not yet, hmm? So you’re consenting now?”

“I-I…I don’t know!” Nie Huaisang was panting.

“You know I can smell honeysuckle around you right? Especially when you’re scared like this.” The psychopath was leaning in close, lips slightly parted like he was tasting the air. “I know you’re afraid, I know you don’t want this, but it’s how I keep you alive. I need you to trust me, alright?”

This was a very different version of Wen Xu from the one he’d met just the night before. There was some sort of serious sincerity and a solid core that was a mix of stubborn and ruthless. Huaisang was beginning to believe that this was all in his best interest. Even his breathing was slowing down and evening out. Was he using pheromones? Was he that strong? He knew his da-ge could do it if he put effort into it. Mingjue always told him it was harder to do that to betas for him. Shit, was Wen Xu dominant?

“I’m sorry, fuck I’m so sorry! I’ll never ask another secret ever again if you tell me this is all a big joke. Please?”

“No can do, this is as real as it gets. Just be glad it was me that discovered you and not my idiot brother. He only knows violence.” A frown marred Wen Xu’s face for a second, and Huaisang’s stomach dropped to the ground in horror. The alpha was back to smiling a heartbeat later. “I like how you get all fidgety and quiver for me, Newbie.”

“That’s fear, asshole, not excitement!” He couldn’t keep up. One minute, the guy was claiming he was trying to keep him safe and alive, the next he was saying all this insane shit and talking about marriage to him like he’d been dreaming about it or something.

“Alright, I’ll stop teasing.” Wen Xu finally relented and his hands settled on Nie Huaisang’s shoulders. The thumbs were stroking gently against him while he was held that way.

“So it’s all a joke?” The hopeful tinge couldn’t be masked.

“It’s not a joke, we’re getting hitched, tonight, as soon as you change and we meet the elders.” Wen Xu had dropped the teasing grins and he was serious. “You asked about a name, that name is death to outsiders, I can only protect you by making you my bride. Once we seal the deal, I can tell you all about it and every other detail you want to know. Really, this is all quite fortunate. I like you, you’re cute and you don’t want me, it makes you kind of rare and perfect for this you know.”

“What do you get out of marrying me? Don’t say it’s just because I’m cute, my ego isn’t that fragile that I’ll believe you.” Nie Huaisang couldn’t believe he was even remotely considering this!

“I get to screw the old man over and fuck with his grand plan. He’ll never give his empire to my moron brother, he’s stuck with me and he knows I disdain the way he runs shit. The Wen legacy will end with me. It’s like the ultimate fuck you, don'tcha think?” Wen Xu tipped Huaisang’s chin up with his knuckles. “I won’t let them kill you, not if you do this for me. You’ll be safe. I promise.”

“A real marriage? We can’t just pretend?” He was timid and nervous, glancing around in case some shadow was about to come to life and stab him somehow.

“It’s gotta be real, the old man won’t buy it otherwise. I know it’s short notice, but you don’t really have a lot of options here. I’ll be good to you, I can’t be all that awful to look at now, right?”

Huaisang didn’t want to agree, he really didn’t but the man wasn’t bad looking at all. He was classic alpha through and through. Wen Xu was the product of generations of selective alpha and omega pairings that guaranteed alpha heirs. He had the traditional features of nobility with piercing dark eyes. His skin was clear and healthy and his dark hair looked super soft, not that Huaisang had touched it or anything.

“You don’t have any weird sick kinks do you?” God! Why was he asking this!? Had he seriously accepted his fate? Huaisang had never once considered hooking up with a man before and here he was asking about kinky shit.

Wen Xu grinned. “Nothing sick and horrible, unless you’re afraid of a little rope?” He waggled his brows a bit and chuckled. “You’re getting a good deal, Newbie. You’ll be my bride, my partner, no one will touch you. The guys who work for me, they’ll listen to you too. This is a win-win for you, I promise after we’ve consummated the marriage I won’t touch you again until you ask me to.”

Huaisang snorted. “You have a big ego. I’m never gonna ask for it.”

“Mmm you say that now. Might change your mind after tonight though.” He could see the flash of desire in the alpha’s eyes and he just really didn’t get it. 

Nie Huaisang always knew he wasn’t some rare beauty. Sure he was handsome enough for a beta, and he wasn’t overweight or sickly by any stretch. He came from a good family and was spoiled rotten because of it. The only reason why he was fit in the first place was likely because his da-ge made him exercise and kept trying to teach him how to fight. Nothing really screamed that he was marriage material or desired, though. Huaisang was a freeloader with no real career path ahead of him. To have an alpha looking at him like he was some tasty snack, it was weird and mildly unnerving.

“It’s this or die, right? You aren’t hiding some other option from me?” His resistance was fading.

“Those are your only options. They’d make it look like an accident if you choose death. They’re good at that.” Wen Xu’s words were disturbingly casual.

Do or die, well…fuck!

Forgive me? 

“Ok…A-Xu…I’ll meet the elders.” Huaisang half expected the alpha to get snarly at the casual honorific. It’d been his idea, yes, but it was still wildly awkward to use and they didn’t really know one another at all.

“There ya go, Newbie! I’ll give you ten minutes, if you’re not ready I’ll be back to dress you myself, understand?” Reaching up, Wen Xu brushed some hair away from Huaisang’s eyes.

“T-Ten minutes…the whole hanfu…I can do that…” Fuck fuck fuck! He was so screwed!

“Ahh! Tonight’s gonna be awesome!” Wen Xu winked at him and turned to leave the room, whistling a happy tune while he shut the door. The whistling didn’t go far down the hall, in fact he was probably right outside the door, waiting. 

Well shit! “Never ever am I ever going to do the digging myself ever again! Divorces exist…I can always divorce him.” He kept berating himself while he changed.

True to his word, Wen Xu came in exactly ten minutes later while Huaisang was struggling to get the wide belt secured around the robes. Wordlessly he approached and straightened some of the layers and helped Huaisang. He reached out to get the outer layer with all the fancy embroidery and pulled it over Huaisang’s shoulders.

“Must be my luck you’d be this handsome all dressed up.” A-Xu winked at him and directed him to a mirror so Huaisang could look himself over and adjust anything he wasn’t comfortable with.

The robes were heavy, he had three layers plus the fourth that had just been added. The red and gold embroidery really did stand out, he kept seeing all these cool sun patterns worked into the material. It resembled the Wen family crest but seemed older and more ornate somehow. “I wish I had a fan…” 

“Nah, you don’t need it, besides, you get to wear the veil. I’ll buy you some decent fans when we get back after our little honeymoon instead.” Huaisang rolled his eyes, this guy was unhinged! Why had he agreed to this?

Before they walked out together, Wen Xu put a semi-transparent gauzy red veil held up by a little crown piece on Huiasang’s head. All he could think about was how his da-ge would shake his head at him for being the damn bride. At least this would hide his expressions in case he couldn’t contain himself. Do or die, do or die. It was Huaisang’s new mantra.

Red banners hung over the doors of the house and through the haze of red cloth, he could see how the path twinkled with paper lantern lights held by the people who must have lived here. Everyone seemed to have put on nice outfits and they lined the path to the temple, wishing them a future of happiness and joy. What in the actual fuck? How the hell had this all been arranged so fast?! Maybe Wen Xu had planned to marry someone else? That had to be it, right?

By the time they mounted the steps to the temple, Huaisang’s heart was in his throat. Old hazy faces were judging him, looking for faults and he straightened his spine a little more, suddenly very self-conscious about the entire ordeal. He felt dizzy, it was like a surreal little waking nightmare.

“A union between Wen Xu and Nie Huaisang. He is not an omega.” One of the elders spoke stiffly and scowled.

“Grannie, forgive me, I love A-Sang, my eyes do not see his faults. I will cherish him, it’s a love match and I feel our bond already.” Wen Xu took Huaisang’s hand and kissed his knuckles. 

“A-Xu! We’re not married yet!” He went for the scandalized shy approach. It’d cover his nerves. And at least he remembered to use the more affectionate name.

Huaisang’s reaction seemed to please Wen Xu, and the alpha squeezed his hand reassuringly. The elder was still watching them so Huaisang leaned closer to Wen Xu, determined to not die tonight. If he had to cuddle, he could do that right? He had absolutely no experience with being intimate outside of the random hug from his da-ge, but, he could do this, couldn’t he?

“A beta can change given the right circumstances.” That was a tired sounding old man. “You’re healthy?

“Y-yes! I’m from the Nie clan, we have strong genes, and we are very healthy.” Huaisang cringed inwardly when he saw a few of the old faces sour at the mention of his lineage. He knew there was old bad blood, but was it really still that bad?

“Are you experienced?” The faces were blurring together.

“E-Experienced?”

“Have you had lovers?” The old voice was mildly amused.

Heat flamed up Huaisang’s face and he coughed in embarrassment. “Only A-Xu. He is my first and only…” It wasn’t a lie, it just wasn’t exactly what they were asking either. Huaisang hadn’t ever kissed let alone gotten intimate with anyone so his only experience was from earlier that day. 

It was humiliating, but at least he could hide that embarrassment behind the veil. Huaisang had always imagined he would wait for his true love before getting intimate. Never in a million years had he thought that kissing a stranger once would end up with him getting married for it. He was never kissing anyone ever again.

“My sweet A-Sang wanted to save himself for me, but we couldn’t hold back, we love each other. He and I are a true pair, some would say it’s fate.” Wen Xu’s silver tongue was laying the praise on thick now.

“It has been a long time since we saw a true love match. We accept your choice, Wen Xu. It is wise to follow your heart and not let it be poisoned with greed.”

Shit! They were agreeing? That’s all it took? Before he knew it, they were making their bows. First to heaven and earth, then to the elders, who stood in place of their parents in this circumstance. Two bows in, Huaisang couldn’t believe he was doing this! They turned to face one another, Wen Xu had that confident grin on his face and winked at him. 

Do or die, do or die. I have no choice!

They bowed to one another and all Huaisang could see were the edges of Wen Xu’s own robes as he looked down at the floor. Holy shit! He just got married! This couldn’t be happening! One of the elders started talking about their marriage and how the union was blessed and that they were fortunate it was an auspicious day. They were just making that all up though right? Wen Xu must have bribed them to get this done before his father could object? Was it all just formality?

A table was produced out of nowhere and on it was a marriage contract. His new husband dutifully helped him sign, and for reasons unknown to Nie Huaisang, he actually fucking signed the thing. How the hell had the alpha managed to get these papers if he didn’t have his documentation with him!? 

He didn’t say a single fucking word as he was led back down the path toward the house. God, he was going to have to do all of it? A real marriage? Fuck! His anxiety was ramping up hard.

“I smell the honeysuckle again.” Wen Xu murmured softly next to his ear as he helped him get up the steps to the house and into the bedroom.

“We...We just got married!” Reality was setting in.

Wen Xu chuckled and helped Huaisang sit on the edge of the bed. The veil was pulled off and the poor overwhelmed beta blinked rapidly adjusting to the change in lighting. “You really are cute, you know.”

“W-what now?” Never in his wildest imagination had he ever considered he would marry, especially an alpha like Wen Xu!

The man in question sat down beside him and reached for a tray that hadn’t been there before. He sipped from both cups and waited for a minute before handing one to Nie Huaisang. “We share the wine, enjoy our night together, then I stick it to the old man and you make out like a fucking bandit with all the secrets you could ever desire.”

Only much, much later would Nie Huaisang realize that Wen Xu had been checking to make sure the drinks weren’t poisoned by risking himself in order to protect his new bride. Their arms were linked as they each swallowed their wine, the entire time Huaisang couldn’t look anywhere but at Wen Xu. The only way this would be more awkward was if the elders had insisted on watching them all night!

“Here.” A red string was draped over Huaisang’s hand and he frowned at it quizzically. “Like I said, a real marriage. I’ll be faithful, even if you want nothing to do with me after tonight. Tie the knot, Newbie. I won’t mark you deeply, so it’ll heal in time and won’t bind you to me fully, alright?”

Eyes wide as saucers, Nie Huaisang did the knot tying with Wen Xu. He was fucking married. Really married, and now there was going to be a marking? There hadn’t been any talks of marking! Did that even work on a beta? Was it just a symbol? What if he was trying to bitch Huaisang? 

“I…will it hurt? I’ve…I...I’m not experienced.” Could this get anymore mortifying?!

Wen Xu’s eyes widened ever so slightly and he was tasting the air again, groaning deeply as he leaned close to nose at Huaisang’s ear. “Newbie, you’re killing me. I’ll be gentle, I promise.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Wen Xu hadn’t really planned on things going this far. It had just been too good to pass up. A cute fucking beta from a good family nosing around and asking questions he had no right to be asking. If he hadn’t said that name where it could be overheard - Wen Xu had planned to just scare him a little and send him on his way. Really, it would have been better that way. He could have seduced the guy afterward so that this wouldn’t be such an ordeal.

He’d said that name though. How the hell did Huaisang even know about the ghoul? There wasn’t time to worry about doing this the right way. If he wanted to save the guy, he had to forge ahead and force things into high gear. The craziest part was that during the entire trek out to the Wen Ancestral grounds, he found himself enjoying Huaisang’s company.

His antics and sharp mind were refreshing. So was his complete lack of intentions toward Wen Xu. How long had it been since he had a frank and honest conversation with anyone? It had gotten to the point that he didn’t give a fuck and would often tell the truth only to have those who heard it not believe him. That’s probably why he was so terrifying to the people he worked with. Sometimes it was the truth, other times it was a lie, they could never tell when or what would flip the switch so they obeyed like meek little mice in a maze.

Not Nie Huaisang though. Whether it was fear, his wild imagination, or anger - the beta had bravely done his best to try and find solutions that didn’t involve Wen Xu. That almost hurt his ego really. That morning in the diner, he had pushed his luck telling him he wanted to get hitched. Anyone else would have screamed bloody murder and tried to run, but Huaisang sat there and struggled to make sense of it. 

Then there was the kiss. A-Xu had not expected the sparks from that kiss. He could tell Huaisang was a little innocent, and it just made him want to devour the man even more. Hearing his confession that he wasn’t experienced at all though, that was killing Wen Xu’s restraint. 

They could fake the whole consummation part of the marriage. They were legally wedded and the elders were the witnesses. Even his old man couldn’t contest it. After seeing the fear, Wen Xu had almost given in and told him they could just pretend this part, but fuck, he really wanted to be Huaisang’s first and only. 

Why was it so hard to do the right thing? Shouldn’t he get some kind of reward for protecting and safeguarding this man’s future? He could have walked away and let the ghoul end him. Wen Xu knew they’d been followed the whole way out here by that fucking spook. Still, Huaisang was willing right now, he’d agreed to all of this. Oddly the hardest part had been convincing him about the marriage not the sex afterward.

Maybe his blushing bride secretly wanted him after all. Wen Xu knew he was not really a good man. He knew his faults and he knew what he’d done in the past. Taking advantage of people and situations was how he survived. Things got messy when you gave a shit and tried to be honorable and all that garbage. He didn’t have time for it, not if he wanted to best his father and come out on top of all this mess. 

Nie Huaisang licked his lips and they glistened in the soft light. They were tempting Wen Xu. Yeah, he wasn’t good enough to let his bride off the hook. Not tonight. After this, he’d wait for Huaisang to ask for his touch, he’d do it the right way after tonight.

“Relax, I’ll make it good for you.” Tipping Huaisang’s head back, Wen Xu leaned in for a kiss. 

Knowing his partner was a beta didn’t change the fact that Wen Xu’s pheromones were filling the room. He ached to have his partner respond to them even though he knew it wasn’t likely. Betas just couldn’t really pick up on it, and it wasn’t their fault. The aroma of smoky pine dominated the space. Every now and then, when he made Huaisang whimper softly, he thought he could smell honeysuckle around him. 

It was so faint that Wen Xu couldn’t be sure, especially with his own scent trying to take over the room. He took his time, teasing Huaisang’s lips, kissing slowly and devouring him bit by bit while his hands stroked down the beta’s chest to undo the sash and start pulling off layers of the hanfu.

Wen Xu’s cock was hard, and he ached to bury himself inside Nie Huaisang with an intensity that he hadn’t expected. The whole reason he’d wanted a beta and a man at that, was so that they couldn’t have kids. Male betas or alphas were the only partners Wen Xu had ever had. He knew how to make this good for Huaisang, the man deserved to have a good experience.

“A-Xu! I…I’m…fuck!” Huaisang had broken their languid kissing to gasp and speak out. He was down to his under robe and comfortable pants. 

“Shhh, I’ll go slow, it’s ok. Undress me too? Won’t do anything until we’re both naked, alright?” Going slow like this might kill him. Huaisang was still willing though. If his blushing bride put a stop to it, if he flat out refused, well…that’d be that. Wen Xu had never raped anyone and he wasn’t about to start now. 

Don’t stop this, I’ll make it good, I’ll make it so fucking good!

The first flutter of nervous fingers working his hanfu open nearly wrecked Wen Xu. Shame assailed him. Huaisang was afraid, he could feel it, hell he could taste it in the air. God dammit, he couldn’t force him. Not if he wasn’t ready. He may have forced the marriage, but he couldn’t physically force himself on the man.

Groaning, Wen Xu’s head came to rest on Huaisang’s shoulder. He was breathing heavily, reaching up to capture the beta’s trembling hands. He held them against his chest. Fuck, why did he have to do the right thing? His cock was throbbing for attention, he wanted to make Huaisang come apart for him again and again, he wanted it with an intensity he’d never experienced before.

“Newbie.” Wen Xu’s voice was rough and he tried again. “A-Sang…if you can’t do this, tell me. I don’t want to force you.” Every word was like lingchi on his libido.

“Y-you said we had to…” He sounded so afraid.

The gods were testing him. That had to be it. Wasn’t it enough that he was putting an end to his wicked family’s legacy? Wen Xu grit his teeth for a minute, desperately trying to compose himself and get a grip on his urges. When he lifted his head, he thought he’d done a pretty fine job of it.

“I want to, but I’m not gonna force you, I’m not that big of a monster.” One more kiss wouldn’t hurt anything, right? Had he gone too far talking about bites? 

Huaisang’s fingers curled in Wen Xu’s collar. They were pressed close, sitting facing each other. It wasn’t close enough and he had to brace his hands on either side of the cute beta to restrain himself.

“Do or die, right? K-keep going.”

Fuck, he was not a good man! He wasn’t going to be able to resist if Huaisang said shit like that. 

“A-Sang. We’re married, it can wait. I can mark you and that’ll be enough if you’re not ready for the rest of it.” This was his last chance to turn Wen Xu down, if he insisted, well, then nobody could blame him for what happened next.

“I don’t even understand how you would want…to…to do that...with me. I’m not special.” The timid confession made Wen Xu’s dick twitch. 

With a low growl he grabbed Huaisang and pulled him into his lap so his legs straddled him. Pulling the beta down Wen Xu made sure Huaisang could feel the hard line of him through the clothes. The startled gasp and adorable red-cheeked embarrassment made him grin.

“Trust me, I want you. I really, really want you, but I won’t force you. I’m not that twisted.” 

“Marking…does it even work on betas? Won’t it hurt?” He was chewing on his lip and Wen Xu really wanted to take over for him.

There was this weird twisting sensation in his heart. He really liked the naive innocence. It was so goddamn refreshing. Wen Xu caressed Huaisang’s cheek and inwardly celebrated that the man didn’t pull away from his touch.

“Don’t really know, I just know it’s expected in the Wen clan. It marks you as a mate and no one will fuck with you after that.” He hesitated for just a minute. “I hear it hurts less if its done during sex…but that’s not me trying to force you - fuck. Newbie, A-Sang. I want you, for real, I honest to god want you, but it’s up to you, I will not rape you. Not now and not in the future, understand?”

Why was it so hard to do the right fucking thing? He’d already done things so wrong by forcing this marriage. They were coming at the whole mess backwards and Wen Xu knew it was gonna bite him in the ass one day. He just hoped it was after the old man kicked the bucket and the demise of the Wen family couldn’t be stopped.

“I...I’m not saying no. I’m just…really nervous.”

The elation Wen Xu felt shouldn’t have been that intense. He was taking advantage of him, he knew it. “I’m not a good man, Huaisang, if you’re too nervous….”

“No, I mean Yes, I mean…” Huaisang made a frustrated sound and suddenly his hand was inside the layers of clothing palming Wen Xu’s chest. “Go slow, please?”

How was he supposed to stop now?! Wen Xu kissed Huaisang slowly, groaning against his lips before trailing kisses down along the beta’s jaw, inhaling deeply along his neck. “Smells so good, like honeysuckle, you’re all fresh and sweet.” His bride shivered in his lap and Wen Xu gripped the man’s hips, rocking him slowly against him.

It was an excruciatingly slow pace. He ached to bury himself inside the beta and make him scream and come again and again. The urges to mark him clawed up his gut and he trembled with his restraint. 

“Oh! Oh that feels good!” The surprise in Huaisang’s voice would be the end of him, he was sure of it. 

Feelings didn’t happen this fast, at least not for Wen Xu. He didn’t believe in fated love or love at first sight. He couldn’t deny his attraction to Nie Huaisang though, and somehow, he had managed to get the man so tied to him that there’d be no escape possible. It had worked out so perfectly. Wen Xu couldn’t fuck this up. It had to be good for Huaisang. 

“I’m going to touch you now.” His teeth scraped along the beta’s throat while he loosened the pants and reached beneath them to squeeze his ass and palm his cock.

“Ah! Oh god!” His beta was hard for him already. That did things to Wen Xu, all sorts of things. His inner alpha was strutting smugly with the knowledge that he had done that to his partner.

Fingers curled around Huaisang’s shaft and he stroked slowly up and down a couple times, coaxing reactions out of him, learning what he liked best. It was the slowest foreplay he’d ever engaged in and it was driving him crazy. At this rate, he was going to spill his seed inside his clothes before he ever got to feel the hot depths of his beta wrapping around him. 

“Touch me, A-Sang?” Letting go of his bride’s dick was one of the hardest things Wen Xu had ever done. The reward was worth it though, Huaisang whimpered like he’d lost something he desperately needed and rocked against him of his own accord. Naked, they needed to be naked, now.

To Wen Xu’s utter joy, Huaisang seemed to agree with the need to be naked. He was pushing the heavy robes off almost frantically and Wen Xu had to bite back his groan as he pushed off the last layer of Huaisang’s robes, before laying him out on the bed and peeling the pants down his legs. 

Truth be told, A-Xu always had a thing for the beta build. They were slender and athletic without being too tiny. They were also soft and warm in all the right places. When Huaisang tried to cover himself out of embarrassment, he growled and pinned his wrists to either side of the beta’s head. “Don’t hide from me, if you want this, don’t hide, ok? You’re gorgeous. I want to drink the sight of you in.”

More smug pride swelled within Wen Xu as Huaisang blushed and nodded shyly. He was bare chested now, all that remained were his pants and that was all A-Sang’s doing. Leaning down, he kissed his bride again, pressing against him just to feel that hot intimate slide of skin to skin. A man could drown in this, Wen Xu was drowning in his partner.

Going slow had its rewards.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Huaisang wasn’t sure how they’d gotten to this point. He’d had his chance to back out, several in fact. He didn’t want to stop though. That hungry look, the way that Wen Xu’s hands trembled when they held him, fuck did he really turn him on that much? There was nothing special about himself. He was just Nie Huaisang - seller of secrets. He was the overlooked and often ignored beta! Yet right here and now, he felt like the greatest treasure in the entire world.

It’s why he’d kept going, and why he didn’t stop Wen Xu. Huaisang might come to regret this in the morning, but tonight he was going to ignore instinct and just feel. After everything he’d been through, didn’t he deserve at least that much? 

The larger alpha’s knees nudged Huaisang’s legs further apart until he could nestle between them. One hand absently shoved his pants off his hips so that when he pressed down, their hard cocks rubbed against one another. The intense sensations rolled through him and Huaisang whined pitifully. He wasn’t going to make it to real sex if he kept getting teased like this! 

A steady rhythm started up, rocking against one another while they savored each other's lips. Huaisang’s hands slid down Wen Xu’s back and he clung to him when those teeth nipped at his neck again. Never in his wildest fantasies had he ever imagined being bitten and marked by anyone. He was a beta, it just wasn’t really in the cards for him, was it?

Wen Xu pulled back, rearing up for a minute to thrust against him, their cocks pressed together. It felt good, really good! He reached for something past Huaisang’s head and came back with a tube of lube. It made Nie Huaisang’s heart skip a beat then pound hard and fast. They were really doing this! 

“G-gentle!” 

“I know, I promise.” The cool lube slid along Huaisang’s cock and down his balls. It made him shudder and whine pathetically. 

Wen Xu’s large hand wrapped around him, stroking that slick lube into his flesh, the wicked slippery feeling drove him crazy. Huaisang clung to the alpha, fingers digging into his shoulders while his hips jerked up again and again. It felt like he was being milked slowly. “Ah! Fuck! I…I’m…It feels!” 

“Yea it feels good, Newbie. Do you want to come? Tell me if I should stop.”

“I’ll…mmnnn…kill you…ahh if you…haa…stop!” The sexy laugh and the feel of those fingers tugging and squeezing his balls while he was maddeningly stroked to the heights of pleasure, sent Huaisang over the edge. He cried out sharply as his come spilled between them. 

It wasn’t his first time having an orgasm, he was a man after all and he’d spent a lot of time watching porn and fantasizing about what it’d be like. Reality was just a cruel mistress and he’d never experienced it with a partner before. Instead, his hand had played the role and it had brought him to climax many a time, but it had never felt this good.

Huaisang’s eyes rolled back with pleasure and he arched off the bed up to the man looming over him. His legs wrapped around Wen Xu’s waist and he embarrassed himself by whining when his alpha’s hands didn’t stop stroking and teasing him. He was so sensitive it almost hurt! His cries must have changed somehow. Just as it was hitting that limit of too much, Wen Xu stilled and kissed him gently. 

“So sensitive for me. Fuck I want to pound into you all night long! You don’t know how hot you are right now, it's driving me insane.” The husky timbre of his husband’s voice was erotic. More cool lube dribbled down off his balls to the crack of his ass. Wicked fingers rubbed it along his sensitive flesh until he pressed against the tight bud of his ass.

“St-stop! I haven’t…haven’t washed!” Panic flooded him and Wen Xu groaned, kissing him reassuringly.

“It’s ok, I don’t mind. Tell me it’s ok, A-Sang.” The second Huaisang had told him to, those fingers had grown still. 

He knew it had to be killing his alpha. When did he start to think of Wen Xu as his alpha? They’d only met last night! It hadn’t even been a full twenty-four hours! What the fuck was he doing?! It was absolute insanity when he thought about it. He’d agreed to a marriage, hell they’d gotten married, and now they were in bed together. This was the beginning of a bad rom-com, he was sure of it. 

“Okay…” They’d come this far, was it even fair to stop now? He’d had the best orgasm of his life, but Wen Xu was still rock hard and throbbing.

Lips attacked him in a hungry kiss, Wen Xu’s tongue prodded at the seam of his lips, asking to be let in and he moaned, relishing in the new sensations. He really liked kissing. The hot wet slide, melding their lips together, sharing breath, it was wildly erotic. Huaisang wanted more kissing, he wrapped his arms around Wen Xu’s shoulders pulling him close so he could savor the feast of their mouths pressing together.

Those fingers started to move. The lube helped them slide and press against his tight hole. When the first finger worked past the tight rim he cried out sharply, sucking in a breath. It felt so strange but kind of good too. How could it feel good!? He wasn’t made for this, it wasn’t like he had slick or anything to help with opening up for an alpha. The cool lube dribbled around the rim of his hole and he shuddered. That finger started to pump in and out slowly while Wen Xu distracted him with nips and licks all over his neck and chest. 

The second the alpha sucked on one of his nipples, Huaisang nearly flew off the bed. “Sensitive! Oh God!” 

Teeth captured his nipple and tugged at the ripe flesh in the same moment that a second finger worked its way into his ass. They pumped in and out slowly, stretching him open until a third finger joined. Huaisang was gasping and wailing from all the sensations, his hips jerked and he squeezed his own dick because it was aching and throbbing between them. His eyes were glazed with lust and desire.

Wen Xu pulled back again and the whine that escaped Huaisang sounded so pathetic, but the alpha just grinned. “I’m not going anywhere. It’s ok. Tell me you want this, Huaisang.”

“Yes! Please?! Don’t…don’t stop!”

Another growl rippled past Wen Xu’s lips and that’s when Huaisang felt it. The hot press as the tip of the alpha’s cock worked its way inside of him. Fuck! It fucking hurt! The sting was sharp and he cried out, clawing at his husband’s shoulders and bucking beneath him. Tears filled his vision and Huaisang blinked rapidly, trying to take them back before it was too late. 

“Shh, it’s ok, relax. Breathe for me A-Sang.” Wen Xu had pressed his forehead to Huaisang’s and he was panting. “I won’t move until you’re ready.” Warm lips and a hot tongue were kissing away his tears.

He could feel the wild beat of his pulse where they were joined and his muscles kept gripping and squeezing around that hard girth. It made Wen Xu shudder and groan, burying his face in the crook of Huaisang’s neck. He had no idea how long they stayed like that but eventually the sting faded. “M-more…?” 

There was this heady sensation of having all the power in this union. He asked for more and Wen Xu gave it, slowly pressing deeper until Huaisang begged him to stop and let him adjust. By the time the alpha had bottomed out inside Huaisang, they were both trembling, hands roaming over one another’s bodies and lips playing along heated skin.

“God you’re so tight!” Wen Xu reached between them to gently squeeze and stroke Huaisang’s cock. 

“AH fuck!!” He tugged at Wen Xu’s hair and writhed beneath him. “D-do it! It doesn’t hurt n-now, f-fuck me!”

His alpha listened to what he wanted, pulling back until Huaisang whined then bucking into him deep and fast. It knocked the wind out of him for a second and he moaned. Wen Xu braced himself on his elbows on either side of Huaisang’s head and started to set a wicked pace. It was slow, then sped up only to slow down again the second Huaisang’s cries started to get frantic. The man was bringing him to the edge again and again but denying him that orgasmic bliss.

“Touch yourself, A-Sang, I want you to cum when I mark you.” Those words were like gas on a wild flame. 

Nie Huaisang reached down to cup his balls and squeeze his cock. He was so fucking close! Wen Xu picked up the pace, snapping his hips forward again and again relentlessly and he didn’t stop. The angle had changed and he hit Huaisang’s prostate again and again. It was so fucking good! He couldn’t believe how good it felt! The sting was there, it hurt but it hurt so good! That didn’t even make sense in his own head, yet Huaisang couldn’t make sense of anything, all he could do was feel and he wanted to come with Wen Xu buried inside of him desperately. 

Huaisang’s climax was intense, he bucked wildly beneath the large alpha and teeth sank into his neck. It was a wild mix of pleasure and pain and he could feel a wet trickle along his neck and felt the lewd groan as Wen Xu’s come started to fill his clenching hole. Everything about it was hot and wicked. There was a dim awareness that he hadn’t been knotted either.. 

When their joint bliss finally started to subside, Huaisang was vividly aware that he was a wet sticky mess. Come was all over his stomach. Painting hard he looked up with a dazed expression at Wen Xu. The alpha was panting and he grinned down at him, leaning in for a kiss which made his cock twitch and move inside him.

“Fuck! So sensitive!”

“You feel so good. Don’t wanna stop…”

Huaisang snorted, laughing and pulled Wen Xu’s head close for another kiss. He really, really liked kissing. “Is it always like this?”

“It’s never been this amazing for me.” He pulled Huaisang with him as he lay on his side, withdrawing his cock and groaning while his hot come spilled out of Huaisang’s stretched out hole. 

“My legs are shaking.” 

“Mmm, good.” Wen Xu was gently stroking Huaisang’s hair.

They lay like that for a long time. Huaisang reached up to touch his neck, he felt the swell of a bite there and quivered. He’d gone from being a secret agent wannabe spy to being a captive kidnap victim then getting married to his kidnapper and having wild sex all in one day. It was the craziest bit of Stockholm syndrome he could imagine because he was actually happy he was there right now.

“We really got married…” 

Wen Xu chuckled and kissed the top of his head. “We did.”

“It’s not a game right?” This would be the cruelest prank in the world if it was all some sick twisted joke. Huaisang wouldn’t survive it.

“It’s all real, very, very real. You’re going to have to meet the old bastard soon. Sooner than I’d like.” Strong arms were cradling him to Wen Xu’s chest, he could hear the alpha’s rapid heartbeat. 

“Da-ge should be here for that.”

“Your da-ge is going to try to kill me. Not sure I’m ready for that yet.” Nie Huaisang grinned.

It had to be Stockholm syndrome, right? Who the fuck married their kidnapper on day one? Who was fucking happy about it too! The sex was mind-blowing, yes, but was that the only reason he was happy? If Huaisang was honest with himself, tonight was the first night he’d been the focus of someone’s undivided attention and affections. Was he really that easy to please?

“A-Xu?”

“Hmm?” Fingers were sliding along his side languidly making him shiver in pleasure.

“Why me? Really, why did you pick me?”

There was a pause, but the fingers kept stroking gently. “I couldn’t let the ghoul kill you. You’re too cute. I would have liked to have done this properly, actually gone on dates and all of it, but we just didn’t have time.”

“That’s not an answer.” Huaisang stubbornly nipped at the man’s collarbone, he felt he had the right to do that. He did not expect to feel the alpha’s cock twitch between them when he did it though! 

“It’s the best I’ve got. I’m glad it was you, though.”

“You’ve been planning this for a while?” Huaisang was curious. He didn’t get why Wen Xu wanted to destroy his own family’s future.

The fingers stilled along his side. “Yeah, I had planned the idea of it, I just didn’t have a partner. Everything else was prepared so it could happen quickly if it needed to though.”

“You’re telling me everything now?”

Wen Xu grinned and tipped Huaisang’s head up to kiss him. “You’re married to me, we’re partners now, for better or worse. If I can’t tell you, what’s the point in it all?”

“I’m not gonna die?”

“I won’t let them touch you, they can’t now, you’re married to Wen Ruohan’s heir.”

They were quiet for a while before Wen Xu started moving. He scooped Huaisang up, carrying him bridal style into the attached bathroom and set him on the edge of the tub. They kissed and teased one another as the water filled the large tub and then they were sinking into it. Huaisang was nestled between Wen Xu’s legs, leaning back against him. He had felt the ache and sting of his muscles from all the moving and was extremely grateful for the hot caress of water. Leaning against Wen Xu felt right after what they’d done, but he was still shy and self-conscious. Not to mention, he was terrified of the man in a lot of ways still. Could he really trust this? 

Da-ge, don’t kill me. Don’t kill him either, he’s protected me so far, that alone deserves a chance, right?

The dripping sound of water from the faucet filled the silence and a soapy sponge slid over Huaisang’s chest as Wen Xu pampered him. He smiled, blissed out of his mind and enjoyed the moment. It allowed Huaisang to relax and forget about everything.

“So you want to know about the ghoul?” Steam surrounded them as Wen Xu kept washing him with the sponge.

“Why do you call him that?” Huaisang asked curiously.

The alpha shrugged, dipping the sponge in the water and sliding it along Huiasang’s tender nipples. He hissed and squirmed against the man, almost forgetting his question entirely.

“That’s exactly what Zhao Zhuliu is.” Wen Xu leaned back in the tub and Nie Huaisang turned around to face him. 

“What does he have to do with Wei Wuxian and the death of his parents?”

Wen Xu grunted softly. “I see you’re asking for the real dangerous secrets right away.” He grinned, pulling Huaisang close until he found himself straddling the alpha in the tub. 

“You promised.” Huaisang actually felt like pouting. 

Whatever his real relationship was with Wen Xu, he couldn’t get lost in the post sexual bliss he felt. Tomorrow he’d have to really evaluate what they were and how much shit he was in. Tonight, though, before things went bad like they probably would, he wanted to know what the damn secret was that everyone had been hiding. Had it been an accident, or had Zhao Zhuliu killed Wei Wuxian’s family, and why?

Wen Xu nodded. “Yea, I did promise. Come closer.” He pulled Huaisang flush against his chest, water sloshed around them. A warm kiss teased at the beta’s lips and he happily returned it before pulling away and frowning.

“You’re trying to distract me.”

With a chuckle, Wen Xu shrugged. “Couldn’t help but try, this is one of those deadly secrets, A-Sang. I’ll tell you, but you have to keep it here, at least for now, alright?“ Huaisang nodded instantly and the alpha sighed, lifting the sponge to rub it along Huaisang’s back.

”It all started when Yu Ziyuan came to my father about some noblewoman named Cangse Sanren….”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Chapter Text

The story Wen Xu told was rather disturbing. As they sat in that tub, the tale was laid out for Huaisang to digest and the water started to grow cold. He was a little numb from all the revelations though, so he didn’t realize he was being picked up and carried out of the bath until the warm soft towel was scrubbing his skin.

“So, Wei Wuxian’s biological mother was the daughter of the current lord of Yiling. Wait! Doesn’t that mean Wei Wuxian is nobility?” He had his hands on Wen Xu’s shoulders while the man took care to dry his legs. Huaisang was so distracted by all the revelations that he hardly noticed his nudity or the fact that his brand new husband was pampering the hell out of him. He even dried his hair.

“Unrecognized nobility, yes.” A robe was tied around Huaisang’s waist, draping him in soft red silk. 

“What’s the difference?” A squeak escaped Huaisang and he quickly wrapped his arms around Wen Xu’s neck as his feet suddenly left the floor. 

He was being carried back out to the bed, bridal style again. Why in the hell was he just letting all of this happen!? Probably because tonight had been full of firsts and every single one since he’d been officially married, had been a new level of nirvana for Huaisang. He was lulled into a sense of blissful acceptance by this point.

“It’s everything. If the lord of Yiling won’t acknowledge Wei Wuxian, he’s got no claim on any title or any of the status or protections that come with it. His birth mother gave up her titles when she married his father. She basically became a commoner which makes Wei Wuxian a commoner as well.” Wen Xu was patient with his explanations.

Huaisang was placed in the middle of the bed and Wen Xu slid up next to him, pulling the beta into a snuggling embrace. Even though all hell had broken loose in his life, this part wasn’t so bad. Wen Xu had kept his word and it gave Huaisang a sense of security that had convinced him that this was normal and ok. Probably another symptom of a kidnappee falling for his kidnapper if he really had to examine it. For now, he was just going to keep going until something shocked him back to reality and he had to face the consequences of his actions.

“Well I guess it’s romantic. She gave up everything for her family. They should have been so happy.” Wen Xu was in a similar robe but his was loosely tied so it exposed most of his chest while they lay together. Nie Huaisang discretely ogled his husband’s chest and nestled his cheek against the warm skin. Did he really have the right to do this?

Wen Xu snorted. “Romance didn’t protect them though. The old lord probably doesn’t even care if Wei Wuxian is still alive.”

“A-Xu, your father is terrifying.” It made Huaisang shiver as he thought about everything he’d learned.

Wen Xu laughed, tucking Huaisang’s hair out of his eyes. “He’s an old bastard past his prime. I won’t let him hurt you, A-Sang.”

Nie Huaisang had to admit that Wen Xu had a really comforting and steady heartbeat. He was also really warm and cozy. This all might not have been his idea, but was it really all that bad? He wasn’t expected to raise a family, he apparently was going to be able to come and go as he pleased too. The big bad heir of the Wen family had personally promised to keep him safe - that had to count for something right?

“He turned Yu Ziyuan into his own personal plaything and eliminated a member of the nobility. He’s terrifying, A-Xu.” Warm lips pressed to the crown of his head. 

“You’re safe with me.” Fingers were tracing along his back and hips while he draped himself along the alpha’s side. 

Wen Ruohan and Yu Ziyuan were involved in a decades long affair. He hadn’t seen that one coming. It was so well hidden that his little gossips hadn’t heard a peep about it. Everyone always talked about Jin Guangshan’s indiscretions, no one ever mentioned Wen Ruohan - they weren’t brave enough. Not only had they been having this weird affair, but it seemed like it was part of Yu Ziyuan’s payment to the Wen patriarch for his help in covering up the murder. 

It was now a bonafide fact that Wei Wuxian’s parents had been executed and not tragically lost in a car accident. The most terrifying part was that Wei Wuxian should have also died with his parents. He had been so young at the time, it was hard to say if he remembered any of it. It seemed that Jiang Fengmian had hidden him away and protected him in the beginning too. Adoption papers had legally been filed within a year of the accident, and Jiang Fengmian went from being a legal guardian to an adoptive father. 

Insane as it was, Wei Wuxian didn’t move in with the Jiangs for nearly four years after the accident and up until that point, his existence was a mystery. Where would a three year old kid stay? Why had Jiang Fengmian brought Wei Wuxian home if he’d hidden him so well in the first place? That part boggled Huaisang. So did the part about Yu Ziyuan and Wen Ruohan being in an affair!

“Wait! Does this mean Jiang Yanli might be your half sister?” He propped himself up on his elbow to look at the man, eyes wide as more things started to settle into his mind.

Wen Xu grinned, shaking his head before tucking an arm under it to act like a pillow. He was stretched out on his back like that, giving Huaisang all the eye candy he could possibly want, not that Huaisang was looking. Ok, he might have been looking. The man had made him see stars and Huaisang had come more than a few times, he had a right to stare!

“I honestly don’t know. Doing a paternity test would give him less control over that bitch, it’s better to dangle the possibility in front of her face and threaten her with destroying all she’s built instead. The old man forbade Wen Chao and myself from pursuing her though, just in case.” It was frank and honest, and it scared the hell out of him.

“She could have gotten a test done in secret?” Huaisang suggested, still marveling over these revelations.

“Sure, if she wanted to tell her husband about her infidelity. Do you think he’d keep her around if he knew she was fucking around on him to this day?” His new husband grinned down at him. “She hasn’t if you’re curious. She’s afraid Jiang Fengmian will divorce her and leave her with nothing.”

“How do you know?” 

“They’re still married aren’t they? A-Sang, she’s the reason why Jiang Fengmian’s closest friend died. If she tells him he also might not be the father of their first born, do you really think he’ll keep her around? I wouldn’t.” Wen Xu was staring up at the ceiling with a slight scowl. “That bitch is pure poison. The only thing you can count on from her is that she will do anything to get an ounce more influence and power.”

Honestly, it made sense that she would be like that. From everything he’d found, the Jiang couple were at each other’s throats quite a bit as it was. There were all sorts of domestic disturbances complaints. It just didn’t make sense. If Jiang Fengmian knew that Yu Ziyuan had killed his friends, why hadn’t he already divorced her for it? He assumed it had something to do with the part about him being complicit because of everything that had gone down and how the Wens became involved in the first place. 

He didn’t envy them either way. Living in a loveless marriage sounded like fucking hell. Was that the kind of future that awaited Huaisang? It was quite possible that it could very well be just like that if he didn’t make a decision about what he and Wen Xu were to one another.

Yes, legally, somehow he and A-Xu were actually married. Divorce and annulments existed though. If anything ever happened to his da-ge before he had his own family, Huaisang was set to inherit the family fortunes too. He always tried to ignore that. The more he mulled over everything he learned, the more it made him worry he was in for a nightmare of a future if he stayed married to Wen Xu.

His squirming must have been getting annoying because suddenly Wen Xu rolled on top of him pinning him down to the bed. “If you keep wriggling around like this, I’m going to take that as you asking for another round, A-Sang.”

Nie Huaisang’s eyes went wide. “A-again?” Why did his voice squeak when he got surprised?!

Wen Xu chuckled and leaned in to kiss him, one hand cupping his face. When he pulled back, he pressed their foreheads together. “You need to rest, I was harder on you than I planned on being. Try not to tempt me.”

Unsure as to why this disappointed him, Nie Huaisang looked up at Wen Xu with an embarrassed flush across his face. “S-sorry! I…It doesn’t feel that bad…I mean…I asked for it.”

Wen Xu groaned and rolled his hips against the pinned Huaisang. The man was hard and it made a little gasp escape A-Sang as he shivered with a mix of feelings. “You’re making it really tough to be gentle, Newbie.”

Being excited by this was only natural, wasn’t it? Being afraid was also to be expected, the entire situation had been out of Huaisang’s control from the very beginning. The terror of leaving Wen Xu with a case of blue balls was ridiculous though, wasn’t it? He couldn’t just say no…

“What...what if I help you without us…doing it?” God! He was so bad at offering to give Wen Xu a hand job! This was mortifying!

“How do you plan on doing that, hmm?” Wen Xu’s lips had drifted to tease at the shell of Huaisang’s ear, slowly meandering down along his jaw as he waited for an answer.

Instead of talking, Nie Huaisang mustered all of his courage and pushed at Wen Xu’s shoulders, forcing the man to roll over so he could be on top. The man didn’t stop him and just grinned up at Huaisang as he lay there, rocking his hips up now and then in a slow rhythmic way to drive Huaisang to distraction. More shy embarrassment brightened the beta’s face and neck as he stroked Wen Xu’s chest and wriggled himself lower so he was straddling the man’s thighs. 

“I can…make you feel good too….” He hadn’t really looked at Wen Xu’s dick up to this point. He’d been so wrapped up in feeling and being stretched open, he hadn’t been brave enough to look at what had penetrated him.

Now, though, he had his chance. Undoing the sash that held the robe closed, Huaisang got his first real unobstructed look at Wen Xu in all his naked glory. The man was muscular and powerful. Huaisang traced the muscles that were defined and sharp with his fingers, narrowing down at his waist in that perfect subtle V shape that Huaisang had always admired on other men but had never been able to gain for himself.

When he let his eyes go lower, shock was the first reaction. Wen Xu was not small! How in the absolute hell had Huaisang taken that up his ass? Was he ruined for the rest of his days? Yes, things stung back there and he knew he was tender, but…was he gaping!? Part of him really wanted to check, but he didn’t want to break the mood either. This was about satisfying his new husband - it was not about checking to see if his ass had been destroyed by their intense love making earlier.

Wen Xu’s cock was thick and long. It had a subtle upward curve to it and the longer that Huaisang stared at it, the thicker it seemed to get. Was that even possible? His own dick was almost half the size by comparison. This monster between A-Xu’s legs was made for an omega and breeding, it couldn’t be normal, could it? Was Huaisang just that little compared to other men?

Timidly, he reached out to touch the monster and sucked in a breath as it twitched. “Like what you see?” Wen Xu’s eyelids were hooded with blatant desire as he watched Huaisang in his predatory focus.

Do or die!

He nodded, licking his lips and wrapped his hand around Wen Xu’s shaft. It was hot and solid in his grip, the skin velvety soft. Precum dribbled from the tip with his first stroke upward and the big alpha groaned softly, letting Huaisang continue his exploration. The bottle of lube from earlier was still laying discarded on the bed not far away and Huaisang reached for it. If he was gonna do this right, he knew from personal experience that slippery was the only way to go.

Sure, the man was massive and he literally had a weapon for a cock, but the same rules applied, didn’t they? His intention was to satisfy his husband and so he started with what felt best on himself. He warmed the lube by rubbing his hands together then gripped Wen Xu at the base of his shaft, stroking upwards with a twist of his wrist so his fingers slid around while also stroking up his length. More precum dribbled from the tip so the alpha must have liked it.

Huaisang sucked on his lip as he focused on the cock in front of him, working the lube into the hard length before he slid his thumb up over that sensitive little bit of skin beneath the head of A-Xu’s dick. It made the alpha groan and twitch beneath him and Nie Huaisang got his first thrill at having all the power and control in the erotic exchange. It was fucking hot. He was turned on by the whole thing.

He started teasing the top, his fingers caressing around the dark head and letting his thumb press over the very tip to stem the flow of pre for a second before stroking down along the underside of the man’s impressive length. He could feel the softer skin where Wen Xu’s knot would swell from and it was fascinating to him as he squeezed and teased the man, cupping his heavy balls to see how sensitive he was. 

“A-Sang! Fuck that feels good!” Wen Xu had an arm draped over his eyes and his hips kept bucking up from the stimulation he was receiving.

Starting up a bit of a rhythm, Huaisang teased the man’s balls and scrotum while his other hand pumped up and down slowly twisting his wrist each time for that added stimulation he loved on himself. The lube was drying up though and he knew they needed more if he was going to make this good for his partner, but he couldn’t find the bottle for the life of him. He couldn’t fail at this!

If Huaisang knew anything about sex, it was hand jobs, he’d been practicing on himself for years! He could not give a bad one, his pride was on the line! Leaning down, he gathered up all the saliva in his mouth that he could and let it dribble on to the tip of Wen Xu’s dick. The response was immediate. Wen Xu’s hand flew down to grip Huaisang by the hair. A growl escaped the alpha and his muscles quivered, clearly struggling to stay still and not take over.

Huaisang’s eyes widened and he stilled his hand, looking up at Wen Xu. “I..I can’t find the lube. I’m sorry!”

“For driving me crazy? Fuck your spit is hot and so much better than lube!” Wen Xu was panting softly as he thrust up into Huaisang’s hands. “Don’t stop…”

Realizing how much he was driving Wen Xu crazy, a little grin of satisfaction pulled at the corners of Huaisang’s lips while he stroked down on the man’s huge cock. He worked the saliva into the hot flesh, thumb sweeping over the tip and teasing just below the glans again and again just to see how it made Wen Xu shudder and moan. Every so often, Huaisang would squeeze tightly around that thick girth and relished in the way it tore a growl out of his partner.

When he noticed the knot swelling, Huaisang made sure to pay attention to it with one spit-slick hand while the other started increasing the tempo of his strokes and twisting motions. Wen Xu was pulling at Huaisang’s hair still and so the beta bent down, kissing at the man’s hip before he turned his head to breathe hotly against the sensitive dick.

“Can…can I kiss the tip?” He’d never done it before, but he was wildly curious. Did he like the taste of a big cock? 

“Fuck!” Both hands were gripping Huaisang’s head now and Wen Xu had pulled himself up into a sitting position. “A-Sang, I’ll be disappointed if you don’t wrap your lips around me.”

There was a tremble in Wen Xu’s voice and Nie Huaisang looked up at him, the tempo of his hands slowing down for a second before he picked up again, changing the speed now and then to keep the big alpha on edge. “You can’t shove it in, ok? I’ve...never done this.”

Wen Xu nodded even while he groaned and tunneled his fingers through Huaisang’s hair. “I won’t…just…fuck, A-Sang, you’re killing me!”

His tongue slid over his lips again and Wen Xu’s dark eyes followed the movement while he grunted and panted above him. Ducking his face, Huaisang moved then, leaning over the big dick and pressing his lips to the tip. They were coated in precome almost instantly and he parted his lips to take his first ever taste. It was hot and salty and unlike anything he’d expected. It wasn’t awful, and it had a unique tang to it that he couldn’t really describe. 

Wen Xu moaned and his cock jerked in Huaisang’s grip. “I’m gonna come, A-Sang!”

Would his come taste like this or would it be different? “Where do you want..to come?” his lips were dancing against that sensitive tip as he spoke. 

“Fuck!” His alpha was struggling to keep his word, Huaisang could tell. It gave him a ridiculous thrill. 

As a reward, he lowered his head again, this time keeping his eyes locked on Wen Xu as he wrapped his lips around the head of the man’s dick and sucked. Huaisang’s tongue swirled around the tip and Wen Xu shuddered, his knot swelling in the beta’s hand as he started to come. Both hands curled around that knot, squeezing it and it made the alpha shudder and buck his hips up into Huaisang’s wet mouth. 

Come shot to the back of his throat and Huaisang gagged on it, surprised as his lips were stretched tight around the invading girth. His eyes matched the surprised cry that was muffled on the man’s dick. Managing to pull back, more of Wen Xu’s come splattered on A-Sang’s face and the alpha unapologetically groaned bucking up in Huaisang’s hands again and again. 

When it was over they were both panting. Come dribbled off Nie Huaisang’s chin and he had an adorably shocked and dazed expression on his face. Wen Xu was quivering still but eventually he managed to compose himself and pulled the beta up to kiss him. Huaisang protested at first since his face was a mess, but the second their lips touched, he melted into the embrace. He really loved kissing!

“How are you so good at that?” Wen Xu murmured, kissing Huaisang again.

“Practice?” A-Sang’s face was beet red as he realized he basically just confessed to masturbating regularly.

A low growl escaped the alpha and he used the sleeve of his robe to wipe the come off the face of his bride. “You know I want to do this with you often, right?”

“You liked it?”

“Mmm, very much.” Wen Xu grinned up at him and hugged Nie Huaisang close. “I don’t want to break you though, especially not before you meet my old man. Get some rest, A-Sang, we have a busy couple days ahead of us.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

It’d been a few days since the incident at work had pushed Lan Wangji into his rut. Li Cheung had called Lan Xichen the moment Su Minshan had regained consciousness and his heat had passed. Fortunately, omegas seemed to get through this faster than an alpha did their rut, so both Lan Xichen and Lan Qiren had come to collect the poor omega from the facility.

Su Minshan seemed resigned to this outcome and he didn’t argue or fight with them as they drove him to his home. After having witnessed the absolute carnage of Wei Wuixian’s ferocity in the security footage, Xichen was convinced that there’d be a lawsuit on their hands. Could they really blame it all on the unstable hormones of a pregnant omega defending their mate? 

The key would be in measuring Su Minshan’s intentions as they brought him home. Xichen’s assistant was following behind them in Minshan’s vehicle, which had been collected from the parking lot at the office. Lan Xichen glanced back in the rearview mirror a few times. He was conflicted.

Initially, Xichen had blamed himself for putting Su Minshan onto the wild goose chase of the falsified data. He’d wanted to see who the omega was reporting to, but the man hadn’t made a peep and had dove into the task headfirst truly intent on saving Lan Wangji from the perils of corporate suicide. Perhaps he was being blackmailed and Xichen had only pushed him to the edge without realizing the man was about to go into heat.

He wanted to believe in the best of the situation - that it had all been one big misunderstanding, yet the more they found out, the less it seemed to be that way. The investigation of Su Minshan’s car conducted by CRI security after the incident had found the baggie of inducers. 

They’d documented and photographed it to provide as evidence if the need arose. The pills were compared to the one they’d found by the parking space that Wangji had spat out. They matched. It was condemning, but there could have been a reasonable explanation as well. Perhaps Minshan’s cycles were irregular and it was designed to get him on some sort of schedule.

When they got to the apartment unit that the omega leased, Lan Xichen parked and looked back at the quiet and sullen passenger. “You can take the next few days to rest before coming back to work. We understand that you’ve experienced a traumatic event, there is no pressure to resume your duties until you are ready.”

“I won’t be pressing charges. You can stop being so nice.” Minshan ground out the response through clenched teeth.

“Is that because you attempted to drug my brother?” Lan Xichen maintained a mildly curious tone as the question was asked. Lan Qiren had been silent the entire time but he scowled at his nephew.

“It was an accident.”

“You best hope Lan Wangji sees it as an accident as well. The man is within his rights to charge you with assault.” Lan Qiren’s voice was sharp. 

Su Minshan’s eyes narrowed, though one was still slightly swollen shut and his face was mottled with bruises which made the look more pathetic than frightening. “It. Was. An. Accident.” 

Who was holding the leash of this omega? The thought flitted through Lan Xichen’s head once more and he frowned. “We’ll discuss the matter of your continued employment after you have recovered. Lan Wangji will be present for that discussion, you are free to have a representative accompany you to the meeting.” It was a very gentle way to explain to the man that his days were numbered at the company.

“Thank you, for the ride.” Su Minshan slipped out of the vehicle and moved gingerly toward the building. The men watched him go and Li Cheung slid into the back seat of the car. 

“Sir, the vehicle has been parked and the keys were returned to Mr. Su. We left everything as we found it per your request.” Li Cheung was a good assistant. 

“Very good. Arrange to hire an investigator to watch Su Minshan for the next few days. We should be prepared in case he changes his mind.” Lan Xichen was tapping the steering wheel while he considered the troubling situation. As they drove away, he couldn’t help but feel like they should have kept him at the heat facility a day or two longer.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Su She was in pain. Everything hurt, the world hated him and he’d lost his one and only chance to get the best alpha in the world as his lover. That fucking Wei Wuxian had beaten him to it. What was he going to do now? His heart was broken. Unlocking the door to his home he shuffled inside, carelessly closing it and locking himself away from the world. They were going to fire him, Lan Xichen had said as much.

If only he’d gotten Lan Wangji by himself. Why had Wei Wuxian been there?! It just wasn’t fair! “Fucking worst week of my life ever. Goddamn Wei Wuxian! He’s ruined everything.” 

Stumbling over to his wall of Lan Wangji, he leaned against the pictures and rubbed his nose against the neatly tacked up scarf. It had the alpha’s scent on it, untainted with that disgusting citrus and orange aroma that Su She now knew belonged to Wei Wuxian. His heat was over and it hurt to rub his face against the cloth like this, but it was the only solace he had right now.

“That’s fucking disgusting. Does he know you’re a stalker?”

The voice shattered Su She’s little world of self consolation and he flinched, which hurt like a bitch since he had cracked ribs on top of a beat up face. There was someone in his home with him and he didn’t recognize the voice at all. In the corner, the figure of a man was sitting in the shadows at the kitchen table. 

“Who are you?! What are you doing here? I’m going to call the police!” Fear colored his voice.

“Don’t tell me you were gonna try to get off to those pictures were you? What about this other wall? You scribbled all over their faces, did they reject you? Are they ex lovers?” Amusement tinged the words as the stranger merely reached out to flick on a light.

A young man was revealed to Su She’s gaze. He had sharp features and black eyes that were narrowed and almost exotic in a way. The smile was unsettling, like he knew a joke no one else did. It gave his entire expression this gleam of sadism that instantly warned Su She that he was in danger. Long hair was tied up into a high ponytail and it oddly suited the man. In his hand he was coiling and uncoiling something dark and metallic.

“D-don’t move! I’m calling the police.” Su She reached for his phone. The man stood up. 

“See, that’s fine if you do, I’ll just answer the call.” he flashed a police badge clipped to his jeans pocket. The grin grew even more amused as real fear slid down Su She’s spine. 

“W-why are you here? I told them I wasn’t pressing charges!” What the fuck was he going to do? He’d walked right past this man and hadn’t noticed him! Su She couldn’t tell if it was because he was a beta or he had scent blockers on. The man wore a black turtleneck sweater with black leather gloves. 

“Man your face is all kinds of fucked up! Did your alpha do that to you?” Moving casually around the table, the stranger came closer, Su She could see the metallic object was a coil of wire now. “I could play with you and no one would notice with all these marks on your face. Do you look like that everywhere?”

Su She backed away from the man and whined pathetically. “I’m not pressing charges! God! Tell them I won’t say a word! It never happened! I-I…Please don’t!”

“Tsk tsk. You think I’d work for those self indulgent Lans?” The man chuckled darkly. “Man it’s such a drag that I got told to make this clean. You look like you’d be fun to play with.” 

If this wasn’t someone sent by the Lans…oh fuck! “W-Wen Chao sent you?”

Leather clad hands came together, applauding the question. “Well done!”

“W-why?!” He had to get out of there, he had to run!

“You fucked up. It was a simple job, and not only did you fuck up, you didn’t give him anything worth knowing either. You have no value and know way too much.”

“But I don’t know anything!” Su She protested hotly. He backed himself all the way up to his wall of Wangji and wished with all his might that he actually had Lan Wangji there to protect him.

“You know Wen Chao’s name and that he tried to use you to trap Lan Wangji. That’s too much.” Replied the dark clad man who advanced toward Su She again. 

“I won’t tell a soul! I swear I won’t!” He kept backing away, moving into the living room of his small apartment and keeping as much furniture as he could between himself and the assassin. That’s what this man was after all, wasn’t he?

No matter where Su She moved to, his assailant countered him and just laughed as he scrambled around the house. At one point, the omega had grabbed an umbrella and swung it around like it was a club, trying to keep the man away and get to the door. Every single time he thought he was going to make it, the man appeared in front of him like a fucking ghost. 

“I know you’re gonna keep quiet, because tonight, you’re going to kill yourself.” The umbrella’s handle whistled over the man’s head and he grinned wickedly. “I could beat you up a bit and no one would notice under all that bruising, you know. Don’t tempt me with a good time.”

“There’s no way in hell I’m going to kill myself!” Su She’s heart was racing, he was in full panic mode. What had he done to deserve this!?

Suddenly the stranger moved like lightning and the umbrella was gone, thudding against the floor several feet away. Pain lanced through Su She’s arm as it was twisted behind his back and another hand fisted in his hair, yanking painfully on his scalp. “Enough dancing, let’s get down to it shall we? I’ve got a busy night and you’re just the first stop.”

Su She was bodily dragged back to the table and forced to sit down. There was a notepad there and a pen. He looked at it in horror then at the rest of the room. He was only just realizing that things weren’t quite right. Some of the pictures from his shrine were missing. 

His entire apartment was one big room and he looked across the way to see the pictures littering the floor all the way to the bed. A half empty wine glass sat on the table in front of him with an empty bottle next to it. Everything was all laid out already.

“I mean, I should thank you. All this reconnaissance you’ve done on the guy is gonna make it so much easier to get to him.” When Su She struggled, his arm twisted even more painfully behind his back and he cried out.

“Please! I won’t tell anyone! I’ll leave! They’re gonna fire me anyway! I’ll just disappear! You can take all my money! Just…just let me go!”

“You can’t afford me. Now start writing what I tell you to. ‘I, Su Minshan,’” he paused and tilted his head to look the omega in the eye. “It is Minshan isn’t it? Or do you think of yourself as Su She? I hear some people call you Shushu.”

Fuck this was bad! “L-let me go! Please?!”

“C’mon, time to write. ‘I, Su She, am so ashamed by my actions. I love Lan Wangji and yet I shamed myself before him.’ Are you writing? Do I need to slow down?” It was all a game to this man as he shook Su She’s head back and forth by the root of his hair.

“Ah! Please!!”

“Nope, no begging, write it out.” Every word was forced out of the man’s hand, the lettering was shaky and tears stained the page. He was literally drafting his own suicide note for someone to find. “Ah! Nice touch! The tears really sell it! Now sign the bottom.” 

“Please don’t do this!?”

“Sign.” There was a bit of annoyance in the man’s voice this time.

He couldn’t do it! If he signed, was he done for?! Would the man slit his throat? All Su She knew was that it had to look like a suicide and it had to be clean. If he resisted, what could the man do to him? “N-no!”

The man sighed, scratching at his temple with his free hand. “Why do they always gotta resist?”

Su She found himself on the floor before he realized what had happened. A knee was pressed against the small of his back, the pressure on his spine was unreal! He couldn’t breathe it hurt so bad!

“I just need to add a tiny bit more pressure and I can paralyze you. I’ll yank your arms out of their sockets next, and forge your signature. Then you’ll be my little doll to position as I wish and do as I want.” The cold way in which he described what he was about to do horrified Su She. “Either you behave and do as you’re told, or we go the hard route. Which is it?”

“I’ll scream.” What else could he say to that?!

“Don’t worry, I’ll gag you first. Plus, I’m a cop! I’d be responding to a domestic disturbance if anyone came to check on us.”

He was so screwed! There was no getting out of this! Did he want his dignity intact or would he fight? More tears were sliding down his face now and he sobbed in his misery. “I’ll do it! Fuck! Please don’t!”

Su She was a coward, he abhorred pain. He’d sign if it’d spare him some agony. What kind of suicide would it be? Clean? So maybe hanging himself? Was that really clean though? Why were all the pictures on the bed if he was hanging himself? He didn’t really have anywhere solid to hang from though - so maybe that wasn’t it.

The pressure left his spine and he was hauled back up and dragged to the table. “Sign.” 

Maybe he could stab the man with the pen. You did that with bear attacks didn’t you? Stab them in the face? He’d heard of someone doing it before. Su She was still thinking it over as he signed his name to the bottom. “Please don’t do this? I’m begging you!”

“I’m afraid you’re not in a position to bargain, my friend. C’mon, over to the bed now.” Not waiting for Su She to obey him, the pen was yanked out of his hand and the man drug him by the hair toward the bed, shoving him onto it amidst the piles of pictures and a glove that belonged to Lan Wangji. They’d all used to hang from his wall before. His precious, perfect wall…

“You won a few points with me, behaving and not screaming like a baby. So I’ll give you a choice. Death by drug overdose, slit wrists or bullet to the head. If none of those suit you, we can always make this look like a home robbery. What’ll it be?” Suddenly, that wire cable had a terrifying purpose and Su She curled up in a ball on the bed, hugging the glove to his chest.

“There has to be another way! Tell...Tell Wen Chao I can do better! Please?”

“Tick-tock, tick-tock, this offer isn’t gonna last forever.”

“D-Drugs…” Maybe he could call for help in time to be rescued with that one at least.

“Boring!” The man rolled his eyes. “Always the fuckin drugs… This is what I get for letting him choose. It is cleaner though…if you ignore the thrashing.”

Thrashing? Was he trying to scare him? Didn’t this guy know Su She was beyond terrified already? “Am I dying alone?” 

“What? No, don’t be silly! I’ll be here the entire time!” His killer grinned at him. “That’s the problem with drugs, you could last a few hours in absolute agony! Do you really wanna go that way?”

“Falling asleep isn’t agony…” Su She stubbornly refuted, beyond comprehending how he was discussing his own death at the moment.

“It is with the drugs we’ve got for you. Who would have guessed little Su She was an addict?! All these illegal substances! So dangerous too! Must have mixed it up and overdosed! It’ll be a veritable feast of drugs by the time I’m done with you.”

Why couldn’t he have a quick clean death? Why did he have to die!? “Please don’t kill me? Please! I’ll do anything!”

“You’re losing points the more you beg.” Warned the man and Su She whimpered pathetically. He could try to fight. He wasn’t as big as the man but he could maybe get in enough marks so they’d know it wasn’t suicide right? Would it matter? Would anyone even care? “Make your choice, you’ve got ten seconds, then I’ll choose for you.”

“Ten.”

I could fight! The man isn’t expecting it! I know the layout of his house better than anyone!

“Nine.”

He’s so fast though! I probably won’t make it to the door. Maybe the window?

“Eight.”

Should I just throw something at him? Will that buy me enough time?

“Three.” 

Wait! What happened to the rest of the numbers!?  

Panicking, he lunged for the small table next to the bed, grabbing the lamp and hurling it toward his killer. There was an amused laugh as the object crashed to the floor. Su She didn’t stop to look, he just scrambled off the bed and bolted for the door.

A heavy weight crashed into him from behind and he was pinned on the ground. There was a sharp pain in his lower spine and then nothing but numbness from the waist down. A horrified scream rushed up his throat and was muffled into the floor as his bruised and broken nose was smeared against it. 

“I warned you.” There was disappointment in the words. “I even gave you a chance, but you blew it, Su She. You blew your chance. It’ll be drugs because I got told to keep it clean. You’re lucky.” 

The television in his room flickered to life, the volume of the action show masked the sounds of his pain while he cried against the floor. “Don’t you dare get sick now.”

Snot and tears were smeared all over his face when his assailant turned him over forcing his mouth open and stuffing in the first batch of pills. His nose and mouth were held shut and he tried to struggle, fingers clawing at the leather glove, but the most he could do was shake his head weakly. The pain was overwhelming and he was dizzy and nauseated to the point of gagging. 

The pills slid down his throat. “Good boy! Open up!”

More pills were jammed down his face, there was blood in his snot, likely because his nose had been freshly smashed again. Blindly he reached up trying to yank the man’s hair but his arms were effectively pinned to his sides by long jean clad legs. Tears clouded his vision and he swallowed the pills after a little breathless struggle. Every time he did, his killer let him take a breath of air. “No getting sick! You got to keep those down!” 

Su She’s stomach heaved and the man forcefully held his mouth shut. Vomit rushed up his nose and he muttered curse words about how pills were never as clean as people thought. “If you choke on your own puke it's the same as overdosing, you just make it faster, understand?”

Why did this guy like talking so much? His nose was on fire and now filled with all sorts of disgusting things including bile which burned terribly. Tears flowed freely from his eyes and he gave up his fight. Pills kept getting jammed down his throat, he couldn’t swallow anymore. Wine washed into his mouth and he gagged and gulped choking on it, dimly aware of the man telling him it wouldn’t be long now. He felt weightless, the pain was receding.

How long had they been going at this now? Su She had no concept of time, all he knew was that he was back in his bed. “There we go. Now we just have to position you and wait!”

He was laid out on his back, pictures were set on his chest, the glove put in his hand and held over his heart. “This looks tragic! Lemme take a picture, I’ll show you.” The sound of the voice was getting foggy.

There was a tug on his hair and his eyes could barely focus on the screen of the man’s phone. He saw himself sprawled out, surrounded by images of Lan Wangji. “S-scarf…”

“You want that? Well…it’s your death I guess.” 

Su She’s arms felt like dead weights, he tried to move but it was futile. Nothing was working right anymore. The worst part was that he couldn’t feel his legs at all. Su She was helpless. The man reappeared and put the scarf on his chest, then he wiped up the snot and blood off his face. “IF you can smell it, I’ll be amazed. Don’t worry, your little alpha here will be joining you soon. He’s my next stop you know.” 

Realization that Lan Wangji was in this monster’s crosshairs started a new wave of tears. His heart was racing, far too fast and a coldness crept through him. Was this death? He didn’t know what to do!

I’m sorry! Oh fuck! I don’t wanna die!

It was too late though. An hour later, amidst all the gasping, panting and pathetic whimpering sounds, Su She’s heart gave out and he stopped breathing. The omega was dead. 

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Xue Yang examined his handiwork. It was pretty decent. He almost felt sorry for the poor guy, he was just someone in the wrong place at the wrong time. With no way to make himself useful, he was just dead weight. Literal dead weight now. He checked the room over again, the volume on the television set wasn’t enough to get a noise complaint.

It took him just a few minutes to clean up and he double checked the dead man’s clothing and position to best hide the fact that he’d snapped the guy’s spine. He hadn’t wanted to because now he had to explain how an apparent suicide happened to a paraplegic. The guy might have fresh bruises on his face too. 

“Fucking got snot all over my gloves…” With a sigh he pulled off a glove to make the call.

“Is it done?”

“Have I ever not delivered? You might have to tip off the coroner though, it wasn’t quite as willing as we’d hoped.” Not that Xue Yang minded, he liked it when they struggled.

“I supposed it’s to be expected. Make sure you clean up the scene before you leave. I’ll handle the rest.” 

“Sure, hey why didn’t you do this one yourself?” It wasn’t like Zhao Zhuliu to not be available.

“I was already working.”

“Sure, Dad . Whatever, it’s done.” Xue Yang was already smirking imagining the annoyed face the other man was making. 

He knew how much it irked Zhao Zhuliu when he called him that. They weren’t related at all, but it was fucking fun. The man had essentially taken care of him when he was younger - he was the closest thing to a parent Xue Yang had.

“Just clean up and get out of there. I’ll handle the details when I get back.”

“Are you on your way?” Xue Yang prodded already knowing he wouldn’t get an answer.

“Tomorrow night.” 

The call went silent and Xue Yang grinned. The guy never said any kind of farewell. One day that’d change though. Humming, he pulled his glove back on and went to clean up the rest of the scene, making sure the pen sat neatly by the notepad and everything was in order. This idiot liked to be organized, his death had to look somewhat believable in that kind of mindset. 

Creepy fucking walls though. There really were some truly sick fucks out in the world.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Jiang Cheng was going absolutely insane. He was convinced that this was what insanity felt like. He was warm, feverishly warm. It wasn’t just sometimes either, it was all the damn time. He was sweating and wholly irritated. No amount of cold baths or showers helped. His skin also felt wildly sensitive. He was a week into weaning off the medication and Wen Qing had warned him these symptoms were signs he was transitioning and going to go into heat eventually.

She kept asking him if he could smell any unusual scents and would ask him to sniff Nie Mingjue for her when she came to check on him. This had amused the alpha to no end, which infuriated Jiang Cheng. It wasn’t funny, it wasn’t a fucking game, not to him. The most horrifying part was when he realized he thought he could smell something after all.

At least Wen Qing wasn’t there for it. Thank the heavens for small favors. He’d been moping around the house and had come into the kitchen asking if Nie Mingjue had made something with cinnamon. The man stared at him for a long moment and shook his head slowly.

“The fuck is that look for?”

“Not even a ‘morning jackass’ to start my day?” Nie Mingjue grinned. “Did I ever tell you what my pheromones smell like?

Dread knotted in Jiang Cheng’s gut. “No…”

“It’s like a warm maple and cinnamon scent mixed together. I’ve had people tell me it reminds them of a cozy day by a fire with a hot drink.” He was leaning against the counter in the large kitchen watching Jiang Cheng carefully.

“That’s you ???” He was equally horrified and fascinated. 

Mingjue shrugged. “Could be, I’m not always so conscious about keeping it under check at home - A-Sang’s a beta and with our folks both gone, it’s never come up. Here.” He stood straight and moved closer. “I’ll give you a bit more, tell me if you smell it?”

“Why?!”

“Well, that Wen girl seems to think it’s important to know when it happens. Something about you getting close to being to the next stage? We shouldn’t keep it from her if that’s the case. I’m curious what your scent will be, I’ve gotten a whiff of lotus now and then I think, can’t be sure yet though, you won’t let me check properly.” He wasn’t being a smartass at least. 

Whenever it came to Jiang Cheng’s ‘condition’, Nie Mingjue was quite upfront and honest about what was happening and how he was helping. He didn’t hide shit and he spoke bluntly giving him all the facts and info he had at his disposal. While Jiang Cheng appreciated the honesty, some of the shit Mingjue told him gave him the creeps too. 

“Fine…do it.” He braced himself, gripping the back of a chair. “Can you see pheromones?”

“No, you just smell them, it’s not that freaky, promise.” There was silence then and Jiang Cheng waited, taking small short little breaths.

When it did register, he was stunned at first. His eyes popped wide and nostrils flared, inhaling deeply. Why the fuck was it mouth-watering? How did someone smell that good??? Mingjue could have bottled that scent up and made a fortune with it as a cologne. Jiang Cheng hadn’t realized he’d moved closer until he had his nose right up against Nie Mingjue’s chest.

“What the fuck!” Jiang Cheng shouted and jumped back a foot.

“I didn’t make you come over, didn’t even touch you.” The man’s hands were clasped behind his back and he was just standing there with a sort of smug smile on his face. “I think I got a better idea of your scent though, thanks for that.”

Jiang Cheng scowled and lifted up the collar of his shirt to sniff at himself. “Why can’t I smell it?”

“It’s pretty subtle still and you’re likely used to it that way. When it gets stronger, you’ll notice.” Mingjue turned around and brought a pot of tea to the table with a spare cup. 

He sat down and poured some out for Jiang Cheng motioning for him to sit across the table. He’d been adamant about showing Jiang Cheng that he could abide by personal boundaries. Especially since there was so much freaking out happening every time a new change started to occur. They’d been dancing around this for the past week so it should have been old news to both of them.

Jiang Cheng sat down and sighed while taking a drink. “So what do I smell like?”

Tipping his head like he was choosing his words carefully, Mingjue didn’t answer right away. “I think it’s grapefruit and lotuses. Sweet but not too sweet, definitely fresh it might have a little mint in it too, it’s pretty unique though. Smells good.”

He smelled good? Wait! He smelled like a fucking fruit?! Jiang Cheng snorted. He couldn’t decide if he should be insulted or not. Nie Mingjue grinned at him and leaned back in his chair. He wisely didn’t say anything for a few minutes. 

“So, you like it?” Jiang Cheng finally asked awkwardly.

“I do, grapefruit packs a bit of kick to it, which suits you. Speaking of which, you wanna do some more training today?” The man’s honesty made all of this so much less awful in some ways, though Jiang Cheng was never sure how to handle his flirtatious little quips. That’s what they were after all, right?

“Don’t you work at all?”

There was another grin and Mingjue nodded “I do, but I can also work on my schedule when I need to. I have good people who can help when necessary.”

“I don’t. I need to get to work.” So far, this hadn’t been an issue, but he was worried it would be soon.

“You should wear a scent blocker if you go.” The condition was pretty mild if he thought about it, but it still rubbed him the wrong way. It was essentially telling him that he had no choice but to do it Nie Mingjue’s way.

“Why? I haven’t changed that much yet, you said you could barely smell it.” Defiance was his go-to response in these situations.

“Sure, but what if it gets stronger throughout the day? You’re already displaying signs of an oncoming heat, and I know you don’t like hearing that.” He had held up a hand like it would placate or stop Jiang Cheng from snarling at him. 

“You need to listen though, I promised you’d be safe in my home and I’d like to make sure you’re safe in general. I don’t know who the fuck works for you, I honestly don’t care, but if they can’t control themselves…” He let the sentence hang so the implication could settle in Jiang Cheng’s mind.

“Fine. I’ll wear them. They’re in my room, right?” It was one of the many things Mingjue had shown him that first day. He had a box of patches, and Mingjue demonstrated how to put them on as well.

All of this being shown stuff and getting shit explained to him made Jiang Cheng feel like a goddamn kid at times. He sighed heavily and picked at the lip of his cup. Could he trust his employees? Was that something omegas had to worry about? It didn’t make sense that only omegas were worried, surely alphas had to be concerned too, yet the jackass didn’t look like he’d ever bothered to care one way or the other.

“Are you going to tell the Wen girl about the scents?”

“She’s gonna grill me with questions and she’ll want me to do another fucking test.” He was getting tired of being poked and prodded. Not only did Jiang Cheng feel like a kid, he was also a fucking real lab rat now.

“Suit yourself, but she really wanted to know this one, it was a big change.”

“Since when did you two start getting along?” Jiang Cheng groused in annoyance. 

At least that meant Nie Mingjue wouldn’t tell her on his behalf. He’d come to learn that the alpha was really good about keeping his word and not taking control out of Jiang Cheng’s hands. The whole situation was such a mess that any sense of power over it was a godsend and something to cherish. 

He squirmed in his seat and tugged at his shirt collar. It was warm, uncomfortably warm and he was annoyed. The fabric slid against his sensitive skin. Jiang Cheng had resorted to putting band-aids over his nipples that morning because they felt raw and tender. It was NOT something he was about to tell Nie Mingjue of course. 

“There’s these undershirts you can get nowadays that help cool you down. Kind of like reverse thermal underwear stuff. I use them when I get close to my rut to help me stay sane.” The topic was casually mentioned. He didn’t force anything, he just provided solutions. If Jiang Cheng took it, great, if not, he didn’t give him shit for it later.

“Your undershirt won’t fit me.” He was willing to try though, this being warm crap was for the birds. Jiang Cheng swore his ass was starting to sweat.

“You can try one if you want.” Again it was casual and open ended. No pressure. Part of Jiang Cheng sort of wished he’d put a little pressure on these things so he could growl at him and get into an argument.

“Think it’ll help?” 

Mingjue was watching him with a sharp gaze even though he looked casual and relaxed. “Can’t hurt to give it a shot.” He stood up and started to wander down the hall, “I’ll leave it in your room.”

Sighing, Jiang Cheng glared at the tea cup. This whole situation was fucking god awful. Did omegas always feel this sensitive? Maybe the undershirt would help. He wondered if it’d smell like Mingjue, that maple and cinnamon combo was really fucking nice. It took a second for him to realize his heart was beating faster. 

Shit! No! No, I am NOT thinking about Nie Mingjue like that!

The instant denial in his thoughts was alarming and he stood up to pace. Something felt wrong with his pants and he squirmed. Was he wet?! What the fuck!? Was…was his ass leaking? Horrified, he picked up the phone and called Wen Qing without thinking about it. 

“What’s wrong?” That slightly annoyed voice answered on the third ring. Three fucking rings! This was an emergency and it took her three rings to answer!

“I can smell him and my ass is leaking.” 

There was a pause and then she spoke calmly. “Are you sure? Is it slick?”

“How the hell am I supposed to know!? What’s the difference!?” His voice rose with his panic and he nearly threw the damn cup across the room. 

“Take a breath, a deep breath. Can you smell something super sweet, your own scent, have you smelled it yet?” He’d just learned what his scent was. Taking a deep breath until his lungs felt like they’d burst, he didn’t smell anything except maybe the barest aroma of a peeled grapefruit. Was that him?

“I don’t know! You said this was going to take more than a week before shit hit the fan, Wen Qing! Why is my ass wet!?”

“Where’s Nie Mingjue?” She often answered his questions with another fucking question. It drove him nuts.

“He went to get a shirt for me.” His growl couldn’t be contained by this point.

“A shirt? Why?”

“Because he said it might help cool me down! It’s some fucking special shirt.” His exasperation was making his panic worse. 

“Jiang Cheng, take a slow breath..” 

“I can’t smell myself!”

“I know, but you’re hyperventilating, I can hear it over the phone. Slow down, breathe. If you can’t, yell for help. You might not like it, but he can use his pheromones to level you out.” She was being patient with him, he knew that, but it was hard to not freak out every time something new happened.

Jiang Cheng was not ready for this. They’d discussed it in detail when he first agreed to come off the drugs. They’d wean him down quickly. It wouldn’t feel fast at first since they were just halving his dosages, but it was quick medically speaking. If that went well and he didn’t go into any sort of weird cardiac event, they’d reduce the dosage by half again, keeping the frequency the same, but they hadn’t gotten that far yet. 

He’d been at this for a fucking week! All they’d done was halve the dosages once! It made him uncomfortably warm, sensitive and more irritable than normal - which was saying something. Learning to fight had helped a lot with channeling that extra rage somewhere though, but even that felt slow and frustrated him at times. 

They’d agreed to this method because Wen Qing was pretty sure his transition would come with an intense heat. If they could get him to gradually come into it, the shock wouldn’t be so bad on his system. If his body tipped over the edge though…they all knew he’d have to go cold turkey and just suffer through the damn thing. No one wanted that, especially him.

“I left the shirt in your room.” Mingjue reappeared in that moment and he paused taking in the scene. “You alright?”

“Fuck…you talk to her!” Pacing over to the alpha, he shoved his phone against the man’s chest.

Bewildered, Mingjue grabbed it and pushed the speaker button. “What’s going on?”

Wen Qing’s voice echoed in the kitchen between them. “Oh good, you’re there. Is he producing slick?”

