Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The Yiling Burial Mounds had a reputation that preceded it. The site of multiple wars and bloody battles had soaked the soil with resentful energy, nourishing whichever ghoul or monster that decided to take habitance there. 

Many clans over generations had tried clearing the Burial Mounds of its resentful energy and each time had returned with diminished numbers and a permanently waxy look in their eyes. The energy had accumulated for thousands of years and had grown vengeful and greedy, oftentimes even bleeding into the surrounding perimeter and depleting the soil and the vegetation that once grew there. Eventually, they had decided that the risks and the rising number of dead cultivators far outweighed the benefits that would’ve come from occupying the land after its cleansing. 

The villages scattered around the Yiling Burial Mounds had very little to offer for the services of trained cultivators, barely scraping together enough in a small pouch for payment. They understood the consequences of living near an area with such heavy concentration of dark energy and thus had adapted the ability to turn their eyes away from the few missing men and women who ventured a little too close to the source and never returned. It was known as something that just occurred in a mortal’s short and unentertaining life, only a few sympathetic glances put aside for the relatives left behind. 

The villagers had been left to fend for themselves, the meager wages they could offer cultivators did not satisfy the energy and resources needed in the endeavor that was braving the Burial Mounds. The Five Influential Cultivation Clans and sects turned their back, leaving the mortals to the elements and the ghouls that would emerge from such a cursed place. The villagers had eventually tried to make the best of their situations, staying clear of the mounds before the light of the sun fully diminished and never daring to be within a few hundred feet from the measly barriers that had been enacted as a show of goodwill. 

That is, until, the women and children of the villages had been disappearing by the dozens every couple of nights. Spouses would wake to empty beds long gone cold since the departure of their wives and mothers would clutch the few remaining articles of clothing that remained on the trail their children were suspected to follow. It could not have been a coincidence after the third week in a row and there had been no more doubt of a malevolent entity luring these victims into the Burial Mounds and leaving no trace come the first rays of the sun.

Cultivation sects had long forsaken the villages and even rogue cultivators willing to take the risk were few and far between. This problem had grown for weeks and now everyone in the village feared they were next, clutching their wives and their daughters extra tight come night. It had only been when the youngest child of about an age of three had been taken that outrage had struck. The villages decided to call upon powerful cultivators to find the perpetrator and return safely to their lands, pitching together just enough to catch the attention of one of the major cultivation sects near them.

Yiling was not under control or protection of any specific clan, too desolate and financially burdening for any ambitious enough to attempt it. The closest large province had been Yumeng, under the control of the Jiang sect but the rumors of the ferocious Yu Furen that micromanaged the sect had deterred the villagers from requesting their aid. They could not afford to gamble on what mood Yu Furen would be in when the correspondence goes through and whether that would influence her decision to take on the task. Every night that they waited for her moods to settle and finally accept the request meant more women and children falling into the hands of the entity that preyed upon them.

The only other clan the villagers had even a sprinkle more confidence in had been the Lan clan that was situated on the sprawling mountainscapes of Gusu. The previous Sect Leader had unfortunately passed from an unknown sickness, leaving the mantle to his second son who had managed to procure a reputation for himself as a benevolent and intelligent alpha. His feats had named him “Hanguang-Jun” and the villagers trusted he would not turn his back from their desperate request for aid due to frivolous matters such as money. 

They had sent their messenger on the arduous journey to request aid from Hanguang-Jun, desperately hanging onto the hope he would depart as soon as possible, sparing their numbers for the time being. They anticipated a few more batches of villagers to be sacrificed before their messenger reached the Cloud Recesses where Hanguang-Jun resided but each night had looked to the sky for the bright gleam of the celestial sword that would be their salvation. 

“Lan Wangji, do you plan to accept their request?”

Golden eyes skimmed over the messy etched calligraphy of the correspondence, the desperation almost etched into the very strokes of the ink. The situation sounded dire, something that no mortals could fight off on their own, especially since so many of them just seemed to disintegrate into the very air around the village. The messenger seemed inclined to clutch his legs and straight beg him for help before exhaustion had taken over. Hanguang-Jun would’ve accepted the request even without all the theatrics, this was his duty as a righteous cultivator. 

“Shufu, this one intends to.” Carefully folding the message onto the work table, Lan Wangji turned to his aging uncle in front of him. Although Lan Qiren did not seem much older than forty years of age due to the aid of his cultivation, he had many more years under his belt, which made him the optimal confidant of the newly appointed Sect Leader. 

“This situation seems too vague to put blame on a ghoul or ghost, you would have to investigate extensively once you arrive,” Lan Qiren noted, eyebrows slightly furrowed. He trusted his nephew had the skills and the intelligence to find and destroy the entity but matters of the Yiling Burial Mounds were better threaded with caution. “The Yiling Burial Mounds have not had interference from cultivation clans for years, it is difficult to assess the conditions of them at this time and age.”

Lan Wangji nodded. The Burial Mounds had been shoved to the far crevices of the minds of many cultivators, things went bump in the night all the time and missing villagers were not a rare phenomenon. However, the sheer volume of them disappearing all at once was not readily heard of, especially when the perpetrator left no traces or markers. It almost seemed like the entity was harvesting them, but for what reason?

“There have been talks of the increased presence of demonic cultivators around the Burial Mounds,” Lan Qiren professed, the corners of his lips twisting in malice. That new form of cultivation was slowly becoming a plague on the sides of the righteous cultivation clans, the disciples and followers wreaking havoc almost everywhere they went. Some rogue cultivator had found out the use of resentful energy and had spread their teachings, the disciples unruly and ambitious in their pursuit of demonic power. 

“Do you believe they may play a role in this, Shufu?” Lan Wangji questioned, not finding it unheard of for demonic cultivators to be harvesting bodies, although they wouldn’t be living bodies. “I cannot say for certain but you must do thorough research in the village and the area surrounding the Burial Mound so as to not falsely accuse any specific group.” Lan Qiren concluded, raising his teacup for a final sip of the tea.

“Of course. This one will depart come morning.”

Even with the dark fog and the heavy atmosphere of Yiling, there were still pockets of vibrant activity where villages converged into grand markets on their outskirts. The people traded, the merchants aired out their products and the occasional wanderer traversed through, destined for the adventures that would await them.

Although, wanderers usually did not have a band of fools whining at their heels. 

“Shizun! Please accept this lowly one as your disciple!” Said fools had all but cried out, forehead slamming into the dirt road in dedication. The shout had alerted the entire marketplace, curious eyes turning to the wandering figure in black and red robes, face obscured by the bamboo hat and the flowing translucent fabric draped from it. The band of fools had all kneeled in front of him, desperate to gain an audience and an acceptance. 

With the ambitious eyes of the group all trained to the dirt, it didn’t take much effort to evade the fools, footsteps light as a feather as the figure ducked into the alleyway on the right. Who’s your Shizun? I’m no one’s Shizun. Where do they keep finding me? The figure lamented as he took to weaving through alleys and rooftops to create some distance between him and the group.

The group had been trailing him from the next town over, loudly proclaiming their admiration for him and begging that he take them under his wing. So what if I am the Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, Wei Wuxian? I’m not teaching it to anyone. He fine tuned his senses to his surroundings, listening to the hasty steps of his “admirers” and making sure to hide his own presence from any sensory methods that might be employed. 

The group were just unruly youths, barely able to develop half of their Golden Cores yet ambitious enough to attempt the dangerous path of Demonic Cultivation. Wei Wuxian did not understand why the method was even popular, he’d developed it less than a decade ago for his own means, having the spiritual capacity and compatibility to try to control demonic and resentful energy. Just because he was able to master it does not mean anyone else would be successful, some could even lose their lives in the process.

Wei Wuxian had never intended to create or teach his own cultivation sect, he’d just developed his own crude methods of cultivation when he could not rely on the teaching bestowed upon rich young masters in the righteous cultivation sects. It had only gotten its foundation when his journal recording his trials and experiments had been unjustly stolen from him and published for others to read. Many had jumped at the opportunity to skip through stages of cultivation in order to master this novel omnipotent method, disregarding any precautions and consequences. 

Wei Wuxian did not even understand how people knew what he looked like, only his initials had been stamped into one of the pages of his journal. He suspected that whichever rat bastard stole it must have seen his face and his more prominent weapon, the pure black flute he carried strapped to his belt, Chenqing. Now that information was used to hunt him down and frustrate the disciple's acceptance letter from him.  

Wei Wuxian had just put enough distance between him and the rambunctious bunch after weaving through multiple alleys and rooftops. Just as we made to exit the alley into a main street, he’d been all but slapped in the face with exposure to potent spiritual energy. He’d barely stopped his body from escaping the shadows before the perpetrators in white walked in a single file in front of him. 

They carried unbridled power but had little presence if not for the detection skills of a cultivator. 

White robes with soft blue cloud motifs, as if endeavoring to not give the impression that a funeral procession was taking place. Spiritual instruments were strapped from a few belts along with the decorated swords. What sealed the deal was the forehead ribbon on each member, some embroidered with blue clouds to show direct blood lineage while others were plain to show mere integration of the sect. The Gusu Lans. 

It was one of the Five Righteous Cultivation Sects, one of the more annoying ones.

It wasn’t everyday Wei Wuxian would happen to see a Lan, they often felt too superior to show themselves in front of just anyone. He couldn’t stop the curiosity from taking over, glancing to the front of the group when they passed by in front of him. Long pin straight hair fell around the figure like a curtain, rich billowing robes and passive expression adding to the mix. He was elegant and he was beautiful.  

Wei Wuxian felt like he was smacked a second time, this one much more potent than the first. Cool sandalwood assaulted his olfactory nerve, nearly choking off his breathing. Alpha pheromones. Curse sensitive cultivator senses, especially those of an omega. This cultivator reeked . 

Somehow, Wei Wuxian must have made a sound or let go of his disguise for just half a second because the Lan leader twitched just the slightest, head turning towards the shadows of the alley. Golden eyes met the soft silver of his and Wei Wuxian straight panicked as the contact held. He didn’t understand what he had accidentally given away in his moment of vulnerability, his cultivation or his secondary sex? 

And so he did the one thing he does when he comes across one of the Five Cultivation Sects. 

Leaning his shoulder against the wall of the alley, Wei Wuxian donned the most flirtatious look he could manage: hooded eyes, puckered lips and a wandering hand slipping inside his robes, moving them just slightly off his neck and shoulder. He blew an unbashful kiss to the Lan, waiting for the expected look of disgust and superiority the five clans liked to give to a salacious unchaperoned omega like him. Golden eyes remained on him for a second longer but the gaze never faltered or shifted, just stayed passive before the contact broke and the alpha carried on.

The group of cultivators passed by him with no indication they had sensed him, following that sandalwood laced alpha at the front of the group. He watched their retreating backs, stark white robes contrasting against the beige and brown of the common folk and the dirt paved roads. They made almost no noise, footsteps light as a feather and robes sighing just the slightest with each movement of their bodies.  

Wei Wuxian blew a soft sigh of relief, both at not having to be assaulted by pheromones and at the fact he didn’t get discovered. It would not spell pleasant news for him if one of the Five Righteous Cultivation Clans detected the lingering resentful energy on him and brought him to be interrogated. It was no secret that they despised the rise of Demonic Cultivation and if they found the founder… they had means to make him talk. 

Seeing the group retreating further down the road, Wei Wuxian finally had enough cognition to question why Lans would be so far from their lofty mountain, especially into the filth the Five Clans considered Yiling to be. They had come from the direction of Yunmeng so it was most likely that Yiling was the destination rather than the starting point. 

Wei Wuxian himself visited Yiling every couple of years, either passing through to another destination or he needed supplies to continue his life as a rogue cultivator. The people of Yiling had many ghouls and demonic creatures present yet little money to pay cultivators. He would vanquish a few for them, usually at the charge of a warm meal or a place to stay which they were more than happy to provide. It might be that something sinister had brewed in Yiling since the last visit he paid it. 

Wei Wuxian knew better than to be involved in the matters of the Five Clans, not only would they be uncooperative, he’d most likely be harassed for being a rogue cultivator and an omega one at that. He considered Yiling the closest to any notion of home as possible, growing up being passed around houses here and there after the untimely death of his parents. The Yiling villagers had close to nothing but knew better than to leave a child wandering in the dark so close to the Burial Mounds. He almost always had a roof over his head when the sun set. 

The Lan party had passed through the market, not stopping at any inn, and instead trekking the dirt path into one of the scattered villages dangerously close to the Burial Mounds. They had cut through a foggy stretch of forest, the perfect hunting ground for beasts and ghouls come night. The trees creaking ominously had been the only noise found in the eerie setting, white robes occasionally fully disappearing into the mist. 

Keeping hidden from the group had given Wei Wuxian nearly an aneurysm and a half, the head Lan way too perceptive for his own good. Any slight sound or abnormal brush of the wind had the golden irises shifting, taking in any anomaly in the surroundings. Wei Wuxian had made sure his presence had been concealed and his pheromones blocked to the best of his ability.  

The tree cover had barely been enough to hide Wei Wuxian, the trunks nearly shriveled and very little foliage was provided from leaves on the branches. They group had been trekking through the mist for quite a while before the rays of the sun were seen through the exit of the forest. 

Wei Wuxian knew he could not follow the group out of the cover of the trees as the head Lan would spot him instantaneously. He waited patiently as the backs of the group made themselves towards the light, their white robes almost glowing in Heavenly light. Wei Wuxian almost scoffed, such theatrics were hardly novel or unexpected from the Five Clans. 

Wei Wuxian watched as the group made their way out of the tree cover and once more found themselves on the dirt paved roads. Ahead, Wei Wuxian knew there was a scatter of villages which may or may not be the destination. Ensuring there had been enough of a distance placed between him and the group, Wei Wuxian made his descent onto the ground with the welcoming warm rays of the sun piercing the otherwise cool mist of the forest. 

Squinting his eyes, Wei Wuxian observed as the group of cultivators entered the gates of the village a couple of meters from the edge of the forest. There was a quiet murmur of the villagers as they supposedly greeted them with nearly tearful eyes. 

It seems that the Lans had arrived at their destination.

Did the omega think he was going undetected? That sudden tart pheromone burst he had whiffed in the marketplace had been steadily closing in on them since they left. Lan Wangji had to give it to the omega for his confidence, but not really his intelligence. Hiding the scent enough to not be recognized by the other Lans in his party but not enough for Lan Wangji to not catch soft bursts of it in the changing wind. He’d only let the omega follow because he did not feel any ill intent from him, most likely a rogue cultivator who was fascinated at seeing one of the Five Clans in the flesh. 

