Chapter Text
Two papermen circled each other on the wooden railing, their little robes painted red. One of the papermen kneeled and the other one followed suit.
They bowed in the direction of the pond as he watched. Once. Twice.
Finally, they turned towards each other-
"Wei Wuxian!"
The papermen went limp as Wei Wuxian snapped his head up and turned around, slapping them away with an arm behind his back.
Off they went into the pond, floating side by side, deprived of their last bow.
On the pier, Wei Wuxian complained, "Aiyo, Jiang Cheng. Why do you have to be so loud? I could have fallen into the water."
Jiang Cheng scoffed. "I would throw a banquet if you managed to drown in this."
The water would only come up to their waist, if at that. However, it was the sentiment that counted.
Wei Wuxian pouted and skipped over to his brother, before slumping over his shoulder. "Why do you want to see your dear shixiong drown?"
"Get off me." Jiang Cheng shoved him off, before saying, "Father is calling you."
"Oh?" Wei Wuxian's curiosity piqued.
"Something about the Lan sect."
The colour drained from his face. "Did he say what?"
Jiang Cheng glared. "How would I know? As if he tells me anything."
Wei Wuxian faintly nodded, his mind already far away. The time had come, he supposed. He had procrastinated long enough and Lan Wangji had spilled, before he could.
But Lan Wangji had told him that it would be a secret and he never lied.
Wei Wuxian shook his head. It didn't matter. Lan Wangji was not to blame. It was his responsibility to bear.
He felt guilt bite at his feet as he walked to Uncle Jiang's office. He should have been braver. He could have saved Lan Wangji the shame if he had only been quicker.
He should have protected him, acted more graciously, like a good alpha.
He had done the one thing no alpha should do and he hadn't even had the guts to rectify his mistake in time. And now Lan Wangji had to do it for him.
Wei Wuxian had just never thought that anyone would find out.
They flew to Cloud Recesses, worry lines clear on Uncle Jiang's face. The letter hadn't revealed anything, only asked for their immediate presence.
He had asked Wei Wuxian if he knew anything about it and Wei Wuxian had nodded, unable to keep the truth inside of him now that it was already out in the world.
And so, they flew. Wei Wuxian knew Uncle Jiang was disappointed in him. Who wouldn't be?
Sullying the prized omega of the Lan sect, the Second Twin Jade of Lan himself.
Wei Wuxian deserved to be stoned to death.
He knew he should have spoken up sooner, but Lan Wangji's pleading face had appeared in his mind every time he had opened his mouth and no words had come out.
He wished Lan Wangji would have told him that he was changing his mind so that Wei Wuxian could have borne the brunt of it instead.
Wei Wuxian breathed deeply, feeling the cold air sting his face as he tried to calm himself down. It didn't matter.
Lan Wangji's reputation would be intact. No one would have to know what had happened.
They could say it was a love match. It may be a little hard to believe but then so was the idea of Lan Wangji marrying anyone.
They could have a normal wedding, with a long engagement. Lan Wangji was not with child and it wasn't like Wei Wuxian would shy away from taking responsibility. Even if Lan Qiren didn't trust Wei Wuxian, the Jiang sect's reputation was on the line. It would be remiss of him to not take Uncle Jiang's word.
Wei Wuxian only worried for Lan Wangji. He hoped they were not mistreating him. They had rules against everything. There was no way they were not punishing Lan Wangji for such a big slight.
Wei Wuxian flew faster, surprising the Jiang retinue who tried to match his pace.
Damn the long engagement. He was going to elope with Lan Wangji right away.
They landed right before the gates of Cloud Recesses. The guard bowed to Uncle Jiang, who strode forward, making the rest of the Jiang cultivators follow.
One of the guards hurried to show the two of them to the Hanshi, where they were greeted by a fuming Lan Qiren and a worried Lan Xichen.
Wei Wuxian swallowed nervously, his heart in his throat. His eyes searched around the room but there was no sign of Lan Wangji anywhere.
He bowed to the two Lan cultivators, but before he could straighten his back, Lan Xichen asked, concern apparent in his voice, "Wei-gongzi, do you know where Wangji is?"
"Eh?" Wei Wuxian exclaimed, looking up. "Is he not here?"
Lan Xichen paled, his face dejected. He looked at Lan Qiren and said, "Uncle, I am going to rejoin the efforts."
Lan Qiren didn't reply, his angry eyes still trained on Wei Wuxian. His face was dark red from rage.
"No need," he finally gruffed. "We do not need to search for Wangji."
Lan Xichen blinked, opening and closing his mouth like a fish. "What do you mean, Uncle?"
"What happened to Lan Zhan?" Wei Wuxian asked, his worry making his patience run out.
Lan Qiren's expression darkened, his glare cutting through Wei Wuxian.
Lan Xichen tried to intervene. "Uncle-"
"You-!" Lan Qiren shouted, pointing a finger at Wei Wuxian. "You happened! You got my nephew pregnant. My star pupil, who has never stepped a toe out of line. My Wangji, whose praises were sung across jianghu. You got him with child! And now he has run away, to heaven knows where."
Wei Wuxian stumbled back a step, his face going slack with shock.
Pregnant?
Suddenly, Lan Qiren was up in his face, his little beard moving back and forth as he spat, "You, Wei Wuxian, are going to find my nephew. Bring him back. And take responsibility."
Run away?
Lan Qiren's eyes bulged. "Fail to do so and no one under heaven can protect you from me."
***
A month ago
"Aiya, Lan Zhan! Can't believe we meet again!"
Lan Wangji stiffened at the voice, every nerve in his body snapping to attention. He turned around and there he was.
Smiling brightly at him as if without a care in the world, Wei Wuxian stood in front of the village inn Lan Wangji had just come out of.
His eyes crinkled with his smile and Lan Wangji's heart quickened.
It had been five years since Wei Wuxian had come to Cloud Recesses, only to be kicked out a few months later.
It had been five years since Lan Wangji had been introduced to the ball of emotions that always came with-
"Wei Ying."
It wasn't that they were meeting for the first time since then, despite what Lan Wangji's heartbeat might say.
They had crossed each other's paths often. In nighthunts and sect conferences and inter-sect competitions.
Often but never enough.
Wei Wuxian approached him, his smile lingering. "Are you here about the plant yao too?"
Lan Wangji nodded. He had been crossing through Yuyao when he heard of the forest of Langye and its peculiar yao.
A demon made to look entirely like a giant plant but with a consciousness of its own.
It had killed two villagers and a wandering cultivator with its thick moving branches, which was serious enough of a case for Lan Wangji to expect the Moling Su sect to handle it, since it came under their jurisdiction.
But if what the innkeeper had said was true, no Su cultivator had stepped forward.
Wei Wuxian laughed, delighted. "The moment I heard about this yao, I flew over. I didn't expect Lan Zhan to be listening to gossip too."
Lan Wangji scowled. "I was passing through."
Wei Wuxian raised an eyebrow. "Really? So how did you know there's a yao here?"
Lan Wangji glared at him for a few moments in silence before turning and walking away.
With a laugh, Wei Wuxian pursued him, coming up from behind to put a hand on his shoulder. "I was just joking, Wangji-xiong! Don't take this so seriously."
Lan Wangji's skin burned where he touched him and he held very still as they walked, hoping Wei Wuxian wouldn't pull his hand away.
He didn't.
They walked like that into the forest, Wei Wuxian clearly uncaring of how inappropriate their closeness was.
That had always been the way with Wei Wuxian. He had never seen Lan Wangji as an omega. And Lan Wangji didn't know if he liked that or not.
He liked being taken seriously, he liked being considered his equal in every regard as Wei Wuxian so often emphasized, but it left him bereft to see him flirt with every omega woman while ignoring Lan Wangji's secondary gender altogether.
There was always the possibility that Wei Wuxian simply didn't like male omegas.
There were so few of them and Wei Wuxian didn't flirt with any from their generation.
Still, it frustrated Lan Wangji to be treated so casually by Wei Wuxian. To not even be friends, but rather merely friendly.
As he had come to terms with his feelings, he had hoped that with time, they would grow closer but it hadn't really been the case.
They had become more comfortable with each other as Lan Wangji had stopped being averse to his every action, but they had never been more than casual acquaintances.
He had to accept the fact that Wei Wuxian wasn't interested.
Wei Wuxian bumped their shoulders together and finally withdrew his hand, much to Lan Wangji's disappointment. "We finally get to nighthunt alone, Lan Zhan! Isn't that great? You are always with your Lan disciples otherwise," he finished with a whine.
"Wei Ying is always with Jiang cultivators," Lan Wangji chided gently as they walked along the thin trail in the forest, trees on either side.
Wei Wuxian chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Ah, that's true. Last time, Lan Zhan was alone but I was with Jiang Cheng."
They had inadvertently met on their way to a Qishan conference, both of them stopping at a village which had recorded unusual levels of fierce corpse activity. Jiang Wanyin had grumbled the entire time and Lan Wangji had kept to himself. Wei Wuxian had tried to pay attention to him for a little while, but horsing around with his brother had eventually won out.
"No worries. We finally have our chance. We should plan this in advance next time, Lan Zhan."
Lan Wangji kept silent, knowing Wei Wuxian didn't mean it. He always said these things, invitations to come to Yunmeng, far-away plans of nighthunting.
Nothing ever came of it.
Lan Wangji had learnt to remind himself everytime he started to take his words seriously.
Wei Wuxian turned towards him while walking backwards, his face stern. "But you have to come to my shijie's wedding, Lan Zhan. I won't take no for an answer. The Lans are going to be invited anyway, but I know you will probably make an excuse to not come."
Lan Wangji carefully steered him away from a protruding root on the ground with a hand on his elbow and turned him around until he started walking normally. "I will come."
Wei Wuxian relaxed, his earlier smile brightening up their surroundings again. "I will hold you to that, Lan Zhan. I need all the support I can. It will be a very trying time for me."
Lan Wangji knew that Wei Wuxian did not like his future brother-in-law. "Wei Ying shouldn't speak like that."
"Aah, but it's true, Lan Zhan. That peacock better keep my shijie happy or I will take a shear to all of his feathers."
Lan Wangji resisted the urge to huff at that mental image. Before he could respond, however, a thick green vine hanging from the tree ahead moved.
They unsheathed their swords in alarm, but the vine disappeared into the forest floor, invisible in the thick shrubbery.