“That jackass is NOT touching me, Wen Qing!” Jiang Cheng snarled back.

Nie Mingjue almost looked hurt for a second but he looked from Jiang Cheng to the phone and back. “He doesn’t have to touch you. Just hold still and listen to him. Did you NEVER pay attention to your siblings when they had their heats?”

“I won’t touch you, promise.” Nie Mingjue spoke gently as he took a step closer. “Just…hold still, alright?” The man leaned in close, lips parted slightly and inhaled deeply. Jiang Cheng closed his eyes and waited as tension made him quiver on the spot.

“Not slick…wait…” There was another pause and another slow inhale next to Jiang Cheng’s ear. “Maybe…it’s pretty faint though.”

“His heat is going to be intense.” It sounded like Wen Qing was sighing in resignation. “Look, I’m going to send over some suppressants, they shouldn’t clash with the stuff he’s on and we can do a half dose to try and balance him out. He needs to get off that drug more before he goes into heat.”

“Why?” Jiang Cheng was glaring at Nie Mingjue because he was there, not because he was helping. He couldn’t see Wen Qing to glare at her after all.

“What do you mean why? Jiang Cheng, when you go into heat, we have to stop the drug all together, your body might go into shock and crash. The longer we can hold off, the better. Alright?” He hated how her voice sounded so mechanical over the phone. 

“He wants to go to work today.” Nie Mingjue spoke suddenly and Jiang Cheng felt a sense of betrayal.

“It should be alright…I mean, it might be uncomfortable if he’s producing slick, but omegas usually don’t do that unless they’re aroused. I doubt he finds his co-workers enticing.” The statement all but accused Jiang Cheng of getting turned on while he thought about the jackass and his scent.

“I’m. Not. Fucking. Aroused!” He really wasn’t. Jiang Cheng’s vision was getting funny at the edges. He hadn’t stopped gasping.

“Aw hell! Right, send the drug, we’ll try it. If it goes bad what do we do?” 

Their words started to buzz in his ears and he gasped, grabbing his knees and shivering where he stood. Fuck he did not want to pass out! How humiliating was it to go from being unaffected at all to nearly collapsing every other minute from something new?! He hated this.

“Wanyin? Hey, I’m gonna help you, okay? I’m going to take your hand and help you sit, I won’t do any other touching, I promise.” Mingjue’s voice was firm but soothing.

Nodding and gasping he was led back to a chair and sat down. Nie Mingjue crouched in front of him, not letting go of his hand yet. “I’m going to use my pheromones, just breathe deep, try to count it out. If you smell it, that’s normal, they’ll help calm you down, even if you don’t smell it they’ll still help.” 

Tears were stinging the backs of his eyelids. This whole process was miserable but he nodded, blinking rapidly to fight back the urge to sob. This wasn’t that awful! His ass was wet, it wasn’t a big deal, right? Jiang Cheng gasped taking in a shuddering breath, it smelled like cinnamon. The scent was stronger than he’d ever noticed, but it was comforting somehow. Another deep breath and he could smell the warm notes of maple, it really did make him think of sitting next to a fire with a warm drink. 

Several minutes passed before he was back to breathing normally. Nie Mingjue was still holding his hand and watching his reactions. “Doing good?” His voice was gentle.

“Yeah…Fuck, I hate this!” Letting out a deep breath he hung his head, wholly miserable and embarrassed.

“I know. It’s going to get better, everything’s just new and scary right now.”

“A wet ass isn’t scary, jackass, it’s embarrassing.” His flat rebuke made the alpha grin.

“Now I know you’re feeling better, you called me by my nickname.” With a wink and a grin, he let go of Jiang Cheng’s hand and stood up. “You should change before you go to work, clean up a little. The scent is faint, but I don’t trust any alphas you might be working around not to be dicks.”

At least he wasn’t being held prisoner because of it. If it had been his mother and Wei Wuxian, she would have locked him up after finding an excuse to beat him. Jiang Cheng stood stiffly, his ass cheeks were slippery when he moved, it was an uncomfortable sensation. God, was this because he’d been thinking about how good the jackass smelled? Did all omegas deal with this? Without another word, he ducked around the large man and disappeared down the hall toward his room.

As much as Nie Mingjue was helping, he wasn’t an omega. Jiang Cheng really needed to talk to someone like Wei Wuxian so he didn’t keep getting blindsided. The thought came with the realization that he could just ask his adopted brother. He had a veritable fountain of information and experience as an omega. 

“Fuck…” Jiang Cheng pulled out his phone and sent a text.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Nie Mingjue watched the enigma that was Jiang Wanyin scurry down the hall. The second the man was out of sight, he let out a low groan and tried to will his dick into settling down. As prickly as the man was, his blossoming scent was fucking addictive and the scent of his slick had nearly done Mingjue in. If it hadn’t been for the panic on Wanyin’s face, he wasn’t sure if he’d have been able to contain his reaction as well as he had.

Not for the first time, a rush of anger toward the Jiang couple washed through him. How in the hell could anyone do this to their own children? They were sick or deranged to be willing to put someone through this kind of torment. Over the past week, he’d gotten used to the barbs and harsh words of the younger man. He was the same age as A-Sang and Mingjue felt terribly protective of him. He liked the asshole version of Jiang Wanyin quite a bit. The guy was fearless with that anger.

Before he could really think much  more about it, his phone started to ring. Looking down he frowned slightly as he answered. 

“Here I thought you’d forgotten about your da-ge and were just going to make me worry endlessly. How long were you planning on being away, A-Sang?”

“Da-ge! Uhm! Well things got more involved than I expected!” Mingjue picked up on the nervousness in his brother and frowned. 

“What’s wrong? Are you in jail?”

“What?! No! Why would you think that?!” A-Sang actually squeaked with his denial.

“Because you sound like I caught you sneaking sweets.” It was good to hear his didi’s voice though. A-Sang had been radio silent all week, it wasn’t like him.

“Oh! Well, that’s probably because I have news, da-ge. You have to promise not to get mad though.”

Mingjue growled in annoyance and glared out the window into the central courtyard. “You can’t start with that and not expect me to be annoyed, A-Sang. What did you do?”

“I..I got married?”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Wei Wuxian opened his eyes slowly. He was nestled atop Lan Zhan on the couch in the living room. The sun was warming his very naked back and he groaned softly, burying his face against his alpha’s chest to shut out the light. “What time is it?”

“Three in the afternoon.” Lan Zhan sounded rather normal for a change, which wasn’t how he’d sounded all week long.

For the past week, they’d been tangled up in one another in various positions all around the Jingshi as they indulged in their wildest desires and rode out Lan Zhan’s rut. It had been intense and Wei Wuxian was convinced his skin would never recover and was permanently marked from all the love bites and hickeys he’d been adorned with. Lan Zhan had even bit his inner thigh at one point, marking him there possessively. Every inch of Wei Wuxian had been scented by his lover.

In fact, there’d been a lot of scenting going on the entire time. It’d been enough to knock the strength out of Wei Wuxian’s limbs more than once and he’d begged his alpha for a breath of fresh air. Lan Zhan interpreted this as Wei Wuxian wanting to fuck out in nature and had drug him out onto the patio by the pond in the back yard. There wasn’t an inch of the Jingshi that they hadn’t done it at. 

Every muscle in Wei Wuxian’s body was sore and he ached just from moving his head. “Lan Zhan, how often do you have your ruts?”

“Every six months.” Wei Wuxian did the math in his head. He should be having Radish right around that time. 

“I don’t know if I can help you for the next one.” He felt his mate stiffen and he snorted with a laugh. “I want to, but I might be having our baby then!” 

“I will use suppressants so I do not miss the birth, I promise, Wei Ying.” That calm rational Lan Zhan was back and he peeked up at him.

“Is your rut over?”

“Mn. Are you hurt?”

Wei Wuxian snorted with a laugh and then groaned as he propped his chin up on his hands draped over Lan Zhan’s chest. “I’m sore but I’m not hurt. You are wild and very passionate, you know. If I’d realized your rut would be that powerful, I would have made sure there were more snacks and drinks in all the rooms!”

“Are you thirsty, Wei Ying?” Lan Zhan’s hand was gently stroking his back. 

“Mn, but I don’t want to move, I don’t want you to move yet, either. Let’s just lay here and be thirsty together.” Honestly, he wasn’t sure he could stand up right now. At least nothing felt wrong anywhere. God, how was he going to explain all the bruises and hickeys to the doctor at his next checkup? 

“Just for a little while. You should not stay thirsty.” He could tell his alpha was struggling with the urge to take care of him while still honoring Wei Wuxian’s wishes to not move. 

“The sun’s warm, feels good snuggled like this. Five more minutes…” That was his standard response when he wanted to sleep in and he grinned, kissing Lan Zhan’s chest. 

“Wei Ying, you should not dehydrate yourself just because the sun is warm.” He knew it was too good for Lan Zhan to ignore. 

“So cruel! Fine! Just this once, Lan Zhan. I’m staying right here, but you can get water if you think it’s a must.” Wei Wuxian made sure his love for Lan Zhan flooded their little connection. 

A small smile pulled at his alpha’s lips. He loved that smile so much. “You rest, I’ll get you something to drink.” 

Shifting carefully, Lan Zhan managed to leave Wei Wuxian on the couch, lazing in the sun like a cat before quietly padding off across the Jingshi for the kitchen. He was gloriously naked and Wei Wuxian drank in the sight of him the entire way. They weren’t gonna be able to be this naked after Radish was born. Maybe at first before their little baby started to run around on its own. Knowing this simple little thing had a time limit made it more special somehow.

“Lan Zhan, do you know where our phones are?” They’d been cut off for the entire week from everything. 

“I will find them. Drink first, I brought you some fruit too. Eat.” Wei Wuxian’s stomach rumbled and he moaned in delight, spotting the dish of grapes and melon slices. 

Throughout the rut, boxes of food kept appearing outside the Jingshi’s door. No cooking had been required of them and they ate ravenously together when their lust had been temporarily slaked. Wei Wuxian was pretty sure he recognized his shijie’s cooking in some of those delivered meals and it made him a little embarrassed to think she might have heard more than she bargained for. Next time they were gonna stock up properly.

Lan Zhan had disappeared again to find the phones and when he came back, he was wearing comfortable looking sweatpants that hung low on his hips. The fabric highlighted the trim muscles and drew the eye down toward the heavy bulge between the man’s thighs. His alpha was fucking hot. 

“I brought you some pants.” Lan Zhan went down to his knees in front of the couch and helped Wei Wuxian get dressed before he finally rejoined him and snuggled together. Their phones were fully charged and Lan Zhan handed Wei Wuxian his before checking his own.

Everything seemed pretty calm and normal. There were weather alerts, status updates from friends on social media, a few text messages from his shijie telling him she’d left food and her checking in now and then. Wei Wuxian answered those first, apologizing for not replying sooner and thanking her for the meals. 

He had a text message from Jiang Cheng too and it was cryptic as ever. Call me when you’re free. Curious, he hit the call button while nestling against Lan Zhan. God he wanted a hot shower then a hot bath to soak for a day. Wei Wuxian’s eyelids drooped shut once before he heard his brother’s voice on the line. 

“About time you answered!” 

The cranky response made Wei Wuxian grin. “Jiang Cheng, I’ve been busy. I’m sorry I didn’t have my phone. What’s up?”

There was a heavy pause and some rustling on the line. “I…need some help.”

Wei Wuxian sat up, surprised. “From me?” 

“Don’t sound so shocked, idiot. You’re the only one who can really answer my questions, so are you willing or not?” Wei Wuxian frowned in confusion. Lan Zhan was watching him now, curious and listening intently.

“Uhh, right. Sure I can help. Wanna meet up? Tomorrow maybe? Wait, what’s tomorrow?”

The sigh was audible. “The eleventh. What the hell have you been doing?”

Warmth teased across Wei Wuxian’s face and he grinned. “Well, Lan Zhan had his rut, and I stayed with him for it…so…..” 

“Ah fuck! Forget I asked!” The instant revulsion made Wei Wuxian grin. He loved teasing his brother about this shit. 

“It was great, A-Cheng! Want me to give you the details?”

“No! Fuck you’re twisted you know that? Does that asshole know you’re like this?” Jiang Cheng grousing at him felt so normal it made him happy.

“Lan Zhan thinks I'm delicate, beautiful and innocent.” his alpha snorted beneath him and Wei Wuxian quickly covered the phone to prevent the sound from being heard by Jiang Cheng. 

“Hardly innocent, Wei Ying.” Lan Zhan’s lips pressed against his shoulder and he purred.

“What the fuck is that sound?”

“Oh! Sorry A-Cheng! I’m just happy! Omegas purr sometimes when we’re happy.” There was another heavy pause.

“So, are you gonna help?”

“Yea, I have a checkup tomorrow, can we meet after that? Maybe go for some late lunch?” He asked, glancing back at Lan Zhan to see if his alpha had any issues with the plan. 

“Sure. Yeah that works. Uhm, hey…” The hesitation was awkward. “Do you have cooling shirts?”

What the hell was up with his brother? “Yes…they helped me with my heats. Why?”

“Oh, I was going to get you some, if you needed them. You got a brand you like?”

“Jiang Cheng! You really want to buy me undershirts? What’s going on?” This was so unlike his cranky brother. Wei Wuxian was a little worried.

“Nevermind! I’ll see you tomorrow. Say hi to jiejie for me.”

“See you tomo-” Wei Wuxian stared at his phone. “He hung up on me!”

Lan Zhan frowned and wrapped his arms around Wei Wuxian, a hand gently resting over his abdomen. For all the strenuous sex they’d had over the last week, the one constant had been that Lan Zhan had been extremely careful of how he handled Wei Wuxian. Having been prepared for a wild and rough encounter, the ‘rough’ didn’t really equate to much beyond bruising grips on his thighs, ass and arms. If Lan Zhan’s hands strayed anywhere near Wei Wuxian’s stomach, he instantly became gentle and attentive. 

Even the intensity of their coupling had been controlled. God knows how much that cost Lan Zhan. Wei Wuxian was convinced his alpha had done that consciously fighting his rut to keep Wei Wuxian and Radish safe. Sure, he was sore and marked to high hell, but it was a soreness from prolonged intimacy, not from being roughly fucked into next week. The knowledge of it made Wei Wuxian’s heart overflow with love for his mate. 

“Everything alright?” Lan Zhan’s question was curious.

“I think so? Jiang Cheng seemed…helpful?” Wei Wuxian grinned with a shrug. “I guess I’ll find out tomorrow! What about you? Anything exciting, gege?”

“Mn. Mostly work related. A new software for AI has caused a stir.” Wei Wuxian rolled his eyes. “What about family? Friends? Anything exciting?”

“My mate’s necklace is ready.” Wei Wuxian blinked and looked down at the pendant around his neck.

“My necklace? But I already have yours.” His fingers slid over the heavy silver piece with the clouds etched into it. 

“You are going to give this one to me, so I can wear yours, Wei Ying.” There was a hot possessive tone in that statement. It made Wei Wuxian’s muscles quiver.

“Lan Zhan! You never told me about this. Do you miss your necklace?” He was grinning now, tipping his head up to capture a kiss from his lover.

“My necklace is right where it belongs. I want to carry yours to remind me every moment of every day that we are fated for one another. Will you let me?”

For a man who claimed he wasn’t good with words, Lan Zhan frequently bowled Wei Wuxian over with these sappy overtures. He answered with a kiss and his citrus and spice scent surrounded them, all his love and joy simmering in their embrace and the rich earthy sandalwood of his alpha teased his nose. “Are we gonna get rings too?”

“Mn, we can shop for them after lunch with your brother.” Lan Zhan’s smile was radiant as he cradled Wei Wuxian to his chest and kept skimming through messages, answering texts from his brother and uncle.

A frown creased his brows for a minute, but he didn’t say anything and there was no alarm through their bond so Wei Wuxian paid it no mind. “Anything else exciting?”

“You now own forty-one percent of the shares of Lotus Enterprises.” The news was calmly delivered without any fuss and Wei Wuxian had to pick his jaw up off the floor.

“Lan Zhan! How much are you going to buy?” 

“Enough for you to have the ultimate authority over what happens. I promised you, Wei Ying.”

He kissed his love and grinned up at him. “I think I can do that now, can’t I?”

The smile he received was warmer than the sun that they were languishing in. “I am going to start dinner. Go wash up, Wei Ying, you will feel better after a shower.”

As much as he wanted to debate this whole owning Lotus Enterprises business, the shower sounded really amazing. With a little huff, he slid off his lover’s lap and groaned, stretching slowly. “We’re not done talking about this.”

“Of course, Wei Ying. After you wash up.” 

They teased one another for a few more minutes before Wei Wuxian disappeared up the stairs and into their room. The entire Jingshi smelled of sex and everywhere he looked there were signs of their wild week together. It was going to be a monumental task cleaning all of this up! He ignored it all in favor of getting into the shower.

“Radish, baby, your dad is awesome.” Wei Wuxian sighed as the warm spray of water slid over his body. 

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Lan Wangji had waited for Wei Ying to disappear and the shower to turn on before he called Xichen. “What happened?”

“Suicide, we think…Wangji, the man had a shrine devoted to you in his house.” Xichen hadn’t hesitated in delivering the news.

Lan Wangji had to school his gut reaction so he didn’t alarm Wei Ying through their bond. He needed to learn how to shield his love from these emotions if he could. Wangji knew it was dishonest and it felt a little underhanded at the same time. However, Wei Ying was pregnant and stress needed to be avoided. Wangji knew Wei Ying would blame himself for the man’s death if he heard this.

“It wasn’t from the attack?” He had to be sure it wasn’t Wei Ying’s fault.

“A-Xian didn’t kill him. Su Minshan had a drug overdose, he left a note. His body was discovered by a neighbor a day ago. Wangji, we brought him home only a few days before that. I…I implied he would be fired.” Xichen’s voice was troubled. 

“It is not your fault.”

“He stole financial information about our personal accounts from the company. I didn’t want to tell you until I knew who he was working for, but now…” The sigh was heavy. 

“Do you think it was not suicide?” Lan Wangji had his suspicions, but he wanted to hear what his brother thought, right now Xichen knew more than he did.

“I’m not sure. The thought has crossed my mind - the timing is too convenient. We may want to move up our plans though, just in case.” 

As much as he hated to admit it, Lan Wangji had to agree with his brother. Their plans for the Jiangs would have to happen soon - before something could go wrong.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

“Well doc? Radish is a superstar, right? Best name for a baby!”

 Wei Wuxian was laying back on the raised exam bed while the cool gel was spread around his abdomen by the sensor attached to the ultrasound machine. Lan Zhan was holding his hand while he stood stoically at his side. The difference in how they were today as opposed to a couple days ago was insane.

Truth be told, he was a little nervous that his research into spending a rut with an alpha hadn’t been really thorough. He’d read a few sites and testimonies about it being ‘safe’ but that’s what Wei Wuxian wanted to see. Not once did he research the dangers of an at-risk pregnancy, such as being a recessive omega, as a risk factor to consider during Wangji’s rut.

Chang Ping was a pleasant man who often wore a look of amused disappointment. He specialized in male omega pregnancies and had become Wei Wuxian’s doctor almost immediately upon his moving in with Lan Zhan. He pushed the frame of his glasses up on his nose a bit and reached out to flip the sound on the machine. 

The baby’s heartbeat was strong, fast and steady. “There it is, healthy and safe. Have you felt any flutters yet? It’s a little early, but you might start to feel it move around a little. Could feel like gas or butterflies at first.” 

Wei Wuxian wasn’t entirely paying attention to the doc as he listened to the heartbeat and looked at the weird little alien image on the monitor. “Lan Zhan! Our Radish!” There were tears in his eyes, he was just so goddamn happy! The best part was that no one was freaking out about Radish being in distress.

“Wei Ying, have you felt Radish move?” Lan Zhan was leaning close, his eyes also looked a bit misty.

“No, I don’t think so. You think it’ll happen soon?”

Chang Ping nodded with a grin. “A couple more weeks for sure. Radish, is it?” He paused and his smile grew when both men murmured a whimsical yes. “Radish is doing well. You’ve put on healthy weight. There might be some pain as things loosen up to make space for him…” the droning of the man’s voice buzzed in one ear and out the other. 

Lan Zhan was listening intently to every word the doctor said, but Wei Wuxian was far more engrossed with what he was seeing on the screen. “Aiyo!! Lan Zhan! Lan Zhan! Look! Doc! I didn’t feel it but look!!” Pointing excitedly at the screen, the shape of their baby had changed, it had moved.

Doctor Chang focused on the monitor for a second, moving the sensor around on Wei Wuxian’s abdomen for a bit and nodded. “A good sign, Radish is nice and active, looks like it might be sucking on its fist.”

“Lan Zhan!”

“I see it, Wei Ying.” Wei Wuxian was hugging his alpha’s entire arm by that point and he let out a happy sob.

“God! I’m gonna die from fucking joy! How can our baby be so cute already?!”

The doctor chuckled softly. “Shall we get some photos?”

“See, Lan Zhan! I told you the rut wouldn’t hurt our Radish.” Chang Ping had been busy getting images for the machine to print of their baby and he paused glancing over at Wei Wuxian and Lan Zhan in mild surprise.

“You stayed together for Mr. Lan’s rut?” He asked the question carefully.

“Mhm! Lan Zhan was a complete gentleman, doc. I swear he was so careful. He was worried about it at first but I told him everything would be fine, and here we are!”

There was a moment of silence and Lan Zhan’s eyes were tense as he watched the doctor. “Yes, usually it’s not an issue. I wouldn’t have advised it myself, considering the risk factors present in your pregnancy already…” The doctor smiled.

“Wei Ying…”

“What?! He says it’s fine! You were so gentle, Lan Zhan!” His alphas ears were quite red and there was embarrassment and concern floating in the back of his mind through their bond. It was adorable.

Doctor Chang cleared his throat. “How about the sickness? The medication is still working?”

“Haven’t felt sick for a while now, doc. I actually want to work. Can I?” Wei Wuxian knew he was probably gonna hear it from Lan Zhan, but if the doctor cleared him - there’d be a lot less obstacles to get through.

There was tension in his mate’s arm and Lan Zhan’s fingers tightened around Wei Wuxian’s hand. It was a subtle thing, but he knew what it meant. They were in for a talk after this. The doctor seemed very attuned to the mood of the room and he gave a genial little grin and lifted his shoulders a bit.

“Activity is good for you, stress is not. If your work is without stress and has you moving around a lot - not carrying anything heavy mind you…I suppose there’s nothing against it. I’d suggest you discuss it with your husband first though. You’ll be hard pressed to find a job willing to take you on when you’ll be taking leave for the birth in five or six months as it is.”

“We will discuss it, thank you, doctor.” Lan Zhan’s tone was cordial and brusque, his face was that impeccable mask of stoicism that Wei Wuxian loved to ruffle. 

“After we go shopping, right?” He was so full of energy after a good night’s sleep and the news that Radish was doing well had him dancing on cloud nine! 

“Mn, after we shop.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

They were parking near the restaurant that Wei Ying and Jiang Cheng had arranged to meet up at when Lan Wangji could not hold back any longer. 

“You lied about the risks.” It had been bothering him ever since they’d left the doctor’s office.

Wei Ying looked up from the picture of Radish that he had been cooing at during the drive. “Ah?? Oh! Well no, I didn’t lie, I’m just not as detailed at research I suppose.” He had the sense to look a bit sheepish at least.

A knot in Wangji’s gut twisted slightly and he sighed, gripping the steering wheel. They were parked along the side of the street. It was midday and the spring air had people out and about enjoying the warmer weather. “Wei Ying…I could have hurt our baby. I could have hurt you .”

“You didn’t, and you won’t. I trust you, Lan Zhan. I know you could never.” Wei Ying reached out for him, his delicate and beautiful fingers curling around Wangji’s larger hand on the steering wheel still. “Hey, look at me.”

Lan Wangji turned his head to stare directly at the love of his life, there was raw emotion in his expression for those who knew how to spot it. The hurt and the fear shimmered in his eyes and the tight press of his lips. “I would never forgive myself, Wei Ying. Please…do not put me in a position…”

Wei Ying’s smile was full of love and his scent blossomed in the car as he leaned over to kiss Wangji softly. “I’m sorry, Lan Zhan. I didn’t mean to ignore the risks, I just forgot to search out my kind of cases for reference. It won’t happen again, I promise.” His gorgeous silvery eyes were full of sincerity and the emotion choked Wangji’s throat. 

“You are my very heart and soul, Wei Ying.” He wouldn’t survive it if something happened to his omega.

“Lan Zhan, everyone is alright. Hey… Alpha !” It was a shame they were in the car still, he wanted to hold his omega so badly right then and there, just to reassure himself.”

Wangji’s rut had been intense, but he’d also been hyper aware of his mate the entire time. It wasn’t as much of a struggle as he thought it might be when they made love to keep Wei Ying’s pregnancy in mind. How that had managed to push through the fog was beyond him. Perhaps he instinctively knew to be gentle. It was still terrifying to think that he could have crushed his family over something so stupid. Next time, he would do the research, next time he would go to a facility. He could not risk his heart.

“Please be careful for me. I cannot lose you two.” Finally letting go of the steering wheel, Lan Wangji’s warm palm settled over Wei Ying’s abdomen gently. 

His words were having an impact at least, he could see the emotion brimming in Wei Ying’s face. “God I love you, Lan Zhan! I promise! I’ll be careful. You too, okay? We need you.”

The moment was tender and within the confines of the car, it felt quite intimate and special. “The doctor is right, you are starting to show.” 

“Did you just call me fat?! Lan Zhan! We were having a moment!” Wei Ying’s exasperated tone made a smile pull at Lan Wangji’s lips. “Oh don’t you dare distract me with that fucking gorgeous smile of yours. You did that on purpose! Aiyo! I’m not that fat, am I?!”

“Your pants are getting tight, Wei Ying. It is a good thing. It means Radish is growing.” Lan Wangji kissed his omega’s knuckles and leaned back in the seat. “We can find some comfortable clothes today if you like.”

“Tight!? These are my favorite jeans! They’re not…ok…” Wei Ying huffed as he tried to pull the waistband away from his middle. When they’d first met, this feat would have been easy for the man to do, but now, there wasn’t a lot of room. He was actually starting to show and he’d filled out in the process.

The adorable realization on Wei Ying’s face had Lan Wangji reaching to stop his lover’s frantic tugging at the clothes. “You are beautiful, your skin is radiant, you glow, Wei Ying.”

“Lan Zhan! I’m fat!”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Walking down the sidewalk to the restaurant, Wei Ying kept twisting like he was trying to get a look at his backside. He frowned and huffed and tugged at his pants. He honestly hadn’t noticed they were getting snug, they just fit and he didn’t have to struggle to do them up. The more he thought about it, there were a few things that weren’t fitting quite as well as they used to. He pawed at his own face, worried he was getting chubby cheeks.

“Wei Ying.” Lan Zhan’s voice was patient, if a bit amused. “You are not fat, you are pregnant.”

“Easy for you to say.” His sulky reply came complete with a tongue stuck out at his mate. “You’re still a god amongst mortals. Is there even an ounce of fat on you anywhere?” He poked a finger at Lan Zhan’s side and was surprised when the man flinched with a little grunt. Was he ticklish?! How had he never noticed this?!

“We are here.” With a large warm hand on the small of his back, Lan Zhan directed Wei Wuxian through the door and stayed behind him to prevent any curious poking from continuing. God! He wanted to see if the man was ticklish! Every time he tried to turn around, Lan Zhan just gently directed him onward, heading through the restaurant toward a table that currently held Jiang Cheng arguing with Nie Mingjue.

That distracted Wei Wuxian for the time being and he blinked, grinning and sat down. “Jiang Cheng! You didn’t tell me that you were bringing friends. Wanna see the baby picture from the ultrasound?”

“Pictures? How was the checkup?” Nie Mingjue was instantly engaged and leaned forward, much to the displeasure of Jiang Cheng. 

“Fantastic! Our little Radish is strong and healthy.” Wei Wuxian gushed happily. They settled into easy conversation.

He still had no idea what Jiang Cheng needed his help with or why Nie Mingjue was with him. Whatever it was, it seemed personal though and the two alphas weren’t going to make getting to the bottom of the mystery any easier. When they’d finished their meals, Wei Wuxian sighed leaning back, and grinned at the men across from him and Lan Zhan.

“I didn’t know the two of you were friends.” The second he said it, Jiang Cheng’s face went red with embarrassment. 

Well this was interesting! As far as Wei Wuxian knew, Jiang Cheng hated alphas. How had he become friends, surely it was just friends, right?

“I met him when I was visiting with Xichen-ge. Offered to help him move.” Nie Mingjue replied first, keeping that casual attitude firmly in place. Jiang Cheng growled in irritation. 

“Jackass, you said you had shit to do today.” The sparks were flying between these two.

“I do, but the food’s good here.” What the hell had they missed in the last week?

“Well, we’re done eating.” It was a flat out dismissal if Wei Wuxian had ever heard one. 

Nie Mingjue didn’t seem insulted or upset at least. The guy was massive, his arms were huge and he towered over Jiang Cheng while he sat beside him. Wei Wuxian glanced over at Lan Zhan and let a little of his interested curiosity tease their bond. Lan Zhan’s head tilted as if he was agreeing with the silent sentiment. God! This could be so fun! It was like communicating secret code through feelings!

“We are!" Nie Mingjue turned his attention to the other alpha. "Wangji!”

“Mn?” The stoic one syllable reply was classic.

“Care to join me? I need to go terrorize A-Sang’s new husband. I could use the backup.” There was a wicked gleam in Nie Mingjue’s dark eyes. In fact, his entire expression was dark and sort of murderous. With his long hair held back in its customary leather tie at the nape of his neck, Nie Mingjue actually looked dangerous.

“Nie Huaisang got married?” Three sets of eyes were looking at the big alpha in varying levels of shock.

“Apparently. They eloped over the weekend. The little shit told me he went to a spa.” There was another low growl of annoyance. 

“That’s why you broke the chair?!” Jiang Cheng blurted out and then snapped his mouth shut, face red as he looked anywhere but at Wei Wuxian.

Holy shit! How much did they miss this last week?! Wei Wuxian was looking from the big semi-scary looking alpha to Jiang Cheng, then to Lan Zhan like he could find the answers there somewhere. Everyone had a bewildered expression, except for Mingjue, he just looked annoyed.

“Well, tell him congratulations?!” Wei Wuxian tried with a sheepish grin. 

“That depends on whether or not the husband wants to stay breathing.” Wow, yeah, Wei Wuxian would not be pissing off Nie Mingjue anytime in the future. At least Lan Zhan didn’t seem nervous about it. Idly, he wondered who would win in a fight, his Lan Zhan or the scowling Nie Mingjue?

“We should bring a gift, in case the suitor turns out to be acceptable.” Lan Zhan was either trying to drive the other alpha into a fit of rage, or he was serious, it was hard to tell - even for Wei Wuxian.

Mingjue snorted, “If you insist. We better go then, will you two be alright without us for a bit?”

“Wait, are they close by?” Wuxian wanted to see the husband! Jiang Cheng kicked his shin under the table. “Ah! Yeah, you two go on! If he meets your approval, you’ll have to introduce us to him later!”

Lan Zhan leaned over to kiss Wei Wuxian and stood up. “I will take care of the bill, enjoy your visit.” 

Nie Mingjue followed suit, without the kissing of course, but he did grin at Jiang Cheng. “Call if you need a ride later.”

The pair of men left with Wei Wuxian following their exit the entire way. As soon as they were gone, he rounded on his brother. “Spill it, what the hell is going on A-Cheng?”

Jiang Cheng growled at him “Do you have to be so loud!?”

“I’m speaking in a normal tone of voice, but I’m going to start shouting if you don’t give me some damn details! Why are you with Nie Mingjue?”

“Fuck that jackass! I don’t care about him right now, I have something important to say.”

“How the hell is anything related to the Nie not important?!” Wei Wuxian sighed leaning back in his chair. “Fine! Fine, I won’t ask about it for now.”

Jiang Cheng’s fist unclenched and he looked around nervously then leaned closer over the table. “I need your help.”

“Yeah, you said that on the phone.” Wei Wuxian’s eyes narrowed with suspicion.

“Fuck! Why do you make this shit so hard?” He was rapping his knuckles against the table rapidly, it was a nervous thing and Jiang Cheng was actually upset. 

“Did something happen? Jiang Cheng, are you alright? Madam Yu didn’t…”

A heavy breath escaped the beta and he scrubbed a hand through his short hair. “Wanna walk?”

“Alright…”

They left the restaurant behind and Wei Wuxian sent a text to Lan Zhan letting him know they were going for a stroll. Not a word was said until they’d reached a park and the buzz of people had decreased. “What’s it like?”

“Hmm?” Wei Wuxian was startled by the question. “What’s what like?”

“Being…an omega.” Jiang Cheng bit out the words, but it wasn’t angry.

Wei Wuxian let out a breath and chuckled. “Well…it’s not bad really. Things get complicated because I have to remember not to bomb someone with pheromones, but now that Lan Zhan marked me, it’s kinda kept the other alphas away.”

Jiang Cheng’s eyes widened. “He did what?!”

“He marked me, wanna see? It’s all healed up and looks pretty good I think!” Wei Wuxian was already tugging the collar of his sweater out of the way and leaning over to show Jiang Cheng. The mark was a little red since Lan Zhan had bit it a few times during his rut, but really it was by far the least alarming blemish on Wei Wuxian’s body right now.

“What the fuck! He bit you?”

“Jiang Cheng! Did you forget everything from anatomy class?” Wei Wuxian grinned at his brother. “Stop looking so freaked out. Lan Zhan and I are getting married, we would have waited, but we both wanted the bond and it helped Lan Zhan with the protective stuff. Pregnant omegas that aren’t marked seem to spark a super overprotective thing.” He shrugged and they kept walking.

“What about pheromone stuff? Is...Is it gross?” Wei Wuxian wasn’t sure where these questions were coming from all of the sudden, but it was the first genuine conversation he’d had with A-Cheng in…well in years, without there being yelling or arguing. It was kind of nice.

“I don’t mind it, but I’ve been surrounded by them for a long time now. It would be weird if I couldn’t smell them now.” Wei Wuxian grinned, “Some people smell fucking amazing you know. They’re kind of addicting.” He was thinking about his Lan Zhan of course.

The scent of sandalwood and earthy freshness was his favorite thing in the world. The peppery flavors during his rut were just icing on the cake really. Jiang Cheng was making a face at him and he grinned. “It’s like…being able to say something without having to speak, y’know?” A man in a dark coat brushed close to the pair of them and Wei Wuxian stepped closer to his adoptive brother to make room.

That was rude. There was tons of room on the path, why’d that ass have to get so close?

“You can lose control though, right? Those alpha fucks, they can force you into submission and shit I heard.” The questions were genuine, but Wei Wuxian just didn’t get it. 

“Jiang Cheng, spit it out. Why are you suddenly asking about all this stuff?” He had turned to stare at his brother stopping on the path. A-Cheng continued a few steps before halting and turning to face Wei Wuxian. It was like he was only just realizing they’d stopped.

“This is…fuck! Just answer please? It’s important.”

Wei Wuxian narrowed his eyes again. “You're gonna tell me why you’re asking all these questions?’

“Yea, sure, later.” That wasn’t entirely a no at least.

“Well…yeah, alphas can exert control I suppose. Most don’t, they get shunned for doing it. The assholes who do usually get the crap kicked out of them unless it’s like a necessary evil. Like…” he was trying to think of an example. “Say there was a fight, they could break it up using pheromones and their voice. The alpha stopping it would be praised. That’s not to say omegas are helpless though. Pheromones can be a fucking weapon if you know what you’re doing.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well…They can be just a scent or they can be more. Emotions pack a punch and you can invoke terror or hurt in others if it’s strong enough. You’ve heard the phrase ‘bombing someone’ right?” When Jiang Cheng nodded, Wei Wuxian continued. “Yea, when people have to run away because it’s a powerful scent, it might be because it’s making them ill or it burns their noses from the sharp emotions and shit in it.”

“Fear tends to be sour. Anger is sharper. Sorrow is a mixed bag, but joy and happy emotions are always warm or sweet or some mix of the two. So you can provide comfort or you can hurt someone, does that make sense?” He wasn’t sure if he was explaining it really well.

“How come you never did that with my mother and father?”

Wei Wuxian chuckled, “It doesn’t really affect betas. I mean, I might have done it and you just never knew.” He didn’t like really thinking about Madam Yu so he tried to switch the subject. “Why are you so curious about all this stuff all the sudden?”

Jiang Cheng was agitated, Wei Wuxian could see it, but it was directed inward and not out at him or anyone else. That on its own was interesting. Usually A-Cheng lashed out as a form of breathing. This new concentrated effort of his was weird. Wei Wuxian wasn’t sure he trusted it.

“You know how I got sick?” Jiang Cheng’s voice was nervous.

“Yeah…you were in the hospital for a bit.” He remembered not being allowed to go see him, madam Yu wouldn’t allow it.

“I got put on medication and…it fucked with my presenting properly.” Was Jiang Cheng actually cringing? What the fuck?

“I don’t get it. You’re a beta.”

“Fuck! Why is this so hard?! Here…” Jiang Cheng suddenly leaned in close and yanked something off his neck. “Smell…”

“What the hell!” Alarmed, Wei Wuxian sucked in a sharp breath and just about fell over. He could smell a scent coming off Jiang Cheng. 

This wasn’t the average run of the mill family scent either. It was something a lot more personal, unique and identifiable. It was faint, but it was definitely there. Pheromones smelled different from perfumes. They were more natural and they had other unique qualities that kept them from smelling artificial. This was a pure fresh scent of lotus and grapefruit, it was sharp and fresh and clean, almost minty. Wei Wuxian’s eyes went wide. He dimly could feel concern through the bond with Lan Zhan.

“I’m a fucking omega, A-Xian! I don’t know what to do!”

What in the absolute fuck!?

Jiang Cheng’s confession was desperate and he clapped a hand over his neck like that’d stop the scent. “I don’t know what to do! Fuck! I just...I need help!”

—---------

Chapter Text

There was alarmed concern tickling the back of Wei Wuxian’s mind as Lan Zhan sensed his shock and mild freak out. He couldn’t help it though! Jiang Cheng had just dropped an information bomb on him that he hadn’t seen coming at all! 

Not in a million years would Wei Wuxian have ever anticipated this turn of events. He wanted to ask the obvious question - was Jiang Cheng bitching himself for someone? Yet the fact that he’d said something about medication warned him away from it.

Holy shit! He’s an omega? How!?

Looking around quickly as the sour notes of distress began to cloud the refreshing aroma that Jiang Cheng was giving off, Wei Wuxian moved close and grabbed him by the arm. He led his brother off the path to a park bench away from the main throng of people. At least this way they’d be out of the way of any assholes who might make a fuss over the scent of a distressed omega. 

“Hey, Jiang Cheng! Look at me.” How in the world was he the calm one right now? 

“I don’t know what to do! They did this to me! They used me like a fucking experiment!” Everything was coming out in a rush of words now. “This shouldn’t have happened, Wen Qing said I could have been an alpha! The drug fucked me though! Now I have to deal with jackasses being able to manipulate me with a fucking smell and…and my ass! It leaks!”

The more he said the wider Wei Wuxian’s eyes got. His adoptive brother was having a fucking meltdown. He had so many questions but he wasn’t going to get anywhere if he didn’t manage to calm Jiang Cheng’s budding panic attack. For the first time, Wei Wuxian tried to use his pheromones to soothe a transitioning beta that was absolutely having a real freak out over it. God! What did he know about people bitching themselves? That’s what this was, wasn’t it?

“Aiyo! You gotta breathe, Jiang Cheng. C’mon, breathe with me, you’re scaring Radish.” Every time he wanted to make light of a situation these days, he’d mention his little baby because the name made everyone stop for a second. He hoped it’d do the same now.

“It’s just…so much! I…I’m not ready! She said there’s gonna be a heat!” Wei Wuxian looked around quickly again to make sure no one was within hearing distance. 

“Jiang Cheng!” Grabbing his brother by the shoulders, he gave him a swift little shake. “Snap out of it! Breathe.”

More spicy citrus filled the air around them, a gentle breeze kept pulling it away and it frustrated Wei Wuxian to no end. He knew Jiang Cheng wasn’t a hugger, trying would likely make this worse. Fortunately, he saw A-Cheng’s nose wrinkle up for a second. Maybe he was smelling him? Letting out more calming pheromones in his scent, Wei Wuxian focused on rubbing his brother’s upper arms.

“I hate this!” Jiang Cheng finally gasped heavily and shuddered, hanging his head a bit and inhaling. “Why the hell is it spicy around here? Did you spill sauce on yourself!?”

It was so ridiculous, Wei Wuxian grinned and tried to hold in the laugh, he really did. But the abruptness of it all, it just caught him off guard entirely!

“That’s me! I’m spicy, and citrusy. Can you smell it?” He was happy and excited all at the same time. It was the first moment that his brother was getting to experience Wei Wuxian’s pheromones.

“Why aren’t you wearing a scent blocker?!” The concern was immediate and Jiang Cheng looked around taking in where they were.

“Well because I’m marked and my mate’s scent is mixed with mine. Take another slow breath, see if you can catch it. I promise it’s not gross.” He held still and waited.

Jiang Cheng leaned in just a little bit. He had the nervous look of a wild cat, mouth parting slightly while he took a big breath. The second Wei Wuxian knew he caught a whiff of Lan Zhan was when he wrinkled his nose in disgust and recoiled. “What the fuck! You said it wasn’t gross!”

“Tell me what you feel.” Wuxian knew that Lan Zhan was possessive and protective. They often scented one another and he was highly aware that there was a lot of intention in the scent that his mate made sure to leave on him. It basically told others to back the fuck off.

“I can smell you…sweet and spicy, I suppose it makes sense, you eating all that extra crap has to come out somewhere.” A-Cheng was being very serious, the more he talked about describing it, the less he was freaking out and gasping. Wei Wuxian took it as a win. “I can smell…dirt and sandalwood? But why did it make me cringe? I don’t mind sandalwood incense.”

“Remember how I said scents carry emotions and can be powerful if you know what you’re doing?” He was talking nice and casual, trying to keep Jiang Cheng in the here and now as much as he could by nudging his shoulder and releasing another batch of his calming scent, the sweet citrus warming so it mellowed the spice into something pleasant and palatable. 

“Wait, is the sandalwood asshole’s scent?” Wei Wuxian nodded. “He made it revolting on purpose?! Doesn’t it bug you? Aren’t you uncomfortable?”

“Nah, for me it’s like a big security blanket. To others, it’s telling them I’m taken and to back off. If they have any kind of intentions toward getting in the way, it’s like a massive red flag to warn them I’m not someone to try their shit with.” He paused for a second and frowned slightly. “Seriously, Jiang Cheng, did you tune out all of your anatomy class in school?”

At least the man had the wherewithal to look a little sheepish. The faint minty lotus and grapefruit smell was evening out - less sharp and sour at least. It was really a pretty nice combination. “It didn’t seem really important to me, I mean I wasn’t an alpha or an omega.”

“Aiyo! Jiang Cheng! Your siblings are! Didn’t you ever want to understand why we had to do certain things?” The question was genuine, but he was pretty sure this was all madam Yu. Even thinking of the woman and her influence gave Wei Wuxian the chills. 

He’d been away from her for months now, but she could still induce a sense of fear in him. He knew that Jiang Cheng had always parroted the woman, and he knew that it was because madam Yu was his mother. She was someone that Jiang Cheng would have trusted implicitly about everything. He was supposed to be like that - it just was really fucked up that it came out as hate and fear toward omegas. More concern teased the back of his mind, and he did his best to let his alpha know he was okay. It was just a little overwhelming! His brother was a goddamn omega

“Fuck! Look! I was an ass! I get it. I know I was wrong, can we move past that please?!” At least his brother still had that prickly attitude. For a second there, Wei Wuxian had really been worried. “Is this what you meant by turning smells into weapons?”

Wei Wuxian nodded. “No alpha in their right mind will come near me with Lan Zhan’s scent telling them off. If that’s not enough, the mating bite sends another message.” He hesitated for a second, but he figured if Jiang Cheng really was transitioning, he better learn now before something shitty happened. 

There was a prickling sensation along his spine like they were being watched and Wei Wuxian looked around with a slight frown. He couldn’t spot anything alarming and figured it might have been someone reacting to the wild scents. Hell, they might have heard Jiang Cheng practically yelling about his ass for all Wuxian knew. When he couldn’t spot anything weird, he put his full attention back on his brother.

“Mating bites between alphas and omegas link you, not just visually or by mixing scents and stuff. It’s…like I can sense Lan Zhan, even now. I know he’s worried about me because I was surprised. I also know he seems a little shocked at something wherever he is, I’m betting he’s met A-Sang’s husband.” Wei Wuxian grinned to try and soften this revelation.

There was the possibility that Lan Zhan was making a mad rush back here to check on Wei Wuxian and someone had gotten in the way, but he wasn’t going to explain the overprotective urges of his alpha right now. Hopefully the fact that Wei Wuxian was now curious and less shocked would help calm his mate. If he’d stayed alarmed, it was a guarantee that Lan Zhan would have called by now.

“I thought those bonds were only like that in movies.” Jiang Cheng muttered, cautiously smelling the air again.

“I think your link depends on how compatible you are with your partner.” Wei Wuxian shrugged, he knew some people had less of a sense and others more of one. 

It always seemed like those who made the mark out of stupid desperation or in a loveless relationship had this block between them. Being able to shield your partner was something you could learn, but in a new one like the bond he had with Lan Zhan, their honesty shone through powerfully. All of their emotions were raw and unmasked between them. It had overwhelmed Wei Wuxian that first night when he realized the depth of Lan Zhan’s love for him.

“Do you…like it that way? The whole, ‘keep away’ smell surrounding you like that. Don’t you feel chained to the guy or something?” There wasn’t anger, it was genuine curiosity and worry all in one. His brother really had no clue.

“There is only one alpha in this world that I want to touch or be intimate with. That’s Lan Zhan. His scenting me like this, it comforts me. I know that he feels the same way, it is more like a way of saying he loves me. He loves me so much that he wants everyone to know we chose one another.” Wei Wuxian grinned then. “Don’t get any weird ideas, I do it to him too. If any omega tries to make moves on him like that one dick did, well lets just say i’ve left my mark on my alpha.”

It was rather surprising that Jiang Cheng was talking about feelings and emotions as well as he was. The guy was usually adverse to intimacy talk. With a sigh, Wei Wuxian leaned back against the bench and let a comfortable silence hang between them. It was giving him a chance to digest everything Jiang Cheng had said. Part of him really wanted to ask questions, but he also didn’t want to upset his brother either.

“So, Wen Qing?” She seemed like a safe start to his inquiry on just what the hell had happened.

Jiang Cheng snorted. “Yeah, I didn’t know who was safe. You said you trusted her with your life once. I figured she had to be worth a shot. Not like I could ask my own doctor about it, he’s the one who’s been shoving this shit down my throat for years now.”

“Does A-Ning know?”

“No, just you, Wen Qing and the jackass.” Wei Wuxian looked over at his brother, the grin was pulling at his face. 

“Which person is the jackass? You use that to describe a lot of alphas.” He’d bet Radish’s future birthright that it was the giant that’d had lunch with them.

“Nie Mingjue, he thinks it’s my nickname just for him or some dumb shit.” Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes. “I moved into his place.”

What the fuck!? Spend a week with my alpha and I miss EVERYTHING!

“You, you moved in with him?” It was really hard to keep his tone even.

“Wen Qing seems to think I’m gonna need help staying level.” Jiang Cheng was kicking at the turf before the bench they sat on. “I got my first real whiff of him today, but I’m not sure it’s the first time y’know? I think I’ve smelled it before, I just didn’t know what it was.”

For the next hour they talked. Jiang Cheng explained how he was weaning himself off the medication and how it hadn’t been that long and he was already feeling all these wild changes. That asking Nie Mingjue for help had been his idea, he had been ashamed to come to him or A-Li about it. That stung, but Wuxian could sort of understand too. Jiang Cheng had always followed madam Yu’s guidance when it came to how he should think of omegas.

Wei Wuxian also knew that his brother was not really good at outright apologies. His admission that he was wrong and that he had been ashamed - it was as good as him saying he was sorry and kowtowing before Wuxian. The admission that he needed an omega’s input was also huge. Not just an omega, but a male omega. Yanli was their sister, but she was also very much a woman. 

The things Jiang Cheng wanted to know were embarrassing and specific to men. He asked about stimulation and prostates, and if he was going to always have slick issues. Jiang Cheng seemed terrified his dick was going to shrivel up and fall off or something equally horrifying. It took a while to get him to calm down about that. The questions about long hair being a defense mechanism came up and Wei Wuxian admitted that yes, it helped protect the neck or at least give the illusion of protection.

He could understand why A-Cheng had come to him in the first place instead of Yanli. Being able to carry children wasn’t tied to their sister being an omega. She could have had kids as an alpha or a beta. That disconnect made a huge difference when it came to seeking advice. Everything was just different for male omegas. 

Their biology adapted to allow child bearing it to be possible, but it wasn’t something they were really aware of until they presented. Up until that point, it was just a possibility. Granted, most male omegas knew they were going to present that way long before it happened. There were usually signs and behaviors that just marked them for what they were.

There was another niggling feeling of being watched and Wei Wuxian looked around again. They were in a public park and it was more or less quiet at that time of day. He couldn’t decide if he was being overcautious or if someone really was watching them. Jiang Cheng was in a vulnerable state though. Standing, Wei Wuxian gave a nod of his head to his brother, encouraging him to start walking again. They’d head back toward the restaurant for now, maybe he was imagining it.

“Does Wen Qing know if you’re recessive or dominant at all?”

“No clue…The goal has been to get off this fucking drug. Now I have to start taking suppressants along with it because she’s worried I’m transitioning too fast.” Jiang Cheng shrugged uncomfortably while they walked. “Does it hurt?”

“Does what hurt?”

“Going through your heat.” The nervous tenor to his voice was obvious. Wei Wuxian had been focusing on Jiang Cheng’s scent as well, trying to pick it up and get hints from it while they walked casually through the park.

Scratching at the base of his skull Wei Wuxian gave him that expression that said he wanted to lie, but wasn’t going to. “Well, it can. It can also feel pretty good. The sensitivity is off the charts, and you get really warm. There’s this…itch. When I was younger, I could deal with it pretty easily, it wasn’t really ever fully satisfied, but it wasn’t awful. As I got older, that itch got harder to soothe. You end up investing in toys to help ease your way through it.” He gave his brother the side eye to see how he was taking that revelation and added a fresh burst of his soothing scent - just in case.

“Fuck, like sex toys?!” Jiang Cheng’s face went red, especially since he had practically shouted. They were getting up to a busier part of the park and he ducked his head as an older woman glared at the pair of them for being so loud.

It was a good call to add the calming pheromones. With a nod, he pressed on. “Yeah, well the itch…it’s a sexual one and for omegas…we kinda are built to receive pleasure, if you know what I mean.” This was a bit of an embarrassing talk for him too. It wasn’t like he ever thought he’d have to explain sex between alphas and omegas to his brother.

“I don’t know if I can do this, A-Xian. I...I’m a guy, I’ve never thought about other guys like that.”

“Who says you gotta end up with a guy? There are female alphas too, y’know.” With a grin he bumped shoulders with his brother again as they walked slowly along the path. That sense of being followed wasn’t going away though. 

“You could ignore it all together and date a beta or another omega too, there’s nothing saying you have to hook up with a guy because of it.” He really did feel for his brother’s plight. This was all pretty new and scary if he thought about it from Jiang Cheng’s perspective.

Wei Wuxian’s hand had been resting on his abdomen while they talked and Jiang Cheng kept on stealing glances at his middle. “Did you want this? I know you said you wanted to keep it, but, did you want it? You had no choice right? You said you were in heat…”

“It wasn’t rape, A-Cheng.” The denial was immediate. 

He sighed and his grin was fond. “I’ve always wanted kids, I just never thought I could have my own. I kept on getting told it was almost impossible for me because I’m such a recessive omega. I wasn’t prepared, but I don’t regret it, not for a second. I’m so lucky it was Lan Zhan too. He saved me on that train from a bad situation.”

“What do you mean?”

Here it was. This was the talk every omega needed to have. “Going into heat…your hormones take over, the entire purpose is to breed, to get knocked up. It’s our biology basically screaming at alphas that we’re fertile and ready. Your pheromones go nuts.” Wei Wuxian licked his lips as he let that settle in. 

They were nearly to the park entrance by this point, but the urge to look back and see who was following them was getting stronger, not less. He let his fear seep into his bond with Lan Zhan. It was the fastest way to make his alpha come without freaking out Jiang Cheng next to him. After all, it could just be his imagination, and A-Cheng’s temper was too volatile, if he was wrong it’d just cause a messy scene and Wei Wuxian wanted to avoid that at all costs. 

Instead, he kept on talking about the incident that had turned his life upside down, hoping that his brother would understand what he was trying to say. “That train was full of all kinds, including a lot of alphas. They could smell my heat, I didn’t have a private car. I couldn’t lock myself away. If it wasn’t for Lan Zhan, I would have thrown myself off the damn train to avoid being gang raped.”

Jiang Cheng gave a startled hiccup that was somewhere between alarm and fury. “Fuck just punch them!”

That was such a Jiang Cheng response. “Y’know how I said most alphas don’t use their control because it makes them dicks?” When his brother nodded, Wei Wuxian smirked. “That shit goes out the window when it’s an omega in heat. They lose all kinds of common sense.”

“Doesn’t that mean the asshole lost his common sense too?”

“Nah, he was good. He took me to a private car, locked the door and kept me safe. He brought me water and didn’t make a single fucking move on me.” This part was something Wei Wuxian vividly remembered. 

Up until that point, it had been a painful sudden heat. He had been trapped in an unfamiliar place, with no nest, and none of his things to help him through it. There was no indication if it’d be a quick heat or a long one. Everything had been so awkward and he’d apologized a hundred times to his savior while simultaneously asking the man to touch him and hold him. 

It wasn’t until he realized that his heat had triggered Lan Zhan’s rut that he pushed the situation and convinced the man they could get through it faster together. If he hadn’t, Wei Wuxian was pretty sure Lan Zhan might have tied himself up or something to prevent himself from allowing instinct to take advantage of the situation. That’s when things started to get foggy in his memory. 

“If he didn’t make a move, how the fuck did you end up pregnant?” A-Cheng was mildly exasperated. Obviously he had a hard time believing anyone would beg for it. The man hadn’t experienced a heat yet to know how desperate you could get for a little comfort though.

“I begged him. When my heat triggered his rut, I convinced him we could help each other. I promised that I physically couldn’t get knocked up.” A dry laugh escaped Wei Wuxian. “Still don’t regret it. Neither does Lan Zhan. We both feel really lucky we found one another.”

“Was it really that bad?” Jiang Cheng asked worriedly.

“Well, I wasn’t prepared, I didn’t like the idea of riding it out with the solution sitting right in front of me.” He shrugged. “You worried about your first cycle?”

“I’m still coming to terms with the fact that I can smell you.”

Laughing, he relaxed a little. They were almost out of the park, yet he was watching the people passing by them on the path carefully. “Slick is a little alarming at first, but it’s like learning how to deal with morning wood. You go through a phase and then you get a better handle on it.”

“Fuck! A-Xian!” Jiang Cheng seemed to have reached his limit for their talk. He was creeped out and his face was beet red.

“Didn’t you say you got wet once already? Was it random or because of someone?”

“I am not thinking about anyone! I wasn’t thinking about anyone then either!” 

“You know I can smell when you’re lying right?” That in itself was a lie, but he figured Jiang Cheng might be gullible enough about scents for him to get away with it.

“Stop! Fuck I can’t deal with thinking about that right now!”

Wei Wuxian laughed and waited at the street for the lights to change so they could cross. “So it was! I’m betting it was Nie Mingjue? I could see why you’d freak out about it if that’s the case. The man looks intimidating.”

“I’m not afraid of the jackass! I just…didn’t expect that to happen! Fuck! I didn’t expect any of this.” Jiang Cheng huffed in annoyance, still quite flustered over being called out.

“Does he know you got wet thinking about him?”

“He knows it happened…he doesn’t know I was thinking about him. You aren’t going to tell him either, A-Xian!”

“I would never! You don’t even know if you want to have a relationship with him, you’re so fucking prickly, dude. First thing you have got to learn is how to control your scent and how to recognize alphas from omegas by their pheromones. We aren’t helpless, but we aren’t gods either.”

“I should never have accused you of whoring yourself out like I did.” Jiang Cheng was mumbling but he also was extremely sincere. It was another apology via admission. If he kept this up, Wei Wuxian might just start to worry that some crazy spirit had possessed his brother and this was all a hoax. 

“It’s in the past. Just, try not to freak me out in the future, okay? The doc says I need watch my stress levels.” The light changed and they started walking across the street. Wei Wuxian risked a casual glance back. He thought he recognized a guy from earlier - the one who’d crowded him on the path. Alarm slid through his veins and he looked ahead pulling his phone out while his brother spoke up beside him.

“Fuck! Is this stuff hard on you?” Jiang Cheng seemed oblivious to the feeling of being watched.

“No! No, this is fine. It’s good.” He liked having his brother back as someone he could confide in. “I just mean, I have to think about Radish too and not overdo things. I’m past the riskiest stage I guess, but they’re still watching me like a hawk. I’m doing checkups pretty much weekly. Lan Zhan called me fat today. Well not fat fat, but he said my pants looked tight!”

“He’s right.”

“Jiang Cheng! Not you too! Am I really getting fat?!” Wei Wuxian exclaimed looking at his brother like the man had mortally wounded him. It also let him give a quick peek behind them. The strange asshole was still there. It could be a coincidence, right?

“Wei Wuxian, you’re fucking pregnant, what’d you expect?” Jiang Cheng also glanced back this time, maybe finally picking up that something was off. “You ok?”

“Hmm?” Wei Wuxian’s phone started to ring. It was Lan Zhan. “Hold on.” They were across the street and meandering back toward the restaurant. Wei Wuxian picked up their pace just a little to see if the stranger behind them would match it.

“Wei Ying? What is wrong?” Lan Zhan’s voice was concerned. 

“I think someone’s following us?” He spoke quietly into the phone but Jiang Cheng heard it. 

“What the fuck!?” Wei Wuxian just grabbed his brother’s arm and tried to make it look like he was using the man for support.

“Keep walking, A-Cheng. Laugh like I said something funny.” There was an incredulous snort but Jiang Cheng did his best impression of a laugh - it sounded forced. 

“Where are you?” Lan Zhan’s voice was calm through the phone and it grounded Wei Wuxian.

“I could be totally losing my mind, Lan Zhan.” He frowned worriedly though because the stranger had matched their speed. “We’re passing the restaurant, can you unlock the car? We’re almost to it.”

“Hold on.” There was a muffled sound as Lan Zhan switched to an app on his phone and sent the signal to the car to unlock it. “Get inside and lock the doors immediately. I will be there in five minutes.”

“See you soon, love you.” Wei Wuxian’s heart was beating a little too quickly for his liking and he grit his teeth. He needed to be level and calm for Jiang Cheng too. “We’re gonna dip inside Lan Zhan’s car and lock the doors. The car’s tail lights flickered ahead of them, they were a half dozen steps away.

“Let me just go confront him, A-Xian.” Jiang Cheng growled but Wei Wuxian had a death grip on his arm. 

“No, not safe. Just trust me A-Cheng.” There was no way in hell he was going to let his brother confront some possible weirdo while he was in such a vulnerable state. He didn’t have a scent blocker on anymore, if anyone picked up his pheromones and did something about it, Wei Wuxian wouldn’t be able to forgive himself. 

The second Wei Wuxian slid into the car and Jiang Cheng followed, he felt better. He locked the doors immediately and waited with a held breath staring out the side mirror to see if he could glimpse the stranger.

“Do you know that guy?” Wei Wuxian asked while reminding himself to stay calm over and over in his head. 

Jiang Cheng was in the back seat and he had the advantage of tinted windows hiding his blatant staring as the dark clad figure walked past them. He’d slowed down for a few steps before continuing onward. The man’s features were indistinct and the only really noticeable thing about him was his height. He was tall and had a subtle athletic build. The eyes, however, were a predator’s eyes. They slid over the car’s tinted windows even as the man kept on walking past it. Who the hell was that? 

“No, that’s who was following us?” There was classic A-Cheng anger boiling in his words. 

“I don’t know if he was, but he passed us in the park when we first got there and then followed us out…” Wei Wuxian was trying to keep his breathing steady. He was the calm one in this scenario. He had to keep Radish and his brother safe right now. “Lan Zhan will be here soon…let’s keep talking until he gets here? Please. I need a distraction.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

When his new husband warned Nie Huaisang that there would be a busy couple of days, his naive little mind thought it would be a honeymoon period. He had expected to spend the next few days doing a lot of the same stuff they’d done on their wedding night. What he hadn’t expected was to suddenly get an education on how to be Wen Xu’s husband.

It was nearly a week of whirlwind information. He had to sit with the elders more than once to hear about the Wen family history and understand traditions that Huaisang thought had died out long long ago. There was also meeting A-Xu’s trusted men in the days following the wedding. 

Gao Junlai was a mix between an aid and a bodyguard of some sort. He was A-Xu’s right hand man and if Huaisang couldn’t find his husband, this was the person to get a hold of.  Lu Yutao was supposedly a gift of sorts for Nie Huaisang. He was also one of Wen Xu’s trusted men, and he was now the bodyguard for the spouse of the heir to the Wen empire.

That’s right, Nie Huaisang had a goddamn bodyguard! 

Lu Yutao didn’t talk much at all, but he listened and was ever present as Huaisang went exploring. If he wasn’t with A-Xu, his new shadow was right there. It had taken all of one attempt at small talk for Huaisang to realize the man wasn’t going to give him anything more than yes and no responses. It was just so weird! 

Never in all this chaos had he considered there’d be enough money and status for a personal bodyguard. Huaisang was just a damn beta! The only real thing of note was that he was next in line for his own family fortunes if his da-ge refused to have children or died suddenly. God, his da-ge was going to fucking kill A-Xu. Maybe the bodyguards had a real purpose after all.

By the end of his first week as a married man, Nie Huaisang had been educated in family tradition, history and how to behave as the spouse of the Wen heir. Every night, Wen Xu would praise him for doing well by lavishing him with kisses. Eventually Huaisang would beg for more, and his husband delivered every single time. The thought of trying to avoid Wen Xu quickly morphed into wanting to be around the man, especially here where even the shadows seemed dangerous.

All these expectations were overwhelming though. Huaisang had worried that he wouldn’t be able to live up to the standards of the Wen clan. A-Xu chuckled, assuring him that he didn’t have to change at all. It was just the elders being advocates for tradition. It was also prep work for meeting Wen Ruohan. His father-in-law was arriving that evening to confront his son and meet the spouse.

“A-Sang, relax. I promised you that I wouldn’t let him hurt you, trust in me at least?” Wen Xu’s voice was coaxing and there was a bit of a grin on his face. 

“It’s Wen Ruohan!” Huaisang exclaimed with nervous little whimpers as he lowered his voice. “He’s fucked over royalty! I’m nobody, how hard is it gonna be to get rid of me?” 

They were in the large bedroom again and Huaisang had fumbled with the frog buttons of his new tang jacket. It was in the Wen style with its reds and sun emblems, however, there was also a delicately embroidered beast’s head over his heart. It was the clan symbol of the Nie family. The thread was a dark gray and it was impeccably crafted. The symbol left a pang in his heart as he realized A-Xu was making sure he wasn’t lost in the sea of Wen tradition. 

The pants were billowy and comfortable matching the red of the jacket in a simple dark grey that was nearly black in the right lighting. Huaisang’s ring finger was now adorned with a gold band as well. Wen Xu moved over to help him with the endless buttons, and Huaisang looked up at the man with his helpless anxiety. 

“You are not a nobody. You are my husband, A-Sang. That bastard won’t touch you, I swore I’d keep you safe and I mean it.” With a little kiss to distract him, Wen Xu smiled. “I got you a gift.”

In this entire situation so far, Huaisang was the recipient of many gifts, yet he hadn’t given much in return. That would change once they weren’t trapped out here in the wilderness. “What is it?”

“Close your eyes, Newbie.” The nickname had become a lot more affectionate since their first meeting.

Doing as he was told, darkness enfolded Nie Huaisang. There was a rustling sound and then a scent teasing his nose. It was a mix of pine, sage and bergamot melding with a sweet moss flavor to it. The aroma reminded Huaisang of the forest surrounding them while they stayed on the Wen ancestral lands. All it was missing was the fresh aroma of bamboo. The feeling of soft leather slid against his cheek and he couldn’t hold back the little quivering breath.

Warm fingers curled around his palm, pulling his hand up and he felt the leather wrapping around his wrist. Was it a watch? Did A-Xu think he was bad at being on time? After a minute or so, the gift was secured to his wrist and a light kiss teased his lips “Open your eyes, A-Sang.”

Why was this man such a good kisser? All he wanted to do was wrap his arms around his husband and spend the night indulging in intimate kisses. Huaisang looked down at his wrist to see what had been put there and his eyes landed upon a finely crafted leather braided bracelet. In its center, held in place by the woven leather, was an ornate looking ornament. It was brushed silver and it had a delicate filigree cage around a pock-marked pumice stone. The scent was coming from that.

“I know you can’t smell my pheromones, but this is a pretty good copy of what I smell like. I wanted you to have it so you could think of me whenever you want.” Wen Xu’s voice was gentle. “If you’re ever afraid or nervous, just know that this is surrounding you and keeping you safe.”

He was not going to cry! What the fuck was this?! How could the scariest freaking alpha in existence be this sappy? Nie Huaisang lifted his wrist to his nose and inhaled slowly to take in the aroma in the bracelet. It was a tranquil forest on his wrist, and it was so soothing. 

“This is you?” he asked with wonder in his voice, he was not getting emotional. No.

“Mhm, The scents are perfume, but it’s my blend and I added my pheromones to it. You’ll have to come to me to get it refreshed when it starts to fade though.” He grinned mischievously. “This way I know you’ll always come back for more.”

Something warm trickled down his cheek and Wen Xu beat him to it, kissing the tear away. For a beta, this was really precious. Pheromones and scents were an exclusive little club that they were just never a part of. To be given this glimmer, this part of his husband, it was special. “I love it.”

“This whole marriage wasn’t a choice you would have made if I hadn’t forced it on you, A-Sang. I want to prove that it’s not as bad as you think.” The alpha’s thumb swept over his face to dry the rest of the evidence of his tears away. “We’ve done pretty good so far. Once we’ve dealt with the old bastard, we’ll tackle your brother. If I’m still alive after he meets me, will you promise to give us a real try?” 

Honestly, since meeting Wen Xu, the most awful thing that had happened to him was that his heart nearly burst out of his chest from the man’s tendency to give him jump scares. He was just so freaking quiet when he moved! The rest of it though, it was pretty good. Sure, they didn’t know much about one another aside from the obvious points. They did get married under tense circumstances, but Huaisang was well aware he could have run at any time. He even chose to get intimate after Wen Xu gave him so many chances to back out of it. 

For better or worse, they were tied together now. They’d done all the things, perhaps not in the right order, but now they had time to learn the rest, right? He nodded with a little tremulous smile looking up at his husband. Huaisang wrapped his arms around the taller man’s shoulders and pulled him down for a kiss. “I won’t let da-ge kill you just yet. I want to give us a try, A-Xu.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Lan Xichen gave Yanli a warm reassuring smile as he sat waiting with her on the front porch of the Yashi. He was doing his best to put thoughts of the unfortunate death of Su Minshan out of his mind so he could enjoy his time with the sweet omega. She was nervous - Jin Zixuan had arrived and was heading up to meet them. It had taken the better part of the week to arrange a meeting, but now that it was happening, Xichen wished he could take it all back. 

Yanli looked lovely in her simple lavender dress with a small sweater draped over her shoulders. She had carefully arranged her hair into a simple bun and pinned it in place with traditional hair pins that were adorned with little lotus stones dangling on a string. Her face was modestly highlighted with subtle makeup and she had a grace and poise that made her absolutely spectacular. 

“I’m sure he will be glad to see you, Yanli.” A little reassurance was necessary to make her smile and relax.

“I hope so. Everything has been such a mess. I worried that my mother would use him to contact me. Do you think she’s given up?”

Though it was a real possibility, Xichen doubted very much that Yu Ziyuan would just let her only daughter go quite so easily. As a safeguard, the Lan Estates had gotten an update to their security system upon the arrival of the Jiang siblings. After news of the suicide had hit them, Xichen wanted to move Yanli back to the Hanshi so he could keep better watch over her. He also did not want to alarm her with the disturbing news. They couldn’t be sure if Su Minshan’s death was more than it seemed or not. Every unfortunate circumstance could not be placed at the feet of the Jiang couple, after all.

The more Xichen worried over it, the less sure he became about what exactly had happened to Su Minshan. Regardless of all these worries, he continued to be a spot of joy in Yanli’s presence. She did not deserve the stress or worry that his musings would bring. It was bad enough that she had left her parents to avoid abuse. To consider them as potential murderers on top of that would be too much.

So Xichen kept the mood light around her whenever they visited. They would often go for their walks together and share amusing anecdotes with one another. Yanli confided in her worries about Jiang Cheng’s absence and his refusal to talk about it. It was unlike the cantankerous brother to be so complacent. Could it be that he’d taken the news of the medication poorly?

Xichen was in a difficult position between the siblings. He was holding secrets from Yanli as he had no right to divulge them. That was up to Jiang Cheng entirely and he hadn’t heard from the man since that night in the park. On the flip side, he hadn’t told Jiang Cheng about Yanli’s progress or the fact that she was meeting her fiancé for a tete-a-tete. He felt like he was hiding so much. 

Wanting to reassure himself that Jiang Cheng hadn’t taken extreme measures, Xichen had asked around. Surprisingly, it was Nie Mingjue who confirmed that nothing terrible had happened to the man and explained that he’d helped him move out into his own space away from Lotus Pier. As far as Xichen was concerned, it was a step in the right direction, provided the beta didn’t insist on taking Yanli there with him. She was safe right where she was.

A car interrupted his thoughts as Jin Zixuan arrived. The Jin heir had a tendency to be a bit ostentatious like his father, yet not nearly as bad. The car was flashy and it growled as he parked and killed the engine. Xichen could hear the little steadying exhale Yanli let out as the door opened and the young heir emerged.

He was dressed impeccably in a dark suit with a pale golden shirt that was casually unbuttoned at the collar. The man was trying to cling to youth still as he sported semi-long hair that was artfully styled to look purposefully messy, and emulated the fashion of several pop stars. For all the effort, however, Lan Xichen couldn’t help but see him as a boy. Jin Zixuan’s face still had the rounded flush of a young man to it and his eyes were innocent. While he was only a couple years younger than Xichen, it felt like an insurmountable difference. Was this Yanli’s preferred type? 

By contrast, Lan Xichen’s hair was kept neatly trimmed and, while still longer than some, he styled it in a swept back fashion so it didn’t hang in front of his eyes. His face was more angular with a sharp cut jaw and defined high cheekbones. Many women told him that he had a classic beauty, to which he always smiled and accepted the compliment as gracefully as he could. His attire was a bit more casual today as well. Comfortable pale cream slacks with a light blue knit sweater hugged his frame. His silver pendant hung out in the open today, over the sweater. It was as much to remind others as it was himself that he was indeed a Lan.

A Lan with values, principles, absolute control, and restraint. He would not allow baser instinct or selfish urges to sabotage this meeting. As much as Xichen wanted his chance with Jiang Yanli, he was no fool either. A relationship could not grow if the feelings were not reciprocated. So far, he believed that the lovely woman enjoyed his company, but was it out of polite courtesy or was it something more? He also had to constantly remind himself that she was engaged. 

Jin Zixuan took note of them as they stood to welcome him and he strode over. The gait was slightly awkward and when he was closer. He was carrying a small basket of fruit and bowed formally before offering it over with both hands to Yanli. Xichen spotted the mixed fruits and a few chocolates.

The boy has some sense at least.

Xichen smiled warmly to their guest and Yanli made a fuss over the offered gift, eventually accepting it. Once everyone was settled outside and sitting around the table in the pavilion, Lan Xichen took it upon himself to act as host and started pouring the tea.

“I am sure you’re curious as to why I asked for us to meet.” The sweet melodious tone of Yanli’s voice held an edge of nervousness to it.

Xichen didn’t speak, he calmly continued to pour the tea while mentally counselling himself to not release calming pheromones. Jin Zixuan was also an alpha and it would cause tension. Doing something like that was akin to staking his claim over the woman and he had no right to do so, not yet.

“Yes, I had heard that you’d moved away from home. I didn’t expect you would be here…” Jin Zixuan looked over at Lan Xichen, almost accusingly.

Xichen took it in stride, reminding himself that the boy merely felt threatened and didn’t know anything. He couldn’t blame him for being ignorant or rude because of it. An amiable smile graced his features as he inclined his head. “Miss Jiang has been staying close to help Wei Wuxian after hearing news of his pregnancy and impending marriage to Wangji.”

Challenge me, please. 

Xichen wanted to wipe the dubious expression off the younger man’s face with his fist. 

“Yes, A-Xian’s pregnancy has been a major focus. It was touch-and-go for a little while there.” The thankful smile on Yanli’s face soothed any ruffled feathers.

It also mollified the defensive feelings Xichen had been brewing at the single simple statement of the peacock. He now understood why A-Xian had given Jin Zixuan such a nickname. There was a lot of posturing, even in small comments and statements. It was as if the man had learned all the wrong things from his father’s behavior.

“I see. I would have assumed Lan Wangji would attend to such things, though I suppose a woman’s touch may be needed.” The arrogance of the remark almost made Xichen forget he was going to stay above this nonsense and be the prime example of a Lan.

Jiang Yanli just gave a soft little musical laugh and shook her head. “A-Xian and Lan Wangji are doing quite well, I fear my presence is more of a hindrance than help at this point.’

“Will you be returning home soon then?” Jin Zixuan asked with genuine curiosity. 

The silence that followed his question said more than it probably should have. Jiang Yanli was a master at controlling her scent, she managed to keep it contained and not give a hint to her emotions through such an easy marker. Her posture was proper and her smile only marginally faltered for a moment. It occurred to Xichen that she didn’t know how to answer. 

“Miss Jiang is welcome to stay as long as is necessary. I know Wangji and A-Xian appreciate her presence and she’s done more than she lets on.” He inclined his head to the woman respectfully. 

There was an awkward lull in the conversation. Xichen suddenly realized that Jin Zixuan was not good at talking to people at all. He looked…uncomfortable. It made him feel sorry for the man, though he could understand being at a loss for words around Yanli. The woman was enchanting and it pulled at his focus more than Lan Xichen wanted to admit. 

“I…ah…I’ve heard rumors that Jiang Cheng recently moved?” Jin Zixuan was grasping at straws. It was a poor subject choice though and only highlighted that the man had looked into Yanli’s situation.

While it showed he had been interested or concerned, Xichen was convinced that bringing up the brother was likely not the greatest subject matter. Yet to his astonishment, Yanli seemed to brighten and she smiled. There was a shyness to that expression.

“Oh! He hasn’t mentioned it to me yet. He’s been terribly busy lately. I worry our parents are working him too hard.” The woman dove right into the topic wholeheartedly. 

“Yes, parents do that. My father is the worst for it.” There was another awkward pause and they both fiddled with their cups.

“I just realized,” Lan Xichen started, struggling to interject himself in the conversation. “We are all the eldest children of our families.” If she wanted to talk family, well, he could do that.

Jin Zixuan snorted and shook his head. “You’ve already inherited, you’re different.”

“How so?” Xichen was smiling with curiosity, inwardly he was seething that he’d been dismissed so readily. Did Yanli share the same sentiment?

“Jin Zixuan! You shouldn’t be so cold hearted, Xichen has inherited because his father passed. He isn’t that much older than you.” The scolding was soothing to the ego and a kick to the gut all at the same time.

For the young alpha’s part, he seemed a little contrite at being rebuked and cleared his throat, straightening up in his seat. “I only meant, you’ve already risen to the challenge and have the means to delegate. We’re still struggling to prove our worth, don’t you agree?”

Smooth recovery.

“There are some differences, yes. I didn’t inherit alone. My brother and I equally share ownership of the business and it helps ease the workload. Very few things need to be delegated because of that.” Xichen was proud of his accomplishments and what he and Wangji had achieved. Their shufu supported them as well, he would not let some immature posturing Jin demean that hard work.

“I think it’s very different for me. A-Cheng stands to inherit so I don’t face the same pressures.” Yanli gave a little shrug. Talking business was not going to keep her engaged.

“Family is by far more important. We wouldn’t work so hard if it wasn’t to provide a good home for our loved ones.” He felt he’d gotten the upper hand with this statement. It was easy to forget the purpose of today’s meeting. Lan Xichen realized with a sense of mild horror that he was competing with the damn Jin boy.

“Of course. Family first and always.” Jin Zixuan agreed. 

“Mn.” Lan Xichen took a sip of his tea and watched the man squirm. He couldn’t help himself.

It wasn’t until he felt a little tap of a foot against his shin that he realized that Yanli was getting frustrated. Had she just kicked him in warning? Was this a silent rebuke for him to behave? He glanced at the woman and saw the pinched strain at the corners of her lips. They were still pulled in a little smile, but it was forced.

“It seems we’ve gotten off track a bit.” Xichen began to mentally recite the family precepts to keep himself from rising to the bait again. “Yanli was hoping to meet with you since there haven’t been many opportunities since your engagement announcement.”

Warmth colored her cheeks a lovely shade of rose and she took a sip of her tea to hide her face a bit. Jin Zixuan swallowed and looked nervous all the sudden but he sat up straighter, putting his attention on the beautiful woman.

“That’s my fault I fear. I apologize for being absent. To be quite honest, I wanted to reach out, but after the gala, there were concerns.” He looked embarrassed.

“Oh I couldn’t go, I wasn’t feeling well.” Yanli quickly replied. “I truly wanted to, the event was for such a good cause.”

Lan Xichen held his tongue. It was difficult, but this was a meeting between the engaged couple. He was the third wheel and his purpose was to be a chaperone at best. This urge to compete, he had to quash it. 

“Oh! I didn’t mean…I am glad you’re better now.” Jin Zixuan actually smiled at Yanli. “I mean, my father was concerned because of the…incident with uhh…Madam Yu and Lan Wangji.”

“Incident?” Yanli was completely confused and she looked over at Xichen for an explanation.

Crap. He hadn’t thought to mention anything because it had been about A-Xian. He was trying to remember if Jin Zixuan had been privy to the exchange or not. Clearing his throat he considered his answer carefully.

“A-Xian attended the gala with Wangji. Your mother did not seem pleased and Wangji introduced himself as A-Xian’s mate. I believe she was surprised.” 

Jin Zixuan looked at him with that expression that said he knew Xichen was really glossing over the entire incident. “He accused Madam Yu of running your brother off.” 

“Oh! Oh dear.” Yanli frowned and leaned forward a bit. “I’m sorry you saw that, Jin Zixuan. You have to understand, A-Xian shocked us all with news of his pregnancy, we didn’t know he was seeing Lan Wangji.” She was trying to save face without knowing all the facts.

“Yes, well, my father was concerned.” There was a subtext that Xichen thought he understood to the younger alpha and his statement. The Jins were concerned that all the Jiang children might have been promiscuous. 

He dearly wanted to defend her honor, however it might make the situation worse. A frown marred his usual pleasant expressions and he just stared hard at Jin Zixuan. Yanli gave a little nervous laugh and shook her head. 

“The concern is unwarranted. My mother is just very protective of her children and their wellbeing. She was likely testing Lan Wangji’s resolve.” It was a gross overstatement, but for those not in the know, it was also quite believable.

“I see. I suppose that makes sense. They’re engaged?” Jin Zixuan seemed satisfied at least.

“Yes, they’ve been sorting out details for a small ceremony. They want to be married before the baby arrives.” 

The two spoke about the engagement of Xichen’s brother more than they did their own. In fact, the entire visit danced around the subject of their status but never entered into those murky waters. By the time Jin Zixuan was getting ready to leave, Lan Xichen had become quite inwardly frustrated. Were they still engaged? Were they calling it quits? He didn’t know.

“I enjoyed this, Jiang Yanli.” 

“Oh please, just Yanli. We’re engaged after all.” She smiled at him, walking alongside Jin Zixuan to his car and Lan Xichen had trailed behind at a respectable distance. He could hear everything.

“Right. Engaged. Well…maybe we can visit again soon?” There was hope in his voice. Did he genuinely enjoy that awkward tea conversation? Did Yanli?

“I would like that as well. I’m going to be here for the time being, you…you have my number right?”

Jin Zixuan nodded and they both grinned like little teenagers after an awkward first date. It was killing Lan Xichen. Surely Yanli was just being polite. She seemed far more at ease and happy on their daily walks than she had during that entire visit with the peacock. They both watched as the car pulled out of the drive and departed to head down the hills and out of the Lan Estates. Once the vehicle disappeared, Jiang Yanli’s shoulders slumped a bit and she sighed.

“Thank you, Xichen.” She turned to smile at him. “I hope he doesn’t find out I’m lying about why I’m here.” 

Lan Xichen frowned for a second. “Yanli, no one here will ever say anything about your personal affairs. That is your story to tell. If you choose to keep it private, that is your business.”

“Yes, but I mean, we’re engaged! How awful is it to start a relationship with lies?” She huffed and hugged her arms to herself. “I just worry he will think less of me.”

God he wanted her. He couldn’t take what wasn’t his though. He’d even told A-Xian as much that first day. He wasn’t in the habit of destroying relationships for his own gain. He couldn’t do more than try to prove he was the better choice. It had this terrifying chance to put him firmly in that deplorable position of being a good friend and nothing more though.

“I know your secret and I think you are courageous and beautiful and strong. I think more of you, not less. I am sure he would too, once you trust him enough to talk about it.” He was sabotaging himself this way, he could feel it.