And because his heart had skipped a beat when he looked in the alley. It had been a glance of curiosity at the source of tart and sweet scent that he detected. The omega had a scruffy look about him, black and red robes a little worn at the edges. His features had not been overly soft as expected but held the sharpness that was expected of a strong presence, most likely a cultivator or a disciple. Steel colored eyes had held his own gaze, almost challenging him non verbally before the flirtatious kiss had been sent his way. 

Lan Wangji would not admit it but he had to physically shut blood flow to the tips of ears afterwards. Strange mannerless cultivator omega.

Clearing his mind of distracting thoughts, Lan Wangji turned to the situation at hand. 

The village chief had greeted them before they were escorted to his humble abode for the ensuing meeting. It was meager and some of the Lans had to be waiting outside the door but Lan Wangji did not see the purpose of judging someone’s livelihood. It was barely noon and they had some solid hours to do their investigation before nightfall where they would keep the villagers safe and capture the entity should it choose tonight as harvesting time. 

“Sect Leader, your visit has finally put some peace into this lowly one’s heart.” The chief had started, stress from the recent events seemed to have taken a toll on the elderly man. His eyes looked far too sunken and some of his speech was bated and slurred, almost like his cognition was affected. “It is the duty of cultivators to look after those weaker than them,” Lan Wangji had explained, accepting the cup of tea that was poured for him by the chief. 

“There is no time to spare before nightfall, is there any other information that might aid us in eradicating this entity?” Lan Wangji questioned, there was no need for formalities and small talk. “This humble one cannot offer more than the letter listed. It comes at random days and frequencies. No one senses the villagers being taken and there is never any trace of the trail they take. Only once we had found some scraps of cloth from one of the children on the trail but never again.”

Lan Wangji hummed. It was strange that no one could hear or feel the villagers being taken, whether they were snatched from their bed or willingly left. Even non cultivators could feel shifting of bedsheets and fabrics when one’s spouse gets up in bed. Could there be some kind of hallucination placed?   

Politely finishing his cup of tea, Lan Wangji states, “Rest assured, village chief. This one will do my best to find the missing villagers and protect the remaining.” The elderly man seemed to visibly deflate in relief, thanking the party gathered. 

Their only clue had been the scraps of clothing found on the trail, that was where they would start from.

Wei Wuxian could only huff in frustration as he realized that he would not be learning any new piece of information anytime soon. The Five Clans were always concerned with diplomacy, that meeting would last a good hour or so as they fed off of the worship and praise of those lower than them. The fact that they were even having that meeting confirmed all that Wei Wuxian needed to know. There was trouble plaguing this village and he needed to get down to the bottom of it. He could not put his faith into the Lans to care enough about poor mortals that were far below them.

Delving deeper into the foggy forest he had previously trekked through, Wei Wuxian assessed his surroundings and heard… nothing. Which was to be expected so close to the Burial Mounds, most fauna had been chased out or consumed and the flora withered in the harsh soil. Dislodging Chengqing from his belt, Wei Wuxian played a soft melody, calling for his companion sure to be stationed nearby. 

A minute of playing the melody and a heavy figure dropped in front him, the sound of chains rattling as he kneeled. Long wispy hair fell around the figure, skin tinted blue with ankles and wrists bound by heavy chains. Wen Ning. His old friend who had been unjustly murdered and in his own selfish rage had been resurrected and now walking the earth as a Fierce Corpse bound to him.  

“Wen Ning, could you please scout out this forest for any anomalies or spiritual signatures? But be warned there are Five Clan cultivators nearby,” Wei Wuxian requested, Wen Ning obeying with a nod and a slow blink. “As Master wills,” the Fierce Corpse rasped before he leapt into the trees and disappeared into the foggy horizon. Wei Wuxian watches him go before taking Chengqing in hand and channeling the residual resentful energy in the soil.

Wei Wuxian plays a commanding tone, the wisps of energy resisting his influence until it cowers under the pressure, limp and open. He tries to ask if it’s seen anything awry, most likely the whereabouts of missing villagers. The wisp has the nerve to give him the equivalent of an insult before it’s shrieking as Chengqing’s melody pierces it. The wisp reveals nothing more than the fact that the crime scene was the forest before it spontaneously bursts. 

Using that clue, Wei Wuxian scans the perimeter for an abnormal concentration of resentful energy that would be expected from wrongful murder. He finds it fairly easy, at the southern tip of forest where Wen Ning was probably heading for too. Wasting no time, Wei Wuxian makes for the trees, reaching his destination after a lengthy tortuous journey. The fog seemed to be shifting like a maze, hindering his perception and the mental map he had made at the sensed energy. 

Once he found the source, Wei Wuxian perceived Wen Ning’s back just as he got down from his tree.

Wen Ning is crouched on the ground of what looks to be a mound of sorts, Wei Wuxian internally praising how smart his Fierce Corpse friend was. He’s just about to call him when the flashing glint of a sword catches in his peripherals, aimed perfect for Wen Ning’s heart. Chengqing’s melody pierces the fog in an instant, Wen Ning leaping right out of the way before the sword could cut into him. 

The blade lodged itself into the soil, the hilt pure white jade with a matching tassel. It dislodges itself from the soil and aims straight for Wei Wuxian, Wen Ning’s growl heard a mere second before it’s deflected again and slices into the tree mere millimeters from Wei Wuxian’s cheek. He’s now able to see the writing carved on the blade, Bichen . 

The white hilted blade moves out of the tree and Wei Wuxian braces for another strike, except it never comes, the blade disappearing into the fog as figures draped in white make their appearance. The looks on their faces are grim as they take in the Fierce Corpse hovering behind Wei Wuxian, an inky arm almost wrapped around his master to thwart any oncoming attack. 

The Lans had just witnessed everything; Wen Ning, Wei Wuxian’s demonic cultivation, and the mound that Wen Ning was hunched over before. It painted quite an incriminating picture. 

The same golden gaze set onto Wei Wuxian, sharp handsome features of the Lan alpha momentarily making him catch his breath until Wen Ning’s soft growl brought him back to reality. Sandalwood permeated the air and the two only stared, sizing each other up if a fight were to break out. The tension could be cut through by a sword, golden irises moving from Wei Wuxian to Wen Ning before settling on Wei Wuxian again. It was only the holler of one of the Lan party members that snapped the thick pressure in the air. 

“Sect Leader, that Fierce Corpse must be the one taking the villagers!” the cultivator had inferred, making Wei Wuxian tighten his grip on his flute, molding into Wen Ning behind him. And then his cognition recognized the call of “Sect Leader”. Sect Leader? The Lan Sect Leader? Oh Wei Wuxian had done it now, there’s no way that head Lan would let him leave in peace after the misunderstanding was cleared. If the misunderstanding was allowed to be cleared. 

“Sect Leader, what are you waiting for? Seize him!” another party member urged, pulling Wei Wuxian’s muscles taught for the run he would make for if the alpha Lan moved. The Sect Leader, however, did not move, instead assessing the situation fully unlike his group members. Wen Ning could sense Wei Wuxian’s tension and his control was slowly slipping, growls becoming louder. “Wen Ning,” Wei Wuxian called, refocusing the Corpse’s attention away from the cultivator group. 

“Wen Ning was not the one harming villagers,” Wei Wuxian defends, not expecting any of them to believe him. Here was a demonic cultivator defending a Fierce Corpse of all things. He sees the scrutinizing look in the group, a few teeth clenched at the nerve of him talking. “... I can prove it,” Wei Wuxian continues, internally praying to the Heavens that whatever was in the mound was not the work of some other Fierce Corpse or ghoul. 

“Please enlighten us.” The Lan Sect Leader speaks and Wei Wuxian swears he feels like the wash of the first ripple in a clear pond. The voice is soft, deep, and assertive and it flows around Wei Wuxian like soothing cold water in his overheated veins. It takes valiant effort to snap out of his poetic metaphors before he makes his way to the mound and kneels and starts digging. Wen Ning couldn’t bear to see his master do all the work, coming to kneel by and sink his claws in the group, uprooting the soil like a loyal dog. 

As expected, the mound contains buried corpses, though they had not evolved into any monsters yet. This was most likely the missing villagers. Sighting an internal breath of relief, Wei Wuxian did not notice any mutilation or scratches typical of a Fierce Corpse attack. He actually did not notice anything at all… the bodies were in one piece with no cuts or slices or any indication of how they could’ve passed at least on the surface. 

“This is not a Fierce Corpse attack,” Wei Wuxian clarifies, glancing back at the quiet alpha behind him before moving away and allowing him to inspect the damage. The Lan alpha moves to kneel beside him, Wen Ning giving a threatening growl and sinking his claws into the soil again. Wei Wuxian could barely register Wen Ning as sandalwood envelopes him again, the large alpha’s shoulder nearly brushing his own as he inspects the corpse. 

“Mn.” The alpha hums. 

Wei Wuxian wonders what “Mn” is supposed to indicate. The Lan Sect leader then gently moves the corpse from its back to its front, the demonic cultivator making an acute note of the relative size of that pale hand. He only tears his eyes away when the wet flop of something catches his ears, glancing at the back of the corpse’s head where a gaping hole has just flushed out half eaten brain matter. 

And that’s when it strikes Wei Wuxian what was the cause of death. He’d seen this type of wound before in one of his journeys. There were monsters that did dine on only specific human organs but there was only one monster that could make a hole that symmetrical and liked to feast solely on the brains of young children and yin abundant females. 

“Dream Demon.” Wei Wuxian whispers, the implication making his gut twist. Once a Dream Demon set its eyes on a village, it would not stop until it had devoured everyone. The name took a few seconds to register in the Lan Sect Leader but the connection turned his passive expression strained. 

“How are you sure?” The Lan Sect leader questioned, Wei Wuxian instead more concerned about the fact that they had to hunt the thing now rather than give reasoning. “I’ve encountered one before and it makes holes like that on its victim. The villagers probably explained that they never notice people leaving, and that would be because of the spell it casts. It’s already cast the spell on the whole village, its victims are already chosen and the other villager’s brains are deteriorating as we speak.” 

“What nonsense are you spewing, demonic cultivator?” One of the Lan party members nearly spits, Wei Wuxian merely rolling his eyes. It’s only with a look of their Sect Leader that the mouth is silenced, oddly looking like it was physically silenced by something. Whether these stuck ups wanted to believe him or not, Wei Wuxian had other important matters to concern himself with. He needed to kill that Dream Demon right now and save that village. 

“Whether you choose to believe my words or not, I will be stopping that monster. It must have had its eyes on the most yin abundant villager,” Wei Wuxian explains as he stands and dusts off the dirt on his dark robes. The Lan Sect leader follows him up, his pristine white robes somehow perfectly dirt free. Wei Wuxian does not have the time to dwell on it, already making his way back into the foggy tree cover. 

“Young Master,” the Lan Sect Leader calls, his voice clear, Wei Wuxian taking a few seconds to realize it was him that was called. It felt odd, no one had called him “young master” before in his life. He turns to face the Sect Leader, half expecting a lecture that he was overstepping his bounds and that his expertise could not be trusted when he walked the demonic path. Instead the next few words surprised him. 

“This one has heard of such demons before but the typical method used is not the most favorable. The host will have to be sacrificed.” The Lan alpha explains, face still passive and factual but Wei Wuxian can see in his gaze that the sacrifice was going to be made. He was warning Wei Wuxian not to get involved or try to stop him from saving an innocent mortal. How many mortals needed to die for the Five Clans to consider their lives as lives and not mere pawns in a game? 

And the Lan alpha was wrong. There was another method. 

“Of course the vigilant Lans would think that is the only way to defeat a Dream Demon. Maybe if you didn’t live merely by your cultivation manuals as law you would have experience in using alternative methods,” Wei Wuxian all but growled, eyes heated and he stared right at the alpha. To hell with the Five Clans, to hell with the Lans. He would save this village even if he had to have Wen Ning terrorize these stuck up cultivators after he locked them in a cage. 

“This one was not aware of any alternative methods.” The Lan Head states, face passive as usual. Wei Wuxian has the urge to roll his eyes. “Thereby proving my point.” There’s shuffling between the Lan party, each growing more heated as this lowly demonic cultivator has the nerve to spill ill testimonies about their Sect Leader. 

“The Dream Demon is obsolete once it has been evicted from its host. A mere talisman would destroy it. The difficult part is always driving it out of the host and thus lazy cultivators have found it easier to kill the host and demon in one package deal.” Wei Wuxian explains, eyes boring into that golden gaze as he enunciates the thinly veiled insult. The shifting of the Lan party is only calmed down by a mere wave of their Sect Leader’s hand. 

“Does the Young Master know of a method to evict the demon?” The Sect Leader asks and Wei Wuxian can already feel the sigh bubbling up in his throat. These righteous prissys were not going to take his next words with an open mind. “I can use demonic cultivation to drive it out.” As expected, there are offended huffs and gasps from the party, as if the mere thought of demonic cultivation being used for good was absurd. 

“I will not let you harm an innocent girl just because she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I have done this procedure before and can guarantee it will work. Once I drive it out it will be easy for you to destroy it,” Wei Wuxian sighs, wondering at all why he’s even doing this. Every minute they spent arguing could mean the demon gets stronger and with night approaching, the verdict needed to be decided now. 

There’s a pregnant pause as the figure in white stares at the figure in red. 

“Mn.”

Rushing back to the village in mere minutes was nothing to experienced cultivators, Wei Wuxian included. Wen Ning had remained in the forest since the last thing the villagers needed to see was a giant Fierce Corpse bulldozing into their village. 

They had the chief promptly rally every villager into the packed courtyard in order to be scanned. The examination was easy, the most yin abundant person would be the host since a significant amount of yin energy would’ve accumulated in the Dream Demon from its feast of previous victims. Mortals have very little yin energy signatures and so it was not difficult to find the outlying massive well of it within the crowd. 

The poor girl ended up being the village chief’s preteen daughter. The girl was cowering in fear, obviously she did not know she was playing host to a deadly demon since her memories of her night time excursions are promptly wiped by it living in her head. Wei Wuxian glances at the Sect Leader, this righteous cultivator had been willing to sacrifice this young girl for a circumstance she never could’ve seen coming. 

They had a couple hours before the Dream Demon would awake at night and the procedure would no longer work. They had one shot at this. Wei Wuxian had informed the girl about the whole procedure, she would just be put to sleep while he linked his qi with her’s and drove out the demon. She was still utterly terrified but with enough soothing from Wei Wuxian, she had gained enough courage to go through with it. 

They’d decided on one of the empty store rooms the village possessed, away from the others with just a cot for the girl to lie on. The Lans had cast a small barrier in case the demon escaped the talismans and tried to find a new host. With a nod from the Sect Leader, Wei Wuxian clasped the young girl’s hand in his. 