Turning their backs to each other, they listened for any other movements.
The leaves at the top of the trees, open to the cloudless sky, blew lightly against the wind. A bird cooed from a low hanging branch and Lan Wangji watched as it flapped its wings and took off.
"Lan Zhan, do you see anything?"
Lan Wangji turned his head a little and watched Wei Wuxian from the corner of his eye. "No."
"Let's keep moving?"
He nodded and they both relaxed their fighting stance and sheathed their swords.
Together, they walked further into the woods, their eyes and ears peeled for anything unusual.
Another green vine moved, grappling itself around a tree and Wei Wuxian ran towards it, but it slithered off into the ground before he could catch it.
"Be careful," Lan Wangji warned. They did not know its size or abilities. If it imbibed the poisonous nature of some of the plants found here, it would be hard to find a cure for a venom that had not been thoroughly documented before.
Wei Wuxian blandly nodded and returned to stand beside him.
As he came closer, his scent hit Lan Wangji like a wave, making him stop breathing.
He inhaled once to make sure and gasped at the force of Wei Wuxian's scent, his lips parting of their own volition.
He slowly breathed through his mouth to clear his head and bring himself back in control. It was inappropriate to wilfully smell someone, no matter how intense it was.
Was Wei Wuxian showing signs of pre-rut?
He would tell him if he were. He wouldn't be coming out for a nighthunt if there was a chance that he would be going through a rut anytime soon.
They continued walking and Lan Wangji's heart sped up, his skin feeling awfully sensitive against his robes.
He glanced at Wei Wuxian to see if he could feel it too and saw his unfocused eyes, his mouth open as he panted.
"Wei Ying-"
Before he could continue his inquiry, Lan Wangji's stomach dropped as he felt thick liquid pool in his pants.
Wei Wuxian pivoted to him, his silver eyes dilating. "Lan Zhan," he panted.
Lan Wangji cut off the whine that threatened to rise up his throat at his name. "Something is wrong."
Wei Wuxian nodded, still breathing hard.
"Should we go back?" he asked.
Lan Wangji took a hesitant step towards him, his hardness rubbing uncomfortably against the rough hewn of his pants. He considered their options as his eyes fell upon Wei Wuxian's lips, wet and pink.
He wanted nothing more than to kiss him.
"Wei Yi-"
Something grabbed his ankle and tugged, making him fall on his front.
"Lan Zhan!"
He broke the fall with his hands as he was dragged backwards through the foliage. He threw Bichen to cut whatever was dragging him but Wei Wuxian got there first, slashing Suibian through the -Lan Wangji looked back to see- green vine wrapped around his leg.
It wrapped around Suibian, pulling it out of Wei Wuxian's grasp, but a vine was of no match for a spiritual sword which tore through it in the blink of an eye.
Another vine lunged out of the forest floor at them and Lan Wangji rose up and hurled a defensive talisman towards it.
The vines retracted for a brief moment and Lan Wangji tried to calm his strung up body, slick coming out even as they fought.
His heart beat hard against his chest but instead of it bringing him to focus, his desire seemed to hit him even harder.
Forcing his eyes in the direction the vines retreated, he couldn't think properly as his instincts screamed at him to get close to Wei Wuxian.
Wei Wuxian turned towards him and he knew that he was just as affected.
They didn't get any time to discuss their plan of action as four gigantic vines ripped out of the earth, surrounding them.
Lan Wangji grit his teeth as he fought in a haze, his body almost feverish. He wanted nothing more than to submit to Wei Wuxian who fought beside him, the strokes of his sword wild and frenetic.
Lan Wangji's own defense was sluggish as he barely managed to evade the vines. Every one they cut through seemed to emerge from the ground even longer. He didn't know how long he could go on like this.
Finally, a vine wrapped around his neck and the arm holding Bichen and Lan Wangji choked as his air supply was cut out.
He heard Wei Wuxian growl beside him as the vines surrounding him were cut down. An arm wrapped around his waist as Lan Wangji tugged the cut vine free from his neck and gasped out.
He was lifted onto a sword and the next moment they were up in the air, his breath gradually coming back to normal.
Bichen was still in his hand as he realised he was leaning against Wei Wuxian, whose hand was gripping his waist.
A noise came out of his throat at the realization and before he could stop himself, he huddled closer, pressing his face into Wei Wuxian's neck.
There was a sharp intake of breath above him and then Lan Wangji was pressed close against Wei Wuxian's chest.
Lan Wangji rubbed his face against the scent gland on his neck and Wei Wuxian groaned. Everywhere their skin touched burned. His grip was bruising on Lan Wangji's waist as they flew faster.
All thoughts left Lan Wangji's head and he pressed a kiss against his throat, hearing a choked "Lan Zhan" as he did.
They stopped all of a sudden, flying down into the trees until Wei Wuxian pushed him, making him stumble onto the ground.
Lan Wangji looked up at Wei Wuxian, hurt and betrayed, but relaxed as Wei Wuxian jumped off his sword and strode forward.
Bichen fell to the ground with a thud as Wei Wuxian took him into his arms and crashed their mouths together, making Lan Wangji keen.
He did not even have the gall to be embarrassed at the noises he was making as Wei Wuxian walked him backwards into a tree, pressing him against the rough bark digging into his back.
Wei Wuxian broke the kiss and Lan Wangji immediately bared his throat in submission, moaning as he did so.
Wei Wuxian's mouth slid down his jaw and onto his sweat gland, where he licked his skin. Lan Wangji squirmed in place and brought his hands up into Wei Wuxian's hair, keeping him in place.
Wei Wuxian's hands explored his body roughly, dragging his robes around. Lan Wangji pressed their hips closer and they both gasped at the sensation.
He could feel Wei Wuxian's hardness against his own and that singular touch felt like lightning. Their movements became frantic as Wei Wuxian pulled open his robes and brought his mouth down on his again.
Wei Wuxian's hands found skin as their kiss deepened. All of Lan Wangji's senses were suddenly filled with Wei Wuxian and only Wei Wuxian.
"Lan Zhan," he murmured into his lips, his tongue licking into his mouth. "You taste so good. You smell so good. Fuck."
He growled and broke the kiss to look down and pull Lan Wangji's pants off.
Lan Wangji leaned on his shoulders as Wei Wuxian bent down to pull off his slick-covered pants and jerked back as Wei Wuxian stood up abruptly and grabbed him again.
He bit his lips once before his frenzied hands turned Lan Wangji around and pushed him into the tree, making him whine as his hard cock rubbed against the rough surface.
Pushing Lan Wangji's robes to one side, Wei Wuxian snarled into his ear, "I was going to take my time and open you up slowly."
Lan Wangji shivered as he felt his hand slide against his bare ass.
His breath was hot against Lan Wangji's cheek as he continued, "I was going to make you wrap your legs around me and slide into you while I watched your face." He paused. "But this.."
His fingers brushed against Lan Wangji's entrance, making him clench around nothing as he whined. He rubbed the slick around Lan Wangji's hole as his nose nuzzled into his jaw. "Makes me want to take you like this, Lan Zhan."
With that, he pressed his cock against Lan Wangji, pushing into him with one long forceful thrust. They both moaned as Lan Wangji's muscles clenched around him and Wei Wuxian's head dropped onto his shoulder.
They breathed hard as Lan Wangji adjusted to the wide girth. "Alpha," he panted.
Wei Wuxian growled into his shoulder as he started moving, his hands holding Lan Wangji in place.
Lan Wangji's own hands gripped the bark of the tree as Wei Wuxian pushed into him again and again. He arched his hips until his cock stopped rubbing into the tree and groaned as the angle made Wei Wuxian shove in deeper.
"Fuck , Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian groaned out. "You are so hot. So hot and wet for me."
Lan Wangji shivered as he was pounded from behind, his knees weakening. "Alpha," he whined again.
Wei Wuxian held him up by the hips as his face dropped to Lan Wangji's throat. He made a guttural noise as he scent-marked him. "I want to claim you so bad, Lan Zhan."
"Wei Ying," Lan Wangji keened, pleasure building along his spine. He panted as Wei Wuxian lightly bit along his scent gland.
Lan Wangji bared his throat further, resting his forehead on the bark, giving Wei Wuxian complete permission to do whatever he wanted with him.
Lan Wangji's body rocked against the tree as Wei Wuxian increased his pace, fucking into him faster. He pushed him harder against the tree, pressing close behind as he chased his own pleasure.
His hand swept across Lan Wangji's shoulder, dragging down his robes. His mouth left his neck and Lan Wangji whined in distress, feeling too exposed without his alpha's tongue on his scent gland.
Wei Wuxian soothed him with a soft caress on his hip, which he barely had time to feel before a sharp pain radiated from his shoulder, where Wei Wuxian had bitten his skin, drawing blood.
Lan Wangji moaned at the bite of his alpha and started moving his own hips, matching Wei Wuxian's rhythm.
Wei Wuxian bit him two more times on his left shoulder and then switched to his right, pounding into him from behind the entire time, hitting a spot that sent shivers down his spine.
Lan Wangji's robes had fallen onto his elbows, which he was sure painted quite a scandalous picture if someone were to stumble onto them. He whimpered at the thought of someone watching him get taken by his alpha.
Wei Wuxian's face came to his ear again as a hand wrapped around Lan Wangji's throat. "Come, Lan Zhan."
Lan Wangji didn't know if it was the hand or his words but he keened, following his alpha's orders as he came hard on the tree.
He breathed heavily as his body came back to normal and leaned against the tree completely as his energy left him. Wei Wuxian held him up as he fucked him into the tree, his pace ruthless on Lan Wangji's used hole.
He panted harder into Lan Wangji's ear as he fucked him, the noise almost as arousing as the act itself.
Finally, he came with a groan, spilling hot liquid inside Lan Wangji, who gasped as the cock inside him swelled into a heavy knot. Wei Wuxian immediately nuzzled his neck, pressing soft kisses in comfort.
They stood there in post-orgasmic bliss, Lan Wangji's mind devoid of all thoughts as Wei Wuxian lathered attention on him, his knot moving slightly with him.
He didn't know when they came to their senses, whether it was after the kisses when Wei Wuxian had lazily dropped his head on Lan Wangji's shoulder, or after the knot had gone down.
Either way, they both looked at each other horrified as their feelings came back to normal. Neither of them had planned for this. It was obvious that there was something in that forest, something in that yao that had sent them into a state of delirium.