Yanli smiled and she stepped close, rising up on the tips of her toes to press a light little kiss to his cheek. Lan Xichen was stunned into silence. She also seemed surprised by her own actions and her cheeks were dark red with her embarrassment. 

“I..I should go get cleaned up. Th-thank you for helping with...everything.” Before he could speak, the woman had dipped past him and retreated to the Yashi. The door closed before Xichen even knew what to say. 

She’d kissed his cheek. Whatever it meant, he didn’t really care at that moment. Xichen swore he could still feel her lips upon his skin, it tingled. The contact had been less than a second, but he remembered every detail. The feel of warm lips, the heat of her small body, the fragrance of her scent. 

No matter what it meant, he walked away from the Yashi with a smile on his face and a little blush warming his skin. She’d kissed him.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Wen Qing was in a pretty decent mood as she and her brother pulled up to the older part of town. The buildings here were sturdy and crammed close to one another. Narrow alleyways and streets wound through them like a little maze. They couldn’t really drive through there easily and park so she and A-Ning opted to park on one of the wider streets a few blocks away and walk in. 

Over the past few weeks, A-Ning had been coming on his own to this part of town to visit Granny Wen without her. She’d been so caught up in work and then the fiasco with the Jiang siblings that she hadn’t been able to make it. At least things seemed to be calming down on that front. As much as Wen Qing hated to rely on one of the Nie to help with Jiang Cheng, it seemed like the big alpha was one of the only people that could get through to him. Over the past couple weeks, she’d come to respect the man and his steady approach to Jiang Cheng. 

Wanyin, not Cheng. Then again, maybe I have the right to call him A-Cheng, I’ve known him for years. 

The little mental tirade over a damn name irritated her. Nie Mingjue was good at getting under her skin and being irritating. That smug attitude and the insistence of respecting the most hostile man on the planet really annoyed her. She tried to shove thoughts of the Jiangs and Nie from her head as she walked down the twisting streets with her brother.

“How was Granny the last time you were here?” She asked curiously while children squealed and laughed chasing one another down the street past them.

“Happy, she liked the cane we got her. Sh-She said someone is moving into the old place A-Xian grew up in.” No matter how relaxed A-Ning was, he would still stutter on occasion.

“Really? I thought it was condemned.” They’d always known A-Xian had grown up near their Granny’s home. 

When they were very young, Granny Wen used to say that A-Xian would steal away from his parents to come play when they visited. After his parents died in the crash, he stayed with Granny for a few years. That had been a difficult time for all of them. Granny had implored her grandchildren to never mention A-Xian to anyone, she made a game out of it and for a few years, it worked. Then one day, the secret slipped and A-Xian left Granny’s home to live with the Jiangs. 

Wen Qing wondered if things would be different if A-Xian had stayed with Granny instead of leaving. It was all water under the bridge though. He and A-Ning had gotten along particularly well and the three of them had always enjoyed grand adventures. When A-Qing really thought about their childhood, however, she couldn’t once recall a time when Wei Wuxian left the old house. 

It was an old sturdy place that had a walled courtyard. The building’s main level housed the kitchen and living room area and you had to go back outside into the courtyard to get to the bathroom or up the stairs to the bedrooms. Granny Wen had always struggled with those stairs, so A-Qing and A-Ning had installed a lift on a railing to help her get up and down it without having to worry that she’d fall when they weren’t there.

She had once tried to convince Granny to let them build an addition on the main level for a room, but it would have taken out most of the garden in the courtyard and Granny had refused. She was old, but her mind was all there and she was a kind and gentle soul. Most of the neighborhood knew her and they all looked out for Granny Wen.

“I guess n-not. Granny says it’s a…a young man. Xue...Xue something.” Wen Ning frowned trying to remember but eventually gave up and shrugged. “He’s…a police officer.”

They were only interested because the old Wei house practically butted up to their Granny’s home. Anyone who lived there was a direct neighbor. It was good to hear he had a respectable job, hopefully he was the decent sort and not a hothead. When they got to Granny Wen’s, A-Qing unlocked it with her key and they entered like it was their home.

“Granny? We’re here!” There was noise from the kitchen and Wen Qing smiled as she moved to open the door and head inside. A-Ning was right behind her.

What greeted them when they entered the house was a surprise. Granny was there and all smiles, like normal, but there was a stranger as well. He was young, younger than A-Ning by the look of him. He had long dark hair pulled into a high ponytail. He was tall and slender with pale skin and sharp angular features to his face. His eyes were slanted and seemed somewhat unique and their color was so dark they looked black. He had a playful grin and he was half twisted around to look at the entry from his seated position at the old kitchen table.

“Oh! Granny you didn’t mention you had visitors.” Wen Qing was suspicious but she was used to schooling her reactions. It was a bit of a requirement when your last name was Wen.

“A-Qing! A-Ning! This is Mr. Xue. He is my new neighbor.” Granny Wen was all smiles and she waddled over with the aid of a polished wooden cane. She was small and had a stooping figure with a full head of sparse white hair that she kept in a neat little bun. Her skin was weathered with age and her eyes were warm and full of smiles whenever she saw her family. There were laugh lines around her lips from the constant smiles she had throughout the years.

Wen Ning was staring at Mr. Xue carefully, and he bobbed his head up and down by way of greeting while waiting his turn for a hug from Granny. Wen Qing, on the other hand, took an appraising look at the man from head to toe. He seemed to take care of himself and he didn’t look like he was on any weird drugs or anything - there were no jitters and no crazed looks. It made her feel less alarmed to find him there in Granny’s home alone with her at least.

“It’s nice to meet you, I am Wen Qing, this is my brother Wen Qionglin.” She gave a small little formal bow to the man who stood up. 

He moved with a casual ease and grace returning the formalities and grinned. “Xue Yang. I just moved into the neighborhood a couple weeks ago. I figured it was time to make my introductions.”

There was something disturbingly sharp about the man’s gaze. It made Wen Qing feel grossly protective of her Granny. Wen Ning was also stiffening up next to her a little, but it was hard to tell if it was a reaction to something he could smell or if it was something else.

Granny Wen was a beta, like A-Qing. She wouldn’t know if there were dangerous pheromones floating around until it was too late. A-Ning, however, could tell and if he was alarmed, well he’d show it pretty quick. Her brother was not really good at masking his reactions all the time and tended to stay timidly in the background. 

“Come! Come sit! I have food.” Granny happily pulled at Wen Qing’s hand and ushered the pair into the room as she shuffled back to the kitchen to get more bowls. 

“Granny, I can do that, sit and rest.” Xue Yang offered immediately before either Wen sibling could. He moved easily into the small kitchen to take the bowls and utensils from Granny and smiled at her before making his way back to the table. 

What could they do except sit down? It was a little awkward at first, but they managed to start talking and she found the man was easy going and charming. Wen Ning was still nervous, yet that was just Wen Ning. He was always nervous around strangers. Sometimes, it was easy to forget he was an alpha.

After they’d eaten their fill, Wen Qing noticed the photo album on the counter. “Granny, were you organizing?”

“No, I was showing off my lovely grandchildren.” She beamed happily. “Oh we found a picture of A-Xian and the two of you covered in dirt! You were building a fort in my garden, do you remember? All the radishes had been uprooted and one was on the top of A-Xian’s head.”

Slight alarm rushed through Wen Qing. Granny Wen always kept A-Xian’s time here a closely guarded secret. How had this man disarmed her so easily into talking about him? With a little nod she grinned. “I remember, we had to put it all back and A-Xian was thrilled that the radishes kept growing even after they’d been uprooted like that.”

Xue Yang grinned. “Such a lovely little family. Is your other brother out of town? He looked quite adorable in that photo with the radish on his head.”

Alarm bells were going off in Wen Qing’s head. Her Granny seemed so happy and there was no way she could deny knowing Wei Wuxian. She just couldn’t understand how the topic had even come about. The photo albums rarely ever came out of storage except during holidays. 

“A-Xian is not a brother, he is just a friend we grew up with.” Wen Qing managed to keep her tone casual and smiled. 

“A-Qing! You know we think of him as family.” Granny Wen scolded softly.

“Granny! A-Qing knows that! Sh…she was just telling the t…truth.” Wen Ning was instantly defending. Something was bugging him but A-Qing couldn’t ask.

Xue Yang’s phone buzzed and he glanced at it then sighed. “I am afraid work is calling. Granny, it was wonderful to meet you and your lovely family.” His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I need to get going though. Maybe I can come help you with some yard work this weekend.”

They murmured their farewells and Wen Qing followed the man out to the door, telling her Granny she could just rest. Wen Ning stayed inside, behaving oddly defensive for the moment. At the door to the street, Wen Qing gave a forced smile to the man and he turned, putting a hand on the door before she could shut it. 

“Oh, next time you come, you should bring A-Xian with you. I’d love to meet him.” The grin made her shiver. “I like to know who comes and goes from my neighborhood, call it a side effect of doing the kind of work I do. Will you bring him?”

“I’ll see what I can do, he lives with his fiancé now so we don’t see him much.” There was no way in hell she was going to introduce Wei Wuxian to this man without having an army behind her. Something about him gave her the creeps.

“Still, if you could, I would like it. Your Granny seems quite fond of him. I’m sure I’ll hear more about him next time I’m here.” With a wave, he started to whistle as he walked down the narrow street.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

It hadn’t occurred to Lan Wangji that he would be part of an intimidation force today. Not that he minded really, he just wished he could have stayed with Wei Ying. This opportunity was a good chance for reconciliation between Jiang Cheng and Wei Ying, however, and Nie Mingjue had convinced him it was desperately needed. The man wouldn’t give a lot of detail, he seemed to be playing his intentions very close to the vest when it came to Jiang Cheng. Wangji had intended to inquire about it but they’d reached their destination too quickly.

It was a grand hotel that was locally known as a tourist trap. The cost to stay was ridiculously high and it catered to the ‘authenticity’ of an inherently Chinese experience. The glitz and glamor of the place attracted foreigners like moths to a flame. It had that old world flare with traditional statues, tapestries, screens and furnishings. Even the staff were all dressed in classical formal attire, all in a red and gold pattern to look as ostentatious as possible. Wangji was positive he’d never once set foot in the establishment until now. 

The lobby’s vaulted ceilings were hidden with hanging banners and a golden Chinese dragon statue that wound between them. It was massive and the many lights that hung around it acted like little starbursts giving the whole image of a creature in flight at night. All of this really didn’t impress him that much, his focus was forward facing as they came upon Nie Huaisang and a tall man that was recognizable to both Nie Mingjue and Lan Wangji immediately. 

He was surprised. Consequently, he felt shock and surprise from Wei Ying around the same time through their shared bond. It concerned him, but there was no fear so perhaps it was a minor revelation from his brother. If it persisted, he would call him. For now, Wangji trusted that his mate knew how to handle whatever situation he was in. As for his own shock, it was due in no small part to the fact that the man standing next to Nie Huaisang was none other than Wen Xu.

Somehow, it seemed Nie Huaisang’s mystery husband was the heir to the richest family in the region outside of the nobility. Lan Wangji was both suspicious and impressed all at the same time. While he wasn’t one to pay close attention to society and the snobbery of who had the greater status, it was hard to deny the power the Wen clan had amassed over the years.

Lan Wangji didn’t have any issue with Wen Xu, and by all accounts, the elder Wen rarely bothered with meddling in the affairs of others. He and Xichen had discussed the future of CRI often with the knowledge that Wen Xu would one day inherit Qishan Industries. As a competitor in various areas, they’d always kept a keen eye on the large business and its family. They’d both deemed Wen Xu to be an agreeable business partner for the future.

“You’re fucking kidding me.” Nie Mingjue was clearly not impressed. As they got closer, Wangji could feel the fury radiating off the larger alpha next to him. This would prove to be an interesting distraction.

“Da-ge! You m-made it!” Nie Huaisang’s voice was high-pitched and he nervously stood closer to Wen Xu. Lan Wangji quietly inclined his head in greeting the couple.

“A-Sang! Explain yourself.” Nie Mingjue’s fists clenched and he was growling. 

Over the past few months, Lan Wangji had felt wildly out of control with many situations and it had left him uncharacteristically off kilter. To see it happening to another alpha instead of himself was rather amusing. He could watch this entire encounter from an objective outsider’s standpoint, and thus he retained his stoic demeanor and observed the exchange. While Nie Mingjue struggled to not resort to violence, Wangji indulged in this opportunity to scrutinize the newlyweds carefully. 

“I told you, I got m-married! This…this is my husband, Wen Xu.” Huaisang wrapped his arm around the alpha’s waist and pressed close to him.

Wen Xu hugged Huaisang around his shoulders and kissed the top of the beta’s head, all while keeping his eyes locked on Nie Mingjue. Lan Wangji had to give credit to the man, he was boldly facing the ire of the elder brother - though the kiss was provocation in a sort of way. He wondered how Wei Ying’s family would have handled their introduction if they’d eloped. Unfortunately, he didn’t have to really try that hard, it likely would have been much the same. Perhaps the Jiangs would have been more welcoming if they thought they could play him for money.

“You didn’t tell me it was to a fucking Wen! What the hell were you thinking?!” Nie Mingjue was almost shouting. Tourists and staff members were giving them concerned looks. 

“I didn’t want him to upset you over the phone. My apologies, Mingjue-ge. It is an honor to meet you.” Wen Xu untangled himself from Huaisang and turned for a moment before holding out a package in his hands for Nie Mingjue. “It’s a small token, but I wanted to bring something to honor my brother-in-law, and thank you for blessing our marriage.”

Huaisang looked nervous and Nie Mingjue was quivering with rage. He glowered at Wen Xu, then to his little brother who shrank against his new husband’s side all over again. With a sigh, Mingjue accepted the package. “For the record, I am not against A-Sang marrying. What I am against is that you two snuck behind my back to do it! A spa retreat? You lied to me.” 

“That was me, again, I apologize for the rudeness. We couldn’t get you there in time. I’ve promised A-Sang any sort of ceremony or party he wants to make up for it. I feel ashamed we couldn’t include you, Mingjue-ge.” Wen Xu smoothly cut in speaking again before Huaisang could stutter through a response. With his hands free, he hugged the smaller beta to his side once more.

Lan Wangji was worried Nie Mingjue might launch himself at the couple. The man’s pheromones were hostile and they were not being contained. Every time Wen Xu called him ge, the scent of cinnamon and warm maple sharpened a bit more until it stung Wangji’s eyes. It made him wrinkle his nose and a line formed between his brows with his version of a frown. Onlookers were starting to whisper and give them a wide berth. 

“Perhaps we should take this discussion somewhere private.” Lan Wangji suggested calmly. It made Nie Huaisang jump as if he was only now remembering Wangji was even there. 

He seemed rather nervous to be in Wangji’s presence as well, but it was hard to tell if that was related to the fact that he was dealing with an irate brother or because of something else. Either way, he seemed to agree readily, bravely pushing himself between Wen Xu and his brother. Lan Wangji was impressed, he could just barely smell a faint distressed honeysuckle aroma, as well as the confident pine and woodsy scent coming from the newlyweds. 

With a stiff nod, Nie Mingjue let Huaisang and Wen Xu lead the way to the bank of elevators. It seemed the couple had a suite here. Perhaps Lan Wangji was here not so much as a backup to terrorize Wen Xu, but to hold Nie Mingjue back from committing murder? Had Xichen felt this way when he came to Lotus Pier with Wangji and Wei Ying? It was a humbling thought.

Lan Wangji was more vigilant when it came to his duty now, assigning himself as the peacekeeper of this little encounter. When the elevator doors opened he paused, holding an arm in front of Nie Mingjue. The bigger alpha glowered as he looked at Wangji, but he didn’t go so far as to challenge him.

“Try to contain your scent, the elevator car is small, it would be detrimental to your didi’s safety.” Then he strode in situating himself between the newlyweds and the fuming alpha behind him.

Wei Ying would have gotten a kick out of this. Lan Wangji took a moment to focus on that quiet connection in the back of his mind. His omega was less distressed and shocked now, perhaps a little amused? That was good then. He would have to remember the details of this encounter to recount the tale accurately.

“A fucking Wen. A-Sang! A Wen?!” Mingjue was having difficulty containing his ire.

“Da-ge! He’s not like Wen Chao.”

“He’s right, I am nothing like that little fucker. I have standards.” Wen Xu grinned down at Nie Huaisang affectionately. 

Lan Wangji was convinced the tall alpha was testing Nie Mingjue’s limits. When the doors opened, Lan Wangji pointedly stared at Mingjue making him exit first then he followed, once again enforcing this neutral space between the enraged brother and the happy couple. Inwardly, he had to admit, they did look happy. It was not what he’d expected at all. Wangji didn’t even realize Huaisang had a penchant for men prior to this. 

They walked in stiff silence to a suite at the end of the short hall and when they went inside, Lan Wangji had the distinct impression this was a honeymoon suite. It would seem the couple were genuinely in love and had made their choice. Nie Mingjue strode across the room to stare out the window of the extravagant suite. His arms were folded over his broad chest as he fumed. Wen Xu pressed a comforting kiss to Nie Huaisang’s forehead and moved around the furniture so there was nothing between him and the very angry elder brother.

“A-Sang wanted to tell you we were getting married. I convinced him to wait. If you want to vent your anger, aim at me, not him.” Wen Xu’s confidence knew no bounds. Lan Wangji had new respect for the man.

“You’re a fucking Wen. How can I trust you with A-Sang?” Nie Mingjue had chosen words as his choice of action, Wangji was proud of him.

To his credit, Wen Xu smirked. “I’ll tell you what I told A-Sang when I proposed this union. I have no intention of continuing Qishan Industries the way it’s currently being operated. I have a disdain for my father and my idiot brother. They are not me. I can only prove this through action of course.” He paused to glance over at Nie Huaisang who’d been staying close by, nervously holding his tongue. “I have honored A-Sang’s choices since the very moment we spoke our vows and gave our bows. I’ve provided him with every necessary comfort and protection at my disposal.”

“He wouldn’t need protection if you weren’t a goddamn Wen.” Mingjue snarled. Lan Wangji tensed as he briefly thought the other man was about to launch himself at the couple.

“I cannot change my namesake, but I can rise above the behaviors of my family and be a good man. I’m only asking that you give me a chance to prove it.” Wen Xu’s unflappable calm was truly impressive.

Nie Mingjue rounded on the very quiet beta. “What about you? Nothing to say? Do you really want this? I’ll snap his neck if you aren’t happy, A-Sang.”

“Da-ge!” It was a pleading entreaty if Wangji had ever heard one. “He said he wants the chance, can’t you give us that? I’ve accepted him, won’t you? I’m...I’m happy!”

Lan Wangji was about to interject when he was hit with a sudden wave of fear and alarm through his bond with Wei Ying. He grunted and grabbed at his chest, his heart rate had dramatically spiked.

“Lan Wangji?” Three men were all staring at him. He didn’t know who’d spoken his name. A minute or two had passed and the feeling only intensified. It made Wangji’s limbs tense and his pheromones spiked wildly out of control. Something was wrong.

He didn’t answer them, opting instead to pull out his phone and call Wei Ying.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Five minutes have never seemed so long in all of Wei Wuxian’s life! His heart was hammering in his chest even though he knew he was safe. They were talking about more omega stuff. Fuck, where was Lan Zhan? His fingers gently slid over his stomach constantly now, it was a soothing motion for his baby and himself while he leaned into the seat, resting his head and staring out the windshield. They were safe, everything was fine, it was just his imagination that they’d been followed.

“Wei Wuxian!’ Jiang Cheng’s voice was a snarly sharp sound that snapped him out of his weird mental mantra.

“Hmm? Sorry A-Cheng. Has it been five minutes yet?” Should he call Lan Zhan?

“Fucking hell, can’t you function without that asshole?” He sighed and let out a frustrated breath. “Tell me how can I help? You’re not listening to me very much so talking doesn’t seem to be working. The weirdo is gone. We’re safe, it is getting stuffy though.”

Jiang Cheng wasn’t wrong about that. The car reeked of sour oranges, but Wei Wuxian was too afraid to open the door. The spring weather was warming everything up and it wasn’t helping with that claustrophobic feeling. He clicked his phone screen on, it’d only been a few minutes. He could feel the steady presence of his mate, he knew he was close, he was even trying to reassure him from a distance. 

“I’m sorry A-Cheng. Honest to God, usually I’m fine, but I just really got a bad vibe from that creep. It’s hard to explain.” He was about to tell him that he wouldn’t understand since he was a beta, but that really didn’t apply anymore, did it?

“Like a sixth sense kind of thing?” He asked curiously. “Am I gonna be like this?”

Wei Wuxian shrugged “I don’t know. Everyone’s a little different. I’m just worried. Radish has my emotions all sorts of messed up.” He gave his best sheepish grin to Jiang Cheng. 

“Your alpha’s here.” his brother muttered, glowering and pointing out the front windshield of the car. Wei Wuxian turned around and felt the biggest sense of relief wash over him. He went to open the door and Jiang Cheng actually grabbed his shoulder “Wait for him to get here, he’s still half a block away.”

It was excruciating watching Lan Zhan get closer and closer without going to him. “I honestly don’t know if I can wait, A-Cheng.” He confessed. 

“I wish I knew how to do the pheromone thing, I’d try to help, I’m just making it harder though I think.” There was a glum sound of defeat behind him.

Fuck! He needs help, I shouldn’t be freaking him out!

Wei Wuxian felt so guilty for making this into a fiasco. It was likely nothing - he was overreacting, he had to be. As he stared out the window at his beloved alpha, a grin slid over his face. Just seeing Lan Zhan had him calming down a bit. “Nie Mingjue is with him, oh and Nie Huaisang. Who’s that guy?”

Jiang Cheng leaned forward between the two front seats to take a look out the window. “What the hell? Is that the new husband you think?”

“I guess we’re gonna find out? He’s pretty handsy with Huaisang though, who else could he be?” They were both distracted and their nerves were evening out. The sour scent was still strong in the cab of the car. There just wasn’t a lot of ventilation in an idle vehicle during the height of the day. Wei Wuxian waved at Lan Zhan as he got closer.

His alpha was so damn close now, they could see Nie Mingjue a lot better, he looked angry as all hell. Jiang Cheng snorted. “I don’t think jackass likes his new brother-in-law.”

Lan Zhan was walking up beside the car now, and Wei Wuxian couldn’t wait. Opening the door and reaching for his mate, a little cry of relief escaped him, along with the flood of sour oranges that had stunk up the car. “Lan Zhan!”

Tears had filled his eyes and he buried his face into the crook of Lan Zhan’s neck, inhaling that rich earthy sandalwood scent. “It is alright, I am here.” Large soothing hands were rubbing his back and he was being hugged close. 

“I’m sorry! God I feel like an idiot!” A broken little relieved sob escaped him. “It was just…the guy nearly ran into me in the park, then he followed us out…and when we got in the car he slowed down, Lan Zhan, he really did.” The arms around him tightened a little as he was held close. Wei Wuxian dimly realized he hadn’t actually stood up, he was still in the car.

“Shhh, you are safe, Wei Ying. Radish is safe. Jiang Cheng is safe. You did the right thing.” There were voices outside the car and then the back door was being opened. Nie Huaisang was suddenly shuffling into the vehicle next to Jiang Cheng apologetically.

Wei Wuxian really didn’t see this as much as he heard it. Somehow, the alpha men had managed to corral the rest of them into the car. They were surrounded by protective alphas on all sides. It would have been hilarious if he wasn’t so on edge from the creep that had followed them. 

“Did the man leave or is he still here, Wei Ying?” Lan Zhan had pulled back enough to tip Wei Wuxian’s head up and was looking him in the eye. That molten gold gaze was so comforting to him. The sandalwood was soothing his worries, even if Jiang Cheng was gagging a little in the back of the car. It must have been strong if he was picking up on it. Nie Huaisang just kept saying hello and sorry and that he didn’t know what was going on but he was sorry nonetheless. 

Wei Wuxian took a steadying inhale and looked around through the windows of the car. “I..I don’t think so? I didn’t get a good look.”

“I did. He’s older, looks like all he does is scowl. Was wearing a long coat and his hair was fucking greased back on his head.” Jiang Cheng was grousing behind Wei Wuxian.

“Did he have any scars? Anything strange?” Lan Zhan was asking both of them the question now. 

“I don’t know Lan Zhan! He was tall, and he had predatory eyes.” He felt fucking useless but Jiang Cheng just grunted. 

“He wore a lot of black, like head to toe black.” They’d watched the back of him walk away more than they’d seen his face. “What does it matter anyway? The weirdo is gone.”

Lan Zhan chose not to answer Jiang Cheng, instead he held Wei Wuxian close and continued to calm him. God, he loved his mate so much! This was what he’d needed. The scent of sandalwood was everywhere, it drowned out the remainder of Wei Wuxian’s sour fear and he relaxed into the embrace. 

“Fuck...I feel…I need air.” Jiang Cheng bolted to open his door and got out of the car.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Wei Wuxian could make out Nie Mingjue intercepting his brother. 

“It reeks! I needed air.” Jiang Cheng complained. Wei Wuxian caught a glimpse of the massive alpha leaning close to Jiang Cheng and inhaling.

“You removed the patch?”

“Hey, A-Sang, stay inside for now, alright?” That was a voice Wei Wuxian didn’t recognize but it was coming from the opposite side of the car. 

“Alright, A-Xu.” Nie Huaisang had love in his voice, Wei Wuxian could hear it.

He glanced back, catching sight of the tall alpha before he straightened up casually blocking the open back passenger door opposite the one Jiang Cheng had fled out of. Nie Huaisang grinned at him and gave a little wave. There was so much going on all of a sudden! “Lan Zhan, hold me!”

His alpha chuckled softly and hugged him, still crouched down to be at the same level as Wei Wuxian. “You are alright. I am here.” The sound of his alpha’s laugh was better than any aphrodisiac in the entire world and Wei Wuxian just relished the moment.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Outside the car, Jiang Cheng was panting a little as he sucked in some fresh air. It wasn’t that Lan Wangji’s scent was nauseating, it was just so fucking powerful. It had to be if he was noticing it right? He wasn’t getting more smell sensitive that fast, was he? His next inhale was a nose full of cinnamon and warm maple and he looked startled as Mingjue crowded into his personal space. 

“Wanyin, I can smell you…” The man’s lips were so fucking close to his ear. God! He was NOT going to think about it! 

It’s like morning wood, I just have to learn how to deal with it…Just like that…Fuck!

“I…I told A-Xian. I took it off to show him.” His voice was strained as he tried to will himself to calm the fuck down. Nie Mingjue was just a fucking jackass, there was absolutely no reason for Jiang Cheng to get worked up by their close proximity to one another. 

“Do you have any more?” The deep timbre of Mingjue’s voice tickled along Jiang Cheng’s spine and he shook his head abruptly.

How the fuck was he supposed to know he should carry spares?! Nie Mingjue sighed and straightened his posture so he could fish something out of his pocket. He moved in close a second later and Jiang Cheng pressed back against the frame of the car. What the fuck?! 

“Hold still.” The collar of his shirt was tucked out of the way and for a half a second, he thought the man was trying to strip him on the goddamn street! “Wanyin, I only have one extra patch, hold still.”

With a low growl he did as was asked for once. The last thing he wanted to deal with was everyone learning his secret all at once. The feel of Nie Mingjue’s fingers on his neck made him shiver and he closed his eyes, willing it to be over faster. He started to think about awful things, about cranky old hags, smelly babies and yelling in board meetings. Anything to keep him from focusing on the comforting cinnamon floating around his nose.

“Mingjue-ge, perhaps you two need a room?” The feral snarl that ripped out of Nie Mingjue as the ‘husband’ talked almost made Jiang Cheng’s knees give out. 

“What the fuck!? Mind your own fucking business you goddamn prick!” Jiang Cheng snapped viciously.

“Wanyin…” 

“I’m holding still! Hurry up.” He groused before the jackass could give him shit again. There was a dark chuckle from behind him on the other side of the car.

“My apologies, I didn’t know he was so prickly about your relationship. I’m sure A-Sang will be relieved to know Mingjue-ge has a potential companion.”

“Shut up dickwad!” Jiang Cheng was livid and the second the patch was on his neck and the shirt collar was being straightened out he spun around to glare at the fucker. “Who the hell do you think you are?!”

“Wen Xu, do not antagonize my friend.” Nie Mingjue warned darkly.

Wait! Did he say Wen Xu? Wen fucking Xu? The Wen Xu of Qishan Industries? Jiang Cheng paled. He just called the heir of Qishan Industries a dickwad. Fuck.

Lan Wangji was also looking their way now, it felt like all eyes were on Jiang Cheng and he was pissed. He backed right into Nie Mingjue who hadn’t moved away at all and froze. The guy was like a fucking tank! The hand hidden from Lan Wangji’s purview came down and gripped Jiang Cheng’s hip to steady him and that did all sorts of things he wasn’t expecting. Oh god, if he started leaking here and now…There wasn’t a hole deep enough to hide his mortification.

Wen Xu was watching with amusement. He winked at Jiang Cheng and reached out over the car with an offered hand “Nice to meet you, I’m A-Sang’s husband, and you are?”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Wei Wuxian could hear it all and he was finally coming down from his little crisis. “I’m so sorry, Lan Zhan. I panicked, I know I did.”

“It is fine, Wei Ying. You had every right to be upset. I should not have left.” Lan Zhan was speaking softly and pulled Wei Wuxian from the car so they could both stand. It gave him a front row seat to the red flush of horrified embarrassment on Jiang Cheng’s face. He saw the hand reaching across the top of the car and heard the name of Wen Xu. 

Wei Wuxian twisted to look at the man across from them on the street. Nie Huaisang had married a Wen? Well shit! That was unexpected! Before Wei Wuxian could say a single word, everything slowed down. The amusement in Wen Xu’s face morphed into shock, and anger all at the same time. He was calling out Huaisang’s name and ducking down into the car to shield the beta.

Next to them, Nie Mingjue simply reacted, pinning Jiang Cheng to the car and shielding him with his body. Lan Zhan gave a pained grunt and held himself apart from Wei Wuxian just enough to shield him. Wei Wuxian turned back to see the shock registering on his mate as pain radiated from their bond. Wei Wuxian looked down, blood trickled from Lan Zhan’s lips.

He was stunned, reaching up to touch the crimson trail. “Car! In the car Wei Ying!” Time caught up and he was pushed inside and the door slammed shut between them. Something warm and wet was on his chest. It was blood. 

He looked up, there was a scarlet tip of something sharp protruding from Lan Zhan’s chest, just below his left collar. A dark figure loomed behind him, there was a sickening sound of flesh tearing as the tip of the blade twisted and was yanked out. Blood spurted against the window. Chaos descended. 

Nie Mingjue spun around and was lunging to strike the attacker. Lan Wangji had braced himself on the frame of the car and more blood gurgled out of his mouth. His golden eyes were full of shock. “Lan Zhan!” 

Wen Xu was yelling something, but all Wei Wuxian could hear was a weird buzzing sound in his ears. Nie Huaisang was panicking and crying out asking what had happened. Jiang Cheng was swearing and yelling, he was calling someone. Why was he on the phone? Nie Mingjue was simply gone, he’d taken off after the assailant. 

He couldn’t open the damn door! Lan Zhan was leaning against it and he was so fucking heavy! “Lan Zhan!” red was blooming across his alpha’s chest now at an alarming rate. Wei Wuxian smacked the car window and tried again to open the door. His gorgeous Lan Zhan was wavering, and then he just fell back away from the car altogether. 

Cold dread filled Wei Wuxian. He shoved the door open and launched himself toward his mate. He was dimly aware of his knees scraping on the cement and the pallor of Lan Zhan’s skin getting far too sickly white to be safe. Someone was next to him, he didn’t know who, and Wuxian honestly didn’t care. 

“Lan Zhan! Fuck oh God! Help! Jiang Cheng!” 

Wei Wuxian’s hands were smeared in blood as he pressed against the wound. It was front and back though and he didn’t know what to do! There was so much blood! Panic was flooding through him and he tried desperately to cling to the scent of sandalwood but there was so much coppery blood in the air now. It was all he could smell.

“Wei…Wei Ying…” Lan Zhan’s eyes rolled up in his head and he was unconscious. 

Tears clouded his eyes and he screamed Lan Zhan’s name as he put hands front and back and pressed hard. Wuxian vaguely realized Jiang Cheng was there, bare chested and wadding up his shirt before he pressed between the ground and Lan Zhan’s back. Wei Wuxian couldn’t hear anyone’s voices, he could only hear his own panicked heart. The pain and shock he felt through their bond in the back of his mind was dramatically weakening. It was fading! 

Oh God! He was dying!

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Chapter Text

The pain was intense. 

Lan Wangji had been so focused on soothing Wei Ying, he hadn’t paid close enough attention to what was behind him. With two other alphas surrounding the car, perhaps he’d been too complacent. There was only time to brace and protect Wei Ying as best he could when he caught sight of Wen Xu’s demeanor abruptly changing.

It nearly killed Wangji’s soul to hold Wei Ying apart from himself, but as the searing pain blossomed from his back all the way to his chest, he feared his love being harmed with him. The taste of blood filled his mouth, had he bitten his own tongue? He couldn’t be coughing up blood, could he? Time didn’t necessarily slow down, however, Lan Wangji was noticing everything all at once and he felt like the others weren’t moving or reacting fast enough.

“Car! In the car Wei Ying!” It hurt to say that much. Everything burned with agonizing pain.

Lan Wangji had enough strength to push Wei Ying into the safety of the car and shut the door. Whoever the attacker was, they’d have to get through him and a vehicle to get to his love. The twisting of the blade was worse than the initial stabbing and Lan Wangji’s vision blacked out for a second. He had to protect Wei Ying and Radish!

Dimly, he was annoyed that it was a cowardly attack. Wangji hadn’t even had the chance to face his attacker before being wounded so terribly. He was all but useless now, the hot flow of blood down his back and chest was alarming. Fear sliced through him. What if this was the end? There was an enraged bellow to his left, in the fog of his pained vision he saw abrupt movement, but he couldn’t focus on it.

The strength that Lan Wangji was so accustomed to was failing him in his greatest moment of need. When the cold cement met his body, he looked around in confusion. Why was everything moving so slowly? He did not see Wei Ying. Where was his omega? He needed to tell him something, something important. Why was his chest wet? Blood... he was bleeding.

Forcing himself to focus, Wangji felt a wash of relief as Wei Ying appeared over him. There was a blotch of red on his beloved’s chest. Had he bled on him? Wangji really hoped it was not Wei Ying bleeding, not after having held him away when all he’d wanted to do was crush him close and keep him blanketed in safety. 

What did he need to tell him? Oh, yes. It was important. Wangji had to tell Wei Ying how much he loved him, just in case this was the last time. He couldn’t leave the love of his life, but Wangji felt so cold and he was so tired.

“Wei….Wei Ying…” It was so hard to breathe, his chest burned and blood did bubble up his throat for real this time. Was he choking on it? Everything started to dim and he couldn’t focus.

No! He had to tell him! He had to! Wei Ying needed to know how much he loved him, and how much he loved Radish, but it was not meant to be. The darkness consumed Lan Wangji before he could tell Wei Ying anything. 

I love you, I have always loved you. I will always love you.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Lan Qiren was sitting at his desk grading papers at the university campus. It was midafternoon and the sun was starting to dip down toward the horizon again. Spring recess was just around the corner for the term and his students would soon complete their course with him. He always particularly enjoyed this time of year as he could review their progress and see how each of them had come to excel and thrive in their studies.

It would be good to have a bit of a break, he’d been more absent from his nephews and Wei Wuxian than he’d anticipated lately. There were apologies he still needed to make to Wangji about the whole debacle before his rut. He and A-Xian had only just come out the other side of it the other day and they were due back home shortly from the obstetrician appointment to check on little Radish.

This would be the time to make amends with the pair of them. Pride was something one should not hold on to in these types of circumstances. They’d bonded, for better or worse, it was as good as marriage in some ways. Besides, Lan Qiren had pushed them to do it in the first place. 

His precious nephew had chosen well with Wei Wuxian. It was a good match, even if it had been a bit rocky in the beginning. Qiren strongly believed the mating bond was necessary for the both of them. Maybe they could go out for dinner as a family, it would be his treat, a true apology.

Lan Qiren’s phone started to ring and he glanced at it and smiled. Maybe Wangji knew he’d been thinking about him. Straightening up he reached for the phone and answered it, speaking warmly. “Wangji, I was going to stop by this evening, have you gotten home? Did the appointment go well?”

“Excuse me, are you related to Lan Wangji?” It was a strange woman’s voice, there was screaming in the background.

“Yes, I am his uncle. May I ask whom I am speaking to?” Was that Wei Wuxian screaming? Fear gripped his heart and his body tensed as that age old worry of a parent surrounded him.

“Sir, your nephew’s been involved in an incident. He and his mate have…” The words started to blur together and Qiren struggled to keep up. “You should come down as soon as possible. Sir?”

“Wangji has been injured? How badly? What happened?” Lan Qiren’s hands were trembling.

“I’m afraid it was a mugging of some sort. He’s in surgery right now, it’s quite serious. You should come down to the hospital as soon as possible.”

“Wait! You said his mate!” Dread filled Lan Qiren. After all those two had been through, if something happened to A-Xian and the baby…

“Yes, his mate is here, are you his next of kin as well?” The woman was polite but she also sounded distressed. 

“Yes! Yes, I am an emergency contact and next of kin for Wei Wuxian.” What about Radish? “He’s pregnant, he’s had complications, he’s recessive. How bad is it?” Fear was a bitter taste on his tongue.

“I would advise you to arrive as soon as you can, sir. The doctors will have more information for you” The woman’s response did not bode well and now Lan Qiren could make out the wailing sound of A-Xian calling for Wangji.

“Yes. I will be there very soon.” He got a few more quick details and shot up out of his chair, dialing Xichen as soon as he disconnected with the hospital staff.

Not this! Lan Wangji was strong, he was healthy, he would be alright. He had to be! Wei Wuxian was healthy, too. Things had been improving so much! How could this happen to them now? Lan Qiren had grabbed his jacket, rushing out of his small office on campus to head for the parking lot. 

The phone rang only a couple times before Lan Xichen answered. He didn’t even let Xichen finish saying his name before he uncharacteristically interrupted him.

“Wangji has been injured and taken to Dongfang hospital, it is serious. Get Jiang Yanli and bring her with you, A-Xian will need her. I’m heading there now.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

The hospital’s waiting area was crowded with people. Hospitals tended to always be busy, and this one was no exception. One side of the area held the group that was anxiously awaiting news from the doctors who’d rushed Lan Wangji to surgery. Wei Wuxian had also been taken for treatment, so the waiting area was quite silent for the moment. He’d been in hysterics and had made it difficult for the paramedics to do their jobs at first. It had taken both Jiang Cheng and Wen Xu to pull Wei Wuxian back away from the scene so they could stabilize Lan Wangji for transport.

Jiang Cheng could still smell the blood, even though he’d scrubbed his hands until they were pink and tender. It was on his clothes, it was probably in his hair for all he knew. The sharp and coppery scent of it had invaded his senses. For how potent it was, the whole room should have been drenched in the viscous stuff. Was he in shock? It could be that everyone was just so fucking grim and silent. For Jiang Cheng, he just couldn’t stop thinking about what blood really smelled like when there was that much of it everywhere.

Nie Huaisang was leaning against Wen Xu, his face was tear stained and he clutched his husband’s hand tightly. There were a bunch of guys in suits who had shown up shortly after they did, one talked to Wen Xu for a bit and the rest fanned out to watch the room. They all had those little ear pieces and looked like extra security. It’d caused a commotion with the hospital staff until Wen Xu spoke with them.

Nie Mingjue hadn’t come back yet.

He’d taken off after the attacker right at the start of all hell breaking loose and no one had seen him by the time they were headed to the hospital. Jiang Cheng was worried about the jackass, what if he’d been hurt like Lan Wangji? 

The attacker was the same slimeball that had followed them out of the park and had freaked Wei Wuxian out originally. Of that, Jiang Cheng was certain. The guy’s hair was dark and short, he’d thought it was slicked back but now he wasn’t so sure. Those eyes were cold though. Jiang Cheng would not forget those eyes in a million years. They had been calculating and void of emotions as he’d driven the freakishly long knife into Lan Wangji.

Who the hell still used blades like that!? He shivered as that horrifying moment replayed in his head. It was just so fucking long and it had gone straight through Lan Wangji. The tip had nicked and torn Wei Wuxian’s shirt, yet somehow it miraculously hadn’t pierced his skin. He had an alarming amount of blood on his chest though, so they’d taken him away, to be examined. 

Where the fuck was the jackass?

This was the second time he was pacing the halls of a hospital in the span of a couple of months anxiously worrying about Wei Wuxian. The first had been his own fault in a lot of ways, Jiang Cheng had just been so angry, he lashed out like he always did. It never occurred to him how harmful that could be to others until Wei Wuxian had been laid out in a fucking hospital for days because of it. Was Jiang Cheng going to end up weak like that one day too?

The smell of pine trees was driving him nuts too. He liked pine and forests, Jiang Cheng relished in the freedom of nature and the silence of it all. Yet this smell, it was….wrong somehow. It wasn’t maple trees or cinnamon, it wasn’t his jackass.

What. The. Fuck?!

The realization that he thought of anyone as his was fucking horrifying at the best of times. Yet here he was, pacing the halls of a hospital, anxiously wondering where a fucking alpha was. Wei Wuxian’s world was being torn apart, and Jiang Cheng had the audacity to worry and wonder about a goddamn alpha? What the fuck was wrong with him!? Lan Wangji could die. There was no place for him to be fucking pining over anybody!

“Will you stop? You’re gonna wear a groove into the floor.” Wen Xu sighed, following Jiang Cheng’s progress with an annoyed scowl.

“Shut the fuck up!” The clap back response was instantaneous and he flinched with guilt afterward. “Look, this is all I can do, alright?!”

“Jiang Cheng, has my da-ga answered your messages yet?” Nie Huaisang’s voice sounded small and timid, which made Wen Xu hug him a bit more closely. 

They’d all tried to reach Nie Mingjue and no one had been able to yet. It wasn’t just Jiang Cheng who was concerned about the jackass, he knew that, but it was hard to keep that in mind sometimes. It wasn’t just his life that was a total fucking mess right now. With a growl, he stopped pacing long enough to pull up his phone and check. It was dead silent, no new messages, no missed calls, nothing. He checked the ringer to make sure it was on its loudest setting and that they had a good signal in the waiting area. 

“No, what about you?” It galled him to admit he was worried about Mingjue. They had enough to worry about with Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian.

“No. Oh God, A-Xu what if that man did something to him!?” Nie Huaisang’s tears started up again and Jiang Cheng looked away so they wouldn’t see him sneer and roll his eyes.

Why the fuck was Huaisang such an absolute baby? He was scowling at the wide hospital entry so he spotted his jiejie first. Jiang Yanli, Lan Xichen, Lan Qiren and a few other Lan looking types had arrived. They were hurrying over to Jiang Cheng and the others. His gut twisted with apprehension. He was going to have to tell them…fuck he didn’t want to be the one to tell them!

Panic started to fill his veins. What if they blamed him? He’d asked Wei Wuxian to meet! He had been too fucking afraid for the others to know so he waited for them to be alone to talk! God he’d been the one to suggest they go for a walk! What if they blamed everything on him? Jiang Cheng began panting and his heart was racing, and there was a wild trembling in his limbs. He was terrified they’d hate him for this. 

“A-Cheng!” Yanli reached him first, wrapping her arms around him in a tight embrace without a second thought. He returned the hug robotically, patting her back. 

Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen both looked very distraught. It was the first time Jiang Cheng had ever seen genuine fear in their eyes. More dread filled his soul. What if they took it out on his jiejie, or Wei Wuxian? He couldn’t let that happen, he had to take the responsibility!

“What happened?” Lan Xichen looked like someone had kicked a puppy, a very dangerous puppy, but a puppy nonetheless.

“We got jumped by a stalker.” Jiang Cheng was gonna puke, he swallowed bile and pressed on. “He scared Wei Wuxian earlier and we were waiting for Lan Wangji and the others. When he got there, I…I didn’t see him, I thought we were safe. Then the fucker came out of nowhere and st..stabbed…” 

Jiang Cheng pushed his jiejie away and turned to gag and gasp for air. Where was his fucking jackass!? His skin was hot and tight, he was upset, everything felt a million times more real and his fucking brother was who knew where in the hospital being examined while Lan Wangji was maybe dying on a table.

“A-Cheng!” Jiang Yanli crouched next to him, her hand rubbing his back soothingly.

“Lan Wangji was stabbed in the back with a jian dagger. Nie Mingjue went after the attacker.” Wen Xu had stood up and was talking to Lan Xichen and Lan Qiren. “It was an attack from behind, he didn’t see it coming in time to defend himself without risking his mate. It went clean through, but he managed to protect his omega.”

“Wen Xu?” Lan Xichen recognized him first, they were talking now and Jiang Cheng was trying to stop himself from having a full blown freak out. He realized that he could smell them better. Hell, he could smell everything so much better now.

The three alphas started to talk quietly about the incident and Yanli was gently soothing him. Nie Huaisang sniffled and started dialing a number on his phone - probably trying to get a hold of the jackass again. He could smell too many things and they were all stained with the rancid stench of hot blood. 

“I…need some air!” Bolting upright, he took off for the front doors, rushing outside away from all those fucking smells. 

“A-Cheng!”

“Let him go, he needs some space.”

He’d been pinned to the car when everything happened. Fuck it’d made him so angry, but there’d been this jolt of fear too, and the cinnamon and maple had filled his nose before the smell of blood did. The worst part had been the bone chilling scream from Wei Wuxian. The sour oranges and the blood…fuck how did alphas and omegas stand this shit?! He was never going to be able to do anything without thinking about someone just by the scent alone. 

Jiang Cheng wished he could forget them.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Lan Xichen had been about to go after Jiang Cheng, but he hesitated. Was it safe for him to go out alone when there was an attacker on the loose? Wen Xu’s words stopped him and he looked at the man with a bit of mild confusion. He didn’t know Wen Xu personally, they were business acquaintances really. With all the concerning revelations about the Wens and Wei Wuxian, he’d kept his distance.

It still wasn’t fair to judge the man without hard evidence and so far, everything pointed to Wen Chao or Wen Ruohan. If he really considered it, there was never anything directed toward Wen Xu, the man either didn’t care or was just not involved. It would be foolish to not be cautious though, at least for now.

“Mingjue-ge hasn’t been seen or heard from since he went after the attacker. He seemed pretty close to Jiang Cheng, so he’s been driving us all nuts with his pacing. Just let him have a minute.” The casual revelations by someone outside their little familial circle was shocking, but Xichen managed to keep his reactions well hidden.

Yanli had been fretting with worry the entire way there and she was looking around helplessly. “Where’s A-Xian?”

“They’re making sure he’s alright - they might sedate him I think?” Wen Xu shrugged. 

It was then that Xichen noticed Nie Huaisang coming up to Wen Xu and curling his arm around the alpha’s. He looked terribly upset and he was sniffling trying to hold back a fresh wave of tears. What on earth was going on? “I still haven’t heard anything from da-ge. He’s not answering his phone, A-Xu.”

“Shhh, it’s alright, A-Sang. I sent people to find him. Your da-ge will be alright.” Wen Xu kissed the top of Nie Huaisang’s head and Lan Xichen could not hold in his surprise. The two of them were acting like a couple.

Lan Xichen took a serious look at the pair of them. There were gold bands on their ring fingers, they were holding one another like lovers, and they used affectionate terms when they spoke to one another. Wen Xu had even called Mingjue familiarly. 

“Are the two of you?...” How should he ask this?

“Wen Xu grinned over to him and nodded. “Got married a week ago. Apologies for not sending an invitation, we couldn’t wait for a proper shindig.”

Nie Huaisang blushed furiously. “A-Xu! This isn’t the time! Lan Wangji is in surgery!”

It was a dash of cold water pulling them back to the here and now. Jiang Yanli inched a bit closer to his side and Xichen naturally put a comforting hand on her upper back. Everyone had fallen a bit silent, leaving each of them to wonder and worry.

Lan Qiren broke the silence with a sound of annoyed amusement. “We can only wait for now, we might as well try to distract ourselves with idle chat. You youngsters. Can’t wait to do things the proper way anymore. Congratulations to the happy couple. Did you at least have your own family attend?”

Nie Huaisang’s face got an even deeper shade of red and Lan Xichen was flummoxed. “How did your da-ga handle the news?” 

Inwardly, Xichen was quite worried that no one had heard from Nie Mingjue. The man was strong and capable. He’d spent inordinate amounts of time with his martial arts training over the years. Of all the people Xichen knew outside of his own family circle, Nie Mingjue was more than able to deal with any situation he found himself in. Yet this radio silence, it was worrying. What if he’d been caught off guard somehow? Maybe there was more than one assailant?

“Jiang Cheng should come back inside.” He was suddenly concerned about the beta being left alone while there were unknown dangers lurking. 

Before anyone could agree or disagree, a grim faced doctor came out through the double doors that led to the emergency treatment and surgical areas. He looked right at the crowd and started to walk over. Fear gripped Xichen and he unconsciously pulled Jiang Yanli closer to his side. 

“I’m looking for the family of Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian.” The doctor’s voice sounded steady. That was a good sign.

“Yes, that’s us. I am Lan Wangji’s uncle, this is his brother.” Lan Qiren spoke quickly and everyone’s attention turned to the doctor.

The man looked around the bustling area with a slight frown. “Please come with me.” He didn’t seem to check who all followed, but it was everyone. All of the Lans, Jiang Yanli, Wen Xu and Nie Huaisang all filled the small room as the doctor stood patiently by the door. It was cramped with a large conference table dominating the center of the space and lined by several chairs. 

There was just enough room to walk around it and everyone circled the walls of the space with varying levels of apprehension or concern. The doctor waited quietly until the doors closed, he looked grim. This was not a good reaction, was it?! Alarm slid through Xichen’s veins and he braced himself for bad news. His brother…Was his brother gone? Wangji was so strong, this couldn’t be bad news, could it?

“I am doctor Huang, I’ve been part of the team treating your family members. We have contacted Wei Wuxian’s obstetrician to assess his condition. He was in distress and we’ve given him something to keep him calm and quiet, the wounds he received are superficial and look like they were caused from a fall. The more concerning issue with him is that he’s been dramatically affected due to the strong bond he’s developed with his alpha. It has put significant strain on his system.” 

So far, it wasn’t awful news. It wasn’t fantastic, but it was manageable.

“Wei Wuxian and the baby are safe then?” Xichen couldn’t help but ask.

Doctor Huang nodded his head. “For now, everything looks alright. We are monitoring them.” the man almost seemed to hesitate. “The baby was in danger due to the heightened state of Mr. Wei, but we believe we have stabilized them both now. We will know more after Doctor Chang finishes his examination.”

“Wei Wuxian is my brother.” Jiang Yanli spoke up with her soft gentle voice. “He’s a recessive omega, how can the bond hurt the baby?”

“Mating bonds are still a little bit of an unknown to us. We know that some couples physically react to stressors and traumas received by their partners. It happens in exceptionally strong pairings, which is what we believe has happened here.” The doctor’s voice was gentle as he explained. “Has he had many complications with his pregnancy?”

“He was hospitalized for severe morning sickness and dehydration near the beginning. He stayed on medication to help with that ever since I believe.” Lan Qiren was supplying the information as steadily as he could.

“Any traumas?” Both Lan alphas looked to one another then to the others in the room. 

“Not recently. He was abused by his adoptive parents before he moved away.” It was Jiang Yanli who spoke, her voice was even, but her delicate body trembled next to Xichen.

Everyone was silent but the doctor just took it in stride. “I don’t think we need to worry about that but I would like to monitor him and keep him close by if the family is alright with that.”

The Lans and Jiang Yanli all exhaled with relief. Yanli had wrapped an arm around Xichen’s waist and she hugged him as they continued to listen to the doctor. He was so very thankful for her presence in that moment. There was no way he would ever be ready to hear bad news about his family. Thankfully, A-Xian was stable at least, he was safe and so was Radish. What about Wangji though? Why had the doctor started with A-Xian and not Wangji’s condition?

“What about my nephew, doctor?” Shufu seemed to be thinking the same thing. A few cousins had come with them to the hospital, they had shifted a little closer as the doctor had been speaking. Lan Xichen glanced toward them with worry in his eyes then turned his focus forward. 

“Lan Wangji’s injuries are quite substantial. As I understand it, he was stabbed from behind?” Wen Xu nodded confirmation and the doctor focused on him. “Were you there by chance?”

“I was.” Wen Xu’s arms were folded across his chest. “I saw it happen, I just couldn’t get to them in time. It was a jian dagger. I think he pushed Wei Wuxian away to keep him safe.”

“Who removed the blade?”

“The assailant did, he twisted it out.” That steady answer made Lan Xichen’s gut twist uncomfortably. Having the incident described to him was horrifying in its own right.

“We put pressure on it to try and stop the bleeding, he collapsed pretty fast after it happened.” Wen Xu was frowning and Nie Huaisang sniffled, burying his face against his husband’s back.

“Your actions saved his life. He lost a considerable amount of blood, any more and we would be having a very different conversation right now.” One of Xichen’s cousins made a distressed sound and sat down in one of the chairs around the wide table in the room.

”We have been giving him blood transfusions, if any in your family share the same blood type, we would like to ask for you to donate. Fortunately, the blade missed his heart. We were concerned about damage to his lungs, and we are monitoring carefully to make sure the superficial damage does not get worse.” 

Relief washed through Lan Xichen and he almost let out a sob. This was all good news, wasn’t it?! Why was the doctor so reserved?

“Mr. Lan’s heart stopped while on the operating table. We administered CPR and regained a pulse after two minutes. Mr. Lan is in critical condition while we monitor him.”

“Wait! Wait! His heart stopped?” Lan Qiren’s calm demeanor had cracked under the news and there was a sob behind them from their cousin. Lan Xichen couldn’t breathe, he was terrified he’d heard it wrong.

“Briefly, yes. We did revive him and he is currently stable.” The clinical and straightforward response was appreciated, but it was so hard for Xichen to focus. Wangji's heart had stopped. 

“Fortunately, the knife missed his spinal cord, but we will be watching for any complications of swelling from bruising. While the damage was not as bad as it could be, the loss of blood is very significant. We would recommend that his mate stay in the hospital with him. As I’ve mentioned, their bond is extremely strong. Mr. Wei was aware the second his mate’s heart went into arrest while we were operating.” 

It was getting difficult to breathe and Xichen’s own heart had stalled out the second he’d heard that his didi had essentially died on the table for two agonizing minutes. The room was spinning and he’d started to lean on Yanli a bit too much. 

“Xichen? Do you need to sit?” she was speaking gently to him, her warm sweet scent comfortingly surrounding the pair of them. 

“No, I’m alright.” He gave her a tremulous little smile and took a slow steadying breath. He needed to be strong right now. 

His didi’s heart had stopped. They’d nearly lost Lan Wangji. 

Xichen just couldn’t stop focusing on it. A small hand was gently rubbing his back and someone directed him to sit in a chair while the doctor continued. He asked about Wangji’s medical history and asked when Wangji and A-Xian had sealed their mating bond. It seemed to surprise the doctor that it was so recent.

“Mr. Lan is being moved to the intensive care unit. We will let you see him and Mr. Wei shortly, only two at a time for now. Stay in here as long as you need, a nurse will come by to show you to the waiting room for the intensive care patients soon.” 

Shufu had more questions, and the doctor patiently answered all of them. Consent forms for life saving measures were signed and discussed all while Lan Xichen tried desperately to compose himself. Wangji was alive, he was stable. He wasn’t dead. A-Xian was safe, the baby was safe. 

“Xichen?” Yanli’s sweet voice broke through his thoughts and he looked a little bewildered. “The nurse is here, we’re going to the other waiting area.”

“Oh, yes. Yes of course.” Standing up, Xichen realized he was the last one in the cramped room. Had he missed the others leaving?

It had always been Xichen and Wangji together as a pair. They were known as the Twin Jades for a reason and it wasn’t only just because of their looks. He and his brother were close, they always had been, especially after they’d lost their parents. The two of them had an unspoken understanding of one another and could easily interpret each other’s thoughts. Lan Xichen could not fathom a world in which his brother did not exist. 

Jiang Yanli had streaks down her cheeks, she’d obviously been crying. Even so, there was a soft smile on her face and she offered a hand to him. Taking it gratefully, he gave it a squeeze and tried to smile back to her. It felt strained and awkward, but her warm hand was reassuring.

“I’m sorry, Yanli. I wasn’t sure what to expect, I just…I never thought I could lose my brother.” A vulnerable ache echoed in his voice and he cleared his throat. 

“No one is ever prepared for this kind of thing. You are not alone though, Xichen. Your family is here and so am I.” She stepped close and hugged him briefly before stepping back, “Come on, lets go, you can see your didi soon.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

“Granny, I don’t think you should let Mr. Xue into the house again without us here.” Wen Qing was washing dishes while A-Ning dried and put them away.

She’d been meaning to broach the subject all afternoon while they visited. The way the man had insisted on meeting A-Xian had been weighing heavily on her. She’d even sent Wei Wuxian a warning text but hadn’t received a response yet. The whole thing just seemed odd and she didn’t like the feeling she had around the new neighbor.

“I agree, I…I don’t like him.” Wen Ning was frowning while he put away the bowls.

“Nonsense! Mr. Xue is a respectable young man, he’s a police officer you know.” Granny Wen’s voice was slightly dismissive. “Besides, he is my neighbor, I can’t just snub the man.”

“Of course you can.” Granny frowned at Wen Qing and she sighed. “I just worry about you here all on your own. I wish you’d let me move back in and stay with you.”

Both she and Wen Ning had moved out just over a year ago at their grandmother’s insistence that they needed to spread their own wings and stop worrying about her. Neither one of them liked it, which was why they came by as often as they could. She’d raised them more than their own parents had, after all. Ever since their cousin, Wen Chao, had found out about Wei Wuxian living here, Granny had kept them at arm’s length from her.

It was like she was trying to protect them by pushing away. Wen Qing did not like it, not one bit. Wen Chao was just a spoiled little shit, he threw tantrums and caused trouble, but he was far from being a true danger to her or A-Ning. He was in dire need of a real spanking as far as she was concerned, not that he’d ever get it. Why was Granny so worried about him?

As far as Wen Qing was concerned, if Granny Wen was going to be that cautious with family, she had every right to be cautious about the new neighbor. Everyone knew everyone in this part of the city. It was like its own tight-knit community, but that didn’t mean they were all good people. There were all sorts of weirdos out there these days. What if Xue Yang was trying to take advantage of her granny? That was a more likely thing than it just being him digging for news about Wei Wuxian, wasn’t it?

The other disturbing reality was that Wen Qing had to admit that a lot of people were bringing up A-Xian and his family to her these days. Work colleagues had inquired, which had concerned her since she’d ‘borrowed’ medical equipment to run tests for Jiang Cheng’s drugs. It was all about Wei Wuxian though, and for the life of her, Wen Qing couldn’t figure out why.

Wei Wuxian was a cheerful and lovely person, but he was just a regular person. The only secret she’d ever known to involve him was that he’d lived with Granny for a few years. That secret had come out over a decade ago, it was old news. Why was there all this sudden interest?

“You have your own life and your own things to worry about, A-Qing. You don’t need to be trapped here taking care of me.” It was the same response she’d gotten the last time she visited. “Besides, how will you meet a nice young man if you’re with me all the time?”

Wen Qing groaned, emptying the sink and rinsing it out. The dishes were done and she was determined to try and get through to granny this time. “I can meet someone anytime, it doesn’t matter where I live. I’d rather be here with you than so far apart, why can’t I be a good granddaughter?”

Wen Ning joined her in the living room as he put the last of the dishes away. “We b-both worry, I like it here b-better than my place.” His voice was sincere as he smiled and sat down next to the old woman.

“Oh you two! There’s not that much to worry about. I know how to take care of myself.”

“That’s not the point.” A-Qing interrupted. “We miss you and we want to be closer, what’s so wrong with that?”

Granny Wen frowned for a brief second, it was a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it kind of frown. “It’s better this way.”

“Why?” The question was spoken at the same time by both siblings.

Her grandmother actually looked cornered and for a brief moment, Wen Qing felt guilty. It wasn’t enough to make her back down though, she worried about her grandmother and with everything that was going on, someone needed to be with her, especially with that new creep as a neighbor. No matter what his job was, something about him just seemed so wrong and off. Even A-Ning agreed with her. 

“It’s just better this way, you need to trust me, A-Qing. I only have the best of intentions for the pair of you.” Granny Wen smiled again and something about it made Wen Qing seriously worried.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Nie Huaisang was shaken up by everything that had happened. He hadn’t expected to be in the middle of something like this already, though he had been warned it was a possibility. It was all part of the Wen spouse training he’d gone through, as stupid as that sounded. Lu Yutao was his best resource when it came to this kind of shit, and when he had discovered the man was a yes or no kind of guy, he’d opted to just ask a lot of yes or no questions.

Every now and then the silent bodyguard would surprise him with a little more detail, but it was far and few between. Right now, Lu Yutao had replied via text with his traditional one word response. Huaisang was desperate to find his da-ge, he’d send Lu Yutao to go look for him, much to Wen Xu’s annoyance he was sure, and the only answer A-Sang kept getting back when he messaged his faithful guard was a stupid ‘no’. 

They were waiting in a much quieter area of the hospital now, there were a few families spread throughout the space sitting on chairs or couches. Some were reading, others had puzzles they were working on while they waited. There was a chatty fellow who said his wife had been in a coma and he’d been there for a month now. He had a pile of puzzle boxes next to his corner of the room. Were they going to be here for a month like this? At least that man knew where his family was!

The phone in his hands was pulled away suddenly and Huaisang jerked in surprise, looking up with a frown. Wen Xu was clearly fed up with his fretting. The tall alpha pulled him into his lap and Huaisang gave a little squeak of protest but didn’t really resist at all. He needed the comfort, it was just a little embarrassing to be so publicly affectionate!

“Newbie, you need to trust me. They’re going to find Mingjue-ge and he’s going to be just fine, I give you my word.” Wen Xu’s strong arms wrapped around him and just held him close.

“It’s not like him, A-Xu. Da-ge doesn’t just disappear like this.” The only reason he hadn’t lost his mind was because of Wen Xu. The man was a fucking steady rock in all this crazy chaos.

“He’ll show up. The spook can’t get him, I’m sure he’s fine.” There was confidence in his words at least. 

Nie Huaisang looked around furtively and then leaned in a bit closer so his lips were practically teasing the lobe of his husband’s ear. “Are you going to tell them who did it?” He knew, of course. There was only one person that Wen Xu called the spook or ghoul. Considering how that name had gotten Huaisang married just so he wouldn’t die, he was pretty sure if it would not get revealed here.

There was a low growl and warm lips pressed along Huaisang’s neck. “Shhh, A-Sang. Don’t worry about that right now. First we need to make sure everyone makes it through the night.” 

That was a firm no then. Everyone was telling him no today. He didn’t like it. “Don’t they deserve to know? It’s not like you-know-who is going to stop at one attempt, is he?”

Wen Xu’s teeth scraped against Huaisang’s neck, it was a very gentle action but it was an extremely powerful warning. “Not here. Trust me, A-Sang.”

He did. Nie Huaisang trusted Wen Xu implicitly. So much so that it was a bit of a shock to realize it. Ever since their fateful meeting in the Qishan Industries building, Huaisang had been glued to A-Xu’s side. The man hadn’t backed away from a single promise or reassurance he’d made. Everything he said he would do was fulfilled as promised. There was nothing that had been hidden or denied once the alpha had made up his mind to handle it. 

Sighing softly, Huaisang pressed a kiss to the lobe of his husband’s ear. “I trust you.” He was just so worried! 

Wen Xu leaned back a bit and grinned at Huaisang. “It will all work out. I’m going to help them. My little shithead brother went too far this time.”

This was all Wen Chao’s doing? Huaisang’s eyes got wide and his husband chuckled softly. “You think it was him?” 

“Who else? The old man isn’t dumb enough to poke the dragon and that’s exactly what the Lan’s are.” Wen Xu kissed Huaisang then, it was soft and gentle. “We’ll talk about it somewhere else though, not here. Let’s just make sure everyone’s gonna make it first, alright?”

Their private little conversation was interrupted by a gentle clearing of one’s throat. It was Lan Xichen. “I didn’t mean to overhear…” It was obvious he’d heard something, Huaisang just wasn’t entirely sure what it was he’d caught.

“No! Xichen-ge, you’re fine! Come, sit.” Nie Huaisang was still firmly planted in Wen Xu’s lap, and the alpha seemed to have no intention of letting him go either. He just sat there, blushing and squirming until he heard the quiet groan by his ear. Oops!

Lan Xichen gave a grateful little smile and moved to sit next to him. “I was wondering if you’d heard from Mingjue yet? You were talking about him?”

Oh shit! If he’d heard them talking about da-ge, did that mean he’d heard them mentioning the ghoul too? Huaisang shook his head, worry marring his expression. “No, nothing yet, what about you?” Maybe if they stayed away from the ghoul talk, Xichen-ge wouldn’t bring it up.

“I’m afraid not.” The elder Lan looked so lost and troubled. Wen Xu had remained silent and was gently caressing small circles into Huaisang’s side just beneath his shirt with a thumb. He had to admit, he liked the touching. It was as comforting as the scented bracelet he wore now. “I wanted to congratulate you as well, A-Sang. I wish it were under better circumstances…” 

“Oh! It’s fine. We sort of surprised everyone with it, I know. And…I mean…Wangji-ge comes first.” This was so awkward!

Lan Xichen nodded and Huaisang was pretty sure they’d gotten away with their little talk of who had done what. 

“Did I hear you have people looking for Nie Mingjue? Lan Xichen asked quietly. They were all still waiting to be permitted in to see Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian. 

Across the space from them, Lan Qiren was talking softly to his family members and Jiang Yanli. He only then realized that Jiang Cheng hadn’t come back inside yet. Where the hell had he gone to anyway? Huaisang had the luxury of having been shielded in the car when everything happened. He hadn’t seen the stabbing, only the aftermath, and that had been more than enough for him. It had to be hard on Jiang Cheng. So much had gone poorly for that beta recently.

Wen Xu was replying though, and it gave Huaisang time to think about what he’d narrowly avoided. They were pretty sure Lan Wangji had been the target from the start. A-Xu had told him that the spook was meticulous. It would have been extremely sloppy work on his part to get the wrong person. It was already a shock that he’d tried with so many alphas there as it was. Which was why it’d probably worked as well as it had.

Was this why A-Xu was so convinced it was Wen Chao pulling the strings? Most likely. Huaisang knew exactly how much the younger Wen hated that he couldn’t get to Wei Wuxian. What boggled his mind was how Wen Chao could possibly think that killing A-Xian’s mate was a way to win him over. Insanity never really made sense.

“I’ve sent some of my men to look for him. I’ve also inquired with the police so they’re aware that we are missing one from our party after the incident.” Wen Xu’s voice was steady and relaxed, and Huaisang absently lifted his braceleted wrist to his nose to smell the Pine woodsy scent. He could see how this was reassuring.

“If you hear anything, will you let me know? Mingjue is a long-time friend and I cannot take any losses today.” There was real vulnerability in Xichen-ge’s voice. 

“I will, I give my word.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

The intensive care room was full of beeping machines. They were everywhere, and they were all attached to Lan Wangji’s pale and still figure laying upon the bed. The head of the bed was elevated so he was in a bit more of a lounging position than fully laying down and pillows were carefully propped behind his head. If you ignored all the machines, he looked like he was merely resting.. 

Wires were running from sensors all over his chest and arms and legs to the heart monitor. The hiss of the blood pressure cuff automatically taking a reading was loud in the quiet room. Multiple intravenous lines were hooked up to each arm, one was giving blood, the other had a clear bag of fluid and smaller bags of medicines were also tied in. 

Lan Wangji’s wound had been covered with protective bandages and his face was half hidden beneath an oxygen mask that puffed up and clouded with moisture every time he exhaled. So far, he was breathing on his own. That was a good sign. 

Careful to not jostle any of the wires and sensors, Wei Wuxian held his mate’s hand gently. Lan Zhan’s skin felt warmer than usual and it had alarmed him enough to use the call button for the nurses. It was normal apparently and he felt stupid for being so panicky. They were very kind, though and just reassured him.

Because of his fragile state, they couldn’t let Wei Wuxian stay on the cot with Lan Zhan. They had wheeled his bed right beside Lan Zhan’s though, and they were butted up side by side for the time being. It made the contained intensive care room feel more cramped than normal, but the nurses and doctors seemed to easily accommodate it. 

Wei Wuxian was not without his own set of monitors, a fetal monitoring band was wrapped around his middle and he could hear the constant steady beat of his little Radish’s heart. It was fast and powerful, and while the sound had been set very low, it had comforted Wuxian quite a bit. Doctor Chang had given him a thorough once over, even gently joking that it hadn’t been a full day since they’d seen one another. 

All of it went in one ear and out the other while Wei Wuxian stared at the love of his life laying so deathly still on the bed beside him. A heart monitor was also attached to Wei Wuxian, along with the annoying pulse sensor on his finger and a blood pressure cuff of his own. He despised that stupid cuff. Every time it squeezed his arm tightly, it would snap him out of his dazed state and make him groan with discomfort. It wasn’t painful, it was just enough to make him focus on himself for a second.

Then when it let go, he was back to losing himself to his thoughts while staring at Lan Zhan. If he looked away for even just a second, would that be the end? Would Lan Zhan take his final breath if he stopped watching? He couldn’t let that happen. Wei Wuxian’s fingers squeezed tightly around his alpha’s and tears quietly slid down his face all over again. 

“Are you ready for some visitors?” The nurse was there again, hanging a fresh bag of blood on Lan Zhan’s IV line. 

She’d been very kind and very gentle with them both, something that Wei Wuxian was forever grateful for. Another warm blanket was placed in his lap and he used his free hand to wipe at his eyes. “Visitors?” 

Wuxian’s voice cracked when he spoke. It was also his own fault. He’d screamed and yelled and howled in his misery ever since he’d watched the light leave his alpha’s eyes on the street. The thought that Lan Zhan had died was an agonizing pain that stabbed deep into his heart and soul every time he dwelled upon it. The doctors told him that his heart had actually stopped during surgery. They’d told him everything. It was more than he could handle really, but they’d told it to him nonetheless. 

“There’s a whole bunch of people anxious to see both of you” She tucked the blanket around his feet and checked his sensors before going back to checking lines and pushing buttons on the monitors around Lan Zhan. 

“Is it safe? It won’t hurt Lan Zhan?” He was so nervous that any change might spell doom for the tenuous grip his alpha had on life. 

“He’s stable and we will be right here if anything changes. Family can help with healing.” She supplied the answer softly, almost like she was worried about disturbing Lan Zhan’s rest. He hadn’t regained consciousness once yet. 

“When will he wake up?” Wei Wuxian didn’t like how he could only just barely feel his mate through their bond. It was so quiet, so…still.

“That’s up to the doctors, right now he’s still sedated. I can check with them if you want?” Wei Wuxian nodded mutely and more tears slid down his face. The nurse quietly dabbed at his cheeks with a piece of tissue. “Hey, it’s ok, I will find out for you. In the meantime, why don’t you get ready for some visitors. It will help, I promise.”

Nodding, Wei Wuxian sucked in a shaky breath of air and wiped at his face again. “Alright.”

The nurse left, sliding the glass door quietly shut behind herself. It was getting late in the evening by this point, there weren’t any windows in the room, but the lights were dimmed a little. He hated hospitals. The stinging smell of antiseptics and cleaners were hard on his nose and it muted the scent of Lan Zhan’s earthy sandalwood. The alpha wasn’t really pushing out pheromones consciously so it was just his natural scent that Wei Wuxian could pick up.

Both he and Lan Zhan hadn’t been given scent blockers or patches to wear. While they were patients, the doctors didn’t want to inhibit any part of their biology unless absolutely necessary. Everyone else, however, wore patches to help reduce the overwhelming pheromones from taking up the room.

What Wei Wuxian wouldn’t give to be held in his alpha’s arms right then and there. God he never should have gotten out of the car. He should have pulled Lan Zhan inside and closed the door with him so they were both safe and sound. Why hadn’t he seen the guy coming up on them? Had he really been that distracted? 

The door quietly slid open and he had to physically look up to see who was there. Upon seeing Lan Xichen and Jiang Yanli, Wei Wuxian couldn’t hold back his broken little cry. “A-Li! Xichen-ge!”

Jiang Yanli moved right over to his side of the pair of beds and reached over to hug him tightly. He wouldn’t let go of Lan Zhan’s hand so he could only return the hug with one arm and buried his face against her shoulder. “God I’m sorry! I’m such a mess!”

“Shhh, A-Xian, you’re fine! It’s alright! I’m here.” The aroma of his spicy citrus pheromones went from mellow to strong and a little sour with his sorrow. Wei Wuxian melted into the comforting embrace of his shijie the second she drew near his bed. 

Lan Xichen was struggling with his composure, walking up to the beds apprehensively. Yanli pulled back for a moment to let Xichen have room and Wei Wuxian pulled him into a one-armed hug as well. “I’m so sorry! It’s all my fault!” The sobbed words were muffled against the elder Lan’s shoulder and Xichen put a comforting hand on Wei Wuxian’s back to support him as much as soothe.  

“No, oh God, A-Xian it’s not your fault!” Lan Xichen’s voice was hoarse like he was holding back his own anguish. “Please, don’t ever think that again. It is not your fault!”

The emotions were running high and Wei Wuxian’s heart monitor spiked with the erratic beating but he barely noticed. He was hooked up to dumb machines, Lan Zhan was in the bed beside him clinging to life and he was just so fucking overwhelmed! Lan Xichen pulled back and both he and Yanli were holding onto Wei Wuxian’s free hand. 

“I’m okay! I’m sorry!” He looked back toward his alpha then, making sure he was still breathing before he could bring himself to look at his family again. “Lan Zhan’s sleeping. They’re keeping him sedated.”

Lan Xichen quietly moved around the beds so he could touch his brother’s arm gently. The big alpha’s fingers were trembling and Wei Wuxian realized how upsetting it was for everyone in that one quick moment. “The doctors said he’s stable…the nurses have been really good too. I haven’t taken my eyes off him once, XIchen-ge. I can’t…I can’t lose him.”

“A-Xian, you need to rest too. The doctor told us you and Radish were in trouble.” Yanli’s words were soft and she reached out to tuck some hair off his brow and behind an ear. 

“Shijie! I can’t go! Lan Zhan needs me.” Wei Wuxian’s fingers gripped more desperately to Lan Zhan’s.

“No one is telling you to leave, just don’t push yourself too hard. Lan Wangji wouldn’t want you to hurt yourself or Radish for his sake.” Yanli was dabbing at his face and he glanced up at her with such a sorrow filled expression.

“I almost lost him, A-Li.”

“I know. It’s alright now. They said he’s stable, you’re right beside him.” She was soothing him as best she could. 

Lan Xichen murmured his agreement and he held onto Lan Zhan’s other hand. “Wen Xu and Nie Huaisang told us what happened. I was so worried about you both, A-Xian. I am so grateful you’re alright. Wangji will fight to stay with you, he loves you very much.”

It was an emotional moment all around. They spoke quietly together for a while. Wuxian learned about how Nie Mingjue had gone after the attacker, how Jiang Cheng was at the hospital waiting, along with Wen Xu and Nie Huaisang. Uncle Lan was there and so were some Lan relatives he’d never met before. There were just so many people who cared and were worried for them both, it was humbling and heart warming all at once.

Wei Wuxian had gone from being shocked at a couple of visitors to having an army of them in the span of a few short months. Friends and family all pulling together to be there for him and Lan Zhan in their time of need. A little laugh was shared as Xichen mentioned his shock at learning Huaisang and Wen Xu were married. It was strange yet comforting to have that little spot of joy amidst all the fear and sorrow.

Before long, a nurse had come in to check on them and Lan Xichen and Jiang Yanli promised they’d come back. After that it was a revolving door of visitors. Nie Huaisang and Wen Xu came in together. It was a little weird since Wei Wuxian didn’t know much about Wen Xu at all. He’d only ever had the misfortune of dealing with his little brother, but he was glad to see that A-Sang’s new husband wasn’t an idiot like Wen Chao.

Lan Qiren came in last and the Lan cousins came in one at a time to visit and share their love for Lan Zhan and A-Xian. It was shocking to think that literal strangers to Wei Wuxian cared so much, but they promised him that he was already family and they would never abandon family. It was humbling.

When it was just Lan Qiren left, Wei Wuxian wanted to apologize to him again, but the doctors showed up and he nervously licked his lips. “Is Lan Zhan going to be alright?”

Doctor Huang gave him a comforting smile and leaned over Lan Zhan while they did their checks. “He’s stable and his blood pressure is improving. We’ll know more about how long recovery will take in the morning. So far, things are looking promising. How are you feeling?”

“Doc, I’m not the one with a hole through my body. Don’t worry about me, just make sure Lan Zhan is okay.” Uncle Lan frowned at Wei Wuxian’s statement and muttered something about him being young and stubborn.

The doctor just chuckled. “Your health is directly linked to Lan Zhan’s. If you aren’t doing well, he will suffer, so I need to make sure you’re alright too.”

It was a dirty trick to make sure Wei Wuxian didn’t overdo it or ignore his own issues, yet it did work. He sighed and bit his lip while he carefully took stock of his own self. “I’m exhausted, but I don’t hurt anymore.” 

It was true too, there was no more gut pain, no more weird cramping or gasping for air. He was being kept calm with whatever they’d given him. It also helped that Lan Zhan wasn’t drenched in blood anymore and was quietly resting.

“Good, your baby’s vitals look stable. I am counting on your help, so try to take care of yourself so you can be strong for your mate.”

“When will you take Lan Wangji off his sedation?” Uncle Lan piped up suddenly. He’d been holding Lan Zhan’s other hand on the other side of the beds.

“Tomorrow. We want him to rest tonight then we’ll see how he’s doing in the morning and wean him off it so he can wake up.” Doctor Huang’s voice was steady and confident. It gave Wei Wuxian hope.

He’d see those gorgeous golden eyes tomorrow. All he had to do was wait for morning. “I’m staying here, right? You’re not moving me?” They’d have to pry his fingers off Lan Zhan if they thought he’d leave without a fight.

“You’re staying here. Your bond with Lan Wangji is exceptionally powerful, you have helped just by being close to him. It is better for you to keep doing what you’re doing than to disrupt that.” Relief washed through Wei Wuxian and he nodded, tuning them out so he could just stare at Lan Zhan and try to feel him through their bond. It was so faint still, likely because he was sedated. It had to be because of that.

Before he knew it, only uncle Lan was left and he looked a little uncomfortable. There was a heavy silence in the room and Lan Qiren finally broke it with a choked sob. It was a little alarming. Uncle Lan was a stoic and traditional man. He was never one to show this kind of vulnerability, so Wei Wuxian didn’t really know what to do. It wasn’t like he could climb over Lan Zhan to comfort the man right now either.

“Wei Ying, I am so sorry.” What the hell!? He was sorry? “I pushed Wangji to bond you to him. That whole mess before his rut…I am responsible and I’m ashamed that it took me so long to apologize. I never should have meddled, it wasn’t my place.”

Did he regret Lan Zhan’s bond with Wei Wuxian? No, that didn’t seem right. Did he think it was forced? “Uncle Lan…Shufu…” he hadn’t really ever called the man that, usually staying with uncle Lan as a safe honorific, but maybe he needed to be more personal with this. Would the man mind? “I don’t blame you for any of that. You were right, and I’m so glad you pushed us. We needed it and now it’s helping Lan Zhan…” 

Lan Qiren nodded and cleared his throat. “When the hospital called…I feared the worst. It is not a call you ever want to receive, yet as a parent, you are always bracing for it as well.” He was gently sweeping hair off Lan Zhan’s brow as he spoke. “I may not be Wangji’s father, but I did raise him and Xichen after my brother and his wife passed. You are all family to me, A-Xian. I care for you as much as I do my nephews.”

Tears were stinging Wei Wuxian’s eyes as the old man spoke. He tried to blink them away and wiped at his face with his free hand. “Uncle…You’re family for me too.”

Lan Qiren gave a little smile and wiped at his face. “I didn’t mean to upset you, I just…I am relieved that you and your baby are safe. Please know that I worry for you as much as I worry for Wangji. You are just as important. I want you both to be well and to recover.”

“I’d hug you, but you’re way over there.” Wei Wuxian grinned. “Thank you, Shufu.” he tried out the name again and it seemed to make the old man smile a little more.

“Get some rest, we’re all here for both of you.”

It was only then that Wei Wuxian realized there was one person he hadn’t seen yet. “Where’s Jiang Cheng?”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

It’d only been twenty or thirty minutes. Jiang Cheng hadn’t been gone that long, had he? Looking around for a clock to confirm the time, his frown deepened. First the jackass went missing and now everyone else had disappeared somewhere. That probably meant there was news and he’d fucking missed it because he couldn’t keep a lid on his goddamn freak outs.

With a clenched jaw, Jiang Cheng walked over to the information desk to talk to one of the people there. A cop was standing in front of him grilling the poor woman for information. It made him roll his eyes in annoyance. Did this guy have to take up the entire counter? 

From behind, there were a few things that were apparent about the cop. He was young. It was obvious by the guy’s slender build and posture. He also had really long hair and it was tied back in a high ponytail on his head. How the guy got away with that kind of dress code was beyond Jiang Cheng. Maybe the jerkoff was an omega and they let it slide because of that.

Experimentally, he tried to take a subtle breath of air to see if he could pick up the cop’s scent. It felt so dumb to be sniffing randomly at fucking nothing. The effort was also a waste, all Jiang Cheng could smell was antiseptics and cleaners. Listening to the voice of the cop was also a dead giveaway that he was young and dumb. His words were arrogant and slightly aggressive in his bid to sound authoritative. 

Jiang Cheng would have stopped listening if it hadn’t been for the subject matter at hand. It was about what had happened to Lan Wangji. Why the hell was another dick in a uniform asking questions? An officer had taken Jiang Cheng’s statement the second he’d gotten to the hospital and Nie Huaisang said that both he and Wen Xu had been slow getting to the hospital behind the ambulance because they’d had to give statements before they left.