“I shall enter her mind now,” Wei Wuxian informed, taking a deep breath before channeling a part of his subconsciousness into her mind through resentful energy. Since the Dream Demon made its domain using resentful energy coupled with demonic qi, it granted Wei Wuxian easy diffusion into the realm. However, he had to be careful while in here since Chengqing was still strapped to his belt, he could not control the demonic energy in this realm as well. He merely had to fool the demon into thinking he could so it would evict itself willingly to escape, falling perfectly into the trap of talismans the Lan had prepared outside. 

Bleak and desolate was the realm, dark demonic energy roiling and calling for him and trying to dig into the subconsciousness he had teleported here. He sees memories scattered like shards of glass, the girl making her mother breakfast, the girl walking into the depth of the forest to pick at the mound. The pressure seemed to increase the deeper he delved inside. He needed to find the demon quickly . There was only so much poisoning he could endure from this energy. 

Wandering aimlessly for a while, Wei Wuxian realized that it was a bit too quiet. The Dream Demon should be hibernating but the domain almost feels… alive. The second that thought crosses his mind, a switch seems to go off, tendrils of resentful energy instantly shooting towards him in his small lapse in judgment. They pulse right through him like swords coated in acid, making him collapse onto his knees. His vision blurs and black bile falls from his mouth. 

The Dream Demon had outsmarted him. He should’ve realized how much yin energy this demon had devoured in the multiple weeks it was active. Wei Wuxian felt his resolve slipping, the dark energy seeping into the tiny fragment of his soul he sent into the girl’s mind. His Golden Core inside his fragment was being infected, close to the point of bursting. His Core on the outside could not maintain enough energy to both power this fragment and keep the resentful energy at bay from the connection. 

Wei Wuxian had to save that girl. He had to. Clenching his teeth, he focused all his rage from the practices of those righteous cultivators, all the determination he had in saving the common unprivileged mortals and screamed. He grabbed at the sheer amount of resentful energy around him through straight spite, forcing them into obedience at his command. It works, merely for a few seconds before he feels the first crack of his Golden Core. 

Wei Wuxian endures, feels the second and third crack but refuses to yield to the chaos and screaming around him, enduring it for what feels like hours on end. Then he feels that familiar cool rush of water into his core. It felt like diving into a cold pond in the blistering summer heat, the water welcoming and soothing on his scorched Core. It came out of nowhere, momentarily stunning him before he realized that the cracks had disappeared. With newfound energy, Wei Wuxian rips the walls of resentful energy making the domain, forcefully crumbling the foundation. 

The Dream Demon would have no choice but to flee as its domain is in ruins but Wei Wuxian had not thought about how he’d get out. Shit. The last time he merely had to walk into the domain and the demon fled, leaving him with enough energy to control the domain and sever the bond himself. Now, he barely had a grasp of the domain, much less a way to sever the connection. If it wasn’t severed in time, the accumulation of resentful and yin energy would instead rebound into his own core and cripple him! 

As more of the domain had crumbled, the Dream Demon had fled, leaving Wei Wuxian in the middle as the dark energy roiled. He sighed, if his cultivation became crippled, so be it. At least he can brag it was done for a noble cause, unlike those “righteous” cultivators who saved themselves only. Wei Wuxian sighed, sensing the overheating of his core in the outside world, the soothing qi from before no longer a barrier. He just has to wait for one of the Lans outside to notice he didn’t follow the Dream Demon out of the domain. 

It felt like days of searing agony as the energy slipped through the connection and straight into his Golden Core. It felt like the nine suns were inside his abdomen, flaying his organs and his meridians over an open fire. He could barely hold onto the energy he had in his grasp, trying his utmost to prevent that too from entering his core. When he feels the holds of his fingers loosening around the energy, that soothing ocean drowns out the nine suns. 

The connection had been severed, he realized, the sudden jolt of soothing qi powering his core and neutralizing the resentful energy that had taken root in his meridians. Silver eyes snapped open to stare up at the Lan Sect Leader’s face above his own, arms wrapped tight around his midsection. He can barely register the ceiling of the room, the sheer volume of resentful and yin energy was too great to be knocked by the small flow of the Sect Leader’s qi entering his system. Wei Wuxian was writhing, barely about to breathe as his Golden Core did its best to flush out the toxins. 

Wei Wuxian could feel his blood sizzling and evaporating as the potent dark energy burrowed into his meridians. The sharpness of the sect leader’s jaw started blurring, the gaze of gold trained on his facial expressions. His core worked overtime, distinguishing which energy to filter and which to accept but Wei Wuxian knew it was tiring, making mistakes and barely holding onto the rush that was drowning it. 

“It’a a qi deviation,” the Sect Leader hisses, never ending his constant flow of energy to clear the meridians as he moves both of them. The room is both loud and quiet at the same time, Wei Wuxian acutely aware of the loud thumping of his own heartbeat as the Sect Leader moves both of them. He’d laid down on something soft, the cot the girl was using. The girl. Was the girl okay? Where was she? 

Wei Wuxian makes to voice his question only for no words to leave his vocal cords, the Sect Leader shushing him softly as he goes to tower over him. Wei Wuxian doesn’t instantly notice his robes being undone but the cool touch of the Sect Leader’s hand is what jolts him awake. The large hand rests over his abdomen, sending shivers through his body as the wrist delivery method promptly ends and qi is shoved directly into his core. Wei Wuxian cannot help the pained moan he releases and his core is overwhelmed tenfold. 

Barely having coherent thoughts, Wei Wuxian still knew one thing. The insane amount of resentful energy from the domain and the entire well of yin energy the demon had consumed had been shoved inside him. The Sect Leader would have to put his entire body’s worth of yang qi into him all that once if they want even one percent chance to reversing the irreplaceable damage that was going on his core. 

“It’s not enough…” The Sect Leader mutters above him as his qi expenditure is doubled. The core had been filtering the toxin for a while now and Wei Wuxian could only now feel its bleak effects, the tips of his finger twitching and his vocal chords regaining their elasticity once more. 

Wei Wuxian glances at the man on top of him through teary eyes, slowly raising his hand to grasp the wrist of the alpha. The little trickle would never be enough and the qi stores of the Lan would be depleted in no time. There had to be a way to add a full body’s worth of qi into him at once, even for a minute or have some sort of connection so the resentful qi inside of him could travel elsewhere rather than to the core to be filtered. 

Wei Wuxian could think of only one way.

“D-dual cultivate w-with me…” Wei Wuxian rasped, barely getting the words out before he felt the pressure in his lungs suffocate him again. The alpha stilled on top of him for many seconds before the most exasperated “ excuse me? ” left him. Wei Wuxian wished had the energy to roll his eyes. This damn prissy and his stupid righteous methods, of course he would rather keep making Wei Wuxian suffer by giving his qi energy through a leaky tap rather than an all powerful hose. 

“C-cultivators do it all the time! It’s t-the only way!” Wei Wuxian barely wheezes before he’s in agony again. He should’ve known this righteous cultivator would act this way, see it below him to save someone not of his rank and a demonic cultivator on top of it. A Lan being a prude should’ve been expected! Dual cultivating with the prissy wasn’t his most favored method either but it’s the only one they had . 

There’s absolute silence from the Sect Leader for a while and Wei Wuxian slowly comes to terms that his core will be forever ruined because some righteous prude refused to dual cultivate with him. It didn’t need to involve intimacy or anything, just the dual cultivation aspect was enough! Just get the qi inside more effectively. There’s another few minutes of silence before the Sect Leader makes up his mind. 

“If that is the only way, we have no choice.” 

It takes some time for Wei Wuxian to register the words as the alpha looks down hesitantly. The large pale hands are still unmoving from where they are pumping qi steadily and even through his watery gaze, he knows the alpha is still hesitating. The sect leader seems to still be debating his morals and consequences, the dire situation having only one solution causing a permanent furrow in his eyebrows. Wei Wuxian waits for him to make the moves, writhing in pain but unwilling to move the sect leader’s hands for him. 

Wei Wuxian feels the sect leader sit up on his thighs, the remaining hand having the smallest shake to it as the sash holding Wei Wuxian’s robes is untied. New pale skin is exposed and it almost seems like the Sect Leader is trying not to look, only reaching to the hem of the pants under the opened robes. Wei Wuxian glances down, breathing rapidly as cool air hits his exposed thighs along with the soft brush of the finger pads. There’s a soft moan and the Lan retracts his hand like he’s been burned. He bites his bottom lip slightly as he reaches for his own white robes. 

As Wei Wuxian watches the alpha reach under the white robes for his manhood, it occurs to him that he would not be stretched. It seemed absurd that the alpha thought he could just shove it home and thrust like nothing. He couldn’t even find the energy to be frustrated, the prudence and inexperience shouldn't have been as big of a surprise as it was. 

“Y-you can’t just…” Wei Wuxian started, finding his throat dry and clogged. The alpha paused on top of him, looking down with eyebrows turned down in confusion. He seemed lost, hand still under his robes before Wei Wuxian gave a pained sigh. “Stretch me. With your fingers,” Wei Wuxian commanded, the alpha nodding slowly, ears red as his long elegant fingers made their way between his thighs. 

The pad of the first finger brushed between his cheeks, and Wei Wuxian couldn’t stop the shiver it wracked through his soul. As much as he wanted to be comfortable and pain free in the ordeal, they currently did not possess the circumstances or the time to take it slow. The alpha should know that but his hesitant touches almost proved otherwise. Wei Wuxian braced himself, parting his thighs as much as his sore muscles would allow and bending his knees for full access.  

Wei Wuxian heard the small hitch of breath on top of him, the red deepening on the alpha’s ears as he clenched his teeth. The hesitant finger brushed forward and penetrated slowly, the entrance opening with just a hint of slick. Wei Wuxian bit his lip as a second finger penetrated as well, pushing against his heated walls and punching a soft moan out of him. He had his own inexperience, but Wei Wuxian at least knew how to stretch his entrance during his heats. 

After the third finger entered, Wei Wuxian clenched his teeth in pain, two fingers had been the most he had taken in by himself. They probed gently, pressing around the walls and widening momentarily at times. Panting softly, he glances up at the alpha, the heated gaze settling onto his abdomen rather than anything below his pubic bone. The Sect Leader seemed to be trying to give Wei Wuxian his modesty and he could only sigh. He wasn’t prepared perfectly but the burning energy flaying him demanded immediate relief. 

“Put it…” Wei Wuxian murmured, trying to bite down his blush as the fingers left his slick entrance. The alpha took that as incentive to bend over him again, Wei Wuxian averting his gaze as soft breaths were blown onto his cheek. The back of his thighs met the soft silk of the Sect Leader’s robes as the man pulled them aside enough to grip his manhood. 

The billowing white robes and the curtain of ink black hair draped Wei Wuxian on all sides, covering his view of everything other than the blushing ears and the handsome face of the cultivator on top of him. Since the Lan himself refused to look downwards, his gaze locked onto Wei Wuxian’s own moonlit orbs as he guided his shaft to the entrance, rubbing around it as he lacked perception of the exact location. 

Feeling it catch on the slick rim, Wei Wuxian clenched his teeth. His first time was being taken during dual cultivation.

Bracing himself, Wei Wuxian gasped in pain as the alpha thrust forward, the sheer girth of it unlike anything he thought possible. Mere seconds later he nearly screamed in relief as the raging inferno of resentful energy was sucked straight out of his meridians into the other cultivator instead. Wei Wuxian nearly sobbed as the pressure in his veins and qi networks lessened the further the Lan penetrated him, core finally being allowed to rest . 

Feeling the alpha fully bottom out, Wei Wuxian lifted his sore arms to grip at the white silk on the Lan’s shoulders, gasping in relief. He pulled the alpha closer to himself, breaking their intense eye contact as the Lan’s face was shoved into the juncture of his neck and shoulder. Strained gasps and heavy breaths warmed the skin there, the Lan cultivator focusing on trying to control the dark energy entering his core instead. 

“Move…” Wei Wuxian croaked into the blush warmed ears, the Sect Leader heeding his command through a shallow experimental thrust. Soft moans left the omega, each thrust painful but relief filled as his meridians slowly emptied the entire reservoir of resentful energy into the other end. As the alpha’s thrusts picked up speed, the smooth cool ocean of fresh pure qi was also deposited in him, coating his meridians and caressing his core.  

It was like ecstasy in the most potent form, the thrusts even and methodic as more of the alpha’s qi balanced his own, pacifying each frayed nerve and cell within his body. The fierce fire that burned his core was slowly receding, the enveloping energy retreating. Feeling seemed to be returning to his limbs, his fingers experimentally clutching tighter to the robes. His hip finally registered the hold of the other cultivator, blunt fingernails almost piercing his soft flesh. 

The Sect Leader held his self control as his hips collided with the pudgy flesh of Wei Wuxian’s bottom, the soft moans and gasps in his ears drowning out whatever wisp of guilt and opposition arose. His core was resilient and strong, easily filtering the dark energy and neutralizing the swarm of yin energy with his own yang. His cheek pressed into the heated flesh of the omega’s neck, breathing mouthfuls of the fruity tart that lingered there. 

Wei Wuxian basked in the reprieve, staring at the rusted ceiling and the soft moonlight that shined on the inky strands curtaining him. He had enough control of his legs to slowly hook one over the cultivator’s hip, allowing better access to his entrance. The thrusts were getting uneven now, stilted and deeper, almost piercing his canal in its endeavor. The huffs against his ear were increasing in volume, sandalwood essence blowing into his nose. 

“A-apologies, I…” The Sect Leader gasped, warning Wei Wuxian of the impending release. High off of the endorphins flooding his system, Wei Wuxian could only nod. The alleviation of the pain was unlike any other, the screaming and chaos within his body silencing. The thrusts picked up speed, punching pitched moans out of Wei Wuxian before the alpha released, heat coating his walls followed with a backflow of the remaining yang qi. 

The two stayed connected for a while, breathing in the other and basking in the relief to both their cores. Wei Wuxian let his arms drop to his sides, taking small swallows of his saliva to alleviate his parched throat. His body buzzed with the aftereffects of such an assault to his core, limbs twitchy but sluggish as his leg was placed down onto the cot by the cultivator on top of him. As the Sect Leader moved, Wei Wuxian noticed how pristine he still looked, save for the few strands of his hair sticking to his forehead. 

With the soft sigh of fabrics, the Lan Sect Leader moved off of him, catching his breath and readjusting his robes. He turned his back to Wei Wuxian but did not leave the cot, some string of responsibility keeping him with the omega. Wei Wuxian glanced at the white robed back, closing his eyes for a few minutes as the aftershocks of a near qi deviation jostled through random points in his body. The dual cultivation had helped tremendously but there were still residual points that ached from exhaustion. 