It felt unreal as they stared at each other, unable to believe what they had just done.
Lan Wangji stumbled away as soon as the knot went down, pulling his robes together. He looked around for his belt and saw his ruined pants lying on the ground.
His ears were ringing as he picked them up numbly and turned away from Wei Wuxian to wear them. He fixed his clothes and his hair, hearing sounds of Wei Wuxian doing the same behind him.
Finally, he turned around, his gaze fixed on Wei Wuxian's shoes. He dared not look him in the eye.
What had he done?
He was an unmated omega. Wei Wuxian was not his alpha. Why had he given himself away this easily? How was he to answer if anyone were to find out?
Thoughts ran wild in his head until Wei Wuxian grabbed his shoulders, forcing Lan Wangji to look up.
A look of pure determination was in his eyes, his lips drawn in a straight line. "Lan Zhan. I am going to fix this. Don't freak out."
Lan Wangji blinked. How was he going to fix it? The deed was already done.
"We will go to Cloud Recesses and I will explain myself to Lan-laoshi and then we can get married. Okay?" He looked at him with reassuring eyes. "We can fix this. Don't worry."
Lan Wangji flinched, jerking out of his arms. Get married?
No. No.
There was no reason to get married. He wasn't going to force Wei Wuxian to marry him. This was a mistake, something that could be forgotten and hidden.
He was not going to bound Wei Wuxian to him for eternity for this stupid mistake.
He shook his head. "No, no marriage."
Wei Wuxian's eyes widened. "But we have to! I have to take responsibility."
Lan Wangji shook his head harder, adamant to get them out of this situation as quickly as possible. He turned on his heel and started walking away, surprised when the trees parted to reveal the edge of the forest. Wei Wuxian must have flown them to safety before disembarking. "No need."
"What? Lan Zhan," he heard Wei Wuxian groan in frustration behind him, before running up to stand in his way. "What do you mean? We just- we just-" Wei Wuxian wildly gestured to where they had come from. "We can't just go back and pretend it never happened."
"We can," Lan Wangji pressed.
"What!" Wei Wuxian squawked. "What if you become pregnant? What then?"
"I will not," Lan Wangji said before moving past him. "It is not my heat."
The chances of pregnancy out of a heat were close to nil. There was no reason to worry about a possible pregnancy.
"Do you really want to pretend this never happened? That I didn't just steal your virtue?!"
Lan Wangji whirled on him, making Wei Wuxian startle. "Will you tell?" It was a pointless question because he knew the answer.
"Ofcourse not."
"Mn." Lan Wangji turned back and continued his walk.
There was no reason to stress. No one would know about this. They wouldn't have to get married. Lan Wangji would live on his life as a bachelor, while Wei Wuxian would go on to marry some omega girl, someone he actually loved.
"Okay," Wei Wuxian said after silently following him for some time, his voice quiet. "It never leaves this forest."
Lan Wangji breathed a sigh of relief, even as his hands longed to fold around his body. He felt like a bundle of exposed nerve-endings, too sensitive and vulnerable. His head was a mess and he had just slept with the love of his life, who wanted to marry him because it was the right thing to do.
It was all too much. Everything was too much.
He didn't realize he had pulled out Bichen until he was already standing on it. Blearily, he looked at Wei Wuxian, who watched him with concern. "I will leave first."
With that, he flew away before Wei Wuxian could say anything else, his eyes burning, his heart a jumble of emotions and his skin reeking of the alpha.
***
Now
Lan Wangji walked into the familiar village inn, his hand gripping Bichen. He took a seat at an empty table and ordered tea for himself. An idle hand drifted to his stomach and he sighed.
A part of him still found it hard to believe that there was something growing inside of him. A child. His and Wei Ying's child.
The rest of him wanted nothing more than to protect it from the world. He wanted to snarl and growl every time someone came near him. He wanted to curl around himself until he felt safe.
But that was a moot point because he didn't feel safe anywhere except the Jingshi. And he could no longer go back to Cloud Recesses.
He was not going to marry Wei Wuxian. He would not subject Wei Wuxian and their child through the things his family had suffered through. He was not going to trap Wei Wuxian in a marriage he didn't want and he was certainly not going to have their child grow up seeing a marriage like theirs.
He was not going to let his baby have the childhood he did. He was not going to become his father.
His uncle had promised Lan Wangji and his brother that they would not be forced into marriages. They would not be betrothed to people they didn't know and didn't love. They were Lans and it was best for everyone if Lans stayed away from matters of the heart as much as they could.
They had plenty of cousins to take over the Lan sect after they died. Their clan was alive and well. It didn't matter if Lan Wangji and Xichen had heirs.
Lan Wangji had believed his uncle, despite being an omega, despite the elders clamouring for him to be married off as soon as he turned fifteen. But there was only so much his uncle could do. Even he had to succumb to pressure when Lan Wangji had besmirched his sect's honour and ended up with child.
Lan Wangji understood where his uncle was coming from. He wanted the best for him. He knew society was not kind to unmated omega parents. But Lan Wangji would rather face the brunt of that than have his child grow up like he did.
Marrying Wei Wuxian was not an option.
His food arrived soon after he sat down, making him straighten his back and put his hand away.
The waiter poured the pleasant smelling chamomile tea and Lan Wangji's mind calmed down, knowing relief was imminent.
He had been experiencing morning sickness for the last week, resulting in small bouts of nausea all throughout the day. That was how they had found out he was pregnant after all. His brother hadn't kept the secret to himself, insisting he see a healer. And the healer had promptly informed their uncle.
It had been awful looking at his uncle's face when he had come to find him after that. It had been doubly awful being told that his wishes would be disregarded and the Jiang sect was to be contacted immediately.
Lan Wangji had panicked. He had panicked and slipped away in the middle of the night, breaking curfew.
It didn't matter now. He would not be welcomed back to Cloud Recesses if he refused to marry.
His thoughts were muddled as he took a sip of his tea. He had come back to Langye to finish what he and Wei Wuxian had set out to do.
He was going to kill that yao before it took any more victims. And then he was going to figure out his situation.
"You should try ginger tea instead."
Lan Wangji looked up from his food to see an alpha standing near his table, a cultivator, judging from the spiritual sword by his side.
Lan Wangji clenched his grip around Bichen.
The alpha laughed, his smile abashed as his eyes flitted to the sword in Lan Wangji's hand. "I apologise, gongzi," he said, bowing. "I did not mean any harm. It's just that chamomile tea is not good for-" He motioned to Lan Wangji's stomach.
Lan Wangji hadn't known that he was already smelling like a pregnant omega. His belly hadn't even started showing, how could his scent already change?
"I am sure it relieves the morning sickness but ginger tea is much safer and more effective for someone in your condition," the alpha elaborated at Lan Wangji's silence. He looked to be about the same age, with a lean figure, clever eyes and a smile that couldn't help but remind Lan Wangji of Wei Wuxian. "It helped my sister when she was carrying my nephew."
Lan Wangji didn't like the spicy taste of ginger but he inclined his head nonetheless. "Thank you."
The brazened alpha took that as an invitation to sit, which irked Lan Wangji. Such a rude man! It was wholly inappropriate for an unmated alpha and omega to dine together.
The alpha smiled broadly. "Well, I should introduce myself. I am Chu Xiuyuan. And you must be Lan-er-gongzi."
Lan Wangji retained his glare. He was too nauseated to deal with this man right now.
Chu Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow. "You are certainly as jade-like as the rumours say, gongzi."
Lan Wangji glared harder.
Chu Xiuyuan merely smiled pleasantly and called the waiter. He ordered ginger tea for the two of them, despite Lan Wangji not asking for any of it.
As the waiter came back with the tray, Chu Xiuyuan poured a cup for Lan Wangji and then for himself.
When Lan Wangji didn't move, he sighed. "Lan-er-gongzi, trust me. I have been around more pregnant omegas than the Lan sect has ever seen. I know what I am doing."
He took a sip of his own cup and gestured encouragingly to Lan Wangji.
Lan Wangji's stomach was indeed roiling and the chamomile wasn't acting fast enough. Grudgingly, he took a sip of the ginger tea. Putting it down, he scowled at Chu Xiuyuan's satisfied smile and adjusted his sleeves.
"May I ask what Chu-gongzi is doing here?" He hoped he would take the hint and leave him alone. He had enough problems of his own without adding a strange alpha to the mix.
Chu Xiuyuan put an elbow on the table and rested his chin on his palm. Smiling dopily, he said, "If Lan-er-gongzi drinks the rest of his tea, I will tell him."
The man had no manners whatsoever.
Lan Wangji averted his gaze and glared off into the distance, hoping he would leave him alone if he were to ignore him.
"Aiya, okay, I will tell him. I am a rogue cultivator. I am here for a nighthunt."
His interest piqued, Lan Wangji looked back at him. Chu Xiuyuan smiled. "Do you feel better?"
Lan Wangji blinked as he realised that he indeed felt better, despite taking only one sip. He drank another and looked pointedly at the alpha.
Chu Xiuyuan laughed. "You are a stubborn one, aren't you, gongzi? You remind me of a cat my mother used to feed."
Lan Wangji pursed his lips before taking another sip.
"Well, I will answer your question. I am a bit of a researcher in medicinal cultivation, especially herbs, which is why I have been tracking the so-called plant yao."
Lan Wangji glanced at him. "You know of it?"
Chu Xiuyuan nodded. "It was here in Langye."
Lan Wangji frowned at his wording. "But it is not anymore?"
"Hmm, it keeps moving. Gets as many victims as it can and when it can't anymore, it moves on."
That was new information. If he was telling the truth, this could help Lan Wangji. He was, however, dismayed at the thought of the yao having gone elsewhere.
He wasn't sure whether to believe this man yet. Lan Wangji decided to go and see for himself.
Still, he asked, "Do you know where it is now?"
Chu Xiuyuan pretended to yawn and said, "Enough of me answering questions." Cracking a flirtatious smile, he leaned forward. His faint alpha scent reached Lan Wangji across the table as he lowered his voice and asked, "First tell me, what is an unclaimed pregnant omega like you doing here without an alpha?"
Lan Wangji opened his mouth, outraged, but before he could answer, a loud, powerful growl broke out from behind him, making the crowded dining room reduce to silence.