Did this idiot not know that this part was already done? There was no fucking way the guy wanted to get statements from Wei Wuxian or Lan Wangji did he? Jiang Cheng listened a bit more intently. 

“I’m afraid he’s in critical condition and not conscious, sir. You can check in tomorrow, the doctors may have an update for the police at that time.” The woman behind the counter sounded agitated. Maybe this had been repeated to the cop a few times already.

“What about the other one? The omega that came in with him, from the accounts I have, he wasn’t really hurt.” Jiang Cheng’s hands balled into fists as the man spoke ahead of him.

“Officer Xue, is it?” Tolerance was long gone in the woman’s voice. “This is a hospital, not a police detachment. Our patients and their recovery is our priority. The man could be the greatest serial killer on the planet and I’m not going to let you interrupt his rest until I get confirmation that visitation is approved. If you want to wait for that time, be my guest…over there.”

She pointed off toward the stiff plastic chairs of the waiting area where everyone had originally been loitering around. It made Jiang Cheng smirk. She’d done a pretty decent job of telling him off, but she’d been too nice all at the same time. At least, that was his opinion. This fucking asshole was going to make it a lot harder for A-Cheng to get information, though. If he’d just grilled her about Wei Wuxian, she was gonna be fucking pissed when he did the same thing.

“I don’t think you understand, I’m with homicide. This investigation is serious.” The cop leaned over the counter a bit to get in the woman’s face. “If I can’t get a solid lead on who the perpetrator is, all hell will break loose.”

Homicide?

Jiang Cheng’s head spun at the revelation that homicide was involved. He couldn’t wait any longer. Shoving up alongside the fucking arrogant prick, he looked to the woman with a little bit of desperation in his eyes.

“I’m Wei Wuxian’s brother, he was brought in by ambulance from a stabbing incident with his fiance.” The cop had looked pissed at first, but he didn’t say shit as the woman scowled at him. “Look, I came in with his ambulance but I stepped outside for some air and everyone left the lobby. I just need to know where to go.”

“He’s been taken to the intensive care ward, the family was moved to the waiting area there, sir. May I have your name?” She was casting nasty glares at the cop now and then but at least she was telling him shit. Intensive care sounded scary, but they didn’t put dead people in intensive care either.

“Jiang Wanyin. Wei Wuxian is my adopted brother.” If the woman questioned him or denied him access to wherever he had to go, he’d call Xichen or Yanli.

Why he hadn’t done that sooner was beyond him. Maybe it was the shock of hearing homicide in relation to what had happened to them. If someone had died and it wasn’t A-Xian or Lan Wangji, could it be the attacker? It couldn’t be the jackass could it? No one had heard from Nie Mingjue since he took off after the creep. Fuck, was he dead in a ditch somewhere?

“Take the elevator to the third floor and follow the signs to the nursing station. They’ll direct you to the waiting room from there.” 

“Thanks!” Rapping his knuckles on the countertop once he turned and took off for the bank of elevators. Behind him, the cop started to wheedle the woman for information again.

Whatever. Jiang Cheng would get filled in once he caught up to the others. Pulling out his cell he opened up his text messages and sent another to the jackass before pulling up A-Li’s messages.

“Excuse me.” Jiang Cheng spun around to come face to face with a police officer. 

Great, it was Officer Dumbass. “What do you want?”

“I overheard you say you’re related to a stabbing victim. Were you at the incident?” The guy was annoying him already.

The man’s police uniform was clean and his face had sharp angular features that made him look uniquely unforgettable. 

“You should really mind your own fucking business. God damn shit ass cop, don’t you know they took our statements already? Go talk to your fucking colleagues…” Jiang Cheng scowled at his badge and nametag “Officer Xue.”

Officer Xue’s grip tightened on the little notepad in hand and a muscle ticked in his jaw.. “Could you walk me through the details of the incident from your perspective please? We’re currently tracking down the perpetrator and every bit of evidence we can get will be helpful.”

Jiang Cheng frowned, folding his arms and glaring at the officer. “The fuck is wrong with you? I JUST told you that your colleagues already took my statement.” 

Officer Xue pursed his lips and shook his head. “That might be the case, but I am following up. You might have forgotten something at the time so I’ll compare notes with theirs to get a better picture of what happened.

“Are all of you assholes this useless? There are cameras on that street, why not look at that shit to get a better idea? Fuck, you think I wanna keep talking about what happened?” Jiang Cheng’s overheated skin and the tight uncomfortable feeling in his chest had become so irritating that he was lashing out at the first person who spoke to him. 

“Sir, are you refusing to cooperate with the police?” Officer Xue was frowning down at him. Why the hell was everyone suddenly taller than Jiang Cheng!? He fucking hated that too.

“Fuck, even my parents’ dumb cop friend is smarter than you.” Jiang Cheng was beyond annoyed. Refusing to cooperate? Ha! More like refusing to relive a nightmare.

“All I’m saying is you’re shit at your job.” The growl was teasing the back of his throat. “Look, the guy followed us while we were walking in the park. We went back to the car, we called my brother’s fiancé and waited for him. When Lan Wangji got there, the creep was gone. No one noticed him sneak up until it was too late and the shithead was stabbing my brother-in-law in the fucking back. Now get out of my face and find the jerkoff.”

There was an irritated scowl coloring the man’s features, but Jiang Cheng didn’t fucking care. His jackass still hadn’t shown up, everyone had disappeared without even letting him know, and he was being questioned by some dick who didn’t seem to know how to find a dagger wielding nutjob.

“I could detain you for being difficult, you know.” The man’s dark warning made Jiang Cheng snort with a laugh.

“I just gave you a statement, again, asshole. Go write that shit down and compare it with your colleagues and do your fucking job. I’m busy.” Jiang Cheng shouldered his way past the officer as the doors to the elevator opened and he stepped inside, smacking the button for the third floor hard. He glared at the jerk until the doors trundled closed behind him and then relaxed. 

Stupid fucking useless cops. What the fuck was homicide doing nosing around? No one had died, had they? He really needed to get up to the third floor.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Xue Yang watched the raging beta stalk off for the elevators. The guy had some serious balls telling him off like that. Of course, there was no way he was going to give chase up to the third floor. Wen Xu was there and if he saw Xue Yang, the jig would be up before he could have any kind of fun. How in the hell had Wen Xu gotten mixed up in any of this? From everything Xue Yang knew of the elder alpha, he was aloof and didn’t give a shit about what Wen Chao did.

Why was he getting involved this time? It’d fucked up his plans. Zhao Zhuliu was supposed to deal with the alphas and he was supposed to swoop in and take Wei Wuxian and any other helpless idiot next to him. When the call had come in, Wei Wuxian was on his own with his little beta friend. Unfortunately, Wei Wuxian was a little too self aware or Zhuliu had been careless and given himself away.

It was problematic. Wen Chao wanted the fucking omega for some weird reason. The more that Xue Yang tried to get to him, the more he could see the appeal though. Wei Wuxian was the white whale. Trying to get anywhere near him was next to impossible with the Lan alpha at his side constantly.

The few times he’d been alone or on his own had been with small windows of opportunity that closed before he could really take advantage. Now things had gone tits up and they were sequestered away in the hospital and its intensive care ward. This would be fine, if it wasn’t for the goddamn Wen heir standing vigil around the omega’s hospital room. Xue Yang couldn’t even get up the stairs without running into one of the Wen security guys. It was like the entire crew under Wen Xu had been called in.

Usually, Xue Yang would just show up in full police uniform and question the victims. He’d make out like a goddamn bandit and get what he needed and move on. Removing a single damn omega from a hospital shouldn’t be this difficult.

To top it all off, he hadn’t heard from Zhao Zhuliu either. It was still pretty early to be getting worried though. That big alpha had taken off like a shot after him. If there was a hunt on - it was likely they’d either duked it out and his mentor was burying a body, or he was hiding out licking his wounds. If there was still no word by morning, then Xue Yang would worry.

“Old man’s gotten sloppy…” Sighing to himself he tapped his pen against his police notepad. 

The front desk nurse had been able to give him the bare bones details. Unfortunately, he hadn’t managed to kill Lan Wangji with his plan. It was perhaps the first time that Xue Yang could recall Zhao Zhuliu missing his mark. That was going to piss off Wen Chao quite a bit. It might be wise of him to toss a few omegas at him first to placate the crazy fucker before he let him know. Maybe the serious blow to Lan Wangji would be enough to appease the crazy Wen. 

Really, of all the people he worried about displeasing the most, it was Wen Ruohan. That man would break him if he found out this was going on. Every other little job he’d done had always been with keeping Wei Wuxian close but not quite within arms reach. It was like there was some grand plan for the guy, but Ruohan played the long game, unlike his youngest son who only wanted immediate results. 

Even with all this said and done, that fucking beta boy - the brother…he deserved a good damn lesson on where he stood in the grand plan. He was nothing more than a bit of cannon fodder as far as Xue Yang could tell. The fact that he had insulted him so blatantly and publicly, well there was no standing for it. He’d have to eviscerate him and his family. He’d have to choose the timing well though, the Jiangs were Wen Ruohan’s playthings still. 

So much to do! Sighing and tucking the notepad away, Xue Yang turned around and quietly left the lobby of the hospital. He’d have to get set up to watch the hospital to catch when all the Wen freaks took off so he could make a move on Wei Wuxian. Everyone thought they were safe in a hospital, when in reality, it was a great place to do a body swap and leave without a trace until it was too late.

This just was going to take a little longer than anticipated. He could handle that. If anything, Xue Yang was a patient man. Besides, if this failed, he’d already made a contingency plan with that old granny he’d discovered. Wei Wuxian would show up to protect her if he framed the situation right. Patience was the key.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

“I’m here! Why the fuck didn’t you guys tell get me?!” Jiang Cheng called out to the waiting room for the intensive care ward.

Everyone was looking at him, even people that he didn’t give two shits about and didn’t know whatsoever. His eyes had settled on his jiejie and the pair of Lans that he did know. Stomping over toward them, Jiang Cheng scowled, huffing slightly from his quick dash. The anger from the dumbass cop was simmering down.

“Where have you been A-Cheng?” Yanli asked with her sweet concerned tone. 

He rolled his eyes. “Some dumbass cop stopped me to ask more moronic questions. I swear they don’t know how to do their jobs. Even Yang was better than that prick was.” He stopped ranting to look between the three serious faces. “How bad is it?”

His jiejie managed to explain Wei Wuxian’s condition, but it was Lan Xichen who explained how Lan Wangji was doing. Even then, there were a few times when it looked like he was going to break down. Fuck! Things were bad if Lan Xichen’s calm facade had cracked. It was nauseating to think of how close they’d come to seeing Lan Wangji die.

“The damn cop was from homicide…I…I worried all the way up here that I was too late.” Emotion choked his throat for a second.

It was insane! Up until a few days ago, A-Cheng had been so fucking pissed at Wei Wuxian that he wasn’t really speaking to him. Now, though, he knew how fucked up his anger was at his adopted brother. The whole thing was fucked up. It wasn’t Yanli or Wuxian who deserved his hate, it was his parents. 

They’d done this to all of their kids. If it wasn’t a beating, it was turning them into a goddamn science experiment or treating them like fucking property. Even with all that knowledge, Jiang Cheng still struggled to truly hate his mother and father for all that had happened. They were his family, the ones he should always be able to count on and trust. Being betrayed by them was just so hard to fathom. It couldn’t be real. There was no reality that he could make sense of in which his mother purposely bitched him into becoming an omega when she hated them so much. 

“Why was a homicide detective inquiring about the attack? Did they find the assailant?” Lan Qiren asked with concern. 

“No, he wanted me to give him new information so they could find the creep.” Thinking about homicide made Jiang Cheng feel a serious pang of worry for Nie Mingjue. His jackass still hadn’t shown up.

“I’m going to talk with Wen Xu and see if his men have had any success finding out anything.” Lan Xichen said suddenly. Maybe he was just as worried about the jackass as Jiang Cheng was.

“I want to see A-Xian.” The last time he’d laid eyes on his brother, the man had been beyond hearing and absolutely frantic to get to Lan Wangji.

“He’s in the same room as Lan Wangji. They said it’s keeping both of them stable. Try to be gentle, A-Cheng, please? It’s hard on A-Xian and his baby if you’re going to go in there angry at him.” Jiang Yanli’s words were startling. She’d never rebuked or warned him quite like this before. 

In the past, she was always in the middle trying to appease both of her brothers and keep them happy. The old song and dance about them being together forever and how she loved them both so much was ingrained in his brain. Being warned off was new. Honestly, he admired his sister for it. She was protecting the weaker of the two of them, but he knew without a doubt that she’d have his back as well if shit went bad for him.

If that’s the case, why can’t I bring myself to tell her I’m a fucking omega?

The dark thought slid through his mind unbidden and he scowled at her. “I’m not mad at him.”

“Good. I worry so much, A-Cheng. That anger…it’s not good for your soul.” He hated being put under the microscope like this. Talking about feelings was not a comfortable subject for him.

“Whatever, which way to his room? I need to make sure he’s alright.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Wei Wuxian was lying on his side. He was propped up so his head was level with Lan Zhan’s and there was an army of pillows nestled around his body to keep him cozy on his side. Gentle strokes of his fingers over the back of Lan Zhan’s hand comforted him. Feeling that warmth in his hand was a sign that he was still here with him.

“I need you to come back to me, Lan Zhan. I’m not strong enough to do this on my own.” There was so much he wanted to tell the man. 

Wei Wuxian loved him beyond measure. Everything about his alpha was perfect. Lan Zhan was funny, kind, witty, and he could be so serious when called for. That stoic little facade of his was adorable and it made Wei Wuxian’s heart flutter when he could catch the hints of the true expressions and feelings beneath it. 

The things he loved most didn’t have to do with Lan Zhan’s looks either. Of course the man was gorgeous, but it was his heart and soul that Wei Wuxian loved more than life itself. He knew exactly how deep his alpha’s feelings went. Ever since they’d shared a mating bite and sealed a bond, it had overwhelmed him at first. That intense all-consuming emotion for him was so visceral and real that it brought Wei Wuxian to tears just thinking about it.

Will I get to feel it again? When he wakes up, will that love knock me over?

Lan Zhan had to wake up. Wei Wuxian needed him, their baby needed him. If Wei Wuxian hadn’t been so stupid, he could have gone into the restaurant to find help and then call Lan Zhan. He could have avoided all of this suffering and pain. It was his fault that his alpha had nearly died. Tears welled up in his eyes again and he squeezed Lan Zhan’s hand. 

“Please wake up.”

The sliding glass door gave a gentle little whoosh sound as it was pushed open. Blinking back hot tears, Wei Wuxian looked up to see an upset Jiang Cheng. Relief washed through him so abruptly that a sob escaped his lips without his permission.

“A-Cheng! Oh thank God!” 

“Wei Wuxian, fuck! Are…is…you…” His brother swept his hands through his hair in agitation as he tried to collect himself. “You’re ok? Your baby?...” 

“Yes, yes, I’m okay, so is Radish. Come here.” Sniffling, he wiped at his face and gave his brother a watery grin. 

Jiang Cheng didn’t argue for once and came over to Wei Wuxian’s side of the room. “They doubled you guys up? Fuck is he gonna be okay?”

As soon as Jiang Cheng was close enough, Wei Wuxian pulled him in for a one-armed hug. There was a squawk of a half formed protest, but it died as A-Cheng seemed to exhale and accept it. He returned the hug and they just stayed like that for a good solid minute or two. Jiang Cheng had seen it all, he was there beside him after Lan Zhan fell, of that much, Wei Wuxian was certain. 

In a weird way, his brother was a tether to how things were before the attack and how they were now. He had been there, he knew. His brother would understand that fear and uncertainty better than the rest. That wasn’t to say the others didn’t get it or didn’t care. Wei Wuxian knew they did. It was just different. Jiang Cheng had experienced it with him. 

“The doctors are keeping him sedated. They said it all depends on how he does tonight.” Naturally he was only remembering the concerning bits of what they’d told him. 

Lan Zhan’s survival hinged on how he did overnight, that’s all Wei Wuxian had focused on and it was why he was not letting go of his alpha’s hand, not for one fucking second. There were other good parts, he was sure of it. No matter how hard he tried to focus on them though, all he could seem to recall was how important tonight would be.

“Lan Qiren said it missed his heart.” They didn’t have to say what ‘it’ was. Both of them had vivid images in their heads of the massive dagger.

Wei Wuxian let go of his brother and nodded. “Yeah, That’s good, I just wish they’d let him wake up. I need to see his eyes, so I know he’s ok, you know?”

Although Jiang Cheng could be abrasive and harsh with his words, Wei Wuxian knew it was just his armor. People found all sorts of ways to defend and protect themselves, and his brother had just taken after madam Yu enough that anger was easy. It was so weird having him be so…gentle. Maybe it was because he was changing and it was mellowing him out?

Wei Wuxian sighed leaning his head back on the pillows. “I’m glad you’re safe, A-Cheng. I know you don’t want to hear it, but you need to be careful. You’re transitioning.” The only other person in the room was his Lan Zhan, and he was unconscious. Talking about this wouldn’t be violating his brother’s trust.

Even so, Jiang Cheng stiffened. “I’m wearing the patch. I haven’t told anybody but you, A-Xian.” There was a prickly quality to his response.

“I know. I won’t tell anyone, except Lan Zhan, I can’t keep it from him, he’s my heart and soul A-Cheng.”

“You’re really that happy with him?”

“I am. I honestly don’t know what I’ll do if he can’t pull through.” Wei Wuxian’s vision blurred as tears started overflowing again.

“Fuck, don’t cry! They’re gonna blame me and say I was mean!” Jiang Cheng was yanking tissues out of the box and handing them to Wei Wuxian.

He snorted with a laugh, accepting the tissue to dry his face. “I’m crying because I’m scared he won’t wake up.”

“He will, the asshole’s tough.”

For those who knew and understood Jiang Cheng, his use of insulting names was a badge of fondness. It was obvious if he used the name even when he wasn’t angry. That was a pretty good sign his name calling wasn’t out of genuine malice. Usually it meant Jiang Cheng might even like the person somehow. It’s why Wei Wuxian was convinced his brother was developing feelings for the big Nie alpha.

“Did Nie Mingjue catch the…the guy?” He hadn’t been brave enough to ask until now. A lot of things had been said to Wei Wuxian today, but it was mostly about Lan Zhan’s condition and his own health.

“No one knows where the jackass is.” Jiang Cheng’s response was tight and grim.

“Oh.”

“Wen Xu said he’s got guys looking. Fuck, A-Xian the cops are so fucking useless. This dickwad stopped me in the lobby wanting my statement - again! They don’t talk to one another. No wonder it takes a fucking year for them to find shit.” Jiang Cheng growled with his agitation.

This was not good. “A-Cheng…are you going to be alright until he shows up?” 

“Why wouldn’t I be?” The quick response was sharp.

“A-Qing was right about you needing him to stay…even.” There was absolutely nothing Wei Wuxian could do for him besides talk. Plus, this was much easier than facing the fears that Lan Zhan might not make it.

“Ugh! Don’t tell him that! The last thing I need is for him to get smug about how I need him.” Jiang Cheng’s eyes widened slightly as he realized he’d admitted things he probably didn’t want to. “I mean! I’m fine, A-Xian. I’m fucking fine. I can handle this…”

It was stupid and normal and it was exactly what Wei Wuxian needed. He laughed, his fingers reflexively squeezing around Lan Zhan’s hand. It was so obvious that Jiang Cheng had a secret little crush.

“Are you gonna tell shijie what’s going on?”

“I don’t know. I’m still not really okay with it, I think I need to get there first, y’know?”

Yeah, he knew. Wei Wuxian got it all too well. He’d had his own experiences with coming to terms with shocking news. Being an omega had been a shock, A-Xian had always believed he’d be a beta at the very least, maybe an alpha. His confidence and his assertive nature as a teenager, it kind of led him to believe he would present as an alpha. To say being an omega had been a surprise was not an exaggeration in the slightest. Wei Wuxian didn’t really mind it, though. His mother had been an omega, so it made sense, but coming to terms with it when he’d been expecting the total opposite of what he’d gotten - that took time.

“Yeah, I know. Just…remember it’s not all bad, okay? I know she said it was,” they both knew who he meant when he used the word ‘she’ to describe madam Yu, “but it really isn’t terrible. Lots of people think omegas are unique, and male omegas…man we’re not as common as you’d think. It makes you special, A-Cheng.”

His brother was scowling while he talked. Wei Wuxian didn’t want to hold it in though. What if he waited too long and A-Cheng never heard it? Time was precious, there was no point in holding this kind of stuff back. Regretting what could have been said was not something Wei Wuxian ever wanted to live with again. That meant whether Jiang Cheng wanted to hear it or not, he was gonna tell him how amazing and awesome this chance could be. All his brother had to do was keep an open mind.

“It’ll feel special when it stops shocking me and making my ass fucking wet.” The dry remark made Wei Wuxian snort with a laugh.

“Jiang Cheng! I think you just made a joke about it!” Maybe his brother would come to terms with his new status sooner rather than later.

“Whatever. I just need that jackass to show the fuck up so I can deck him for making everyone worry so much. You need to rest too, and tell the asshole he shouldn’t scare us so much when he wakes up.” Jiang Cheng gave an awkward pat on Wei Wuxian’s shoulder.

When he wakes up. It was said so confidently, too.

Wei Wuxian clung to that confidence. When Jiang Cheng left to let him rest, his eyes tiredly settled on Lan Zhan’s peaceful looking face. In sleep, the man’s features were quite relaxed and he looked a little vulnerable. In the past, on those rare occasions when Wei Wuxian woke before his alpha, he had loved to just stare at him. The desire to stay like that and relish in the quiet moment was always short-lived since Lan Zhan was a bit of a light sleeper and seemed aware when someone was watching him.

Sleep was not an option tonight. What if something happened? He had to stay awake and stay present for Lan Zhan. Every time the nurses came through, he would refuse their offers to give him something to help him relax. Eventually they quit offering. They likely thought he’d pass out on his own. Well they didn’t know how stubborn he could be. Wei Wuxian planned to be awake when Lan Zhan finally opened his eyes again, he wasn’t going to miss it.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Everything was foggy and confusing. The sensation was akin to being aware but not quite being awake yet, though no matter how hard he tried, Lan Wangji could not force his eyes open. He could hear things though. The whirring of machines, the beeping sound of monitors, and the soft snores of his love. Recognizing the breathing of Wei Ying was second nature to Lan Wangji, even in this fugue state that he seemed to be trapped in.

His palm was sweaty and contained in the grip of another’s. Lan Wangji’s desire to squeeze his fingers was powerful. There was no concept of time and the hazy awareness was frustrating. The last thing he recalled was pain and a cold numbness spreading through him. 

There’d been a danger. Someone had tried to harm his family…his heart and soul. If there was still danger, he needed to wake up. He could not stay asleep at a time like this. It was important. 

“Lan Zhan…” Wei Ying’s words were a slurred murmur in his sleep-addled mind, yet he had heard it. “Don’t go…” 

Where did his omega think he was going?

Lan Wangji tried harder to wake up, it was akin to slogging through waist deep miasma and getting nowhere. He had to though, Wei Ying needed him. He needed reassurances and it was important that Wangji open his eyes to deliver those to the love of his life. Yet, no matter how hard he tried to reach out, it felt ineffective and futile. 

“His blood pressure is still a little too low.” This was a strange voice, Lan Wangji did not recognize it. “Let’s hang another unit of blood and a round of vasopressors.” 

“Yes, doctor. At least his mate is finally resting.” Another strange voice. Why couldn’t he open his eyes?

“Yes. Keep monitoring them…” the words were getting hard to focus on. That waist-deep feeling was chest high now. He was sinking back into the fog of oblivion and Lan Wangji was not pleased by it. 

Wei Ying needs me.

Forcing himself to stay above that slog of mindless unconsciousness was difficult. The room was quiet, whomever had been talking had left. Every ounce of his effort was inwardly focused upon one simple task - opening his eyes.

“Don’t go! Lan Zhan!” It sounded distressed, his Wei Ying was having a nightmare.

I am here, Wei Ying! I can feel your hand, can you feel mine?

Genuine anger was boiling inside of him as he struggled against the hold of sleep. There was no force in this world greater than his determination to be there for Wei Ying. It was slow, but he was winning the battle against the oblivion of sleep. The intermittent murmurs from Wei Ying kept him focused on his goal of winning his struggle to open his eyes.

The sight that greeted Lan Wangji when he finally managed to overcome the fog of sleep was a white tiled ceiling. The acrid stench of plastic and sterile air made his nose wrinkle up. Machines were beeping steadily and the uncomfortable feeling of a mask was making it hard to focus. Wangji attempted to lift his arm, but his hand was held fast. 

Wei Ying. 

Turning his head, pain blossomed through his body. It lanced out from his shoulder and chest and swept through his entire body. That effectively helped sharpen his sluggish thoughts. The mask needed to go. Its edges pressed to his face and his skin felt clammy and damp trapped beneath it. An annoyed exhale fogged the plastic of that mask and distracted him briefly before his eyes focused upon the sleeping figure next to him.

There were bars in the way, keeping Wei Ying from being nestled against his side, but their hands were joined. Lan Wangji squeezed his fingers. His hand was obeying him at least. The satisfaction he experienced having completed this task was short lived as he saw the sweat damp brow on his omega and the little frown pinching his features. Wei Ying was asleep.

“Wei…” Lan Wangji’s throat was so dry he could barely form one word. It made him cough, which made fresh white hot pain stab through his body. Swallowing and licking parched lips, he tried again. “Wei Ying…”

The words rasped from Lan Wangji’s ravaged throat and the crease between his brows intensified with his frown. He squeezed his omega’s hand again, more firmly this time. What was really needed was a glass of water. 

With considerable effort, Lan Wangji managed to make his body obey and he released pheromones to soothe Wei Ying. He couldn’t smell it though, the mask was keeping him trapped and isolated. Was this even real, was it his love holding his hand or was he only seeing what he wanted to see. With a groan, Lan Wangji tried to move, it was excruciating, he couldn’t lift his left arm without black spots swimming in his vision.

The mask needed to come off, he needed to smell that sweet citrus and spice of his mate. Wangji needed to make sure his own scent was still there, that he’d not mixed up his intentions in releasing his own pheromones.

“Wei…Ying…wake…wake up.”

Lan Wangji curled his thumb against the back of Wei Ying’s hand, trying to scrape his nail along the man’s skin. All he needed was to see those beautiful silvery eyes before exhaustion took him again. With trembling fingers, Lan Wangji put more effort into squeezing the hand holding his.

Wei Ying’s eyes fluttered, opening slowly. Relief washed through him and the bond between them surged with a mix of emotions. It was enough to pull a tear out of Lan Wangji as they stared at one another quietly.

“Lan Zhan?” Wei Ying’s voice was small and hopeful.

“Mn…I am…here.” Wangji feared falling back into slumber if he blinked. 

Wei Ying’s fingers tensed around his hand and a sob broke free from his omega. Hot fresh tears slid down that beautiful face and Wangji could feel the trembling through that held connection. The only thing that Lan Wangji wanted at that moment was to hold Wei Ying, but he could not. His body was not listening to him and the pain was vicious whenever he moved too much. Even breathing was uncomfortable.

“Mask…” He tried to reach his mate through their shared bond, searching his foggy mind for that part of him that was reserved for his omega. 

“Is it too tight!? Lan Zhan! Oh god you’re awake!” Another weeping sound left his omega and he groaned, trying to reach for him somehow. “No! No hold still Lan Zhan! Oh fuck, hold on, let me…I’ll take it off, okay?”

Wei Ying’s fingers squeezed tight around his hand and Wangji held on as firmly as he could to that connection. The omega lifted himself up and leaned close over the bars of the edge of the hospital bed to pull at Lan Wangji’s mask, it was sticking to his face but peeled away with the steady pull of Wei Ying’s free hand. 

“Only for a little bit, okay? I’m scared you still need it.” There was a shaky undertone to Wei Ying’s words.

Fresher air washed over his face, along with the scents Wangji had been missing. His own pheromones were weaker than he anticipated, and Wei Ying’s were extremely powerful. Sweet citrus, with a hint of sour fear still lingering in its depths and sharp spice. A slow inhale made him cough and struggle for a few seconds and it made panic wash through their bond and the scent in the room. 

“See, you need it, let me put it back.” 

“No…Not yet.” Wangji’s voice cracked as he looked imploringly at his love. He just needed a few more minutes of this to reassure himself.

There was so much he wanted to say, so many things he needed to reassure himself of and he could hardly move. How long had he been asleep? The room was clinical - definitely a hospital, but it didn’t look like a typical recovery room. Why was Wei Ying on a bed next to his own? Was he hurt? Had he not protected him? Was the assailant captured? Were they safe?

For all the questions he had, they all were pushed aside as he tried to comfort his sobbing mate. “Shhh, I am here, Wei Ying.” It was getting easier to talk the more he tried.

“Lan Zhan!” Wei Wuxian’s tears dripped onto Lan Wangji’s cheek as his omega leaned over him. Their lips met in a gentle reaffirming kiss.

Whatever the circumstance now, at least Lan Wangji knew his love was safe and with him. They could deal with the rest later. He had time and he had purpose, Wei Ying would not be abandoned, Wangji simply refused to allow it. 

“I love you, Wei Ying.” This was important. He’d wanted to tell him before he had succumbed to the darkness on the street. Wangji had to let Wei Ying know how important and how serious his confession was. “Always and forever. I love you.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Chapter Text

Darkness clung to everything when Nie Mingjue managed to open his eyes. There was a brief thought that perhaps he was blind and disorientation swept through him making him feel nauseous. Something sticky had matted hair to his temple. It felt like the worst hangover he’d ever experienced in his life. Moving was a painful and bitter experience, not that he could really move very much. He was stuck somehow. 

Quiet sounds were overly loud whereas the louder sounds seemed muffled or muted. It was all backwards. The icing on the cake was the annoying and constant sound of something rushing. It was like loud static on a television yet more defined and not so sharp. Maybe it was better to think of it as a dull rushing noise. It took a few minutes for Mingjue to realize that it was raining.

That at least explained why he was wet and cold. Figuring out why he couldn’t sit up was taking a little longer for him to understand. In the murky shadows, it was hard to figure out what the hell was going on. The pressure on his chest was substantial and the more Nie Mingjue focused, the more he came to realize he was pinned under something heavy.

Another piece of the puzzle had fallen into place. It was raining, he was on the ground and the water had soaked his clothes. The water was slowly starting to pool higher up on his sides as well. The heavy object holding him down felt solid and cold - like a beam of some sort. The sound of shifting rubble echoed loudly in his head. Where the fuck was he?

The last thing he remembered was chasing that lunatic with the dagger. It had been a mad furious dash down alleyways and other side roads until the bastard had taken someone’s moped. Mingjue had followed suit, borrowing a moped of his own to give chase. They’d reached the industrial part of town in no time. Chasing an armed maniac like that was wholly stupid, but he’d been driven by a baser instinctual need to destroy the danger that had come near his people.

No doubt the police would show up sooner or later, wouldn’t they? Maybe if they knew where he was that would help. This headache was fucking with his ability to recall what had happened once he’d caught up to the attacker. They’d crashed, hadn’t they? Yes, he’d purposely driven into him to stop the guy. It put the chase back on foot and they’d taken off through an abandoned building.

Mingjue had cornered his opponent and they’d fought. It was a challenge, and it had thrilled his inner alpha quite a bit to have a worthy opponent. They’d traded blows evenly, and it had been going in his favor right up until the guy had tackled him into a pillar. That’s when it all went blank. What happened after he got tackled? 

Experimentally, Mingjue tried moving his arms and legs. He wiggled his fingers and toes and was relieved when everything seemed to listen to him, albeit he was a bit sluggish. Was it really slow or was his comprehension of time just skewed? His head throbbed with pain, it really was a killer headache, and even though it was pitch black, the pain stabbed through his mind when he tried to look around. Everything was telling him he’d hit his head hard.

Groaning, Mingjue’s hand came up to press against his temple. The odd stickiness clung to his palm when he pulled away - it was definitely blood. Well this wasn’t good. Where was his phone? What had woken him up?

Water started to tickle the shell of his ear as he lay there, it hadn’t been doing that earlier had it? Was the water level getting higher or was it just his imagination? All he needed was a little bit of light and to get a real full breath of air to clear his head. Since the first was out of reach, he opted to focus on breathing. It was nauseating trying to suck in air at first. Mingjue couldn’t remember ever being this dizzy from a hit to his head.

Eventually, the fog started to clear a bit more. Nie Mingjue was fighting to stay awake, reminding himself constantly that he was in danger. His friends might still be in danger as well. How much time had passed? There was no indication if it was actually nighttime or if he was just trapped beneath enough rubble to blot out all light. Rubble. Why was there rubble?

It came back in little flashes. The pillar had given way behind him and the floor above had come crashing down. There was no way that guy had gotten out of it, he had to be here with Mingjue somewhere. If the other guy hadn’t woken up yet, Nie Mingjue would have the upper hand. All he had to do was get out from under whatever the hell had him pinned.

“Fuck!” The beam was heavy, but it wasn’t crushing him. He just had a terrible angle and couldn’t get a hold of the goddamn thing.

A piercing ringtone assaulted his senses and a bright screen lit up with an incoming call. The sudden glaring light was painful on Mingjue’s eyes yet he welcomed it happily. It was a unique tone that he’d set up for Jiang Wanyin. The song seemed perfect for the man. It was singing on and on about a man meeting their dragon and burning it all down - it just fit Wanyin perfectly. Was his spitfire looking for him?

Luckily, the phone was near his face. It must have fallen out of his jacket pocket after he’d gotten pinned. Shaky fingers reached to touch the screen and connect the call. There was a heartbeat of silence, then he could barely make out the tinny sound of Jiang Wanyin yelling. Another groan tore out of his lips and Mingjue managed to push the speaker button.

“....fucking jackass! Everyone’s been so goddamn worried! You hear me!? Answer me!” There was absolute fury in the voice and a bit of relief too. 

The whole thing made Nie Mingjue grin. Jiang Wanyin had been worried about him. “Hey…” Mingjue’s voice was painful and rough.

“What the fuck! Hey! Where are you?” 

“Don’t know. It’s dark, when did it start raining?” Nie Mingjue sucked in a labored breath and grunted as he tried to move the beam pinning him down again. Rubble rained down around him and the weight got a little heavier. That was not good.

“What was that? What happened?” Jiang Wanyin sounded absolutely concerned now.

“Got stuck. Could use some help getting out.” Water was getting inside his ears now and he had to lift his head to shake it out. “Sooner the better, I’m stuck in a puddle.”

“A…puddle? What the fuck, Jackass! This isn’t funny!”

“I know it isn’t! I’m the one stuck and soaking wet.” A dry chuckle left him which made Mingjue cough and he nearly vomited on himself.

“Where are you?” Clearly Wanyin hadn’t heard him the first time when he said he didn’t know.

“A warehouse I think.”

“You think!? What do you mean you think? How do you not know!?”

“Wanyin, take it easy. I’m pinned under something. I can’t tell you what I can’t see.”

“You’re pinned?? How the fuck are you so fucking calm!?” 

The swearing made Nie Mingjue grin. It was this angry screaming chipmunk response that had made him so infatuated with Jiang Wanyin in the first place. The illumination of the phone’s screen allowed Mingjue to see a bit better at least. It was definitely not just dark because he was buried, he could clearly see the jagged edge of the floor above him where it had collapsed and roiling clouds in the dark night sky through a hole in the warehouse roof above that. 

“Panicking isn’t going to get me out. I need you to find my phone.” If only Nie Mingjue could breathe without all this weight on his chest, it’d be so much easier to talk.

“How the fuck am I supposed to do that?” There was an upset snarl in Wanyin's voice.

“Log in on my account and tell the app to share my location with you.” Silence greeted him for a minute and Mingjue’s mind was getting foggy. 

“I need your password, Jackass.”

“I’ll give it to you, tell me when you’re ready.” This was likely going to be awkward at some point in the future, but Nie Mingjue didn’t have time to worry about it now. The water was rising around him and he couldn’t move the beam without it making rubble fall.

“What is it?” Jiang Wanyin sounded curt and tense.

“It’s all lowercase.”

“Okay.”

“It’s j-4-c-k-4-5-5.” He’d paused between each letter and number until he heard Wanyin grunt or say ‘okay’ to make sure he had it right. When he was done, there was another heavy pause.

“You used jackass as your password?”

Nie Mingjue grinned, choosing not to answer and deflected with a question of his own. “Did it work?”

More silence followed and he worried that maybe the call had been cut off. A creaking sound echoed overhead and he frowned, trying to focus on what had caused it. “How in the absolute hell did you get all the way over there?!”

“You found it?”

“Yeah. What the fuck?!” Jiang Wanyin was completely bewildered. 

“Hey, focus.” It was ironic that Mingjue was the one saying that right now. “I’m gonna drown if you don’t come help me soon. I’d rather not go out like that, I’m also not sure how much juice is left in my phone.”

“I’ll bring help. Fuck! Everyone’s worried about Lan Wangji so there’s a lot of people here.”

Nie Mingjue was getting dizzy again. All he wanted to do was take a nap. The water was bitterly cold and he was chilled to the bone. The cold was numbing his senses and adding to his drowsiness. Surely a little rest wouldn’t hurt while he waited, right? No, he had to stay awake for now.

“Is…is Wangji…” Talking would force him to keep alert.

“He’s stable. They got him hooked up to all kinds of fucking machines.” An upset little tremble vibrated in those words and Mingjue was not happy about it. He nearly let out his pheromones to help soothe Wanyin before he remembered the man wasn’t really there yet.

“Stable is good. Fuck this is heavy.” The beam was making it hard to breathe.

“What’s pinning you?” There was a rhythmic puffing sound that made it sound like Wanyin was jogging while talking.

Nie Mingjue found himself explaining in short sentences how he was trapped. He had no concept of how long he’d been there, but he did know when his phone finally bit the dust and the battery died. 

“Wanyin?” Nothing but silence responded. 

The light of the screen had also gone out and he was once again plunged into total darkness. At least help was on the way. The whole phone call could have been a hallucination as well though, it was really hard to tell. The only constant that Mingjue was sure about was the fact that the water around him was slowly rising as the rain steadily pelted around the wrecked building. 

Was the other guy buried under this shit somewhere or had he just left Mingjue for dead and taken off? The pillar collapsing replayed in his mind over and over. It was a hard tackle, the man’s shoulder had slammed into his gut and forced Mingjue back. Likely the guy had flown past him and was trapped under the concrete and rods of the floor itself. Hopefully he wasn’t dead. Justice was best delivered to the living, not a corpse.

His questions were quickly answered as he heard and sensed movement more than saw it. There was a scuffling sound and rubble shifting. The thud of a piece of something heavy falling over echoed above the din of the rain. Usually this kind of storm didn’t come until late in the summer. Every part of this experience felt like the heavens were trying to punish them with one calamity after another. 

Nie Mingjue became still and silent. The other guy couldn’t know where he was if he didn’t move. With his phone dead, there’d be no calls giving him away. Had the attacker heard the call? Was that what had woken him up? That wouldn’t be good if he was caught out like this, pinned beneath a beam and at the man’s absolute mercy. Images of a blade driving through Lan Wangji’s back flitted through his mind. The attacker was not merciful, he was a fucking coward.

Stumbling steps drew the man away from the collapsed area. Mingjue lifted his head just enough to keep his ears out of the rising water level. The flash of a lighter illuminated the stranger’s beaten face for a moment as the man lit a smoke. In the darkness, once the lighter was out, the only illumination was the glowing tip of the cigarette. 

It didn’t reveal a damn thing, but the wheeze and cough from the man said that he was hurting and the smoke wasn’t as soothing as it should have been. Wanyin was coming for him. Nie Mingjue couldn’t give away that he was there. He needed this asshole to leave so that it would be safe when his little spitfire showed up. Even if he showed up with an army, Mingjue wouldn’t trust others to keep Jiang Wanyin safe while he was trapped beneath a goddamn beam.

Fortunately, the stranger didn’t stay. Without a word, he seemed to stare at the collapsed area then simply turned and started to stumble off. The echo of his retreating footsteps were loud at first, then grew more and more faint as time went on. Just like that, huh? Not even a gloat or a single word uttered. The man had just left. 

That was fine really, just so long as he wasn’t lying in wait for Mingjue’s rescue to arrive. He’d find the bastard later, when everyone he knew and cared about was safe and accounted for. There was no telling how long it had been since the disturbance and use of the lighter though, and he was fucking tired. All Mingjue knew was that he was once again alone in the dark. Good. Hopefully the guy was limping off to lick his wounds and patch himself up. 

The water was high enough that he had to forcibly hold his head up to keep his mouth and nose above the water flowing around him. Jiang Wanyin would be safe when he got here, that was just what Mingjue had to believe in as he strained to stay above water, grunting every so often from discomfort.

“I really don’t want to go out like this…” 

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Jiang Cheng was quietly frantic as the cab driver moved slowly through the dark empty roads in the industrial district. He had been outside when his call to the jackass actually went through for once. After his visit with Wei Wuxian, Jiang Cheng volunteered to go get drinks and food for everyone. Afterward, when the group had their fill and were trying to rest in the waiting room, Jiang Cheng had become restless. 

He was unable to sleep in those uncomfortable waiting room chairs and had gone for a walk outside when the rain started. It came down in pelting sheets after just a few minutes too - it was one of those rare heavy spring rains that washed away all the muck and grime of winter. Taking shelter under the wide eaves of the building, Jiang Cheng had decided to try calling Mingjue again. He really hadn’t expected an answer, so he’d been shocked when it connected. 

Even though Jiang Cheng said he’d get help, there hadn’t been time to go back inside. The man said he was going to fucking drown. Whether or not that was an exaggeration, Jiang Cheng had no clue, but it had made him act without really thinking it through. Instead of calling the others, he had run down the street to the closest cab parked in front of the hospital and had gotten in. Now they were rolling through the industrial park on their way toward Nie Mingjue.

The rain wasn’t letting up and it came down heavily, obscuring the windows so that he had to squint and stare to make out the shapes of buildings and objects through the back windows. The driver was nervous, looking around with concern the deeper into the district they went. It was fucking irritating. Why the hell wouldn’t this jerkoff go faster?

“Hey! I’m paying to get somewhere, not fucking sightsee.” The growl of agitation made the driver scowl back at him in the rearview mirror.

“Man! This place gives me the creeps! You sure you want me to drop you off?” 

“I’ll pay you double if you stay too. I’m getting someone, we’re not fucking staying out here.” He looked down at his cell again, the little pin for Mingjue’s last known phone location was just around the corner. 

With a little jolt, the car stopped and Jiang Cheng snarled. “Why’d you fucking stop?!”

“Dude! The road’s washed out. I can’t get closer, hey! It’s pouring out!” Amidst the driver’s protests, Jiang Cheng got out and slammed the door shut behind him. Water rushed over the shitty broken pavement and seeped into his shoes almost instantly. 

With a glare at the cabbie, he turned to trudge through the overflowing street toward that fucking dot. What if he was too fucking late already? Why had it been him to get through? It took two steps before Jiang Cheng sank up to his knees in freezing cold water. The spring rains were really coming down with a vengeance tonight. Behind him, the cab backed up and the driver took off the way they’d come. 

“Fuck! Goddamn fucking stupid piece of shit! You fucking jerkoff!” 

There was a current in that water and he stumbled, forcing himself to move. Jiang Cheng dragged his soggy ass to the other side of the washed out section, scrambling up the broken asphalt. He yanked his phone out of his pocket to make sure it was still working and continued to swear at the now long gone cab driver.

The light jacket A-Cheng had on really didn’t do much against the rain and he was soaked through from head to toe. It’d be a miracle if he didn’t catch a cold from this. The only silver lining was that the rain cooled his overheated skin. It was the first real relief he’d had all week and if it wasn’t for the discomfort of being a drowned fucking rat, he might have groaned with appreciation. 

Unfortunately, that same rain also slapped wickedly against any exposed bit of flesh it could find. Each drop was fat and heavy, and it stung on his face and hands especially. Screw this pending heat shit! Wouldn’t it be better to just quit the drugs cold turkey and get it over with?! Fucking rain was going to drive him to insane!

When Jiang Cheng finally rounded the corner, his heart leapt in his throat. The building in front of him was dilapidated and falling apart. What in the hell had possessed the jackass to chase some lunatic in there?! Smashed mopeds were laying on the road, half submerged in the flooding water. When they got out of this, he was going to send a very nasty complaint to the city about shitty drainage in the industrial district of fucking town. This was goddamn awful!

“Jackass!” Stepping inside was a respite from the falling rain at least.

Swiping at his face to get the excess water off, Jiang Cheng looked around and squinted into the darkness. It was the middle of the night and the murkiness was exacerbated by the lack of street lights and the dark clouds hanging in the sky. The rain echoed endlessly off the shitty remnants of a ceiling and he resorted to using the flashlight on his phone to see where he was walking.

“Hey! Jackass! Make some fucking noise!” Jiang Cheng called out loudly again and the reply was a squeaking sound and something skittering away in the shadows. Fuck. Creepy crawly creatures were not his favorite. 

The deeper he walked into the building, the more he could see signs of a fight. There were fresh scuff marks on walls, at least he assumed they were fresh. They didn’t look dirty or old. In fact, they looked like slash marks from a big sharp something. Could Lan Wangji’s attacker be here still? The thought made Jiang Cheng freeze up for a minute before he continued onward. It didn’t matter, he had to find his jackass before the big fucker did actually drown in a goddamn puddle.

The main level of the building was a maze of half crumbled walls and hallways that opened up intermittently into larger spaces. Whatever the building had once been, it was now nothing more than a condemned site straight from the depths of hell. Putting together what he’d heard and knew from his talk with Mingjue, however, Jiang Cheng was pretty sure he was closing in on the guy. The dot on his phone’s screen had gotten a hell of a lot closer when he zoomed in on it too.

The space he’d just trudged into was wide open. It was broken only by the interspersed pillars evenly distributed around the space to support the floor above it. There was a section that had collapsed and water was raining off the floor above to splash loudly in a growing pool of trapped stormwater. Nie Mingjue said he was pinned, it was the only collapsed anything he’d come across, this had to be it, right?

“Hey! Jackass?! Are you alive?”

The sound of a cough was barely heard over the din of falling rain and moving water. “Over here! Is that you, Wanyin?”

Absolute relief rolled through Jiang Cheng and he rushed forward using the light of his phone to reveal the trapped alpha. “Fucking hell! Keep talking so I can find you in this shit mess!”

“Mmm, yeah it’s you. Nobody swears quite like you do.” A pained chuckle escaped Nie Mingjue and Jiang Cheng shivered when he saw the situation clearly. 

A pillar had crumbled nearby and with it, part of the floor above had come crashing down. One of the large beams that made up the frame of that floor had Mingjue pinned to the dirty concrete below and water half covered the man’s face. Was he holding his head up to stay out of the water on his own? What in the hell was he gonna do? The light from his cell phone swept up and down the length of that beam. It was connected to some remaining bits of the second floor and a big chunk of fallen concrete, but that mess was well away from Mingjue. 

“Can you breathe okay?” He moved over and put his phone up high on a dry piece of rubble so they still had light. His hands were immediately submerged in water so he could help hold Nie Mingjue’s head. 

A groan escaped the alpha and the man tiredly grinned up at A-Cheng. “Thanks. My neck is killing me.” 

“How in the hell are you so fucking calm?!” Jiang Cheng was shivering wildly from both fear and the cold by this point, but he was determined to get the big guy out of there.

“Thought you said you were bringing help.” Some of Mingjue’s words were slurring.

“Wasn’t any time, if I’d gone to get them you’d be sucking water before we got here.” It was true, too. The only reason the man wasn’t submerged in shit was because his head was now being held up. 

“Glad you didn’t then, but that guy might be here still. I think I heard him leave, I’m just not sure. He’s a pretty good fighter.” Mingjue’s eyelids started to droop. 

“Hey!” Jiang Cheng smacked his wet cheeks. “No drifting off. I’m gonna lift the beam, you need to move as soon as you feel the weight disappear, I don’t know how heavy it is…”

“S’not bad, I made it move but something sounded like it was gonna fall if I tried too much.”

Jiang Cheng grabbed his phone again with one hand while the other stayed in the icy water holding Mingjue’s face up. He swept the light over the rest of the collapsed area to get a better idea of what was going on. It looked safe enough to move, maybe a wall on the far side might crumble, but they were well out of the way of it. There was a bigger chance of the floor above raining down on their heads. The damn thing probably would if they waited too long anyway.

“Well you can’t fucking stay here. C’mon we’ll be fast…” His heart was hammering in his chest and this icy terror started to creep into Jiang Cheng’s mind. What if he failed? What if he couldn’t get Mingjue out?

“Hey, Wanyin.” Jiang Cheng looked down at the big man’s face. “I’m glad you’re here.”

It made absolutely no sense to be embarrassed in that instance, but Jiang Cheng was pretty sure his cheeks and neck were red. “Yeah...you’d do the same for me.” This was not the time to be all fucked up with dumb emotions! “Can you hold your head up on your own?”

Nie Mingjue nodded in his hands, it felt kind of strange, but he took it as a good sign and withdrew. The alpha’s head instantly dipped underwater for a second and Jiang Cheng swore, reaching back into the murky cold to hold his head up. 

“I’m fine, let me take a breath and then do it, alright? I can hold my breath for ages.” Mingjue sputtered reassuringly.

“Are you sure?” He should have gotten others, fuck he should have called someone while he was in the cab. 

Why hadn’t he? Probably because A-Cheng was afraid to look away from the little marker on the map in case it disappeared. Nie Mingjue nodded again, this time with a comforting grin on his face. They counted it down, Jiang Cheng held his head up until he got to three, then he carefully let go and moved his way down the rubble so that he could straddle the beam next to Mingjue and wrap his arms around it. There was just enough space for him to get a good grip and he braced himself before putting all his strength into lifting. 

At first, it didn’t budge. With shaking muscles, and a groan of effort, he hauled up on the fucking beam, rock and debris rained down at the far edge of the collapsed floor. Would the rest of it come crashing down?

“Fuck it!” There wasn’t time, how long could the alpha actually hold his breath? 

With clenched teeth and a snarl, Jiang Cheng hauled even harder on the beam. It miraculously started to move. He pulled it up as much as he could and waited. Every muscle in Jiang Cheng’s body was shaking wildly.

How the fuck did the jackass move it at all in the first place!? It was fucking heavy! Mingjue was doing his part at least, sluggishly wiggling away from the spot he’d been in. His head came above the surface of the water and he sucked in a huge breath of air. 

“Move! It’s…heavy!”

Time was dragging and the man inched away like he was caught in a vat of molasses. Jiang Cheng was panting with the effort to hold the damn beam up. When he could see Mingjue was clear, he dropped the massive thing. The abrupt release caused a splash and a thud. There was a tremor in the entire structure around them and Jiang Cheng swore.

Without thinking, he had moved to shield Nie Mingjue with his body. His still shaking arms wrapped around the man’s head and he curled over him to prevent debris from hitting his jackass. It took a while before Jiang Cheng realized he was being held too. Nie Mingjue’s arms had come up around his waist and he was hugging him with trembling limbs. 

The whole situation was surreal. Nie Mingjue was not a weak man. For him to be shivering like this, fuck he had to be freezing! The only sounds around them were the panting gasps of their own heavy breathing and the constant steady shower of heavy rain. They needed to get somewhere dry.

“Hey, you okay? Can you move?” A-Cheng had straightened up and reached for his phone to shine the light on Mingjue’s face to get a better look at him.

It made the big alpha groan and squint. “The light hurts! I’m fine, I think I hit my head pretty hard, but that’s it.”

Like hell that’s it! You were pinned under fucking rubble!

Scowling, Jiang Cheng grabbed Mingjue by the chin to examine his face. His hair was wet and there was blood trickling down. Some of it looked old and scabbed, but the water had loosened a lot of it so it was smeared and coating half the man’s face. He looked pale and hollowed out in the shitty light. 

“Are your feet and legs fine?” He drug Nie Mingjue’s arm over his shoulders and started to haul him up.

“Wait…get my phone too, it’s…somewhere close.” 

“Fuck your fucking phone!” Even as Jiang Cheng growled out the response, he shone his light around the space until he found the phone wedged between some rubble. The screen was a shattered mess. It was a goddamn miracle it was in one piece and had worked at all. “Holy shit.”

“What? Where is it?” Mingjue was heavily leaning on him.

“Here…lean on this.” Leaving the alpha propped against a bunch of fallen pieces of floor, Jiang Cheng scrambled over to get the phone and tucked it in a back pocket. He came back and sidled up next to Mingjue all over again, pulling the big man’s arm over his shoulders. “I’ve got the goddamn phone, let's get out of here.”

Leaving the warehouse was a trial. Every half a dozen steps or so, he’d have to stop to give Nie Mingjue a break. The first couple times left the big man vomiting from pain. He apologized each time and drunkenly talked to Jiang Cheng about how much he liked his swearing. That just made A-Cheng swear more and it became this strange little ritual. Walk a bit, stop, vomit, joke, start again. The worst part about it all was that using a cell phone as a flashlight killed the battery extremely fast.

When it powered off and plunged them back into the inky gloom of the storm, fresh waves of fear slid down Jiang Cheng’s spine. There was a wet smell of maple and cinnamon almost immediately in the air and he scowled at Mingjue. “Should you be doing that when you’re so fucked up?”

“Relax. I’ve been in worse spots before.” Nie Mingjue swayed dangerously and Jiang Cheng was pretty sure the guy was lying to him.

What he absolutely did not expect to see was the fucking cab outside waiting for him at the washed out section of the street. The guy had come back? Fuck, he was going to have to take back every single curse he’d ever said or thought about the guy. The relief was so intense, Jiang Cheng actually laughed and warm tears were sliding down his face. Thankfully the rain hid that fact though. 

“Hey! Jackass, we have a ride!” Jiang Cheng cried out excitedly.

“See? S’not so bad…” 

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Wen Ning listened to the heavy rain pelting against the small window in his childhood bedroom. He had managed to convince his granny that it’d be best if he stayed the night since he had plans to work on the garden with her in the morning before his shift. Although she had reluctantly agreed, at least he felt better being close by in case that strange man came back. 

A-Ning did not like the new neighbor. He couldn’t pick up any pheromones, but he didn’t have the markers of a beta either. It left him unsettled and confused. What was he? A lot of people kept their secondary presentations private, but not knowing had left the young man highly disturbed and worried. All through that awkward lunch, Wen Ning had stolen glances at Mr. Xue as he tried to spot any scent glands or clues that could let him in on what kind of person they were dealing with.

It was often said that alphas, betas, and omegas all had very identifiable personality traits. Alphas were typically dominant to a nearly aggressive level whereas omegas were soft spoken and gentle. Alphas were arrogant and cocky more often than not. Omegas were almost timid and passive in a lot of ways by comparison.

Of course, that got tipped on its head when someone threatened an omega’s family. Then they were more vicious than the alphas that dumbly thought they had been doing the right thing by being arrogantly protective. Wen Ning had seen more than a few alphas knocked down several pegs and humbled by their omegas in the past for that very reason. They just never learned. It was the omega that ruled the roost more often than not. The alpha was just along for the ride.

The real tricky ones were betas. They didn’t have strong instinctual urges to protect or defend. They weren’t overly aggressive or super sweet. They could be, but it was really not driven by pheromones or anything other than their own personalities. That made them wildcards that Wen Ning had never been good at predicting. He had enough trouble anticipating his own sister’s reactions. She didn’t act like most betas at all, though. Using her as a reference had gotten Wen Ning into more than a few spots of trouble with beta women in the past.

If that cop was a beta, he was going to be super hard to predict. If he was an alpha then A-Ning had a feeling he was a bit sadistic and maybe even dangerous. Of all the genders, he was pretty sure that Xue Yang was not an omega. The guy was just too cocky and too confident to be one without there being something fishy about it. Sure there were a lot of omegas that had confidence and could be arrogant, but they often had backup to make them that way. From everything they’d learned, Xue Yang was alone and on his own.

Sighing in annoyance at his runaway thoughts, Wen Ning sat up in the too-short bed of his old room and frowned at the continuing rain. The noise was usually enough to lull him into sleep, yet tonight all he could think about was protecting his granny. The urge was so strong, it was driving him crazy. Rarely had he felt such a drive to defend. His instincts were often muted, but not tonight. All he could think about was prowling the old home to make sure no one was hiding in the shadows.

He wasn’t a confident or overly powerful alpha. Being recessive like he was, Wen Ning was pretty sure he was a freak of nature and should never have been an alpha in the first place. Yet here he was, and it gave him a few advantages he’d never anticipated. The one he trusted the most was his gut instinct about people. It’s why he was still here and hadn’t left with his sister earlier that evening. If he left, his gut was telling him something bad would happen.

There was no way he was going to get sleep right now, though. The rain was coming down too hard. It kept him awake and his mind wouldn’t settle. With a tired groan, Wen Ning pulled on a jacket and tucked his feet into fuzzy slippers before opening the door. It opened to the outside on the second floor of the old house. The wide space up there had a roof over the open air patio area. This had been a favorite late night spot to sit on the old bench by the table, and take in the slumbering city around him. That roof had allowed him to enjoy the open air no matter what the weather was like.

To his surprise, Granny Wen was also outside sitting at the sheltered little table in the middle of the patio, wrapped in a heavy shawl. She looked lost as she stared out into the pelting storm. It made Wen Ning worry and he retreated to grab a blanket before returning to wrap it around the old woman’s shoulders. She grinned up at him and gave his hand a gentle pat.

“It’s chilly, y-you’re going to freeze.” Wen Ning’s voice was soft and the rain nearly drowned it out.

“Such a sweet boy! I’m fine, really.” She gave the bench seat a pat next to her and Wen Ning sat down.

“Can’t sleep?” He asked. 

“I wanted to see the storm. It’s powerful tonight. Good for the farmers, not so good for other things though.” His granny was not a farmer, but she did love her little garden.

From here, Wen Ning could easily see how flooded their little garden plot was with water. The storm drains around the walled courtyard were barely keeping up. “I might have to buy some more soil tomorrow, I think it’s getting washed away.”

Granny Wen gave a soft little laugh and nodded. “Hopefully this stops by the morning, otherwise my house might just flood!”

She was right too. They might have to get some sandbags if this continued. They fell into an amicable silence, his granny leaning against his shoulder and both of them squinting into the dizzying cascade of raindrops. 

“A lot of people h-have been a-asking about Wei Ying recently.” This seemed like an important detail that should be shared. Wen Ning had wanted to bring it up earlier with his sister there, but the neighbor’s visit had made him hesitate.

After Wei Ying had stayed with him, Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan had both come to his apartment. They had visited separately of course, which Wen Ning had been grateful for. The pair of them were so hostile when they were together, though madam Yu was exceptionally nasty when no one was there to police her either. He’d also had Wen Chao come for a visit, which had been exceptionally disturbing. Of all his cousins, that one was his least favorite. 

They all wanted to know the same thing - where did Wei Ying go and who was the baby’s father. At the time, Wen Ning had no clue of course, and he’d done his best to dissuade them. They’d all left disappointed and angry with him. 

Perhaps the strangest incident came from the pair of men he had never encountered before. They claimed to be related to his childhood best friend. Both men had been quite handsome and insistent that Wen Ning share any details about Wei Ying that he could. Wen Ning had trusted his gut and hadn’t said a thing, but they didn’t seem like terrible people. 

After that pair came a strange bookish looking woman who’d tracked Wen Ning down at his job. She claimed she had important business with Wei Ying and that Wen Ning was listed as a reference. That hadn’t made any sense at all. She wouldn’t even explain what kind of reference he was supposed to be. By that point, A-Ning stopped answering the door to unexpected visitors. He had taken some time from work too, just in case anyone else was looking for him. 

Wen Ning hadn’t mentioned the strangers looking for Wei Ying to anyone else yet. Still, it was rather concerning that all these people were looking for his friend through him. He’d kept his eye out for those unknown people reappearing, but they hadn’t in the past few weeks since first approaching him.

“What did you tell them?” Granny Wen asked, breaking through his inner musings.

“N-Nothing. It’s not t-their business.” Wen Ning shrugged and gave a little nervous smile. 

“Good. No one needs to know. You keep that boy safe if you see him, alright? We made promises back then, we have to follow through.” 

Wen Ning had no idea what she was talking about. All he had known was that way back then, they hadn’t been allowed to tell anyone about Wei Ying living here. When it had come out, everything had changed in an instant, and his best friend had disappeared to live with the Jiangs. Granny had promised it was safer that way, but A-Ning never quite believed it.

“Why…did he live here, Granny?” This was a delicate subject, he knew it, but he couldn’t help himself.

“He was so sweet and delicate back then. Just know I’m doing all of this to keep you and A-Qing safe, just like I am protecting Wei Ying.” She gave his knee a pat and grinned. “Do you remember when he tried to sleep on the roof?”

Wen Ning grinned, easily distracted away from his inquiry by the memory. “Oh! I do! He almost f-fell!” 

Truth be told, Wei Ying had fallen, he’d just managed to catch hold of the edge of the eaves and dangle there until Granny could get beneath him. She’d scolded Wei Ying and then fed all of them tangy treats. That’s how it always went in his Granny’s home. No matter the infraction, once Granny was done scolding, she would use treats to win back favor and soothe the sting of her harsh words. She was just too gentle and kind. 

“Granny. I…I don’t trust Mr. Xue.” He couldn’t hold back with this.

She looked at him with a patient smile and nodded. “I know. Don’t you worry, A-Ning. I’m not blind yet.”

“Why…did you t-tell him about…Wei Ying?” If she knew something was off, he couldn’t understand why she talked about things no one had ever been allowed to mention.

“I needed to see how much he knows.” She had that calculating look to her eyes. Wen Ning hadn’t often seen it since the woman was just so sweet and gentle. He often forgot that she was still a Wen and a rather tough one at that too.

“H-How much he knows?”

“Mhm…It’s important to always have as much information as you can, A-Ning.” She grinned and slowly stood up. Wen Ning stood as well, offering her an arm. Granny Wen gave his arm a pat. “Try to get some rest. We’ve got a garden to rescue in the morning.” 

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

The scenery from the executive offices of Qishan Industries was impressive. With the flooding spring rain assaulting the city, water trickled down the floor-to-ceiling windows. The light was hidden along the walls and cast shadows along the uneven surface that resembled carved stone walls. For all of its size, the room was quite sparse. It utilized that open space to make the room feel powerful and imposing rather than empty and bland.

From here, Wen Ruohan controlled his family empire and oversaw even the smallest details. Tonight, the office was not empty as it often was at this late hour. Instead, Yu Ziyuan was rigidly standing there, doing her best to not be intimidated by the man gazing out those massive windows to the streets below. Off to the side, a man with short cropped hair was tending to his injuries. She had only met him once before and he still terrified her.

“I hear that your family is in turmoil.” The steady voice of Wen Ruohan echoed in the spacious room and Yu Ziyuan forced herself to ignore the man off to the side.

He still hadn’t turned around to look at her and she straightened her spine. “It won’t last. Fengmian was foolish but I can fix it.” 

“Can you?” Wen Ruohan turned then, scrutinizing her.

“Of course.” Saying less was more in this room. She couldn’t give excuses or reasons, it would give him too much ammunition.

“Children can be so rebellious sometimes. My A-Xu has recently gotten himself married without my blessing - yet even he spoke to me about it afterward.” There was a poignant pause and Yu Ziyuan wasn’t sure what he wanted her to say. “I am disturbed that you’ve lost contact with our daughter though, Ziyuan.”

Yu Ziyuan flinched and glared at him. “Yanli is not your daughter.” Fury was seethed in her voice.

“Really? I recall that year quite well, you were so…radiant. Your husband was gone for most of that time. Business travel if I remember correctly.” There was a sly smile on Ruohan’s face. A knowing smirk that made Yu Ziyuan’s stomach knot.

“You are not the father.” She was adamant when she replied.

“Oh, have you tested then? Does old Fengmian finally know about us?” Wen Ruohan chuckled darkly.

“Of course not. A woman just knows.” It galled her to think that this man could have such a hold over her.

“I see. Perhaps you should use that woman’s intuition to explain things to me then.” He started to walk closer to her, the steps were confident yet measured and slow. 

Wen Ruohan stopped just in front of her and reached out to cup her cheek. “Tell me why I’m hearing that your children have abandoned you. Have you truly lost control of my bargaining chip?”

Pure hate boiled within her veins. Why did everything always come back to that wretched little fucking whore Wei Wuxian?! “He’s nothing. I ca--ahh!”

The slap was sharp and it echoed in the room. Yu Ziyuan’s head snapped to the side and spots danced before her eyes. She wasn’t a stranger to hits, yet the man didn’t hold back with that slap. Reaching up to cup her reddening cheek, she glowered at Wen Ruohan.

“You were supposed to control him. Keep him safe and contained in your little family. How is it, then, that he is pregnant and out of reach of your influence? Are you rebelling against me, Ziyuan?” He unbuttoned the cuff of his long sleeved dress shirt and started to roll it up his forearm. “I’ve had enough rebellion lately with A-Xu marrying into the Nie family. Though perhaps you can help me with that little problem as well.”

The man off to the side of the room was watching them. Wen Ruohan wouldn’t temper his reactions because of that though. She knew better. Ziyuan had seen that nameless man in action only once and it haunted her to this very day. He was the unquestioning loyal lapdog of Wen Ruohan. He would not save her if things suddenly became very bad.

“It was a mistake! I didn’t plan it! We were going to take care of it quietly but he ran.” She wasn’t going to acknowledge his other ‘problem’ at all. If she ignored it, he couldn’t dig his claws into her any deeper than he already had.

“You should have informed me right away. I’m disappointed.” Wen Ruohan didn’t take disappointment well. 

“I thought he had run to your nephew’s home. We believed we still had him within reach.” She muttered, body tensing as she watched him methodically roll up his sleeves.

“You know I could have helped. I also would have done so without involving my family. Do you want my gugu to pay attention to this once again?”

Yu Ziyuan’s eyes widened with terror. “No! No! I can get him back, I can fix this. Just…give me a little time? I know where he is now.”

“So do I, Ziyuan. What can you possibly do that I cannot?” Wen Ruohan’s palm pressed against her shoulder, pushing her down to her knees slowly. “Right now, I see little reason to continue protecting you or your pathetic family. Tell me why I should still help you.”

If Wen Ruohan stopped keeping his end of the agreement, it meant that the secret would be out. The world would know she had murdered a daughter of the royal family, but it hadn’t just been her! Glancing to the side at the shadowy man sitting there like a statue, Yu Ziyuan felt new hate within her soul. He’d been there! He’d helped! She could take Wen Ruohan down with what she knew, couldn’t she?

The problem was that she was a mere beta and he was the alpha of the wealthiest and most powerful elite family next to the nobility. No one would care what she said and there was a strong possibility that Wen Ruohan would just remove the shadow man entirely so she couldn’t put any blame on him. No one knew who he was, he was just a ghost that did Ruohan’s bidding. 

Ziyuan was panicking. She would be imprisoned at best, as would Fengmian. Their children would suffer for it too, they’d carry the blame of her actions. The company would be dissolved, everything seized and taken away. She would lose all that she had worked and suffered for all these years. What did she have to offer?

His problem! He said I could help somehow!

“Wen Xu’s marriage. I can help with it, you said I could help with that problem!” She just needed to keep him from revealing the truth a little longer. They were so close to finding a way to eliminate Wen Ruohan. Ziyuan couldn’t afford to let all that effort and planning go to waste.

“Hmm…perhaps I can be swayed. A-Xu married a beta you see. I hear you have ways to correct this oversight and make my son’s spouse more…appealing.” A hand settled on the top of her head, she knew what was coming.

“You want to force a change? You want to bitch Wen Xu’s bride? You don’t want to remove them?” She looked down at the man’s expensive shoes. The longer she stayed looking down, the longer she could hold off his inevitable demands.

“The elders have blessed the union. I cannot remove A-Xu’s spouse so easily now. If they were to change, however, the bloodline is good enough to make an acceptable pairing. A-Xu’s offspring will be worthy of the Wen family.”

It galled her to realize that this nobody she didn’t even have a name for was good enough for the Wen family name when she hadn’t been. Spite and rage simmered beneath the surface as she glared down at the ground. It was humiliating being put on her knees like this. The arrogant bastard did it often to her though and she could do nothing but grit and bear it.

The shadow man stood up quietly, Ziyuan had almost forgotten he was there. He looked at her with something between pity and disgust. It made her lip curl with a silent snarl. He was putting on leather gloves though and this worried the hell out of her. Was he going to kill her on Ruohan’s orders? Fear twisted inside her gut and she tried her best to stamp it down. Ziyuan still had something Wen Ruohan wanted.

“I can get you medication that will help with your problem. It takes time though, the supplier is hard to get in touch with.” She’d have to think of something else after this to keep the Jiang family worthwhile in this asshole’s eyes. 

Wen Ruohan started to stroke her head. “You’ve bought yourself a week, Ziyuan. After that, everything I’ve ever promised to do will happen.” 

She looked up at the alpha then and licked her lips. They’d been lovers once, could she do it again to appease the man’s ire? No, he didn’t look interested. The prick gave a small nod to the shadow man and he stepped up closer. “Wait! You said I had a week!”

“You do. This is your punishment for losing control in the first place.” Wen Ruohan had the audacity to smile as he moved away from her. 

The shadow man stepped closer and instant pain radiated through Ziyuan’s body as his boot found her middle with frightening accuracy. The wind was knocked out of her almost immediately and Yu Ziyuan crumpled to the floor. Another hit cracked against her spine, then her side. 

“Don’t leave any obvious marks and don’t kill her.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

It was nearly three in the morning when Nie Huaisang was roused from napping on A-Xu’s shoulder and told his da-ge had been found. The fog of drowsiness had dissipated immediately and he was pacing back and forth waiting down by the emergency room doors with A-Xu. They didn’t know much, just that Jiang Cheng had somehow found him that his da-ge had been hurt. It was disconcerting beating the ambulance to the hospital, at least he’d assumed it would be an ambulance. 

What had happened to his da-ge? Had he been stabbed too? Was he near death? Huaisang started to fret and pace again, worries piling one on top of the other. It was driving Wen Xu crazy, he knew it was, but he couldn’t stop! What if Mingjue-ge didn’t make it? How was he expected to go on without him in his life? His da-ge hadn’t even finished scolding him for getting married yet!

A cab rolled up to them and the back door was flung open. Jiang Cheng flopped out looking like an exhausted drowned rat. He was soaked from head to toe and covered in dirt and grime. There wasn’t an ounce of fury on his face or a change and that also worried A-Sang. He’d never met Jiang Cheng when he wasn’t furious. The man looked their way tiredly then turned back to the cab and half disappeared inside until he could haul out Nie Mingjue.

“Da-ge!” Huaisang was horrified.

The man that emerged from the cab next to Jiang Cheng looked like a drunken homeless monster! His usually well groomed hair was loose and hung around his shoulders in a bedraggled wet mess. There was blood smearing half the man’s face and it looked like it had matted some of his hair down to his scalp. Clothing was torn, he was soaked completely and mud caked most of his body. Bruises mottled his face and his knuckles were swollen and bloody. The fact that his big strong brother was leaning heavily on Jiang Cheng spoke volumes all on its own. 

“Fuck, he looks rough.” Wen Xu whistled low but was moving in the next second to go help Jiang Cheng bring the big man inside. 

“Where’s the doctor? He was pinned under some fucking beam in a warehouse.” Jiang Cheng growled with seething fury.

That sounded more like the beta Huaisang had come to know. He still wasn’t scowling, which was very strange. It took a minute for the words to register and absolute shock made Huaisang yelp and then get right in his brother’s path, stopping the men from carrying him further. “Da-ge?! Da-ge!”

“Fuck sake! Calm down! He’s not dead.” Jiang Cheng’s expression morphed instantly into absolute hostility. “Get the fuck out of the way!”

“Stop snarling at the world, my sweet husband is simply worried.” Wen Xu replied with a snap of authority. 

“Fuck you too. Your fucking guys couldn’t find a fucking trace of my jackass. I had to go out and get him. Goddamn fucking prick. Get off your high horse and just help me get him to a fucking doctor.” Jiang Cheng’s outburst was both expected but unexpected. 

Huaisang stopped whining in his da-ge’s face and just stared over at Jiang Cheng. His jackass? What the hell did that mean?! Trepidation slid around in his gut as he looked from Mingjue to Jiang Cheng and back. Surely to god they hadn’t hooked up, right? 

Wen Xu snorted with a laugh and shook his head. “A-Sang, go get a doctor. Mingjue-ge is heavy.”

It didn’t take long. In mere minutes a team of doctors had arrived and they were directing the men to get Nie Mingjue on the hospital bed. There were even attempts to help Jiang Cheng, but he waved them all off saying he’d gotten dirty helping get Mingjue out. That’s how Nie Huaisang learned that his da-ge had been pinned under the support beam of a warehouse floor all afternoon and evening. 

The doctors asked a bunch of questions about his da-ge and he answered everything he could. They also asked Jiang Cheng about where the beam had been, how they’d moved it, if Huaisang’s da-ge had vomited and so on. By the time they were left to wait, A-Sang’s head was pounding with a worried headache. 

“What’s wrong, Newbie?” Wen Xu was still with him, ever present and attentive. He’d pulled Huaisang over to sit in an uncomfortable plastic chair. 

“Da-ge looks so hurt! He’s never hurt like this. He was pinned! For hours!” What if he had brain damage?!

Wen Xu’s fingers swept over Huaisang’s cheek and he leaned in to press a kiss against his forehead. “Don’t worry, the man’s built like a tank. He was trying to walk on his own, didn’t you see? I’m surprised that Jiang Cheng managed to get him here all by himself. Mingjue-ge is tough.”

Jiang Cheng wasn’t far away and snorted at them “I lifted the goddamn beam off him. I’m not some weak little pipsqueak you fucking arrogant alpha.”

Huaisang watched as his husband’s eyes narrowed and lips thinned. Oh that was an unhappy face. He didn’t like A-Xu’s scary faces. Determined to ward off a fight in the middle of the emergency room hallway, Nie Huaisang reached out to squeeze Wen Xu’s hand and leaned into him. “You think he’ll be okay? He didn’t look like he got stabbed…” 

Jiang Cheng snorted but didn’t say anything else. Maybe he knew when to leave well enough alone. The cranky beta plopped tiredly down into a seat a little ways away from the pair of them and leaned his head back until it thudded against the wall. Because his clothes were soaked and because of the angle of his head, the action elongated his neck enough to expose half of a scent patch on his neck. 

“What’s that?” Huaisang asked curiously without even thinking it through.

Wen Xu looked over and then back to Huaisang questioningly. How had his alpha not noticed the scent patch? It was weird to see one on a beta, they didn’t have pheromones. Huaisang lifted his hand and pointed to Jiang Cheng’s neck and Wen Xu’s gaze followed. 

“What’s what?” Jiang Cheng’s eyes were closed.

“On your neck…was my brother wearing scent patches? Wait! Why is his scent patch on you?!” Huaisang had no clue if that was actually the case, but it looked like the brand his da-ge used. What else explained why it would be on Jiang Cheng? Had they been fucking around and was it hiding a hickey!?

Jiang Cheng’s eyes snapped open and a hand clapped over his neck so fast that there was a loud slapping sound. “Mind your own fucking business!” 

He sat up and tugged at the collar of his shirt, attempting to hide the patch as best he could. Unfortunately the cloth was sodden and just wouldn’t obey the man. He snarled and held a hand over his neck like that’d wipe the traces of everything from A-Sang’s memory.

“I saw Mingjue-ge help him with it when we were by the car this afternoon. What’s wrong with a scent patch, A-Sang? Some omegas have a hard time when their emotions are out of control.” Wen Xu was speaking in that gentle soothing tone that he reserved just for Huaisang.

The silence was deafening. Jiang Cheng’s face was purple with unspoken and repressed rage. He also looked completely mortified. Huaisang was just wholly confused. He wasn’t an omega! With a frown he looked at Wen Xu while Jiang Cheng leapt to his feet and stormed off. 

“A-Xu, he’s a beta. Why would you call him an omega?”

“Really? I thought I caught his scent this afternoon. Maybe it was Wei Wuxian after all. I just caught a whiff of an omega by the car and assumed it was Jiang Cheng since Mingjue-ge was helping him with the scent patch.”

It had been mid-afternoon when they had all met up by Lan Wangji’s car. The streets had been moderately busy with foot traffic, but there’d been enough of a light breeze to prevent scents from lingering in any one spot. Unfortunately, Nie Huaisang had no clue what Wei Wuxian smelled like. He only knew Wen Xu’s scent because of the bracelet. 

“It must have been Wei Wuxian. Jiang Cheng’s a beta.” It still didn’t explain why his da-ge would be putting a scent patch on his neck and now that Jiang Cheng had fled down the hall, it wasn’t like they’d get an answer anytime soon.

Wen Xu just shrugged and sat beside Huaisang, pulling him up against his side in a warm embrace. “Couldn’t really care less either way. He’s a Jiang, you can’t trust them.” 

Now that Huaisang knew more of why everyone was going after Wei Wuxian and how this whole mess had started, he could understand why Wen Xu would be biased. It still didn’t sit right with him though. Frowning, he pinched his husband’s side.

“You can’t blame the sins of the parents on their children. I wholly admit Jiang Cheng is an asshole with a foul temper, but is he really untrustworthy or is he just angry at the world? A-Xu…things have happened to him.” He hadn’t talked about the drugs and honestly, he didn’t know what they did.

“We all have things happen to us, it’s how you deal with them that shows what kind of person you are.” Wen Xu sighed and leaned back against the wall, hugging Huaisang close. “Try to get some rest, Newbie. They’re gonna be with Mingjue-ge for a bit I think. I’ll wake you when they come to let us know what’s going on.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Jiang Cheng was trembling. He was fucking cold and wet. Exhaustion was dragging his ass down and he’d fucking forgotten about the damn scent patch. Leave it to that nosy prick to notice it almost instantly. How was a clueless little fuck like that so goddamn observant at all the wrong times? At least A-Li hadn’t seen it. 

No matter how much he was coming to accept the fact that he was transitioning, it wasn’t something Jiang Cheng wanted anyone to know yet. The only people who did were the ones he trusted to be there for him and to help. Anyone else was just going to fuck him in the long run somehow.

It was hard to recall what had happened back that past afternoon before the jackass had taken off like some fucking hero to vanquish evil. Every time he thought about it for too long, all he could see and smell was blood. So what if that Wen asshole saw Mingjue put a scent patch on his neck? It didn’t mean a goddamn thing, he shouldn’t have said a fucking word.

The urge to go back and clock the guy right square in the nose was making his temper even worse. Nurses and patients alike were looking at him worriedly and giving him a wide berth of space. No one was coming close, and he preferred it that way. Mostly…These fucking wet clothes were getting itchy and uncomfortable as they stuck to him.

“Hey.” He stomped up to a nurse who looked a little worried to be singled out. “Is there a gift shop here or something with clothing?”

“Ah...no…but the hospital can lend you some scrubs…”

“I’d appreciate it.” The curt snarl couldn’t be repressed anymore.

The nurse started to lead him down a hall. “Are you alright? You’re pretty mucked up.” 

“I’m fine.” Jiang Cheng really did try to hold back his growl. Honest. 

The nurse grinned and shrugged. “If you say so. C’mon, you can change over here.”

They entered what looked like a locker room for the hospital staff. Jiang Cheng frowned as he looked around the space, but the nurse strolled up to a cupboard and opened it, glancing back to size up Jiang Cheng a few times. After a minute of that, he was handed a set of scrubs and a long sleeved under shirt that had a high collar to it. 

“Do you need a new set? Are you an omega?” The man motioned to his own neck while looking at Jiang Cheng curiously.

Without even realizing it, he had bristled with fury. Why the fuck was everyone calling him a fucking omega!? He was a goddamn beta still! He hadn’t gone through his heat! He hadn’t fully transitioned!

Scent patch…Even Nie Huaisang saw it…

Right. Fuck. Was it falling off or something? His indignant rage changed into embarrassment and he gave a curt nod. “Probably. I’m not really good at putting them on, so could you get me a spare set too?”

“Sure thing, if you wanna have a shower to clean up, they’re just around that corner. Figured you might like that better than just changing.” At least the nurse wasn’t asking him questions or giving him funny looks.

Of course he wouldn’t though. He was used to running into fucking weirdos in his job and he knew nothing about Jiang Cheng or his fucking history. Did he really look that much like a goddamn omega already? His hair was too short wasn’t it? The shower sounded like a gift from the fucking heavens. Leaving the guy behind, he disappeared around the corner to wash up, mulling over the blind acceptance of the nurse. Would it be so bad to be an omega?

According to Wei Ying, it wasn’t so terrible. They had the ability to read a room better and he wouldn’t be left in the dark about a lot of things anymore. The scary bit was the whole being at an alpha’s mercy even more so than he was as a beta. Not to mention having to experience his first heat. Jiang Cheng wasn’t ready for that at all.

In less than fifteen minutes, he’d washed up and dried off enough to put on the long sleeved under shirt then the scrubs. All in all, Jiang Cheng was pretty sure he could pass for hospital staff, all he was missing was an ID badge. With a towel on his head he came back around into the locker area and saw the nurse fiddling around on his phone before looking up and grinning. 

“Feel human again? Here.” He fished out a pack from the pocket on his own scrubs and held it out. They were scent patches. 

“Is there a trick to putting these things on without fucking up?” Jiang Cheng asked as he pulled out one of the patches eyeing it with hate.

“Lil bit. It’s usually easier the more often you do it, but I recommend mirrors for beginners.” There was still no judgement or mocking. 

“Thanks.” What else could he say?

“Want help?”

“Are you an omega?” It galled him that he couldn’t tell the difference yet.

“Nah, I just work with a lot of omegas. Have a seat.” The nurse just gave an easy smile and moved over to take the patch from Jiang Cheng’s hand. “Tip your head to the side a little…yea, chin up. There you go.” 