Silence stretched in the small storeroom for what seemed like hours, both cultivators letting the situation marinate in their thoughts but refusing to voice anything out loud. Soon the Sect Leader made the motion of shrugging off his outer robe, Wei Wuxian fluttering his eyes open at the sudden shift. The alpha barely glanced at his still disrobed figure before draping the soft cloth over his form as a makeshift blanket. 

“You should rest. I will get some water and a cloth.” The Lan informed, standing to his full height and stepping to the door. Wei Wuxian watched his form retreat, legs sluggish but unnoticeable with an untrained eye. He could only sigh as he laid back again, not really expecting the alpha to stay true to his words. It was likely he would never return and would instead look back at this encounter as a small stain in his history. An alpha from a prominent clan would never see him worthy enough to tend to. 

Closing his eyes once more, Wei Wuxian nearly dozed as his exhausted body throbbed dully with pain. The white robes smelled distinctly of the Lan, soft and soothing sandalwood making him drowsy as the quiet night threaded on. The moonlight coming through random cracks of the storeroom illuminated the cramped room, the smell and feel of hay surrounding him. Whether the cultivator returned or not, he would rest for a few hours before he had enough energy to depart from this village with Wen Ning. 

Just when Wei Wuxian had felt lulled into the sleep cycle, the presence of another crouching next to him jostled his eyes open. Turning his head, the Sect Leader had returned diligently, a tray consisting of a clay pot of water and a soaked rag being placed on the space of the cot next to him. Mildly surprised at the hospitality, Wei Wuxian made an effort to sit up, clenching his teeth when his sore body protested the action. 

Mildly aware that his robes were still open, Wei Wuxian made a flimsy attempt to knot them at his waist, letting the white outer robe cover him from there downwards. The Sect Leader extended the pot outwards, Wei Wuxian taking it from his hands and allowing himself greedy gulps to ease his throat. It felt refreshing like nothing else, his throat finally knowing relief after being suffocated and blocked for so long. 

As Wei Wuxian drank, he noted in his peripherals that the alpha refused to look towards him, fidgeting with the rag on the tray. Frowning, Wei Wuxian broke the silence that had been heavy in the atmosphere around them. 

“Was it so terrible that you can no longer look me in the eye?” Wei Wuxian questioned, placing the empty pot down onto the tray. The Lan flinched slightly, not expecting to be talked to in that instance, especially with such a heavy question at that. 

“No, it’s… I apologize.” The Lan had returned, finally bringing his gold laden gaze back to Wei Wuxian’s confused face. 

“What for? You have saved my life and my core, it should be me apologizing for exploiting you in such a situation.” Wei Wuxian answered, thinking too much about the hesitant touches and thrusts he had to endure before. It had been blatantly obvious the alpha had never done anything like that before and only his philanthropic nature had allowed him to put away his disagreement and relent to the pleas. 

The Lan was silent again, expression slightly pained as he seemed to be struggling for words. 

“Accompany back to Gusu so that I may be able to take responsibility for you.” 

Wei Wuxian stared at the Lan as the request registered in his mind. Responsible for . Did the Lan expect him to become a concubine just because they had copulated in a life or death situation? It seemed a bit extreme in his book but it made sense a Lan would feel inclined to his “duty”. However, Wei Wuxian had no desire to live his life bound to a man he didn’t know all because of one night. 

“Your responsibility to me has already been paid. I am still here with an intact core.” Wei Wuxian reassured, voice firm as he made his point across. He would not be entertaining any other arguments. “Since the demon has been vanquished, our duty to each other is fulfilled and we may go our separate ways come morning.” Wei Wuxian affirmed, trying his hardest not to be swayed by the pained and dejected look on the alpha’s face. 

“... Then, may I at least know your name?” The Lan requested after a few beats of silence, accepting the wishes of the omega with no further coercion. 

Wei Wuxian frowned, realizing they had not even had the chance to exchange names throughout the whole hectic ordeal; first the battle in the forest, then defeating the demon, and finally dual cultivating to save his life. 

“Wei Wuxian,” he answered, gesturing with his eyes for the other to reciprocate. 

“Lan Wangji.” 

The ride back to the Cloud Recesses had Lan Wangji’s mind plagued with nagging voices and deep seated guilt. He still felt responsible for what had happened between him and the omega. Even if it had been the only viable option to save the other, it left a bitter taste in his mouth imagining leaving him ruined and without anyone supporting him. 

Although Wei Wuxian was a strong cultivator in his own right, there were benefits to returning with Lan Wangji in the form of security and a balanced home. It was not hard to assume that Wei Wuxian was a wanderer at the end of the day, drifting through the sea of life with no anchor. 

Lan Wangji had become swamped with his duties as Sect Leader barely a few hours after his return. As he sat deliberating over his many official documents, he wondered when he should report to his uncle for breaking the celibacy before marriage clause of the Lan Sect Rules. Even if it was not for his own pleasure, it still counted as a clear breach of the rules. It would not be fair to make other Lans adhere to the rules while he was excused merely for holding a position of power. 

Deciding to be honest, Lan Wangji confessed to his uncle what had transpired during the whole ordeal. He gave all the facts of the case and the dire situation that required the dual cultivation, his uncle listening with a grim look on his face. Not surprisingly, he’d been ordered to be punished, a couple of lashes to his back for the transgression. Lan Wangji took it in stride, admitting to his own faults and setting a proper example for the sect. 

Even as Lan Wangji’s back ached and throbbed from the flogging, his mind replayed the scene with the other cultivator like a broken melody. He’d feel the soft caresses of Wei Wuxian’s flesh on the tips of his fingers, smell his tart fruity scent in the pillows, and replay the sensation of the heat in his body. Undoubtedly, dual cultivating had been pleasurable even with the roiling dark energy that had rushed into his body, for Wei Wuxian’s own qi had rushed in too. It set his meridians on fire like spice and the phantom sensations of it were hard to live down. 

Even trying to meditate the thoughts away had been difficult, flashes of silver eyes, pale skin, and the confident manner in which Wei Wuxian wielded his weapon would play like a film across his eyelids. Lan Wangji almost went to beg his uncle for another punishment to keep the thoughts away but he knew time would only increase his longing and fascination for the elusive omega. 

Lan Wangji hoped there would be a chance to see Wei Wuxian again, even if it was to share a meal or have a small chat. He had thought of many instances where fate might bring them back together again, whether it was to tackle a new case or randomly run across each other like they did at the market. Lan Wangji had also deliberated about other biological causes as well. If the omega had fallen with child, he would take responsibility instantly and claim the child as his legitimate heir and the omega as his spouse. 

However, all of Lan Wangji’s wistful thinking had been forced into the ground with every new morning that passed with no trace of Wei Wuxian. No matter the number of night hunts he went on or the many meetings in other provinces he had to attend. Wei Wuxian had disappeared in the wind but sat caged in Lan Wangji’s heart. 

Just when only fleeting memories remained and faith had been abandoned, Lan Wangji encountered him again in the most spontaneous manner. 

Lan Wangji had been in Yunmeng in order to attend one of the annual gatherings of the Five Clans and the competitions and festivities that would be sure to last for a good week. It was tedious and exhausting but alas it was one of his many duties as the Sect Leader. 

After an exhausting beast hunting competition with the Lans proclaiming victory, he had decided to travel back to the inn the Five Clans had booked to stay in during the festivities. Many other members of the other clans were also taking the time to retire and undoubtedly, the whole inn had been booked, whether there were occupants or not. It was a little game the clans liked to partake in to show off their wealth, booking entire inns even with no one staying in those rooms. 

Lan Wangji and his entourage had just made it to the lobby of the lavishly decorated inn when that fruit infused tart smell had assaulted his nasal cavity. He had all but whipped his head to the source of the smell like a bloodhound would a boar and rested his eyes on the tantalizing figure of Wei Wuxian. He looked exactly as Lan Wangji remembered all those months ago.

The black and red robes were still worn and dusty in parts but Wei Wuxian wore them like brocade fit for an emperor. His wavy inky hair was tied the same with the crimson ribbon and dark as fresh blood. Wei Wuxian still had that scruffy exterior to him indicative of a wanderer, but Lan Wangji gravitated to the familiarity like a lifeline. 

Currently, Wei Wuxian seemed to be in a very heated argument with the head staff, eyebrows furrowed and silver eyes hard with anger. He seemed frustrated, as if this situation had been ongoing for the better part of a few hours before Lan Wangji arrived. 

“How can there not be a single room open in this whole town?” Wei Wuxian interrogated, the staff sighing as they explained the situation in a monotone voice. “The Jin Clan has all the rooms booked in this inn, we cannot offer any to you, dear guest.” That phrase seemed to set Wei Wuxian off, fists clenching at his sides as steam almost poured out of his ears. 

“How can the Jin Clan have all the inns booked in this whole town? Did they bring the entirety of Lanling with them? I’ve only seen a handful of those golden robed crooks so who is occupying all the other rooms?” Wei Wuxian roared, uncaring if said golden robed crooks heard him or not. The inn staff seemed ready to kick the poor omega out after that outburst, leaving him to fend for himself in the cold and desolate night. 

The Jins had in fact booked the majority of that inn but the Lans also had quite a few rooms to spare. Lan Wangji could offer Wei Wuxian a respite from the unforgiving night in a safe and warm room… as close to him as possible. Taking this as his opportunity, Lan Wangji approached the front desk much to the confusion of his entourage. 

“Wei Wuxian.” Lan Wangji called softly, keeping his expression passive to hide the shameful glee that he really felt. The wanderer turned to him in surprise, silver orbs once again locking onto his own gold ones. Lan Wangji was almost embarrassed at the soft flutter his heart did, tearing his eyes away for a second to the inn staff whose entire demeanor seemed to flip as the Lan Sect Leader spoke. 

“Have one of the Lan rooms prepared for him.” The staff turned skittish and mousy, bowing and instantly going about his way to fulfill the request. Lan Wangji turned to Wei Wuxian once more, surprised to see a smug smirk at the corner of his mouth. He seemed to be amused at the exchange that had just occurred in front of him. 

“Fancy running into the Lan Sect Leader here. Seems you too have a monopoly on the rooms in this town,” Wei Wuxian greeted, arms crossed and the amused smirk still gracing his soft pink lips. Lan Wangji almost blushed from embarrassment, “The room booking competition was not my idea.” Wei Wuxian chuckled softly, his demeanor easygoing and his anger from previous events flushed out of his system. 

Lan Wangji suddenly realized how chatty he was aching to be with Wei Wuxian in his presence. Finally seeing the face that had been plaguing his mind for months standing in front of him. Wei Wuxian’s proportions had stayed the same and his abdomen was still flat like the first time they had met half a year ago. Lan Wangji swallowed down the disappointment, vaguely aware he was not acting like his usual self. Instead all he craved was conversation and more time with the cultivator. 

“... Would you be willing to join me for dinner?” Lan Wangji questioned, biting his tongue in anticipation. He did not understand why he even suggested that knowing full well his stomach had been filled from the earlier banquet. Wei Wuxian seemed just as puzzled as him but the easy going smile returned tenfold.

“It depends. Will the Lan Sect Leader be paying?”

“Mn.” Was all Lan Wangji could manage in order to divert his energy into making sure his heart did not take flight right then and there. 

Wei Wuxian’s smile brightened and he walked around the white clad figure, accidentally brushing shoulders and he led the way to a table situated in the back end of the first floor. Lan Wangji followed obediently, mesmerized by the energy that seemed to coat Wei Wuxian.

Wei Wuxian sat almost sprawled on the cushion, his legs crossed and hands already reaching to the menu. Lan Wangi sat formally on his legs, hand poised on his knees as expected of a proper Lan and more importantly as a Sect Leader.. 

“Am I allowed to order alcohol? I should be allowed to order it if I am a guest.” Wei Wuxian asked, languidly flipping through the menu on the table. 

“Mn.” Lan Wangji agreed, internally battling with himself with the decision he made to eat dinner with Wei Wuxian of all things. There was to be no talking while eating as per Lan Rules! For one of the first times of his life, Lan Wangji felt inclined to bend the rules. 

“Good, this inn’s alcohol is the talk of the town. I must try a few jars before I leave,” Wei Wuxian hummed, already having decided on what he was to order. It didn’t take long for one of the inn staff to come and take down their order, Wei Wuxian ordering a variety of dishes to which Lan Wangji’s stomach twisted hearing. He himself ordered a simple congee, something he could finish while his stomach was still full from the banquet. 

“I take it you’re here for the annual convention,” Wei Wuxian interpreted, Lan Wangji pausing before nodding in agreement. The convention was sure to bring festivities and visitors from afar, it could probably be assumed Wei Wuxian came to enjoy them as well. 

Comfortable silence fell between them as the staff took their time to prepare the decadent meals. Wei Wuxian took this opportunity to keep asking an occasional question with Lan Wangji answering in short bursts, internally cursing himself for not being able to string together larger sentences.

It had only gotten worse when the food arrived, the variety of red dishes placed in front of Wei Wuxian startling. However, it brought a barely there smile to the corner of his lips as he watched the omega eat with relish, the spice from the dishes reddening his cheeks and plumping the soft pinks of his lips to darker crimson. The alcohol did not take longer to come, Wei Wuxian nearly drowning the whole fist sized pot with ease. 

“Sect Leader Lan should try a glass too,” Wei Wuxian suggested, already pouring a small cup of the drink before Lan Wangji could protest. He had horrific memories of alcohol from his teenhood and although he’d developed a hint of a tolerance since becoming Sect Leader, he still preferred to abstain from it. However, he could not diminish the light in Wei Wuxian’s eyes nor ignore the softer edges the good food and the hearty wine had brought out in the other. 

Steeling himself, Lan Wangji accepted and drowned the glass, hiding his grimace from view. It tasted just as potent as he remembered every other alcoholic beverage to be. He turned back to his congee, satisfied to just watch Wei Wuxian enjoy the dishes and the wine. Even with very little input of conversation between them, there was no overhanging awkwardness in the atmosphere. 

It felt nice, something Lan Wangji could get used to. 

It took a bit of time but Lan Wangji realized that the one glass of alcohol had been potent. It didn’t make him sway or collapse but it made his head heavy. His thoughts felt coated in tar and all he could focus on was Wei Wuxian’s bright demeanor and the soft beautiful features he possessed. 

Lan Wangji concentrated on the reds at the corner of Wei Wuxian’s eyes, the spice bringing a pleasant flush onto the otherwise pale skin. The wanderer was very animated and his eyes were truly the windows to the soul, hiding nothing of his glee and peace. Lan Wangji could only hold his mesmerizing gaze as he spooned the congee to his mouth, tasting nothing more than the unbridled hyper energy of Wei Wuxian. He watched until his spoon scraped the bare bowl.