Goosebumps spread across his skin and he turned around to look, gasping at the sight of a furious Wei Wuxian.
***
Wei Wuxian had dealt with a range of emotions in the past one day. From anxiety to shock to dismay to happiness to anxiety again.
It had not taken him long to accept that he was going to be a husband and a father. Perhaps, ever since they had slept together, he had known, in some way or another, that this day would come. That he would end up with Lan Wangji.
He had already made too many mistakes. He had let Lan Wangji suffer by himself. He hadn't taken responsibility when he ought to have. He hadn't spared Lan Wangji the humiliation of being unmarried and pregnant in front of his clan.
No more.
He was an alpha. Lan Wangji was his intended. He was going to behave like an alpha should and was going to protect Lan Wangji and their child from any harm that could come to them.
But that could only happen if he could find Lan Wangji in the first place.
It took him a day to track him down, his instincts all over the place with his omega out of sight. He felt cagey and nervous as he flew to Langye, unsure if he would find Lan Wangji there.
It was the only place he could think of going. Despite the fact that they were as different as night and day, Wei Wuxian had come to understand Lan Wangji's propensity for nighthunting in the past five years. Having crossed paths dozens of times, he knew Lan Wangji couldn't let a case be if it was still hurting people. Even if it was a mere case of resentful corpses, Lan Wangji would still go and bring them to rest.
There was no doubt in Wei Wuxian's head that if the situation had not been dire a month ago, Lan Wangji would have stayed behind to deal with the plant yao.
Wei Wuxian himself wanted to come back to it, but his mind had been rather preoccupied since then.
He only hoped that he could find Lan Wangji in Langye. He didn't know what he would do if his omega wasn't there.
He lowered his sword as the village came into view and flew down to the market road. Getting off Suibian, he looked around as he walked, his destination being the inn he had seen Lan Wangji come out of the last time. He might be either there or the forest itself, which he hoped Lan Wangji hadn't gone to alone. His hackles raised at the mere thought of that.
He pushed aside the flap hanging from the door and entered the large inn, which was bustling with customers. There were privacy screens drawn up around tables so he would have to explore the entire room to get a full view.
A waiter came forward but he waved him aside and walked past, eyeing the occupants of each table. He started at the corners first because he knew Lan Wangji preferred those, always trying to stay out of the public eye, despite attracting attention wherever he went.
His breath caught in his chest as he finally glimpsed the edge of a familiar white robe. He hurried towards it, inhaling the scent of his obviously pregnant omega, but stopped in his tracks at the sight of an unfamiliar alpha sitting across from Lan Wangji.
A burning he had never experienced before was set ablaze in his ribs as the alpha leaned towards Lan Wangji and smiled. "First tell me, what is an unclaimed pregnant omega like you doing here without an alpha?"
He growled loudly as the urge to take Lan Wangji in his arms overtook him. Before he knew it, he was before their table, shoving himself between them and growling down at the alpha, who sat still, unwilling to submit.
Lan Wangji stood up and Wei Wuxian took it as a chance to push him behind his own body, hiding him from the alpha's eyes.
"Wei Ying. Wei Ying." He heard Lan Wangji say behind him but Wei Wuxian was too focused on the threat. He felt a movement at his back as Lan Wangji sidestepped his arms to come up beside him. He looked at Lan Wangji's worried face and his priorities immediately shifted.
Turning to him, he checked his body for wounds. "Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?"
Lan Wangji shook his head. Relaxing a little, Wei Wuxian turned to glare at the alpha. "Who are you?" he barked, a low rumbling growl still sounding from his chest.
"This is Chu Xiuyuan," Lan Wangji explained, irking Wei Wuxian, even though he was only answering a question. Why did he know him?! "He is a rogue cultivator and is tracking down the plant yao we fought."
That alpha smiled again, still sitting down. "Pleased to meet you,-?"
"Wei Wuxian," Lan Wangji supplied.
"Ah, Wei-gongzi. Jiang sect's head disciple? I have heard a lot about you."
"Can't say the same for you," Wei Wuxian retorted, crossing his arms.
The Chu guy laughed and Lan Wangji pulled at Wei Wuxian's arm, urging him to sit down. Wei Wuxian ignored him. "What do you want with Lan Zhan?"
"Thought I'd offer a lone omega my help," Chu Xiuyuan said simply.
Wei Wuxian snarled, a warning growl at his throat, "He's not alone."
Chu Xiuyuan shifted his eyes to Lan Wangji's unmarked throat, making Wei Wuxian bare his teeth in warning.
"Looks pretty alone to me," he said.
Wei Wuxian growled again, clutching Lan Wangji's wrist, who asked him, "Wei Ying, what are you doing here?"
Wei Wuxian gaped at the audacity of the question. "What am I doing here? What are you doing here?! With him!" He sent a glare in the alpha's direction before looking back at him. "Why did you leave? Do you know how worried I was? You are pregnant!"
Lan Wangji grimaced. "I am here to capture the plant yao."
Chu Xiuyuan exclaimed, "Ah, is that why you are here, gongzi?"
"I knew it!" Wei Wuxian said before lowering his voice to a hiss. "You are with child, Lan Zhan! You can't risk your health like that."
Lan Wangji didn't answer and merely looked away, his lips pursed into a stubborn pout. A fond feeling rose up in Wei Wuxian's chest at the sight, his heart melting, but he didn't let it sway him. Tugging on Lan Wangji's wrist, he turned to leave. "Come on."
Only to stop when Lan Wangji resisted.
"I am not going back," Lan Wangji said, his jaw set.
Wei Wuxian blinked. "What do you mean you are not going back? We have to marry, Lan Zhan. A month has already passed."
"There is no need to marry," Lan Wangji stated.
Wei Wuxian furrowed his brows, his eyes drifting to Lan Wangji's belly. Although there was no noticeable bump now, his changed scent more than made up for the fact. "Why is there no need to marry?"
An ugly thought came to Wei Wuxian's head and his gaze turned to the alpha sitting at the table, a growl at his throat. "What did you do?"
Lan Wangji grabbed his forearm. "It's not him. I do not want us to marry. We can raise this child without a marriage. That is, if you wish to partake in raising him."
Wei Wuxian gasped. "Of course I want to raise him. How could you even say that? And what is this about not marrying? How are we raising him without a marriage?"
Lan Wangji spared a glance to Chu Xiuyuan and Wei Wuxian realised that they had an audience. "Let's go somewhere else," he said, looking around.
"I thought we were going to hunt the plant yao together, Lan Wangji." Chu Xiuyuan pouted slightly.
Wei Wuxian's eye twitched at the use of Lan Wangji's courtesy name. Wasn't he being too informal? "He's not hunting anything."
Lan Wangji protested, "Wei Ying."
Wei Wuxian turned to him with a confused frown. "What? You want to night hunt?" he asked defensively. "In this condition? It's not safe for the two of you, Lan Zhan."
"I am only one month along. I can do it if I take caution"
"There is no time! We have to get married if we want to protect your reputation."
"There is no need to protect my reputation. I will bear it."
What? What did he mean? Had he gone insane?
Wei Wuxian didn't think a time would come where Lan Wangji would stop caring about propriety. "You want to have a child out of wedlock?"
Lan Wangji nodded stiffly, staring off at the wall.
"What!" Wei Wuxian looked around, half expecting Jiang Cheng to come out from behind the privacy screen claiming that it was all a prank. But Lan Wangji didn't joke. "Lan Zhan. What- what do you mean?" It felt like the hundredth time that he had asked this question but he was so out of his depth here. He pulled Lan Wangji down until they sat in place, resisting the urge to take his hand in his own. He realised that he no longer knew what his place in Lan Wangji's life was. "Why don't you want to get married? " he asked in a hurried whisper.
Lan Wangji stared at the floor between them. "I am not going to have a child in a loveless marriage."
Wei Wuxian swallowed. "You would rather raise the baby alone? You know what people say about unmarried omegas, Lan Zhan."
Lan Wangji continued staring down, refusing to look at Wei Wuxian. "I do not care what people say," he said adamantly.
"What? That's absurd, Lan Zhan! Your- your uncle will have our heads if we don't marry."
"I will not return to Cloud Recesses."
Wei Wuxian's jaw dropped to the floor. "You are leaving Gusu Lan? That's your home!"
Lan Wangji jutted out his chin. "I have decided."
"What-" Wei Wuxian sputtered. "Lan Zhan!"
That Chu alpha interrupted them in between, reminding Wei Wuxian once again of his presence, "Lan Wangji, we should really go if we want to catch the yao."
Lan Wangji nodded, getting up. Chu Xiuyuan got up in tow. Wei Wuxian blinked, his mouth still agape. "Lan Zhan!"
Lan Wangji bowed to him. "I apologise but I will not change my decision. You do not have to marry me."
Wei Wuxian stood up, affronted. "But we do have to! You are not going to be a single father!"
Lan Wangji's gaze didn't rise above Wei Wuxian's chest. "I will hunt the yao and come to Yunmeng. We can discuss further there."
Wei Wuxian huffed out a laugh, unable to believe the ridiculousness of the statement. "You think I am going to let you go anywhere alone?"
"I will be with him," Chu Xiuyuan interjected.
Wei Wuxian growled, "Stay out of this."
"Wei Ying," Lan Wangji pleaded. "Wait for me at Lotus Pier."
"I am not letting you out of my sight," Wei Wuxian replied gruffly, his tone booking no arguments.
"Lan Wangji." Chu Xiuyuan raised his eyebrows and gestured towards the door.
Lan Wangji looked at him and then at Wei Wuxian. His shoulders fell the slightest bit and he inclined his head. "We can night hunt together."
***
"I don't know why you are so insistent on going on this night hunt," Wei Wuxian grumbled as they made their way to the forest.
Lan Wangji walked ahead of him, with the Chu guy taking the lead. Wei Wuxian was not willing to let Lan Wangji be attacked from behind. He wanted to be able to see him at all times. It was already bad enough that he was agreeing to this.
"It has killed multiple villagers," Lan Wangji replied without looking back.
"Exactly! And you are pregnant, Lan Zhan. Let's leave it to this guy and if he can't do it alone, we can call the Moling Su sect."
Lan Wangji ignored him and Wei Wuxian sighed. He had never stated it in explicit terms but Wei Wuxian knew that Lan Wangji had no respect for the Moling Su sect or its sect leader.