It took seconds to affix the first patch and the second was just as quick. The wrappers crumpled in the nurse’s hand and he dumped them in the trash. “It’s none of my business, but if you are having trouble, you know there’s people here you can get help from, right?”

What the fuck was that supposed to mean? Jiang Cheng’s mood soured instantly. “I’m fine. I didn’t get hurt, my…my alpha did.” fuck why’d he say that?!

“Ahh, that’s shitty dude. Have the doctors talked to you yet?”

Jiang Cheng shook his head. “He was trapped in a collapsed building, he hit his head.”

The nurse nodded sympathetically. “Sounds harsh. Want me to find something out for you? Are you two bonded?”

This startled the hell out of Jiang Cheng and he choked, coughing a little violently. "What...No, fuck we aren’t anywhere near there yet.”

A chuckle filled the space. “Hey, no problem with taking things slow. Listen, if you need help and the doctors won’t talk to you, come look me up, I’ll sneak you into his room.”

“Why the fuck are you willing to help me so much?” Jiang Cheng was not trusting of this easy kinship.

The guy gave a casual shrug. “I’ve seen all sorts come through here, you looked kind of lost and upset. I get the whole new relationship thing, too. I don’t mean to assume anything between you and your alpha, but like I said, if you need help, come look me up. I’ll be down by the nursing station in the emergency ward.” He winked and stood up. “My break’s over though, so I've got to go. When you’re ready just head out, the door locks automatically behind you.”

Just like that, Jiang Cheng was left alone in the locker room of the hospital. He hadn’t considered the fact that Nie Huaisang might not tell him how Jackass was doing. Didn’t he have a right to know though? Mingjue would still be trapped or dead if it wasn’t for him. That water had been rising so fast…how long could he have held out if it hadn’t been for him calling? A shiver slid down his spine. Had Jiang Cheng really saved Nie Mingjue’s life?

Why in the fuck had he called that arrogant prick his alpha too? Was it just because the nurse thought he was an omega and it was easier? That was the only reason he was willing to accept for the time being. It had nothing to do with the fact that he’d been terrified out of his mind that Nie Mingjue might not make it. Nor did it have anything to do with the fact that he needed the fucking alpha. He was just the one that Jiang Cheng could stand and the one who was keeping him ‘level’ or whatever the hell Wen Qing called it. 

A fresh wave of heat slid through his veins and he groaned. The rain had been a welcome respite from this constant feverish feeling. It was driving him nuts. At least his ass wasn’t leaking anymore. He hadn’t had time to think about dirty shit for a while and as long as he stayed partially panicked, maybe he wouldn’t have to ever deal with slick ever again. Would anger hold it back just as well? Somehow, Jiang Cheng wasn’t quite so confident about that.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Lan Wangji realized right away that he was dreaming. It was a good dream though. The night he’d met Wei Ying could never be anything but a good dream. He remembered it well, too.  

“Are you sure you won’t reconsider?”

Lan Wangji’s aversion to flying had seen him booking a multi-day train excursion from Gusu to the city at the end of the Lan family gathering in Caiyi. His brother had called to try to convince him not to leave just yet. The gathering still had a few days to go, however, Lan Wangji wanted to return home and get back to work straight away. Leaving early meant he would be prepared and ready for his brother’s arrival.

“I am already on the train, Xichen.” Trains were far better than flying anyway.

He had continued to talk to his brother while he shuffled down the aisle behind other passengers who were boarding. That was when it happened. A body collided with his, jostling the arm that held the phone especially. The device had flown out of his hand and skittered across the floor beneath a row of seats while the body that’d run into him was in the process of collapsing to the ground. Instinctively, Lan Wangji had reached out to catch the stranger. 

“Shit! Sorry! Let me get that for you.” The voice belonged to the most enchanting man Wangji had ever set eyes upon. A delicious combination of citrus and spice floated around him, adding to the ethereal quality of the moment.

Bending down to retrieve the phone, the man’s shoulder length hair spilled down around his face, obscuring Wangji’s ability to study his features. He was tall with a lithe build and moved gracefully. Delicate looking fingers reached up to tuck hair behind a perfect ear which gave Lan Wangji his first real glimpse of the man’s stunning beauty.

In this profile view, the stranger’s high cheekbones and soft jawline were on full display. His straight nose and full lips were perfectly proportioned. He clearly smiled easily and often, but Wangji could imagine how adorable he would look pouting as well. The really stunning part about the man’s face were his eyes.

They were unique. His elders would have called them favored phoenix shaped eyes. They would not be wrong either, the tilt and curve at the corners that gave them such an entrancing shape was unquestionable. The color was mesmerizing. Instead of dark brown or black, they were a light shade of shimmering silvery grey. Lan Wangji wanted to stare into those eyes for a long time if he were ever given the chance to do so. This stranger was angelic. 

Wangji subtly inhaled as deeply as he could to catch the man’s scent again. The sweet and spicy tones were laced with the markers of an omega and it made a possessive desire surge through his veins. This was a truly stunning individual and he’d captivated Lan Wangji without even trying.

“Here you go!” That smiling face turned upward as he held out the dropped phone for Lan Wangji to take. For a brief second, it looked as if the man recognized him.

“Thank you.” Taking the phone from that outstretched hand had given Lan Wangji a visceral jolt of energy. He had no idea what to say to the bewitching creature before him, and when their fingers brushed against one another, he could feel the tingling sensation that passed between them.

A blush crept over the man’s face and he grinned brightly, standing straight again and dusting off his knees. He wore dark black clothing for the most part. His jeans were black as was his jacket. His knit sweater bled from a rich scarlet to a deep grey, blending one color into the next. A red hair tie was wrapped around his wrist. There was a scarf around his neck… but it hung loosely and did nothing to hide his scent.

“Sorry again, I didn’t mean to run into you.” Wangji wanted to continue listening to that sweet voice, but they were blocking the aisle of the train now and the other passengers were growing restless…

“He’s sleeping. Don’t wake him.” This voice was the same as the one in his dream, yet it wasn’t quite right. 

Lan Wangji was partially roused from the dream by his mate’s irritation through the bond and his tired voice so close to him. At first, he was confused. This was not how the rest of their encounter had gone on that train.

“We need his statement. Yours too. Maybe you’d care to start perhaps? We can speak quietly or we can leave the room if you prefer? I hear you’re able to walk.” This upset Lan Wangji. Who was in the room with them? Instinctually his hand squeezed tightly around Wei Ying’s in his half-asleep state. He should open his eyes, shouldn’t he?

“Here’s fine. Just…try not to wake him up, okay?” Wei Ying was definitely unhappy.

The closer to waking Lan Wangji became, the more he was convinced he should pretend to stay asleep for the time being. He couldn’t say why exactly, just that for now, he could hold Wei Ying to him better if he were not awake than if he’d opened his eyes. It was a gut feeling, and Wangji trusted those sorts of feelings the most.

“Very well, as I said, I am Officer Xue Yang, I’m part of the team investigating the attack. I’ve spoken with other witnesses, but I would like to get information from you. They said you had felt like you were being followed?”

“Yeah.” Wei Ying shifted next to Lan Wangji. “I was walking in the park with my brother. Someone was watching us and followed us out. I called Lan Zhan to unlock the car and we got inside and waited for him to show up.”

“Did you lock the doors behind yourself?”

“Of course. I’m not stupid.” 

The questions so far seemed pointless and not really worthwhile for identifying a person. Wangji was not impressed thus far. Perhaps this was a new officer and he didn’t have a lot of experience in getting witness statements. It sounded more like an interrogation to him.

“Then what happened?”

“Well, Lan Zhan called, he wasn’t far away and he got there maybe four or five minutes later? The guy who’d followed us had walked past the car and had disappeared down the street. We didn’t see him. Lan Zhan came back with Nie Mingjue, Wen Xu and Nie Huaisang.”

“So there were six of you there?”

“Yes. Why does that matter?”

A little pride warmed Wangji’s heart. Wei Ying was no fool after all and it was obvious from his tone that he was getting frustrated with the questions. Not once had this officer asked for a description of Wangji’s attacker. He was focusing on the wrong things.

“None of you saw the assailant until it was too late? With six of you present?” The officer’s voice sounded young as he scoffed incredulously.

“What’s that supposed to mean? We thought he was gone, I wasn’t staring at strangers, I was looking at Lan Zhan and my brother. We were all distracted.”

“Why were you there?”

“I just told you.” Wei Ying was getting irritated, and so was Lan Wangji. ”We were visiting the park and went back to the car to get somewhere safe.”

“And then Mr. Lan and the others arrived. None of you saw the assailant?”

“No. None of us noticed the guy approaching.” 

“Then what happened?”

“Th…Then Lan Zhan was…” Sour oranges started to torment his nose as Wei Ying became distressed.

Lan Wangji couldn’t listen to this, not when his mate had become so upset. It was bringing up terrifying memories and Wangji could feel how Wei Ying was about to come apart at the seams. The incident after that moment was foggy at best for himself. He remembered being stabbed and the pain, but that wasn’t something he wanted to force his omega to relive if he didn’t have to.

“Wei Ying?” He opened his eyes and focused on the man his heart belonged to first.

“Lan Zhan! Fuck sorry, did I wake you?” Wei Wuxian leaned close, they’d done away with the bars between the two beds by this point. It was under the provision that Wei Ying not jostle Wangji. He could feel the relief through their shared bond, it was stronger now than it had been earlier.

“Mn. What is wrong?” Wangji still couldn’t move without hurting himself so he could only give Wei Ying’s hand a reassuring squeeze. They hadn’t let go of one another since he’d ended up in the hospital.

“It’s nothing. The officer is here, he wants our statement.” Wei Ying pressed a soft kiss to the back of Wangji’s hand. 

Slowly, Lan Wangji fixed his gaze upon the stranger in the room with them. Wangji’s assessment had been correct; the police officer was indeed quite young. While he hadn’t had exorbitant amounts of exposure to the police force, this officer was one he hadn’t encountered before. He looked cocky and self-assured with sharp eyes and equally narrow and sharp features. Wangji was confident that he could obliterate this man if he wasn’t stuck immobile in a hospital bed.

“Officer…?”

“Xue. Officer Xue Yang. I am glad you’re awake, Mr. Lan. We were just discussing what happened. I understand it’s difficult, but any information you can recall will help us find the assailant.”

The sincerity in the man’s words did not match the lack of compassion in his eyes. This officer was not trustworthy in Lan Wangji’s opinion. How could he protect Wei Ying, though? He was incapacitated in a hospital bed. Wangji wanted to obliterate Officer Xue very much. There was no rational reason either. He was simply there, questioning his beloved Wei Ying and the tone had insinuated that somehow this was all his omega’s fault. 

“Who let you in here?” If he could not remove him physically, he would do so with words.

Officer Xue smirked. “I’m a police officer and this is an active investigation.”

“This is an intensive care unit, which doctor permitted you to disturb patients?” Lan Wangji had no concept of whether it was still the middle of the night or not. Either way, it seemed careless to risk patient care so soon like this. Hopefully this could be done quickly, he could feel the pain from taking already creating a dull ache in his chest.

A frown pulled at the officer’s face. “Are you refusing to cooperate?”

“That is correct. We will not cooperate. I am not well enough to answer your questions, nor is Wei Ying.”

Wei Ying’s fingers squeezed tight around Wangji’s hand. It was obvious he was worried that the officer would take exception to Lan Wangji’s refusal. The concern was met with calm reassurance through their shared bond and his mate remained silent beside him. For his part, Wangji just locked his gaze upon the officer and stared in blatant challenge.

“I could have you detained for this.” Officer Xue warned, it was obvious he was caught off guard though. Wangji couldn’t detect the man’s pheromones, but he might have been wearing a patch too.

“You cannot, I know my rights.” If he wasn’t confined to this bed, he would remove the man himself. “Wei Ying, call the nurse.”

“I believe you’re confused, Mr. Lan. I’m trying to help you and your mate. We want to capture your assailant as quickly as possible.”

Though Wangji’s face remained stoic and impassive, there were subtle changes. His lips thinned slightly and the line between his brows deepened. “My lawyer will contact you, Officer Xue. Please leave.”

A nurse arrived at the same time as he spoke and she looked alarmed that the man was there in the first place. “What are you doing here?”

Officer Xue’s eyes flashed with annoyance as he tucked away his pen and notepad. “I was just leaving. Please inform me when they’re stable enough to give a proper statement.” A card was produced and tossed onto the foot of Wangji’s bed. It landed atop the thin blanket. Another little smirk of a smile teased at the officer’s face. Lan Wangji felt the shiver dance through his mate, he growled deeply, even though it hurt like hell to do so.

“Sir, you need to leave. You aren’t supposed to be back here.” The nurse was angry, pressing a call button on the wall by the door. “Security is coming.”

“Who would have thought one of the famed Twin Jades would obstruct an official police investigation.” Xue Yang gave a little chuckle before glaring at the nurse and walking out of the room. 

Security arrived quickly after that. The nurse had stayed behind to check on them, apologizing repeatedly for what had just occurred. She seemed desperate to reassure Lan Wangji and Wei Ying that this was not how the hospital operated normally. Wangji made the appropriate noises of agreement and understanding before asking her if his brother or shufu could come see them. She was flustered, and Wangji learned it was early morning. No doubt the woman was worried about waking his family.

As she left to go tend to his request, Wangji looked over to Wei Ying and flashed a small smile. “Are you alright?”

“Lan Zhan! You just argued with a cop!” He seemed upset. Was he not relieved to be free of the stupid questions?

“He upset you. The man is not good at his job, he did not ask for a description of the attacker.” How could a simple conversation make him so tired?

“Lan Zhan! Lan Zhan! You can’t just threaten the police!”

“Mn, I did not threaten him.”

“You told him to talk to your lawyer! You basically promised to sue his ass with that.” Wei Ying retorted, wriggling a little closer to Wangji’s right side.

“I had a dream about you.” Wangji did not want to talk about the foolish officer anymore.

Wei Ying grinned at him and leaned close to kiss him softly. The breathing mask had long been replaced with an oxygen tube that sat uncomfortably against his nose. He appreciated the freedom it granted him and it made kissing his omega a lot easier.

“What was the dream?” There was a curious little tilt of his head.

“About the train, when we first met. Do you remember?” The more he drew him into the tale of his dream, the less Wei Ying worried about the officer.

“I bumped into you and you dropped your phone.” Wangji adored the smile on Wei Ying’s face.

“You were so captivating, I could not stop thinking about you. I had to see you again.” His confession was given with a tired little upturn of his lips.

“Lan Zhan! My heart! You never told me this before!”

“Mn. You never asked either.”

“If I recall correctly, you kept calling me little rabbit.” Wei Ying’s head was next to his on the same pillow. It was too close for Wangji to look him in the eye, but he didn’t need to see to understand the love that his omega was experiencing. They shared that intimate connection through their bond and their fingers were tangled together. Wangji nodded and had to hold back a little grunt of discomfort from doing so.

“You called me alpha.” Neither one of them had shared their names at the time.

“Well, I knew who you were. I knew the second I looked up at you and handed back that phone. I really liked thinking of you as my alpha, even back then before I had a chance in hell of it really happening.”

“Wei Ying, I was yours the moment we looked at one another.”

“Lan Zhan! We are hooked up to heart monitors!” It wasn’t the first time Lan Wangji had heard Wei Ying’s heart start to race from excitement and it made him grin. 

“The nurses need some gossip.” 

“Lan Zhan!” Wei Ying sounded wholly shocked and it made Lan Wangji chuckle softly, which hurt like hell. The pain was welcome though. It reminded Wangji that he was indeed still alive and had much to live for. 

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

“So your alpha’s going to make it.” The nurse Jiang Cheng had run into earlier was giving him the details. 

Nie Huaisang and Wen Xu had gone in to see the jackass already leaving him lost out in the hall not knowing where to go. It was getting irritating being forgotten constantly like this, but what right did he have to demand he get to be included? Nie Mingjue was just a friend helping him out, he wasn’t family or anything. The only reason why this nurse was telling him details was because he lied and had called the jackass his alpha .

“That’s good news. How bad is it?” It might be better to just learn what the damage was this way.

“He has a nasty concussion and some bruised ribs. Looks like he was in a fight, his knuckles are all swollen from punching something. No breaks though. The guy’s lucky, you said he was pinned?” How long was this nurse going to keep his job if he casually talked about patients like this?

“Yeah, it was a big beam. I think it was from the floor above.”

“Man, that guy is a tank. Sounds like the doctor wants to observe him for a bit to make sure there’s no internal bleeding, but he’ll just need a lot of rest.” The nurse seemed pretty appreciative about the build of Nie Mingue. It made Jiang Cheng snort. “Sorry! Not trying to pick him up or anything weird, I’m just impressed. He was either really lucky or he’s supremely tough.”

“I think it’s a mix of that and absolute stupidity.” Jiang Cheng replied casually. “Can I go see him?”

“Oh yeah, he’s in the first room on the right down that hall. I think his family is still there, but they didn’t seem shitty.”

With another scoffing sound and a roll of his eyes, Jiang Cheng thanked the guy and headed down the hall. He could hear Nie Huaisang long before he entered the room. Seriously, did that fucking little dipshit only know how to whine? How in the hell had he bagged a marriage to Wen fucking Xu?

“Da-ge! You can’t leave! You’re hurt! Please stay? Everyone’s here waiting to see how Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian do overnight. You have nowhere you need to be tomorrow!”

“A-Sang! My head is killing me. Tone it down, alright?” Mingjue sounded less drunk at least, the slurring was less noticeable too.

“Don’t worry, Newbie, you can have Lu Yutao watch over his room while he rests.” Wen Xu sounded amused. 

This was going to be annoying. Jiang Cheng grit his teeth and walked inside. He didn’t say anything, he just hovered. Wen Xu noticed him first. That alpha was one of the most alert fuckers Jiang Cheng had ever met. He glanced back his way and put a hand on Nie Huaisang’s shoulder. “C’mon, let’s let these two talk. You need some rest yourself. Mingjue-ge you’re going to stay here until the doctors release you, right?”

Nie Mingjue squinted at the pair of them. The room was darker than normal, probably because it hurt the big alpha’s eyes. “Yeah, I can’t see straight to be able to leave yet.”

“Da-ge!”

“A-Sang! Not so loud!” Nie Mingjue draped an arm over his eyes. 

Jiang Cheng wanted to punch the beta in the teeth. He had a feeling that Wen Xu might not appreciate that though. Nie Huaisang seemed to realize that Jiang Cheng was there around that same time and he snapped his teeth together so fast it was audible. How the fuck was this guy related to the jackass? It just didn’t make any sense in Jiang Cheng’s mind - the two brothers were polar opposites of one another.

“Get some rest, Mingjue-ge. Come, A-Sang. Let’s check in with the doctors and go find somewhere to get some rest.” Wen Xu coaxed his whiny husband out of the room and Jiang Cheng was left alone to stare at the big man.

“Glad you didn’t die.” He muttered, still not getting much further into the room.

“Can you shut the door?”

Jiang Cheng figured he was having trouble with the noise so he did as was asked, closing the door quietly behind himself. There was no one else in the room. A low sigh escaped the big alpha and he held out a hand in Jaing Cheng’s direction, beckoning him to come closer. It felt like a trap.

As soon as he’d gotten within arm’s reach, Nie Mingjue had captured Jiang Cheng’s hand and pulled him to the very edge of the hospital bed. “A nurse said my omega was worried about me.” 

Fuck. Of course that fucking guy would say something. He was too goddamn chatty! Jiang Cheng’s face was red with embarrassment and he tried to pull away but Mingjue’s grip tightened slightly. What the hell was he supposed to say? He hadn’t called himself an omega and he’d only called Mingjue his alpha because…because…

Well, he wasn’t sure why he’d done it. “I didn’t tell him I was an omega.” 

“So you said I was your alpha?” A little grin was playing across the big man’s face.

“Aren’t you supposed to be stupid or something after a big concussion?” His growl of annoyance seemed to amuse Nie Mingjue even more. 

“I can focus on important things. Thank you, by the way. I would have died if it weren’t for you, Wanyin.” Nie Mingjue was a dangerous man when he was sincere. “Can I ask for a favor?”

“What is it, Jackass?” Truth be told, Jiang Cheng was fucking relieved as all hell that Mingjue was alright.

He’d been terrified that his lifeline was going to die from some weird brain bleed or something equally absurd. What else was wrong with him? His ribs were bruised? Something like that. Jiang Cheng twisted his hand to get a look at Mingjue’s knuckles. They were swollen and red, it looked like he’d put his hand through a fucking wall.

“Take off your patch? I need something to ground me and I could sort of smell you in the warehouse.”

It was a big fucking ask. He’d just gotten these patches on, after all. What if Nie Huaisang came back? Jiang Cheng didn’t want people finding out like this. “I don’t…What if someone finds out?”

“Mmm, lock the door. The doctors want me to rest, they’re not going to come around for a while.” Mingjue looked tired. “I’ll help you put on a new one after.”

“Why do you need to smell me? Wouldn’t your brother be a better choice?”

Mingjue snorted with a laugh then groaned since it must have hurt like hell. “A-Sang smells like that fucking alpha. Bugs my nose. I want to smell my omega.” 

He had to be punch drunk from the fucking concussion. That or he was teasing him about what the nurse said. It made Jiang Cheng growl in annoyance and glare at the jackass. “I didn’t tell him I was a fucking omega.”

“You did tell him I was your alpha though.” There was a smug little sound of pride in that response and Jiang Cheng wasn’t sure how to take it. 

“Fine, Jackass. You can smell to your fucking heart’s content.” He was angry at this man. He was also fucking so happy the guy was going to be alright. Everything about this situation was confusing and he didn’t know how to handle it. Just so long as his ass didn’t start getting wet again. That was so goddamn humiliating, he wouldn’t be able to survive it if he got hard because of Nie Mingjue.

Carefully, he peeled the freshly placed sent patches off his neck and dropped them on the rolling table next to the bed. Mingjue hadn’t let go of his hand yet. “There. Smell away.”

“I like it when you call me jackass.” Nie Mingjue was breathing deeply but a little frown was pinching his expression. “Lean closer?”

Right, he wasn’t really an omega yet. His scent was faint. Why the fuck was he even wearing patches if it was so faint. Bending over the bed, Jiang Cheng braced one hand on the frame so that his neck was next to Nie Mingjue’s nose. “Better?”

A soft groan escaped the larger man and it made Jiang Cheng shiver. What the absolute fuck!?

“Mmm there it is.” A smile warmed Mingjue’s face, even as he kept his eyes closed. “My savior’s scent is absolutely intoxicating.”

“I think that’s the concussion talking, Jackass. I am not a fucking savior.” How long did he need to stand like this? Jiang Cheng gave it another few seconds and went to straighten up.

Nie Mingjue growled and wrapped his arm around Jiang Cheng’s waist and pulled, dragging him off his feet and onto the bed. A-Cheng yelped in surprise and started to struggle, which was probably not the best response. Mingjue groaned in pain and he froze, fearing he’d done more harm to the big alpha.

“What the fuck, Jackass!?” 

“Don’t go. Just…stay like this.” Strong arms quivered as they held Jiang Cheng about his middle and Nie Mingjue’s nose pressed into the crook of his neck. This was by far the most embarrassing and compromising position he’d ever been in. 

Why the fuck hadn’t he locked the goddamn door?! “Someone might see! Let me go!” 

“Not yet. Please stay, Wanyin. I seriously thought I was going to die. Let me have this? Just for a bit longer.” Mingjue actually sounded almost vulnerable and it did weird things to Jiang Cheng. 

God, was he going to get wet again? Screwing his eyes shut, he held still and started to think about dumb shit. Blood, he’d think about blood. Of course that had a little bit of a side effect he wasn’t considering. Mingjue’s arms tensed and he started to make soft shushing sounds. Was…was he reassuring Jiang Cheng?!

“I’m fine…it’s just…a little awkward. Can I at least uhm…lay down next to you or something?” He was fucking nervous. Did alphas need this shit? Had he really been this blind about how big smells were to alphas and omegas?

“Why are you upset? Your scent is souring.” Mingjue’s nose was nestled right up against Jiang Cheng just below his jaw and ear.  Fuck he was getting worked up!

“I was…thinking about blood. I’m fine, Jackass, I’m just tired.”

“Close your eyes. I’m tired too.” Like he weighed next to nothing, Jiang Cheng was rearranged until he was fit up beside Nie Mingjue. They were fucking spooning on a god damn hospital bed! Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck!

At least this way Jiang Cheng could hide his shame from Mingjue who had become the big spoon in the scenario. His arms were warm and wrapped tightly around A-Cheng’s body. Without elbowing the man in the face or gut, he honestly didn’t know how to get out of this predicament. Fuck! Why had he bent close to the goddamn bed!?

“You better not be cranky when you wake up like this later.” Jiang Cheng grumbled. He was having a really hard time ignoring the fact that his heart was doing happy little flips from being held like this. 

“I won’t. Try not to punch me, alright? I really do need this, Wanyin. I’ll apologize later.” The heady scent of warm maple and cinnamon was filling Jiang Cheng’s senses. 

God only knew how strong it was for normal alphas and omegas. He knew his ability to pick this shit up was not as sharp, so it had to be powerful to be this strong. It was doing things to him too. He was relaxing and the fear and worry of the entire past day was easing. That was the pheromones right? Fuck was he being controlled? It was hard to settle down like this.

In no time, Nie Mingjue’s breathing evened out and the man had drifted off with his nose buried against the back of Jiang Cheng’s neck. Maybe he was overthinking it. The more shit happened, the more Jiang Cheng really wished he’d paid attention to this kind of crap back in school when they’d learned about alpha and omega traits. He just had never fucking cared to know, he didn’t want to learn about the super secret world of the ‘elite’ fuckers. 

It would come in pretty handy right now though. Sighing, he tried to relax and drift off. He was fucking exhausted. The more he tried to settle down, the more he let the pheromones around him soothe his frayed nerves. It was working too. Between the scent of maple and cinnamon and his own fatigue, Jiang Cheng’s eyes got heavier and heavier until he finally drifted off. 

Just as he lost the battle with consciousness, he was convinced someone had opened the door and come into the room.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Chapter Text

Exhaustion was such a weak description to explain how Lan Xichen felt by the time morning had rolled around. Sleeping in a hospital waiting room was virtually impossible in the best of circumstances. For himself, it was utter hell with a smattering of something worse on top of it. His baby brother was alive, so was A-Xian. They were keeping each other stable and so long as that continued through the night, the prognosis looked hopeful.

Wangji had woken up. Doctor Huang had come to deliver the good news in the middle of the night. Even though he’d been sedated, his stubborn brother had pushed through it to open his eyes and speak. They were able to inform them that it appeared he had not suffered mental deficiencies from severe blood loss and that Wangji was aware of his surroundings and the people with him. That was the best news they could have hoped to hear, yet it was given with the caution that he was not out of the woods yet.

The blood loss had been significant and Wangji’s body was in some sort of traumatic shock mode. Him waking up against the sedation was impressive, but they worried he was rallying before his system crashed. Xichen knew they would always give the worst possible outcome to prepare the family, it just was shocking to hear it being applied to Wangji.

A-Xian was resting comfortably, he’d stabilized considerably after Wangji had awoken. The doctors were going under the belief that their bond was strong enough to aid one another’s recovery. Xichen truly hoped that was the case. Jiang Yanli had been relieved, naturally. It was one less worry for all of them. 

That was when Nie Huaisang had received the call about Mingjue. He and Wen Xu had gone off to meet up with Nie Mingjue and Jiang Cheng and now Xichen was exchanging text messages with A-Sang to get the details. It was impossible to be in two places at once, he and Shufu could not go to support the Nie family right now. He made sure to ask after Jiang Cheng and was relieved to be able to give Yanli more good news that both of her brothers were safe. 

Which brought them to the here and now. Xichen was dozing quietly sitting upright in a padded chair with Yanli leaning against his shoulder. She’d fallen asleep an hour or so ago and he was loath to move her and disrupt that rest. Shufu had tried to sleep and ended up pacing around the waiting area every half an hour or so. Their cousins had managed to doze off in their own chairs. 

The doors to the intensive care unit slid open and a police officer walked out followed by two security guards. Xichen frowned as he watched the little scene. The security guards had their arms folded and glared at the officer. A man in a suit came over almost immediately and spoke quietly to the officer. There were several apologies being given and the rest was a murmur of sound he couldn’t make out.

The uniformed officer cast a look over the waiting room area as if searching for someone. He looked quite young. Whatever or whomever he’d been looking for didn’t seem to be there and his eyes became dismissive. Xichen swore he’d imagined it when the man’s gaze had focused on him for longer than necessary. He was tired and it likely was playing tricks on his intuition and impressions.

“It’s an active investigation. If your hospital won’t cooperate, I’ll come back with the proper paperwork to force it.” Unlike the man in the suit, it seemed the officer had no compunction about speaking loudly. 

“Sir, please lower your voice. Let’s talk about this in my office?”

“No need. I’ll be back later. It’s not like he can walk out of here anyway.” 

Whatever was going on, the officer was irritated. His contemptuous attitude was not doing a very good job of hiding his frustration from Xichen’s impression of the situation. When the doors to the unit opened again and the charge nurse came out, Lan Xichen learned the meaning of fear consuming one’s world. She had a worried frown on her face and headed straight toward him. Could something have happened to Wangji? Was this the crash they’d all feared?

“Excuse me, Mr. Lan?” She was soft spoken and her voice was just barely above a whisper. 

“Yes?” Yanli shifted against his shoulder and Xichen pulled his jacket up higher around her to keep her warm and comfortable.

“Your brother is asking for you. Normally I wouldn’t do this, but there was an incident with a police officer. He seems adamant that he should speak with you right away.” She looked quite upset now and Xichen turned his attention to the hall where the young policeman had disappeared. What had happened?

“Yes, of course.” He shifted carefully and gently tried to rouse Yanli. “I need to go inside for a moment.”

She was tired and her eyes fluttered open and closed a few times. “I’ll be fine. Do what you need to, Xichen.” Yanli shifted so she could lean against the back of the seat and cupped her hands under her head, dozing off almost immediately.

Being careful to not disturb her further, he stood up and tucked his jacket around Yanli’s shoulders. Shufu was napping for the first time all evening. The entire waiting area was quiet with the soft sounds of restless sleep. The nurse used her card to open the doors and led Xichen through the dim halls to Wangji and A-Xian’s room. 

“A police officer was questioning them, I’m not sure how he got back here, it shouldn’t have happened. Please forgive us, we have taken measures to secure the facility and make sure your family and their recovery is not interrupted again.”

So the police officer had been talking about Wangji? This made Xichen frown with concern, yet he gave a thankful nod to the flustered charge nurse. She was truly upset and continued to  apologize as she gave updates about his brother’s condition. They’d given him as much blood as they were willing to for the time being. She was talking about too much blood too fast being a risk for complications. Wangji’s blood pressure was also improving steadily, and they were optimistic. Even with such good news, the nurse warned Xichen that his brother would likely be in the hospital for quite some time.

When they finally arrived at the room, Xichen heard the scandalized voice of A-Xian first, then the extremely rare sound of soft laughter. Was that Wangji? He was laughing? Xichen gently rapped his knuckles on the glass door before he stepped inside. Hopefully this would give the couple enough time to make themselves presentable if they were doing something untoward. How and why they would be doing anything naughty in Wangji’s condition was beyond him - but Xichen had been caught off guard by the pair more than a few times in recent months. He wanted to limit those shocking sights as much as he could.

“Wangji? A-Xian?” Both men’s eyes shifted to look at Xichen and that knot of dread in his gut eased slightly. They both looked as okay as one could be in a hospital hooked up to machines.

“Xichen-ge! Your brother is shameless!” A-Xian spoke up first. His cheeks were red with embarrassment, though Xichen had no clue why.

“I only speak the truth, Wei Ying.” Wangji’s voice sounded tired and weaker than Xichen was used to. 

He was awake this time, and he was alert too. This wasn’t just a false sense of improvement, was it? Please, let it be more than just this horrid concept of his brother’s body rallying before having a terrible crash. Lan Xichen was quite convinced that he would not survive it if his brother did not recover.

“You keep telling me all this romantic stuff right after you threatened that cop! It’s shameless! What will Radish think of his father, hmm?” Wei Wuxian continued, oblivious to Xichen’s astonished face for the moment.

Wangji actually smiled. It was not something often seen and Lan Xichen could do nothing but stare as his little brother’s lips curved upward oh so slightly. “Radish will know his father does not shy away from what is right.”

“You threatened a police officer?” He couldn’t just remain silent at these little snippets of information.

“Mn, I told him to leave. That is not a threat, Xichen.” Wangji looked more and more tired as they spoke.

“Lan Zhan! You said you were siccing your lawyer on him!”

“Lawyer?” Xichen was even more confused.

“Xichen-ge, Lan Zhan’s worried this cop is no good at his job and got mad at him for questioning me.” A-Xian was whining, but it was affectionate and amused. They truly were like two newlyweds wholly enamored with one another.

This half-formed information was not helping him understand anything, however and he held up a hand to stop both of them from speaking. “Let me see if I understand this. A police officer was in here and he was questioning you about the incident. And Wangji told him to leave and speak to our lawyer?”

Wei Wuxian nodded and rolled his eyes. “He told the cop we wouldn’t cooperate!”

What? Why? The officer that I saw earlier?

“Wangji?” Moving closer to the pair, Xichen came to lean over his brother’s side of the beds so that he was eye-to-eye with his brother. He prided himself on being able to read his brother’s micro-expressions and right now, it seemed like he needed all the help he could get.

“The officer’s name is Xue Yang. He is suspicious, brother. He tried to lure Wei Ying from the room.” This alarmed Xichen, eyes widening in shock. “Do not leave Wei Ying alone with him if he returns. The lawyers…they should…get involved.” His brother was trying to suppress a cough.

“You heard that? Lan Zhan! How long were you pretending to sleep when he was here?” Wei Wuxian frowned at Wangji but then looked over to Xichen. “He left his card…” With a huff, A-Xian held up the card over Wangji’s prone body and Xichen took it immediately, frowning with his growing concern.

They hadn’t discussed the investigation he and Wangji had done into A-Xian’s family. He didn’t want to upset anyone either by saying the wrong thing. Unfortunately, Xichen needed to understand why Wangji was so against this one man. “You think it’s connected?”

“Mn, Wen Xu was not the target of the attack. It does not add up.” Wangji’s eyes drooped for a second and Wei Wuxian made concerned sounds as he focused less on the conversation and more on making his mate comfortable.

Of all the people who’d been there when Wangji had been attacked, the most important figure would have been Wen Xu. The man was the future heir of the most powerful family in the area. The Wen clan had enemies, it was only natural that he would need protection. Yet from the details he’d gotten out of Nie Huaisang and Wen Xu himself, there had been no one like that there at the time.

Did his brother think that the Wen family had orchestrated this? Or was it the working of Yu Ziyuan and Jiang Fengmian? There were arguments to be made for both possibilities. Considering how both groups seemed to have designs on Wei Wuxian, they could also be working together. That was a terrifying thought in itself. All of this had them spiraling down into a quagmire of conspiracies and half-formed hypotheses about what was really going on. It was not helpful.

“Wangji, you need to rest. I will deal with this.” It was why his brother had asked him to come speak after all. Incapacitated as he was, his ability to safeguard his omega was limited. Shufu would need to know what was going on as well. 

“Lan Zhan…let your brother handle it. You should rest, what if the nurse comes back and scolds you?” 

“A-Xian, I think he will rest more comfortably if you reassure him you will not go anywhere alone with the officer.” Xichen helpfully supplied as he scrutinized the card in hand once more. 

“Mn.” His brother struggled to even make that one sound. It gutted Xichen’s heart and soul.

“Well of course I won’t go anywhere alone with him! He was weird, I didn’t like his grin.” There was a marked expression of relief on Wangji’s face as Wei Wuxian spoke his reassurances and Xichen smiled gently.

“I’ll look into this. You two just focus on recovering.”

Lan Wangji grew quiet after that. His breathing was shallow and it was clear his brother was in pain. Was he avoiding medication to stay more alert? Opting to not push his brother, Xichen spoke quietly to A-Xian for some added details. He waited until the charge nurse came by, tutting and administering something she said would help with Wangji’s pain. Xichen didn’t like leaving them, but at least his brother had been awake and alert this time. 

Hopefully this was a sign of genuine recovery and not something more sinister.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Wen Xu pinched his nose when he opened the door to the private room A-Sang’s brother was recovering in. The pheromones were off the charts, and for a second, he was genuinely concerned that something had happened. Jiang Cheng hadn’t attacked him, had he? It had seemed perfectly fine to leave the cranky jerk with Mingjue-ge at the time. They’d looked like they had some sort of connection or friendship that Wen Xu just couldn’t fathom. 

From the way Mingjue had bombed the room, it was a clear message to stay the hell out. Fortunately, curiosity allowed Wen Xu to ignore the obvious and clear warning. He ventured further inside, regardless of the stench. The man was his brother-in-law now, he had every right to make sure he hadn’t done murder in the short time he’d been left alone with the Jiang heir. Honestly, if a Jiang was dead, it wouldn’t hurt A-Xu’s feelings at all. He’d just have to clean it up quietly so that it didn’t bite his new family in the ass later.

It wasn’t that he despised all of the Jiangs or anything. They were just the only constant problem in his childhood. Because of them, A-Xu learned that the Wen family had to tiptoe around issues that never would have been a concern otherwise. If it hadn’t been for Yu Ziyuan being the jealous vindictive bitch that she was, there never would have been cause for his old man to get involved and cover it up. 

Honestly, Wen Xu likely had to thank his entire existence to the stupid actions of that awful woman. If the old man had gotten his way, he would never have married Wen Xu’s mother or had him and Wen Chao. His mother would also likely still be alive, but that was neither here nor there. The fact of the matter was that thanks to the Jiang family’s meddling, Wen Ruohan had lost his fabled ‘golden ticket’. It was all Wen Xu ever heard from the bastard after he had too much to drink.

All of that culminated into an innate displeasure whenever he had to deal with anything Jiang related. For all he knew, this Jiang Cheng guy could be wholly innocent and know nothing of what had happened. It didn’t seem likely to him. Wen Xu knew all his father’s dirty secrets, surely Jiang Cheng knew his parents shameful history as well, right? They had to let him in on shit if he was going to inherit their dumb little company someday.

So yeah, he’d been prepared for a choked out beta on the ground. Maybe a snapped neck or something equally unpleasant. What he hadn’t expected was to see the pair of them spooning on the hospital bed fast asleep. That was surprising. Maybe not completely out of left field, since he had seen the way they behaved toward one another before this. At the time, it had seemed kind of one-sided on Nie Mingjue’s part. Wen Xu figured that at most, Nie Mingjue was teasing Jiang Cheng and just toying with him.

Jiang Cheng had certainly been hostile enough for it to complete that image. Maybe it was all a front and he was just as manipulative as his god-awful mother. Wen Xu could have sworn that Jiang Cheng only ever went on the attack with Mingjue and called him a jackass every chance he got. What kind of relationship did they really have? Was the alpha aware of the kind of shit the Jiang clan drug around with them everywhere they went?

At least it looked like he wasn’t going to have to clean up a murder scene, nor was he going to be able to ask Mingjue about the ghoul. Wen Xu had wanted to know if the fucking spook had been killed or not. It was why he’d left A-Sang with his bodyguards and come back to the room alone. 

Things would change if his old man had lost his best enforcer. This whole incident was a mess of incompetence. Since when did the spook take Wen Chao’s demands as law? There was no way the old bastard had agreed to this, had he? The attack hit too close to home. It’d happened near their own family members. That was not the way the old man operated. It couldn’t be Wen Ruohan’s work.

It had to be Wen Chao pulling the strings.

“I suppose it’s my fault for distancing myself from all this shit. I’m out of the loop.” The pair of them didn’t stir as he spoke and that made Wen Xu smirk. 

They were like little innocent lambs, so vulnerable, and so weak right now. Part of him really wanted to get back at Yu Ziyuan through her son, but the fact that the guy was in the arms of his new brother-in-law made him hesitate. It wouldn’t take much, A-Sang didn’t have to know he’d done it. 

Wen Xu’s eyes tracked to the table where the discarded scent patches were. Frowning, he reached out for one and brought it to his nose. The scent patch was a miraculous little invention. It blocked released pheromones and prevented a user’s scent from being discovered. Used patches reeked of the wearer after a while, which was why they had to be constantly changed out as they became too saturated to work. He was curious. 

A-Sang claimed Jiang Cheng was a beta, his own people had confirmed that the man should indeed be a beta as well. Why would a beta need scent patches? Wen Xu inhaled cautiously and took in the scent on the used patch. It was not the maple and cinnamon of Nie Mingjue. There were absolutely no markers that said alpha either. It was an omega’s scent. Lotus and grapefruit, it was fresh and cool with a bit of a minty flavor to it. The scent was a welcome respite from the powerful pheromones pervading the room.

Wen Xu looked at the pair again and realized that Nie Mingjue’s eyes were open and staring at him intently. He set the patch back down on the little table and cocked his head to the side. Wen Xu was clearly curious, yet unwilling to disturb the rage monster that was Jiang Cheng. No doubt all he’d get then would be a lot of cussing and no genuine answers. 

“I thought you were resting, Mingjue-ge.” Wen Xu spoke softly. The man had a concussion, how had he noticed him?

“Why are you so curious about Wanyin?” The large alpha was talking just as softly, his pheromones were getting stronger again. 

Wanyin, was that Jiang Cheng’s birth name? He chuckled lightly. “I’m not. I just didn’t recognize the scent and I was worried for you.”

“I will obliterate you if anything harms him. It won’t matter if you’re A-Sang’s husband. He can remarry.” Jiang Cheng squirmed in Nie Mingjue’s arms and the cinnamon scent burned Wen Xu’s nostrils. 

Well this was interesting indeed. How long could they talk like this before Jiang Cheng woke up? Nie Mingjue was rather protective of him. It was a possessive kind of thing that alphas usually only did for their mates or close family. Was Jiang Cheng that important to him? Up until now, Wen Xu was unaware of any personal weaknesses Nie Mingjue possessed aside from caring for his little brother.

“I won’t touch him, I assure you. Is this his scent?” It was quite refreshing, not as good as the sweet honeysuckle he could detect around A-Sang, but it was nice nonetheless. 

Mingjue’s arms pulled Jiang Cheng closer against his chest. It didn’t look like the most comfortable action, but the big guy didn’t even groan in pain. He just kept those unnerving eyes locked on Wen Xu. The gesture was extremely possessive.

“Be quiet. Wanyin needs to rest.” Mingjue wouldn’t confirm or deny the owner of the scent. How risky would it be to lean in and take a sniff for himself?

“So do you, ge. I won’t spread it around if it is him, I’m just curious. Why is an omega hiding as a beta? It was Jiang Cheng I smelled earlier today by the car, wasn’t it?” This was a risky venture, yet nothing would be gained by being passive. Knowledge was power.

There was a low growl and Nie Mingjue’s eyes flashed with dangerous hostility. A concussion didn’t seem to dull the man’s sense of thinking - it was good to know for the future. Jiang Cheng groaned and Mingjue turned his attention to the man in his arms. He made gentle shushing sounds and the hostile edge to his scent morphed into something more comforting. Wen Xu was impressed. Nie Mingjue had a crush on a Jiang. 

“He’s a beta. Do not wake him, Wen Xu.” The warning in Mingjue’s tone was not subtle.

A beta? Surely Mingjue was lying now. “Are you sure? I caught the markers…” He let the sentence hang.

“He’s a beta. If you value your tongue, you’ll only ever think of him as that.”

“Hmm. As you are now family, I’ll keep your secret. A-Sang doesn’t know?”

Nie Mingjue was looking pretty haggard. Strong as he may have been, he was going to lose the battle with sleep sooner or later. “A-Sang will only ever know Wanyin is a beta. Just like you.”

There was an untold truth here that Mingjue was clearly protecting. A-Sang may have prided himself on being the seller of secrets, however, there was a line that A-Xu’s new husband had never crossed when it came to finding things out. Wen Xu had no such compunctions, and his curiosity was piqued. The only real thing deterring him was Nie Mingjue himself. Would it do to alienate his new brother-in-law like this? The answer was so simple though. It slapped Wen Xu in the face abruptly, and he grinned.

“He’s transitioning, isn’t he? Did you force him, Mingjue-ge?”

If Nie Mingjue hadn’t been holding Jiang Cheng, Wen Xu was pretty sure he would have gotten to experience the wrath of the man’s inner alpha. As it was, he seemed trapped in place, unwilling to disturb the slumbering man in his arms. The eyes promised death, and the snarl was soft but ferocious all the same. 

“Wen Xu. You are as bad as A-Sang for being a nosy little fuck.” Mingjue was frustrated with the current predicament. He was a captive to Wen Xu’s questioning so long as Jiang Cheng didn’t wake up. It was rather amusing.

“I’m not the one bitching a beta.” The lazy reply was given with a bit of sarcasm. Best to add some salt to the wound just to see how far he could push it before Mingjue admitted the truth.

“He’s not bitching me you fucking dumbass!” The angry snarl belonged to none other than Jiang Cheng. What a shame! The ruse was up before he’d even gotten to any of the juicy parts.

How long had the man been listening to their conversation? These two were full of surprises. It wasn’t often that Wen Xu could miss something like people pretending to be asleep. Perhaps he’d just woken up then. It was likely.

“I am merely concerned for you, Jiang Cheng.” He did not pull his gaze away from Mingjue. 

“Like fuck you are. I’m pretty sure he told you to piss off so we could rest.” The hostility was powerful. “Fucking alpha prick, I don’t give two shits that you’re a Wen either. Quit being so fucking arrogant and mind your own goddamn business.”

Wen Xu grinned at the outright animosity and shook his head. The man had no sense or he was just that fearless. “If you’re being forced, I can help you.”

“He didn’t do this to me, asshole!” Jiang Cheng was adamant and his eyes blazed with unrepressed rage.

No matter how much Mingjue might have wanted to hold onto Jiang Cheng in that moment, it seemed the rage monster that was Jiang Cheng had other ideas. He shot out of bed and launched himself at Wen Xu. It forced him to take a few steps back and give way to the fury before him. A-Sang would be very upset if he did anything to disturb Mingjue’s recovery. This put him in a precarious position.

“Calm down, Jiang Cheng. Surely you can understand how this looks from an outsider’s perspective?” He would try placating first. The sharp cinnamon scent was so powerful now that Wen Xu had to blink a few times to prevent his eyes from watering.

“Calm down!? You want me to fucking calm down!? Do you even know what the fuck I’ve been through you shit head?” Jiang Cheng actually jabbed a finger against Wen Xu’s chest. He looked down at the finger incredulously. Surely to God this wasn’t a habit of the man’s, was it?

“Wanyin. Come back here.” Mingjue was actually trying to get out of the bed to collect Jiang Cheng. This was problematic. At least A-Sang was safely tucked away resting right now and wouldn’t know about any of this.

“Mingjue-ge, I won’t hurt him. I may restrain him, mind you.” There was annoyance in his voice as he spoke over Jiang Cheng’s head to the struggling alpha behind him on the hospital bed.

“Fucking prick! I’m not some goddamn toy you fucking alphas can just toss around! Get the fuck out of here!” Jiang Cheng shoved hard, pushing at Wen Xu’s shoulder to throw him off balance.

Wen Xu made an annoyed sound and moved with the shove. It made Jiang Cheng stumble a bit out of surprise. It seemed he’d expected A-Xu to be more resistant. Nie Mingjue’s bare feet touched the cool floor of the room and he swayed sitting up. This wouldn’t do. About to speak up about it, Wen Xu was caught off guard as a fist cracked against his jaw hard. 

“Why the fuck don’t you listen you shithead! Get! Out!”

“Wen Xu!” The warning growl had a wavering quality of fatigue and pain. This was not good for Mingjue at all.

People didn’t often catch him off guard like this. Being clocked in the face by a beta was just not something Wen Xu ever had to deal with. Usually no one could get close enough to try it. Those who did were not really a match for him either. To say he was shocked was putting it mildly. Opening and closing his mouth a couple times and moving his jaw around Wen Xu had to forcibly repress his desire to retaliate. 

“You don’t know when to quit, do you?” He chuckled instead of lashing out. This was all his idiot brother’s fault anyway, he could take it out on Wen Chao later.

The creak of weight shifting on the hospital bed caught both of their attention and Jiang Cheng started swearing again, already moving over to stop Nie Mingjue from standing up. Wen Xu watched it all. The little transitioning beta had abandoned his fury to placate the big alpha and he was coaxing him to lay back down. Mingjue wasn’t letting go of Jiang Cheng’s arm as he relented and lay back on the bed at least. 

“What is it with Wen fucks not understanding when they’re unwelcome? Your brother is just as shitty as you are at it.” Jiang Cheng was snarling at him, yet he stayed next to the bed now that Mingjue had a hold of him.

“My idiot brother is nothing like me.” Wen Xu warned immediately and frowned. “You’ve had to deal with him often?”

“What the fuck does that have to do with this?!” Jiang Cheng’s face was red with anger.

It was time to get serious. Wen Xu sighed, he was getting a headache from the powerful pheromones Mingjue-ge was putting off. He grabbed the rolling stool near the wall and sat down, well out of reach of Jiang Cheng and stared at the pair of them.

“I wanted to ask Mingjue-ge about the attacker. That’s why I came back. Since you’re both awake, will you indulge me?”

“You too? What the fuck!? First Officer Dumbass hounds me about it, and now you are too? Like I want to relive that hellish memory!” Jiang Cheng was shivering and his eyes were wild. Mingjue’s response was simple as he wrapped his arm around the beta’s waist and tugged until the man sat down abruptly on the edge of the bed, closer to the big alpha.

“Wen Xu, I warned you not to antagonize Jiang Wanyin.” 

“Forgive me, Mingjue-ge. This is important.” He looked from his brother-in-law to the seething bundle next to him. “What do you mean by being hounded?” This would have been so much simpler if the room hadn’t been bombed with hostile pheromones.

“That prick cop that’s been nosing around the hospital. Xue something. He was harassing the people at the front desk and threatened to arrest me for obstructing his investigation.” Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes with annoyance. “You’re doing the same shit. The fucker got away, what else is there to talk about?”

“What do you mean you were threatened?”

“Officer Xue? Are you sure?”

Mingjue and Wen Xu had spoken simultaneously. One was worried about the beta’s safety, the other was more concerned with the name. It put Wen Xu on edge. There were plenty of cops, and even more who had the same surnames. It could have been anyone.

“I told him to fuck off, he can’t do his own goddamn job right. I already gave a statement anyway.” Jiang Cheng groused, setting a comforting hand on the arm around his middle. Did the beta know he was being affectionate?

“Don’t talk to him again. If you see him, leave.” Wen Xu didn’t like the sound of any of this. “Mingjue-ge I need to ask. Did you kill the attacker?”

Silence reigned for a minute and A-Xu used the moment to inhale through his mouth instead of his nose. At this rate, he’d never get the smell of sharp cinnamon out of his nostrils. Nie Mingjue was frowning up at Jiang Cheng with concern. His thumb was lightly stroking the man’s hip and he wasn’t answering Wen Xu very quickly. Jiang Cheng, was a mixture of anger and confusion, every so often, a burst of fresh omega pheromones managed to make its way through the fog of Mingjue’s scent.

“No. He managed to get out before Wanyin found me.” The admission was quiet but they were all waiting with baited breath so it was not missed. 

“I’m going to have some men stay outside your room. When they release you, take Jiang Cheng with you and go home. I’ll come visit with A-Sang. There are things we need to discuss that cannot be brought up here.” What the hell had Wen Chao been thinking by causing this chaos?

“Is Wanyin in danger?” Nie Mingjue’s question made Wen Xu pause in consideration.

“I’m concerned that you’re all in danger.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

“So you’re the friend?” 

The question was casually thrown into the litany of muttering and musing as the old landlord led Lan Xichen to the door of Su Minshan’s apartment. “Didn’t think he really had any friends. He was a quiet lad, always coming home alone. Haven’t gone inside yet since the police did their investigation. Damn shame it is.”

Xichen listened quietly and nodded here and there. He would give little mhm’s now and then, yet he was content to just absorb the details the old man freely gave up. The morning air was warm with the promise of a beautiful spring day. Shadows danced between newly budded leaves on the trees and spring blossoms were everywhere. This excursion was a welcome respite from the hospital. 

Nearly three weeks had passed since Lan Wangji had been stabbed. Every day had felt like a precious gift in the beginning. The prognosis was steadily getting better and after two weeks, they’d done another massive blood transfusion on Wangji. Only with the news of his recovery and imminent discharge from the hospital had the family relaxed their vigil. Shufu and Jiang Yanli were with Wangji and A-Xian in the hospital today. If all went well, they would be bringing his didi home tonight.

It allowed Lan Xichen to deal with piling up matters at work, and it afforded his first opportunity to look into matters that were a bit more personal. He had felt terrible guilt from the death of Su Minshan. It was only after his passing that Lan Xichen learned the man had no family to call upon and tend to his funeral. He’d taken up the task on his own and had promised the landlord he’d attend to the man’s belongings and clean out the apartment.

With Wangji scheduled to come home, Xichen took the opportunity to finally keep his word to the old man and handle the rest of Minshan’s affairs. He’d paid for the apartment’s rent for the next six months as compensation for the old man waiting on him too. Though he felt partially responsible for Su Minshan’s death, he also wanted to deal with the creepy wall to spare the poor dead man’s soul some face.

“Well, here we are. Since you’re paying the rent, I’ll give you a key so you can come and go as needed. Saves my old bones from having to climb all those stairs too.” The old man held out a key to Lan Xichen and motioned for him to give it a try to unlock the door.

Police tape had the thing sealed shut and Xichen felt a little shiver of discomfort. The investigation was complete, it just appeared like no one had bothered to remove the tape. The sound of it tearing away from the door was akin to large velcro and the musty air of the room whooshed out. It was cooler than the outside air, no doubt the heating had been turned down to save on costs.

“Thank you for your help. I’ll make sure everything is cleaned out soon.” Lan Xichen smiled at the old man and bid him farewell before he went inside, closing the door behind himself. 

It was dark and silent inside the room. Lan Xichen could make out the shapes of furniture in the open space. With a flick of a switch, light washed over the cold silent room. Even though he knew it existed, seeing the wall littered with pictures of Lan Wangji was still hard to take. This was something that should have only ever existed in television shows and movies as far as Lan Xichen knew. Cell phone in hand, Xichen started to take pictures of everything.

With a dismayed sigh, he moved over to the wall taking in the sight of everything around the apartment as he went. It was opposite the bed and photographs littered the floor and mattress. The blankets were stained from the man’s passing and Xichen tried to ignore it as best he could. It was better that he was dealing with this. Wangji didn’t need to see it, nor did anyone else for that matter.

The pictures he was taking were for him to use in his personal investigation. Su Minshan’s suicide didn’t sit well in his soul. Something about it bothered him greatly. The whole ordeal was just so out of character as far as Xichen could tell. He had to make sure for himself that there was nothing suspicious. He wasn’t a detective, and Lan Xichen had no clue what he was looking for, but he was going to do what he could to alleviate his sense of guilt over the whole matter as best he could.

If this truly was nothing more than suicide, what possessed Su Minshan to end it all? Had it been Xichen’s veiled promise that he was getting fired? Did he get too involved in his work? The wall could have been because of Xichen’s request for the omega to look into things, right? He frowned at the images. Some of them were quite old. A lot of them were taken at a restaurant he and Wangji had regularly frequented for lunch. There were others though. Candid shots of his brother getting into his car, walking in parks, and even a few from the grounds at the Lan estates. That was perhaps the most alarming part.

How in the world had Su Minshan gotten those images? If he could get in, did that mean the likes of Yu Ziyuan and Jiang Fengmian would have little trouble bypassing their security? He did not like the idea of that. Jiang Yanli was still living in the Yashi and Lan Xichen had assured her it was safe. If that was not the case…

He shivered and forced the disturbing thought from his mind as he started to take down the pictures. Never once in all his years around Su Minshan had Lan Xichen taken him to be a stalker. He’d always been the proper sort. There had been a time when Xichen had teasingly referred to him as a mini Lan Wangji.

For the next hour, Lan Xichen photographed the apartment, then cleaned up the images of Lan Wangji. He also removed the soiled bedding from the mattress. He couldn’t fathom staying in the room with that reminder staring blatantly back at him. The windows had also been opened to get as much fresh air inside as he could while piling bags of garbage just outside the door to the apartment suite. Lan Xichen was taking down the images on the second wall now.

The faces were scratched out and vile words of hate were scrawled across several of them. Xichen could recognize a few of the individuals. Several of them were Wei Wuxian. One was a school picture, likely taken from a website, another looked like a business profile image and a few were pictures from the Lan estate grounds again. Worry knotted his gut. How close had Minshan gotten to his family without them noticing?

The only commonality each person seemed to have on the hate infused wall was Lan Wangji. They were either business acquaintances, co-workers, friends or family. Had this been the physical embodiment of Minshan’s jealousy? Was that possible? As he pulled the tack from another image - this one a picture of someone in an absurd suit of shimmering gold, a manila envelope slid down the wall and clacked on the floor.

“What  in the world?” Xichen crouched down and picked it up. 

The thing was heavy. He frowned and moved over to the kitchen table. Opening it, he peered inside carefully. There were documents and photos and a small memory stick within the envelope. Upending the entire thing, the memory stick clattered out first, followed by the pictures. He had to reach in to pull the documents out.

The images consisted of Jin Guangshan and Wen Ruohan mostly. There were a few random others in the mix that Xichen didn’t recognize straight away. Each image had a note or name attached to it. Who was Meng Yao? Qin Su worked for CRI, didn’t she? Why was her name in this envelope?

The documents were also a mystery to him. It was a bunch of financial reporting on various accounts along with projects that CRI had a vested interest in. Some had nothing to do with the company whatsoever as well, but each entry had a name next to it. Slowly, the information started to paint a strange picture of payments being made from one party to the next in equal sums on a regular basis. Those amounts were transferred through a chain of people, burying the purpose behind odd references that Minshan had left notes next to. 

Each note would correspond to a name. It dawned on Lan Xichen that he was looking at a strange money laundering scheme. Why, though? What did it have to do with Su Minshan? He kept flipping through the pages, the notes were getting more agitated and angry. Things like ‘can’t get away with this…’ and ‘not to my alpha’ flitted across the columns in stark red ink. 

The most frequent and largest sums went through Jin Guangshan, Qin Su, and Qishan Industries. What was on the memory stick? How had this gone unnoticed for so long? He needed to understand what he was looking at. With a frustrated breath, Xichen continued to scan through each page and flip it over in a neat pile. He was almost to the bottom when he felt real alarm.

Lan Xichen’s heart stilled as the most terrifying item came to light. It was an image of Jiang Yanli and himself sitting on the patio of the Yashi having tea.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Wei Wuxian was busily tidying up the hospital room. They’d moved from the intensive care unit after the first week into a private spacious room. He was to the point where he was sick of hospitals. It felt like they’d been in here for months when in reality it was just hitting the three week mark. Old man Lan was there with his shijie. She was watching as the pair of men were playing a game of Go. 

Yanli had offered to help him tidy up, but there really wasn’t that much to do. He just wanted to be ready so that they could get the hell out of there if the doctor gave good news today. He thought Lan Zhan was doing much better. Their bond was stronger than ever and Lan Zhan had regained some color to his complexion so he didn’t resemble a corpse anymore. 

The stab wound had been steadily healing and while it was going to leave a hell of a scar, the doctors had seemed really pleased with the progress. All the more reason for them to get the hell out of there and head home. He could take care of his alpha just fine back in the comfortable safety of the Jingshi. Lan Zhan wasn’t even getting transfusions anymore, they were just observing him. 

“A-Xian. Come sit. Your Lan Wangji is going to lose.” Yanli’s voice was warm as always and Wei Wuxian gave a little start and looked over. 

“Lan Zhan is an expert at Go. How’s he losing?”

“I am not infallible, Wei Ying.” Lan Zhan’s voice was warm and there was a gentle patience to it that made him feel all fuzzy and happy.

The whole stabbing incident had been concluded as a random mugging gone wrong. There had been no progress in finding the attacker, either and that cop hadn’t come by ever since the lawyers got involved. Things had gotten back to normal pretty fast. Even Jiang Cheng was visiting with him regularly. They’d text when he was at work or couldn’t get away from Nie Mingjue’s house for whatever reason. It felt oddly normal. Wei Wuxian really liked it.

“You don’t just lose for no reason either, Lan Zhan.” He strode over to the hospital bed.

While Lan Zhan was encouraged to get up and walk now, no one was comfortable with letting him sit in the recliners in the room. They opted instead to sit around the wide hospital bed with the handsome alpha propped up. The advantage was that the Go board could sit on the rolling table and move back and forth as needed. 

Yanli was reclining in a chair near the foot of the bed while Lan Qiren was sitting on a stool by Lan Zhan’s side staring intently at the board between them. Wei Wuxian crawled up on the opposite side of the bed to peer over his alpha’s shoulder.

“Put one there.” he pointed to a vacant spot on the board and Lan Zhan snorted.

“Chaos does not always win the game, Wei Ying.”

“It works for me! Uncle Lan never knows what to expect.” He grinned smugly and winked over at the elder Lan who just huffed.

“Your tricks won’t work when you aren’t the one playing, A-Xian. I know my nephew far too well. I’ve got him this time.” Lan Qiren was sounding pretty victorious for a guy who could easily be put on the ropes in a few moves.

It was Lan Zhan’s turn and he seemed to be debating what to do. There was the obvious move that was expected, and then there was Wei Wuxian’s suggestion. He opted for the latter and it made Lan Qiren sputter in disbelief. Lan Zhan was diverting from his steadfast routine. It made Wei Wuxian grin triumphantly.

“My tricks won’t work, hmm? Looks to be doing just fine, Shufu.” he grinned cheekily and leaned into Lan Zhan so he could whisper the next move into his ear.

His handsome mate tilted his head considering the board and shook his head. “I see why we often end in a draw now.”

“Oh come on! It’s not that wild!” He’d been about to say more in his defense but stopped cold and grunted.

Everyone looked at him.

Over the last few days, Wei Wuxian had been feeling a little weird. It was like there were anxious butterflies in his stomach and he would chew at his lip worrying endlessly about the sensation. It had been like that earlier today but now it was way different. It was like his gut was rolling and things were swishing around. Was something wrong with Radish?

He put a hand on his abdomen and held his breath for a second. A sudden jab from inside his belly hit his palm. Oh god! Was that a kick!? Was Radish moving? He could feel it?! Wei Wuxian sucked in a sharp breath and waited for another one.

“Wei Ying?” Lan Zhan looked seriously concerned.

“Lan Zhan! Oh God! Give me your hand!” He didn’t explain he just grabbed Lan Zhan’s hand and put it over his belly.

“What?” The second the next kick happened, Lan Zhan’s eyes widened. “Is that?”

“Yes! Oh my God!” Tears flooded Wei Wuxian’s eyes almost instantly and he gasped with each kick and weird rolling sensation in his gut. “Oh man!”

“What’s wrong? Do you need the doctors?” Lan Qiren asked with concern. Even Yanli was sitting up and leaning forward.

“No! Oh man! This is so crazy! Radish kicked me!” Why the hell was he suddenly sobbing?

Lan Zhan was staring at his belly. In the past few weeks, it had noticeably started to round out. He’d ‘popped’ for lack of a better word and it was now very obvious that Wei Wuxian was pregnant. He’d had to opt for sweats and looser pants and his skin had been wildly itchy as it stretched out. Yanli had been a godsend with bringing special oils to help his skin from scarring with stretch marks, and she had brought him new clothes on her visits. 

“Oh A-Xian! That’s so wonderful!” His shijie was smiling from ear to ear and she stood up to come over and hug him. “May I?”

“Yeah! Hurry before it stops! God it’s so weird!” He pulled her hand over to set it on his gut next to Lan Zhan’s and they both got to feel the next kick.

“Oh my! It’s so strong!” Yanli’s voice was full of wonder and amazement.

“Uncle Lan! Come! Quick!” Everyone got in on the action then, they were all touching Wei Wuxian’s stomach so they could feel the baby move.

The game was forgotten and Wei Wuxian grinned up at Lan Zhan. His vision was blurred with tears, but he didn’t care. He was just so damn happy right now! “Our baby, Lan Zhan!”

“Mn. Maybe Radish is hungry. You haven’t eaten lunch yet.”

Lan Qiren cleared his throat and stood up. “Jiang Yanli, would you care to take a stroll with me to get them some lunch? They need better food than what the hospital gives them.”

Yanli took the hint really fast and she nodded, jumping up to get her jacket and purse. “We’ll be right back!” Just like that, they were left alone.

“Lan Zhan, I’m so happy right now! I don’t know why I’m crying!”

“Shh, Wei Ying.” Lan Zhan leaned in to kiss his tears away. “Tears are not just for sorrow.”

He laughed and hugged his mate. Wei Wuxian was careful of Lan Zhan’s shoulder, but he couldn’t hold back from kissing his alpha. “Our baby is so strong!” He pressed his forehead to Lan Zhan’s.

“Strong is good.” Lan Zhan’s hand came up to stroke Wei Wuxian’s cheek.

The kicking and tossing in his gut settled down and he let out a little gasp. “I can’t believe it! I mean, I know the doc said it’d happen, but…”

“I know.”

Wei Wuxian was embroiled in his joy and the intimate moment. They should have been at home for this. It was special still, yet he hated that they were trapped in a hospital. He didn’t want Radish to ever have to set foot in this kind of place.

“Lan Zhan?”

“Mn?”

“I want to have Radish at home. No hospitals.” He really didn’t want to have any more of his baby’s firsts in a hospital room, not even his birth.

“Wei Ying.” Lan Zhan was not on board, he could tell from the way he said his name.

“I’m serious! We’ve spent too much time here with Radish already. The pregnancy has been going so well too, I’m defying the odds all over again, Lan Zhan. Why can’t I have our baby at home?” Clearly this was something Wei Wuxian had been thinking about for quite some time.

He knew the risks were high for his pregnancy. A lot could happen when it came to the delivery too. There could be all kinds of complications because he was recessive. It’s why so many never carried to term. Yet he couldn’t kick this feeling that he did not want to keep Radish here longer than he had to. If he could have his baby at home, that was all the better.

“It is not safe.” Lan Zhan was trying to reason it out in his head, Wei Wuxian could tell.

“To hell with that! Our home is safe, Lan Zhan. I can do this, I’m strong and healthy, you’ll be with me. I want this more than anything right now.”

Lan Zhan was frowning as he stared at Wei Wuxian, taking stock of how serious his expression was. “We will discuss it with doctor Chang.”

It wasn’t an outright refusal at least. Wei Wuxian rubbed at his softly rounding stomach. “I’m serious, Lan Zhan. I don’t want Radish stuck in hospitals.”

“I know. Radish is strong, there’s no reason to think they will be in the hospital all the time, Wei Ying.” A gentle kiss teased his cheek.

“Promise we’ll talk about it?”

“I promise.”

Mollified for now, Wei Wuxian sighed and smiled into those gorgeous molten-gold eyes of his mate. “I love you, you know.”

“I love you, Wei Ying. Always.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Radish kicked me!

Jiang Cheng read the text message twice and snorted. He was at work dealing with the legal documents for an acquisitions project. By the door, a man in a suit looked in his direction but said nothing. Fucking suit. He’d been attached to Jiang Cheng ever since the talk with Wen Xu at the hospital.

If he was away from Nie Mingjue, that fucking silent shadow followed him. Jiang Cheng despised it, but it also was amusing to see his parents flip out a bit over it. They’d questioned him, and the suit had actually gotten in between himself and his mother at one point when it looked like she was about to smack him. God it felt good to have someone backing him up for a change!

Jiang Cheng hadn’t bothered to learn the guy’s name, he was merely the suit and that was just fine by him. It was all because he knew way too much all the sudden about shit he never thought could be possible. Wen Xu walking in on them at the hospital had been humiliating and god awful for Jiang Cheng. His secret shame had been revealed to a practical stranger, and he had not handled it well. Neither had the Jackass when he really thought about it.

They all had agreed to listen to what Wen Xu had to say though, so the day after Mingjue had been discharged, Wen Xu and Nie Huaisang had come for a visit and talked. For the first time in his life, Jiang Cheng had a new understanding of what hate meant. He’d felt betrayed by his parents before that moment, but he hadn’t realized how deep their shittiness went until after he’d heard the story from Wen Xu. Some of it had been left out with some asinine story about how it was safer for them not knowing too much.

Still it had been enough for Jiang Cheng to explain what was going on with himself. How he’d been drugged by his own mother to repress his presentation and how he was now coming off the drug. Nie Huaisang had been threatened with extreme torture if he told anyone, and the whiny beta kept promising he didn’t spread secrets that involved members of his family.

Jiang Cheng wasn’t family though, so how did that apply to him? Maybe it was because of Jackass. He was living in his home and he was with the man almost all the time. Did that make him an extended family member? Whatever the case, Jiang Cheng was thankful for it. He finally had people supporting him.

Yes, he had Wei Wuxian’s support as well, but he was a little wound up with Lan Wangji’s recovery so he hadn’t bothered his brother that much. Jiang Cheng wanted to talk to his sister about it, he really did, but he was so ashamed all at the same time. It wasn’t something he was willing to just come out and proclaim just yet. He was still weaning himself off the fucking drugs.

That was pretty much at the end too. Wen Qing told him to stop all together at the end of this week. It terrified the hell out of him. She was basically telling him to go into heat. Who the fuck did that?! Nie Mingjue became overly helpful after that. He’d gotten more blankets for Jiang Cheng, and he’d had a mini fridge installed in Jiang Cheng’s room. That hadn’t made a lot of sense at first until Mingjue explained that he could stock up so he didn’t have to worry about going anywhere until his heat passed.

That’s great news!

He sent the text back with a bit of a dumb grin. It was nice having his brother to talk to, even if it was just about the damn baby. At least A-Xian seemed happy about it. The whole thing made Jiang Cheng space out and wonder about having his own kids someday.

It wasn’t a topic that had ever come up in the context of him being the one to actually give birth of course. He’d always just figured he’d marry a nice beta woman and have kids with her one day. Things became different with the revelation that he was transitioning. Jiang Cheng was going to be the one who could have kids without needing a woman to do all that stuff. Was that something he wanted? Everything was so fucking confusing.

“Jiang Cheng!” The shrill voice of his mother snapped him out of his thoughts and he looked up from his desk to see her scowling at him from the door.

“Yes, mother?” It was hard to restrain himself from cussing her out sometimes.

“I asked if you were going to come home soon. This stupid stunt of yours has gone on long enough. A-Li will need you when she comes back.” Every day at work, this conversation happened at least once.

“I don’t know where A-Li is, mother. We only visit on the phone.” It was an outright lie, yet now that he knew what Yu Ziyuan was capable of, he didn’t trust her anywhere near his jiejie. The problem was that these little encounters ramped up his heart rate and that exacerbated his oncoming heat symptoms.

Even the cooling undershirt he’d gotten didn’t help with the way his skin felt like it was being bathed in fire. He’d gotten a whole box of band aids that looked like funny buttons to cover his nipples with too. Anything to keep them from being rubbed raw was a welcome respite as far as Jiang Cheng was concerned. 

“How can you not know?! You’re her brother! This little rebellion needs to end. You two are killing me with this distance.”

Just like you were killing me with that fucking drug?

He scowled at her. Sweat slid down the back of his neck and his heart started to race wildly in his chest. He thought he could smell some kind of flower around his mother. Scents were becoming a lot more prevalent in his day-to-day life. It was a shock to learn that betas had scents and that alphas and omegas could sometimes pick them up when emotions were running high. His mother must have been pissed if he could pick it up.

“Jiejie said she doesn’t want me getting in the middle of it, so she won’t tell me.” Jiang Cheng replied flatly, giving the same answer he’d given a hundred times now. “If this isn’t about work, can you let me get back to it?”

“You little! I’m your mother!” Irritation surged through Jiang Cheng and the suit by the door shifted so that he remembered he was there.

All he had to do was give a nod or say the word and his mother would be escorted out. He knew that. Jiang Cheng had been told more than a few times that he could get the suit to do it. The whole thing just felt so…weird. Yu Ziyuan didn’t seem to take well to the usual brush off today. She stormed fully into the office to loom over his desk, palms planting on the papers he’d been working on.

“You cannot keep this up, A-Cheng! You won’t even tell me where you’re living!” There was a manic gleam in his mother’s eyes that he’d never noticed before.

“The fuck do you care?!” he snapped back viciously, that tenuous control over his temper faltering. “All you want to do is fucking control me. Back off!”

The suit took a step toward them, his mother hadn’t noticed yet. “You little shit! Everything I’ve done has been for you and your sister! You have -no- idea what kind of sacrifices I’ve made!”

Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes, leaning back in his chair. “Enlighten me then, mother. Tell me how you fucking slaved away in the gutter to make me into something better than you.” Spite was a new flavor on his tongue when he spoke to Yu Ziyuan. How had he ever believed her bullshit before?

She snarled at him and her hand snapped up as she struck at him. It was stopped long before it could reach his face by the suit grabbing her wrist. Jiang Cheng felt a thrill of power and satisfaction as he smirked at her. “Ma’am, Mr. Jiang needs to focus on work. Please leave.”

“This is my company! How dare you tell me to leave?! Why does my son need you around anyway?” Yu Ziyuan was screeching now. This was also not new. Even Jiang Cheng’s assistant outside his office didn’t seem phased anymore.

“I wouldn’t need him if you could learn to not be such a goddamn bitch all the time.” Jiang Cheng stood up in anger and glowered at his mother. God he hated her.

“Jiang Cheng!”

“Get her out of here!” He had enough of this crap. For the first time, Jiang Cheng was using the suit like the jackass wanted him to. His heart was beating too fucking fast and he was trying not to gasp and wheeze in front of his own personal demon.

Yu Ziyuan proceeded to yell and threaten the suit as she was hauled out of the office and the door was shut behind them. It gave him a chance to have a minor meltdown. Panting for air and shivering while burning up, Jiang Cheng felt the all too familiar pang of sorrow in his heart. Why was his mother such a spiteful bitch? Why did Wei Wuxian get to be so fucking happy while he suffered? Where was his goddamn Jackass?

Even as he thought it, his cell began to ring. It was Mingjue. “What?”

“No jackass today? I’m hurt, Wanyin.” Jiang Cheng could hear the grin through the phone.

“I just threw my mother out of my office.” After the whole warehouse incident, he’d become a lot closer to the big alpha. It wasn’t romantic or anything weird. He was just a real friend that Jiang Cheng could count on.

“I know. Your ‘suit’ messaged me. I wanted to make sure you’re ok.” A tear slid down his cheek.

He was not okay at all. How could he be alright with this shit? Jiang Cheng took in a shuddering breath of air and cleared his throat to force his emotions to stop embarrassing him. “I’m not. Come get me?”

He didn’t care about fucking work right now, he just wanted to get out of this hell hole. He was burning up and it was mere days before he was going to experience his first fucking heat. He didn’t want to deal with this shit anymore.

“Sure. I’ll be there soon. You’re going to be alright, Wanyin. I promise.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Nie Huaisang saw stars as he climaxed hard. Wen Xu had driven him to insanity, pinning him over the kitchen counter and plowing into him repeatedly. It had been all A-Sang could do to cling to the countertop and ride out the intense pleasure his husband was dishing out. How could this feel so good every single time!?

His legs were jelly and couldn’t hold him up as he lay across the surface, gasping and moaning in his bliss. The steady slap of hips against his ass increased in tempo and then A-Xu was grinding up against him, spilling inside and filling him with his hot come. It was enough to make A-Sang’s toes curl and another wicked little orgasm tore out of him because of it.

“A-Xu! Ah fuck!”

“So tight, Newbie!” Wen Xu groaned leaning over him while he panted and shuddered through his climax.

It was early evening and A-Sang had been preparing to make dinner for the pair of them when Wen Xu had come home in a mood. One thing had led to the other and before either one of them knew it, they’d indulged in their desires. Nie Huaisang had a ridiculous grin on his face as his cheek pressed against the cool marble of the counter.

“My legs won’t work, A-Xu.” Little spasms of pleasure washed through him and he focused on milking his husband for all he was worth.

“Mmm, I can carry you.”

“Anywhere?”

“Wherever you want, Newbie.” The nickname made A-Sang’s heart flip and dance in his chest. He was going to be sore later, he could already feel it.

If anyone had told him a couple months ago that he’d be married to the richest bachelor ever and living in a penthouse high-rise, he would have laughed himself right off a damn cliff. Shit like that didn’t happen to people like Nie Huaisang, yet here he was, living in a high-rise penthouse with his bonafide real husband. It was surreal to think about at times.

His flushed skin was sticking to the marble countertop and he grinned dumbly up at his husband. “Somewhere comfy?”

Wen Xu chuckled between little panting breaths and wrapped his arms around Huaisang’s middle, lifting him up. The second A-Xu’s cock slipped out of him, Huaisang whimpered and his body trembled deliciously. God he really loved how things had worked out sometimes! “Where are we going?”

“Bed.” Lips latched onto his neck, suckling and nibbling and A-Sang did his best to cling to the alpha, laughing with joy. 

Wrapped in A-Xu’s strong arms, he tilted his head to the side to give his husband all the access he could desire. Huaisang adored how he felt so cherished in this man’s arms. Soft blankets teased his back as he was laid out on the bed and Wen Xu loomed over him, kissing languidly while they savored in the moment.

“I love you.” They hadn’t ever said that kind of thing to each other, but Nie Huaisang’s heart was full, and he couldn’t hold back anymore. 

The feelings were there, whether he ignored them or not. Their arrangement might have started out wildly unhinged, but he really did care for the strong alpha. It wasn’t just survival speaking either. He wasn’t deranged into some weird version of being a hostage in love with his captor either. They had talked it out, more than a few times, and they were both on the same page when it came to where their relationship stood.

It was a real marriage. They were a real couple and they treated it as such. Why hold back on his confession if it was how he felt? Wasn’t that how married people were? They loved one another and confessed it to each other, didn’t they? 

Even with that thought flitting through his brain, Nie Huaisang’s cheeks warmed with a blush and he bit his lower lip looking up at Wen Xu’s face shyly. Having sex was easy, confessing feelings was so much more nerve wracking. What if he didn’t feel the same way? Would it change things?

The larger man smiled down at him and leaned close until their lips were ghosting against one another. “I love you, too, A-Sang. I fell for you when I spotted you trying to be a sneaky janitor.”

Nie Huaisang gave a derisive snort. “You were going to kill me!” 

His palm was sliding over A-Xu’s bare chest and he wrapped his still quivering legs around the man’s hips. Warm joy was seeping through his soul as they made their confessions. It was so perfect!

“You were too adorable to kill, it was cute how wide your eyes got when you thought I’d actually do it.” The last breath of distance was closed between their lips for a sweet kiss.

It was warm and full of their charged emotions. A-Sang could have stayed like this forever if he were given the option. Was this what it was always like with couples? He’d never done more than a few supervised dates with uninteresting women in the past. There’d never been a spark like he experienced now between himself and A-Xu. The difference was love. They had it in spades, at least A-Sang sure did.

“You’re happy, A-Xu?” He knew that the man had plans to ruin his father’s ideas of lineage and inheritance by not having his own kids, but part of A-Sang worried that he’d regret it one day.

“Very, can’t you tell?” His husband ground down against him, his large cock sliding against A-Sang. It made Huaisang moan and shiver with pleasure.

The one thing they did not lack was chemistry. Over the past month of being together, they’d learned what drove each other crazy and had indulged in their carnal fantasies quite a bit. Even with all the chaos of the attack and everything it had brought about, Huaisang and A-Xu still found time together to remind one another how good they were as a couple.

Right now, he really wanted more of his husband driving into him. Huaisang arched up beneath the bigger man and whimpered against the shell of Wen Xu’s ear at each erotic slide of their dicks rubbing together. “I need you, husband.”

Hands skimmed down Nie Huaisang’s sides until strong fingers were gripping his hips. He hitched his legs a little higher up Wen Xu’s body, exposing himself to the man. The ache for that feeling of being stretched open and nearly split in half was something A-Sang desperately craved right now.

Unfortunately, life was not cooperating with his desires. 

There was a sudden loud banging at the door to their home. They both froze, and Huaisang looked up wide-eyed while Wen Xu groaned and pressed his forehead into his shoulder. They waited cautiously, practically holding their breaths to see if the racket would stop. Instead, muffled shouting echoed through the door. They could hear it all the way from the bedroom and it made Wen Xu swear.

“Stay here, I’ll deal with it.” He gave a rough kiss then stood up muttering angrily as he snatched up a pair of sweats and pulled them on. The clothing hardly hid the man’s obvious erection and it made Nie Huaisang laugh, rolling to bury his face in the pillows. He was going to answer the door like that?! Well, it served whoever was there right for interrupting their intimate time.

After Wen Xu disappeared from the room, Huaisang rolled onto his back and listened quietly. Maybe it was the neighbor below them and they’d heard their love making? No, A-Xu had told him the floors were heavily soundproofed. Who could it be then? He heard the door bang open. There were angry shouts and it wasn’t just one-sided shouting either. Wen Xu’s voice had also risen considerably.

“I know it was your doing! What the hell are you thinking?!” Nie Huaisang’s arousal died immediately. That was Wen Chao’s furious voice.

With a frown he quickly scrambled out of the bed and pulled on his own sweats and a shirt. There was no way in hell he was going to be caught buck ass naked with that psychopath in their home.

“My doing? Who was the idiot who decided to take a stab at a fucking sleeping dragon?! Do you know how reckless that was?” Wen Xu was annoyed.

Creeping out from their bedroom on the second floor of the penthouse suite, Huaisang watched from the landing - the two brothers were squaring off. Wen Xu was taller and powerfully built. By comparison, Wen Chao looked almost a whole foot shorter and a lot softer. They were both strong, it was just the way they contrasted one another. A-Xu was all lean sharp muscle and Wen Chao’s build wasn’t quite as defined. It was Huaisang’s first time seeing the pair of them together.