After the satisfying meal, the food had been cleared away. Lan Wangji drank in the satisfied feeling of Wei Wuxian being fulfilled, watching the lazy smile bloom onto the blushed face. Seeing as the meal had concluded, Wei Wuxian seemed to be preparing to rest in the offered room, standing up from the low table. Lan Wangji followed his movements. 

Lan Wangji had sluggishly followed Wei Wuxian up the stairs to their prepared rooms, focusing too much of his gaze at the omega’s back and the sash that nearly clung to his body. He averted his eyes as Wei Wuxian’s hips seemed to sway with each step he climbed, internally cursing himself for his shameful thoughts.

With his mind addled, Lan Wangji nearly followed Wei Wuxian into one of the rooms once they made it to the floor. He only paused when the cultivator stood guard at the entrance. Wei Wuxian had a puzzled look on his face, the drunken blush on his cheeks spreading as a teasing smile displayed itself afterwards as Lan Wangji paused. 

“Does the Sect Leader intend to follow me into my rooms? How scandalous.” Wei Wuxian teased, Lan Wangji going straight red as tanghulu. He sputtered a soft apology before he turned the other way, only to be stopped by a grip on his wrist. He glanced back at the other, a soft shyness in Wei Wuxian’s eyes unlike any he’s seen before. 

“I would not mind if that's the case.” Wei Wuxian continued, eyes slightly hooded and pink lips absolutely enticing. He extruded just the smallest hint of nervous energy, anticipating Lan Wangji’s reaction to the confession. 

Lan Wangji could only recall the flogging he had received as punishment for the last time he had copulated with Wei Wuxian. His fists clenched, nails sinking into his palms as it took everything it had not to waltz into the room and have a repeat of the last time. It would not be fair, he could not keep taking from this omega. 

“We should not.” Lan Wangji stated, trying to blind himself of the way Wei Wuxian seemed to droop in disappointment. It was wrong. He could not take from Wei Wuxian without offering anything in return. No matter how much he wanted to. The alcohol was not helping, his doubts sounding more distant as he was pulled into the depths of Wei Wuxian’s eyes. 

“Oh, alright.” Wei Wuxian agreed, letting go of his wrist and turning his body away to make himself at home in the room. 

Lan Wangji watched him retreat into the room, sighing to himself. He finally steeled his nerves and made to turn back to his own rooms only for Wei Wuxian to poke his head out of the room again. Lan Wangji looked at him with momentary confusion before the tarty fruit scent was straight in his face. Dark robed arms enclosed around his neck and a soft peck was placed on his warm cheek before it was gone in a heartbeat. 

“Sorry. I at least needed that.” Wei Wuxian apologized, rubbing sheepishly at the side of his arm. Lan Wangji stared dumbfounded, every nerve in his body in argument with his logical brain. He was holding himself back so well, how could he no longer? How could Lan Wangji not know his impulse and desires? All he did know was that Wei Wuxian’s lips had felt soft and featherlight on his cheek. If he did not experience them again, he would suffocate. 

Lan Wangji stepped past the threshold of the room, nearly slamming the door off its hinges as he closed it. Wei Wuxian’s eyes widened just the slightest bit, before Lan Wangji’s hands were on his waist, and his back was locked onto the wall. Gasping softly in surprise, Wei Wuxian glanced up at the Sect Leader before his eyes dropped shut, the soft meeting of both their lips sealing the deal. 

To say Lan Qiren had taken the news of Lan Wangji’s drunken shenanigans unwell was an understatement. A swift slap had graced the Sect Leader’s cheek once the confession had been made. 

“Lan Wangji! How can you repeat the same mistake twice? Willingly meeting that demonic cultivator again and engaging in such shameful behavior?!” Lan Qiren had nearly roared, Lan Wangji only keeping quiet and accepting the lecture. He knew he hadn’t thought of the consequences of that night, too lost in his own feelings and desires. He deserved twice the flogging he received last time. 

He knew the flogging would be incomparable to the pain he felt letting go of Wei Wuxian the following morning. 

“Shufu, it’s arduous to your health to lose your temper.” A soft voice had consoled, Lan Qiren glaring momentarily at the door his older nephew had emerged through, knowing it was merely a tactic to lessen his attention on the younger one. Soft pale eyes met his own, Lan Qiren clicking his teeth as he turned away from the kneeling Sect Leader and instead apprehending the intruder. 

“Xichen, it is late and arduous to your health to be interfering with your condition.” Lan Qiren had chided, glancing at the other Lan and the heaviness of his abdomen. He seemed to be an almost exact copy of Lan Wangji save for a warmer demeanor and more impulse control. 

“Feel free to punish Wangji but please do so without being swayed by emotions.” Xichen continued, ignoring the little lecture that had been given to him. Lan Qichen had only clicked his tongue again, glaring back at the kneeling Sect Leader. 

“I will personally see to his punishment.” Lan Qiren had finalized. 

The punishment had been absolutely brutal, to say the least. 

It had only been for Lan Wangji’s cultivation that he had not been crippled for a month. Only with the help from his older brother had he been able to recover as quickly despite still having to pause his duties. 

Even with the pain and suffering brought on by the punishment, Lan Wangji could not admit that he regretted the night he spent with Wei Wuxian. He would never regret any moment he had with the omega. 

Wei Wuxian had disappeared in the wind again the following morning with only a light conversation over breakfast as his parting gift. Lan Wangji had made the same request of him again; to return to Gusu with him but had only been awarded a melancholy smile from the other cultivator as he refused. 

It’d been a little over a month since that night and Lan Wangji found himself traversing through Yiling’s markets on an errand. His destination was an apothecary which carried a rare herb difficult to cultivate in mere farmer’s fields. It grew only in the perimeter of the Burial Mounds, feeding off of rich natural qi that was sure to enhance a cultivator’s core, especially omega ones. Lan Wangji had been in search of this plant to take back to his brother who had been enduring a very draining and exhausting pregnancy coupled with threats of a destabilizing core. 

It honestly had raised some eyebrows about why a herb feeding off of dark energy was even safe to be given to pregnant omegas but even a beginner cultivation core was able to filter the mild toxins from the plant and make room for the lengthy list of benefits.

Turning the corner of the market to the one apothecary in miles that shelved the rare herb, Lan Wangji came across the familiar silhouette of dark robes and a face hidden by a bamboo hat. In retrospect, it could’ve been just any wanderer but the crimson ribbon and the muted tart pheromones had given the identity of the person away. 

Wei Wuxian was making his own purchase at the apothecary, holding a bundle of ambiguous herbs as he pulled the hat to further hide his face. He seemed unaware of his surroundings and skittish, the usual vibrant and carefree nature nowhere to be seen. Lan Wangji frowned, minutely opening his mouth to call to the other but not having to spare the effort as Wei Wuxian collided into his frame in his haste to leave. 

Lan Wangji stabilized the other with a firm hold on Wei Wuxian’s biceps, the cultivator murmuring a soft apology as he glanced up at him. Recognition soon pooled into the silver orbs, Wei Wuxian mouth opened in surprise before he was struggling out of the hold. The struggle was weak, especially considering the fact that Wei Wuxian was himself a very powerful cultivator. Lan Wangji kept his grip on him, puzzled at the aggressive display from the other. 

Only a minute of struggle had passed before Wei Wuxian dropped into Lan Wangji’s arms, exhausting pooling through every muscle in the omega’s body. Lan Wangji held him steadily, one arm moving to loop around the defined waist to support him better. It was only with Wei Wuxian’s hands trapped to his chest that Lan Wangji was able to see what herb the other cultivator had purchased, recognition hitting him instantly. 

It was the same herb Lan Wangji himself had come for. 

“Why… are you buying that?” Lan Wangji questioned. Although the herb itself was good for supporting cultivation, it would be nearly obsolete for a cultivator in his prime to consume it. Mostly weaker omega cultivators took it for boosts when they were beginning or were in their more vulnerable stages of child carrying or childbirth. Wei Wuxian taking it would have no effect on him, especially with the strong, resilient core he already possessed. 

Wei Wuxian refused to answer him, refused to even look up at him. Gone was the mischievous and flirty Wei Wuxian, replaced instead by a dreary and guilt filled Wei Wuxian. 

The cogs slowly seemed to shift in Lan Wangji’s mind about why exactly Wei Wuxian would be purchasing such a plant. His heart skipped a beat as the thought formed, Lan Wangji instantly drowning out due to the absurdity. Only a stare to Wei Wuxian’s mildly infuriated but guilt laden face had given him the answer. 

“You… you’re…” Lan Wangji began, barely able to string together the phrase that zapped around his mind like the pounding of gongs. Wei Wuxian stayed silent before sighing and brushing off the hold Lan Wangji had on him. Only in shock had the alpha’s grip loosened, Wei Wuxian taking it as the opportunity to steer them into an emptier portion of the market. 

Still at a loss for words, Lan Wangji waited for Wei Wuxian to explain himself. 

“... Yes, I am.” 

Lan Wangji gave a slow blink. Words clogged his throat, the confession spreading to every part of his brain before freezing. Their previous copulation had taken.  

In truth, Lan Wangji did not know what emotion spread through him. Surprise? Anger? …Elation? And so he did what he was a master at, keeping his mouth shut and internally running a rhetorical report on his emotions. 

“Can you at least say something?” Wei Wuxian barked, fists clenching his fading robes as eyes holding true frustration were trained on him. Lan Wangji did want to say something but he didn’t know what was appropriate. News had just been dropped that he would be a father and the omega that was the object of every basal need of his would be carrying the child. 

“... When did you know?” Lan Wangji barely croaked, sealing a lid on the cornucopia of questions that threatened to slip past the barrier of his larynx. 

Wei Wuxian sighed, “for only a few days. It’s… it’s draining me.” 

“And you did not think to inform me?” Lan Wangji questioned, tone fully passive so as to not stress Wei Wuxian out. From his demeanor it was safe to say the omega had been hit hard by the news, the weight of it had almost sunken his eyes into his skull. 

“I did not know what to think.” Wei Wuxian laughed bitterly, and if Lan Wangji noticed the small break in his voice, he did not comment. Lan Wangji could only imagine the internal torment the news must’ve brought to someone like Wei Wuxian. A rogue cultivator, a drifter who was now saddled with the weight of responsibility for the child that had taken root in his womb. 

Wei Wuxian may have not known what to think, but Lan Wangji knew what he had to do. 

“Come back to Gusu with me.” 

Wei Wuxian gave him an incredulous look, before his face morphed to disbelief. He laughed bitterly for a few seconds, shaking his head as if the request was absurd. 

“Is that the only thing you can ask? Go back to Gusu with you to do what? To be hidden away in your harem like a shameful secret so your reputation will be intact? I’m better off taking this child and having Wen Ning raise it.” 

“... Please come back to Gusu with me so that I–” Lan Wangji began again only to be cut off by Wei Wuxian’s outburst. 

“So that I can become your concubine and save your reputation?!” 

“So that I can take you as my mate and love you freely!”

Chapter Text

“Love me?” Wei Wuxian parroted, exasperated. 

“Yes. To love you. I’ve never been free from you since we met. You take up every morsel of space in my heart. I would never hide you away nor feel shame to have you standing by my side. The child you carry is the only blessing I’ve had other than you.” 

Wei Wuxian stared. 

Lan Wangji stared back, biting his bottom lip in anticipation. What he’d said out loud did not even scrape the surface of what he felt. He wished he could just present his heart to Wei Wuxian, to allow him to peer inside every crevice and know the true extent of how much he cherished him. 

“I… I’d give the world to take you as my spouse. As my mate.” Lan Wangji whispered. 

Wei Wuxian inhaled a deep breath, pacing on the small dirt path they were situated on. 

“Do you understand what you are proposing? You are a Sect Leader , I am a nobody. And I do not want to be anybody. I want my freedom.” Wei Wuxian countered, the corners of his eyes reddening. He glanced down at his abdomen again, knowing this child had sucked every notion of freedom from him since their conception.

“I will provide you with freedom. You will be free to do as you wish but please allow me to care for you. For our child.” Lan Wangji pleaded, softly grasping Wei Wuxian’s hand in his. The fact the other did not pull away gave him one single sliver of hope in his proposal. 

“If you are ever unsatisfied with me… I will let you leave as you please.” Lan Wangji started, ignoring the painful twisting of his heart at the thought of letting go. “Just allow me one opportunity to prove myself and cherish you and our child. You will not lack anything and you will always be free to do as you please.”

Wei Wuxian stayed silent, internally debating his response. This child would be brought into the world just to suffer. Wei Wuxian was a rogue with no stability in his life, riding the wind to his next destination. Some days he barely ate enough to fill himself much less possessing the ability to provide for another. He couldn’t subject a newborn to his adventures and the thought of never returning after one and leaving the child to fend for himself brought the taste of blood to his mouth. 

Lan Wangji could provide their child care and stability. They’d grow up with their stomach always filled and a sturdy roof over their head, something that Wei Wuxian was not always fortunate to have. He couldn’t be selfish, he couldn’t allow his child to suffer the same childhood he lived, neglected and unwanted by the people around him. 

This was a consequence of their own actions. Their second meeting, Lan Wangji had refused his advances but it had been Wei Wuxian who was persistent, drowning in his lust and the thrill of the chase. In their twisted society, Lan Wangji could’ve thrown him to the streets, unwilling to accept the illegitimate child like so many other nobles had done. To have the Lan Sect Leader pour out his heart brought just the softest tear to glide down the slopes of his cheek. 

Wei Wuxian had not cried in ages. Not even when the news had been broken to him about what took root in his body. He’d been drained, exhausted from anxiety and the uncertainty of his future to feel any other emotion. It had only gotten worse when his cultivation started to become stagnant, his body adjusting to the pregnancy and unwilling to maintain the dangerous links in his core and his body. Without safely rejuvenating it, he could become crippled. 

Warms arms enveloped Wei Wuxian, his teary face pushed into the soft white robes. Inhaling deeply, the earthy smell of sandalwood assaulted his nostrils, giving him the few stirrings of hope in his heart. Lan Wangji’s warm hand cupped his cheek, wiping away the rebellious droplets at the edge of his chin. Staring into those golden robes, Wei Wuxian remembered why he’d made the second request. 

“Wei Wuxian, please. I will no longer know peace without you.” Lan Wangji whispered, desperation coating every word. “You will be my one and only. There was no one before you and there will never be anyone after you.” 

Sighing in defeat, Wei Wuxian wiped the new tears itching his skin. Lan Wangji’s whole demeanor looked vulnerable, lips pursed as if he was ready to be stabbed with the reality of Wei Wuxian’s answers. He’d never known peace since the news had been broken to him, every nerve frayed in his endless worry. 