"Why are we going without a plan anyway? What if the same thing happens again?" Wei Wuxian argued. If being in this forest caused another episode of that weird mania, he would really kill Chu Xiuyuan for daring to come near Lan Wangji.
From up ahead, Chu Xiuyuan said, "I assume you are talking about the pollen released by the yao, which when inhaled artificially induces an extreme case of heat or rut."
Wei Wuxian blinked and exchanged a glance with Lan Wangji. So, it had been an artificial heat. That explained why they had gotten pregnant.
"There is no need to worry for that, of course, since there's no yao here," Chu Xiuyuan added.
"What?"
Lan Wangji explained, "He maintains that the yao habitually migrates and has moved on to another area."
"Lan Wangji doesn't believe me," Chu Xiuyuan remarked ruefully.
A bitter feeling rose in Wei Wuxian's throat as his jaw clenched. How had they already become so close?
He increased his pace and sidled up to Lan Wangji. Moving his face near his ear, he declared, "We are going to talk. After this." His eyes went to Chu Xiuyuan and he added, "Just the two of us."
Lan Wangji stiffened at the proximity but nodded his assent.
As Chu Xiuyuan had said, there was no yao in the forest. They walked for two shi, with Wei Wuxian demanding breaks every two shichen for Lan Wangji, who, albeit exasperated, gave into it readily enough.
"Are you ready to accept that I was right?" Chu Xiuyuan said smugly, as they finally decided to quit searching.
Lan Wangji frowned. "Where do you think it went?"
Chu Xiuyuan smiled serenely. "Yesterday, I found tracks leading towards Qinghe. If we follow them, we will be able to find it."
"How are you even tracking it?" Wei Wuxian asked, suspicious. "And why are you still in Langye if you have already tracked it?"
"If you noticed," Chu Xiuyuan said, pointing at a nearby tree, "the vines of the yao create prints on every tree they climb onto. It's like a parasite, sucking the life out of every tree it manages to get its hands on."
They looked closely and sure enough, there were elongated tracks encircling the tree. While the rest of the tree looked as healthy as ever, the portion encompassing the tracks was dried out and lifeless.
"And as to why am I still in Langye? I was to set out today after replenishing my supplies but then my eyes caught sight of the most beautiful omega," he added cheekily, winking at Lan Wangji.
Wei Wuxian growled, moving in front of Lan Wangji. "Back off."
Chu Xiuyuan sighed mournfully. "He was in Lan clothes and the only male Lan omega currently alive is Lan-er-gongzi, who I have always wanted to meet. So I took my chances."
"Well, Wuxian thanks you for your assistance," Wei Wuxian said sarcastically and bowed. "We are going to go now."
"Wei Ying," Lan Wangji protested from behind him.
Wei Wuxian turned. "We can find the yao by ourselves. We don't need him."
"You can but you will also fall prey to the same pollen you did last time," Chu Xiuyuan said matter-of-factly. "And while last time, you were lucky enough to be able to get away without getting your bones crushed by those vines, do you really want to risk fate once more?"
Wei Wuxian narrowed his eyes, while Lan Wangji asked, "What do you suggest?"
"Let me come with you. I will tell you how to avoid the pollen and help you fight him."
"Just tell us how to deal with it now," Wei Wuxian snapped.
Chu Xiuyuan smiled. "Protecting yourself from pollen requires covering yourself from head to toe. Preventing inhalation and contact from the skin is very important. Unfortunately, I am the only one who knows how to judge how recent the tracks are. So, unless you want to be ambushed on your way in or devise a way to not breathe for days at a time, you will want me to come with you."
Lan Wangji looked at Wei Wuxian, his gaze pleading. This whole situation was crazy. Lan Wangji should be resting. They should be celebrating their marriage. Wei Wuxian should be doting on his husband hand and foot.
Instead, his omega did not want to be his husband at all! Instead, they were stuck here with this annoying man while Lan Wangji wished to go night hunting despite being pregnant!
Wei Wuxian did not know what to do. He knew what he wanted to do. He wanted to whisk Lan Wangji away, keep him safe and happy, well-protected from the world. But he couldn't force him to do anything.
Wei Wuxian did not know anything about relationships but he did know a lot about Lan Wangji. He knew that forcing him into a situation he didn't want was a sure-shot way of ending up like Wei Wuxian did after he tried to bathe a stray cat he found in the markets of Lotus Pier.
Wei Wuxian looked at his omega and then at Chu Xiuyuan's smug smile. He considered his options and groaned. "Fine."
Pointing at the alpha, he ordered, "But you will stay away from Lan Zhan." He turned towards Lan Wangji. "And you! You will listen to me when I tell you to rest or when it's too dangerous."
Lan Wangji nodded solemnly.
Wei Wuxian huffed, cursing his luck, and thus, they began their journey onwards.
They broke for camp only a shi later. Night had already fallen and none of them wanted to traverse through dense woods in the dark.
Wei Wuxian was not actually going to let Lan Wangji battle the yao. He only needed time to talk to him and convince him of the benefits of being a married omega and then he would take him away, gleefully leaving that unbearable man behind.
And that is why, as they set up camp for the night, Wei Wuxian pulled Lan Wangji to the side as soon as the fire was drawn.
Chu Xiuyuan smiled from the other side of the campfire as the two walked further away. Stopping near a tree, Wei Wuxian decided this was as good a spot as any.
"Lan Zhan," he asked hesitantly, his voice serious, "What are we doing here?"
It was important for him to be calm. For both of their sake. It wouldn't do to stress his omega out now.
Lan Wangji looked at the ground between them, his hand tightening on Bichen. "We hunt the yao first. And then we can plan for the future."
"Why are we wasting our time night hunting when we have a situation at hand?"
Lan Wangji scowled. "It is killing people."
"There are a thousand cultivators to save them, Lan Zhan!" Wei Wuxian tried to explain. "I want this as much as you do… but now is not the time. We should be figuring things out."
Lan Wangji shook his head, adamant. "There is nothing to figure out. I will raise this child on my own, if need be."
Wei Wuxian felt irritation rise up his chest. How could he be so callous about their future, as if Wei Wuxian's presence was not needed?
Lan Wangji exhaled evenly. "You are welcome to be a part of this."
It ticked Wei Wuxian off. "I don't know if you have noticed but this is my child too. He is a Wei as much as a Lan. This is my blood too."
And you are my omega , he didn't say.
Lan Wangji's eyes widened and he blinked, his mouth opening. He inclined his head and said, "I apologise. You are right. They are your child too."
Wei Wuxian relaxed as the tension in his muscles uncoiled. He felt more sure of his place.
"I did not mean to indicate that I do not want you in our lives. I do," Lan Wangji added, almost shyly.
"Then why don't you want to get married?" Wei Wuxian asked.
"There is no need for that," Lan Wangji repeated. "We do not need to be married to raise a child together. I do not want to tie you down."
"What? You are not tying me down, Lan Zhan! It's necessary! How do you think you will get treated as an unmarried omega parent?"
"I will prefer it to a marriage," Lan Wangji says, adamant.
It goes through Wei Wuxian's chest, a clean arrow with no exit wound. Was marrying him so bad?
He breathed evenly as he tried to make sense of his omega. "I will not treat you so bad, Lan Zhan, that you will be better off getting ostracized by society."
Lan Wangji shook his head. "It is not about you."
Wei Wuxian huffed. "Then what is it? Is it Lotus Pier? Do you not want to live in the Jiang sect? We can live in Cloud Recesses too. If you want that. You don't have to leave your home."
"I do not want a loveless marriage," Lan Wangji finally stated, his eyes determined and voice steely. "Not for you, not for our child."
Wei Wuxian stared at his omega. They had finally made some headway. Lan Wangji was finally not evading him. But his reasoning was wrong. "Most marriages are loveless at the beginning, Lan Zhan," he said softly. "Doesn't mean they always have to be this way."
Lan Wangji turned his head away, looking at the campsite. "We have already known each other for five years, Wei Ying."
"As friends! As friends. Not as husbands. It is different," Wei Wuxian argued. He grabbed Lan Wangji's hands, who startled at the sudden touch. "We will be different as husbands."
Lan Wangji pulled his hands away, making Wei Wuxian's heart sink to his stomach. "You do not care for me that way."
"I can learn to," Wei Wuxian replied in a whisper.
Lan Wangji looked down at the ground, hiding his face from Wei Wuxian. "It is better if we remain friends and parent our child together."
Wei Wuxian swallowed, his mind a mess. He could feel Lan Wangji slipping away, he could feel himself losing his omega. He grabbed Lan Wangji's forearms in desperation. "Lan Zhan, please think about this. You will have a hard life if you do not marry. I want to protect you from that."
"I still choose it."
Wei Wuxian stared helplessly as Lan Wangji walked away, back to the campsite. His eyes met Chu Xiuyuan's as they both looked at Lan Wangji, and Chu Xiuyuan shrugged, his lips curved in a sympathetic smile.
Wei Wuxian growled low in his throat. He was not giving up this quickly.
***
"What if we get married, but in name only? We can remain friends, parent our baby together and still have you protected under my name."
The three had set out early after dawn and it had taken Wei Wuxian a shi to properly wake up and start his argument again.
It was unfortunate that it had to be in front of Chu Xiuyuan.
"Yes," the infuriating alpha exclaimed. "And this way Lan Wangji can still hope to find love," he finished with a wink.
Wei Wuxian bared his teeth and shoved Chu Xiuyuan back, away from Lan Wangji. Wei Wuxian had already taken steps to always walk between them and had also slept right next to Lan Wangji the previous night. But it was apparently not enough to dissuade this creep.
"We are not going to find other people," Wei Wuxian shot back to Chu Xiuyuan, although his eyes slid over to Lan Wangji to gauge his reaction.
There was no way he would allow some other alpha to whisk his Lan Zhan away. If they were going to marry, Wei Wuxian would move heaven and earth to make sure they stayed together. Even if it was a marriage in name only, Wei Wuxian found the thought of Lan Wangji being with other people near unbearable.
He was sure it was his protective alpha instincts coming out, but the fact remained that their child was going to have only two parents, him and Lan Wangji.
He could already picture Lan Wangji and their little boy sitting on a donkey, while Wei Wuxian walked beside them, holding the reins. He would give this child everything that he could not have for himself and he would give Lan Wangji everything that he deserved.
Lan Wangji remained blank-faced, making no indication that he had even heard Wei Wuxian talk.