Their faces were both twisted into hostile scowls and it was the only time A-Sang could see a familial resemblance. They had the same kind of sneer. He could guess what this was all about at least. After his da-ge had gotten home from the hospital, Huaisang and A-Xu had come to talk about the spook to him. Nie Mingjue handled it better than he thought he would.

It had taken a few hours to go through the sordid story about the Jiang and Wen relationship, and about how shit had gone down terribly in the past. Even with all these revelations, he and A-Xu had agreed to be careful and not talk about the murder that Yu Ziyuan had been part of. There were things that would only hurt Jiang Cheng and make both him and Nie Mingjue more of a target.

At first, he hadn’t wanted to tell them any of it, but when A-Xu explained that there was a dirty cop that worked with the spook, A-Sang changed his tune. It seemed the dirty cop had already started to nose around his da-ge and Jiang Cheng for some strange reason. Most likely because he saw a challenge in the way he’d been brushed off by Jiang Cheng, but they couldn’t be sure. Wen Xu told him that the dirty cop was a twisted and deranged kind of person.

It also highlighted why going to the police about all of this was pointless in many ways. The dirty cop would just intervene if he found out and they’d get nowhere. Knowing that, Wen Xu had promised there were other ways to deal with the man and he had vowed to take care of it. With Wen Chao here all furious like this, A-Sang was pretty sure that something had happened.

“Sleeping dragon?! You sound as deluded as our father! The Lans are nothing! Why do we always have to play nice around those morons?” Wen Chao seethed angrily.

“Those morons have enough leverage to cause us a lot of trouble you idiot. You need to learn how to pick your battles. This is why father will never entrust the business to you.”

“How the fuck did you get him detained!?”

“You mean your little Officer Xue?” Wen Xu snorted with a laugh. “All it took was a proper nudge, baby brother.”

“Asshole! He was going to grab Wei Wuxian!” Clearly Wen Chao didn’t realize that they weren’t quite as alone as he thought. Nie Huaisang just stayed upstairs and listened with a slightly slack jawed expression. This guy had no restraint when it came to barking about his plans.

“Consider this your lesson.” Wen Xu’s fists were balled up at his sides. Man he was angry, A-Sang could tell even from where he stood upstairs.

“Lesson!? What for!?”

“For putting my husband in danger by sending the spook after a Lan. For letting the goddamn spook fight my brother-in-law. Hmmm, let’s see. Oh yes, for fucking with my plans.”

“Fuck, this is because of a god damn bitch? Get a new wife like the rest of us!” There was a fleshy thud as Wen Xu’s fist connected with Wen Chao’s gut. The smaller brother doubled over wheezing in pain.

“My husband cannot just be replaced, A-Chao. You’d know that if you had a damn soul in that black heart of yours.” The words were spoken with a chilling clarity that made Nie Huaisang shiver. It was totally wrong to get excited over this right? He shouldn’t be getting a hard-on because his husband defended him, should he?

“I don’t give a fuck what weird obsession you’ve developed from the old man’s drunken rants. I’m telling you to leave it be. If you ever drag the spook or your pathetic little cop friend into my business again, you won’t get the chance to regret it.” Wen Xu’s warning was delivered with cool anger.

Wen Xu was holding his brother by his hair and he was glaring right into Wen Chao’s face. The younger brother was still trying to regain his breath, but he snarled viciously up at A-Xu. The fight that ensued was something out of an action film, Nie Huaisang was sure of it. 

He had learned that Wen Xu had studied martial arts after their visit with his da-ge. The two of them had a common ground and had discussed it at length once they weren’t at one another’s throats over stuff like surprise weddings and random assassins. Even knowing that, he was still in awe as the two brothers went at it. They both clearly had trained in martial arts and the blows that went back and forth were vicious and held the intention to do real harm. 

Panic flooded A-Sang’s heart as furniture got jostled and items broken. What if A-Xu really got hurt? He didn’t know what to do but this had to stop! He was halfway down the stairs when Wen Chao noticed him. A disturbing glint flashed through the younger brother’s eyes and a sneer slid over his lips as he shoved Wen Xu back.

Wen Chao changed tack instantly, and charged for the stairs to come at A-Sang. Holy shit! This was bad! Huaisang stumbled back, landing hard on his already tender ass against the stairs. It made him yelp and he cringed, covering his head with his arms expecting a painful blow to come at him any second. Instead there was a loud crashing sound and when he peeked up, Wen Chao was wheezing on the floor amidst the shattered remnants of a glass table.

Holy shit! Wen Xu loomed over his little brother and rained blows down heavily. Blood was darkening the floor beneath A-Xu’s knees as he knelt in the broken glass to continue to beat the hell out of his brother. The impact through the table had left Wen Chao defenseless and dazed, he didn’t stand a chance before the fury of his elder brother.

“I warned you!” A-Xu roared at his little brother who couldn’t manage a response. Wen Chao was still struggling to breathe right, which wasn’t easy since A-Xu wasn’t giving him a chance to recover. If this kept up, he really would kill the little asshole.

“A-Xu!” What else could Huaisang do? He called out frantically to his husband and started to come down the stairs again.

“Stay there A-Sang! He deserves this!” Rage was flashing in Wen Xu’s eyes, but for once, Nie Huaisang wasn’t afraid.

He loved this man, he wasn’t afraid of him. The only threat in their home was Wen Chao and the man’s face looked like raw hamburger right now from how hard he’d been beaten. Nie Huaisang came down and stepped gingerly through the broken glass in his slippers. He came right up behind his husband and wrapped his arms around the man’s torso, essentially halting him from raining more hits down on Wen Chao.

“Stop, A-Xu. He’s done, look at him. You’re gonna kill him at this rate.” Nie Huaisang’s heart was beating fast. He might not have feared Wen Xu, but the raging tempers were off the charts. Even as a beta, he could tell that there were a lot of hostile pheromones flying around right now.

“Newbie…” Bloody knuckled hands came to rest over A-Sang’s and he felt the tension vibrating through the bigger man’s back. 

“Don’t kill him, please A-Xu?” It was surreal asking this, Huaisang knew that. If he didn’t ask, there was a very good chance that A-Xu wouldn’t stop. Honestly, Wen Chao dying like this probably would solve a lot of headaches for them, but it would also piss off Wen Ruohan and the last thing either of them wanted was to get the attention of that creepy bastard.

A shudder rolled through Wen Xu and he let out a heavy grunt. “Fine.” He spat on Wen Chao’s prone form. “The only reason you’re alive is because my husband saved you. Understand that, shithead? You owe your life to Nie Huaisang.”

Wen Xu kicked him one more time with his foot and Wen Chao just curled up groaning. Bubbles of bloody snot gushed out of his ruined nose as he tried to breathe. The guy was in bad shape. It all happened so fast! Wen Xu had a split lip and there was a bruise or two already showing on his bare chest.

“You’re hurt!” Huaisang almost entirely forgot about the fact that the bane of his every nightmare was lying broken on the floor at their feet. 

Wen Xu grunted and tipped his husband’s chin up so he could steal a kiss. “Watch my shithead brother, I’m going to call Junlai.”

Wen Chao groaned in pain again, wheezing as he finally sucked in a full breath of air. “Fucking…asshole!” 

Wen Xu snarled down at him but he was already moving away to find his phone over in the kitchen. Nie Huaisang looked down at the wrecked alpha and backed off a bit nervously. Even beaten to a pulp like this, Wen Chao scared the hell out of him. He was just unhinged. 

“That asshole only stopped because I asked him to, you know.” This was the best bravado he could come up with!

If he was going to act like he was tough, this was the time to do it. There was no way Wen Xu would have walked away if he thought Wen Chao was still a danger to him, right? For now, he’d watch his defeated brother-in-law from a safe distance. God, cleaning up all this glass was going to be such a pain!

Wen Chao laughed sadistically and squinted up through swollen eyes to glare at Huaisang. “He’ll dump you one day. You fucking idiot.”

“You’re just jealous that he’s happy and you aren’t.” Huaisang retorted, even as a sliver of fear eased into his world. What if Wen Xu did get sick of him one day? 

“You alright, Newbie?” Wen Xu was on the phone, but he had come back over to shove Wen Chao with his foot once more.

“I’m fine. You’re bleeding.” Just looking at A-Xu eased his fears. They loved each other. He’d confessed and his husband returned the confession. Wen Chao was just trying to scare him.

“It’s nothing. Once the idiot here is gone I’ll deal with it.” Wen Xu scowled down at his little brother. “You learned your lesson yet, shithead? Stay away from my family, that includes the Nie and the Lan clans.”

If only it were so easy.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Wen Ruohan frowned in disdain at the narrow winding streets of the older part of the city. He was standing outside the door to his gugu’s home debating whether or not he should knock. Of all the people he’d dealt with in his lifetime, upsetting this woman was not something he wanted to do if he could help it. She may have looked sweet, innocent and kind, but Ruohan knew better.

Gugu was as vicious as any other Wen had been throughout the course of history. If it were ancient times, her tenacity and wicked scheming would have toppled emperors. She had instilled a true fear of God in Wen Ruohan at an early age. Even though she was old and needed the aid of a cane now, he was still wary of the woman.

Steeling himself, he knocked on the door and waited. When it opened, the smiling woman’s face morphed into one of disappointment. “You have some explaining to do.” Her voice never sounded sweet or gentle to him. It sounded bitter and harsh.

“Gugu, it’s good to see you as well. May I?”

“A-Qing and A-Ning aren’t here, they don’t live with me anymore you know.” She had moved back and opened the door a bit wider to allow him to step inside.

“I am aware. How are the two of them doing?” The false pleasantries were always dangerous territory when dealing with this woman.

“They’re fine, no thanks to you. A-Ning says people have been hounding him about Wei Wuxian. We had an arrangement. You aren’t to touch the young man.” Gugu didn’t beat around the bush when she was displeased.

The courtyard was tidy and the garden looked well tended, sprouts were starting to show in the dark soil. It looked just as Wen Ruohan remembered. “I have kept my word. I haven’t touched a hair on that boy’s head.”

Granny Wen gave a little annoyed scoff. “He’s only been terrorized by that awful woman and hounded by ghosts and ghouls.”

Wen Ruohan’s eyes narrowed, how was this old hag so in the know all the time? “I have tried to keep that woman from making a mess but it isn’t easy, gugu. Perhaps if you were to speak with her…”

“You could have let him stay with me.” She interrupted in annoyance.

“It wasn’t safe. You know that.” He answered calmly, but this wasn’t going as smoothly as he’d wanted it to. The whole reason he was even visiting was to apologize and smooth things over before she decided to step in and deal with it on her own.

“It would have been better than letting him suffer all these years.” 

They’d long come to an arrangement about Wei Wuxian when it had been discovered that his gugu had been harboring the child after the incident with his parents. To this day, Wen Ruohan was pretty sure that his gugu only knew of the death of Canse Sanren and Wei Changze as an accident and not out and out murder. He couldn’t say for sure, but the old woman had never accused him of having a part in it at least.

She had been well aware of who and what Wei Wuxian was, but she didn’t begrudge the child at all. In return, Ruohan had promised to hide and shelter the child where he would never be discovered. Thus how he’d ended up with Wei Changze’s closest friend, Jiang Fengmian. Of course, this put him in dangerously close proximity to Yu Ziyuan, but Ruohan had believed he could control that stupid woman enough to keep the boy alive at least.

Until his gugu died and he had free reign to do as he pleased with Wei Wuxian, Wen Ruohan had to abide by the conditions she set. It’d be so easy to just kill her here and now, wouldn’t it? Even if he did it, Ruohan was pretty sure his gugu would haunt him beyond the grave and torment him every waking moment. She was old, he just had to be patient and wait her out - or so he’d believed. Now Wei Wuxian was in the hands of another family and he’d been sullied by an alpha. Everything was a mess.

“You know he’s with child now, right? He should have been locked away years ago.”

“There’s no reason for you to be so obsessed with Wei Wuxian. His significance has long passed. Your window to use him closed years ago, A-Han.”

She sounded so smug and confident. This woman was a menace. “You don’t know that.”

“I do. So long as I’m alive, Wei Wuxian is off limits. Understood?”

Wen Ruohan scowled at his gugu and folded his arms. “I give my word. I won’t touch him.” There were other ways to get to Wei Wuxian that didn’t directly involve himself. All he had to do was get the omega away from the Lans that protected him so ardently.

“Good, now help an old woman with this garden.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Jiang Cheng felt like he had soaked clear through his clothes by the time Nie Mingjue had come to get him at the offices of Lotus Enterprises. He was beyond flushed and he could smell everything in great detail. The suit was using some dumb cologne to mimic pheromones, A-Cheng was sure of it. He swore he could smell sap on trees and the fresh green of new grass way too much as well.

The damp fabric against his skin was driving him absolutely nuts, too. Everything was beyond sensitive. God damn his mother! She’d done this, she’d driven him into a fit and he was pissed off. It was making him irritated and hyper aware of his own condition. This couldn’t be his heat, they’d been planning for it to hit at the end of the week. He’d already arranged to take some time away from work for then, much to his parents’ displeasure.

Nie Mingjue was glancing over at him continually as they drove in silence through the city. He’d recovered quite well from his brush with death and you couldn’t even tell he’d been pinned under a massive beam with a monster concussion. The scrapes and bruises had all healed. The jackass said his ribs were a little tender still but that it was nothing alarming. It had to be Nie genes or something. They healed faster than average, that had to be it.

“Hey, should we call Wen Qing? It’s almost time…” Why the fuck was Mingjue bringing it up? Usually he just let Jiang Cheng stew in his moods.

“I know it is, Jackass!” Jiang Cheng snapped at him immediately and groaned because it made his clothing rasp against his skin even more. “Fuck.”

“You know…planning is all well and good, but sometimes these things sort of force themselves when you least want it.” Mingjue was tapping the steering wheel of his jeep. He looked a little uncomfortable. 

“What the fuck’s wrong with you?”

“Your scent patches aren’t working anymore, Wanyin.” Mingjue’s voice sounded tight and strained.

“So?  You’ve smelled me before.” He was so pissed at his mother. It’d been a solid hour since she’d come at him and he was just getting more and more agitated by it.

“I don’t think you understand what I’m saying, Wanyin.” The jackass groaned with an exhale. “You’re in heat.”

“What? No I’m not. I think I’d know. I’ve asked A-Xian about it a lot.” He’d also researched it heavily online and read a heap of documents. He was fucking terrified about this impending heat. The more he learned, the less he wanted to go through with it too.

The jackass started to chuckle as they rolled up to the house. “I’m not kidding. You’re in heat, can’t you feel it? Aren’t you hyper sensitive right now?” With the jeep thrown into park, Mingjue twisted in the driver’s seat to look Jiang Cheng square in the eye. 

“I’m just pissed at her…It’s not my heat.” Shit, this couldn’t be happening! He wasn’t ready. Panic zipped through his veins while his heart hammered in his chest. Why was it so fucking hot in here?

“You’ve soaked your clothes in sweat, Wanyin. Your scent patches aren’t covering your pheromones anymore, I can see how sensitive your body’s gotten. I can smell your slick. You are in heat.”

“I can’t smell you.” Denial was all he had left in the moment. Was his ass leaking? God, it was mortifying to think he was leaking on the passenger seat.

“I’m holding them back. If I let you smell my pheromones, shit’s gonna happen that you don’t want.” Was his jackass actually warning him?

“As if! You’re just trying to get a rise out of me.”

“No…I’m serious. Look, Wanyin. I’m barely holding myself back right now. I want to pin you against that seat and fuck you so hard, you have no idea the kind of affect your having on me right now.” Jiang Cheng felt his eyes bugging out of his head at that blatant remark.

He held very fucking still and stared at the man across the vehicle from him. Nie Mingjue was a huge wall of muscle, and he was only just realizing that this tank of a man was trembling. What. The. Fuck?!

“But…it’s not supposed to happen yet! I’m not ready! Fuck I’m not ready for this!” Panic raced through him and now that Jiang Cheng was paying attention, he could smell the rotten sour scent of bitter overripe grapefruit. What the hell!? Was that him?

Oh crap! He flinched back against the door of the jeep and blindly started to fumble for the handle. “I’m not ready, Jackass! Oh God!”

The pained groan from Nie Mingjue tore at Jiang Cheng’s gut and he trembled in response. What the fuck!? No! No, this was not happening! He had to get out of the jeep! The craziest part was that the jackass wasn’t trying to stop him either. It was as if he were desperately clinging to the last thread of control and was afraid moving would snap that delicate line. 

The door swung open and Jiang Cheng practically fell out of the jeep, barely managing to get his feet under himself. Nie Mingjue’s eyes followed his every move. Fresh air filled the vehicle’s cab and it seemed to help the big guy regain a bit of his senses. What the hell was he supposed to do? Did he stay or did he go? Where was he supposed to go?! They hadn’t filled the fridge or anything yet!

“Fuck!”

“Wanyin, calm down. It’s going to be alright. Just give me a second, okay?” 

“Like hell! I’m fucking terrified, Jackass! You know I’ve been dreading this!” It was true, Jiang Cheng had spoken of it frequently since he knew the date was coming. Nie Mingjue always tried to console him and talk it out so that it would be less scary. He knew exactly how freaking awful this was right now.

“It’s early, yeah. I know, but it isn’t the end of the world.” The longer they were like this, with Jiang Cheng outside the jeep and Mingjue still inside, the more the alpha seemed to regain his composure. He even managed a lopsided grin. “I won’t hurt you, I won’t force myself on you, I promised you’d be safe and I mean it.”

No matter what Mingjue said, Jiang Cheng was aware that this was going to hurt, he knew it. Wen Qing had warned him, Wei Wuxian had warned him, hell the Internet had warned him too! Repressed omegas that went into their first heat later in life suffered like hell for it. They experienced immense pain and their urges went into overdrive, whatever that meant.

Everyone had recommended he stock up on god damn toys to help with the pain, but he didn’t even know what to do with the fucking things. Jiang Cheng had outright refused, even after the jackass had shown up one day with a couple simple toys all brand new and shiny in their packaging. He’d said it was ‘just in case’ Jiang Cheng changed his mind. There had been a lot of embarrassment on A-Cheng’s part and he’d taken it out on the jackass with a lot of swearing.

“Can’t we stop it? Suppressants can do it, can’t they?” He was gasping now and the air was making his skin prickle and sting beneath his clothes.

“You know you can’t, the whole point is that you go through this, Wanyin.” Mingjue was moving now and he slowly opened the driver’s door and climbed out of the jeep. “We need to get you inside, alright? Everything’s going to be okay, I promise.”

Where was the foggy part? Everything and everyone said that a strong heat left the omega with a foggy brain. They couldn’t remember details easily, they just could feel. God that sounded so awful, but if he couldn’t think about it, wouldn’t it be better? How did A-Xian and his jiejie go through this all the time?

Tears slid down Jiang Cheng’s cheeks and he trembled where he stood. Fuck his ass really was wet with slick! He could feel it now and his face became as red as a fucking tomato with his horrified shame. This couldn’t be happening! 

“Jackass, I can’t do this! Oh God! Fuck I can’t! I can’t breathe!”

“Hey! You’re going to be okay, Wanyin!” Mingjue was there suddenly, he wrapped his arms around Jiang Cheng and picked him up like he weighed nothing and held him close. “I can stay with you for a little bit if you want. We can call Wen Qing together…” He was offering the last lifeline there possibly could be.

Jiang Cheng didn’t even really know how he was being carried until they were halfway across the drive. He was being cradled in Mingjue’s arms, but he’d wrapped his legs around the man’s waist at some point and his face was buried against the man’s neck while he sobbed in fear. The realization was just as terrifying as the actual fact that he was in heat and he struggled wildly.

“Put me down! Fuck! Let me go, Jackass!” He could feel the rigid outline of the man’s dick and it had freaked him right out!

Nie Mingjue grunted and let out a frustrated breath. “I’ll put you down, but you need to promise you won’t run, alright?” They were standing at the door to the house now and Jiang Cheng was trembling from a mixture of emotions.

“I won’t run! Where the hell would I go!?” His snarl was vicious, but it was all he knew how to do!

“I’m putting you down now, you’re safe, Wanyin. I promise you, I won’t do anything against your will. Just…swear to god you won’t run.” It kind of felt like the man was warning him. Was it some weird instinct that made a running omega a target? Probably. Fuck! He didn’t know enough about this shit!

It took another few terrifying seconds before Nie Mingjue carefully pulled Jiang Cheng away from his body. Belatedly, he realized he hadn’t tried to disentangle his legs from around the big man’s waist on his own. Fuck he was mortified! The second Jiang Cheng’s feet touched the ground, he had an overwhelming urge to run as fast and as far as he could. It made his eyes widen and he grabbed at Mingjue’s arms desperately. 

“Why do I want to run?!” His voice had jumped an octave as he squeaked out the question.

Nie Mingjue closed his eyes and seemed to be collecting himself. He was standing very still again. “It’s instinct, Wanyin. Your gut is telling you to entice alphas with a chase. Please don’t run…”

This was so fucked up! “What do I do? Don’t go! Fuck don’t leave me alone right now, please?”

It was asking a lot of the big alpha. Jiang Cheng was terrified and they both knew it. He was giving off all kinds of wild pheromones and his body was screaming about how ready it was to be bred by the nearest alpha. Shit, what if this happened in the goddamn supermarket? Realization hit him like a speeding truck. What if this happened on a train like it had to Wei Wuxian?

He was such a fucking idiot! How could he have been so mad at his brother? He hadn’t understood how intense it was until right this very second. He’d been such a fucking asshole to Wei Wuxian. Jiang Cheng sobbed with regret and terror in equal parts. 

“I can’t do this, Mingjue. I can’t!”

“You have to, Wanyin. There’s no going back now, it’s here. Suppressants won’t stop it.” He was trying to be gentle, Jiang Cheng could hear it, but it wasn’t really working.

“Don’t go, please? Stay!” Jiang Cheng was begging the big man, he knew it and he knew what he was asking of him too. It was better that he do it now, while he could think straight. There was no way he could face this alone.

Nie Mingjue groaned and his head was suddenly resting on Jiang Cheng’s shoulder. “If I stay…you might hate me later.”

“I’ll hate you if you leave me alone like this.” Nervously, he moved into Mingjue’s space and hugged his arms around the big man’s shoulders. “Please? Don’t make me go through this alone!”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Chapter Text

Jiang Wanyin was going to be the death of Nie Mingjue; he could tell already. The man’s pheromones were out of control and exuding everything from fear, anger, confusion and panic to arousal and elated need. His hyper excited state was making it so much worse and the fact that he admitted he wanted to run - hell. Mingjue had almost pinned him to the damn door at that. From everything he’d learned about his little spitfire in the past month, none of this was something Jiang Wanyin ever wanted to experience. 

Wanyin did not need to see his protector as a rapist.

That’s exactly what he’d think once this heat cycle was over. If Mingjue took advantage now, he wouldn’t be able to forgive himself and he would wholly expect Wanyin to despise him. How the hell were they going to deal with this then? The panic and fear had his inner alpha demanding he do something. It seemed to be enough to control his baser urges for the time being. The second he couldn’t, he’d think of some way to stop, even if it meant he had to knock himself out or something dumb.

“Alright, it’s ok, I’ll stay for now.” Returning the hug, Mingjue’s hands gently caressed a sweat damp back. Wanyin’s clothes were soaked through.

“I know what I’m saying, Jackass. Don’t fucking leave. Stay…for the whole thing.” The demand gutted him all over again.

“Wanyin, the heat is talking for you. You don’t really want me like that, we both know it.” Mingjue wanted his raging spitfire desperately. He really did, but he wanted him without the heat forcing him to choose it.

A typical omega had a three day heat cycle. Considering Wanyin was experiencing his first one, and that it had been repressed for years, Wen Qing had warned him it might last a little longer. Transitioning was not an easy thing, at least that’s what Mingjue had learned as he did a little personal research on his own. Those who wanted the change fared better than those forced to it. 

While no alpha was actually forcing this one, it still wasn’t a choice Jiang Wanyin would have made. That decision had been ripped from him cruelly by his own family. The worst part had to be the revelation that they’d stolen a different future right out from under him. Mingjue could have pictured this fierce man as an alpha easily. He had smarts and the wit to match. He was cunning as well as meticulous when the situation called for it. Knowing that this version of Wanyin had been unwillingly snatched away did things to Mingjue. He wanted to take vengeance, yet he also wanted a chance to have a relationship with the omega version Wanyin was becoming.

“Fuck my heat! Fuck this whole fucking thing! Just! Don’t go!” The fists that drummed against his back with every uttered ‘fuck’ made Mingjue grin. No matter what was happening, this was still his cranky rage monster.

“I’m staying, but I won’t take advantage of you, understand? I’ll help the best I can…” How the fuck could he promise this? Mingjue decided he was absolutely a masochist for Jiang Wanyin.

“Stay!”

“I am, I promise. C’mon, let’s get you to your room, have a nice cool bath or shower and I’ll stock the fridge while you do that.”

“NO! Fuck! No, don’t leave me!” 

“I’m not leaving you, but you need to get ready…” Did he need to explain in detail?

“R-Ready?” 

“Mhm, get cleaned up, really cleaned up…” Hopefully that would be enough for him to get the hint.

A groan of mortification along with a fresh batch of overexcited pheromones and sweet slick washed off the man’s body. Nie Mingjue closed his eyes again trying to forcefully stamp down his baser urges. He was not going to fuck Jiang Wanyin in this state. He wouldn’t betray the man’s trust like that. Mingjue was a grown ass man, he had control, he wasn’t some horny teenager!

“I can’t. I’m terrified you’ll disappear if I let you go or that I’m gonna run. Mingjue, please?! I can’t do this alone!” Wanyin’s terror was a wild thing, Nie Mingjue knew it was bad because he’d stopped calling him a jackass.

God, he couldn’t do this to him! Jiang Wanyin had been clear and adamant about his stance on the matter. He did not want to be sexually involved with Mingjue. It stung in more ways than the big alpha cared to admit. He knew Wanyin was afraid, and he knew how upsetting this whole mess was for the man. There was no way Mingjue could take advantage, no matter how much begging happened.

“I can stay with you, Wanyin. I won’t get undressed, you can trust me.” This was going to kill him. 

There was a relieved sob and the younger transitioning man hugged him fiercely. It made Mingjue’s heart twist and he protectively held Jiang Wanyin close. He’d die a thousand times over if it helped his omega. It was time to start thinking of him as an omega and not just a cranky beta. Gender meant nothing in the grand scheme of things right up until it did. An omega’s heat was one of those times where you got slapped in the face with the stark differences.

“Thank you! Fuck thank you so much! I’m sorry!” Even his gratitude came with swearing. The apology was unexpected and wholly not Jiang Wanyin’s style. He had to be terrified.

“Let’s get inside, alright? Can you trust me to stay while you get cleaned up? I’ll be there before you’re done.” If he was going to stay with Jiang Wanyin for the duration of his heat and not take advantage, the man needed a minute or two.

Still holding onto Mingjue’s arms, Jiang Wanyin nervously started to move inside the house. Every step was torture in it’s own way. All he wanted to do was wrap up his omega in his arms and take care of him. The closer to Wanyin’s room they got, the harder it was to keep reminding himself that he was not going to do anything. Mingjue’s dick had never been as hard as it was right now.

“Don’t go yet. Just…Just get me to the shower?” Yeah, it was going to be death by aiding a terrified transitioning man.

He could see his obituary already. It would read that he died from blue balled hell while watching an omega man in the throes of his heat just a foot away. Blue balls or a heart attack, surely that’s what would do him in. If it helped Wanyin, though, he’d suffer through it. How hard was it to ignore his own urges?

“It’s alright, we’re almost there.” Mingjue cautiously released some calming pheromones, bracing himself for a visceral reaction. 

Jiang Wanyin was almost hyperventilating at this point and Mingjue couldn’t just sit there and do nothing. The entire time he was using his pheromones, he was inwardly chanting ‘don’t jump me, don’t jump me, don’t jump me’ over and over again. He had to keep it together for this!

The second his omega caught the scent of his pheromones, Mingjue knew he was in trouble. Wanyin’s pupils got huge and his groan was a heady intoxicating thing. The answering pheromones almost bowled him over. It was a delicious and enticing aroma that was all Jiang Wanyin. Fortunately, he hadn’t thrown himself at Mingjue, which had to be a miracle all on its own. Nie Mingjue’s dick ached trapped in his suddenly too tight jeans while his fantasies ran wild for a hot minute. Three hours was going to finish him. Three days or more? Fuck he’d be a wreck.

“I’m sorry! Fuck I’m so sorry!” Did his omega know how enticing his pheromones were? Mingjue kind of doubted it. Wanyin was far too panicked to understand what he was doing.

“It’s alright, you’re safe with me. I promise nothing bad will happen. Let’s get you into the shower, okay?” The death grip on his arms hadn’t lessened in the slightest. It was all Mingjue could do to keep his tone level and soothing as they slowly progressed deeper into Wanyin’s room toward the ensuite bathroom together.

“It’s gonna sting! I’m too sensitive!” The whine was gut wrenching. 

“Shhh, we’ll make it nice and cool, it might clear your head a bit for now too. I know you believe you’re thinking rationally, but Wanyin, you’ve never clung to me like this.” If Mingjue pointed it out, maybe it’d snap him out of the terror and that classic Jiang rage would take hold.

“That’s because I’m afraid I’m gonna run!” Jiang Wanyin’s eyes were huge and his voice had gone up an octave. 

God, this was a test, wasn’t it? This was because he’d given A-Sang so much shit about his fucking Wen husband, right? Whatever the reason, he couldn’t fail Wanyin in this. Mingjue was going to meet this challenge head on and prove to the man that he was reliable and trustworthy. He wanted to try and build a romantic relationship based on that trust. It’s what he really wanted in the long run. This wildly enraged man had captured Mingjue’s attention and captivated his heart.

“Just think about staying with your alpha.” The words were gruff and choked with his desire. “If you think you’re already caught, you won’t want to run.” Mingjue lied through his damn teeth, but he had to try to find a way to calm Jiang Wanyin a little so he could get in the shower alone.

Please work? Please let it work? I need a minute so I can make it through this!

He was gonna let that damn Wen girl know what was happening, if he could get Wanyin in the shower alone. At least then he’d have some sort of backup and she’d yell at him and make him pissed off. It was the best way to kill the mood that he could come up with. Plus, if he fucked up, she’d definitely make him pay for it. Maybe he could ask her for sedatives so they could just knock Jiang Wanyin out for the whole thing? Why didn’t people do that anyway? It wasn’t really something he’d ever thought about, but surely there was a reason people didn’t opt for sedation.

“My alpha?” Of course that’s the part Jiang Wanyin would get stuck on. Hearing him say it had Mingjue’s jaw aching with the desire to mark the man in front of him. Fuck.

“It’s just to help you not run. I won’t force a claim on you. I promise you’re safe.” 

“Why don’t you want to claim me?” Tears were welling up in Jiang Wanyin’s eyes. “It’s because I’m a fucking freak right? I’m a goddamn lab rat! I’m no good!”

God dammit! This was not what he’d meant! “Wanyin! Hey! Look at me.” Nie Mingjue gave the smaller man a little shake to jostle him out of those dumb thoughts. “You are perfect, everything I’d ever dreamed of. I can’t just take what I want though, you aren’t thinking clearly, understand? I won’t force you, not now, not ever.”

“You think I’m perfect?” Jiang Wanyin’s voice was almost shy and there was a lilt of joy to it that Mingjue wasn’t sure he’d ever really heard before. With a groan he drug Wanyin into the shower and turned on the cold tap. They both needed to cool down.

The spray of water hit their bodies and Jiang Wanyin yelped in shock. They were both fully clothed and Mingjue did a quick pat down to save the cell phone in their pockets, tossing both devices out onto the plush bath mat. Wet jeans were a bitch to get off, and in this instance, that was a damn good thing.

“I’m gonna help you get these clothes off, but I won’t take off your underwear, alright?” Hard boundaries were needed.

“F-fuck its cold!” Nails bit into Mingjue’s arms and he held back a groan.

“I know, it’s alright, you’ll thank me for it later.” The only benefit to an omega in heat was that there really wasn’t any protesting to get naked. Nie Mingjue peeled off the man’s jacket and shirt.

It left Wanyin in his undershirt and pants, shoes included. There was a bit of coaxing required to get him to let go with one hand so he could take off the shoes and socks. Mingjue was about to pull the undershirt off when Jiang Wanyin squawked and grabbed the hem to stop him. Oh hell, was he finally thinking straight!? Please let that be him thinking straight!

“You can’t see! It’s embarrassing!” Relief washed through Mingjue, this had to be his angry Wanyin suddenly thinking rationally again.

“I can get out and let you finish.” The cold water was really keeping him sane as he stared down at the now soggy omega. 

“No! No, don’t go! I…I have band aids on my…It’s embarrassing! Just don’t look okay?” Panic flared in those expressive eyes. 

I’m going to be remembered as the alpha that died from sexual frustration.

Repressing a grin, he dutifully closed his eyes. “Take off the shirt, Wanyin, and your pants. You’ll feel better if they’re gone.”

“What about you?”

“I’m fine, just worry about yourself, wet clothes feel gross when you’re sensitive.” Mingjue needed his soggy clothes to stay on. He needed them plastered to his body so it’d be impossible to strip.

“No peeking. I mean it, Mingjue! Don’t let go of me!”

How the hell had Jiang Wanyin gone from a vicious raging asshole to this needy terrified little cuddler? It was killing him! He wanted to do so much more, but there was no way he could! Not when the newly transitioned omega wasn’t thinking this through! They should have talked about this days ago. Wanyin had never been ready for the talk, instead he would throw up walls and freak out the second Mingjue mentioned toys let alone anything more. He should have insisted anyway. At least then he’d know exactly what was okay and what was going too far.

Very carefully, Nie Mingjue held onto Jiang Wanyin’s hips, making sure to not trap the undershirt between his palms and the man’s torso. A pitiful whine of desire escaped the omega and he swayed toward Mingjue. With a groan, Nie Mingjue held Jiang Wanyin away from his body, eyes tightly shut and teeth grinding together. 

“You can trust me. I won’t do anything to you.” How many times was he going to have to say this? 

“I know.” Two words was all it took to kill Mingjue’s racing thoughts and focus on the man in front of him entirely. He couldn’t betray this precious trust.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Jiang Cheng didn’t know how to make his jackass understand him. Was it the heat talking or wasn’t it? Did he really fucking care if it was at this point? Shit, yes. Yes, he did care - very much. Could he do this to the big guy though? Was it even fair? His heart was hammering in his chest and he was petrified about being left alone to suffer in misery. 

The only thing he could vividly remember about A-Li and A-Xian being in heat were those god awful fucking mournful whines and cries behind a locked door. They sounded terrible. At the time, he figured heats were like period cramps. He was so stupid. This was nothing like a goddamn cramp. It was so much more! It didn’t help that everyone; the Internet included, had told him this was going to suck balls.

The cold water was helping and he had to admit the big guy was right about getting rid of the clothes. Water was tolerable, wet heavy clothes and water was just a no go. The undershirt plopped on the floor of the shower between them and he swallowed nervously reaching down to undo his pants. 

“Gonna…take off my pants…”

“Leave your underwear on. It might be uncomfortable, but you won’t be naked in front of me then.” Mingjue had his eyes closed still so he couldn’t see how the words hurt A-Cheng. It shouldn’t be that shocking really. It’s not like they were a couple and the jackass was just thinking about preserving Jiang Cheng’s dignity a bit. It still sucked though. Wasn’t he even remotely enticing?.

Maybe Jiang Cheng had imagined the man’s desire earlier. He was so still and sounded so fucking calm! There was no way the big alpha wanted to get intimate with him. Jiang Cheng was a goddamn wreck! It was wild that he was upset that Mingjue was respecting his stupid boundaries.

Since when did Jiang Cheng actually entertain the idea of having sex with a man? It didn’t matter either way. No one wanted to touch a fucking lab rat. It made a pang of sorrow twist his heart and tears slid down his face. The evidence of his crying was hidden in the spray of cold water. He wasn’t desirable, no one wanted a freak like him.

“Stop it.” Mingjue’s words were a little sharp.

“But, I haven’t gotten them off yet.” Jiang Cheng had only just started to peel the fabric down his legs. Nie Mingjue had moved his hands to A-Cheng’s shoulders so he wasn’t stopping him in any way.

“Not that, stop hating yourself.” It was a grunted response.

What in the actual fuck!?

“You can read my thoughts???” The cold was helping him ground himself a little but he was still so fucking afraid of being let go.

“I can smell your pheromones, Wanyin. You’re upset, it’s sour and the only thing I can think of is that you hate yourself. It’s not mind reading, I just know you a little better than you think.”

Jiang Cheng looked up at Nie Mingjue in astonishment. He had his work slacks half way down his legs and he was just staring at the big alpha. No one ever understood his thinking so easily. What the hell!? “My smell says all that?”

Mingjue let out a sharp bark of laughter and immediately sighed. “Wanyin, your scent says you’re scared and upset. That’s all. I guessed the rest. Am I right?”

Fresh embarrassment raced through his veins and added to the flushed heat of his body. He was pining over the fact that Nie Mingjue didn’t want to sleep with him, and here the man was interpreting his self loathing from the smell of sour grapefruit. Jiang Cheng didn’t speak right away. He nodded, but Mingjue’s eyes were closed tight, he couldn’t see it. Instead, he focused on getting his fucking pants off.

“Wei Wuxian says a partner helps so it isn’t…painful.” His voice was nervous and small. If he brought it up before the fog set in, maybe they could talk about it and decide together, right?

Mingjue groaned and Jiang Cheng felt the shiver roll through the big man. Was that from the cold or was he revolted at the idea of staying with him? They should have talked about this, but he’d been so freaked out every time it came up, he hadn’t been ready. This whole thing was happening too fucking fast! He was supposed to have a few more days yet to make that kind of decision, but now…it was here and he was just fucked.

“Wanyin, you aren’t thinking clearly. It’d be rape…”

“Like fuck I’m not thinking about it!” His snarl was vicious, the cold really was helping. “I know what I’m saying! I’m just freaked out that it’s happening now, there’s no fog, I’m thinking just fine!”

The rush of the cold water filled the silence in between them. With a little hiss, A-Cheng peeled the shitty band aids off his nipples so that he wasn’t caught with them on. He couldn’t force his jackass to keep his eyes closed indefinitely and the last thing he wanted to explain was why his nipples were covered like that. Was it so hard to agree to being with him? Was Jiang Cheng really that unappealing?

“I thought you liked my scent. You…you said things in the jeep…”

“God, you aren’t making this easy, Wanyin!” Nie Mingjue pulled him closer, hugging him under the spray of cold water. “Yes, I want you, very much. I don’t want you to regret it or hate me either. Your scent is so damn intoxicating, it’s killing me.”

The big alpha’s lips were close to his ear like this and Jiang Cheng was mortified to hear a little whine of need bubbling up his throat. How desperate did this heat shit make him? Was it actually desperation or did he really want his jackass like this? A-Xian had teased him about having a crush on Nie Mingjue. Hell, his ass got wet because of the man, although he was pretty sure he didn’t know that. Would that change his tune?

“I like you!” That made Mingjue’s eyes pop open. Jiang Cheng growled and covered the bigger man’s face with a hand. “Don’t look at me!” He was fucking embarrassed by the whole confession, he didn’t need to see rejection in his alpha’s eyes.

“Wanyin…”

“Let me finish! Fuck! I need to say this before I really can’t think straight, alright?!” Even under the spray of cold water he could feel his body heating up. How was that even possible?

“Do you want me to let go?” He was pressed up close to the wall of muscle now, it was adding to that heat.

“Just listen! W-when I got wet the first time…It was…” Nerves choked him off for a second and he gulped in a breath. Could he say this? He had to if he was going to get anywhere. With a grimace Jiang Cheng forced himself to keep talking.

“It was because of you, I liked you! I called you my alpha in the hospital. I actually meant that I think. Fuck, we already slept in the same bed together! You’re my person! Why won’t you…be…m-my partner now? You say shit about wanting it but you won’t -do- it. Am I repulsive?” Jiang Cheng was panting by the time he stopped talking. He was upset at so many fucking things right now. 

“Let me open my eyes, Wanyin.”

“No. Answer me first.”

“I want you to believe what I say, let me look at you.”

They were in a stalemate. His body was flushed and hot yet he was also cold from the constant spray of water. It grounded him so he could think even while soothing his feverish desires. He needed that to stay fucking rational, Jiang Cheng knew that, he also needed to get a goddamn grip on his terror. Every time he thought too hard, his heart would start hammering in his chest and he’d panic. Hell, he was freaking out about the jackass and his response right now! What in the ever loving shit should he do?

“Fine! You better be looking at my face though, Jackass!” The second he said the nickname, Mingjue grinned. He opened his eyes, blinking a few times as excess water clung to his lashes and he stared dead into Jiang Cheng’s face. That gaze didn’t waver in the slightest. Holy hell it was intense!

“I like you.” Three little words. They were just three tiny little words, and they rocked Jiang Cheng’s foundation as he heard Nie Mingjue say that precious phrase to him. 

“I want more with you, a lot more. Not just as a heat partner either. I want a relationship. I also don’t want to force you, not ever. How do I know you’re really thinking this through? I don’t want to hurt you and I don’t want you to hate me.” Everything he said was genuine and sincere. He wanted him. Mingjue really wanted him!

“So be with me now! I need you!” Jiang Cheng was actually whining.

“I don’t want to take advantage…The heat…”

“Fuck the fucking heat!” The more the jackass mentioned his heat the more furious he got. “Do you want me?”

“Yes.” The answer was blunt and bold.

“Now?”

“All the time.”

“Then be my partner.”

“No.”

“Why?!” Jiang Cheng’s frustration was a living thing by this point. What the hell was the problem?!

“I want more than just a sex partner.” The resounding silence made his jackass grimace. “You’re not ready for more, I can’t take what you’re not ready to give.”

Jiang Cheng was ready to weep with his building anguish over this fucking morality debate. He pressed his forehead against Mingjue’s chest, the wet fabric of his shirt felt like a cold sponge against his skin. Was he ready for a committed relationship? Did they want the same things? Why did any of that matter right now? He was horny and his gut kept twisting with need. It was terrifying, yes, but it wasn’t as terrifying with his jackass there. Why didn’t he get it!?

“Please? Don’t make me beg…”

“I’ll stay with you, I’ll help as much as I can without us sleeping together. I don’t want you hating me when this is all over.”

“Stop saying that! Fuck, I’m so mad at you turning me down! I feel like a fucking reject.”

Mingjue chuckled and hugged him tightly. God it felt so good! A-Cheng coiled his arms around the man and held on just as firmly. The jackass couldn’t escape if he didn’t let him, right? Did that mean he was raping the alpha? How did that make sense? They both wanted this!

“If you’d asked me yesterday, I would still say no if you weren’t ready to commit to a relationship with me.” Mingjue’s words were gentle, his big hand was sweeping up and down A-Cheng’s bare spine. It felt so fucking good! His dick was painfully hard and had been the entire time they’d been in the shower together. God, he had to focus!

“You keep saying that! Stop it! I’m afraid because I’ve never had a real relationship! I’m not saying no to being in one with you, Jackass! What the fuck do I have to do to prove it to you?”

There was another heavy pause as they clung to one another in the icy Water. The relief of the cold spray was slowly morphing into sharp little needles on his overheated flesh. Jiang Cheng hadn’t even washed yet, that’s why they’d come in here in the first place, wasn’t it? Would Mingjue help him or would he run the second he let go?

“Trust me. Please, Wanyin?” Nie Mingjue’s words were rough. “Finish your shower…alone, and believe my promise that I’ll be here for you when you get done. I want a relationship, Wanyin, not just a sex partner, so think it through. I don’t think I can do this if you’re not all in.”

Was his big alpha finally wavering? What if he trusted him and the asshole ran off, or locked him in so he had to suffer alone? Everyone he’d ever thought he could trust had betrayed him, even his own mother. Mingjue was asking for the goddamn moon. Couldn’t they talk about it after he got through this particular hell? Why did he need the answer now?

“Mingjue, please. I know what you’re asking for. I’m scared, but I’m not against it…” If this had been a month earlier, hell yes, he would have been totally resistant. 

In the past few weeks, the big alpha was his steady rock. He didn’t judge, he didn’t get angry at him or fed up like others did. Jiang Cheng knew he was a lot to handle, his fucking temper was god awful and he could freely admit it ruled his thinking more often than not. Having a short fuse was a great way to put it.

Getting to know Nie Mingjue through this whole fucking shit storm had been a rare treat. Jiang Cheng discovered he wasn’t grossed out by the idea of being intimate with the man. In fact, the more time wore on, A-Cheng discovered he was genuinely curious about getting physical with Nie Mingjue.

When it came to sex, Jiang Cheng didn’t have tons of experience with intimacy, but he had some. The few women he’d kissed in the past hadn’t been all that memorable, and none of them could put up with his attitude. Fuck he just couldn’t help it sometimes! The world was always against him and relationships had been the bane of his fucking existence. 

“Finish your shower, please trust me, Wanyin. Relationships are built on trust. I’m on your side, so give me a little benefit here, alright?” Nie Mingjue’s words were earnest and it made Jiang Cheng’s heart twist with fear. Why was it so hard to have faith in him right now?

“Kiss me first! Then I’ll let you go.” He wouldn’t know if he wanted it for real if they didn’t get to experience just a little taste right? “One kiss, and I’ll seriously think about it. I’m not foggy yet, I can think! I’m just…freaked out by my heat happening now. It was supposed to be on the weeken–mmph!”

Nie Mingjue’s lips were pressed against his in a hot kiss. Jiang Cheng’s words were swallowed in that erotic melding of mouths and his eyes widened with surprise. At first, every line of his body was rigid from the shock, but then he just fucking melted into his alpha’s arms. Moaning, he returned the kiss with every ounce of feeling he possessed. It was frightened and excited all at the same time, his body quivered and he whimpered while every nerve ending in his body seemed to come to life from this simple gesture.

Jiang Cheng didn’t want it to end yet. Fisting his hands into Mingjue’s hair, he held the big powerful alpha close, relishing in the sensation of the man pressed against him. Where their bodies touched, it was as hot and passionate as anything he’d ever experienced. The icy water spraying over them was a wild contrast that just kicked up his excitement while keeping his head clear. It was surreal. How had he avoided this for so long?

There was emotion in that kiss, more than just Jiang Cheng’s. The hot and hungry desire and affection of Nie Mingjue crashed against him. It was demonstrated in the little things. The way he cradled Jiang Cheng’s face in his big trembling hands, and the tentative licks along the seam of his lips, seeking entrance to his mouth. Fuck, had any kiss been this amazing?! Had he ever felt so fucking cherished?

Their kiss deepened, lips parting so their tongues could slide against one another. He wanted more. God, he wanted so much more! Mingjue must have thought the same thing because the second Jiang Cheng tried to climb the wall of wet muscle, kicking his legs free of his soggy pants, Nie Mingjue slid his large hands down A-Cheng’s back and under his ass. 

He was lifted so easily and Jiang Cheng felt a wild thrill because of it. He wrapped his quivering legs around his alpha, squeezing and grinding up against him. Nie Mingjue was fucking hard, Jiang Cheng could feel his arousal pressed up against the man like this. It made A-Cheng moan with desire and he felt the press of the shower wall at his back. They couldn’t stop kissing and Jiang Cheng was fine with that!

The jackass broke away first, groaning and breathing heavily. He was staring right at Jiang Cheng and there was no way to hide from it. That kiss was, by far, the hottest and most intense thing he’d ever experienced. If even a fraction of that act was not because of the heat, it was more passion than A-Cheng had ever thought possible from something so simple and small. 

His lips tingled and felt swollen from the intense lip-lock and they were slightly parted while he panted wildly. Every inch of his body was trembling with a mix of surprised excitement and nervousness in Mingjue’s arms. Was this what it was always like with someone special? It wasn’t just the heat making him delirious, right? Jiang Cheng could feel his heart hammering in his chest, yet he was thinking just fine. No fog. Did he want fog? Fuck it was so confusing!

“Alright. Finish your shower, clean yourself up, I’ll stock the fridge. Trust me, Wanyin.” Nie Mingjue’s voice was choked and rough, he was clearly aroused and fighting his urges. Did Jiang Cheng make the man lose his mind?

“One more?” Fuck! Did he just ask for another kiss?

Nie Mingjue groaned but leaned in close and gave a very gentle kiss this time. It was just as intense, but a hell of a lot more chaste. The whole thing made Jiang Cheng’s toes curl and he rocked himself up against his alpha. “Wanyin…”

“Sorry! Fuck! I…” He didn’t know what to say! This was just a simple press of their lips, a sweet tender little kiss. It was nothing like the first one, but it just made him want more! He ached with need.

“It’s alright. You’re going to be just fine, promise.” Mingjue pressed a soft kiss to his forehead. “I’m going to put you down now.”

“Don’t you dare blame this on my heat. I mean it, Jackass.” Jiang Cheng warned shakily, slowly forcing himself to drop his legs from their death grip around Nie Mingjue’s torso.

It tore a laugh out of the big man and he pinned Jiang Cheng against the wall of the shower, stealing one more kiss from him. It was gentle and comforting. Did the man taste like cinnamon and maple? It had to be his imagination, right? Either way, he liked how Mingjue’s kisses tasted. Jiang Cheng licked at his alpha’s lips, clinging to his shoulders. It was a moment that was meant to be savored.

“You’re making it hard to go get everything ready, Wanyin.” Mingjue was murmuring softly against his lips. The whole experience gave Jiang Cheng a thrill of power he never thought he’d ever possess. He was making an alpha weak in the knees for him! Someone wanted him!

Tears of joy were hidden amongst the droplets of water on his face. No one had ever wanted Jiang Cheng before. For the first time in his life, Jiang Cheng was someone’s first choice. How could he fucking ignore this and turn Mingjue away? It just wasn’t possible.

“I want to spend my heat with you. I…I want the relationship, too.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

The Jingshi was just as Wei Wuxian remembered, albeit with a lot more greenery in the gardens. Spring really had livened the place up while he and Lan Zhan had been trapped in that hellish hospital. Gentians were blooming, so were a myriad of other spring flowers. The most impressive part was the cherry blossom tree in the backyard by the pond. It was in full bloom and the sweet scent of its blossoms seemed to hang in the entire back garden like a warm blanket.

When he’d first arrived at the Lan estates it had been mid winter. There’d been snow and ice and so little in the way of green. The only thing he remembered were the gentians blooming despite the frost. The flowers had seemed so stubborn that he’d researched them because they’d been blooming in winter. It had seemed kind of magical back then, but now, it paled in comparison to the majesty the place held during the height of spring. It was freaking gorgeous!

“Lan Zhan! It’s amazing!” He was pushing open the double doors to the back yard so that the sweet scent could permeate the house.

“Mn, not as amazing as you are, Wei Ying.” Lan Zhan was being helped to sit down in one of the cushioned high-backed patio chairs by Lan Xichen.

Heat bloomed over Wei Wuxian’s face and he grinned stupidly at his mate. “Lan Zhan! My heart!” 

It had become a favorite response between them. Every time his alpha said something truly sappy or poignant, he’d reply with this first and foremost, just so Lan Zhan would know how much it actually meant to him. He loved how his big stoic fiancé could be so damn poetic and lovey dovey at times! The best part was that Lan Zhan thought he wasn’t good with words when it came to expressing himself. If everyone was as frank and honest like he was, the world would be such a better place for it. 

“I speak only the truth, Wei Ying.” There was a soft grunt as Lan Zhan got settled on the chair.

The air was still warm and there was enough of the day left to spend it outside before retreating into the Jingshi. Uncle Lan and Yanli were in the kitchen getting food and drinks or something. Wei Wuxian really hadn’t paid that much attention since his whole focus had been on his alpha at the time. They were all going to enjoy this gift of warm weather and have a nice quiet little celebration about Lan Zhan’s return home and continuing recovery. No one wanted to spend time indoors if they could help it.

Xichen just grinned, making sure that his brother was comfortable before he moved to sit nearby in another chair. “Wangji is known for his honesty, A-Xian.” 

“Aiyo! Not you too!” There was a hot blush on his face from being the focus of such praise. “The flowers and gardens don’t get fat like I do.”

“You are not fat, you are carrying our baby.” Lan Zhan had that serious expression on his face, and a warm twinkle of amusement in his golden eyes. 

“Radish takes up a lot of space, Lan Zhan! I’m not going to be able to hug you if the baby keeps growing like this.”

“I will just hug you and our baby. I have a long reach, Wei Ying.” 

Lan Xichen chuckled softly and Wei Wuxian chortled with joy. “Even if I’m as wide as the Jingshi?”

“I doubt you will get that large, yet even then, I will find a way.” They may have been teasing with playful banter, but Wei Wuxian could see how serious Lan Zhan was about this point. It made him feel warm and treasured.

The weight he’d put on over the past three weeks was shocking to Wei Wuxian. It was likely because he’d always been so thin in the first place. Any extra padding was easily noticed. To have his belly actually protruding like it was now had alarmed him considerably. He often tried to poke gently at it, just to see if his little Radish would kick back.

They’d had to start buying maternity clothes for him, which had been a whole mess of odd emotions. Wuxian had been excited one moment and embarrassed in the next. The fuss he’d kicked up when he realized how comfy maternity clothing was had been shameful, even for him. How come pregnant people got the best clothing!? The soft stretchy material was a godsend around his middle and he didn’t feel like he had to squeeze himself into anything. 

Wei Wuxian was worried he’d start to get too puffy if he didn’t get active soon. A baby belly was screwing with his sense of balance too. He could still see his feet so he couldn’t even blame his little mishaps on something like that. Wei Wuxian’s balance was just thrown off with the added weight on his middle. The worst part was that he wasn’t even that big yet! It made his desire to get a bit more active and healthy increase dramatically.

“I’m thinking we can do some exercise together, Lan Zhan. The doc says it’d be good for me and you’ll have to go slow while you keep healing. Some easy walks, a little yoga, it’ll be great.” They had that big fancy gym of his and all the grounds on the property at their disposal.

“That sounds like a good idea, I’m planning to have the paths in the estates cleaned up a bit now that the snow is gone. They’ll be good for wandering about in a week or so with no worries about ice or holes.” Lan Xichen spoke casually, but there was a tenor of something unknown in his voice.

Lan Zhan also seemed to notice it and he eyed his older brother with blatant curiosity. “I was unaware that they needed work, brother.”

“Just the usual clean up, Wangji. I want to make sure the lesser used paths are in good condition as well. I’m also going to have the wall surveyed I think. It’s never too soon to think about keeping things safe for a baby’s adventures about the estate. Do you think you’ll want to put up some sort of fence to keep little Radish away from the pond?”

“Hell no! Radish is gonna learn how to swim there.” Wei Wuxian adamantly responded as he settled into the chair beside Lan Zhan’s. 

“Wei Ying, the water is very cold. It is dangerous for a baby.” Lan Zhan was clearly the logical one.

“Well it is now, but Radish is tough and they’re going to be smart just like their dad.” Uncle Lan and Yanli had joined them by this point. Reaching out he plucked up a few berries off the tray on the patio table and offered them to Lan Zhan.

“The water is always quite cold. It might be too much for Radish.” Lan Zhan’s voice was gentle but he was also silenced as Wei Wuxian lightly pressed a berry past his lips.

“I learned when I was a baby, so will Radish. Besides, if the pond is too cold, we’ll just go to a pool. It’s not like we can keep the baby away from the koi pool inside the house.”

The three Lans exchanged looks and doom settled in Wei Wuxian’s heart. He caught an expression of guilt on Xichen’s face and stubborn resolve on uncle Lan. 

“A-Xian, wouldn’t it be safer to close in the pool inside the Jingshi?” Uncle Lan’s words enhanced his doom and he bit back a whine. 

That koi pool was his happy place! “We can’t fill it in or cover it! How will Goldie and Spot get to hang out if we do that?!”

“Goldie?”

“He has named the koi, Shufu.” Lan Zhan murmured casually as he accepted more fruit from Wei Wuxian. The scent of sandalwood started to fill A-Xian’s nose, calming down his dread.

“Nonsense! Radish could fall in. You’ll have to close it in.” 

“They do have a point, A-Xian.” Yanli’s sweet voice was not helping him accept this dastardly plot.

“No! The pool is sacred! It can’t be closed in! Lan Zhan! Please? There has to be another way.” This couldn’t be happening!

“It can be a glass cover, Wei Ying. You will still be able to see them and we can make a small opening so you can feed them indoors as well.”

“You want to tarnish the sacred koi pool with a cover?!” Fine, he might have been getting dramatic, but they were talking about his happy space!

“Wei Ying.”

“Lan Zhan! No covers! We’ll put up baby gates until Radish is older, alright? I can…I can cope with baby gates.”

Yanli was quietly laughing into her hand and Lan Xichen was grinning as he watched the pair squaring off. Only Shufu seemed annoyed by A-Xian’s adamant denial about safety and children.

“You two better think of something. It’s not safe for Radish right now. Have you even started on a nursery yet?” The elder Lan grumped while Yanli filled his cup with tea. 

“Well, we’ve been a little preoccupied in the hospital. Since we’re going to both be home for a while, I figure we can get started on it.

Truthfully, Wei Wuxian had been holding off, just in case he lost his baby. For some reason, the idea of putting together a nursery made it so real and absolutely scary. He didn’t want to lose his little Radish, but if he did, having a nursery ready to go would kill him. The knowledge of being recessive, and thus at greater risk to lose a pregnancy, was constantly in the back of his mind. If A-Xian was given the choice, he’d avoid the whole thing until Radish had been born and was safe in his arms.

Lan Zhan put his hand over Wei Wuxian’s and gave his fingers a gentle squeeze. His alpha likely felt the trepidation through their bond. He smiled reassuringly up at him and turned his thoughts away from such stupid fears. If anything had been wrong with Radish, the doctors would have noticed after three stupid weeks under their watchful gaze. They were probably right, it was time to start putting together a nursery.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Annoyed was not the best way to describe the emotion Lan Wangji felt, yet it seemed the most apt. Something had upset his Wei Ying, but he wouldn’t talk to him about it yet. They’d entertained family all afternoon and into the evening. He understood quite well that everyone was relieved that he had come home, but their insistence to treat him as an invalid was getting on his nerves.

It came out when Xichen had offered to help him get ready for bed. Wangji’s brother meant well, however, this was a task he’d mastered when he was a toddler. Thus, he’d firmly refused the assistance and had bid his family goodnight. For anyone else, it would have been a polite exchange. For Wangji, it had been tantamount to a full blown argument culminating in his temper blowing over. Now he was in the bathroom, half stuck in his shirt and stewing in his frustrated annoyance.

“Gege?” Wangji had shut the bathroom door, insisting he was fine, which had left Wei Ying waiting for him.

All he had to do was call out and his omega would be there to help. This was not a situation he was used to. No matter how he tried, Lan Wangji just couldn’t seem to get his arm high enough to get free of the shirt. He sighed, well aware that his irritation had made Wei Ying concerned.

“Come in.” The shirt muffled his words. He couldn’t move without it pulling at his injury. 

The door opened with a soft little creak of sound and then there were warm arms wrapping around his middle from behind. “Are you tempting me, gege?” A kiss teased Wangji’s spine and he growled low.

“Mn, I often enjoy tempting you.” For some reason, he was quite happy that Wei Ying hadn’t come straight out asking if he needed help. 

“Seeing you like this…I just wanna rip your clothes off, alpha.” The purr of sound did things to Wangji. His dick twitched in his sleep pants and he ached to hold his mate. 

Wei Ying slid his hands up and carefully helped Wangji disentangle himself from his predicament, peeling the shirt off his body. They stared at one another in the mirror of the bathroom, Wei Ying was still half behind him, smoothing out his hair with his fingers and kissing his shoulder softly around the bandages that covered his injury. 

Wangji braced his hands on the bathroom counter. “Wei Ying…”

“Yes, er-gege?” The dark desire in his mate’s eyes was reflected in the glass. Wangji was aching hard for his omega.

His mate knew exactly what drove him insane. That name, from Wei Ying’s lips…he desperately wanted to pin his love against the counter. “You are teasing me.”

Wei Ying had the audacity to chuckle while his hands slid around Wangji’s middle, hugging him once more. “Am I? I thought I was seducing my alpha.”

The scent of spicy citrus enveloped him and Wei Ying’s hands slid lower, pushing the sleep pants off Wangji’s hips. The air left Wangji’s lungs as he felt those delicate fingers curl around the girth of his cock. “Wei Ying!”

“Shhh, let me take care of you, alpha.” More kisses were pressed along his back and shoulder. Wei Ying’s grip tightened, squeezing Lan Wangji’s cock just to make him shiver and groan as he stood rigidly before the bathroom counter. “Turn around, Lan Zhan.”

He was so turned on, all he wanted to do was pick up his omega and make him see stars. Lan Wangji opted to listen and turned around slowly, missing the feel of Wei Ying’s hands on him. His omega had stepped back to let him move. The distance was quickly closed once more and Lan Wangji savored the kiss his lover gave him. Those wicked hands were back to squeezing and petting his cock between them as they enjoyed tasting one another’s passion in their kiss.

“The doctor said I…cannot…” Wangji had pulled back with a groan, rocking his hips to thrust into Wei Ying’s hands. 

“You don’t have to do anything, gege. Just let me take care of you.” Whatever had gotten into his mate, Wangji found he was wildly excited by it. 

Wei Ying slid down his body, getting on his knees in front of him. The entire way down, he’d been staring up into Wangji’s eyes and it had made his cock twitch with excitement. Unwilling to just stand there, Wangji reached out with his good arm to slide it through Wei Ying’s long and loose hair. “Wei Ying…”

“Alpha…” Whatever else he might have said was forgotten as Wei Ying’s lips wrapped around the tip of Wangji’s cock. 

That warm tongue swept around the head and teased every rational thought out of Wangji’s mind as he just stood there moaning and fisting his mate’s loose hair. Wet sucking sounds echoed in the bathroom as Wei Ying began to take more of his thick shaft into his mouth. He had not expected this tonight. Wangji’s head fell back as his mate tried to swallow him.

Lan Wangji could feel himself bottoming out and bumping against the back of Wei Ying’s throat. It was erotic and overwhelming all at once. Those luminous silvery eyes were looking up at him while his lover’s lips were lewdly wrapped around him worshiping his cock. It was embarrassing to realize he would not last long like this.

“Wei Ying!” Wangji tried to warn him as his mate continued to slurp and suck at his shaft. What nearly did him in was when Wei Ying pulled back, creating a wicked wet little sound of his shaft escaping those sinful lips, all so he could lick and kiss his way down the length of Wangji to his balls.

“You always take such good care of me, gege. It’s my turn.” Those words tickled against Wangji’s sac and he groaned, hips jerking ever so slightly while his breathing hitched. It made Wei Ying grin devilishly and he lavished attention on Lan Wangji.

Fingers squeezed the base of his cock while lips drew him back into the hot wet depths of his mate’s mouth. Wangji couldn’t help it, he started to thrust down into his omega’s willing throat. The vibration of little moans tickled his length as he slowly pumped in and out, tugging on Wei Ying’s hair every now and then. It was the combination of Wei Ying’s mouth and his mischievous hands that did Lan Wangji in.

Another groaned warning was given, but it just seemed to encourage his partner. The wet slurping sounds, and the tight squeeze around the base of his shaft had Lan Wangji grunting as his orgasm hit. Come filled Wei Ying’s mouth and hit the back of the man's throat. Lan Wangji saw the widening of his mate’s eyes and the satisfied glint within their depths. It felt so good, Wangji couldn’t even be ashamed of his lack of control. He watched, hypnotized as Wei Ying swallowed his spend.

“Beautiful!” It was the only word he could croak out as he tried to catch his breath, jolts of pleasure still racing through his body. 

Wei Ying purred along Wangji’s cock and slowly withdrew, licking and teasing the entire time before he kissed the tip. “I love you, Lan Zhan.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Wei Wuxian was deliriously happy as he snuggled up against his alpha. After the impromptu bathroom play, they’d cleaned up together before settling into bed. He knew his man was unhappy about his lack of mobility so Wuxian decided to not use the word ‘help’ with him for the rest of the night. Every time the others had said it, there’d been a surge of annoyance through their bond. 

Being hung up on something so small was silly, but Wei Wuxian also understood it pretty intimately. Feeling limited because of an injury sucked. He’d gone through enough of those when he’d lived at Lotus Pier to understand exactly what Lan Zhan was experiencing. Hopefully their intimate time had helped with that. It might not have been full blown sex, but it was enough to let his big alpha know he wasn’t helpless and could still enjoy things.

It also wasn’t like Lan Zhan wasn’t going to get better. The stab wound had been healing remarkably well, the whole thing just took time. Fortunately they had plenty of that to look forward to. Right now, he was happily draped along Lan Zhan’s right side with his cheek nestled on his perfect chest so he could listen to his breathing and feel his heart. 

“You were upset today when they talked about the nursery.” Lan Zhan’s voice was soft, his fingers were gently teasing up and down A-Xian’s back.

“Do you think they noticed?” There was no point in denying it. 

Lan Zhan was quiet for a moment and Wei Wuxian twisted his head to look up at him. “No, they did not. Why were you upset, Wei Ying?”

“It’s nothing, I’m just dumb and worrying about stupid stuff.” He pressed a kiss to his alpha’s chest.

“Wei Ying. You are not dumb.” This sounded vaguely familiar, probably because Lan Zhan told him this every time Wuxian chastised himself. “What were you worrying about?”

He sighed softly and started to trace little patterns over his alpha’s abdomen and chest. “A nursery makes it scary somehow. What if I lose Radish after setting one up?”

Lan Zhan’s hand stilled on his back and Wei Wuxian didn’t have the courage to look the man in the eye anymore. “We cannot control what might happen, we can only hope and prepare. Radish is strong, and you are healthy.”

“Yeah, but you heard the doc. He keeps warning me that I’m ‘not out of the woods yet’ whenever I ask if I’m gonna make it all the way.” It was a damn fact that most recessive omegas had premature babies or lost them, even in later parts of their pregnancy. 

“It is the duty of your doctor to prepare you for the worst. It does not mean that is the only outcome.” The gentle stroking started up again, soothing Wei Wuxian’s worry while Lan Zhan’s fingers caressed his spine. Comforting earthy sandalwood enveloped his senses and Wei Wuxian smiled briefly.

“Do you think Radish will be okay?” The unspoken question was about the nursery. Did Wei Wuxian have a right to be that happy? To be excited for the arrival of his baby?

“Mn, I do. Radish has both of us looking out for them.”

“Will you help me pick things out? We can shop online for a bunch of stuff and we can make Xichen-ge and Shufu do all the heavy lifting.” He was smiling up at his alpha once more, tentatively letting himself feel excited about the prospect of putting together the special space.

“Of course. Are you set on using your old room?”

“Which other one is there? That one has the balcony so we have two ways to get to our baby if they ever try to do anything funny.”

“Radish could fall off the balcony.”

“It has a very sturdy railing, we tested it thoroughly during your rut, Lan Zhan.” Wei Wuxian’s rebuke was immediate and he was grinning. Lan Zhan also smiled. He really, really loved those sexy little grins.

“It has a bathroom attached to it. What if Radish gets locked inside?”

“We can get rid of the lock on the door, or we can lock Radish out until they’re older. There’s a bathroom in the other bedroom too, so that’s a moot point.”

“There is no bathroom in the gym. We could switch one of the bedrooms with it.” The suggestion had merit. 

Wei Wuxian tapped the side of his nose as he considered this suggestion. The gym was a big ass room. It had equipment lining the walls and punching bags hung from the ceiling along with those big heavy mats for the floor. It didn’t seem like it’d be an easy switch to make. Plus it was the room furthest from their bedroom. He didn’t like the thought of that.

“No, it’s too far away. I’m serious!” Lan Zhan was chuckling and Wei Wuxian propped his head up on his arms while he looked at the love of his life. They’d almost lost one another to some random psychotic mugger. Every moment with him was precious.

“The front room and your old room are an equal distance from our room, one has a balcony, the other does not.” Lan Zhan was listing the options so easily and without argument.

“I like thinking of our baby being connected to our room with the balcony, Lan Zhan. We can put a baby lock on the door so Radish can’t get out without us until they’re older.” Just like that, they were making plans for the nursery. 

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

“What’s wrong now?” Wen Qing’s voice was annoyed and tired as she answered Nie Mingjue’s call. It made him growl in irritation while he picked up a pack of water bottles in the pantry and grabbed a bunch of crackers and fruit and shit. He had earbuds in so he could talk and have his arms free at the same time. Every step was a wet squish of noise, he hadn’t tried to strip out of his soggy clothing yet and it clung to him uncomfortably.

“How come omegas don’t use sedation to ride out their heat?” This was by far not the most important thing he had to ask, but it was something that had plagued him.

It had taken a lot to get Wanyin to agree to shower alone. Now that he was, Mingjue didn’t want to take too long getting ready. He’d made a promise and he couldn’t shatter his omega’s faith already. Not when things were happening way too fast.

“It’s not like a heat is always that bad. Sedation is for extreme cases.” At least she was explaining things reasonably.

“Isn’t Wanyin’s case extreme?” This seemed like a no-brainer. He could hold off until Wen Qing got here with a sedative, right? Then he wouldn’t end up feeling guilty for taking advantage of Jiang Wanyin.

“Yes and no. It’s extreme because it’s his first and he’s transitioning. He needs to be awake for it. If there are complications, we won’t know if he’s comatose.”

Mingjue felt like he was going to get strangled with the mix of emotions he was experiencing. His heart was hammering in his chest as he deposited the food and drinks in Wanyin’s room. The shower was still running, he had time. With that thought, he was ducking back out to head down the hall to his own room to get some necessary supplies, just in case. Condoms he never thought he’d ever get to use with the cantankerous omega, the toys Wanyin had rejected earlier that week, some lube - though he probably wouldn’t need that once the man’s slick really started to flow. 

Mingjue also grabbed a couple belts so he could restrain himself with them if needed. Yea…this was totally wise - he couldn’t be held responsible if he was tied up, right? God, then Wanyin might take advantage in the haze of his heat…It was a fucking sexy thought that had Mingjue’s dick throbbing in his wet jeans.

“Fine, so what’s a dangerous complication? Can he get pregnant if he has sex in his first heat?” How much change was actually happening during the heat? Mingjue really hadn’t found out what the tipping point was from being a beta to being an omega. The man was already producing slick, had he developed everything else and this was just the kicker to get his body in tune?

“You promised he’d be safe, why the hell would he have sex during his first heat?” The accusation in Wen Qing’s voice was vicious.

“He is safe. I want to know all the risks he’s facing. You’re telling me he can’t be sedated, he’s afraid of the pain, the guy’s going to panic.” There was no way Mingjue was going to admit he was seriously considering spending Wanyin’s heat with him.

Wanyin had told Mingjue that he liked him. That he wanted a relationship. Could Nie Mingjue trust that it was Jiang Wanyin saying that or was it the heat saying it? They should have talked before today about this shit.

“Yes. He can get pregnant. He’s an omega, it’s kind of their thing.” She was irritated, he could tell.

“So what dangerous complications are you talking about?” Mingjue couldn’t hide the snarl.

“Oh I don’t know…heart attacks, his system going into shock, pheromone rejection issues. There’s a lot I was going to send you a list of things to watch out for. Why are you asking me all of this today? I was planning on stopping by tomorrow to check his progress.”

“Yeah, no can do. He’s in heat.” Mingjue bit out the response while he tucked away the supplies in the end table by Wanyin’s bed and moved to start filling the mini fridge with everything he’d brought in earlier. “I’ve already set the security system to a lockdown mode on the property to make sure he doesn’t get out during his cycle.”

Wen Qing was very quiet. “Why did you do that?”

Nie Mingjue swept his fingers through his wet hair and tied it back with a growl. “It’s a precaution in case I have to lock myself away and can’t watch over his room.”

“If he’s in heat, it’s early. He has to stop taking all the medication. Throw it away if you have to, don’t let him take it. Understand?”

“I will, he’s terrified, Wen Qing.” He needed some fucking advice. 

Looking around the bedroom, it was hard to notice the personal touches of Jiang Wanyin. The bed was always neatly made and the stupid netting that A-Sang had put in here was pulled back enough to make it look fresh and airy instead of gaudy. The extra blankets and items that they’d brought from Lotus Pier were dotted here and there around the room, but there was no nest anywhere. 

Maybe Jiang Wanyin didn’t know how to do that yet, or he didn’t feel safe enough. That thought was like a knife to the gut for Mingjue. He desperately wanted his spitfire to feel safe and protected. There wasn’t much of his stuff and for some reason that bothered Mingjue greatly. The shower was still going so he took a chance. Dipping back out of the room he trotted down the hall to his own again to grab up a couple shirts and pillows, just in case Wanyin needed it. 

“Is he going to be safe with you?” How did this woman’s questions always sound so accusing?

“He is very safe with me.” It’s why he was grabbing this stuff. 

Mingjue knew that his scent calmed his omega down and kept him from going absolutely bananas. It wasn’t ego or him making a claim…alright maybe it was a really subtle claim, but he was doing it because he knew Wanyin might appreciate his scent, nothing more. If Wanyin decided to kick Mingjue out of the room, at least he’d have something of his to cling to for the duration of his heat.

“Is he still rational?” She was asking good questions, but it still sounded like an accusation.

“He says he is. I have him taking a shower so he can cool down a bit and buy some time so he can catch up with what’s happening.” Returning to Wanyin’s room, he set the pile of his items down on the little desk chair so they were nearby but separate. His stuff might piss his omega off as much as it might help. Everything was just really fucking new still. Nie Mingjue was at a loss for how he should handle things.

“Jiang Cheng’s afraid and vulnerable. Whatever choice he makes, respect it, alright? I don’t care who you are, I’ll gut you if you force him into anything.” If she only knew who was pushing this situation right now, Wen Qing might have been singing a different tune.

“I’ll text you when I get time. I need to make some arrangements before he finishes his shower.” He didn’t wait for her answer, he just hung up and yanked the earbuds out, tossing them on Wanyin’s desk and grabbed his phone to start sending an email and some text messages. 

Intent on making sure that no one found out about Wanyin’s condition, Mingjue notified his people of an unexpected rut. He was going to be indisposed for the next week and it left his managers in charge for the time being. The company was solid, he had good people working for him. The lockdown alert on the property let people who were employed to maintain it know what to expect as well and they’d give the main house a wide berth. Mingjue also texted A-Sang to give him a heads up. They did not need his didi showing up unannounced in the middle of Wanyin’s heat.

While he was doing all of this, the shower turned off and Mingjue looked over to the bathroom door. There was silence and he debated going to knock and let his omega know he was still here. Would it be appreciated or would Wanyin be pissed at him? It was akin to handling a live grenade whenever he had to decide stuff like this. Maybe that’s why he was so enamored with the man.

The sob made the decision for him. Mingjue swore and opened the bathroom door to find Jiang Wanyin crouched in a bath towel on the floor, hugging his legs to himself. “Wanyin? I got some snacks and water for you, the fridge is good. Your phone’s out on the desk, I didn’t want it getting wet.”

Could he hold him? Did his omega want that? The wet hair stuck out in every direction from a rough toweling off. Mouthwatering droplets of water slid down his bare skin, enticing Mingjue. Crouched as he was, the towel was doing a very poor job of protecting his modesty and Mingjue had to force himself not to stare. 

Nie Mingjue’s gut twisted as he caught the potent pheromones coming off the man’s body. It was floral and sweet, the perfect mix of lotus and grapefruit. The first time he’d smelled Wanyin’s pheromones, Mingjue had almost lost his mind with how good it was. Now that it was on overdrive with the heat, he was amazed he hadn’t already come in his pants. The only upsetting part was that the longer Mingjue inhaled, the more he could pick up the sour notes of Wanyin’s fear and self loathing.

“Wanyin?” The name was rough as his throat tightened with his desire to growl and let the inner alpha loose.

“I’m fine!” God, he loved how his omega snarled at him.

“What would you like me to do? I’m still here, just like I promised.” He could restrain himself. He wasn’t out of control. Wanyin needed him to be reliable, not a rapist.

“I don’t know.” Mingjue could smell the frustration and embarrassment now.

“The house is locked up, so you’re safe. Even if you get in the courtyard, it’s fine, alright? I can stay or I can go, it’s up to you, I’ve put supplies in your nightstand too. I know you didn’t want them, but you might need them.” Did he tell him about the pillows and stuff?

“Don’t go!” Jiang Wanyin looked up at him with alarm, his face was flushed and he was panting while he made fists with his hands. 

“I’ll stay as long as you want me to. The second you need me to leave, just say the word, alright?” Death by sexual frustration…it was going to happen.

Wanyin looked so fucking amazing right now. He knew his omega was mortified by the change in his body. If only there was some way to explain to him how sexy he was without sounding like a damn pervert taking advantage. Sweet slick was permeating the air now and Mingjue clenched his teeth together to restrain his visceral response to it. He really wanted to tell Wanyin so many things, he wanted to confess his feelings again and again. It just seemed like that might be a dangerous thing to do. He still didn’t know if Wanyin really wanted him here or if it was his heat talking for him.

“Why don’t you put on a robe for now.” Suggesting something more modest probably was the best course of action.

“No, it stings…the towel is too much as it is.”

“Do you want to take it off?” He’d rather Wanyin was comfortable.

“I’m nervous, jackass! Can…can you not look?” This was why Mingjue was so adamant about not sleeping with him right now. Jiang Wanyin said he wanted it, but he was so afraid of being vulnerable or intimate in any fashion. Was that because he really was conflicted or was it deeper than that? He knew his family situation had been a shitstorm of hell, he was convinced that was why Wanyin had always been enraged.

“Alright, I won’t look. I’ll be in the bedroom while you get yourself ready.” When Wanyin opened his mouth to stop him, Mingjue interrupted quickly. “I’m not leaving you, I’m just giving you space to do what you need to without me staring, alright? I’ll keep my back to the door when you come out. You’re safe with me.”

All he could do was be here for him and be as patient as possible. Mingjue had laid his cards all out on the table already. Jiang Wanyin knew what he wanted, it was up to his omega to decide if he was ready for it.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Jiang Cheng was desperately trying to get a grip on his emotions. When he’d turned off the shower and total silence had greeted him, he’d actually been convinced the jackass had abandoned him. He even waited for a knock or something and nothing had happened. It shouldn’t have been surprising, A-Cheng was used to being dropped and forgotten. This time it stung, and when he’d given in and started to sob while drying off, the door had burst open.

His alpha had been there the entire time! It made him want to sob harder and cling to the big man. Somehow he’d managed to restrain the urge so he didn’t make a complete ass out of himself. That backfired big time since he had snapped at the man instead. Now Mingjue was back out in the bedroom waiting on him and he was peeling the abrasive towel off. A-Cheng’s hyper sensitive skin was suddenly and blissfully not being stimulated for the first time all evening. It would have been perfect if there wasn’t this dull ache in every muscle of his body.

No matter how much he’d just washed up, slick was still trickling out of his ass. He was so hard from being stimulated just by washing that Jiang Cheng had jerked off twice in the shower, but it hadn’t been nearly enough to calm him down. The act hadn’t been as satisfying as he remembered it being in the past. Was it because Wei Wuxian had been right about omegas being built to take pleasure, not give it? Had he already changed so much that he couldn’t satisfy himself with his own hand? It frustrated him.

Jiang Cheng’s embarrassment was because of his emotional reactions. It had very little to do with his nudity. Being active in various sports, he had showered in men’s locker rooms hundreds of times at gyms. Of course, that was back when he wasn’t interested in sleeping with a guy. Before he was a fucking omega. He’d even gone to public saunas and all sorts of things. If he tried to go there now, he’d probably get jumped by a half a dozen alphas in the process.

Wei Wuxian seemed pretty confident as an omega. He even walked around without scent patches on. He said it was because he was marked. Could A-Cheng get the jackass to mark him? Jiang Cheng had told Mingjue he wanted the relationship, he was worried that his alpha didn’t believe him though and he wasn’t sure how to tell him. Where the fuck was he phone? He wanted to call his brother.

Stepping out into the bedroom, he looked around cautiously. Nie Mingjue was facing away from the door, those powerful arms of his were folded across his chest and he was making a puddle on the floor in his wet clothes. He hadn’t changed yet. It was only dawning on Jiang Cheng now. Fuck, was his mind getting foggy?! He wasn’t ready!

“I’m going to make a call…Don’t leave, just…give me a minute, okay?” It took considerable effort to not whine when he spoke to Mingjue.

“Your phone is on the desk.” Nie Mingjue shifted so he wasn’t looking in that direction. The guy was being beyond considerate for Jiang Cheng and it made him feel even more guilty for how he’d been treating him.

“Stay here.”

“I promise I won’t move.”

So far, the jackass had kept every one of his promises. Walking quietly over to the desk, Jiang Cheng’s breathing hitched as he caught the smell of cinnamon and warm maple. There were pillows and clothes on the chair that didn’t belong to him. They smelled fucking amazing, just like his alpha. Nervously, he grabbed a shirt from the pile and then his phone and retreated back to the bathroom, closing the door quietly. What if Mingjue got tired of waiting?

The shirt was pressed to his face as he inhaled deeply and his dick ached with need. Holy shit, it was so intense! Shaky fingers pressed on Wei Wuxian’s name and he called him, waiting anxiously for his brother to answer. 

“A-Cheng?” He sounded sleepy. What time was it?

“Hey…I need some help.” It was getting easier to ask for help, part of him was elated by that but he was also really upset that he kept doing it.

“What’s wrong? Do you need me to come get you?” 

“No! Fuck. A-Xian did I wake you?” He felt awful now. “I’m sorry! I just don’t know what to do!”

“Hey, don’t worry about that. What’s wrong?” Their mended relationship was still fragile as far as Jiang Cheng knew. He didn’t want to fuck it up, not when he needed someone who understood what he was going though.

“My heat is starting.” He was doing his best to not sound completely freaked out. “I told the jackass I like him. How do I know it’s me saying it and not the heat?”

The pause wasn’t terribly long but it felt like eons to A-Cheng. “Sorry, I didn’t want to wake up Lan Zhan. Do you like Nie Mingjue, A-Cheng?”