“O-okay…” Wei Wuxian choked out, new tears breaching the barrier of his eyelids. He was willing to try, if not for himself than at least for their child. He’d at least feel less guilty that his child had a strong backing, if the situation turned dire and he decided to leave in the end. 

“Thank you,” Lan Wangji whispered, squeezing the frail body just that bit tighter.

Sitting across the scrutinizing gaze of Lan Wangji’s uncle made Wei Wuxian nearly hurl. They’d taken the long trip back to Cloud Recesses, stopping every night at an inn and making sure Wei Wuxian was fed properly. Lan Wangji had purchased him new robes, even offering Wen Ning a pair in their journey. Now they sat in front of the Lan elder, Wen Ning fidgeting behind Wei Wuxian. 

“Shufu. This one wishes to be wed.” Lan Wangji started, clasping Wei Wuxian’s hand. The other Lan had glared at the union, turning his nose up at Wei Wuxian and the Fierce Corpse gracing their presence. He looked somewhat puzzled at the request but who could honestly blame him. The Sect Leader had suddenly brought an unfamiliar omega back with him and instantly requested a meeting with his uncle. 

“So suddenly? And to whom?” Lan Qiren questioned, hoping to ignore the strange guest Lan Wangji brought back with him. An obvious follower of Demonic Cultivation with a Fierce Corpse servant in tow. Such mockery of cultivation was disgusting to look at. This was maybe the one that had led Lan Wangji astray during the last gathering of the Five Clans. 

“To Wei Wuxian.” Lan Wangji elaborated, Lan Qiren even more puzzled. The name did not ring a bell within any ranks of their own clan or anyone from the other prominent cultivation clans. At the confused stare, Lan Wangji tightened his hold on the mysterious figure’s hand. 

“To him.” Lan Wangji restated, Wei Wuxian bringing his silver eyes to look Lan Qiren in the eyes.   

Silence followed the meeting. 

“ What? What for? You do not even know him. Where did he even come from?” Lan Qiren scolded, crossing his arms across his chest. He took a new look at ‘Wei Wuxian’, finding a face he’d never seen before. The boy looked scruffy, even in the new shiny robes he had on. There was a wild look in his eyes, like he belonged in a forest rather than the dignities of civilization. Where Lan Wangji picked him up from, he did not know. 

“Shufu, he is with child.” Lan Wangji explained, Wei Wuxian squeezing his hand tighter. 

“Whose?” Lan Qiren’s eyes narrowed, flickering slightly to the Fierce Corpse in the back. A male.

“Mine.” Lan Wangji answered, Lan Qiren taking some time to process before going nearly white as a sheet. No one spoke after that, Wei Wuxian unwilling to look the older Lan in the eyes while he glared holes into his face. The other sputtered, looking like he would be ready to throw up blood at what his nephew had just allowed him to hear. 

“Lan Wangji, what have you done?!” Lan Qiren coughed, drowning his cup of tea as if he was swallowing bile. He grasped at his head, the incoming migraine would definitely send him to his grave. What had made Lan Wangji throw out the principles and rules of the sect? Just when he’d thought the Sect Leader had learned his lesson, he’d brought an unknown pregnant omega back to the sect instead. 

“Shufu, this one will take all responsibility and punishment. Wei Wuxian is like this because of this one’s actions, he has done nothing wrong.” Lan Wangji elaborated, squirming just the slightest in his seat. Whether he got his uncle's approval or not, he would marry Wei Wuxian but he could never live with Lan Qiren taking out his anger on his future spouse. 

“Of course it is his fault! You have never stepped out of line until you met him. What has he brought to your life other than misfortune?” Lan Qiren seethed, unwilling to relinquish his glare from Wei Wuxian’s face. 

“Wei Wuxian has never brought me misfortune! I cherish him. I will marry him regardless of Shufu’s blessing.” Lan Wangji countered, reverting back to informal speech in his anger. Lan Qiren looked ready to burst a blood vessel, cheeks flushing in anger. 

“Do as you please! When have I ever been able to stop anyone from this family? First it was your father, now it is you, next will be your son!” Lan Qiren finalized, abruptly standing from his seat and nearly marching to exit the pavilion. 

Wei Wuxian watched him go, swallowing to relieve his parched throat. He had no reaction, too exhausted from the journey and the toll of having his spiritual energy dulled each day. He had an expectation for this sort of encounter, knowing where he stood on the pecking order and knowing where the Lan Clan stood on that same order. 

“Do not take Shufu’s words to heart. He is just confused and angry. I never saw this as your fault nor do I believe you have brought me any misfortune.” Lan Wangji was quick to clarify, grasping Wei Wuxian’s face in his hands. Wei Wuxian stared ahead blankly, wondering if this is when he should let Lan Wangji know that he wanted to be set free. But to see the alpha going against his family for his dignity…

“Please, rest for the night. By morning Shufu will have calmed down and will understand the situation properly.” Lan Wangji reassured, placing the softest of pecks of Wei Wuxian’s inner wrist. The omega could only purse his lips. 

“... Don’t you regret your proposal now? You know you will not gain anything other than scrutiny for marrying me.” Wei Wuxian responded, monotone. Lan Wangji’s eyes widened just a fraction, hurt pooling into his golden irises. 

“I seek not to gain anything other than you.” Lan Wangji responded, slowly pulling Wei Wuxian back into his arms. He did not comment on the hot droplets that soaked into his shoulder as the frail body shook.

As Lan Wangji had stated, Lan Qiren had slept on the situation and emerged with a verdict. 

The marriage would be allowed. An astronomer would be called and a proper wedding day would be soon announced. 

The problem had been allowing a Fierce Corpse to stay on Cloud Recesses and the matter of practicing Demonic Cultivation. 

Not that Wei Wuxian planned to practice such heavy energy consuming methods while he was in such a state. He’d had to watch as Wen Ning took the burden of decision and descended back the mountain, promising to return when he would be deemed safe again. Wei Wuxian almost went with him, ever since he’d gained such a companion he hadn’t been separated for long. 

The wedding date had been decided to be about a month later, enough to hide the timeline of the unexpected situation. The only concern left was to help Wei Wuxian adjust and assimilate into the clan. Lan Qiren had hired the best tutors and teachers from their clan, hoping to meet the deadline before the wedding. If Wei Wuxian was to be seen in public with Lan Wangji, he was expected to play the part. 

“If you are to become Lan Wangji’s spouse, you must learn proper etiquette and rules.” Lan Qiren had huffed, promptly placing a rather concerning volume of bound books on the low table. Wei Wuxian only stared, trying not to blink rapidly in disbelief as more scrolls were placed on the empty pockets of space on the table.

“These are the rules of the Lan clan,” Lan Qiren explained, gesturing to the many volumes of books on the table. “As you are to be one of the figureheads, it is expected that you not only follow them, but know them by heart.” 

Wei Wuxian looked from the books to Lan Qiren’s scrutinizing face before settling back on the books. He remembered the massive slab of stone carved with the sect rules when he had first arrived at the Cloud Recesses. Back then he had scoffed at how ridiculous and rigid the place seemed and now here he was being forced to ingrain such ridiculousness. Subconsciously, Wei Wuxian let out an exasperated chuckle. 

Lan Qiren’s steely eyes narrowed, “Rule number three hundred and ninety five: no unnecessary noise.”  

Wei Wuxian could only bite the inside of his cheek. If every rule in this frigid sect was like this, there was no telling whether he would keep his sanity. 

“It is expected that this task is completed before your wedding date where you will be under examination by the elders of the sect.” Lan Qiren elaborated, droning on about the rankings and the responsibilities of everyone sheltered within Cloud Recesses. Wei Wuxian could only tune him out, reaching for one of the massive books that contained the rules. He was intelligent and adaptive from birth and the time limit would have been sufficient if he was not expected to attend all the other supplemental lessons the other elders would be given him. 

In order to memorize the almost four thousand rules of the sect, it was possible he would have to sacrifice meals and sleep if exhaustion did not make do of him. Wei Wuxian could only  glance down at his abdomen, still flat and innocent but undoubtedly growing the Lan heir. The level of responsibility heaped on him nearly threatened to flatten him and such added stress could be detrimental to his mental and physical state. 

“... Is this not possible to do after the child is born? Such a hectic schedule could negatively impact me and the child I carry.” Wei Wuxian interjected, subconsciously placing an empty palm to his abdomen. Lan Qiren’s assessing eyes landed on him again, the frown deepening on his features as if the mere thought of Wei Wuxian’s concern offended him. 

“Rule number two hundred and four: you may not interrupt an elder while they are speaking. As for the health of the child, there are strict timetables where you will be required to take your meals and rest as well as obtain Wangji’s qi infusions. Everything that has been set was decided with the heir’s best interests in mind.”

“I understand, but you must take my concerns into consideration as well. I know what is best for my body and best for the child. Even if my physical condition is well, mental strain can easily erode a vulnerable core and lead to dire consequences.” Wei Wuxian explained, silver orbs hardened with resolve as he looked up at Lan Qiren. 

“Enough. Wei Wuxian, you may not question your elders or the processes that take place. You will not be able to skirt your responsibilities for petty grievances. This is what you have agreed to when you accepted Lan Wangji’s proposal.” Lan Qiren concluded, pulling one last scroll from the shelves and placing it in front of Wei Wuxian. 

“Lan Wangji promised me freedom and the right to live my life as I pleased within this sect. I should be allowed to decide on matters such as this without being accused of skirting responsibility.” Wei Wuxian countered, the first small samplings of rage taking root in his heart. He had only accepted the proposal under those pretenses and the best outcome for their child. 

“Lan Wangji does not have the authority to make such promises.” 

“Lan Wangji is the Sect Leader, what authority is there above him?” Wei Wuxian questioned, disbelief apparent in his tone. Lan Qiren had only given him a chastising gaze, as if he was merely regarding an unruly child rather the person that was to be the Sect Leader’s spouse. 

“Had you been more learned in your childhood, you would know that Sect Leaders must still adhere to the rules of the sect and respect the opinion and authority of their elders. Whatever freedom he promised is merely outside of the rules everyone in Cloud Recesses is expected to respect and follow.” 

Wei Wuxian could say nothing, even as fury burned the back of his throat and disbelief left a bitter aftertaste in his mouth. He’d been deceived by Lan Wangji’s false promises of freedom, instead chained under the authority of his clan. 

“It is advised that you begin your studies at once lest you fall behind schedule. If you require ink and papers, they will be provided in short notice.” Lan Qiren dismissed, turning his back to the still silently fuming Wei Wuxian as he exited the Library Pavilion. 

In time, he too will learn to be a proper spouse and parent to a Lan. 

It’s dusk by the time Lan Wangji had made his way to the Library Pavilion, the soft muted hues of the receding sunlight illuminating the steps. A few disciples had greeted him on the route, curiously glancing at the lunchbox he had wrapped in his arms. They hadn’t ever heard of the Sect Leader indulging in food from outside Cloud Recesses, perfectly content with the meals served in the dining halls. 

In truth, Lan Wangji had brought the lunchbox for Wei Wuxian. Over the two weeks that the omega had been in Cloud Recesses, his sullen expression during meals had struck a chord within Lan Wangji. Wei Wuxian seemed unsatisfied with the meals, picking absentmindedly at them before reluctantly drowning them. Although the meals were perfectly content for the Lans housed, they didn’t seem to appeal to Wei Wuxian’s palate. 

From what Lan Wangji had gathered, Wei Wuxian gravitated towards savory and flavorful foods, especially those that seemed to singe the nostrils. He’d taken it upon himself to go down into Caiyi town in the little free space he had between his duties and purchase a fulfilling meal for his betrothed. 

Currently, the sect was settling down preparing for their evening meal before they were due to retire for the day. Wei Wuxian was at the dregs of his studies for the day, his own meal being delivered to the Library Pavilion or in the house he was allotted for the time being. It was difficult to discern which of the two locations Wei Wuxian was in currently but Lan Wangji held hope that it would be the former of the two. 

Although obsolete in its function, Lan Qiren had forbidden Lan Wangji to visit the temporary courtyard Wei Wuxian was housed in. He was only to meet with the omega under official pretenses during meals with the sect or under supervision of a chaperone when the qi infusions were to take place. It was merely to keep up airs with the other elders and Lan Wangji could only bite his cheek and accept. 

If Wei Wuxian had already retired, Lan Wangji would have to entrust the meal with one of the household staff. He had hoped that at least tonight he would be spared some time with his betrothed, even under the scrutinizing gaze of a chaperone. 

Knocking softly on the doors to the pavilion, Lan Wangji swallowed down his glee as it was opened by one of the beta senior members of the sect, only a few ranks below him but chosen to be the chaperone. Along with Wei Wuxian’s personal household staff, this man was the one that was to be accompanying the omega in his daily activities. If he remained in the pavilion then so did Wei Wuxian. 

“Sect Leader.” the beta had greeted, bowing softly as he stepped aside to let the other in. He glanced curiously at the lunchbox the Sect Leader carried but held his comments. 

“Has Wei Wuxian taken his meals?” Lan Wangji questioned, tightening his grip slightly on the handle of the lunchbox. The beta had only given him another curious glance, skimming the background for any signs of the staff bringing the meal. 

“The meal seems to be slightly delayed. Shall I request that yours be sent as well?” the beta stated, Lan Wangji giving a dismissive head shake. He had brought Wei Wuxian’s meal for him and the one that was meant for the omega, he could take for himself. 

Stepping past the beta, Lan Wangji made his way to the back end of the Library Pavillion where a station had been set up for Wei Wuxian, blocked by screens on all sides. It provided the omega with privacy and allowed the others utilizing the space to not be hindered by the other or start baseless gossip and rumors in his presence. 

Sliding one screen to the side, Lan Wangji entered the space, the chaperone following close behind. Wei Wuxian had a few scrolls spread on the table but his hands had been occupied by a thick bound book, no doubt one of the volumes of the Sect Rules. The omega glanced up at him briefly before his hardened gaze fell back to the book. There was no greeting nor acknowledgement, and Lan Wangji could not stop the little painful knot his heart fell into. 

It had been a little tense between him and his betrothed for a little under a week when Wei Wuxian had accused him of promising lies. It had been quite an outburst and Lan Wangji had made the mistake of staying silent rather than defending himself which Wei Wuxian had taken as admission to his faults. In the time that passed, Lan Wangji could not find the proper method of apologizing and explaining that his promises were true.

“... Have you eaten yet?” Lan Wangji began, knowing the answer already but not having any other starter for their conversation. He desperately hoped Wei Wuxian would give him longer answers instead of the irritated quips from days past. 