Wei Wuxian lightly shoved him with his shoulder, grinning when his omega glared at him. "What do you think, Lan Zhan?"
"No loveless marriage."
Wei Wuxian groaned and ran after him as Lan Wangji strode forward, ignoring Chu Xiuyuan's sniggering. "Lan Zhan!"
They followed the marks to a broad, well-travelled road. It was lined by a big flowing river on the other side, surrounded by a wide expanse of rocky beach and beyond that, deciduous trees on its shore.
Chu Xiuyuan and Wei Wuxian flew along the length of the river, inspecting each tree, but they found no marks.
They had lost their trail.
"Did it go back?" Wei Wuxian asked.
Chu Xiuyuan shook his head. "The marks just disappear."
Wei Wuxian sighed, frustrated. On the bright side, maybe this could get Lan Wangji to come back home. He turned to his omega, perking up at the possibility.
But Lan Wangji was busy staring into the river.
"Lan Zhan?"
He looked up, his brows furrowed. "The yao could have travelled by water."
Chu Xiuyuan raised his eyebrows. "Ah, I had not considered that possibility."
Without waiting another moment, he dived into the water, surprising the two of them. Wei Wuxian grabbed Lan Wangji out of the splash radius and looked him over to see if any droplets had fallen.
"I am fine," Lan Wangji murmured in his arms, holding on to his biceps, and Wei Wuxian smiled fondly.
Lan Wangji's ears turned red and he averted his eyes, making Wei Wuxian lean forward. "Lan Zhan," he whined, dropping his forehead against Lan Wangji's.
He didn't pull away.
It boosted Wei Wuxian's confidence. Although they had had sex, he was still unsure of how much he was allowed to touch Lan Wangji. Every one of his careless touches from before meant something now.
"Come to Yunmeng with me." Wei Wuxian would take care of him in Yunmeng. He could understand why Lan Wangji would be reluctant to go back to the strict Lan sect as an unmated pregnant omega, but in Yunmeng, Wei Wuxian would not tolerate any slight against his omega. He would be protected and well-cared for.
Golden eyes stared back at him, his nose almost touching the soft curve of Lan Wangji's nose. He wanted to kiss him. He wanted to kiss his eyelids until every worry in Lan Wangji's eyes melted away, until all Wei Wuxian could see was gentle warmth.
He would even take his anger over this distressed state. For he knew his omega was distressed. He knew that Lan Wangji was panicking.
He desperately wished there was a way to show him that there was no need to worry, not when Wei Wuxian was here. He would take care of everything.
"I will," Lan Wangji said. "After the yao."
Wei Wuxian's hopes dashed as he scowled. Lan Wangji pulled away from him, going up to the river to look at Chu Xiuyuan, who still hadn't come out.
"And we will marry? In Yunmeng?"
Lan Wangji shot him a disapproving look before turning to the river again, making Wei Wuxian sigh.
It was going to take more than this to get Lan Wangji to agree with him.
Chu Xiuyuan bursted out of the water, his mouth spitting out the water that had gone down his throat.
Wei Wuxian watched with disgust as the man hacked his lungs out, before throwing up spittle.
"Are you okay?" Lan Wangji finally asked.
Chu Xiuyuan nodded. "You-," he stopped to cough some more. "You were right, Lan Wangji. The yao has travelled by the river. There are marks in the plants underwater."
"My Lan Zhan is always right," Wei Wuxian interjected, crossing his arms and turning his nose up at the man.
Lan Wangji gave him a long-suffering look but Wei Wuxian didn't miss the slight reddening of the tip of his ears. His omega wasn't immune to compliments after all.
"Last I checked, he wasn't yours," Chu Xiuyuan quipped.
Wei Wuxian smiled. "I will send you our wedding invitation."
"Wei Ying," Lan Wangji warned.
"He started it!"
Lan Wangji silenced him with a look, before turning to Chu Xiuyuan. "Do you know where it has gone?"
Chu Xiuyuan nodded and veered off towards the left, before pointing in the direction of the flow. "It is travelling this way, probably until it reaches a populated area. It has been quite some time since it fed. It will need to hunt again."
With that, he waded out of the river and they set off towards their new target. This time, however, they used swords.
Since there were no more trails to follow, except the occasional dip in the river by Chu Xiuyuan, Wei Wuxian insisted they flew instead.
He didn't want Lan Wangji to do any strenuous exercise. They had already walked a whole lot.
But he didn't want Lan Wangji to fly on Bichen either. Flying took a lot of spiritual energy and they didn't know how long they would have to fly until they came across civilization.
"Lan Zhan, don't exert yourself. I will fly us both."
Wei Wuxian groaned at Lan Wangji's skeptical expression. Holding his hands, he said softly, "I want our baby to be safe. I want you to be safe."
Lan Wangji looked down at their joined hands, his jaw clenched. Wei Wuxian waited with bated breath until at last he nodded.
Smugness rose up Wei Wuxian's chest as he summoned Suibian and stepped on it. Extending a hand to Lan Wangji, he helped him get on before lightly gripping his waist.
He realised with a start that it was all too familiar to what they had done last month, right when it had all begun.
Lan Wangji's hair blew against Wei Wuxian's face as they flew, his sweet smell enveloping him.
He wanted to hug him, scent him until everyone knew that this pregnant omega had a mate. It had irked him ever since he had found him in Langye- the lack of his scent on the omega who refused to marry him.
They followed the river until they caught sight of a town built around its shores. Chu Xiuyuan confirmed that the marks ended here so the yao must have eventually come out of the river in hunt for food.
The marks were more than three days old but there had been no news of a killing yet, so they decided to rest at the town inn.
It was close to dusk when they rented two rooms, again at Wei Wuxian's insistence. He could sleep on the floor if need be but he did not want to be away from his expecting omega in a strange town.
Lan Wangji conceded quickly enough.
They settled down for a private dinner in their room, after Wei Wuxian shooed Chu Xiuyuan away.
He served Lan Wangji tea before drinking wine straight from the bottle and letting some of it flow down his chin. It had been a long day.
He saw Lan Wangji's hand clutch its sleeve and make a half-aborted motion towards his face and blinked when he realised what he was going to do.
"No, no, do it," Wei Wuxian said. He wanted Lan Wangji to wipe his face for him. He wanted this closeness that could only exist between mates, between a married couple. He wanted his omega to know what it could feel like.
With great caution, Lan Wangji reached up again and wiped his chin with his sleeve. Wei Wuxian held perfectly still, doing his best not to spook him.
But once he was done, Wei Wuxian couldn't help but say, "Wouldn't it be right, Lan Zhan, to give marriage a try?"
Lan Wangji straightened his back, which Wei Wuxian hadn't even noticed was leaning towards him, and looked away. "No loveless marriage," he repeated yet again.
Wei Wuxian also sat up. "Wouldn't it be the best option for you, for our baby, if we give marriage a try? If it doesn't work, it doesn't work. But wouldn't it be only right?"
Lan Wangji's face turned impossibly stony. "No. I will not subject our child to the heartbreak of a failing marriage."
Wei Wuxian backtracked, "But it will work! Don't you see, Lan Zhan? We make such a great team. We can learn to love each other," he added in the end, his voice light.
Lan Wangji shook his head. "You did not love me in five years. It will not happen."
"No, Lan Zhan! That is not true," he protested, taking his hand yet again. "For me, there is only you."
There was no one else he could imagine sharing a life with. There was no one else he wanted. There was only Lan Zhan now.
It was somehow the wrong thing to say. Lan Wangji's eyes flashed and he pulled his hand away. "Do not throw your words around so lightly," he snapped, before getting up.
"Lan… Lan Zhan?" Wei Wuxian scrambled for an explanation as his omega stormed off to bed, drawing the curtains around him. "Lan Zhan?"
No noise came from the bed and Wei Wuxian panicked. How had he made this worse! He was only trying to convince Lan Wangji! He was telling the truth!
A knock sounded from the door and Wei Wuxian whirled his head around. Lan Wangji made no effort to get up so he went to the door by himself and opened it the slightest bit.
Glaring down at Chu Xiuyuan, he asked in an angry whisper, "What?"
Chu Xiuyuan smiled, holding up the jars of wine hanging from his fingers. "Care for some advice?"
Wei Wuxian closed the door.
He knocked again and Wei Wuxian opened. "Lan Zhan is sleeping. Stop disturbing."
"Unfortunately, the walls here are paper thin. So unless you want your omega to ignore you forever, follow me." With that, Chu Xiuyuan turned around and went back to his room.
Wei Wuxian grounded his teeth. He had to admit, he loved the fact that Chu Xiuyuan was finally willing to acknowledge that Lan Wangji was his omega.
However, it was embarrassing to be caught like this.
Deciding that he had already lost enough face and that it couldn't hurt to lose some more, he followed Chu Xiuyuan.
"What?" He asked, pulling the door to Chu Xiuyuan's room shut behind him. "What advice is it?"
He hated being in this alpha's space. Alphas were usually averse to other alpha territories in general, but it particularly grated on him when it was this man.
Chu Xiuyuan poured him a drink and motioned at him to sit down. When Wei Wuxian huffed and finally did so, he stated, "You are proposing marriage to him."
Wei Wuxian nodded. "I think I have proposed many times now."
"And you have been rejected all of these times."
Wei Wuxian smiled, baring his teeth. "What is your point?"
"My point, is that you are doing it all wrong. You can't just force an omega to marry you. Or lay out its advantages and let logic do the work. Omegas like to be wooed, Wei-gongzi."
"Lan Zhan is not like other omegas," Wei Wuxian argued. If he were, they would have been married by now. He was stubborn and brave and steadfast.
Chu Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow. "He is still an omega, Wei-gongzi. And at this moment, he doesn't have faith in you. He wants you to love him, so you need to show that you do."
Wei Wuxian shook his head. "No, no. The problem is not that I can't love him. The problem is that he can't love me."
A loveless marriage. Lan Wangji didn't want to stay in a loveless marriage because he didn't love Wei Wuxian. Even if Wei Wuxian managed to convince him that he could love Lan Wangji, the problem would still remain.
Chu Xiuyuan gave him a sympathetic smile. "Two problems that have the same solution. Woo him and you will not only show that you love him, but also bring him closer to falling for you."
Wei Wuxian frowned. He dragged his finger over the chipped edge of the table, playing with it as he thought. Taking another swig of his wine, he asked, his eyes still on the table, "And how is one supposed to do that?"