“I just said I did.” He was snarling into the phone and could hear A-Xian chuckling softly.

“Do you like Lan Xichen the same way you like Nie Mingjue?”

“What the fuck!? No way in hell! That fucking prick is so goddamn arrogant! Gross, Wei Wuxian!” His response was instantaneous.

“Sounds pretty rational to me. If your heat was talking, both alphas would be acceptable.” When Jiang Cheng didn’t answer right away, Wei Wuxian continued. “Is he there with you?”

“Yeah. I’m in the bathroom, he’s waiting outside for me.”

“Why are you hiding? Is he trying to force you?!” There was a sudden alarm from Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng swore. 

“No! Fuck! I asked him to spend my heat with me and he said no! He wants a relationship, he thinks I’m not clear headed. How do I tell him it’s me talking and…and not the omega me?”

“Is that what you really want? The relationship too?” Why did he keep getting asked this!? Wasn’t the first time he said yes enough?

“I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t mean it, A-Xian.” Jiang Cheng ground out the reply and started to pace in the bathroom, inhaling deeply from the shirt fisted in his free hand. He was fucking huffing his alpha’s scent off the man’s clothes with a raging hard-on in the bathroom. It was insane but kind of hot all at the same time.

“You’re sure?”

“Yes! Fuck! I told you I was!”

“Alright! I had to check. You might not realize it, but omegas can get taken advantage of so easily when their heat starts. You are thinking clearly, but you also have a lot of hormones riding you. I’m betting you already tried to jump him?” Embarrassment made Jiang Cheng’s face nearly purple.

“Maybe…” This was such a fucking mess! “I’m not ready for any of this!”

Jiang Cheng had been in a full blown panic earlier when the revelation of his heat had hit him. Even when he’d showered alone, he was panicking with the idea of what was coming. The cold helped keep him in the here and now, but it let his mind spiral down into a panicked loop about his impending future. It hadn’t been until he saw Mingjue again that it stopped. Now with his nose buried in the man’s shirt, he felt even better. 

“Hey, you might not think you’re ready, but you stubbornly told me you like someone. You haven’t done that since second year when you had a crush on Rong Yan.” Wei Wuxian’s voice was gentle.

“How do I make him realize that?” Jiang Cheng groaned and moved over to peek out the bathroom door. Mingjue was still in the same spot, standing very still. 

“Tell him the truth, tell him he’s the only one. He said he wants a relationship.” Wei Wuxian sighed softly. “I like Nie Mingjue, he’s a good man. Even Xichen-ge speaks highly of him. He might be trying to protect you, alphas can be stupid about that sometimes. You’re going to have to talk about your feelings, A-Cheng. It’s the only way.”

“Can’t my…smell…” 

“No! Do you want to force him? My guess is he’s afraid of forcing you. It’s not like you’ve been really accepting of things or about being with a man.” Wei Wuxian’s quick response was a dash of cold water on Jiang Cheng’s thinking.

“But…won’t they get in the way? I don’t know how to control them.”

“It’s hard when you’re in heat. Just…talk to him before you can’t. I’ll come by as soon as you’re on the other side of this, okay?”

“I’m afraid, A-Xian. I had no idea it was like this. Fuck I’m sorry!”

“You’re going to be okay, Jiang Cheng. You don’t have to apologize. Just take care of yourself, alright?”

“Okay…I gotta go…” Jiang Cheng could feel the twisting in his gut, his whole body was starting to ache.

“Good luck!” The line went dead and he chewed on his lip for a minute before he let out a frustrated breath and yanked the bathroom door open and stormed out, naked as the day he was born.

“Jackass! We need to talk before I can’t think straight.”

Mingjue’s posture stiffened and the big man’s head tilted to the side slightly. “Did you put on a robe, Wanyin?”

“What? No! Fuck, just listen alright?” His bravado was driving him onward, but how long would it last. 

Nie Mingjue nodded, still looking away from him and Jiang Cheng’s heart skipped a beat. The fucking alpha was being beyond good to him. “I want a relationship. I only want you. I know it’s not the heat talking. You’re the first person to ever see me for myself. You’ve done every stupid fucking thing I’ve asked without compliant. I can’t stand the idea of anyone but you. Got it?”

“Can I turn around, Wanyin?” What the fuck?! He just confessed, again, and he asked a question?! Jiang Cheng didn’t really know what to expect with confessions, it wasn’t like he’d ever done it before. This wasn’t what he had in mind for his first one.

“That’s all you fucking want to say?! What the hell?! I tell you I want a fucking relationship and you can’t even fucking tell me you like me back?”

Mingjue groaned and A-Cheng could see him actually shaking. “I want to tell it to your face. I want to see your eyes get wide when I tell you something like that.”

“Why didn’t you fucking say that in the first fucking place!?” He hissed, stomping closer to his alpha. The intoxicating scent of cinnamon and maple made his breath hitch.

“You might think I’m really good at this stuff, but even I screw up from time to time.” They were fueling each other’s tempers. Part of Jiang Cheng wanted Mingjue to lose his goddamn mind and just take him right then and there. The more vulnerable side of him wanted the stupid confessions and reassurances. Why the hell was this shit so confusing?!

“Fine! Turn around! I like you, Nie Mingjue! I want a relationship!” He held the alpha’s shirt in front of his naked body, it just barely hid his erection as he glared up at the big man’s broad shoulders waiting for him to move.

Nie Mingjue shuddered and turned, his hot gaze sweeping up and down Jiang Cheng’s body. It was a visual caress that he could fucking feel and it made more slick trickle out of his ass. What the hell! A deep growl reverberated from the man’s chest as his eyes locked on the shirt Jiang Cheng held in his fists. At his annoyed snort, Mingjue looked up into A-Cheng’s eyes again. 

“I like you, Jiang Wanyin. I want you. I’ve liked you ever since you first called me a jackass. I know you aren’t ready for it, but I want the relationship, too.” Mingjue had reached out, fingers sliding under Jiang Cheng’s jaw to tip his head up. “I want to kiss you until you beg me to stop. I want you with every fiber of my being.”

“Then you fucking have me! We both want it, stop hiding behind this bullshit about my heat! Or are you all talk and just a goddamn coward?” The only thing he knew was fighting and arguing. Challenging the big alpha was the only way he could think of to explain his feelings.

Whatever it was, his accusation worked. Mingjue groaned and snaked his big arms around Jiang Cheng’s waist and pulled him right up against his wet body. The kiss was demanding and it eased the ache in my limbs instantly. It was fucking amazing! Jiang Cheng moaned with his arousal and wrapped his arms around his alpha’s neck. They were sharing their breath, tasing one another intimately and expressing every emotion they struggled to speak aloud. It was goddamn perfect.

“Stay with me!” Jiang Cheng bit Mingjue’s lower lip to elicit a response and he nearly had a minor meltdown from the way his alpha scooped him up and carried him over to the bed. 

“I’m not going anywhere. Promise.” The words were rough and sexy as all hell. Nie Mingjue’s big hands were exploring his body. Wherever he touched, wild shivers and jolts of pleasure arced through Jiang Cheng. This was definitely the work of his heat, it had to be. Nothing had ever felt this amazing.

Jiang Cheng let out a frustrated growl as he tugged on the wet shirt plastered to his alpha’s body. “Off! Get it off, jackass!”

Mingjue laughed and kissed Jiang Cheng again before straightening up to peel the offending garment off. It plopped onto the floor by the bed. “You’re sure about this, Wanyin?”

“Yes! I have never been so sure in my life!” It was terrifying, yes. Yet, with his alpha right there with him, Jiang Cheng felt safe and brave enough to face anything, including his feelings.

For the first time, he got to really look at the big wall of muscle without his shirt on. Mingjue was struggling with his wet jeans, there was the sound of fabric tearing at one point and it made Jiang Cheng laugh. Every inch of Nie Mingjue was sculpted muscle. He was powerfully built and well defined. The man was fucking huge too, did that mean he was going to be big everywhere? Brave as he might have been, there were limits. A-Cheng kept his eyes focused upward, lifting himself onto his elbows so he could kiss the big man’s chest.

He wasn’t sultry or a seductor by any stretch of the imagination, but the urge to taste his alpha was overwhelming and it was the closest part of him he could reach. The action forced the air out of Mingjue’s lungs and hands were suddenly all over Jiang Cheng, mapping out his shape. From his shoulders and chest over super sensitive nipples that made him mewl like a little kitten. Jiang Cheng’s world narrowed down to the sensations he was feeling and the feverish heat that started to cloud his thinking.

He didn’t want to miss this now! It was his first time! No! He wanted to be -here- and focused. A hot hand wrapped around his cock and he bucked up off the bed with a cry of surprise. “Ah fuck! God! It’s so sensitive!”

How was it even possible to be this turned on?! He’d come twice in the shower on his own, yet he was hard as a damn rock and sensitive enough that a stiff breeze probably would have gotten him off at that point. That big hand squeezed his shaft and it pulled a hot moan out of him as he fell back on the bed again, eyes rolling up in his head as he just let the pleasure consume his brain. Cinnamon and maple suffused the air around them and Jiang Cheng was getting drunk off the pheromones.

“I’ve wanted to do this ever since I saw you throwing rocks at the tree.” Nie Mingjue’s voice quivered with his excitement and he started to lick and kiss his way down Jiang Cheng’s body. “You’re perfect, Wanyin. Every part of you.”

Mingjue’s tongue teased its way around Jiang Cheng’s navel and he whimpered, fisting the man’s long tied back hair. He wanted more, he just didn’t know how to say that without whining pitifully. The hand wrapped around him started to pump up and down slowly, thumb teasing the tip and using his own precome for lubrication. The kiss on A-Cheng’s hip made him shudder and cry out sharply. 

“Fuck! I…I…need!”

“What do you need, baobei ?” Teeth grazed along his inner thigh as a leg was lifted. It made him shiver and whimper.

“M-more! I n-need you!” Jiang Cheng’s heart was hammering in his chest. He had no clue what the hell he was doing. It didn’t matter that his partner was a man, A-Cheng just didn’t have any experience with actually getting this far. There was no way in fucking hell he’d ever admit that, not here, not ever! So he just clung onto his alpha and prayed he’d figure it out.

What he hadn’t expected to feel hot wet heat enveloping his cock. Mingjue’s mouth had descended upon him and everything was about the sensation of being sucked and savored by his alpha. Jiang Cheng’s hips jerked and a big hand moved to steady him, holding him still while the other continued to tease the base of his cock. The feel of that wicked tongue on the underside of his shaft did him in and he gave a cry of warning as his balls tightened up and he started to come. 

Mingjue didn’t pull away, he drank it all down with a greedy growl, sucking hard enough to milk out every single drop A-Cheng had to give. He saw stars, no, he saw fucking galaxies as his orgasm was drawn out by the big alpha. It was hard to remember to breathe. Jiang Cheng tugged at the man’s hair, suddenly wildly oversensitive. He couldn’t take it! Fuck!

“Mingjue!!” One of Jiang Cheng’s legs was draped over the man’s shoulder and he dimly realized he was trembling wildly. 

When the big alpha finally pulled his head back, the lewd slurping sound had Jiang Cheng experiencing another little orgasm. Come spattered on the big man’s chin and chest. Mortification washed through A-Cheng instantly and he covered his face. What the fuck!? Where was his self control? He came like a fucking teenager, twice!

“Wanyin, you taste amazing.” That husky voice was thrilling and he peeked up between his fingers at the big man kneeling on the bed between his legs. “I could devour you for days like this.” That hot tongue swept over the tip of his twitching dick, lapping up the last bits of his spend.

“S-sensitive! Ahh! Slow…Slow down!” He tugged at Mingjue’s hair again, trying to draw the man up away from his cock at least for a few minutes so he could recover.

His alpha moved easily, kissing and licking his way up Jiang Cheng’s body before latching onto one of his hyper sensitive nipples. It tore a hiss out of him and his legs wrapped around Mingjue’s waist, clinging to the man desperately. His heat was fully in control by this point, pushing his desire and ramping up his need to wild levels. The slick had trickled down his thighs and left a wet stain on the blanket beneath them.

For the first time, Jiang Cheng was aware of his own scent and how he could make it even sharper with his arousal. The lotus and grapefruit pheromones mingled with the cinnamon and maple flavor already surrounding them and it tore a groan from Nie Mingjue. So this was what Wei Wuxian had meant by putting emotion into his smell.

Even with these orgasms under his belt, the desperate need for more was clawing at Jiang Cheng’s insides. Panting with his desire, he reached between them bravely to try and grip the big man’s shaft. It made his eyes widen in shock. Mingjue was fucking big! “Oh God! Fuck! It’s! I…Mingjue! I…”

“Shhh…It’s okay, baobei . I won’t hurt you. Trust me? Trust me to make you feel good.” Mingjue was rocking his hips so he could thrust up into Jiang Cheng’s hands, but he wasn’t forcing anything more than that. The man’s dick was hot and fucking hard. It felt like he could barely wrap his hand around him. How was that ever going to fit inside him?

Panic slid into his scent and the surge of cinnamon and maple answered it, comforting him even as Mingjue moved higher up Jiang Cheng’s body to kiss him tenderly. He could taste his own come in the man’s mouth, yet it wasn’t disgusting. He’d tried it out of curiosity once. He figured there was no way he could demand a woman do it if he didn’t know what he was asking of them.

“I don’t…It’s so big!” This made Mingjue grin down at him with that stupid male ego kind of grin. Jiang Cheng couldn’t help it, he smacked the man’s chest. “I’m serious!”

“I’ll be gentle, I won’t hurt you, alright? If you need me to stop just tell me, I’ll stop…” Another kiss teased his jaw, then another just below his ear. There was a hot groan as teeth scraped along Jiang Cheng’s neck. It was beyond sensitive there and he gasped and shivered. 

“What?! Ah! Fuck!” Mingjue’s tongue was lapping at the side of his neck right over the sensitive spot and it seemed that the big alpha couldn’t get enough of it. The sensation drove Jiang Cheng crazy. Was he going to come from getting his neck licked?

“It’s your scent gland…” Mingjue murmured hotly beneath Jiang Cheng’s ear again, giving him a little bit of respite. “One day, I’ll leave my mark there…If you want me to.” It was a sexy little promise and he didn’t quite understand what he was saying because the haze of arousal was starting to fog his brain. 

“God! Mingjue!” He was desperate for more, he didn’t know what it was but Jiang Cheng needed it! He needed this burning feverish desire to die just for a little while. If it kept up he was going to expire.

“I know! It’s alright. I’ve got you.” The big alpha was still between Jiang Cheng’s legs and he gripped him by the hips, lifting him higher up his torso. It forced A-Cheng’s thighs further apart. The next thing he knew, fingers were sliding between the globes of his ass and teasing him back there.

“Ah! Fuck! Fuck! Slow! I’m…n-nervous!” His whole body was quivering and he was beyond tense as a big thick finger began to press at his tight hole.

“Relax for me. Trust me, Wanyin, baobei .” Jiang Cheng really did trust him, he did. It was just so new and so -not- something he’d ever tried before. Coward that he was, the last thing he wanted was for this to hurt. Maybe that’s how heats hurt, it was being forced open?

“I t-trust you, Jackass…You’re just…big.” His face was red with embarrassment as he said it. A hot chuckle escaped his alpha as the man kissed him.

“You really know how to stroke my ego. You’re in control, Wanyin. If it’s too much, tell me.” How could such a perfect person exist? If their roles were reversed, Jiang Cheng wasn’t sure he could stop on a dime the way that Mingjue kept promising he would.

Doing his best to relax for his alpha, Jiang Cheng’s eyes went wide as the finger pushed inside of him. It was uncomfortable but not painful, not that there was much inside of him yet. He let out a whoosh of air and his hips bucked from the simple act. It was sending him into overdrive and more slick started to ooze out around that finger. He could smell the sweet and enticing flavor of it. This wasn’t his pheromones, it was something else entirely and seemed to excite Nie Mingjue as much as it did Jiang Cheng.

Mingjue was going painfully slow. He pressed that finger deeply inside of him, pausing once it was fully seated within Jiang Cheng’s ass. There was a little hot stretch, the man’s fingers were pretty substantial, but it wasn’t painful. He was beginning to think he could do this! Mingjue curled his finger in a come-hither kind of way, stroking A-Cheng’s insides in a slow relentless exploration. The first few strokes felt odd, the next one, however, had him bucking and shouting as wild jolts of bliss shot through every inch of his body.

Come shot out of his dick and the breath was knocked out of him. Mingjue growled and nipped at Jiang Cheng’s shoulder, suckling and leaving a mark on his skin. The man bucked up against him, rubbing his sizeable cock along A-Cheng’s. It was fucking electric. He tensed up all over again, his ass clenching down tight around that big finger. It stroked over that spot again and Jiang Cheng’s vision darkened as he started to come even harder.

“Mingjue!” he clawed at the man’s shoulders, bucking and writhing beneath him as his hot spend coated his chest and stomach. It smeared all over the big alpha’s shaft leaving him shuddering and panting wildly. He hadn’t expected to come so hard or fast. How had he not known he liked this!?

“We kinda are built to receive pleasure, if you know what I mean.” Wei Wuxian’s words slapped him in the face. Was this what he’d meant by being built for it?

If it was going to be this amazing, why the hell had he been so fucking afraid? By the time Jiang Cheng came down from his blissful high, he realized Mingjue was staring intently down at him. He wasn’t moving an inch, but he was breathing hard. “Why…why’d you stop?”

The concern in his expression melted away and he chuckled softly. “You’re going to be the death of me. I swear you’re trying to snap my finger off.” 

Mingjue kissed him again, preventing Jiang Cheng from stuttering out some stupid apology and he tried to pull himself back to the here and now. It was just so intense! With every shift or slide against his body, he was sent into another dimension of fucking ecstasy and A-Cheng couldn’t focus. The finger inside of him began to pump in and out slowly and then all the sudden there was a burning stretch as a second finger pressed its way in alongside the first.

“Ah! Fuck!”

“Too much?” Mingjue was lavishing every inch of his body in kisses and little love bites while he worked his fingers into Jiang Cheng.

“No…Just surprising.” He didn’t want it to end, even if it stung. Something inside of him was aching for more and he just knew he’d get it if he didn’t stop the alpha. 

“Reach for the condoms, Wanyin, they’re in the drawer above your head.” It was a sultry command while he kept working his fingers into A-Cheng’s hole. It was slow and delicious. Right when he got used to the size of two fingers, a third was added and the whole thing started over again. It had Jiang Cheng trembling wildly with need and rutting his way up against his big alpha.

It was hard to remember to do what he was told. His inner self was demanding he screw getting the condoms and just demand his alpha start fucking him for real. When Mingjue stopped moving again, Jiang Cheng growled at him. It wasn’t until he moved for the condoms that he was rewarded with those fingers pumping in and out of him. They were working on stretching him out now and it was making lewd wet squelching sounds.

“Baobei, give them here. We need to be safe, you don’t want kids…” Mingjue teased the -spot- the second A-Cheng passed the strip of condoms to his alpha. He didn’t even get a chance to pout or panic about the pregnancy issue as pleasure licked through his body again from the wild sensations of having his prostate massaged. 

“Mingjue! I’m…I…Fuck!” He couldn’t control himself as he started to come all over again! How was it possible to come so hard so many times!? He felt wrung out and they hadn’t even gotten down to the real sex yet!

“Just feel it, Wanyin. Is it good? It looks fucking amazing when you come for me.” When A-Cheng started to come down from his blissful high, the fingers slid out of his ass and he fucking whined. Just like any needy little fucking omega, he was whining!

“Mingjue! Jackass!” Rolling his hips, he ground himself up against his alpha desperately. 

“I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to put it inside you now, Wanyin. Tell me if it hurts, I’ll stop if you tell me to.” There was no way in hell Jiang Cheng was going to tell him to stop, even if it hurt.

The pressure was intense, and his eyes snapped open wide as he cried out sharply. The tip was massive! By the time he’d pushed past the rim of A-Cheng’s ass, tears had escaped his eyes and were streaming down his face. “Fuck! Fuck so big! S-stop!”

“Do you…want me to pull out?” Mingjue grunted and his breathing was harsh as he loomed over top of him.

Jiang Cheng shook his head and locked his ankles around his alpha’s torso. “N-no! Just...Just give me a minute!”

The sting slowly eased and morphed into a wildly full and stretched out sensation. Biting his lip he nodded up at his man, clinging to his shoulders. Mingjue pressed forward again and a hiss escaped A-Cheng, mewling as it stretched him wide, filling him up in a way he’d never experienced. 

God, it hurt so much! His dick twitched and precome was constantly dribbling out of him by this point. More slick made the slide of that big cock easier to take too. Was he turned on by pain? It was a horrifying thought, but the pain wasn’t lasting and the longer he got used to the man stretching him open, the better it started to feel.

Built for receiving pleasure was damn right. Each time it was too much, Mingjue would stop moving and let Jiang Cheng catch up. His skin was so fucking sensitive and his body was hot. There was this wild itch, it was a hot need to be fucked and Mingjue was not being as rough as he needed it yet. By the time his alpha was buried inside of him and panting against Jiang Cheng’s ear, he’d had enough getting used to the size of that hard dick. The man needed more.

“I’m fine! Fuck! I need more, jackass! Give it to me, no more gentle!” To emphasize his point, A-Cheng rolled his hips, gasping as it made that massive cock rub against his prostate. God, it felt so good! 

Mingjue lost his battle to stay in control of the situation and growled against A-Cheng’s neck. In the next instant, he was snapping his hips and slamming into the smaller man. The pace was hard and fast, it was rough and the grip on his hips was fierce. Jiang Cheng was sure it’d leave marks, but it just got him even more excited. “Alpha!” 

His nails bit into Mingjue’s shoulders as he clung to the big man and was brought to the heights of pleasure again and again. His legs were trembling wildly and every inch of him was sensitive and raw like an open nerve. Mingjue’s teeth scraped against A-Cheng’s nipples and he came apart beneath his alpha all over again.

“Fuck! Wanyin! Baobei! I’m going to…It’s so good!” Nie Mingjue moaned hotly and one hand left A-Cheng’s hip to fist the base of his cock over the thick knot. If it wasn’t for the condom, his insides would have been coated in a hot thick wash of come. Stupid fucking condom!

They clung to one another, bodies slick with sweat, gasping for air. Nie Mingjue kissed him passionately, languidly relishing in the moment as he rocked his hips slowly again and again. His big dick was twitching inside of A-Cheng. There were angry scratches all down Mingjue’s back. He couldn’t speak, he was beyond words. All he wanted was more.

“So sexy. It’s so good! You’re fucking tight, baobei .” A kiss landed on Jiang Cheng’s lips. “Come back to me now. Tell me you’re okay.” 

It was such a strange thing being cherished like this. Jiang Cheng wasn’t used to it. He loved it, of course, and he had a dumb grin on his face as that needy little itch seemed less intense for the moment. Never in all his life had he ever anticipated something like this. The fact that he had loved having sex with Nie Mingjue was a potent aphrodisiac. Why had he ever been afraid of this? It was nothing but fucking bliss upon bliss. 

“Mingjue…alpha…” The wild need to call him that was all encompassing. “I really like you.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Wen Qing couldn’t focus. She was worried about Jiang Cheng of all people. The past month had been a roller coaster of hell with that man, but she was invested in his care now and wanted to see him be free of that shitty drug. The sooner he could be off it, the better.

So why was she a nervous wreck now that the man was officially in heat? Was it because he had a Nie watching out for him? As much as she didn’t like the Nie clan in general, Mingjue had proven to be reliable and good for Jiang Cheng. He wouldn’t do anything to hurt her friend. No matter how much she might try to deny it in public, A-Cheng had grown on her. He was an omega in need and she was helping him, just like Wen Qing had done for so many others.

Omegas got the shit end of the social stick sometimes. Government programs were in place to ‘deal’ with them, not help them. It was pathetic in a lot of ways and the onus was almost always on the omega when they got caught in a heat scandal or something else equally out of their control. She frowned, tapping a pen against her lips. 

How many others had been tested on with this drug? The name was such garbage, she was shocked no one had caught on. She’d started calling it Morph since that’s exactly what it did to people. The whole thing was strange and the physician who was named on the pill bottle didn’t exist in any medical registry that she could search up.

Where in the hell had the Jiangs found someone like this anyway? The only companies that were deep into medical research with the resources for this kind of thing were Qishan Industries and Cloud Recesses Incorporated. As much as she wanted to try and put the blame on CRI, it was really hard to picture the righteous Lans ever allowing that kind of thing to happen in their company. Qishan Industries was a different story.

Uncle Ruohan had very few scruples and she knew the reputation the company had under his leadership. It often bit her in the ass when she tried to prove a point in the medical industry. She was a Wen, she must have taken shortcuts. At least that’s what her peers would say. Not for the first time, Wen Qing started to wonder about her father and mother. 

Father had always opposed his brother and the way things had been handled. He’d washed his hands of everything and retreated from the company and his family after her mother had passed away. She’d gotten so sick…

Frowning, A-Qing got up from her desk and went to rummage in the closet. The box on the top shelf had a layer of dust on it from being left untouched for years. She hauled it down, sneezing a few times in the process. Sitting on the floor of her bedroom, she opened it and stared down at the memorabilia contained within. It was all the items she had left of her mother, including a lot of her medical bills and records. 

Ignoring the clothes and trinkets, she pulled out the files and started to rummage through them. At first, nothing seemed strange. Mother had a heart condition, it eventually led to complete heart failure and she’d passed away from it. This was what had driven Wen Qing into the medical field in the first place. She wanted to find ways to save people from dying like her mother had.

She was about to flip to the next page of notes from the attending physician who’d diagnosed her mother when she stopped and stared. Ice slid through her veins. That name…it was the same as the one on Jiang Cheng’s pill bottle. 

“What the hell!?”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Chapter Text

“Remember that thing I told you in the hospital that you can’t tell anyone ever?” 

The early morning sun was burning away the dew drops that had formed overnight. Wei Wuxian had been steadily walking next to Lan Zhan as they meandered through the winding paths of the Lan estates. It was ungodly early, but he’d made the effort for his beloved alpha even though he lamented the loss of their cozy nest and snuggling. They could do that when they got back, it wasn’t like Lan Zhan was heading off to work or anything insane.

“Mn, about your brother.” 

“Yeah, that.” Wei Wuxian was rubbing the side of his nose as he considered how to word this. “Well, his heat hit last night. He’s staying with Nie Mingjue and I think they’re… staying together.” 

The extra emphasis on the word hopefully got his point across without having to go into detail about the phone conversation he’d had with his brother. It had made going back to sleep a little tricky, truth be told. Wei Wuxian was worried about Jiang Cheng.

Lan Zhan didn’t seem shocked by the revelation, not even through their bond. He nodded his head simply and made a considering sound. “Nie Mingjue is fond of your brother, though I cannot fathom why.”

“Lan Zhan! Jiang Cheng is not that awful, he’s just misunderstood.” Someone had to defend his cantankerous brother!

“Mn, perhaps. How do you know?”

“Because he’s my brother! I lived with the man for most of my childhood! I think I know him.” What was this?! Of course he knew Jiang Cheng was misunderstood!

Lan Zhan grinned, the smiles were always so rare, but they seemed to be happening more often when it was the two of them at least. “I mean, how do you know his heat began?”

“Oh!” Talk about jumping to conclusions! “He called last night. I didn’t want to wake you.”

Wei Wuxian felt the embarrassed warmth on his cheeks and he kicked a pebble along the trail, idly seeing how far he could go with the same stone before it got lost in the crushed gravel beneath their feet. Lan Zhan’s warm hand wrapped around his own and he smiled sheepishly up at him. 

“Your brother is important to you, I am trying to be forgiving with him because of that. Are you worried about him?” It was no secret that Lan Zhan didn’t care much for Jiang Cheng, so the admission that he was trying for Wei Wuxian was really sweet.

Lan Zhan had met his brother in rather poor circumstances after all. It had taken less than a minute for Jiang Cheng to snap Lan Zhan’s impeccable control and get laid out flat on his back. Everything had degraded from there. Since that first meeting, Jiang Cheng was always abrasive and always on guard around the Lans, and Lan Zhan hadn’t forgotten how he’d treated Wei Wuxian. Something had to give eventually, right? They were family!

“Yeah. I mean…He’s with Nie Mingjue, and you all think he’s a great guy. I got a pretty good impression from him too, but it’s the first heat. It’s frightening, Lan Zhan. I don’t know what it’s like for alphas their first time through a rut, I’m guessing it’s kind of the same?” 

There was no way Jiang Cheng was on the other end of his heat yet. If it started last night, he had a few days to go, even if he managed to convince Nie Mingjue to stay with him. They stepped over a root on the path and Wei Wuxian wobbled a little, he wasn’t used to his belly sticking out in front of him. It wasn’t even that big of a belly yet!

“Careful, Wei Ying.” Considering Lan Zhan was the one who’d been stabbed, it would have made sense for him to be the more unsteady one of the pair walking along the path. Instead, he was solid as ever, moving at a sedate pace next to Wei Wuxian. 

“Do you have Mingjue’s number? Can I have it? I want to check in and see how it’s going.” It’s why he’d brought up the subject in the first place. He wasn’t about to let Radish’s weight throw the conversation off course!

Lan Zhan gave him a flat look. “You want to interrupt your brother’s heat, with an alpha, to check in on him?”

“Yes.”

“Wei Ying.” Lan Zhan frowned a bit, Wei Wuxian could pick out those micro-expressions so easily now. “Would you appreciate someone distracting your alpha during your heat?”

“Hell no! I’d be pissed! I mean…oh. Oh!” Wei Wuxian’s eyes got wide. “Do you think Jiang Cheng would be pissed?”

“Mn.” Lan Zhan’s smile was more in his eyes this time so not as obvious. “If not Jiang Cheng, then most certainly Nie Mingjue.”

“What!? Do you think so?”

“I do. He would not say much about his relationship with Jiang Cheng that day we left you two at the restaurant. You were distracted when we got back, but Nie Mingjue’s scent was quite…protective.” They didn’t often talk about that day. It brought back too many upsetting memories for both of them.

The Jingshi’s roof could be seen just up ahead along the path. Wei Wuxian hated admitting the early morning walk had invigorated him. If this had been a stroll before the stabbing, Wei Wuxian would be lamenting about how his feet were sore and aching from all the pre-dawn exercise. It would be his excuse to have his alpha dote on him. This time it was different. Lan Zhan was the one who needed to be doted upon, so he restrained himself and lifted the big alpha’s hand to kiss his knuckles. Today he planned to take care of his mate.

“I guess I’ll just trust that everything will be ok. You can’t tell anyone yet. A-Cheng needs to tell shijie himself at the very least.”

“I will not share anything you tell me in confidence, Wei Ying.” Lan Zhan was a really good man. It always made Wei Wuxian’s heart flutter with joy knowing this strong and confident alpha was his.

“Thanks. You’re the only person I can talk to about it.” They’d had quiet discussions in the hospital about it often in those long nights when they were alone. 

“You do not have to thank me. I will always be your confidant just like you are mine.” Wei Wuxian stopped on the path and Lan Zhan naturally stopped with him.

“I love you, gege.”

Rising up on the balls of his feet just a bit to close that slight height gap, Wei Wuxian kissed his alpha gently. It meant so much to him that they could love and count on one another like this. He hadn’t had anyone he could rely on that way before. A-Li and A-Cheng were his siblings, and they’d gone through tons with him, but Wei Wuxian always knew that there was this gap between them. It was something that had been forged through their sibling bond by the way their parents had treated them, yet its mark was there. Absolute trust was hard to give, except when it came to Lan Zhan.

“I love you, Wei Ying. Always.” Lan Zhan had bent down a bit, cupping Wei Wuxian’s cheek. He almost got away with being all stoic and composed, right up until he made a little flinch of pain straightening up.

“Your shoulder is bugging you.”

“It is fine. The bandages are just uncomfortable.”

“It’s been over three weeks, can’t you go without them?”

“The mark upsets you.”

“Lan Zhan! Are you wearing bandages because you think I’ll be upset if I see the scar?”

Lan Zhan didn’t answer, his ears warmed with a pink blush and Wei Wuxian scoffed in disbelief. He folded his arms and just stared at the alpha, stubbornly expecting some sort of real response from the man. There was no way he was still using those god awful bandages because of him, was there?

“Wei Ying, I can feel how upset you get when you see it.” Lan Zhan’s statement wasn’t false, but it wasn’t what he thought either.

“Of course I do! My gorgeous alpha has to carry that mark for the rest of his life, I’m worried you’ll hate it.” 

Lan Zhan snorted in disbelief and Wei Wuxian grinned up at him. “You are a terrible liar, Wei Ying.”

“You don’t have to hide your scar, gege. I love every inch of you, especially the scar. I know you got it keeping me safe, I just have to get used to it. If you keep hiding your wound, how will I do that, hmm?”

Lan Zhan’s brow arched, clearly stating he didn’t entirely believe this bravado but he was willing to accept it all the same. The scar was horrifying, but it was also beautiful. A scar meant it had healed. They’d faced real danger and survived together. It was a visual reminder that they could make it through even the bleakest of moments.

“I’ll help you take them off when we get home. I don’t like you making yourself uncomfortable just for my sake.”

They started walking again and Radish began to twist in his gut. Wei Wuxian was feeling it a lot more now and every time it happened a flutter of joy and excitement slid through his heart. Lan Zhan was learning the emotional response Radish evoked and he let go of Wuxian’s hand to place it on his belly. They shared the moment with wondrous smiles. A low crooning sound emanated from Lan Zhan and it made Wei Wuxian’s heart melt all over again.

He knew alphas did this, really he did. It just wasn’t something he’d ever expected to be the cause of, if that made sense. Honestly, between himself and Lan Zhan, there’d been a lot of sounds if anyone decided to get technical about it, but crooning? Maybe it’d happened and Wei Wuxian had just been too out of it to realize what was going on. Crooning was a low deep continuous noise. It was very much like a hum, but it exuded that soothing and safe feeling without the need of pheromones or anything else. 

Lan Zhan had hummed a lot around him, but it was always with pheromones, always with that protective growl of his or the sexier desire that made Wei Wuxian’s toes curl. Just straight simple crooning though? No, he was pretty sure this was a new thing. It was a special sound for their Radish. Wei Wuxian was NOT going to cry!

“Radish is active this morning.” The crooning didn’t stop longer than it had to for him to speak, then it was back up and going.

It was extremely effective. The more that sound continued, with Lan Zhan’s hand on his abdomen, the more settled little Radish got. Fuck, he was not going to get emotional! Wei Wuxian nodded, biting his lower lip to hold back his sniffling stupid sobbing euphoria. Yes, Lan Zhan was probably very aware of how twisted up his heart was with joy and all sorts of unspoken things in that moment, but that didn’t make Wei Wuxian stop himself from trying to contain his outburst.

“God, Lan Zhan!” Truth be told, Wei Wuxian hadn’t heard that sound since his parents had passed. “I’m so happy right now, I swear I am!” Tears were sliding down his cheeks.

“I know.” Soft lips kissed away the tears and the crooning continued.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Lan Wangji had never been driven to soothe the young before. There were no children at home to provoke the act, yet it was so natural to do so for Radish - a child not even born yet, and Wei Ying. He was crooning before he even realized it. There was a jumble of feelings from his omega and they mingled with Lan Wangji’s own. If he were to think back on it, he could distinctly remember hearing Shufu croon to him and Xichen in the early days after their mother and father had passed.

He could not recall if his own father had ever done such a thing. Memories of his parents were hazy things. After their mother had passed, their father had backed away from the family and retreated even from his own sons. Shufu had stepped in as the father figure while he watched his brother fall apart. The union between Wangji’s parents had always been a tense thing. It did not seem mutual by any stretch of the imagination, yet while they were together, they’d had two children, surely there had been some sort of returned affection?

It was something Lan Wangji had always hoped was true. Whatever their relationship had been, the end result had been the same. Without their mother, Wangji’s father had no purpose and he withered away alone and miserable until there was nothing left. He would not do that to Wei Ying or their baby. There was no reality in which he would ever abandon any part of his family or betray them. 

Maybe it’s why he was crooning now. He wanted to reassure their baby, and his mate. He would always be there, not even death could stop him. 

“Don’t stop!” Wei Ying actually whined when he ceased the sound and Lan Wangji grunted.

“Your eyes were getting puffy from all the tears, Wei Ying.” He was teasing his mate. Lan Wangji had felt how much his love had adored the sound.

“I haven’t heard it in so long, please Lan Zhan?” The pout was adorable.

He would have given Wei Ying the world if his mate only asked for it. How could he deny his request now? The crux of the issue was that he hadn’t been aware he had been making the sound to begin with - it had been instinctual. A slight frown pulled at his features.

“I am not sure if I can, I wanted to soothe Radish…” Their baby had stopped tossing and turning quite so much in Wei Ying’s abdomen. Could he do it now so easily?

Wei Ying needs it…

That seemed enough for him to start up again and more tears filled his mate’s eyes. There was visceral joy flooding the bond, so the tears were not remorse or fear. They still were hard to take so Lan Wangji wrapped his good arm around his mate and pulled him close for an embrace. He nuzzled his neck along Wei Ying’s, scenting him. 

Wei Ying responded to the secenting by marking him back. There was a purr of joy from his omega as they pressed close to one another. Everything had been so cautious and gentle since the attack. Lan Wangji wanted more, he just could not physically do more without it causing issues. It was immensely frustrating in many regards. Even if he couldn’t actually pick Wei Ying up right now, he could embrace him and relish in the moment with him. This would be how he could demonstrate his love while he healed.

“I haven’t heard this in so long!” Wei Ying repeated wistfully.

They stood there for quite some time, holding one another while the crooning sound filled the quiet space. Eventually Wangji kissed the top of Wei Ying’s head and the crooning sound ceased. His mate looked up at him with a happy and slightly wondrous gaze. It melted Wangji’s heart all over again. How could something so simple be this powerful? They were both feeling it. The memories of the past, of happy times with those long gone, were resurfacing for both of them.

“Shufu used to do this.” Wangji’s voice was tight with repressed emotions.

“You need to do this for Radish, often.” Wei Ying was trying to regain his composure as he wiped at his face. Wangji slid his thumb along his omega’s cheek, helping to dry the happy tears. 

“What about you, Wei Ying?”

“Oh! Definitely! Whenever I’m upset, Lan Zhan!” The smile was radiant.

“Then I shall do so more often.” The kiss was soft and chaste, a pressing of lips and little else.

They happily continued walking after that, returning to the Jingshi to make breakfast and settle into their new routine. Wei Ying had nestled into the living room sofa with a tablet. He was finally starting to shop for the nursery. Wangji knew that Wei Ying was nervously excited by it now, and he was quietly encouraging that. They had been through a lot together already, surely this was the worst of it and their future would be nothing but positive. It was best to think this way than to wallow in self-doubt and fear at least. 

While Wei Ying was busy with the search for the best chair for the nursery, Wangji had retrieved a slender box from the study. For a minute, Lan Wangji just watched from the entry to the room as his mate perused options from one of the many online stores. He was muttering about the pros and cons and would tap or rub the side of his nose from time to time while he did so. 

Sunlight was bathing the space in the soft morning glow, little beams of light streaked across the space to wash against Wei Ying’s curled up form. He was leaning up against the pillows that had been piled on one side of the couch with his feet tucked up near him on the cushion. The soft round swell of his belly was supported by the pillows and Wei Ying gently stroked his abdomen with one hand while the other swiped through options on the tablet resting on his thigh.

His hair had gotten softer and fuller since they’d first met. It was longer too, draping down well over his shoulders. Wangji especially loved the mornings because Wei Ying tended to let his hair stay loose. Right now, he had strands tucked errantly behind his ear to keep it out of his face. Wei Ying was glowing. His skin had gone from that pale porcelain to a warmer hue. It had been a subtle shift, brought about by Radish growing within him no doubt. He was enchanting. The sight was a vision Lan Wangji wanted to remember for a very long time. 

“Wei Ying.” As much as he wanted to stare, Wangji also had a purpose. 

“Hmm?” Wei Ying looked up and smiled with a brilliance all his own. “Lan Zhan, help me pick out a chair? I want something that rocks I think.”

Lan Wangji held the slender box in his hands and came over, sitting next to the man who was his heart and soul. Wei Ying shifted to drape his legs over Lan Wangji’s lap and wriggle closer until he was able to lean up against his right side. It was one breath away from sitting in his lap without actually doing so. Wangji set the box on Wei Ying’s legs and draped his arm around his mate’s back to support him. He took the tablet to examine the chairs that were in a saved list.

“What’s this?” Curiously, Wei Ying picked up the mystery box. 

“It is your necklace.” Wangji had been waiting for the right time to give it to him.

He’d considered asking Xichen to bring it to the hospital, but had changed his mind when he realized how tense the place made Wei Ying. This was a moment he wanted to be thought of as a happy memory. He did not want it to be a reminder of the ordeal of waiting in the hospital on pins and needles every day. So Wangji had remained patient, biding his time.

The necklace inside was nearly identical to the one Wei Ying currently wore around his neck. It was a heavy silver pendant of the Lan clan symbol. It differed on the back where Wei Ying’s name was engraved along with a pair of rabbits. They matched the ying yang tattoo on his omega’s hip perfectly. He was subtly watching as his mate opened the box to take a look at the necklace. They’d talked about its meaning and how it was special, and Lan Wangji could feel the excited reverence as the necklace was lifted from the box to be examined.

“Lan Zhan! My rabbits!” Wei Ying was grinning cheekily. “You put my rabbits on it!”

“Mn, I hope they can be our rabbits.” There was a little surge of love and joy through their shared bond and the warm spicy citrus scent melded with his sandalwood. 

“How can you say you’re not good with words!? Every time you say something like this I get all choked up and emotional!” Wei Ying was grinning up at him. 

“I only speak the truth, Wei Ying. You are my heart and soul. I love every part of you, even the parts you try to hide.”

Wangji had slid his hand down Wei Ying’s flank so he could tuck his fingers under his clothes and caress the tattoo he knew was there. It was an image ingrained in his memory, and while he’d never asked about it, Wangji had felt the fine little scar along the back of the black rabbit. He knew it was hiding a past pain.

“Aiyo! You know all my secrets!” Wei Ying was still smiling up at him even while his thumb traced over the patterns of the new pendant in his hands. 

“I have always liked rabbits.” Wangji reached out to tip Wei Ying’s chin up a bit more, entranced by the warmth in that brilliant silvery gaze. “Will you let me wear your necklace, Wei Ying?”

“Gege, are you asking me to give you my heart, because I will gladly give you everything. This necklace is a symbol of your restraint, right?” Wei Ying was already unclasping the necklace and reaching up to secure it around Wangji’s neck. 

“Mn, it is.” 

Wei Ying smiled up at him, the love in his soul was communicated in every way possible. Through his touch, the kiss that followed it, their bond and the mingling of their pheromones. The weight of the new necklace settled around Lan Wangji’s neck and the dance of his mate’s fingers along his neck tickled and teased his senses even more. 

“I’m yours, Lan Zhan. Every day, for the rest of our very long and happy lives.” Wei Ying shifted on the couch, climbing up into Wangji’s lap so his thighs were straddling him and they were sitting face to face. Wangji’s hands settled naturally on his lover’s hips and he looked up at him with pure adoration. Their kiss was tender and sweet, a true melding of mind, body and soul. “I love you.”

“I love you, Wei Ying. Every day, always and forever.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Digging into the past was always more difficult than people realized. There were some who excelled at it, which was why Wen Qing found herself sitting in her cousin’s penthouse apartment having tea and forcing awkward smiles at another damn Nie. This had originally started as a wild goose chase to see if Wen Xu knew anything or could at least get her access to records so she could dig and see what she could find out on her own.

Of all her extended family members, A-Xu wasn’t completely unhinged so long as you stayed on his good side. It was no secret that he had clashed with his father on many things. Wen Qing had always kind of admired his tenacity and ability to follow through with any promise or idea he came up with. The man was fucking terrifying if you got in his way, but he was usually pretty good to her and A-Ning. This coupled with the way he actively worked to prevent uncle Ruohan from always getting his way in the company had made her think of him first and foremost to get information.

Nie Huaisang was a wildcard she hadn’t entirely expected. What was with the fucking Nie clan these days? Everything she dealt in seemed to have them connected somehow. With a heavy sigh, she did her best to tuck away her thoughts and took another sip of the tea.

“Did Gunainai send you to check in on me? I haven’t gone to see her in a while. I suppose we should though, Newbie. She’s the one elder you haven’t met yet.” Wen Xu was sitting casually beside Nie Huaisang with an arm draped over the smaller man’s shoulders.

Nie Huaisang’s eyes went wide for a second and then he grinned trustingly up to her cousin. They were the perfect picture of a happily newlywed couple. The rumors of her cousin’s elopement seemed to be absolutely true. It probably explained why Mingjue had been crabby about family shit not that long ago. Did he approve of his little brother’s spouse or not? The Nie and Wen families weren’t exactly on the best of terms usually.

“Oh! She wasn’t at the ceremony? A-Xu! If she’s important, we should have met her sooner!” Nie Huaisang actually batted a hand against the alpha’s arm and didn’t get hit for it. Holy shit! They were the real deal?

“Granny didn’t send me, but if you haven’t introduced your…husband, you probably should.” Wen Qing gave the man a pointed look. Wen Xu was older than her, but she had never backed down from calling him out on his bullshit. Maybe that’s why they got along?

“No? So what brings you by? Nothing’s happened to your didi? He’s still working at that garden center isn’t he?” Wen Xu had this aura about him that screamed lethal even when he was casual and relaxed. It was the hunter’s focus that did it. He rarely broke eye contact when he was in a conversation with someone.

“A-Ning’s fine, same as always.” Wen Qing was hesitating for the first time ever with her cousin.

The element of Nie Huaisang had thrown her off and she wasn’t sure how to broach the subject, especially since it implicated Jiang Cheng if she wasn’t careful. Still, there were more people involved now than just Jiang Cheng. She couldn’t ignore the connection and she needed to know more. Wen Xu was involved in Qishan Industries, he had taken control of a lot of the smaller branches of the company to manage under his father’s watchful eye.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so hesitant to speak your mind.” Wen Xu was getting impatient.

It irritated Wen Qing and she growled. “Does your husband know how to keep his mouth shut?”

The way she said it was clearly offensive, but it was also to the point, which was something that Wen Xu usually appreciated. Today, however, he scowled at her. “He has a name, I’d appreciate it if you used it, and don’t talk like he isn’t here. A-Sang is family and he’s trustworthy.”

For a rebuke, it was pretty gentle, maybe getting married had mellowed her cousin out. “Oh! I won’t say a word! I mean! I know a lot of things already, but I don’t go blabbing about it. A-Xu’s secrets are safe with me. So are yours! I mean! You’re family too now! I don’t share family secrets!”

Nie Huaisang was trying to reassure her as he babbled continually. He was exactly the opposite kind of person she’d expected Wen Xu to end up with. The fact that he was a beta wasn’t shocking. She knew A-Xu had a tendency to go against his father’s wishes with even the most basic things. How safe was he going to be married to him though?

“I apologize. It’s just a really sensitive topic.” She was speaking to both of them. “I came across a name recently, and I wanted to ask you if I could go through some of the research projects at Qishan Industries. You’re in charge of a bunch of them, aren’t you?”

The reaction from both men was wildly similar yet different. Nie Huaisang’s eyes got huge and he shivered apprehensively. He was suddenly very worried about shadowy corners, even in their own home. His eyes kept darting around cautiously. “Does your cousin know that name, A-Xu?” 

What the hell does that mean?

Wen Xu’s expression had hardened and he’d gotten extremely serious. There was a dangerous glint in his dark eyes and all casual airs had evaporated. This was the unpredictable business persona that drove terror into the hearts of the people who had to deal with him, she knew that, it just wasn’t something she often was a witness to. 

“No, I doubt she does. I also doubt it’s that name. Don’t worry, Newbie. Wen Qing is a good egg. I like her and she is family, she’s safe.” Wen Xu actually ruffled the smaller man’s hair affectionately. “He got a taste of the old man’s shittier side already, so he’s a little nervous about names.”

That also wasn’t surprising. Wen Qing was pretty sure that uncle Ruohan had probably tried to make Nie Huaisang expire on the spot. He wasn’t the ideal choice for a spouse for Wen Xu, at least he wasn’t someone Wen Ruohan would have chosen. They were both playing things pretty close to the vest. Whoever they thought she was talking about inspired fear in one and deadly seriousness in the other.

“I’m surprised uncle Ruohan didn’t try to make you two get a divorce. No offense intended, Nie Huaisang, but you aren’t really what my uncle had pictured for my cousin.” She could talk to the pair of them if she had to.

“Oh! None taken! Your uncle really is terrifying!” Nie Huaisang pressed up closer to her cousin’s side. “We eloped at the Wen temple with the elders’ blessings, so I think he can’t demand…that.” 

Wen Xu grinned smugly. “That’s exactly right! Even old Wen Laohu approved of my A-Sang.”

She was impressed. The elders were probably the only people her uncle bowed down to. “Well…” They were getting off topic with this. “Will you let me do some digging?”

Wen Xu leaned forward then, his arm slipping from around his husband so they could drape over his knees. “That depends on who you’re looking for.” He grinned again. “My home’s safe, the old bastard can’t get to us here and he won’t know what we’re talking about.”

That was another reason she was doing this face-to-face. Text messages and phone calls couldn’t be secure, not in this day and age. Wen Qing had learned that the hard way when her research idea had been stolen right out from under her. “Fine, I’m looking for a doctor or researcher named Cai Ming. They worked on a project to develop a drug that never made it to human trials. They also treated mama when she got sick. The only places I can think of that would do the kind of research they were involved in would be Qishan Industries or CRI and we all know the Lans are too moral for questionable methods.”

“Never heard of them. There are a lot of people who do research in medicine, why are you so sure it’s with Qishan Industries? Can you grab my laptop, A-Sang? It’s in the office.” Nie Huaisang nodded and stood up to go get it while Wen Xu leaned forward. Her cousin didn’t wait for his husband to be out of earshot before he continued questioning her. He must have really trusted Nie Huaisang. “What kind of drug?”

“It’s an inhibitor…A-Xu…did my father try experimental stuff on mama?”

He stared at her, not answering right away while he considered her question. Eventually he sighed and shook his head. “I don’t know, I doubt he would have tried an inhibitor for a heart condition though? You’re the medical expert.”

It honestly didn’t make sense at all, but something was bugging her about it. The fact that the name had popped up again in her life just seemed way too coincidental. “I used to study mama’s medical records like crazy. It made no sense for her to die the way she did, her whole system shut down, it wasn’t just heart failure even though that’s what they said was the cause…” These were things she’d kept to herself for many years.

“Why the sudden interest? Aunty is long gone from the world, you can’t save her now.” The comment was cold, but it didn’t upset her. Wen Xu was blunt, so was she. They spoke the same language in that regard.

“I recently came across someone who had been administered an inhibitor developed by Cai Ming. It was discussed in a medical journal and the research into it was released with that journal. I know it didn’t get into human trials, but somehow it was still prescribed to this person. That means it’s being refined and developed. It could be a coincidence, I get that, but something just seems…off?” Wen Qing didn’t know how else to explain it.

“I know that name.” Nie Huaisang had returned with the laptop and was handing it to Wen Xu. “Cai Ming. I know it.”

Both Wens were staring at him incredulously now. It made Nie Huaisang squirm a bit and his cheeks warmed with an embarrassed and slightly nervous hue. Wen Xu reached out for his husband while he spoke. “How do you know it, A-Sang?”

“Ah! Well…you k-know how I like to snoop…” He gave Wen Qing a nervous glance but pressed on. “Actually it’s how I found out that other name. I gave up some information about how Cai Ming had some weird grudge against a man named Chang Cian from Yueyang. An acquaintance wanted details on the Chang family for you-know-who’s name and told me I’d know more about you-know-who if I went to Qishan Industries.”

Wen Xu looked very concerned and Wen Qing was just confused. Nothing with her family was ever simple or straight forward. She couldn’t stand it, she needed to know.

“Who the hell is Chang Cian?”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Nie Huaisang had been stewing all afternoon once Wen Qing had gone home. He had a lot to think about now that they’d fit more pieces of the puzzle together. Never in a million years would he have imagined his hacker friend was really the dirty cop that Jiang Cheng had kept calling a dumbass. When they’d talked to him and his da-ge about everything, it had seemed really wise to not divulge more names than they had to. Yes, the name Officer Xue had been uttered, but he figured it was a common name! The guy he knew didn’t sound like a cop at all.

Truth be told, Xue Yang had been one of A-Sang’s greatest resources over the years for getting information from police records. He never put together that he was able to get that information  because he was a damn cop. He’d always just figured the man had skills or methods to find information without really implicating anyone. The worst part was that Xue Yang was working with Zhao Zhuliu, the spook that starred in many of A-Sang’s nightmares.. 

It had taken a while to sort out, but they finally discovered the connection between the myriad of names. Xue Yang was a dirty cop who’d moved into the former Wei household in the old side of the city. This made him a neighbor of Wen Xu’s Gunainai, a woman that Wen Qing called Granny. She had a real name too, and since names had been what had tripped them up in the past, Nie Huaisang had demanded to know hers. 

Wen Daiyu was the matriarch of the clan elders. She was also Wen Ruohan’s aunt, and apparently she was not all cupcakes and roses! The woman inspired awe and respect when A-Xu spoke of her. That alone told A-Sang a lot. She may have been sweet and gentle on the outside, but she was still a Wen and a dangerous one at that.

Wen Qing seemed to adore the old lady and her reverence for the woman was tinged with genuine affection. Her feelings stemmed from the fact that the old woman had raised Wen Qing and Wen Ning after the passing of her mother. Wen Daiyu had also raised Wei Wuxian for the missing four years after his parents had been killed. It was a revelation that shocked Nie Huaisang and had even surprised Wen Xu. Why did all the Wen family members have ties to Wei Wuxian? 

Her namesake was taken literally too. The elder matriarch was known as both Daiyu and simply as the Black Jade. It was super mafia type stuff as far as he was concerned. From the way Wen Xu had behaved, if this was some weird rendition of a classic mafia family movie, Wen Daiyu would have been the head of everything.

The crazy part was how it all seemed connected to the rest of the chaos that had been going on. If it hadn’t been for Xue Yang wanting to know about Chang Cian, a research scientist from Yuemeng, then Huaisang never would have recognized Cai Ming’s name. It was all small clan drama stuff that had happened years ago.

Chang Cian had some clout in the research field almost fifty years ago. He had called out the unethical practices of Cai Ming and had gotten the latter’s medical licenses revoked. Cai Ming couldn’t legally practice medicine and he’d been shunned from the field of research and innovation. It had to do with some project that Chang Cian and Cai Ming had been working on together. Chang Cian had been ready to abandon the work, but Cai Ming fabricated results to avert the laws which was why he’d been outed by his research partner.

At the time, Huaisang didn’t really give it a lot of thought. Chang Cian had passed away years ago already. Xue Yang had been looking for extended family, it was the only reason why Huaisang had even taken an interest in the old drama to begin with. There were only a handful of Chang family members to find from there, and the son of Chang Cian was a doctor as well. He’d found the whole scandal fascinating. No one could figure out why Xue Yang had an interest in the Chang family, but it had been alarming nonetheless. 

All that aside, Huaisang finally felt useful because he already knew that Cai Ming didn’t work for either Cloud Recesses or Qishan Industries. Due to the fallout with his old research partner, he’d been a bit of a recluse. The man didn’t work for any major conglomerates, but he’d been making a comfortable living in apparent retirement for quite some time thanks to benefactors and wisely made investments. At least he’d been able to help Wen Qing and it had assisted A-Sang to fill in some gaps in the knowledge he had about Wei Wuxian and his family.

“What are you thinking about? You’re frowning, A-Sang.” Wen Xu broke through his musings.

Strong arms wrapped around his middle and he sighed leaning back against his husband with a little reassuring smile. “Just trying to make sense of it all, A-Xu. Will your Gunainai be alright? Xue Yang is still detained, right?”

Wen Xu snorted with a grin but nodded. “No one is going to get the drop on her, Newbie. She may look harmless and sweet, but the woman makes my old man shiver in his boots.”

The big alpha kissed the top of A-Sang’s head and just held him close. Not only had these crazy revelations been a lot today, but his da-ge wasn’t answering any texts. He’d told A-Sang that he was locking down the family estate for a rut and to check back in a few days. They all knew that meant it was for Jiang Cheng’s heat. Part of Huaisang was jealous about that.

“I wish I could smell your pheromones.” It was wistfully said, even while he inhaled the perfumed version of Wen Xu’s scent from the bracelet he only took off when he was washing up. It had become a huge comfort to A-Sang and he adored it. 

“I’m surrounding you with them right now, Newbie. You can’t walk down the street without people knowing your mine, I’ve left my mark all over you.” They hadn’t discussed it in any great depth since their marriage.

Huaisang was a beta, it was one of the major reasons that Wen Xu had been attracted to him. A male beta couldn’t have kids. It wasn’t like A-Sang had ever wanted kids of his own, so he had been fine with this condition of their marriage. As time was wearing on, however, he really found that he wanted the same kind of bond he saw Wei Wuxian sharing with Lan Wangji. Those two clearly were head over heels for one another, and they both sported mating bite marks. There were a lot of secretive looks between the two and whenever they went scent drunk off one another in A-Sang’s presence, it had made him blush and wish he could do the same with his husband.

“I can’t even mark you properly. I hate that I can’t do that, A-Xu.” He was pouting now and he knew it. 

Wen Xu pulled back and coaxed Huaisang to turn around so they were facing one another. “What’s got you thinking like this, A-Sang?”

“Jiang Cheng went into heat. Da-ge texted me last night.” He really was fine with no kids of his own, but why couldn’t betas at least share pheromones?

“You think he’s going to mark Nie Mingjue?” It was obvious Wen Xu didn’t get it.

“I don’t care if he does, A-Xu. I care that I can’t mark you!” A-Sang had tried of course. He’d bitten Wen Xu but he was a beta, it didn’t mean anything. It just left his husband with a hickey and a super sensitive neck for a while. The hickey faded with time and even though Nie Huaisang had bitten hard enough to draw blood, just like Wen Xu had told him to do, it hadn’t scarred over. 

“Mmmm do I detect vinegar around my sweet husband?” Wen Xu dipped his head to kiss and nibble at A-Sang’s neck, it made him quiver and whimper in pleasure.

“I just feel like I’m missing out sometimes, A-Xu. I love you so much. It’s scary how much I love you.” How could he explain it without upsetting his husband? One of the major reasons they were even married was because he was a damn beta and not an omega. Would Wen Xu understand his want for more?

“You aren’t missing anything A-Sang, you have me all to yourself.” Wen Xu’s voice was honest and full of love for him. Nie Huaisang knew that A-Xu wasn’t lying. Was it so terrible to want every part of him though?

“I envy Jiang Cheng. He can make a mating bond if he wants to.” Burying his face against his husband’s chest he hid from any expression he might have been given.

Wen Xu would hate him if he asked for it, but was the bracelet really going to be enough? Would he be happy with just that? He wanted that bond and he’d been crushed when they’d discovered his bite wouldn’t take on A-Xu. Even the mark his husband left started to fade over time. It was like the universe was telling him he wasn’t special enough for any of that kind of stuff. It hurt his heart when he stewed about it. 

“Hey, Newbie, we have a bond.” Wen Xu’s voice was steady and gentle, fingers slid through his hair as he was held close in that embrace. “It’s not the same as omegas and alphas I suppose, but that makes it all the more special.”

“Would you be mad if I asked you to bitch me?” His voice was timid and muffled against the muscle of his husband’s chest. It was still really obvious that Wen Xu had heard him clearly because the man had grown still and tensed.

“Do you want that, A-Sang?”

“I want you, I want all of you! I want to get scent drunk off your pheromones and show off my bite! I never thought I’d be like this, I swear, A-Xu! I just…I love you so much!” He was not going to cry!

“Shh, don’t be upset. This is why I gave you the bracelet, so you could smell me anytime, A-Sang. I love you too, you know.” They’d said it a couple times tonight now, each confession had made Nie Huaisang’s heart skip a beat.

“I just can’t mark you or let the world know you’re mine.” He sulked and sniffled, uncaring that he was staining his husband’s shirt with jealous tears.

Confessing this whole thing was terrifying. What if Wen Xu pushed him away because of it? He knew that his husband’s whole grand plan was to end the Wen family line. That was technically possible because A-Sang was a fucking beta. If A-Xu dissolved Qishan Industries, nothing would be left to inherit and the importance of the Wen clan would diminish. 

They were married and it would be a childless affair. Couldn’t he be an omega and just not get pregnant? There were ways to force the change as evidenced by Jiang Cheng’s situation, but that was dangerous and Huaisang knew it.

Drug-induced bitching wasn’t normal. Da-ge had confessed to him that he was worried about Jiang Cheng’s progress and whether or not he’d have complications after his transition as well. The smart side of Nie Huaisang’s thinking had already dismissed trying to find this terrifying drug and use it. He wasn’t that desperate yet, plus there were other ways. Bitching was not a foreign concept, and it was something that could happen quite naturally in the right conditions and circumstances. 

A dominant alpha had the power to do it, they could use their voice to push the change in willing alphas and betas. There were also documented cases of alphas and betas naturally transitioning because of their partners. Some said repeated markings were needed. He had thrown himself into his research on the subject matter and had discovered a bunch theorizing that betas were stunted from presenting until they found their perfect partner.

This all brought up the inadequacies of a beta as compared to an omega for Huaisang. Betas simply weren’t built for certain things. The mating bond couldn’t be formed, bite marks weren’t permanent, no matter how hard they tried. Pheromones couldn’t be shared, even if the alpha released them, and even if the beta was calmed or reassured by it, they wouldn’t know it was their partner doing it per se. They couldn’t scent one another, it was all one-sided. Not that they were trying for a family, but betas weren’t built to handle an alpha’s knot either.

A-Xu was afraid of hurting A-Sang so he wouldn’t consider the act at all. His refusal was more upsetting than Huaisang wanted to admit. With a little growl he reached down to cup his husband through their clothes, squeezing and stroking him. “I want you to knot me, A-Xu.”

Looking up at the taller alpha, he started to undo the man’s pants while lifting up on his toes to steal a kiss. It wasn’t like he could get pregnant, why couldn’t he experience the knot? A-Sang didn’t even care if it hurt, he just wanted that intimate connection so fucking bad!

“Newbie…I could hurt you.” Wen Xu’s voice was choked and his grip on Huaisang became tighter.

“Please, A-Xu? I want to feel it so much! I hate that I can’t smell your pheromones right now! Please?” He wasn’t used to begging for this sort of thing and he was probably doing a terrible job of it. “Just once? Let me feel it?”

There was a heavy groan above him and Wen Xu’s forehead pressed to A-Sang’s. “You’re killing me, Newbie. You know that, right? I want to give you everything, I really do, but not if it’s going to hurt you!”

“I don’t care! I just…I need it, A-Xu, so please?”

“I can’t stop it once it happens, A-Sang. We’d be stuck like that until it goes down. You could be in pain for the whole thing, I don’t want to do that to you, I’m not that greedy of an asshole.”

“I’m asking for it, A-Xu! Please?” By this point, he’d wrapped his hand around the thick girth of his husband’s dick and he was slowly stroking his way up and down. “Just once? Please? Don’t you want me like that?”

Wen Xu growled and nipped at Nie Huaisang’s lips. He reached down to still Huaisang’s hand on him, shuddering in pleasure. “You’re trying to force the issue, A-Sang. Talk to me…”

“I’m sorry!” Huaisang tried to pull away, but his husband wouldn’t let him go so easily. 

“Hey, shhh, don’t run off now. C’mon, talk to me.” Huaisang didn’t have pheromones to help him communicate, they had to talk. It upset Nie Huaisang all over again and he sniffled, ducking his head as the sense of inferiority coursed through him.

This had never been an issue before. He had enjoyed being a beta for the entirety of his life. It was only now that he was in a committed relationship that he was struggling. Friends around him had found their partners. Even his own da-ge seemed to have found his match with Jiang Cheng. They were all proper alpha and omega pairs. Each couple had that special bond that went beyond just being partners. Was he cheating Wen Xu from having something seriously special by being a beta? What if Wen Xu hated him for it down the line?

“I…I don’t want kids! I just…want you!” his words were stilted with little sniffles. How had he gotten so upset so fast? It didn’t make sense! “I want to smell your pheromones every day! I want to feel my mark on your neck! I want the bond so bad, A-Xu. Does that make me awful?”

There was a pregnant silence from his husband while A-Sang tried to regain his composure. “It’s not awful, I just wasn’t expecting this.”

“No one knows you’re mine unless they see the ring. I can’t…I can’t scent you! I…” This was not how Huaisang had expected his attempt at seduction to go. Usually they couldn’t keep their hands off one another. Had he just ruined everything and made it hellishly awkward between them?

Shame and embarrassment filled his heart and Huaisang refused to look up at his own husband. He stood there stiffly, sniffling and swiping at his face every time a dumb tear escaped his eyes. This was so stupid! He shouldn’t have brought it up. It was going to ruin everything, and he knew it.

Wen Xu sighed softly and it made Huaisang flinch. Here it comes, he was going to reject him and they were going to live in that hellishly loveless marriage A-Sang feared right from the beginning. The familiar warmth of strong arms wrapping him up and lifting him off the floor didn’t register right away. When it did, they were half way up the stairs. Nie Huaisang looked up, eyes glassy with his tears to see the grim determined expression on A-Xu’s face.

“Do you hate me?” The question was small and mumbled. Huaisang didn’t resist being carried, but he didn’t know if he could embrace the man either.

“I could never hate you, A-Sang.” Wen Xu had stopped on the steps to gaze down at him, closing the gap to kiss at his tear-stained cheeks.

“B-but! I want…I want what I can’t have! You’re not mad?”

“No. I’m not mad. I’m afraid.” The honest confession caught Nie Huaisang off guard. “I’ll give you the world if you ask me to, A-Sang.”

“I don’t want the world! I just want you! Did I ruin us? Are you going to get rid of me?” Huaisang wasn’t sure what he was promising him anymore. Fresh tears slid down his face and Wen Xu hugged him tightly to his chest, moving again up the stairs. 

The silence to his question only ramped up his misery and fear. Even the soft cushioning effect of the bed beneath him didn’t register right away. He just looked morosely up at his husband, fearing the worst. What did he expect, though? They’d gotten married under pressured circumstances and knew nothing of one another before they’d tied the marriage knot. Yes, they’d agreed to be all in and actually have a real relationship, but Huaisang was pretty sure this stupid urge of his to have more was going to be what broke them apart.

He truly loved A-Xu. It was going to suck so bad to not have him. Would he even be allowed to pack his things before he got kicked out? Maybe he didn’t have to worry about any of that, Huaisang knew too much, what if they just sent the ghoul for him? Dying for love…that’s what his future was.

“A-Sang? Did you hear anything I said?” Wen Xu’s voice cut through the self-depreciating litany of thoughts. Had he been talking? The confused expression made his husband snort with a grin and rise up from his knees to kiss A-Sang.

He was sitting on the edge of their bed and Wen Xu was on the floor between his knees. Had he really lost track of what had been happening because he had been drowning in the tailspin of his misery? Nie Huaisang blinked and wiped at his face. “You said…you’d give me the world?” That’s the last thing he remembered at least.

Face-to-face like this, he could see the love in his husband’s eyes and the twinkle of amusement. “What’s in that head of yours? Where did you go on me, hmm? I want us to talk it through, A-Sang. I love the hell out of you, and I’m not gonna let you go so we gotta work through this together.”

He’d said all that? How the hell had Huaisang missed it!? The scented bracelet was brought to his nose so he could smell the imitation of his husband’s scent. Fresh pine was the dominant element to the whole thing, he loved it. A-Xu’s fingers curled around his and he looked seriously into Huaisang’s eyes. It was an intense gaze that made him self-conscious all over again.

“I want more, A-Xu. I didn’t think I would, but…that was before I fell in love with you! I…I…” Why was it so hard to explain?!

“You know you’re perfect, right? It’s not your scent or your body that I fell for. It was you, the person.” Those long fingers gently wiped the tears away from A-Sang’s cheeks.

“One day, your father is going to be gone.” This was just a fact, no one lives forever. “I know your reasons…but, A-Xu…Don’t you feel like you’re missing something because I’m a beta? What if you get tired of me one day because of it?”

“A-Sang…”

“I want the bond, A-Xu! I want you! All of you!”

Wen Xu leaned in close, nuzzling his nose right up against A-Sang’s neck. It tingled and ramped up his heart rate almost immediately. There was a soft growl as his husband inhaled deeply, hands gripped his thighs and for a minute, it seemed like talking was going to be forgotten in favor of other activities. A kiss warmed his skin where A-Xu had originally marked him.

“It drives me crazy that this is fading. I’ve scented you so many times, A-Sang, you don’t even know. I want the whole world to realize who you belong to and that you’re all mine.” His admission made Huaisang quiver and wrap his arms around his husband’s shoulders. “I don’t care that you’re a beta, I only care that you are happy. That won’t change ever. Understand?”

No. He didn’t understand at all! Did that mean he didn’t care about the scenting or the fading mark? Wen Xu leaned back to look into Huaisang’s eyes again. He seemed determined to talk about it. The confession was important, he knew that. His husband was frustrated, but he hadn’t brought it up because he wanted Nie Huaisang to be happy? That didn’t make sense!

“If it’s driving you crazy, then change me! You can do it, can’t you?” He’d long suspected that Wen Xu was a dominant alpha, he’d just never had the guts to come out and ask him.

“Do you really want that? It’s not just pheromones and scenting that you get, A-Sang.” There was another heavy exhale. “It’s not like you can cherry pick the best of both worlds. You’d have to suffer through all the other parts, too. I don’t think I can bear it if you hated me for changing you like that.”

“Is that why you said you were afraid?” How the hell could he convince his husband that he wanted this?

Wen Xu chuckled softly, he was still on his knees giving Huaisang the height advantage. “It’s part of it. I’m also afraid of what might happen if my father found out. You don’t know how much power you have, do you? I’ll give you anything you want, I am that head over heels for you. Anything, A-Sang…even this.”

They both froze and held their breaths. It was like they were waiting to see who’d break first under that admission. Hope and fear warred within Nie Huaisang as he mulled over his husband’s words. Why would he fear his father? It made sense that A-Sang should fear Wen Ruohan, but A-Xu had always dismissed the man as old and past his prime. He had seemed so brave and confident in the face of Wen Ruohan’s existence - like the man couldn’t touch him.

“I think I really want it, A-Xu.”

“You have to be sure. No thinking.” Wen Xu’s reply was firm and adamant. “If it’s just about the scent and the marking…we can mark each other every day, I’ll get them to make cologne that smells like your scent so i can wear it everywhere. You don’t have to change just for my sake, understand?”

“Don’t you wish we had a real bond?” Could he be the only one who wanted it?

“We have a real bond.” A gentle kiss warmed Nie Huaisang’s lips. “It’s not a bond made from pheromones, but it is there.”

“Will you hate me if I insist on going through with it?” Huaisang was braced for the honest truth.

Wen Xu growled and rose up, pushing him back on the bed until he was pinning A-Sang to the mattress. “Listen to me carefully, A-Sang. I will never hate you.”

“You said you wanted to marry me because I was a beta…” Insecurity was clawing at him, he knew he was starting to irritate A-Xu by harping on it. How could he ignore that though? The fact that he’d been a beta was why all of this had happened, right?

“I wish I’d never told you that.” Wen Xu showered his face with soft kisses, cradling his head while using his larger body to pin A-Sang to the mattress. “It’s true, I wanna shaft the old man and I was a petty little fuck for thinking this was the only way. He doesn’t matter when it comes to you, A-Sang.”

The wind was briefly knocked out of Nie Huaisang’s sails at his husband’s admission. They were talking about changing a fundamental part of who he was and A-Xu was not telling him no. Huaisang’s tiny bead of hope started to warm and grow.

“So you’ll do it?”

“I’ll consider doing it. Give it a few days, think it over first. I want you to be sure, A-Sang. You can’t take it back once it’s done.”

He smiled up at the man who’d captured his heart and nodded before pulling him in for a proper kiss. A few days were nothing. He could wait that long and ask again…right? 

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Sweat soaked through Lan Xichen’s shirt while he trudged through the thicker foliage on the property. He had a good idea of where Su Minshan had taken his pictures from after having studied them for a while now. This evening was his chance to find the spot. It also helped him ignore the fact that Jiang Yanli had gone out for dinner with the damn peacock. The fact that he’d taken to referring to the Jin heir by the insufferable nickname also irritated him.

What did the woman see in that boy anyway? He pretentiously wore his wealth like a status symbol and his mannerisms were barely above acceptable. There were so many quirks that reminded Xichen of Jin Guangshan in the boy that he worried constantly about Yanli. In fact, he’d had the audacity to tuck a little canister of pepper spray in her hand bag before she’d left with Jin Zixuan for this foolish dinner date.

What did Jin Zixuan have that Xichen didn’t? The boy had nothing to offer that Lan Xichen couldn’t match or exceed in his own right. If Yanli appreciated the wealth…well he had that in spades, the difference was that he didn’t throw it around. She cared for family, so did Xichen. What kind of family did the peacock have? His father was well known for his dalliances and indiscretions. How was that a good example?

Maybe it was the car. Jin Zixuan drove a fancy sports car that growled like a damn beast. Lan Xichen had long since outgrown the drive for sporty vehicles and had comfort in mind when he had purchased his latest vehicle. Even Wangji had flashier cars than he did, not that Xichen had ever really bothered or cared about such matters. But was that it? Did his car make him look old?

A root caught the toe of his shoe and Xichen stumbled through a thick bramble of undergrowth. He frowned and tried to pull his focus back to the matter at hand. Once again, he started to mutter aloud to remind himself of the basics.

“Yanli is engaged to Zixuan. I have no right to get involved. I’m just a friend…we’re practically family.” It wasn’t helping, so he switched to the family precepts instead.

The whole purpose of his foray into the bushes on the family estates was to find out how Su Minshan had gotten in. If he could find where the man had hidden himself, perhaps that’d lead Xichen back out to where he’d gotten past their security to get inside the property. Xichen had already toured the perimeter wall after he’d returned home from the office today and had found nothing. It was why he was going about this method. Su Minshan had gotten a picture of Jiang Yanli and himself having tea at the Yashi. He’d gotten images of Wangji as well from the Jingshi.

Both buildings were relatively close to one another from a bird’s eye point of view, however, on the ground it was another matter entirely. He was the first to admit that their family property encompassed a massive portion of land. It was an old estate that had been handed down for generations and they’d reaped the benefits by having privacy and space while still being nestled within the realm of the city. As such, most of the manicured gardens and yards were contained only within the immediate vicinity of the buildings within the property.

As a boy, Lan Xichen had truly enjoyed the wild forests just beyond the paths that riddled the estate. He and Wangji could adventure as they saw fit and it was safe. The most there was for creatures consisted of the usual small woodland type. There were plenty of birds, squirrels and rodents along with a healthy population of rabbits if one knew where to look. Because of the high walls, larger animals like deer, foxes and bigger predators couldn’t really manage a way within the confines of the property.

From all that exploring as a child, the only place he could think of that would give Su Minshan an easy vantage over both the Jingshi and Yashi would have to be a small rise he and Wangji had frequented in the past as children. There was a copse of spruce trees that were old with thick trunks. The bottom branches had long since fallen away leaving a cozy space beneath it. The area was carpeted in leaves and pine needles, making the ground spongy to walk on and the brambles of the overgrown forest around the area had turned it into a shady ethereal place that was cut off from the rest of the world. Those trees were tall. If Su Minshan had gotten in, they’d give him the height to see quite a bit of the estate.

That was where Lan Xichen was headed when he let his thoughts stray toward Jiang Yanli on her damned date. The sun was hanging low on the horizon, so Xichen was running out of time to really look around, however he had armed himself with a flashlight, just in case. He was almost there, it wouldn’t take long now, he just had to quit thinking about that gorgeous woman smiling at the pretentious Jin alpha over an awkward dinner.

It would be awkward too, he was sure of it. Xichen was intimately familiar with the conversation the pair had engaged in at the Yashi that day. They were like young teenagers, they didn’t know what to talk about and Zixuan couldn’t do it without bragging, which wasn’t something Yanli really liked, was it? Xichen stepped poorly, twisting his ankle a bit as he finally broke through the overgrowth into the roomy space beneath the spruce trees. 

“Ah! Diligence is the root! Morality is the priority. Harmony is the value.” The precepts were not helping him. His ankle throbbed from the jarring step, yet it didn’t feel truly injured. It was his pride that had taken the beating. How could he be so clumsy?

“Shoulder the weight of morality. Be just. Perform acts of chivalry.” Xichen flicked on the flashlight and started to cast the beam about the quiet space. He was determinedly reciting more clan precepts with the hopes of grounding himself. This irritation was beyond childish.

“Have courage and knowledge. Have courtesy and integrity.” Ha! That was something he had that Jin Zixuan lacked. “Do not be ill-mannered. Have affection and gratefulness. Be compassionate…”

Xichen trailed off as the glint of something caught his eye. Moving gingerly over toward it, he discovered a plastic water bottle. It made him frown. Lans did not litter, it was against their family rules. Crouching down, he picked it up. The plastic was faded and beaten by the elements, it had likely been here a long time. Wangji was a stickler for the rules, even as a child. He wouldn’t have left something like this out here, nor had Xichen and Shufu had never been the sort to wander this deep into the wilder parts of the property.

No one did that aside from himself and Wangji as far as Xichen knew. Could this have blown in from outside? It was unlikely, this particular part of the property was at the heart of the estate. They’d never developed the area because it had a steep grade to the slope and it afforded privacy between the family homes. The high walls would have stopped this regardless. Someone had brought it here. 

Frowning, the flashlight’s beam swept the immediate area and he found old foil wrappers for crackers and snacks. It was a deep sense of foreboding that had him shining the light on the trunk of the nearest spruce tree. He hobbled over toward it, examining the bark carefully. There were score marks in the wood from someone climbing it. They were old, it could have been himself or Wangji when they were children, but he couldn’t recall ever being clumsy enough to cause that kind of damage to a tree. Casting the light up through the branches, Xichen caught another glint about half way up the massive trunk. 

It looked like he was going to have to relive some boyhood memories and climb the tree. Testing his tender ankle first by hopping around a bit to make sure it could take his weight, Xichen flicked the flashlight off and tucked it into his jeans pocket. Climbing these trees was always an ordeal. Spruce trees were sticky with sap, especially in the spring, and the wide branches were soft and flimsy away from the root of the trunk. They also poked and prickled. You had to wriggle your way up between them so there was no way to cleanly do this.

Whatever was up there was important, though, so he began to climb. Every branch was tested to make sure it could handle his weight and he kept his hands and feet as close to the trunk as he could. The progress was slow and he felt the pull of needles raking through his hair and along his clothes the entire way up. As he got closer, he pulled the flashlight out and held it in his teeth to shine upward while he climbed. There were three broken drone machines wired to the trunk of the tree. Each one faced out toward different parts of the property.

From this height, Xichen could see the roofs of all the buildings on the estate. Each drone body was pointed at a home. The Jingshi, Hanshi and Yashi respectively. It took him a while to realize what they were doing here. Drones had cameras, really good cameras. Cameras that could be operated remotely. His eyes widened in shock. Su Minshan had actually been here. It was a violation of their privacy and it made Xichen’s skin crawl.

His cell phone started to buzz and ring in his pants pocket and he nearly slipped his grip on the tree trunk. Normally, Xichen would have ignored this call, but what if it was important? Wangji was fresh out of the hospital, A-Xian was doing alright, but that could change in an instant. He fished the phone out and a brow lifted with another wave of surprise. 

“Yanli? Is everything alright?” He had not expected her call, she was supposed to be enjoying her night with Jin Zixuan at some fancy restaurant.

“Am I bothering you?” Her tone was sweet as always, but it sounded pinched.

“Of course not.” He was only half-way up a large tree staring at the horrors of a stalker’s obsessive ingenuity. 

“I’m relieved, I was worried, you’ve been so busy these days.” There was a pause and Xichen thought he could hear faint sounds of traffic in the background. Where the hell was the peacock? “Would you mind coming to pick me up?”

“I don’t mind at all. Did Jin Zixuan get called away?” He was going on the assumption that the little asshole wouldn’t abandon Yanli.

“Ah…no. We had a disagreement. I would appreciate the ride.” Her voice was tense and she was restraining emotion, he could tell now.

“Where are you?”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Lan Xichen’s car rolled up to the curb and Jiang Yanli came over, opening the passenger door and slipping inside without a word. She sighed softly, leaning her head back against the back of the seat with her eyes closed. The sweet scent of fresh berries and lotus blossoms danced in the confines of the car’s cab. It stirred up Xichen’s desires for the woman and the want to use his own pheromones to comfort her. He viciously stamped down his instinct and kept a tight rein on his baser urges.

They were in the downtown core near a popular restaurant district. The streets were still busy and it was early evening. After he’d gotten off the phone with Jiang Yanli, it had taken a little bit of time to get out of the woods and to the Hanshi to quickly change and head on his way. He had scrubbed his face, hands and arms as best he could to get rid of the tree sap and grime from mucking about in the woods, but it was far from being truly presentable.

Glancing toward his passenger once or twice, Xichen pulled back into traffic and started to make their way back toward home. “Did you have anything to eat before you left?”

“Hmm? No, I’m afraid not. Thank you for coming to get me.” She gave him a gentle smile, it made him straighten up just a pinch more in his seat.

“There’s a good place nearby, it’s usually quiet too.” He didn’t like the idea of her going hungry because of whatever disagreement she’d had with her idiot fiance.

Do not covet…Do not sow discord…

Xichen’s grip on the steering wheel tightened imperceptibly. Yanli was spoken for. He had to stop thinking about her the way he had been. She was a wonderful woman with a sweet disposition and kind heart. Considering the things she had experienced and the abuse she’d lived through, the woman was a true saint. No matter the fact that she wasn’t his, he couldn’t abide by the idea that she might have been wronged tonight.