“According to rule ninety seven, I am not allowed to consume meat within Cloud Recesses. What does it matter if I have eaten or not? However little nutrition this little heir is receiving, he could do the same without.” Wei Wuxian snorted, though his tone had stayed even, more underlaid with bitterness than full blown rage. 

“That rule does not apply to you. Since you are with child, it is detrimental you receive proper nutrition and thus all meat is allowed in your diet.” Lan Wangji explained, Wei Wuxian looking up at him with a small scoff, “I thought you had no authority to bend rules like that.”

Lan Wangji sighed softly, “Shufu phrased it incorrectly; of course rules are bent in regard to unique circumstances of omegas. They have leeway to be exempt from certain ones such as those restricting their diet and those pertaining to heats.”

Wei Wuxian still seemed unsatisfied with the answer, averting his gaze and focusing back on the book once again. Lan Wangji took the moment to step deeper into the station, taking a seat opposite the omega. He carefully placed down the lunchbox after rolling a few unimportant scrolls and books away from the table. In his peripherals he could sense Wei Wuxian’s curious but suspicious gaze falling onto the lunchbox. 

“Caiyi Town has a few dishes which would appeal to your palate.” Lan Wangji stated, slowly unwrapping the cloth around the box. He wanted to elaborate that he had done extensive research with the townspeople on which would be perfect for those carrying but had found that his throat seemed a bit blocked. As much as he wanted to speak his mind, his mouth would not cooperate. 

Unhinging the lid, the aroma of ground spices and savory herbs wafted in the small space, Wei Wuxian’s eyes widening just a fraction. Inside lay two dishes, noodles with a spicy broth and floating chunks of beef and another dish of spicy wontons, filled with fresh seafood and fowl. Decadent vegetables were also incorporated in their display, a perfect balanced meal for someone who was nourishing another in their womb. 

Placing the bowls in front of Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji fished out the jar of sweetened milk he had also purchased. Sweets and desserts weren’t common on Cloud Recesses but it was always a snack Lan Xichen enjoyed during his own gestational periods. If Wei Wuxian also approved, there would be more trips to Caiyi Town in order to stockpile it. 

“If it is to your liking, I will provide for you everyday.” 

“...Am I really allowed to eat this?” Wei Wuxian questioned, softly inhaling the tantalizing aromas wafting off on the wishes. Hearing the soft “mn” of permission, he stealthily dug his chopsticks into the dishes, starting first with a tantalizing slice of marinated beef. The burst of flavor onto his taste buds almost brought tears to Wei Wuxian’s eyes, the chewiness of the meat the perfect texture on his molars.

Lost in the tang and snap of the vegetables and the soft pockets of the wontons, Wei Wuxian almost didn’t notice Lan Wangji’s fixated gaze. It was only when there was soft knocking on the screens followed by one of the staff with another meal tray did Wei Wuxian open his eyes. He watched Lan Wangji accept the dull colored meal, grimacing internally as he recalled the taste from the weeks he’d been here. 

Lan Wangji made no complaint as he spooned the nearly clear broth, raising it to his lips with the air of scholarly reverence. Looking down at his own meal, Wei Wuxian shrugged before continuing. The overarching chili flavor seemed to clear nearly all of his congested feelings, each bite of the meat unwinding whatever taut rope had been wrapped around his organs.

Only with the first sip of the sweetened milk did Wei Wuxian feel inclined to look at Lan Wangji again. His breath hitched when he looked right into golden orbs already piercing through his flesh. The flush that spread across his cheeks was only blamed on the spice rather than the fact that Lan Wangji had been engrossed in watching him eat. 

Since both of them had been in the middle of their meals, there was to be no talking as per Lan sect rules. When the silence threatened to turn awkward, Wei Wuxian focused back on his noodles, letting the spice soothe each inflamed nerve and agitated bone he’d developed since coming to the clan and having to deal with Lan Qiren. It almost made the pain worth it. Almost.

With the meal soon cleared out, Wei Wuxian felt almost lighter. His belly had been filled to satisfaction after a while and the aftertaste of all the spices still danced on his tongue. He felt soft and malleable, finally sated. 

Lan Wangji had no indication of any underlying emotion he felt as he had been more than content just to watch Wei Wuxian enjoy his meal. The last order of business they had to do were the qi infusions before both would retire for the night. Extending his arm, Wei Wuxian rested his open wrist on the table between the two of them. 

Lan Wangji’s calloused hand slowly wrapped itself around the thin wrist, the soft flow of qi instantly floating through the meridians. There was still silence between them as Lan Wangji concentrated on transferring a small volume of his qi, making sure to clear Wei Wuxian’s networks of any blockages and providing ample stores for the functioning of the omega’s core. 

“... I appreciate the meal.” Wei Wuxian decided to break the silence. They were to be wed soon and there was no gain in being spiteful and petty with his future husband. Although the recent betrayal still felt raw in his heart, there were small efforts he could applaud the Lan Sect Leader for. The grip on his wrists tightened just a breath. 

“Was it to your liking?” Lan Wangji questioned, fixing his gaze to read the subtlety in Wei Wuxian’s expressive face. He had been granted a nod and the soft swelling of pride in his chest could not be swallowed down as readily. 

“Then I will make sure to provide for Wei Wuxian every night.” 

If Lan Wangji caught the small blush on Wei Wuxian’s cheeks, he did not comment on it.

"Just call me Wei Ying..." Wei Wuxian muttered, scratching absentmindedly at his cheek. Lan Wangji hummed.

Time flew as freely as the breeze as the auspicious wedding day closed in on Wei Wuxian. From his lessons to his exams to getting measured for his wedding attire, Wei Wuxian was almost dizzy with stress. It was obvious the wedding would be a grand festival, the other Five Clans already invited and a few of the pavilions already bearing the crimson red decorations. With each sunset, Wei Wuxian knew he was one day closer to being bound to Lan Wangji.

The morning of the anticipated day, Wei Wuxian was sure he would start cramping from stress. 

The temporary household assigned to him had the soft excited buzz of the festivities, coaxing him out of bed earlier than his usual time. He’d been offered the luxury of sleeping past the time expected for Lans to wake, courtesy of his pregnancy. When Wei Wuxian’s eyes did flutter open, the vibrant rays of the sun barely peaked through the horizon. 

There had been an ensemble of delicate sweets on a tray accompanying the light breakfast that was prepared. Wei Wuxian could not bear to take one bite, gut twisting in anxiety as his robes and jewelry were laid out and ironed by the flutter of maids. He did not know how he would be able to keep his composure in front of so many scrutinizing gazes and harsh whispers. He would’ve expected the wedding to be more modest like the Lans themselves. 

The secret of the premarital pregnancy had been closely guarded by the Lan elders and so it was safe to say the Five Clans were surprised by such a hasty wedding. Especially to someone that was not one of their own. Wei Wuxian belonged to no clan and was shrouded in a mystery the others were keen to solve once they got a proper glance at him during the festivities. 

Swallowing the most of his breakfast, Wei Wuxian was herded by the maids to be cleaned and prepped for his wedding attire. The tub had been filled with water first followed by soapy suds as the maids cleaned every inch of his body with determination. Wei Wuxian would’ve found the attention worrisome if he himself had not been lost in his own thoughts regarding the wedding. 

No one Wei Wuxian knew would be there for him. His parents had passed ages ago, he had no one to bow to except the rigid family that would be accepting him. Wen Ning wasn’t allowed near him the remainder of the pregnancy for fear he would lose control. How Wei Wuxian craved the comfort his old friend would provide, something familiar in so much mystery. 

When Wei Wuxian’s body had been rubbed raw by the cleaning rags was he dried and allowed to enter the new tub, filled with milk and floating petals. The sensation of the cooled milk was unfamiliar as he sank down, his long tresses accompanying him into the liquid. The petals had a soft aroma as they infused the milk, buttery droplets sticking to random sections of his skin. 

Wei Wuxian could only frown. He’d never experienced the formalities and preparation for a wedding, much less one from nobility. The weddings in the smaller villages had been quiet and small, he doubted any of this ceremony was applied to those lower class brides. 

Soon freed from the bath, Wei Wuxian was thoroughly dried, the soft aroma of the flowers easily infused into his skin and tresses. He’d been coaxed to swallow a few more bites of his breakfast by the elderly caretaker who had tutted at his anxiety and warned no more would be allowed after he had been fitted into his wedding attire. Wiping off the few crumbs at the corner of his mouth, Wei Wuxian sat absentmindedly in front of the mirror. 

Soft hands brushed colors onto his pale face, from the red painted onto his lips to the terracotta powder swiped at the edge of his eyes. Fingers poked and prodded at the paints to place them perfectly on Wei Wuxian’s face, hiding every miniature scar and blemish. As the maid finalized the orchid huadian at the center, Wei Wuxian felt almost unrecognizable. 

Fitted next into the bright red robes, Wei Wuxian traced the delicate embroidery of gold phoenixes and orchids. As the sash was tied tight onto his still flat abdomen, it began weighing at the corners of his mind that it was real. He’d long accepted he would be a parent in a short while but being mated and bound still fell within unknown territory. 

As combs took to slightly curled locks, Wei Wuxian apprehended himself in the mirror. He still had his essence but it felt trapped behind walls of powders and paints. Gone were his scruffy exterior, now replaced with polished jade. He wondered if Lan Wangji would even recognize him after he lifted the veil. 

Pins of long jade and jewels decorated the silky tresses, thin chains of gold hanging from his updo. Lan Wangji did not skimp on his dowry, every pound of gold and silver could easily afford Wei Wuxian a life of luxury outside of Cloud Recesses. Wiping away the stray thoughts of escaping the mountain, Wei Wuxian let out a soft sigh. Lan Wangji was a good man. Someone who already cherished the life growing inside his womb. The child deserves to feel the love of both parents, the love that Wei Wuxian himself grew up on. 

Once the veil was placed over his eyes, the world turned to crimson. 

The preparations for the bride had taken hours and it was with the first few breezes of the afternoon that the ceremony had commenced. The veil hid Wei Wuxian’s face from the public, his beauty reserved only for his husband. Lan Wangji himself looked breathtaking in red as his own pale hand had accepted Wei Ying’s painted ones. As if sensing the anxiety vibrating in the omega, those warm hands had squeezed in reassurance. 

Taking the three bows felt surreal to Wei Wuxian. Only the soft twinkling of his headpiece and jewelry had brought him back to the scenery present. Lan Wangji faced him after the final bow, the corners of his lips tugging into a smile and the frost at the corners of his melting. Wei Wuxian felt the few soft wisps of relief as the ceremony commenced, now sitting next to his husband as the lengthy banquet commenced. 

Wei Wuxian could manage only a few bites of the feast laid out, too nervous to be surprised at the surprise pop of color in the dishes. His stomach had been filled with his anxious thoughts since he woke up, each bite of the decadent food felt like mud was being chewed. It was difficult to eat without lifting the veil anyway and so Wei Wuxian rested his utensils back onto the plate. 

Hearing the soft clatter, Lan Wangji turned to his bride, grasping the smaller hands fisted into the red and gold robes. Curious gazes were already directed at the omega, each eye rampant in their attempt to lift the veil and take in the face under it. An odd sense of protectiveness came over Lan Wangji.

“Would you like to retire early?” Lan Wangji suggested, Wei Wuxian turning his veiled face back to him. The nod was eager, expressing the same sentiment he himself shared. Such gatherings of crowds and socials were not Lan Wangji’s favorites and he craved to have privacy with his now husband. To hold his soft face, to kiss his delectable lips, and to be wrapped by the warmth of Wei Wuxian. It had been an excruciating month of being separated and chaperoned from his one true love. 

Gracefully moving from his sitting position, Lan Wangji took Wei Wuxian’s hand, guiding him away from the crowd. With a respectful bow to the Lan elders and the few important sect leaders in attendance, the couple had made their exit. 

With the fading of the crowds and the soft coolness of the night air, Wei Wuxian finally had the courage to lift his stuffy veil and clear his vision. He vaguely wondered if he should’ve kept his wedding look a surprise until they got back to their bridal chambers but being able to breathe at ease took precedence over Lan Wangji’s reaction. 

With the door shut and the newlyweds situated in their chambers, Wei Wuxian took the longest breath of air possible. Anxiety still buzzed in his limbs but being with his now husband had soothed him. Lan Wangji’s gaze was appreciative, golden eyes smoothing over every detail of the paints and powders that now encompassed Wei Wuxian’s face. 

“Gorgeous.” Lan Wangji praised, thumb caressing the arch of Wei Wuxian’s cheekbone. A soft blush dusted the flesh, the omega moving just that bit closer to him. As their warm exhales permeated the close space between them, Wei Wuxian had made the first move. His full lashes had closed, crimson lips meeting the sheen of Lan Wangji’s own. 

The kiss felt perfect, like the first drops of oasis water after years in the desert. Lan Wangji’s hands settled on the full hips, pulling Wei Wuxian that much closer to him. To feel the omega’s flesh fill his bare palms, to smell his intoxicating aroma, and to bask in the feel of his soft lips. Lan Wangji didn’t know how he would let go now that it was truly his. 

Pulling away, Wei Wuxian’s fingers threaded into Lan Wangji’s own thick curtain of hair. There were just the smallest hints of nervous energy in the touches, Wei Wuxian hiding it through small kisses on his jaw. 

“Nervous?” Lan Wangji questioned, letting his thumb swipe along the smudged scarlet corner of Wei Wuxian’s mouth. 

“... We consummated ages ago.” Wei Wuxian explained, averting his glance for a second before narrowing them back onto Lan Wangji. His arms had been situated on the broad shoulders of the Lan, warm arms around his waist tightening just a fraction. 

“Mn.” 

“Do you want to, again?” The soft pads of Wei Wuxian’s fingers ghosted Lan Wangji’s cheek as they moved the long bangs obscuring the alpha’s soft gaze. 

“Only if Wei Ying wants.” Lan Wangji answered, though he knew his answer with the soft lowering of Wei Wuxian’s eyelids. They were intoxicated with one another’s presence, every gesture and whisper coveted like rare jewels. They’d missed each other’s presence under the scrutinizing gaze of the clan. Now, they belonged to only each other. 

“I want to. Lan Zhan.” 

“Always, Wei Ying.”

Being Wei Furen took many more hours than Wei Wuxian liked to divest to chores. 

Wei Wuxian now had his own permanent courtyard, though he’d already made himself home in Lan Wangji’s Jingshi. Being granted the quiet and secluded courtyard was a gift of sentimental value, especially since it had belonged to Lan Wangji’s late mother. The area was spacious and quiet, well maintained and perfect for Wei Wuxian to have his privacy and practice his own cultivation in peace. 