He heard Chu Xiuyuan let out a surprised laugh. "What, court an omega?"
Wei Wuxian nodded stiffly.
"Aren't you supposed to be a huge flirt?"
Wei Wuxian got up, gripping Suibian in his hand. "Either help me or don't."
"Aiyo, okay okay. Sit down. I will tell you."
And that's how Wei Wuxian found himself in the night market, choosing between two hair combs.
***
Despite how much he tried, Lan Wangji could not fall asleep. He felt even worse when Wei Wuxian left the room. Guilt filled his belly as he laid on his back, his hands curved over his non-existent bump.
He could not fault Wei Wuxian for his frivolity. It was as much a part of him as anything else. Lan Wangji knew that and had known that ever since their first meeting.
It was really Lan Wangji's high expectations that made him lash out. He could not force Wei Wuxian to love him just as much Wei Wuxian could not force him to marry.
He rose from the bed, ready to apologise, ready to smoothen the frayed lines between him and his-
No. Wei Wuxian was not his anything.
The father of his child, yes. A friend, perhaps. But that is where their relationship ended and Lan Wangji had to remember that.
They were connected now. They would always be connected so long as Wei Wuxian chose to remain in his child's life and Lan Wangji had to learn to contain the depth of his emotions.
He stepped out of the room, before walking to Chu Xiuyuan's. It was highly inappropriate to go to an alpha's room at any time of the day, let alone at night, but Lan Wangji was already pregnant. There was not much danger to his virtue.
He knocked on the door with Bichen and subtly sniffed at the air, relaxing at the smell of Wei Wuxian.
The door opened to reveal Chu Xiuyuan, who smiled. "Ah, Lan Wangji. Come in."
Lan Wangji remained rooted in place. "Is Wei Ying here?"
"He left a while ago. But he should be back soon. May I offer you tea?" Chu Xiuyuan pushed the door open wider and Lan Wangji caught sight of two empty wine glasses on the table.
Lan Wangji was surprised over their new-found kinship after the amount of animosity Wei Wuxian had displayed towards Chu Xiuyuan. "Where has Wei Ying gone?"
"Come sit. How is your nausea? I will brew some ginger tea."
Lan Wangji reluctantly took a seat, his eyes moving to the door with anticipation for Wei Wuxian's return.
He wanted to ask Chu Xiuyuan if Wei Wuxian was upset. He didn't want to admit it to himself but he was scared that Wei Wuxian might not come back.
Perhaps, this is good , Lan Wangji thought with a ball stuck in his throat. Maybe it is how it should be.
He took a sip of the ginger tea and asked again, "Where is Wei Ying?"
Chu Xiuyuan smiled. "He went to the market to buy something. He will be back soon. Don't worry so much."
Lan Wangji scowled at being read so openly. He must contain himself.
They drank their tea in silence until Chu Xiuyuan asked, "So have you decided what to do?"
Lan Wangji gave him an impassive glance.
"Are you going to marry?"
"That is a personal matter and of no concern to you."
Chu Xiuyuan flinched and Lan Wangji felt a bit of remorse in his heart. He was too curt. The man had done nothing but help them since they met.
"I apologise," he said, inclining his head.
"No, no, Lan Wangji. You are right. I was over-stepping." Chu Xiuyuan sighed, fidgeting with the tea cup in his hand. "But you know, Lan Wangji, Wei-gongzi is right. It will be hard to be an unmarried omega parent."
Lan Wangji nodded. "I know."
"You do. Then you might also know that there are other… options available."
Lan Wangji frowned in confusion. What did he mean?
Chu Xiuyuan gave his belly a pointed look. "Options to take care of that."
At once, realization dawned on him and Lan Wangji snarled, covering his belly with his hands. "No."
He got up and Chu Xiuyuan followed, raising his hands to placate him. "I didn't mean to cause offense. I just wanted you to know that there are op-"
"No," Lan Wangji snarled again, breaking the Gusu Lan rules and interrupting. He was not going to hear of this any further.
Before he could leave, however, the door slammed open, making them both jump, as a seething Wei Wuxian stood at the entrance.
He looked at Lan Wangji's face, who did not know what expression he was making but it was apparently enough for Wei Wuxian to know that something was wrong.
Wei Wuxian pounced on Chu Xiuyuan, slamming him to the wall with Suibian pressed against his throat. "What did you do?" he growled low in his throat, angrier than Lan Wangji had ever seen him.
Chu Xiuyuan laughed nervously. "I didn't do anything, Wei-"
"Lies," Wei Wuxian spat. "Why does he look like that?"
"I was just informing Lan-er-gongzi about the options he had," Chu Xiuyuan explained, trying to press his own sword against Suibian but to no avail.
"Wei Ying," Lan Wangji called. It was a request, it was a plea. He was relieved to see his alpha, he wanted to fall apart. He wanted to be held together by Wei Wuxian.
Lan Wangji was strong. He knew that. He might not have been strong as a child but he had learnt. Learned to be a Jade of Lan that his uncle and brother could be proud of. That his parents could be proud of.
He was not one to fall apart at the seams. He was not one to break down in such silly situations. At the mere mention of a termination.
But he wanted to. He wanted to let go. He wanted to be free of this stress. He wanted to be able to rely on someone. He didn't want to feel so alone as he hurtled through the most important and the most difficult endeavour he had ever undertaken in his life.
He wanted this child to have everything he could want and Lan Wangji was not sure he could do it alone. Lan Wangji could protect himself from the aspersions that would surely be casted on them by the world, but he was not sure he could protect his child.
For Wei Wuxian hadn't said it, he was too kind to say it, but if Lan Wangji went through with this plan, he would be giving their child the life of a bastard.
He had committed a mistake. He had cursed his child to either have a life Lan Wangji wanted to protect him from or a life Lan Wangji could not protect him from. Either way, he was no better than his father.
Maybe he was not set out to be a good parent. Maybe he could never be.
"Wei Ying," he repeated again, his voice breaking just the slightest bit.
At once, he was pulled into a warm chest, strong arms wrapping around him. His face was pushed into a neck which smelled like what Lan Wangji assumed the heavens would smell like.
Comfort filled him at the scent as voices raised around him. He did not know what they were talking about and he did not wish to know. He would be okay if he remained like this forever, surrounded by the warmth of Wei Wuxian's body.
He nuzzled into the neck, covering himself with the wonderful scent, entirely unthinking of what it meant.
At one point, Wei Wuxian's arms left him and Lan Wangji whined before he was lifted up. Immediately, he went for the neck again, as Wei Wuxian carried him back to their room, his hands around his shoulders and knees.
He was laid on the bed and he clawed at Wei Wuxian's robes until the alpha followed. Twisting around him like a vine, Lan Wangji held onto the alpha, doing his utmost to not break into tears.
"Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian whispered into his hair. "No one will make you terminate the pregnancy unless you want it to, okay?"
Lan Wangji violently shook his head, clutching at his belly. Wei Wuxian hugged him tighter. "Then no one will. No one will touch you or our child," he said fiercely. "I won't allow it."
Lan Wangji sniffled as Wei Wuxian rubbed his back, murmuring into his ear. "I will protect you. I will protect you both. I will keep you two safe."
Lan Wangji calmed down under his ministration, matching his breathing to Wei Wuxian's motions at his back.
He did feel safe. He did feel protected in their cocoon, held together by Wei Wuxian.
Just for this night, he let himself have this. He could get all of his worries back tomorrow. He could feel stressed about their uncertain future tomorrow. But just for tonight, he let himself pretend he had an alpha. That he had Wei Ying as his alpha.
***
Lan Wangji left for the dining hall downstairs soon after he got up and refreshed himself. He could not bear to look at Wei Wuxian, still sleeping peacefully in their nest.
No, not their nest.
It was merely an inn bed. The time for pretense was over. Lan Wangji had woken up into reality and all he wanted to do now was kill the yao that had spiralled his life out of control.
It had taken the most important decision of Lan Wangji's life out of his hands and it had given him the most precious thing in the world.
Lan Wangji did not regret what had happened. He could never do that. But he did feel an insurmountable rage at having his life and his child's life be decided by a creature that should not exist in the first place.
Chu Xiuyuan joined him first and was greeted by stony silence.
"Lan Zhan-"
Lan Wangji growled, baring his teeth, his grip snapping the chopsticks in his hand.
Only Wei Ying was allowed to call him that.
"Lan Wangji," Chu Xiuyuan hastily corrected. "I apologise. I did not mean to make you upset. My intentions were wholly honourable. I have lived among many omegas, most of them my family, and I know how unfairly the world treats you. But I know that I insulted your intelligence by suggesting something that you must have known already. I did not mean to imply that that is the option you should take. Truth be told, you are the strongest cultivator I have ever seen and if anyone can do it, you can, Lan Wangji. I hope you will accept my apology," he finished with a deep bow.
Lan Wangji stared at him for a moment before inclining his head. "It is forgotten."
He had been exceptionally angry yesterday. Only upon waking up, when he had reflected on Chu Xiuyuan's words had he realised that the alpha's heart was in the right place.
Wei Wuxian came soon after, stumbling into a seat next to Lan Wangji, his eyes bleary from sleep.
They ate breakfast in silence, with Wei Wuxian passing vegetables and pieces of meat into Lan Wangji's bowl every time it threatened to be a quarter empty.
Before they left in search of the yao, Lan Wangji hurried back into their room to throw up. Wei Wuxian followed after him, holding his hair and bringing him water.
"Are you sure you want to go, Lan Zhan?" Wei Wuxian asked cautiously.
"Mn." He was going to finish this night-hunt one way or another.
"Okay, but you won't fight the yao. Remember that. You will let me and Chu Xiuyuan handle it."
Lan Wangji nodded.
With that, they set off, making their way through the town of Hongye. It was located towards the north-west of the Wen sect, surrounded by mountains on one side, which gave rise to more rivers that flowed down to meet the one they had followed, and on its other side, was a continuation of the dense forest the three had followed the yao's trail in.
It was an idyllic place and Lan Wangji hoped it would not be marred by the stories of a brutal killing. He hoped they would find the yao before that could happen.
The forest was their best bet and so in they went, looking for marks like they had seen previously.