“I’m sorry, Xichen. I’m not very hungry, I just want to go home and forget about tonight.” She gave him an apologetic little look. 

“Are you alright?” If Jin Zixuan had hurt her in any way…

“I’ll be fine, I’m just a little annoyed.” She was staring out the window for a bit before she continued. “You’re wealthy.”

He cast a quick glance her way and nodded. Was he supposed to acknowledge that? Why was she bringing up wealth like this? It made him inwardly stew about his car again. Did it seem inadequate? Some part of him wisely remained silent. It was not appropriate to boast about one’s self and success after all.

“You’re also very kind and you are humble.” She was listing his qualities but she wasn’t looking at him. “I grew up in a wealthy family, it’s not like I’m ignorant about what wealth is.”

The more he let Yanli vent, the more curious he got. What had the peacock done to make her this upset? She was clearly annoyed, insulted even. Had the Zixuan demeaned her somehow? The Jin family had a slightly archaic look on gender norms and roles. They hadn’t gotten with the more modern trends of equality of the sexes and it showed at functions more often than they probably realized.

Yanli finally looked his way and she was frowning. He wasn’t accustomed to that expression, not from her. “Do you ever feel the need to push your importance on others?”

“My importance? No. We all have our roles.” What the hell has Zixuan done?

“My parents have always made a show about being wealthy. They will call out smaller families and those who do not measure up. I’ve seen my mother behave deplorably at times to employees. I always thought she would do it, even if she wasn’t wealthy though, so I never put it together. I guess that makes me a little foolish doesn’t it?”

“I’m not entirely sure what’s happened, but I do know you are not foolish, Yanli. Your mother’s actions are not your own.” Lan Xichen was being sincere when he spoke, doing his best to not disparage anyone in the process. It was difficult seeing as the people she spoke of had wronged her on a personal level that made the beast of vengeance rear its head within him.

“Lan Xichen, do you see less fortunate people as being beneath you?”

He decided to treat this like a casual conversation between friends. It was the safest course of action. “No one is beneath another person. Everyone has value and should be treated with respect. Just because I was born into a family of wealth does not mean I’m any better than someone who was not.”

“Would you mistreat someone for not being able to measure up to your social standing?” Her inquiry was serious.

“Yanli, have I done something to suggest I would?” He was pretty sure he’d kept his personal feelings about her fiance to himself, but perhaps he’d slipped up recently?

“You’ve done nothing wrong, Xichen. You are the beacon of humanity and hope, a true gentleman. I don’t think you realize how rare you are.” She sighed and looked out the window again.

He had never seen the woman speak this way. She was genuinely irritated and didn’t seem to want to bother with trying to cover it up with a pleasant smile or placating demure response. Xichen had to admit, he rather liked this sharp side of Jiang Yanli. He’d often worried she was going to let people push her around for the rest of her days. She had always seemed almost too passive and easy going.

The urge to ask her what had happened only grew as she let out a little scoff and shook her head again. Whatever had transpired, it would seem that Jin Zixuan had erred terribly. Part of Lan Xichen couldn’t help but privately celebrate this revelation. Did this mean perhaps he had a chance after all? Had it been grievous enough for them to call off their engagement? 

Do not covet. She’s not mine, she’s engaged.

Yanli’s phone chimed with a message and she looked down at the screen. He couldn’t read it while driving, it wasn’t any of his business whom she received messages from anyway. He did cast several looks her way trying to gauge her response to the message. Her phone chimed three more times before she flipped the silence mode on and tossed it into the back seat of his car.

“Yanli? Did something happen?” He hadn’t planned to ask further, but her behavior was so out of character for what he knew of the woman.

“My fiance ,” the word was spoken with a bit of irritation and distaste, “has no sense of decency.”

Her elbow was resting on the lip of the car door’s window and her fingers were massaging her temples. Yanli was dressed in casual elegance tonight. Her hair was half pulled up with the rest freely cascading about her neck and down her back. The hairpins she’d worn a few times before with the little jeweled lotuses on a string, caught the light now and then as they passed by street lamps. She had a light plum billowy blouse paired with a simple knee-length black skirt - it was a date night sort of outfit yet it was still quite tasteful. Her jacket was long and a soft grey in color, complimenting her ensemble.

Xichen was quite aware that nothing she wore was a new gift, so Zixuan hadn’t given her any jewelry. She also did not have any flowers with her, which bothered him for some reason. Yanli deserved to be spoiled with little tokens of affection. Perhaps she’d left the flowers behind when she’d left Jin Zixuan alone. 

Why hadn’t the boy gone after her? While Lan Xichen liked to think of himself as progressive and forward thinking, Jiang Yanli was still an omega. Something could have happened to her being left on her own like that. Even if she’d called off their engagement, which didn’t seem likely since she was still calling the boy her fiance, Zixuan should have insisted on accompanying her so she wasn’t left to her own devices.

It wasn’t that Xichen thought she was incapable, he just did not trust strangers to behave themselves around such a captivating woman. Granted she had been in a rather public area that was lively and full of bystanders, it still sat wrong with him. How could anyone just let her go?

“Did he hurt you?” What else could she mean by no sense of decency? It had taken a lot of effort to ask the question with a neutral tone instead of the rage inducing fury he felt simmering in his veins. Zixuan would not live if he had tried to force her.

Jiang Yanli looked over at him and the scrutiny was a lot more focused. Lan Xichen glanced her way, locking his gaze with hers for a brief moment before focusing on the road once more.

“What’s in your hair?” Yanli shifted leaning over the console to stroke at his hair. Her fingers caught in something sticky and it pulled at his scalp slightly.

Xichen let out a little grunt of surprise and had the sense to grin a bit sheepishly. “It might be tree sap I suppose? I took a shortcut back to the Hanshi when you called.”

She smiled with that warm expression he adored so much and her laugh was light and melodious. “Did you go crashing through the trees for me, Lan Xichen?”

The flush of mild embarrassment started to creep up his neck and he cleared his throat. “I did not want to make you wait, you sounded upset on the phone.” Her scent had warmed slightly and the sweet notes were mouth watering.

Yanli reached up again, brushing at his hair. “You’re full of leaves.” 

Apparently, in his rush to clean up, he’d not done a good job of it. Xichen had been focused on his hands mostly since they’d been dirty and sticky from his climb up the tree. He gave her a little smile. “The trees were trying to slow me down.”

“I doubt a tree could stop my hero from getting to me.” The banter was sweet and affectionate. It gave Xichen hope.

She saw him as her hero? He rather enjoyed that notion. It stirred up his inner alpha and his chest puffed up slightly. Her fingers swept debris off his shoulder from her ruffling of his hair. God, her touch was so absolutely perfect. 

Xichen reached up to catch her hand and he smiled over to her. “You don’t need to do that. I should have cleaned up a bit better.” 

If he didn’t stop her light touching, he would embarrass himself in front of her. She was captivating and aroused his desires. No matter how many times Xichen reminded himself that Jiang Yanli was spoken for, he couldn’t quite make himself give up the ghost of a chance that he might one day get to call her his partner.

“It’s the least I can do. You came to my rescue again.” Yanli’s smile was so sweet, he wanted to kiss her.

She’s engaged! Stop coveting what is not yours!

He cleared his throat and let go of her hand as casually as he possibly could so it didn’t seem like he was regretting the action. Touching her was something he had to be careful about. It gave him ideas. “You never answered my question. Did Jin Zixuan hurt you?”

Just uttering the boy’s name seemed to upset her and it made Lan Xichen inwardly consider ways to ruin the young man’s life. Was this how Wangji felt whenever someone wronged A-Xian? It made more sense to him now than it ever had before. Yanli was not romantically involved with him, yet he felt the stirring anger and need to avenge her.

“No, he didn’t touch me.” She reassured him, still smiling while pressing her thumb and forefinger together. They were sticking slightly.

“Hurt isn’t always physical. Does your fiance need education in proper behavior?” Xichen inwardly winced at his own words and desperately wished he could take them back.

“I doubt the lesson would stick.” For some reason that made her grin again before she let out a frustrated sigh. “Should I call off the engagement, Xichen? It was my mother’s idea, I don’t even know the man.” 

Elation was the first emotion, then guilt at feeling elated by her inquiry. He wanted to give her an emphatic yes. Xichen wanted to tell her he’d be so much better to her if she gave him a chance. It was the first sign that their engagement might not survive and he was inwardly celebrating that, which was deplorable in its own right. He should not be celebrating another’s misfortune simply because it gave him a chance to swoop in and take the Jin boy’s place.

“I think only you can really answer that question, Yanli.” Taking the moral path was fraught with situations like this, he was sure of it.

“He’s arrogant, spoiled and rude. Even if he is handsome, it doesn’t excuse his character.” This conversation was absolutely killing Lan Xichen. She thought Jin Zixuan was handsome? He and the peacock looked nothing alike, did that mean she found Xichen unappealing?

“Did he do something inexcusable?” Curiosity was a dangerous thing.

“That poor woman was just doing her job. He had no right to call her out like he did. Then he made such a scene about it! The whole thing was so humiliating.” Yanli’s confession explained absolutely nothing.

They were pulling up to the gates of the estate now and Lan Xichen looked over to her while he waited for them to open. “I don’t know what it is he did, but I am sorry you had to experience it.”

The gates were open, he couldn’t just sit there blocking traffic. Lan Xichen was not ready for his time with Yanli to end, even if it was a bit awkward and fraught with landmines involving her relationship woes. Their progression up the winding drive was as slow as he could make it without being obvious. The sun had set and the shadows of the trees around them were dark. It created this quiet little atmosphere of isolation and intimacy within the car.

“You don’t have to drive to the door. It’s silly to drive there only to turn around and come back to park at your house.”

“I don’t mind. It’s dark out.” Xichen could spend that much more time with her if he drove her to the Yashi’s door.

“There are lights along the paths. If you’re worried, you can walk with me.” She was insistent and her hand touched his shoulder briefly. This was the most touching they’d ever done if he really thought about it. Did he have Jin Zixuan to thank for this?

“Are you sure?”

“I’m perfectly capable of walking five minutes down a path to my door, Lan Xichen.” She was grinning at him.

He could walk with her, they often did that as it was. The act wasn’t out of the ordinary and it would be only right that he saw her safely to the Yashi. Plus, a five minute walk would take longer than the thirty second drive between the Hanshi and Yashi. He gave her a small smile in return.

“A walk sounds good.” He pulled into the drive of the Hanshi and killed the engine. Yanli was already opening the door so he quickly got out and went around the vehicle to offer his arm to her.

“Such a gentleman.” She smiled again and Xichen began to mentally recite the precepts. He had been doing a lot of that tonight and it really wasn’t helping him.

“I feel as if you’re teasing me, Yanli.” She laughed softly and leaned against his side while they started to walk down the path toward the Yashi.

It was a companionable silence and their pace was slow and leisurely. Did she not want the walk to end? They often took a bit more of a brisk pace than this. Whatever the reason, Lan Xichen allowed himself to enjoy the moment. This wasn’t entirely covetous. He was being a good friend, that was all. Nothing improper was happening, no one could fault him for what they were doing. Why did he feel so guilty then?

“Thank you for tonight, Xichen. You didn’t have to come get me like that.” 

“I’ll always be there when you need help, Yanli.” The suave well-versed part of his soul was cringing at every word he uttered. He was behaving like a lovesick puppy.

When it came to Jiang Yanli, his ability to communicate seemed to suffer. Xichen was not an inexperienced man, he’d had small relationships before, though they’d never been serious and had never gone anywhere. Too often there was a difference in ideals and values that prevented him from taking a relationship any further than a few dates. He had always been able to speak well and not let his inner turmoil color his intentions with those encounters. 

Why did he struggle so much when it came to Yanli? The woman was enchanting and it made him want to be a better man for her. It made him critical of every response and hyper aware of his wants and desires. Ever since that first meeting up until this very moment, he had found fault in himself when it came to his dealings with the lovely woman.

She still thinks I’m her hero.

Xichen could see the porch light of the Yashi up ahead. His time with her today was nearly at an end. At least he hadn’t entirely made a fool of himself. She appreciated his efforts and thanked him. All he wanted to do was profess his intentions toward her, but Xichen restrained himself. He would not be the reason Jiang Yanli’s engagement ended, he couldn’t do that to her or that idiot Jin boy.

As they stepped onto the porch in companionable silence, he smiled warmly at her. “Here we are. Safe and sound.”

Yanli returned the smile, she was looking up at him with that warm expression he adored. Delicate fingers reached up to tease his hair again, brushing strands away from his temple. “You’re still full of bits of forest, Xichen. I’m worried about the trees now.”

She is engaged to someone else. I’m a Lan, I have restraint, I am in control. I will not shame myself or take advantage of her. Yanli is a better person than I am.

He took hold of her hand once more, more for his own sanity than anything else. If she kept touching him so casually, it was going to start something that he doubted she wanted. For Yanli’s part, the woman’s scent was more prevalent than he had ever remembered it being, and it was warm and inviting. 

“It was in the way, I didn’t want to leave you waiting.” Had they been in a relationship, he would have kissed her at that moment. Lan Xichen’s heart was racing as he wondered what her lips would feel like against his own. What was she thinking right now? Did she find him the least bit attractive?

“Do you want to come in for some tea?”

This was definitely a test! There was nothing he wanted more than to come in for tea and anything else she wanted to do. It took considerable effort to prevent his thoughts from taking a decidedly carnal turn at her offer. They were friends. This was not romantic, it was polite. He had no rights to the woman, nor should he be expecting anything from her at all.

“You aren’t tired?” He should refuse. Xichen should politely make his excuses and go home to have a very cold shower, right now.

“I don’t want to be alone, Xichen. It’s so quiet here.” Her words were enticing him to ignore what was proper.

“I am a bit of a mess, perhaps I should go…” Yanli had been touching him a lot to pick out bits of leaves and other debris.

“You can wash up here, can’t you?”

Xichen’s desire to growl and pull the woman close had to be firmly restrained. Did she know what she was saying? “Yanli…”

“Please, Xichen? Just for a little while? I don’t mind the mess.” Her fingers squeezed his hand and he only now realized he was still holding onto her.

A little visit and some tea wouldn’t hurt anything. They were friends, it was nothing more than that. He would chat with her, perhaps hear the whole story about the disastrous date with Jin Zixuan, and then he would go home. There was nothing wrong with visiting with the woman, nothing at all.

“I do enjoy a good cup of tea.” Lan Xichen relented, unwilling to make the lovely woman sad.

She smiled brightly and pulled at his hand, drawing him closer. “We have that in common.”

The sweet berries and lotus blossoms were stronger in the air now and Xichen’s own amber and mint scent escaped his control, wrapping around them and their private little moment. He couldn’t stop himself, he wanted just this one taste. This one moment to see if she felt anything for him at all. He would leave right after.

His free hand came up to cup her cheek and he bent down, closing the distance between them to kiss her softly. The entire time, Xichen’s heart was racing. Yanli was as warm and sweet as he’d imagined. Her eyes were wide with a bit of surprise at the meeting of lips, but she didn’t shove him away. By all rights, she should slap him. He was ready for that, Xichen had accepted that it was likely coming.

“Sorry, I couldn’t…I should go.” Xichen’s voice was rough as he pulled back. Turning to leave, Yanli’s grip on his hand tightened. 

“Don’t leave!” That sweet plea nearly did him in.

“Yanli…this was…I shouldn’t have done that.” He wanted another kiss, desperately so.

“Come in for tea, Xichen. Please?”

Did she not realize what he’d just done? He clearly wasn’t in control of his urges. This was not wise. Lan Xichen stood rooted to the spot, torn between his wants and desires and doing the proper thing. He could not be the cause of Yanli’s engagement falling apart. Not if he wanted a chance with the woman later on.

Surely she didn’t approve of his actions?

‘This isn’t a good idea. I’ve overstepped. I apologize.” Xichen firmly, yet gently, pulled his hand free from Jiang Yanli’s. “Goodnight, Yanli. Please forgive my actions.”

Turning abruptly, he started to retreat as quickly as he could without bolting. Xichen was chastising himself with every brisk step that carried him away from the woman of his dreams. The scent of sweet berries and lotus blossoms chased his memory and wouldn’t let go. He loved every bit about the woman and he treasured their time together. How could he be so stupid and risk it like that?

“Lan Xichen!” Her voice was sharp and right behind him on the path. 

He turned around just in time to catch her as she rushed up to him. They stumbled back on the path together, Xichen wrapping his arms protectively around Yanli’s smaller frame while her hands slid up around his neck, pulling his head down. She kissed him, boldly. There was passion and unspoken emotion, her scent filled his senses and it tore a hot growl from his throat as he returned the kiss. She tasted so damn sweet!

When they pulled apart, her lips were slightly swollen from the kiss and they were breathing heavily. “Stay with me, Xichen.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Chapter Text

Something was different about his brother. Lan Wangji had been staring at Xichen all morning while they took advantage of the warm day to practice yoga on the back patio of the Jingshi. The small stream gurgled and bubbled as it coiled around the far side of the house to meet with the large koi pond in the backyard. Blossoms had begun to steadily rain down off the tree leaving a layer of them in the water while the rest danced in the air all around the Jingshi. Every now and then one of the koi would splash at the surface or a bird would swoop in to bathe and drink at the water’s edge. They added their birdsong to the relaxed ambiance with perfect musicality.

It was a serene setting - perfect for centering one’s mind and going through various stretches and forms. The yoga Wangji was partaking in was tailored toward rebuilding strength and mobility in his shoulder. Xichen, however, was performing a one-armed handstand. While they both could do this pose for quite some time, it wasn’t often something that they started off with unless something truly troubling was plaguing their thoughts.

For his brother to do nothing but one-armed handstands, switching from one arm to the next, Wangji couldn’t help but wonder what had happened. The focused concentration was not to be dismissed. Xichen had his eyes set upon the boards beneath his palm, he hadn’t wavered in his gaze once. Since they’d started practicing together after the attack, Xichen often would watch Wangji to ensure he didn’t attempt something too strenuous too soon. Today his thoughts were elsewhere and that focus upon Wangji was not as diligent.

“Your posture is too rigid.” Wangji’s voice was calm and neutral, yet he could see the quiver in his brother’s arm, that was not normal.

“No it is not.” Lan Xichen’s response was tense.

“Yes, you are going to fall.” Wangji insisted.

He was on one foot, balanced in a relaxed eagle pose with his right leg lifted and crossed over his left. The foot was wrapped snugly around Wangji’s calf and his posture was straight and well balanced. His arms were crossed in front of him with palms pressed together and bent at the elbow as they were held up and away from his face. It was a pose designed to strengthen and stretch his shoulders and upper back. Wangji was being careful to not overdo it since muscles were still mending from the stab wound he’d received.

His balance was solid and his focus clear and unburdened. The same could not be said for his brother at all. Lan Xichen’s gaze snapped over to scrutinize him and his entire frame wobbled for a half a second. The only expression he had for his brother was one slightly raised eyebrow and the flat look in his eyes that was patiently waiting for Xichen to relent and admit the truth.

“I haven’t toppled over while doing this in years, Wangji. I’m just a little distracted, that is all.” Xichen was looking at the ground again, lips set in a grim line like he was forcing himself to find his center.

“If you cannot find serenity in that pose, perhaps you should try something less taxing.” Wangji shifted his stance, alternating to the other leg and crossing his arms in the opposing direction. 

“Your observation is noted, didi.” Xichen’s reply had amusement pulling at Wangji’s lips.

“You should heed my advice. Shufu would not be so lenient if he were to witness this.” His tone was smug, it wasn’t often that he could tease his brother so easily.

“Wangji, I’m perfectly capable of doing this without the critique.” Xichen was in the process of switching arms. 

“Mn.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I am merely agreeing, Xichen. You are capable, even when you perform the pose poorly.” What a rare treat indeed. His brother was even getting defensive.

It was a shame Wei Ying was missing this. He would have enjoyed testing the bounds of Xichen’s distracted state. His pregnant omega had taken a stroll over to the Yashi to visit with his sister this morning, however, and had yet to return. That left the task of needling his brother up to Wangji alone.

“I taught you this pose.”

“I believe I can perform that position better than you right now.” The calm retort seemed to upset his brother who snapped his eyes back up at him.

“You better not. Your shoulder isn’t ready for it.” Wangji flashed a genuine grin at Xichen and it startled his elder brother enough that he actually cursed and put both hands down to steady his balance before he truly did topple over.

“My right shoulder is perfectly fine. Shall I demonstrate, Xichen?”

“Absolutely not!” Lan Xichen growled in annoyance, another oddity when Wangji truly thought about it. 

His brother gave up the one-armed handstand, folding in half to set his feet on the boards and stand up. His face was warm with a pink flush from having been upside down for so long. Xichen swept his hands through his hair to push it back off his face. His clothing was rumpled and Wangji caught sight of the hickey before he could cover it up.

“I did not know you were seeing someone.” The remark was casually stated, but it made Xichen freeze and a look of absolute guilt swept over his face. Perhaps it was a good thing Wei Ying wasn’t here after all.

“What makes you say that? Bend your knee a bit more, you’re too straight.” Wangji calmly adjusted at his brother’s direction and exhaled slowly. His focus remained on Xichen.

“You could cover that mark with a scent patch fairly easily. It will prevent Shufu from asking questions.” He knew what a hickey looked like, Wangji had left plenty of them on Wei Ying and had received more than his fair share as well.

Fresh color washed over Xichen’s face and it prompted Wangji to finally let the pose go and stand straight. That flash of guilt was back and Xichen hastily pulled at his shirt so the mark was hidden once more. Whomever had left that hickey had either upset his brother in doing so or he was conflicted about his feelings for the person.

“Shall we take a break?” Lan Xichen moved over to the patio table to pour them both a cup of tea from the pot that was sitting on its tray.

“Xichen, you are clearly upset. It is just the two of us.” The invitation to talk about whatever was bugging him had been given.

Lan Wangji moved to sit down at the table opposite his brother and just watched him. Lan Xichen was a proud man with a habit of being too trusting at times. He always tried to see the best in everyone around him. While this led to him being far more relaxed and approachable, Wangji often worried it would be detrimental one day.

His brother frowned as he took a sip of the tea and let out a long frustrated exhale. “I fear I’ve overstepped. I’m not sure how to proceed.”

It was rare that Wangji would be the one to give relationship advice, he’d always been far more reserved of the two of them after all. Yet it was Lan Wangji who was engaged to be married with a child on the way. If anyone had advice about relationships, it had to be him, right? Whomever his brother had been with, it was clear it was not without conflict.

“You did not…force anything?” There was no way in heaven or hell that his brother would ever do such a thing, but Wangji wanted him to stop dancing around the issue and just tell him flat out what was going on. The best way was to fluster Xichen.

“What!? Absolutely not! I would never!” His brother was frowning.

“Then how did you overstep? Is your rut coming soon?” He hadn’t noticed a change in his brother yet, but Wangji had also lost track of time for several things due to all that had happened.

“I’ve involved myself with someone who is already spoken for. It has gotten…serious.” His brother was brooding into his cup while Wangji listened quietly. To hear Xichen admit to adulterous actions was unexpected.

“Do I know this person?” He had an idea, but it wasn’t proper to guess wildly. 

“Mn, you do, so I would appreciate your discretion.” Lan Xichen was truly struggling with how he should proceed.

“I cannot give advice if I do not know what transpired.” It was definitely a good thing Wei Ying was off visiting his shijie. This conversation would require listening more than reacting.

Lan Xichen sighed heavily and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I kissed Jiang Yanli. It got…heated.”

Wangji had been absolutely right and he was relieved Wei Ying wasn’t here. “Did you leave her with the same sort of marks you have?” Honestly, he was pretty sure he would have known by now because Wei Ying would have gone wild through the bond.

“I…don’t know. We didn’t do more than that! I stayed with her, but we didn’t…” He trailed off, clearly uncomfortable with the topic. 

“She is engaged, brother.”

“I know. That’s why it’s complicated.” Lan Xichen buried his face in his hands, shamed with guilt over the entire fiasco. His pheromones had become strained and sharp.

“Wei Ying does not have any fondness for her betrothed. He calls the man a peacock.” From the grim nod, he assumed Xichen knew the nickname well. “Does she care for the man?”

“They had an argument. I’m not sure, Wangji.”

This truly was a quandary. Both he and Xichen struggled with the beliefs and ideals of the Jin clan. With Jin Guangshan in charge, it had been an archaic outlook on a great many things. They dealt with the man and his business because it was profitable for their own. Both of them kept things strictly professional otherwise when it came to the pretentious natures of the Jin. Had it been up to Wangji, he would have vetoed the engagement between his future sister-in-law and the Jin boy.

“Did you not speak with her about it?” Really, he was one to talk, but he did have experience to know better now.

Meeting Wei Ying on a train and being intimate had been done with very little discussion or getting to know one another first. He’d ended up fathering a child in the process and only got to know about his beloved after the fact. If anything, it had taught him the value of talking about this sort of thing before it was too late.

“A-Xian was coming over, she forgot her phone in my car, so we didn’t know until he was almost there.” There was remorse in Xichen’s voice.

“Do not upset Wei Ying.” Wangji warned with a slight frown. He had to school himself to stop from getting defensive.

“I have no intention of angering A-Xian. I do need to talk with Yanli…I just haven’t found the right time.”

Lan Wangji reached for the teapot and refilled their cups. His brother was struggling, but what advice could he truly give? The woman was engaged, unless that was called off, the only thing he could do was guide Xichen away from getting in between the couple. This could go down many different ways. Part of Wangji was convinced that his mate would be overjoyed with the news. He’d all but suggested that first week that Xichen and Yanli should be together. Jiang Yanli was still Wei Ying’s sister, and the urge to defend her would be strong.

“She is a lovely woman, Shufu would approve of the match if it ever comes to it, as do I.” He sipped at the tea and tilted his head. “Provided she is no longer fated to be the bride of another, of course.”

“Yes, of course.” Silence descended between them.

Usually they were content in that silence, but with thoughts in turmoil and so much to mull over, it had an air of tension to it. Lan Wangji had been about to speak to try and break that tight sensation when his phone started to ring. The caller ID displayed a name he didn't expect - Wen Xu.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

“God A-Li! Why are my ankles so swollen!?” All he’d done was walk to the Yashi! It wasn’t that far! 

Jiang Yanli was adding pillows to a chair and setting it up in front of Wei Wuxian so he could keep his feet elevated. She just grinned at him shaking her head in amusement. He knew she’d make it all better so he just moaned and lamented his sore feet while waiting for her miracle.

“You’re pregnant, A-Xian, this is part of it.” Her tone was teasing.

He rolled his eyes and groaned as he flexed his feet to move his stiff ankles around. Everyone kept reminding him that he was pregnant. It was as if they thought he would forget he’d gotten fat and had a little monster rolling around in his belly. The past couple days had been a wild little game of waking up in the wee hours of the morning desperately needing to pee. Not even mealtimes were sacred anymore. Radish had tossed and turned so much that it had woken Wei Wuxian up with indigestion. For the first time in his life, spicy food had given him heartburn. It was so upsetting that he’d ended up scolding Radish for half the night.

“How do you know? You haven’t had kids.” His mulish response pulled another laugh from his shijie.

“I’ve spent a lifetime preparing to be a mother, I think I would know. I’ve heard it’s because your qi flow might be poor. I could make you some red bean soup.” His sister often listened to the old tales and beliefs about this sort of stuff, so he shouldn’t have been shocked. The part about food made him squirm in his seat though and he grinned.

“Would you? I bet that would help a lot!”

She snorted with her laugh and shook her head. “Glutton!”

“Shijie! I can’t help it! You’re such a good cook!” She was going to make it for him, he already knew that. The pout he gave her was for dramatic effect.

“How old are you, hmm?” Yanli reached out to tap the tip of his nose before moving over to the stove in the kitchen.

He’d found her in here this morning tidying up. It was a relief really because she hadn’t answered her phone at all. The kitchen was spotless so he wasn’t sure what she’d been scrubbing it for again. If he hadn’t known better, he would have suspected the damn peacock had been around. All he could detect were the usual scents though. 

There was the sweet berries and lotus blossoms of his shijie, his own spicy citrus, the minty amber of Lan Xichen, even a hint of the cedar tones that made up Uncle Lan’s scent. The only one that was fairly faint and lacking was Lan Zhan’s. It wasn’t totally surprising, his alpha had been in hospital for nearly a month so his presence was diminished in places he hadn’t often frequented. With the amount of cleaning Yanli was doing, maybe she was trying to air the place out.

“I’m younger than you, so you need to take care of me, shijie.” He proclaimed cheekily and sighed as he rubbed his swollen belly. Radish was going to wreck his body at this rate.

“Have you heard from A-Cheng? I tried to get a hold of him yesterday but he didn’t answer.” Her question was casual and curious, but it put Wei Wuxian on guard. 

“Oh! Yea I talked to him the night before last. He’s just really busy.” He hated lying, but he’d also promised Jiang Cheng that he wouldn’t spill his secret, not even to their sister.

It was only day two of his brother’s heat, there was no way he was through it yet and the less he was disturbed the better. Wei Wuxian had half a mind to ask Wen Qing about the whole thing since she seemed to be helping A-Cheng. At least then he’d be ready to deal with the aftermath, but honestly, what was there to do? The heat was the transition. Once it was done, he’d have an omega brother instead of a beta brother. It was that cut and dry for him.

“Too busy to come to my rescue last night it would seem.” Yanli was busily preparing the ingredients for her red bean stew. It looked like it was going to have orange peel in it too. Wei Wuxian's mouth was watering.

“Ahh? You needed rescuing?” It took a minute for him to catch up to what she’d said. “Weren’t you out with the peacock last night?”

Everyone had been insistent on knowing when Jin Zixuan came calling. Thankfully it wasn’t just Wei Wuxian being jealous, all the Lans were on guard as well. Jiang Yanli stiffened for a brief heartbeat and then frowned slightly. She didn’t answer his question. 

“What could possibly be keeping A-Cheng so busy? Is mother overworking him? I’m worried, A-Xian.” Not only was she not answering him, she’d completely ignored his question all together!

It made Wei Wuxian suspicious. “He’s just got a lot on his plate! I bet he didn’t mean to miss your call. What happened?”

“Maybe I should give A-Cheng a call again. I’ve barely seen him since he left the hospital with Nie Mingjue.” Her insistence was admirable.

“Shijie! He’s busy.”

Her expression was unimpressed. “Too busy for his only sister? Maybe we should go pay him a visit.”

“No!” Wei Wuxian winced as his heel smacked against the floor. He cleared his throat and squirmed a bit. “I mean, he’ll get back to us once he’s free, I’m sure of it. You know how he can be. The last thing I want is to get chewed out by Jiang Cheng for being a worry wart.”

Scents of stewing beans and the tangy bite of orange started to permeate the kitchen. “You can stay here if you’re afraid. I’m sure Lan Xichen would take me if I ask.”

Even though she suggested it, the idea seemed to make her blush. Wei Wuxian was instantly attuned to her every action. Something was up. The day was warm and sunny, yet Yanli was wearing a turtleneck with long sleeves. She didn’t look cold, there was a glow of perspiration around her hairline and she had pinned all of her hair up into a high bun to keep it out of the way. His shijie tended toward wearing multiple light layers of clothing  instead of one heavy layer like this.

A scowl started to form on his brow and his irritation grew as Radish started to flip and turn in his belly. It was like his baby was just as suspicious and ready to wreak havoc as Wei Wuxian was. If that damned peacock had hurt his shijie, there wouldn’t be a place in this world he could hide in that would be safe from Wuxian’s wrath.

“Did Jin Zixuan do something?” He was rubbing his hand soothingly against his belly to try and settle his little baby down.

“What makes you think that?” Yanli wasn’t looking his way at all, even though he was literally sitting at the kitchen table right in her line of sight.

“You needed rescuing last night. You went out on a date with him, so what’d he do? Why did you need saving?” He was not going to let this go. Wei Wuxian could do a lot of damage, even if he was pregnant. If he couldn’t, he could ask Xichen-ge since his Lan Zhan was still recuperating.

“It was just a disagreement, I decided to leave early and had to get a ride, that’s all.” If that was the only reason, why was she blushing so hard?

Yanli’s pheromones were steady and gave nothing away. She’d always been good at controlling her scent, better than Wei Wuxian by a huge margin. The soup was simmering now and she turned away from the stove to leave it be and faced him head on.

“Just say the word, shijie, if he steps out, I’ll tune him in.”

Jiang Yanli rolled her eyes and brought over a glass of water for Wei Wuxian. “You can barely walk a dozen steps without tripping over your own toes, A-Xian. Don’t worry about it, I got a ride home from Lan Xichen.”

More color heated her face, even though her scent hadn’t changed at all. Wei Wuxian’s eyes narrowed while his paranoia grew.

“Well then you won’t mind if I call him to get his side of the story.” He was already pulling his phone out.

“Wei Wuxian!” Yanli rarely called him by his full name. “Behave yourself! I’ll handle my own business, if I need your help, I’ll ask.” 

“You better…We can get Xichen-ge to beat his ass.” He grinned as Yanli’s eyes got big with shock. Something had definitely happened, he could feel it.

“Please let it go? Tell me more about A-Cheng’s work. What’s he doing that has him so busy?” The whole conversation was one massive deflection between the two subjects.

There was no way he could betray A-Cheng’s trust, not when he’d just reconciled with the man. Wei Wuxian let out a little huff and flailed, reaching for Yanli’s hand. If he couldn’t answer, he’d distract her.

“Ah! Quick! Radish is doing flips in my belly, I swear!” He put her hand on his stomach so she could feel his baby move around.

Xichen-ge had picked her up, so he probably knew more about what had happened. Inwardly, Wei Wuxian was a little miffed his shijie hadn’t called him to come save her, but he figured she was just being too kind again. Ever since his belly had popped and he was showing, everyone had become all kinds of considerate. No one wanted to hassle him with things they considered trivial. Uncle Lan was always counseling him to just take it easy and let them handle everything. If it had been a bad situation, Yanli probably made the right choice calling Xichen first. At least he could handle himself if that stupid peacock got too handsy.

“Oh A-Xian! Radish is so strong already!” Wei Wuxian grinned indulgently and nodded. As soon as she was close enough, he reached out and tugged at the turtleneck, exposing her neck. There was a bite mark on her throat, it wasn’t over the scent gland and it hadn’t broken the skin, but it was close!

“I knew it!”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

As it was his first time visiting the Lan estates, Wen Xu took his time to look around the Jingshi entry. There were a few things that stood out right away. It was tidy and tastefully lavish without being too much. There was an omega’s nest in the entry, and the Twin Jades were both giving him mixed expressions of wary curiosity. A-Sang stood next to him, yet he seemed a lot more comfortable with the atmosphere, it made him realize that his husband had likely visited a time or two.

Ever since A-Sang’s desire to transition had come up, Wen Xu was nervous to leave him alone. What if he did something stupid and found a way to force the change on his own? It was better to keep him close, plus it gave him the bonus of being able to pull A-Sang in for an embrace whenever the mood struck him. That was a perk he could get behind.

They’d been led through the house to the living room. There were not as many personal touches as he’d expected, but the presence of Wangji’s omega was obvious everywhere you looked. If there was a bright spot of color or an extra blanket or two, it was likely because of Wei Wuxian. A-Xu didn’t even know the man that well, he’d stayed out of the whole Wei obsession over the years, but he could see the impact and bright newness to these random bits easily. It was outside of the rest of the home’s look and feel. The cool clean tones and embellishments were all Lan Wangji, the rest was the omega.

“You said this couldn’t wait?” Considering Lan Wangji had almost died less than a month ago, the man was looking pretty healthy now.

Wen Xu nodded with a grim expression, arms folded over his chest while Huaisang pressed up against his side. They were sitting on a loveseat facing Lan Wangji and Lan Xichen in cushy looking chairs. Xichen had a pleasant smile and his darker eyes were curious and expressive. Lan Wangji was cooler, his brighter golden eyes hard and there was little to no emotion on his face whatsoever. Their pheromones were also tightly reined in, Wen Xu also did his best to contain his own - it was only polite after all.

“Yes, I wanted to wait until you’d recovered and we couldn’t have this conversation in the hospital. There are too many eyes and ears there.” A-Sang’s arm wrapped around his waist and he wrapped his own around his husband, pulling him flush against his side.

“Forgive my suspicion, however the Wen family has had ulterior motives in the past.” Lan Wangji wasn’t going to hold back at least. 

“Yeah, I get that. The old man is deluded and an ass and my idiot brother is nothing but a nightmare of hell. I want it known here and now that I’m on your side, alright? I had nothing to do with what happened in the past. If I had, it wouldn’t have gotten this far.” Wen Xu was pretty sure he could take them if he had to fight since Wangji was injured. It really wouldn’t do to trade blows when he’d come offering assistance, so it would be best to avoid it all together.

“You can trust my husband. A-Xu’s a man of his word.” Nie Huaisang spoke up in his defense and he couldn’t help but grin at him. 

Lan Xichen scrutinized them and gave a warm smile. “I’ve never had any reason to suspect Wen Xu would not honor his word, Huaisang. After everything that has happened, we are merely cautious.”

“Mn. Wei Ying is going to be home soon, so tell me what this is about?” Lan Wangji was definitely the less diplomatic one of the twin jades.

“It’s about the attack, and a few other things.” Wen Xu started and winked at A-Sang reassuringly. 

His husband had been quite nervous about this visit. Names had been a dangerous thing for his lover, so it was a given that he’d get jumpy. It was also Huaisang’s normal response to stressful situations. While the Lans had never done anything to A-Sang, Wen Xu knew his husband feared that they might one day. The beta was the first to admit that he was often too nosy for his own good.

“We’re listening.” Wen Xu grinned, he rather liked their firm stance.

“Your attacker wasn’t a random mugger. It was the old man’s henchman. I call him the spook, he’s dangerous but he’s not invincible by any stretch.” He could see they had a bunch of questions already, so he forged on ahead before they could speak. 

“It wasn’t Wen Ruohan who set him after you, that was my moronic brother. It seems he’s obsessed with your Wei Wuxian, just like the old man, and he was determined to get rid of you and take your omega away.” Wen Xu paused there, letting that tidbit settle in while he leaned back in the loveseat.

A-Sang was sniffing at his bracelet and A-Xu responded without thought, releasing his own comforting pheromones for his man. It was rather powerful, it had to be to do anything to Huaisang since he wasn’t able to easily sense pheromones. The second the pair of Lans caught his scent, he gave them an unapologetic nearly challenging stare. No matter what happened, he would do what he could to console the beta that had caught his heart. These two alphas were just going to have to deal with it.

“You’re saying the attack was premeditated?” Lan Xichen was speaking while Wangji stared at him hard.

“Yes. I beat the crap out of my shithead brother already and the old man’s got a tighter leash on the spook, so I doubt Wen Chao can use him again. He seems to think Wei Wuxian will have no one if he kills you.” Wen Xu jutted his chin toward Lan Wangji.

“A-Xu! We don’t know that.” Huaisang seemed nervous about there being a fight.

“Sure we do, Newbie. My brother’s not smart, he’s just a sadistic little fuck. This is exactly the kind of shit he’d pull.” He ruffled Huaisang’s hair affectionately and kissed the top of his head. 

Wen Xu was determined to not get riled while they had this talk. A-Sang was here because he was afraid to leave him alone right now, not because he wanted him to relive the nightmare stories of his family and their shitty past. He looked to Lan Wangji now and kept his focus locked on the man. 

“I humbly offer my apologies on behalf of the Wen clan. I’ve taken steps to punish my brother for his transgressions. If I was sure I could keep him from doing something dumb, I’d end the chat here, but I’ve decided to help you out. I know things about the past that you’ve been looking into.” A-Xu had even stood up briefly to bow to the Twin Jades. 

Wen Chao might not have respected the authority of the Lan, but he knew better. They were truly a powerhouse in their own right and not something to be casually dismissed. Bowing down in apology was the very least he could do in an attempt to mend fences so to speak.

Lan Xichen was looking between A-Xu and A-Sang with speculative consideration. Lan Wangji’s focus hadn’t strayed once. He and Lan Wangji were both dominant alphas, it was like they were vying for supremacy in the room. Wen Xu took his seat again and returned that steely gaze of Lan Wangji’s. 

The wounded Lan had yet to move a single muscle or change his expression. The challenge had been made, it would end when one of them finally relented. As much as he didn’t want to, A-Xu knew he was likely going to be the one backing down first. Fucking Wen Chao, this was that asshole’s fault. The only one who was really aware of the standoff was Lan Xichen, but he thankfully wasn’t making any alarmed responses.

“Your brother tried to have me killed. Why is your family so focused on my mate?” Lan Wangji’s words were clipped with tension.

Wen Xu sighed and relented, breaking eye contact first to acknowledge Lan Wangji as the superior alpha and gave a casual shrug. “It has to do with Wei Wuxian’s mother mostly. You sent my A-Sang to dig for information. He knows all this, and I told him not to tell you because it wasn’t safe at the time, so don’t get any strange ideas about him betraying you. He was honoring his husband, understand?” 

It was another challenge and he had really been trying to hold back on doing that, but when it came to A-Sang, he was protective.

Nie Huaisang started to squirm at his side, but he said nothing. Instead, the beta’s small hand was sliding lightly over A-Xu’s shirt clad stomach. It made him want to take the man home and do dirty dirty things to him. The longer these staring contests lasted, the more he wanted to defend his chosen mate. It was going to get nasty if they didn’t knock it off soon.

“We understand, I would never assume Huaisang would withhold information out of spite either.” Lan Xichen spoke up first, and Wen Xu took his reassurance at face value.

“Good, so here’s what you need to know. Wei Wuxian’s mother is the daughter of the lord of Yiling. She was part of the nobility but she gave up her titles to marry Wei Changze. The fact that she did this is why the old man’s obsessed with the Wei clan.” Surprise could be seen on both Lans. It made Wen Xu grin.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Listening to Wen Xu fill in the gaps had been a mixed bag of thoughts and feelings for Lan Wangji. Part of him was thrilled to finally have mysteries solved, yet there was part of him that was upset and enraged. He wanted to feel these emotions viscerally and act upon them, however, he also did not want to upset Wei Ying. From what he could tell through their shared bond, Wei Ying was causing his usual amount of chaos. First, he was suspicious, then amused, then suspicious all over again followed by smug elation. 

He was clearly interrogating his sister over something, likely the date she’d gone on with her betrothed. Learning how to shield Wei Ying from his emotional responses was something he had not mastered yet, so it meant he resorted to meditative thoughts while he absorbed information quietly. There would be time to act later. For now, not stressing his pregnant mate was the priority.

“Apologies, Wen Xu, but let me see if I understand this properly.” Lan Xichen was taking the lead with questions for now, which let Wangji have more time to find his calm center. “Cangse Sanren is Wei Wuxian’s mother, and she is the missing Xiao Meiying?” 

Xiao Meiying was a well known aristocrat due to the mystery of her disappearance. She had been the heir apparent for the titles associated with the lord of Yiling. It was a prominent family within the nobility and they claimed that Xiao Meiying was the direct descendant of the last emperor nearly a hundred years prior. 

The lord had remarried so all of Xiao Meiying’s siblings had less claim to the title of monarch than she did. Yet twenty-five years ago, she’d announced she would abdicate and disappeared within the same day. No one had seen or heard from her ever since. The lord of Yiling had offered rewards for her whereabouts and several very high-profile searches had been conducted over the years. None of them had amounted to anything.

Wen Xu nodded and picked up a cup of tea that had been poured for him, taking a sip of it. Nie Huaisang was nodding alongside his husband. “I had a hard time with it at first, but really, Xichen-ge, that’s the least shocking part!”

“Mn.” Wangji’s response was clipped short while he just listened and stared down the Wen alpha.

“Ah, yes. You mentioned affairs. Yu Ziyuan and Wen Ruohan…Is Yanli safe?” His brother was quite concerned with the eldest Jiang.

“Safe from harm? Most likely. The old man made Wen Chao and I stay away from her, just in case.” Every word uttered from Wen Xu was casual and easy, as if this were a common story in his household. “The only purpose she serves in the bastard’s eyes is a way to control the poisonous Jiang bitch. He’ll threaten her with revealing the possibility of Yanli’s parentage, but no one knows for sure.”

“Tell me about the murder.” Wangji had been quiet long enough. He wanted details.

Wen Xu looked at him and nodded. “You look like you want to commit your own murder, so let me just say this first. If you need to, you can hit me later. Just…contain yourself around my husband, understand? This all happened long before I was born so I had no part to play but I’ll be the punching bag if required and only if you promise to keep A-Sang out of it.”

“A-Xu!” Nie Huaisang seemed to take issue with this offer, and while Wangji also wasn’t about to lash out indiscriminately, he was impressed with the man.

“Shhhh, Newbie. My family’s done his mate wrong on so many levels. Someone’s got to pay for it.” Wen Xu gave his husband’s thigh a pat and looked back to Wangji expectantly.

“I am not in the habit of attacking my guests. I do want to know the details before Wei Ying returns home. If it is too upsetting, I want time to find a way to soften the information.” He had yet to tell Wei Ying anything they’d discovered. Every time the opportunity came up, he worried it would be too much and endanger both Wei Ying and their little Radish.

Wen Xu gave a little nod and his eyes shifted away from Wangji and to his left while recalling the details. The man was being truthful at least. “Yu Ziyuan is a piece of work, she murdered Cangse Sanren in cold blood. She was jealous about how old Fengmian kept spending time with her and helping them. The excuse she gave my old man was that she thought he’d been having an affair with the woman. Knowing how she was with my father, I think that was her guilt talking for her.”

Wen Xu took another sip of his drink and continued calmly, laying out the details of how Yu Ziyuan had confronted Cangse Sanren one night at the Wei family home in the old part of town. She threatened her with the knowledge of her true name and origin, promising to reveal her whereabouts to the world if she didn’t back off. Cangse Sanren was already dealing with being pursued by her father and Wen Ruohan who’d had ideas about the woman’s potential to return the nobility to true power. When her back was turned, Yu Ziyuan had stabbed her and continued to stab her until she resembled Swiss cheese. Then she panicked and called Wen Ruohan for help.

“The Yiling lord was looking for her?” Wangji interrupted again, wanting to get the facts straight. It helped him picture the incident in his mind. Where had Wei Ying been when this happened?

“Yes, she abdicated, but he hadn’t exactly accepted or expected her to disappear and cut all ties as a result. The thought was that she’d stay in touch with her father and the aristocracy, but she chose to fully disappear. Xiao Meiying was favored by the family, including the old biddy that calls herself an empress. She was anticipated to be the successor and the best hope for the nobility to have a resurgence.” It was a miracle that Wen Xu knew as much as he did, but it might have had something to do with the fact that he was set to inherit the Wen family fortunes.

“You are telling me that Wei Ying’s adoptive mother murdered his birth mother while knowing she was the daughter of nobility?” His tone was colored with his disbelief.

“The Meishan Yu clan isn’t the brightest. They pinned their hopes on a solid match and forced Yu Ziyuan to get in with any of the big five families. My asshole father was only using her and flat out refused to entertain marriage, so the parents encouraged her to go for Jiang Fengmian. They had issues with the Lan clan and the Nie and Jin heirs were already married.” Wen Xu wasn’t hesitating in any of the answers he gave.

“What happened after she attacked Cangse Sanren?” Wangji’s grip on the armrest of his chair was fierce. It was holding him in place.

“That’s when the spook got called in.”

“The guy who stabbed you.” Nie Huaisang supplied helpfully. They still had not heard this assailant’s true name, and it irritated Wangji.

“Yeah, the spook showed up and was looking for the kid when Wei Changze returned home. He saw his beloved wife in a pool of her own blood and did what any man would do. He held her body and tried to save her. So the spook came up behind him and snapped his neck.” Wangji couldn’t repress his snarl of outrage. Wen Xu stopped talking and looked at him steadily while Lan Xichen cleared his throat.

“The news reported it was a car accident, but the wounds you’re describing…” Xichen frowned as he spoke. “They would have been noted as suspicious. There was nothing like that in the reports.”

Wangji was grateful Xichen was there. At least the important things were being addressed while he wallowed in the knowledge of what his poor Wei Ying had suffered. None of this was something that had ever come up in all their conversation since they’d been together. Was it possible he truly had no knowledge of the murder?

“Cops are easy to buy, all the spook had to do was put their bodies in a car and put a brick on the gas pedal and let nature do the rest. The cover-up after that was pretty simple.” Wen Xu hadn’t taken his eyes off Wangi.

“Where was Wei Ying?” His abrupt question had Xichen halting mid-sentence and they both looked expectantly toward Wen Xu.

The alpha chuckled and leaned back in the chair. Nie Huaisang was biting his lip nervously and he elbowed his husband in the side to try and make him talk faster. Even a beta could read the tension of the room in that moment. 

“I didn’t know until yesterday, actually.” Wen Xu drawled lazily. “Turns out he was with my gunainai the night of the attack. He was what…three? The Wei family were Wen Daiyu’s neighbors. Your mate had a tendency to wander around at that age. He ended up in her yard trying to get walnuts out of the tree in her garden. Good thing he did, otherwise the spook would have either killed him or worse.”

The arm of Wangji’s chair cracked and came loose. It was a cushioned leather recliner with thick padded armrests. The sound had silenced further explanation and had made Nie Huaisang squeak with worry. Wangji’s rage had hit a boiling point and he couldn’t contain it. The second Wei Ying started to pay attention to his elevated temper, Wangji felt it through their shared bond.

“Wei Ying is alarmed, he will be home shortly.” Standing up as smoothly as he could, Lan Wangji paced out of the room. Whatever the situation may have been back then, there was no way he would allow it to happen again, not to Wei Ying.

The mere fact that the man who’d been sent to deal with Wei Ying’s parents was still alive and breathing had Wangji’s gut roiling. His family was in danger from outside forces with stupid aspirations at heart. None of these titles or ranks meant a thing to Lan Wangji. He could not fathom why it was the reason everything had happened. Jealousy had sparked the catastrophic loss of Wei Ying’s parents and set him on the path toward years of abuse and torment at the hands of his mother’s murderer. Where was the justice?

Anger was simmering in his heart and he couldn’t find a way to safely vent it. Wei Ying was alarmed. Even trying to reassure him through their bond wasn’t working. His pheromones were sharp and powerful. It was why he’d stepped out of the room. He and Wen Xu had been testing one another’s authority this entire time, they did not need to come to blows over it. If he listened closely, Wangji could hear Xichen speaking with Wen Xu, asking for more details. 

Perhaps it was better if his brother heard it first. He would be able to soften the blow when he explained it to him later. Lan Wangji opened the front door of the Jingshi and stepped outside for fresh air. He waited for Wei Ying to appear down the path that led toward the Yashi. The family precepts were flowing through his mind as he tried to focus upon them, willing himself to not allow the fury take hold within his soul.

What mattered was that Wei Ying was safe and here with him now. Did he have to explain it to his love? Could he keep this from Wei Ying? There had been more than enough suffering in his life, surely he didn’t need to know the truth of the past as well? Unfortunately, there was going to be no way to avoid the inquiry. Wangji’s temper had upset his omega greatly, it would not be let go without a detailed explanation.

Two figures emerged from the mouth of the tree-lined path. Jiang Yanli was talking soothingly to Wei Ying and holding his arm to steady him. Every time she tried to slow him down, Wei Ying would whine and growl at her. He had one hand on his stomach and when he saw Lan Wangji he let out a little sound that was a mix between confusion and relief before tearing his arm free of his sister’s hold and rushing across the drive. 

Lan Wangji met him on the foot bridge over the stream, wrapping his arms around his mate. It pulled at his left shoulder and stung, but he didn’t care. He just needed to hold his beloved and inhale his spicy citrus scent. Burying his nose in the crook of Wei Ying’s neck he groaned as the scent filled his senses.

“Wei Ying…” There was nothing else he could say, not yet.

“Lan Zhan!? What’s wrong? What happened?” Worry had soured his scent slightly, but his mate was doing his best to be a pillar of support at that moment.

“A-Xian! Wangji, I’m so sorry, I didn’t want him to fall…Oh!” Jiang Yanli sounded winded and a little embarrassed.

“I love you, Wei Ying. Always.” Wangji’s voice sounded rough, even to his own ears, but he had to say it. He needed it known before anything else was said. 

“I love you too, gege. What’s wrong?” Wei Ying’s hands were gently stroking up and down Wangji’s back. It was so sweet and precious. If this spook had succeeded all those years ago, Wangji would never have gotten to experience this kind of love.

“They will pay for what they have done…” A sob escaped Wangji. It was such a broken sound of anguish as he clung to his mate.

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

To say Wei Wuxian was alarmed was an understatement! Never had he ever heard this kind of sound from his alpha. It was beyond upsetting and he squeezed his arms tightly around Lan Zhan’s torso. What in the hell had happened?!

“Lan Zhan, what’s going on? Why are you crying? I’m right here, gege.” Glancing over at Yanli he mouthed Xichen’s name to her and raised his brows questioningly.

He and his brother wouldn’t come to blows, and nobody was missing as far as he knew. Wei Wuxian had left Lan Zhan that morning with Xichen-ge to do yoga while he poked fun at his shijie. Was it Uncle Lan? Did something happen to Shufu? Why would Lan Zhan be promising vengeance?

Thankfully his shijie understood and she took off toward the Jingshi to look for Lan Xichen. It gave Lan Zhan time to either lose it entirely or regain his composure. Wei Wuxian’s neck was damp with his alpha’s tears, which was shocking all on its own. Hoping to find some kind of clue, he looked around the front yard and noticed the unknown car parked in the drive. It wasn’t one of Lan Zhan’s, so they had visitors? 

“Aiyo! Lan Zhan!” He pulled back to try and make his alpha look him in the eye. The sight of those molten-gold eyes shimmering beneath a layer of unshed tears almost did him in on the spot. “Even Radish is worried! Tell me what’s wrong?”

“I am afraid it will hurt you and Radish, Wei Ying.” The confession had his fear ramping up into high gear.

“Hurt me? How?” With a tug he pulled Lan Zhan toward the little gazebo next to the stream in the front gardens. His alpha followed without hesitation and sat when directed.

“Stress is not healthy for you, Wei Ying.” Lan Zhan was looking up at his face, wildly focused upon him. 

It made Wei Wuxian blush for some reason and he started to wipe at Lan Zhan’s face with his sleeve to dry away the tears. “Well I hate to tell you this, but I’m stressed, gege. You have me all twisted up with worry. Is Shufu alright? Who’s here?”

Taking hold of Lan Zhan’s hand, he set the alpha’s palm upon his rounded stomach so he could have that physical connection to their unborn baby. It was the only way he could think of to ground and calm his stoic lover. Whoever the fuck had done this, they were going to get a piece of Wei Wuxian’s mind. He was going to go full Ahab on someone’s ass if he had to.

“You are my miracle, Wei Ying. No one should suffer like you have. I will make them pay for what they have done. I swear it.”

What. The. Hell?!

“Hey! Lan Zhan!” Taking a page out of his mate’s book, Wei Wuxian tipped his man’s chin up and looked deep into his eyes. “What is going on?”

His alpha was struggling. Wei Wuxian could see it plain as day. There was a tremor in his body, the jaw was clenched and his eyes were set in a determined grim way. Wei Wuxian sat in the man’s lap, doing everything he could think of to distract him from his morbid thinking. He thought it was working a little bit.

The only other thing he could really think of doing was to purr and scent the man. So that’s what he did. The sound was a soft continuous rumble of noise while he rubbed his neck along his mate. Spicy citrus filled the immediate area and it was full of soothing love and comfort. It was working at least. The longer he kept at it the less upset Lan Zhan felt through their shared bond. He kissed his mate softly while switching to scent on the other side of his neck and was stopped by Lan Zhan’s big palm cupping his face.

“I should not have upset you like this. Forgive me?”

Wei Wuxian grinned at him with mild amusement. “Nothing to forgive, you’re allowed to feel stuff you know.”

Lan Zhan pulled Wei Wuxian closer, pressing their foreheads together. Warm sandalwood with its fresh earthy undertones started to blend with his own scent and it made him purr even more. He loved how their pheromones melded perfectly together like this. It was more comforting than almost anything else.

“I know who attacked us.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

“Jiejie, are you alright?”

“I’m fine. Why do you ask?”

Wen Ning frowned at his sister while she took blood samples from him at the kitchen table in her apartment. It was pretty obvious why he was asking, at least he thought it was obvious. Wen Qing had always been protective of him, but this was a little overboard wasn’t it? When he really thought about the whole scenario, Wen Ning had to admit that it wasn’t the first time A-Qing had gotten like this. It was why he hadn’t given her more of a hard time about it.

She had never resorted to doing bloodwork in her house, which made this a first. She was a scientist, and that made it fine, at least he hoped it did. The last thing he wanted was for his jiejie to get in trouble because of him. Wen Qing was on to her fourth vial of his blood and A-Ning winced when the needle shifted in his arm a bit. She looked up at him apologetically.

“You’re sure everything is good?”

“A-Ning, I’m fine. I told you, I needed a baseline for the project I’m working on.” She was annoyed, he could hear it and he could sense it.

It didn't work to push his jiejie when she wasn’t ready or willing to talk. He’d long since learned that A-Qing only told him stuff on her terms. There had been one frustrating attempt to use his voice on her to force the issue. It had backfired terribly and A-Qing had given him hell for a week afterward. Wen Ning sighed as the needle was removed from his arm and held the cotton ball to the injection site. At least the tough part was over.

“Alright, now you do me.” 

“W-What?!” Wen Ning blinked rapidly at his jiejie.

She gave him a pointed stare and wrapped the rubber band around her own upper arm. “Look, it’s tough to do the blood draw with one hand, and you were doing great in nursing school until you took a break. This is something you know.”

“Y-yeah, but I st-stopped for a reason!” Past trauma started to resurface in his mind as all the horrible memories of his nursing school days came to the forefront. 

Wen Ning had discovered he struggled with the panicked pheromones of patients. Up until that moment, he’d been motivated and quite dedicated to his studies. He was a top student for his class, yet none of that mattered when he couldn’t work with upset people. It became classified as a type of pheromone rejection syndrome and he was left with the knowledge that working with people was not going to be something he could always easily do. 

Wen Qing gave him a patient look. “I’m your sister, I trust you. Besides, this is nothing. You know how to draw blood.”

He did, it wasn’t hard. A-Ning had just not expected this turn of events. What kind of baseline did she need for her project? A recessive alpha and a beta? It didn’t make sense.

“You don’t like needles.” He was stalling, he knew it and so did A-Qing. 

“Nobody does. Just do it already. C’mon.” She was smacking the inside of her elbow while she made a fist a couple times. “It’s all ready for you.”

Wen Ning frowned at his jiejie but he moved to the task like he was born to it. The whole process was honestly not that involved, and thankfully A-Qing was a beta with no pheromones to speak of. Doing her blood draw was something he could have performed in his sleep if he so desired, not that he did or anything weird like that. Pulling on a pair of gloves, he bent to the task, albeit nervously.

“Are you going to explain why you need your own blood? What kind of project is this, jiejie?” He was already almost done, switching the second vial for a third.

“Remember how mama died?” Wen Qing was looking up at him with calm determination.

“Her heart gave out. Are you worried ours will do that too?”

A-Qing’s lips pursed for a minute. This was her thinking face. The narrowed eyes and stern expression paired with the tensed lips. It was as if she were physically restraining herself from spilling every thought in her head. Finally, she nodded. 

“It has to do with it, yes. I found a connection between mama’s old doctor and a new patient.” She was being hesitant, he could tell she was debating how much to divulge.

“You don’t have patients, jiejie.” Stating the obvious usually worked to make her keep going.

“Not officially, no. I help omegas…” He knew that, he’d often helped her with some of that stuff. “This one was forced to change to an omega, because of a drug.” 

Wen Ning frowned with worry. “I didn’t k-know that was possible.”

“Look, A-Ning, it’s important you don’t say anything, alright? I’m just making sure this doctor didn’t mess with our family.” Wen Qing was using her super serious tone.

The fact that she thought someone could be drugged into being forced to transition was alarming enough as it was. The concept of bitching had been around since the dawn of mankind. It was a natural biological change that could be initiated in a few ways, but the caveat was always that the one being changed was willing. A lot of people thought they could force it, and sometimes it was through dirty manipulation, but it was never truly against the recipient’s will.

Alphas and betas had been fooled into thinking they should do it, then they were stuck in their new transitioned place unable to take it back. Some did it naturally with the desire to have a family with their companions and others simply thought it was what they truly needed to be. Thankfully it couldn’t be done easily in any of those situations, which gave everyone time to really consider the whole process before going through with it.

If there was a drug that could force it, all the normal societal norms went out the window. It would open up so many new dangers to everyone. He frowned, switching to the fourth vial. “What does this have to do with mama?”

Wen Qing was quiet long enough that he thought she wouldn’t answer. “I think she was used as a test subject. I think that’s what killed her.”

Wen Ning looked up at her with shock. “S-so you want to see if…”

“If we were also used like lab rats, yes.” He was finished taking the blood and smoothly disposed of the needle, passing her a cotton swab. “A-Ning, you’d have been a fantastic nurse, you know. I hardly felt the pinch of the needle.”

He looked down, busily taking off the gloves and cleaning up. It left her to label the vials and they both took the time to mull over the idea of being test subjects. What made her think they were part of this mess in the first place? Was it just the name? If he really thought about it, neither of them had presented as expected. 

Everyone had thought A-Qing was an alpha from the day she was born right up until she presented. They’d also thought A-Ning would have been an omega, but he’d shocked them all. Their temperaments didn’t match what they were. If it had been just one it would have been thought as unique, but both of them? Maybe there was something to this theory. 

“How long?” Wen Qing was already setting up her little experiments and typing samples.

“Hmm? Well if it’s the drug, it’ll show in our genetics, so a day or two?” She shrugged. “Whatever my patient got, it was a refined version. If I’m right, we were the first batch of subjects, which is why it didn’t work right. You were nearly a success.”

His sister rarely filled in the blanks when she was focused. She was brusque and to the point, but she wouldn’t just hand over information freely either. “Is that…why you have all this here?”

“It isn’t a legal drug and I don’t know how fast I’d get shut down if I looked into it officially.” Well, that answered that.

“Jiejie?”

“Hmm?”

“I think someone has been following me lately.” Normally he wouldn’t have said anything and just dismissed it as him being overly cautious. Knowing all of this now, he wasn’t quite so sure that it was simple paranoia.

“What?! When? Who? Now?” Wen Qing’s head snapped up so fast he was worried she’d give herself whiplash. Immediately she left her microscope to check the front door locks, then went all around the apartment closing blinds and drapes. “A-Ning! Explain!”

He flinched and fidgeted with his hands for a minute. “Well, people have been asking about Wei Wuxian ever since he left Lotus Pier…” He warily watched her as she growled at nothing in particular.

“Th-there were these two men. I’ve never m-met them before. They asked about A-Xian…but I think I’ve seen them since then. This woman has been visiting too…She’s asked about you and father.”

“A-Ning, where have you seen these people?” Wen Qing had moved to stand in front of her brother to dominate his focus.

“At my apartment…and at work.” She was clearly alarmed so he was hesitant to give details now.

“When, A-Ning? When did you see them last? Did they give their names?”

“The man was nice. H-he wants to meet A-Xian. The lady…she is strange, jiejie.” Granny had approved of him not telling these people anything, but they kept popping up now.

He’d finally caught sight of the two men again at a coffee shop he and Wei Wuxian used to frequent quite often. They’d been pleasant and greeted him, but hadn’t pressed for more information about Wei Wuxian’s whereabouts. The one inquired after his health, but that was about it. He was beginning to second guess his reservations about not telling them stuff.

The woman, on the other hand, had made him wary and nervous. Wen Ning’s paranoia had gained wings because of her and he was cautiously watching dark corners and shadowy things because of this stranger. The first time around, it’d all been about Wei Wuxian, but her interest shifted to him a week or so later. She was overly interested and he didn’t like it at all. Then it had shifted to asking after his jiejie and father. Wen Ning had firmly told her to leave him be after that and she’d just been hovering at the end of the block now and then ever since.

“A-Ning! Names! Did they tell you who they were?” Wen Qing was furious, but not at him, she was doing the angry protective thing.

“Just one name! I swear! I was t-trying to avoid them! It’s Cai Ming. Do you know it?” Wen Qing had stopped pacing and her face had paled. “Jiejie?”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

“There was an employee who worked for us that recently committed suicide.” 

Lan Xichen had opted to get as much information as he could from Wen Xu while the man was here. With Wangji out cooling off and likely intercepting A-Xian, he had time to ask about the things he hadn’t yet discussed with his brother.

Nie Huaisang’s eyes widened slightly and he started to snap his fingers. “Oh! I heard about that! Su something…Su Minshan right?”

While it shouldn’t surprise him anymore, every time the younger Nie knew all of these kinds of things, it made Xichen wonder how the man got his information. He simply nodded at the name and frowned with concern. This was a matter that was extremely delicate.

“Yes, he’d tried to seduce Wangji at the office. A-Xian nearly killed him. He left a note citing remorse for his actions as the reason for his death, but I find it very suspicious. The timing is too convenient. Su Minshan had a fixation with my brother, there was a shrine of sorts in his home. I’ve been taking care of his personal affairs since he had no family to do so and I found something.” Pausing, Xichen focused on the pair of men. 

“Well, I don’t recognize the name, but that doesn’t mean much. Wen Chao somehow managed to get the spook to attack your family without the old man’s consent.” Wen Xu answered. It was clear he was waiting for details to try and fill in the blanks as best he could.

“A shrine? He was a stalker? I guess that fits though…” Nie Huaisang trailed off lost in thought and it actually irked Xichen. How had he pegged the man as a stalker so easily?

“Mn, I found some hidden documents and pictures. I haven’t gone through the flash drive yet, but there are images of Jin Guangshan and Wen Ruohan together along with others. There are names I don’t recognize. Have either of you heard of a person named Meng Yao?” How much could he reveal to the couple? Huaisang had been helping from the very beginning, but was Wen Xu’s motivation to help genuine or would it wane?

“Oh! I know that one!” Nie Huaisang was grinning and Wen Xu snorted in displeasure.

“You know too many names, A-Sang. I’m not sure I like it.”

“A-Xu! It was a hobby! You’re the only one I…” Lan Xichen cleared his throat, trying to keep them from losing themselves in some romantic platitude exchange. “Oh, right! Meng Yao is one of Jin Guangshan’s bastards.”

His name being with the images of the pair of men made more sense now, at least. Perhaps Wen Ruohan was blackmailing Jin Guangshan? It was no secret the man had mistresses, but he hadn’t heard of any illegitimate children before now. It was assumed that the Jin patriarch had always taken pains to ensure there were no accidents.

“What were the documents you found?” Wen Xu seemed less impressed with the revelation of an illegitimate child. 

Xichen shrugged, shaking his head. “To be honest, I’m not entirely sure. It looks like a money laundering ledger. I don’t know why Su Minshan would associate it with Wangji, but he’d written angrily about how it was targeting his alpha. The only alpha he was fixated with was my brother.”

Wen Xu scratched at his jaw while he considered this revelation. “Well, you need to remember, Wen Ruohan thinks that Wei Wuxian is the key to becoming the next emperor. He’s been fixated on Xiao Meiying and her bloodline his entire life. If Lan Wangji is in the way, he’s going to get rid of him in any and every way possible. Murdering you Lans has never gone over well for the Wen family so he’s probably trying to frame him.”

“Murder?” A decidedly feminine voice rang through the room and three pairs of eyes shot to the entry. Jiang Yanli stood there, wide eyed with shock. 

“Yanli!” Lan Xichen stood immediately, a flush rising up his neck.

How much did she hear?

Images of last night flitted through his consciousness and he cleared his throat awkwardly. Her demeanor was a far cry from what had been vividly teasing his memory all day. She was guarded and clearly concerned. With a true omega’s delicate figure, Yanli had her arms protectively crossed over her middle. What was he supposed to say to explain their discussion? If she’d even just heard the last part…it was more than too much. Her dark eyes were moving between the trio, and they focused on Xichen last, clear confusion and inquiry in her expressive face.

“So this is Jiang Yanli? I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m Wen Xu.” The other alpha stood and Huaisang followed suit quickly. “This is my husband, Nie Huaisang.”

She frowned at the couple, taking the measure of Wen Xu in particular. Lan Xichen couldn’t help but observe the pair trying to see if there were any familial resemblances at all. Could she be Wen Ruohan’s daughter? Did it really matter? The way his inner alpha had responded to her presence with the urge to protect had also added to his muddled thoughts. They’d gone too far last night, and not far enough all at the same time. Did she regret it? She must have come with A-Xian to the Jingshi.

“Wangji must have really upset A-Xian.” If they didn’t discuss the murder comment, would she let it go?

“They’re outside. Why is a Wen here talking about murder?” The way she spat out the family name was shocking. Xichen had never heard her use open hostility in any form.

To his credit, Wen Xu just chuckled. “I see my family has already left their impression on you. My old man might not have a lot of scruples, but I do.”

“A-Xu! Can’t you see she’s upset?” Nie Huaisang hissed and stepped forward with a rosy blush on his face. “I’m sorry, my husband is a little cocky sometimes. He uses casual language when it comes to business.”

Xichen listened with a bit of awe as Huaisang spun a tale about how Qishan Industries was trying to enact a hostile takeover of Cloud Recesses Incorporated and Wen Xu was determined to prevent it. He’d managed to make it sound like the murder his husband spoke of was about removing competitive business obstacles and not about ending real genuine lives. Did they have a right to lie to Jiang Yanli?

This whole mess revolved around her family and surely she had a right to know some of these things, didn’t she? He did not like lying to her, she deserved to know. “Stop…Yanli, he’s not telling the whole truth.” 

She frowned at Nie Huaisang who shrank back a bit, which made Wen Xu shake his head and he wrapped his arm around his husband to pull him close. Lan Xichen ignored the couple and looked at her with genuine sincerity, his heart beating too fast in his chest. They’d confessed feelings last night, they’d done things, he could not withhold something so important now.

“I’m listening. If you’re worried about A-Xian, he’s consoling your brother outside.” In other words, they had time.

“Come, sit down. It’s a long story.” They waited for her to take a seat, she eyed the broken recliner and opted to sit in the one Lan Xichen had vacated instead. 

“Am I starting from the beginning again?” Wen Xu asked casually as he took his seat and pulled Huaisang into his lap.

“Yes, tell her everything you told us, all of it.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

This was big news. Really big news. For the last few weeks, Wei Wuxian had been trying to make sense of the whole attack. If it was a random mugging gone wrong, why had the guy gone for it with three alphas there? So much hadn’t made sense at the time, but now…Now they knew who was responsible.

“Wen Chao tried to have you killed?” There was a hot sliver of anger working its way down Wei Wuxian’s spine as Lan Zhan nodded. 

The tears had ceased and they were quietly resting together. Wei Wuxian was straddling Lan Zhan’s lap as he sat upon the bench in the gazebo. His gorgeous alpha was looking at him with absolute seriousness and sincerity. Strong fingers gently stroked up and down his back and Lan Zhan’s other hand was resting gently on Wuxian’s hip.

“He seems to think you belong to him. I am in his way.”

“Why the hell does he think that?” Wei Wuxian was beyond perplexed.

Wen Chao had always been an irritant and someone that Madam Yu had been happy to invite over on occasion, much to Wei Wuxian’s displeasure. She’d always had mixed reactions to his presence though. Whenever it came to him being around his siblings, Yu Ziyuan would be hostile and defensive with Wen Chao. When it was just Wei Wuxian, she was more cordial with the horrible man.

“What do you remember of your birth parents, Wei Ying?” Lan Zhan had reached up to tuck strands of hair behind his ear.

“My mama was always smiling, I remember that. People say I’m like her the most. My baba was quiet I think. I remember him holding me while I rode a donkey once, I think we’d gone to a petting zoo?” The memories were hazy from the passage of time. He’d been so little when he lost his parents.

“Do you remember their names?” Lan Zhan was asking a lot of strange questions, it made Wei Wuxian worried.

“Yes, of course. What’s this about, Lan Zhan?” Whatever he’d discovered, it had upset him quite a bit. 

“Wei Ying, do you trust me?” A lump formed in Wei Wuxian’s throat at Lan Zhan’s question.

“Yes, I do. You’re my mate, my other half.” He would do anything for his alpha.

“I plan to get justice for you and your parents. Will you let me?” Lan Zhan was serious.

“Lan Zhan, they died in an accident. There’s no justice to be had. It was stupid and senseless and so far in the past. Why are you even worrying about it?” It was his turn to sweep hair off his alpha’s forehead as he stared deeply into Lan Zhan’s eyes.

A line formed between Lan Zhan’s brows and the corners of his eyelids tightened up slightly. He was frowning. “What if it was not an accident, Wei Ying? Would you want justice?”

They were going pretty hypothetical on this now. His parents had died in a tragic car accident. Madam Yu had spent every opportunity reminding him how his father had been a deadbeat who couldn’t hold his liquor and it’d cost Wei Wuxian his entire family. She had lamented once or twice over the fact that Wei Wuxian hadn’t been there as well to die alongside them. That was when she was in an especially foul mood usually. The question did make him pause and think about it. All of this was ancient history in his eyes.

“Well, yes, I’d want justice if it wasn’t an accident…but it was. Lan Zhan, I went through a phase.” He tapped the perfect nose of his alpha. “When I was twelve? I wanted to know why they were gone, so I looked into it. I asked Uncle Jiang to help me and he did. I got to see the police reports, it was an accident. Baba misjudged the corner and went off the road, he was drunk.”

Instead of answering right away, Lan Zhan hugged Wei Wuxian close. He kissed him reverently, letting action speak instead of words. Their lips fit together perfectly. It wasn’t an erotic or hot kiss, it was sweet and full of love. Every touch and caress had been gentle and on the verge of worship. It was like his alpha feared breaking him somehow.

“I want to tell you everything. I am afraid it will hurt you and Radish.” Whatever Lan Zhan was holding back, it was big.

“Get me drunk on your pheromones, if it’s really bad, you can command me to sleep or something, can’t you? I trust you, Lan Zhan. I know I’m safe with you. We’re stronger together.” Wei Wuxian desperately wanted to know what had upset him and at the same time he was worried. It was something god awful, he could tell.

“C’mon, I love your scent, just get me high on calming pheromones so I’m floating in a cloud of joy, then tell me.” He gave Lan Zhan’s chest a pat and wiggled about so he was comfy and ‘ready’ for the sandalwood scented euphoria.

Lan Zhan’s lips were set in a grim line but he nodded. “I cannot keep this from you. Forgive me, Wei Ying.”

Powerful earthy sandalwood filled Wei Wuxian’s senses. It was so strong it almost made him dizzy. He clung to Lan Zhan’s shoulders and moaned with his happy joy. The emotion was pure calm and love. Even their bond was flooded with the same kind of affections. No matter what anyone said, this kind of ‘drunk’ was quite enjoyable when it was with someone trustworthy who wouldn’t take advantage of the situation. There was no one in this world Wei Wuxian trusted more than Lan Zhan.

“Mmmm tell me something terrible, gege.” Wei Wuxian could hear the drowsy slur in his words and it made him giggle.

“You are afraid of dogs.” Lan Zhan was scenting him all over again, nuzzling neck to neck with Wei Wuxian. It wasn’t a horny thing either, it was so comforting and cozy, even the mention of the demonic beasts didn’t frighten him.

“Dogs are dumb. I hate them.” His agreement pulled a soft chuckle from his alpha.

“Jiang Cheng is abusive and cruel.” It was like he was testing how mellow Wei Wuxian had become.

“Zhan-er! He’s just misunderstood, but yes…he can be.” There was a grin on his face. “You punched him so hard, his feet were over his head when he fell.”

“Yu Ziyuan murdered your mother.” Another heavy wave of sandalwood filled the space around him and Wei Wuxian snorted with a laugh.

“What a bitch! Did she really?” In his head, the information was registering, and he was fucking pissed, really he was, but all he could do was giggle. “I bet she had that dumb sneer on her face when she did it.”

“Wei Ying. Your parents were murdered.” Lan Zhan was staring into his eyes, worry was painted on every line of his perfect features.

“They were in a car accident. The car murdered them.” Why hadn’t he let Lan Zhan do this to him more often? Euphoric bliss was where it was at.

“No. Wei Ying, listen carefully. Yu Ziyuan stabbed your mother and the man that attacked me, he murdered your father. The car accident was a cover-up.”

Wei Wuxian sighed and shook his head, gently touching Lan Zhan’s left shoulder. “You have to wear that mark forever ‘cause of me. He killed my baba and he tried to kill you?” Their bond was still suffused with love and calm.

“Mn. Will you let me avenge you and your parents, Wei Ying?” Lan Zhan was so damn pretty, it made Wei Wuxian’s teeth ache sometimes.

He giggled again and curled his body so he could plant a kiss on Wangji’s covered up scar. “Lan Zhan, I’m so angry, but I can only laugh! You need to tell me all the bad news like this.”

His parents had been gone for a long time now. If it really was murder, Wei Wuxian had been robbed of a happy childhood. Could he really be all that vengeful about it? If it hadn’t been for everything that happened, he might not have ever met Lan Zhan, and that would have been awful. No, he and Lan Zhan would have found one another regardless. His parents deserved better.

“Why? Why were they killed, Lan Zhan?” He kissed the tip of his mate’s nose.

Lan Zhan shivered beneath him and hugged him tightly. “People were jealous, they thought they could use them and hated it when it failed.”

“How the hell was Madam Bitch-Face going to use my parents?” Wei Wuxian squinted, he knew what he was saying. 

He perfectly understood what was being told to him and it was horrifying. Wuxian was raised by his mother’s killer. If he wasn’t so blissed out, he’d be sick right now, he was quite aware of that. Yet drunk as he was on pheromones, he could process it without having that visceral reaction. It was safe for Radish, too. Unlike alcohol, Wei Wuxian still was clear headed, he just had a bad case of giggles and was picking on strange details first.

“Yu Ziyuan was jealous because her husband spent a lot of time with your parents.” Lan Zhan was stroking his face. “It was jealousy, Wei Ying. Cruel and senseless. Jiang Fengmian knew and kept the secret. I want them to pay for their crimes.”

“They need to pay for it, Lan Zhan.” Wei Wuxian was nodding his agreement. “They ruined my family. Mama had such a pretty smile.”

“I will make sure they face justice, Wei Ying.” Lan Zhan kissed him gently.

“There’s more, isn’t there.” It was a statement and question all in one. He squinted at his lover and sighed, resting his cheek on Lan Zhan’s right shoulder.

“There is, but you have heard enough for today. Trust me, Wei Ying.” Those strong fingers were stroking his head, it felt so good.

He smiled and nodded with a purr. “I trust you.” There was a silent pause, the pheromones didn’t lessen in the least, he was getting to stay in that drunken state for a while longer. “Lan Zhan?”

“Mn?”

“Croon for me? I think I’ll need it when this wears off.”

•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•

Lan Xichen frowned worriedly over to the gazebo where Wangji and A-Xian were. The sharp scent of sandalwood was so powerful it burned his nose and he was nowhere near the couple. Wen Xu coughed beside him and shook his head. He wasn’t fond of the scent, Xichen could tell, and it wasn’t surprising. Two dominant alphas like this were prone to be on edge with one another’s pheromones.

“God! My eyes are watering! Newbie, you’re going to have to drive.” Wen Xu held out the keys to his husband who blinked up in confusion. There were actual tears sliding down the alpha’s face as he tried to blink them away.

“What?!” The shock in the beta’s face was amusing.

“Mn, Wangji’s pheromones are quite powerful right now.” Even Xichen was feeling the effects. He desperately wanted to sneeze. 

Jiang Yanli pinched her nose and buried her face against Xichen’s arm with an exclamation. “They’re going to get drunk off that!”

The only one unaffected was Huaisang and he had this faraway wistful look on his face as he stared over at the gazebo. Wen Xu swiped at his eyes again and grunted, pulling his husband close. He was letting out his own pheromones in response and suddenly Xichen felt like he was getting an intense headache. “Fuck, A-Sang we need to get out of here. Lan Xichen, call me and we can discuss plans if you want. I’ve told you all I know, don’t drag my husband into your shit anymore.” 

The tall alpha pulled Huaisang along, holding the smaller man’s wrist up like he was encouraging him to sniff at something “All around you, Newbie, right now.”

What was that all about? They got in the car and Xichen could see Wen Xu leaning back in the passenger seat wiping at his face again and again while Huaisang was buckling up. They were talking, but it was all muffled now and Xichen lifted his hand in a wave of farewell before he had to take a small breath through his mouth to lessen the impact of Wangji’s pheromone bomb.

“Yanli…let me walk you home.” The woman still had her face pressed up against his arm and she nodded into the cloth, unwilling to pull away it seemed. 

They weren’t going to get far if she didn’t look where they were going so he sighed and reached down, scooping her up in his arms to carry her off. It was a struggle already to keep his own pheromones in check and the last thing he wanted to do was set off Wangji’s protective nature. She let out a little surprised cry and stiffened in his arms.

“I’m sorry, Yanli, it’s too strong, we need to go.” He briskly set off down the path, away from Wangji and A-Xian. 

It was in the opposite direction of both the Hanshi and Yashi, but they could loop around through the grounds to get there the long way. After a few minutes of walking, Xichen stopped to set her down and cleared his throat. “The air’s fresh…”

Yanli pulled away from Xichen and took a few steps to make a little space. She used the moment to savor a couple slow inhales and wiped at her nose as delicately as she could. “Sorry, Xichen. It was just so powerful.”

Rosy red embarrassment had warmed the back of her neck and he assumed if she were to face him, her face would be just as bright with her feelings. Was it from being carried or because it was him? Everything felt awkward in the light of day, especially after she’d been privy to the revelations Wen Xu had delivered.

“Yanli…”

“I will admit I was shocked. I suppose I shouldn’t be. I mean…I always wondered why mother entertained the Wens when she spoke so poorly of them at other times.” She still hadn’t looked at him.

“Are you alright?” When he’d demanded that Wen Xu tell her everything, that included the possibility of her father not being Jiang Fengmian.

“Hmm? I don’t know. It’s a lot, Xichen.” She finally was looking at him. Her arms were wrapped around her middle defensively.