The courtyard seemed absolutely pristine, even as the late dowager Lan had passed decades ago. It was through the efforts of the late Lan Sect Leader and Lan Wangji that the place was well tended to, hoping to preserve her memory. Since the Lans were monogamists, no one else had the privilege to reside in the place prior to Wei Wuxian. 

Running a household was not an easy task, even with all the lessons Lan Qiren and his tutors had drilled into Wei Wuxian. He had to be aware of all new hires and their tasks, as well as manage their funds and the expenses of the entire sect. He’d gotten some help from the previous manager before he would be fully capable of taking over. 

Only when the tasks of the day were finished and Wei Wuxian headed into the Jingshi did everything feel right again. The ironclad grip the Lan Elders had on him previously mellowed now that he had passed their tests and was officially Lan Wangji’s spouse and mate. He ate well, now that he controlled what ingredients were to enter his household, though he did not take for granted the delicacies Lan Wangji brought him from towns over. 

As Wei Wuxian’s abdomen finally started to show, Lan Wangji waited on him hand and foot. Well, in however much time he was free from his neverending duties. They’d hold each other as the nights passed, either in fiery passion or the warm embrace of protection. Lan Wangji was a man of few words but his actions explained everything Wei Wuxian needed to know. 

It was a moonless night when Wei Wuxian felt the first ever kick. 

Lan Wangji was preparing to retire for the evening, drying his luscious hair and tightening his sleeping robes. Wei Wuxian was already in the spacious bed, stretching out the few cramps and aches in his calves. He was a little more than halfway through the gestation period, abdomen getting heavier and clearly showing through his robes. 

As Lan Wangji took to the bed and went to massage out the pains in his lower body did Wei Wuxian feel the soft flutter. At first he hadn’t realized what it was, mistaking it for strange bowel movements. He’d only felt it as it happened twice more. Putting a tentative palm onto his abdomen, Wei Wuxian felt it a third time. 

“Lan Zhan!” Wei Wuxian exclaimed, grabbing the alpha’s hand and placing it on the spot he had felt it. The questioning look directed at him faded after a while, another flutter which Lan Wangji had sensed as well. Golden eyes widened slightly, palm emotionless as the alpha waited for another. Wei Wuxian waited with him, anticipation in his gut. Though, it seemed the little one had its fun for the night, going quiet once again. 

“Strong.” Lan Wangji nodded, pride in his voice. Wei Wuxian didn’t stifle his chuckle. 

“You can tell from one kick?” Wei Wuxian tutted, allowing Lan Wangji’s palms to cup his calves again and rectify the soreness there. Lan Wangji’s touch always felt welcoming, especially as he alleviated any cramps and back aches that followed the growing of his abdomen. 

“I never asked but does Lan Zhan have any hopes for our heir? Male or female? Alpha or… omega?” 

“Only hoping Wei Ying and baobao are healthy.”

The flutter in Wei Wuxian’s heart almost had him question if the little one had migrated there instead. He’d thought there would’ve been pressure on him for an alpha, one who would inherit the clan and bring forth the family name. However, the Lans had been quiet about any preferences they might’ve had, true neutrality in their minds as the pregnancy progressed. To hear that Lan Wangji put their safety over any societal expectation made Wei Wuxian warm. 

“We should decide names, there isn’t much time to spare.” Wei Wuxian commented, turning to face Lan Wangji as he laid on the pillow. He never did understand how the alpha slept on his back, positioned like he was ready to be placed in a coffin. Wei Wuxian loved to sprawl on the bedding, limbs askew on Lan Wangji’s own as he tried to find the best possible position with his rounded abdomen. 

“Mn.” Lan Wangji hummed, brushing a soft kiss onto Wei Wuxian’s forehead. It must be nine o’clock already, golden eyes finally covered by the tired eyelids. The Sect Leader couldn’t help it, after decades following the schedule, he’d probably sleep standing up if he did not have access to a bed at that specific time. Wei Wuxian could only sigh, he’d probably fiddle with the dozing alpha for a bit before sleep would consume him too. 

As the autumn air grew frigid and the first snowfall blanketed the mountain, a new Lan was brought into the world. 

Exhausted from the affair, Wei Wuxian let Lan Wangji’s ice cold hands soothe the sweat and sweltering heat that currently blanketed him. The alpha had waited in front of Wei Wuxian’s courtyard in the snow for hours, unable to enter until the omega had begged for his presence to complete the final moments. 

The soft cries from their child encompassed the room, maids and midwife wiping and dressing the infant to be presented to the couple. Wei Wuxian still felt delirious from the whole experience, only registering Lan Wangji’s grounding hold and the soft caresses to his sweat soaked hair. 

The swaddled infant found home in Lan Wangji’s arms, small and pink as they cried their grievances to the world. Brushing the pad of his thumb over the blush toned cheeks, Lan Wangji marveled at the supple fat encased there. It never ceased to amaze him how miniature infants were as the tiny stray hand tried but couldn’t fully encompass the circumference of his thumb. 

The scrunched face had yet to open its eyes, squirming the last of its energy stores. Their limbs were very animated, humble hands grasping at the empty air before settling on Lan Wangji’s fingers. Ever so slowly, puffed eyelids slitted open just a few millimeters, clouded irises staring blankly at the bright surroundings. A few more slow blinks were graced before the eyelids were closed, only small flutters present in response to the sounds around them. 

“Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji called, pulling his mate’s attention from the maids currently wiping the remaining sweat and grime of the whole process. Gently, he set down the swaddle on the bedding next to Wei Wuxian. The omega turned on his side with a small grimace, hands reaching to cup the infant’s rounded cheek and nose along the exposed skin. 

“A boy.” Lan Wangji supplied as Wei Wuxian instinctively scented their little creation. The infant only occasionally fluttered his eyes open at the deep clear rumble of his father’s voice and the soft caresses onto his skin. 

“Why’s he… so red?” Wei Wuxian questioned, softly poking one of the pudgy cheeks. He’d never seen a newborn other than his own, the odd coloring making him slightly worried. The corner of Lan Wangji’s lips twitched in a soft smile, softly brushing the furrows out of the newborn’s eyebrows. 

“It is normal,” Lan Wangji explained, slowly swaddling the stray limbs back into the warm blanket. It was a chilly day, the winds howling against the windows, and he would not risk either his mate or their child growing ill. Once more caressing the infant’s soft face, the tiny pink lips parted, mouthing along the skin on Lan Wangji’s hands. 

“He wants to feed,” Lan Wangji observed, situating the newborn snugly into the crook of Wei Wuxian’s arms. The omega looked a little lost at the mention, awkwardly fiddling with his robe. The infant was making small whimpers now, fussing in his hold. 

“I-I’m not sure… how.” Wei Wuxian admitted. He brought the small face near his bare chest, but the child seemed uninterested, instead turning his face away. This all was like new territory to the omega, never having any guidance or even seeing the procedures before. 

“You are doing perfectly.” Lan Wangji reassured, beckoning to the midwife waiting by Wei Wuxian’s bed. The older woman was more than happy to instruct the new parent but slowly motioned for the Sect Leader’s privacy in the moment. Lan Wangji turned back to Wei Wuxian, unwilling to leave him in such a vulnerable state. 

“Shall I leave?” Lan Wangji inquired, Wei Wuxian’s hand instantly grasping his. The omega shook his head, unwilling to be alone. He needed the presence and comfort of his mate. Such uncharted territory could only be weaved through with Lan Wangji. 

“Don’t leave me.” Wei Wuxian pleaded. 

“Never.” Lan Wangji promised. 

They decided on the name Lan Yuan, courtesy name, Sizhui. 

Lan Yuan was a child that would grow up cherished and doted on, if the way Lan Qiren’s gaze softened just a fraction as he held the child was a proper metaphor. Even with the surprising revelation of the infant being an omega, there was little unease in the sect. The child of two powerful cultivators would always prevail in their might, no matter what biology they possessed. 

“Looks like you, Wangji.” Lan Qiren assessed, nodding to himself in pride. Lan Wangji disagreed. Just through preliminary analysis, Lan Yuan possessed more of Wei Wuxian’s traits than Lan Wangji’s. The soft tufts of curls he was born with differed from Lan Wangji’s own pin straight hair and although the eye color had not set in fully, they looked cloudy like a storm, no doubt reminiscent of Wei Wuxian’s irises. Lan Wangji held in his own analysis, allowing his uncle to bask in his own satisfaction. 

In truth, Lan Wangji was uncertain how his uncle would react to the new Lan. Lan Qiren had been outwardly disapproving of his relationship to Wei Wuxian but it seemed Lan Yuan was spared from whatever adverse reaction the elder had with his mother. It wasn’t a surprise that Lan Qiren doted on his other two grandchildren and to have an additional one within his grasp would give him ample opportunities to double his efforts. 

The silent admiration was breached by a small sneeze, sleepy stormy eyes opening just a fraction as the newborn did a full body scrunch. Lan Yuan’s limbs were very animated when he was awake, small legs experimentally kicking in the swaddle and stray fingers stretching and scratching at his own cheeks. 

“See, Xichen’s ones did not move like this. Yuan’er will bring pride to us Lans.” Lan Qiren mused, experimentally allowing Lan Yuan’s kicks to make impact in his lap. Lan Wangji sipped his tea in silence, glancing fondly at his son squirming and occasionally going still. He seemed to possess the endless stores of energy like Wei Wuxian. 

“... How is Wei Wuxian?” Lan Qiren questioned, patting softly at Lan Yuan’s back to rid him of the jitters. 

“Wei Ying is recovering well.” Lan Wangji supplied. The couple of days after Lan Yuan was born had been rough but now Wei Wuxian was slowly but surely adjusting to his changing body and his responsibilities as a parent. When Lan Yuan stressed him out, Lan Wangji was more than pleased to take the little one out instead of relying on the nurse. After all, both omega and infant were slowly growing accustomed to each other’s presence and needs. 

“Let Yuan’er bask in the mountain air for the time being.” Lan Qiren suggested, wincing slightly as Lan Yuan grasped softly at a few wisps of his hair. The snowstorm that signaled Lan Yuan’s arrival had long passed but the chill in the air was still very much apparent. Wei Wuxian had warned him not to leave the newborn out into the cold but a simple wind barrier would be more than enough to keep Lan Yuan snug and warm. 

“Mn.” Lan Wangji agreed, extending his arms for his son. He’d take the newborn on a tour to see some of the other elders who hadn’t wanted to disturb Wei Wuxian just to see the new addition. 

“Not yet.” Lan Qiren huffed, waving away Lan Wangji’s arms. 

Crunching snow under his shoes, Lan Wangji welcomed himself into Wei Wuxian’s courtyards, Lan Yuan snuggled in his arms. The household was quite busy at the time, maids replacing and washing bedding periodically to keep the vulnerable omega as healthy as possible. The smell of decadent dishes steaming from the kitchens meters away doused the scenery with the presence of home. 

It had been quite some hours since Lan Wangji had come to collect Lan Yuan to let Wei Wuxian rest and recuperate. They’d been doing perfectly as they had visited the many Lan elders, the infant curious but a tad bit unaware of the new voices and gentle caresses. Only when he’d racked up an appetite had Lan Yuan began to get fussy, unwilling to be soothed by even Lan Wangji. He had no choice but to seek out Wei Wuxian again so soon. 

Lan Wangji knocked on the door to Wei Wuxian’s chambers to announce his presence but Lan Yuan’s soft cries did a more thorough job. The door was opened by the housekeeper who seemed to have just presented Wei Wuxian with his dinner, the dishes still steaming on the table. Feeling a bit guilty, Lan Wangji wondered if he should’ve taken Lan Yuan to the nurse instead and allowed his mate to take his food in peace. 

“Lan Zhan!” Wei Wuxian called, sitting up straight in his elation. Only with the assurance of Wei Wuxian’s bright smile did Lan Wangji not retrace his steps, coming to sit beside his mate instead. The housekeeper bowed softly before he made her exit, allowing the three of them their privacy. Lan Wangji placed a soft kiss on Wei Wuxian’s cheek, their intimate moment only interrupted with Lan Yuan’s soft cries. 

Cooing softly, Wei Wuxian was quick to take the infant out of Lan Wangji’s arms and methodically opening his robes to allow him to feed. Cries turned to soft whimpers as the infant was finally sated, little legs and arms finally resting on his mother’s torso. Wei Wuxian took the small hand into his hold, reacquainting with his baby after almost a full day away. 

“Feeling better?” Lan Wangji questioned, Wei Wuxian nodding happily. That morning he’d woken up unable to stand the sounds of Lan Yuan’s crying, the stress and anxiety bringing tears to his own eyes. Only when they’d been separated by Lan Wangji was he able to relax again, resting properly and finally finding the energy to keep down his meals. Ever since the birth, it had been a series of highs and lows, some days Wei Wuxian unwilling to let the infant out of his sight and other days wanting nothing but complete silence in his room. 

“Looks like A-Yuan missed me,” Wei Wuxian observed, Lan Yuan’s hand clasped around his finger and his cloudy eyes open and unwilling to leave the omega’s face. Placing a caste kiss on the soft forehead, Wei Wuxian’s nuzzled into the infant’s cheek, savoring that heady smell of a sated newborn.  

Lan Wangji smiled softly at the scene, Wei Wuxian’s soft giggles and jokes a sweet melody to his ears. Lan Yuan was more than happy to be reunited with the other, completely still unlike the squirm fest he ensued in the elders’ laps. Wei Wuxian slowly separated his attention from the infant, turning back to Lan Wangji instead.

“... I thought about it today. I want to see Wen Ning.” Wei Wuxian stated, pausing only to reposition Lan Yuan. Lan Wangji pursed his lips. Wen Ning had left the mountain willingly for Wei Wuxian’s safety but only one note from Chengqing would summon him back. Wei Wuxian had missed him dearly during the whole pregnancy and now that it was over, he ached to see his old friend and companion again. 

“This is the longest I’ve been without him. I want to see him again. I want him to see A-Yuan…” Wei Wuxian nearly pleaded, grasping Lan Yuan tighter to himself. “I know what Lan Qiren thinks of him but Wen Ning would never hurt a human, much less an infant.”

“I know.” Lan Wangji agreed. When he’d proposed, he knew Wen Ning came as a package deal and having heard so many stories of their past adventures, it was obvious a part of Wei Wuxian lived within Wen Ning. There was more than enough space in Cloud Recesses for the Fierce Corpse but Lan Qiren had been firm in his demand. 

“I will convince Shufu to let him return.” Lan Wangji promised, relief painting Wei Wuxian’s face. 

“As soon as possible. Please.” 

“Of course, anything for Wei Ying.”