They split up, with Chu Xiuyuan going towards the west, and Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian towards the east in order to better cover the area. Before they entered the forest, however, they covered themselves up from head to toe and wrapped a cloth around their faces. They did not know for sure if the yao was here, but based on the fact that it hadn't fed yet, they wanted to err on the side of caution.
Wei Wuxian handed Chu Xiuyuan a talisman that would send a warning signal if activated and kept another one on his person.
Before they left, Chu Xiuyuan warned them, "Immediately fly above the forest if you see any marks. Wait till I get there and then Wei-xiong and I can fight it together. No matter what, don't breathe until you reach well above the trees. The cloth won't help you much if you continue to breathe for long."
With a final nod, the group parted ways.
The two walked in silence and Lan Wangji couldn't help but remember the events of yesterday. The comfort he had found in Wei Wuxian's arms was the safest he had ever felt since he was a child in his mother's lap.
He could almost feel it in his chest, the empty ache that last night had left him with. His arms felt heavy without Wei Wuxian to wrap them around and it felt like he had tasted something he could never have again.
"Lan Zhan?"
He was brought back to reality by Wei Wuxian's soft voice, his face turned towards him.
"I was thinking about it," Wei Wuxian began, "And… if you don't want to get married, I will understand. I won't force you anymore."
Lan Wangji gulped, his heart breaking into two. There was nothing else that could describe the pain he felt in his chest but why did he feel so? Is this not what he wanted?
"Will you-" Lan Wangji stopped, cleared his throat and started again. "Will you still be in our lives?"
Wei Wuxian smiled, cocking his head. "Ofcourse, Lan Zhan. How could you think otherwise?"
Lan Wangji numbly nodded.
They walked in silence some more before Wei Wuxian spoke up again, "And you don't have to come to Yunmeng. We can go anywhere you want to."
Lan Wangji blinked. "But the Jiang sect?"
Wei Wuxian gently shook his head, still smiling, still trying to reassure him. "It doesn't matter. I will follow you."
"That is your sect," Lan Wangji protested. "Your family."
He knew how loyal Wei Wuxian was to the Jiang sect. He knew how much he loved the Jiangs, especially the Jiang siblings.
"You are my family now," Wei Wuxian said simply. "You two. And I will go where my family goes."
Lan Wangji stopped in place, overcome with emotion. He could not believe what he was hearing. He could not believe how lucky he had gotten. How could one person be so good?
How could he deny Wei Wuxian now? Wei Wuxian, who accepted his decision without knowing the reasons behind it. Who devoted himself wholly and completely to their child and to their new lives. Who was willing to give up everything he had just so Lan Wangji could be happy.
He was filled with the sudden need to tell Wei Wuxian everything. To tell him why he was so reluctant to be in an unrequited marriage, to tell him that he wanted their child's life to be as good as Wei Wuxian wanted it to be.
"Wei Ying, I-"
"Lan Zhan, do you hear that?" Wei Wuxian interrupted him, his head tilted.
Lan Wangji listened too and nodded. A deep rumbling was coming from the ground, as if several trees were being uprooted.
They looked around and Lan Wangji inhaled sharply as he pointed, "Marks."
Without another word, they flew up, each riding their own sword. Since Wei Wuxian was going to be fighting, he had agreed for Lan Wangji to travel on Bichen.
Lan Wangji activated the warning talisman as they moved forward towards the sound, which was fainter this high off the ground but still audible.
A deep red light shot to the sky through the talisman with a bang, similar to a firework and Lan Wangji was sure Chu Xiuyuan must have heard.
"Here!" Wei Wuxian said as they flew farther, pointing towards a large clearing.
As Lan Wangji got closer, he realised that the clearing had been made by the yao felling trees while it stood in the middle.
The yao itself was humongous, almost the size of the Jingshi. Its base was made of bulbous roots with which it moved, attached to a mighty trunk, and covered with vines.
It did not have a face but it still seemed to sense movement as it attacked at stray birds which flew as more trees were cut down, managing to catch a few but leaving them be after a few moments.
Evidently, it did not feed on animals.
Wei Wuxian flew straight at it without waiting for Chu Xiuyuan and Lan Wangji managed to keep himself from yelling.
He threw explosive talismans at the yao before coming up to the sky to breathe and then go back again.
He evaded vines after vines as the yao sensed his presence, but eventually a vine caught at Suibian, throwing Wei Wuxian off balance.
He fell to the ground with a roll and summoned Suibian. The spiritual sword cut through the vine holding it and landed itself in Wei Wuxian's hand, who ran towards the yao.
Lan Wangji watched as Wei Wuxian managed to cut through six vines before he was caught again, this time with his throat.
The vines choked him and Lan Wangji screamed, "Wei Ying!" Without another thought, he flew down to his rescue, cutting through the vines seamlessly.
"What are you doing?!" Wei Wuxian shouted angrily, coughing as he did so. "GET OUT OF HERE."
A vine wrapped around Lan Wangji's dominant hand and he was tugged into the air, his feet leaving the ground.
Suddenly, he fell, the vine loosening its grip. He powered his energy through Bichen in his hand, making it fly and landing safely to the ground. He turned around to see Chu Xiuyuan.
Wei Wuxian grabbed him before he could say anything and flew up, taking deep breaths as they crossed the tree level. "Are you okay? Does it hurt anywhere? Did you breathe down there?"
Lan Wangji shook his head. "But you did."
"Only for a moment. I… I will lock myself if it happens. First, we have to kill it."
He went down again, leaving Lan Wangji behind, who anxiously watched the fight unfold.
The two fought relentlessly, aiming talismans at the yao and periodically coming up to breathe.
The yao would change its size without trouble, sometimes transforming into a bunch of vines to evade the talismans and sometimes into a giant impenetrable trunk. It slithered across the ground, spreading its vines across the clearing, unwilling to be killed or contained.
Finally, Wei Wuxian came up with an idea as they flew up to breathe for the eleventh time. "Chu Xiuyuan."
"Huh?" Chu Xiuyuan heaved with his hands on his knees, his breathing harsh.
Wei Wuxian smiled, his eyes wicked. "Let's create a forest fire."
Together, they pelted the yao with fire talismans while Lan Wangji patrolled the perimeter of the clearing, dousing any fire that managed to reach the trees.
At last, the yao died, its charred vines falling to the ground as its trunk continued to blaze.
They watched from a distance until the last of the trunk was destroyed beyond recognition. Finally, the two alphas doused the remaining fire, exhaustion lining their faces, and the three flew back to the inn.
"What if I go into a rut?" Wei Wuxian asked as they flew over the village.
Chu Xiuyuan narrowed his eyes at him. "You ideally shouldn't. You have exerted enough energy to have sweated out the pollen yourself. If you do however, treat it like one treats corpse poison. Eat something absorbent like congee."
Wei Wuxian blinked. "What? There was an antidote? Why didn't you tell us?"
Chu Xiuyuan grinned. "Would you have let me come along?"
"I am going to kill you," Wei Wuxian said as they stopped at the inn. "I am going to kill him, Lan Zhan. You are my witness."
"Wei Ying."
Wei Wuxian groaned. "I am going to sleep first and then I am going to kill him." He turned towards Chu Xiuyuan. "Count your days."
The two trudged up the stairs of the inn, their faces covered with sweat and ash.
Lan Wangji took charge of ordering baths for both the alphas before following Wei Wuxian to their room.
He entered to find Wei Wuxian sprawled across the floor, his eyes closed.
"It's done. It's finally over," Wei Wuxian declared as he heard him come in.
"Mn."
"I am not getting up for a week."
"The bath will be drawn up in a shichen."
"I am not getting up for a shichen," Wei Wuxian immediately corrected.
Lan Wangji smiled fondly and went to kneel beside him. He tugged Wei Wuxian's hair behind his ear.
"Ah, Lan Zhan. What were you going to say back then?" Wei Wuxian asked with closed eyes.
As Lan Wangji looked at his face, his tired, sweaty face, exhausted from dealing with a yao that he did not want to deal with in the first place, all for Lan Wangji's sake, he thought that maybe they were not his parents.
His mother had never shown the amount of care for his father that Wei Wuxian did for him.
Lan Wangji took a deep breath. "I wanted to tell you why I was so reluctant to marry."
Wei Wuxian pulled one of his eyes open to peer at him. "Oh?"
"I do not know if this is known outside Gusu Lan, but my parents did not have a good marriage. My father loved my mother too much, and my mother did not return that love."
Wei Wuxian listened carefully as Lan Wangji laid out before him the tragic story of his parents.
He kept quiet until Lan Wangji finished, which was highly unusual for Wei Wuxian, but which Lan Wangji appreciated nonetheless.
"And you think the same thing will happen to us?" Wei Wuxian asked, his eyes filled with concern.
Lan Wangji nodded, then shook his head. "Not this. But something. And I do not want our child or you to have to experience that. An unhappy marriage."
"Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian sighed, grabbing his hand. He pulled him closer until Lan Wangji laid on his chest. "We are not your parents. We will not be."
Lan Wangji knew that. But he hadn't told the whole truth. He hadn't said the last piece Wei Wuxian needed to fit the puzzle. "I love Wei Ying so much that it scares me," he whispered over Wei Wuxian's heart.
Wei Wuxian froze, his chest stilling. Lan Wangji pressed his face deeper into his chest, too afraid to look up.
"You do?" Wei Wuxian asked, his voice reedy.
Lan Wangji nodded.
They laid there in silence as Wei Wuxian digested that piece of information. Finally, Lan Wangji gave up, his heart bleeding. He started to get up, but only managed to get away a cun before arms dragged him closer until he laid on Wei Wuxian's chest again.
"Ah, Lan Zhan, my Lan Zhan," Wei Wuxian murmured into his hair, curling himself around him, their legs tangling together. "I will treat you so well. I will never let you be in need of anything.
"I will make sure you will be the happiest omega to ever live." He tugged Lan Wangji towards him and guided him to his neck, before nuzzling Lan Wangji's own neck in return. "I will pluck the moon for you, Lan Zhan. Just marry me."
He peppered kisses along the side of his throat. "Not for our child, not for your future, marry me because it can only be you, Lan Zhan. I meant it when I said it. For me, there is only you."
Tears spilled Lan Wangji's eyes, wetting Wei Wuxian's skin.
Wei Wuxian kissed the side of his forehead before licking his tears. "Marry me, Lan Zhan."
Lan Wangji sniffled as he nodded. "Yes."