Vanilla, Apples and Rain

by rosered27

Summary:

Wei Ying had always been told that he would be cut off from the family at eighteen, Madam Yu would not have needed to put up with him any longer after that. However, after his presentation, a new path was created for his future which changed everything he had been preparing for. After five years of living in America, studying to become a Forensic Pathologist, Wei Ying receives a letter in the mail which forces him to come face to face with what he'd been trying to avoid all of these years. A rock stuck in a hard place, he now has to find a way to get out of an engagement he doesn't want.

Enter Lan Wangji.

Or;

Madam Yu decides that the best way Wei Wuxian can offer repayment to the family is by promising him to a wealthy family and their Alpha, something that Wen Rohan and Madam Jin's sister wants more than anything. Wei Ying had hoped he had enough time to study and become a doctor, then repay the family he grew up in and still was a part of for their support. When he receives the letter, he knows now that there has to be a change of plans. Desperate, he seeks out help through a sugar daddy app and things do not go as planned.

Lan Wangji offers a better solution.

"I will be Wei Ying's alpha."

Chapter 1: Gusu University; Part 1

Summary:

WWX makes a bad decision, it's a good thing LWJ is there to help him out.

Notes:

Hey guys! So excited to get this story started, I hope you all enjoy it like I have while I've been writing it!

I know the publish date might throw you off, but thats cause I didn't know what i wanted to do at the time with it, so i've completely rewrote that initial chapter and everything.

I have another story going on right now which is literally only one chapter left in it, so after that, I'll try to get this updated whenever possible. I update 1-2x every two weeks(kind of). It depends.

!!This is very important for those with triggers!!

Wei Ying is going to be a forensic pathologist, so a doctor that determines the cause of death. He works and uses his job for his lab credits in a medical examiner's office(a morgue). So understand now that by going into reading this, where will be mentions of the dead bodies he's encountered. Some of them won't be pretty, but it won't be super explicit in the details of how the body looks(more like a report on the findings, I suppose).

There will also be mentions of knives, scalpels, needles and blood throughout the story because unfortunately that is what those in the medical field have to deal with. There will be talks of death, obviously. But only with humans and also mentions of WWX's hobby with taxidermy.

WWX also has a sort-of-fear with rape, but only in the extent that he doesn't want some random alpha trying to force him to take their knot. Of course when it's with LWJ, he enjoys the play of it because he trusts his alpha and all of that.

That being said, I love all the writers out here in our little abode. I appreciate the variety and different POV'S. For me, I personally prefer to stick as close to canonical personalities and values of the characters as I can. One of those being that although WWX is a big flirt, he wouldn't just have sex with anyone. And LWJ is a demisexual in my heart, and therefore will also not just sleep with anyone. One of the things I liked about in the books was that throughout all of the mess they went through, the time stretches, and the suitors they probably had, that at the end of the day they gave their firsts of everything to each other. I think it's a cute and wholesome thing that was a little light in all that darkness, so that's why I decided to keep it that way in this fic(and all future fics regarding these two).

Also, please understand that-and while all writers are different- I am the sort of writer that thrives from the engagement of the community. It really helps me if I have something to look forward to when writing this out. Reading your guys's comments and engaging with you through them is a real highlight for me, a bonus if you will. It makes me think that my work is good and it makes me feel good that I'm giving something for you all, hearing from those who enjoy reading my works. I put a lot of effort into what I do, and I love to make time in my busy schedule to share the fics with everyone. So please comment whatever you want, I love to read and respond to them.

Hope you enjoy!

 

A cold day in November made Wei Ying regret wearing only his cropped university hoodie and washed out jeans. Wen Qing had warned him before he rushed out the door that the weather was not good, but by the time he realized he should have listened to her and grab a coat he was already down the five flights of stairs and running late for his neuropathology class. The elevator broke down last year and held a dusty sign that read ‘Out of service, will be fixed soon’ on it. He did not have time to climb all the way back up the stairs and find his old coat, or to search for an umbrella.

 

He prayed to the weather gods and shouldered his way out the door, running in the pelting rain with his hood up and backpack cradled in his arms across the street and right to the campus grounds-always so thankful that his shared apartment was so close.

 

Barely dodging students around the corners, he made it just in time for the ten minute time frame to be up and quietly slipped into the lecture hall, taking a seat at the very top row. His jeans were damp, he was out of breath and hungry, and the thick material of his hoodie clung to the exposed skin of his stomach. He had to sit there and suffer for an hour and thirty minutes in the mess the rain made him and listen to the professor talk earnestly about the exact things Wei Ying was interested in.

 

Class ended ten minutes early but Wei Ying stayed in his spot and watched the other students pack up and leave while he waited. Alpha, alpha, beta, alpha -he counted. Two..three…four omega’s including himself, so five total in a fifty person lecture hall.

 

“Wei Ying.”

 

“Lan Zhan!”

 

Wei Ying shot from his seat while his best friend took in his dampened state and sighed. “You should not have left your home without knowing the weather. You will get sick.”

 

He brushed it off and followed the Alpha through the open door, plucking at the hem of the hoodie. “It’s fine, it’s fine! I’ll be dry soon! At least I didn’t get my hair wet!”

 

“Wei Ying.”

 

“Ah, don’t be like that, Lan Zhan! I was running late and the elevator is still broken. There was nothing I could do!”

 

“Why was Wei Ying running late?”

 

The question urged Wei Ying into gushing about his newest interest in taxidermy. An odd hobby that he recently-over the weekend, recent- took up. He used thumbtacks around the apartment and swiped spare ones he could find in the library and used that, and the rusted scalpel from his lab to cut open bugs that Wen Ning caught for him. He took out his phone and showed Lan Zhan the pictures while they strode through the other students, towards the cafe. His best friend hummed at every photo, complimenting Wei Ying’s work with the little supplies he had.

 

See. This is one of the reasons why he loved having the alpha as one of his best friends.

 

In the very beginning, during their first year in school, the two of them got along together like fire and ice. Oil and water. Lemon and vinegar.

 

One disagreement in humanities over medical morality had Lan Zhan disliking everything about Wei Wuxian. He always ignored him in and out of class, scolded him over everything he did, refused to look at him to the point that it would tae Wei Ying’s insistent nature to garner a reaction from him. Lan Zhan would go red in the ears and call him ‘Shameless’ and ‘Ridiculous’ before storming off.

 

He wasn’t sure what it was, but in their final year of undergrad, Lan Zhan had somewhere along the way stopped hating him. Their friendship blossomed into something beautiful. Wei Ying came to appreciate the rigid aspects about his friend's personality and habits. Lan Zhan was extremely intelligent and matched Wei Ying’s own mind, he was a great study partner, and the chiding he gave Wei Ying didn’t come from a place of malice-had it ever?- but because that was his way of showing his concern. He also listened to Wei Wuxian when he spoke about medical mysteries, poisons, experimental treatments and did not call him odd for his interest in death. Or things that have died. There were some alpha’s that thought of him as a weird omega despite his rarity and gave him odd looks in class or in the hallways.

 

Lan Zhan had never done that.

 

His family thousands of miles away in China, Lan Zhan, Wen Qing, and Wen Ning were the people he saw daily. His own little family he’d created over the years. Years that he also hadn’t seen his Shijie or brother and uncle-he missed them and zoom called whenever possible, but they were busy people as much as he was so the video’s were rare. Their point of contact lied mostly in texting and selfies with an occasional, short, phone call. Wei Ying felt appreciative of the constants in his life, it made his days feel like there were breaks-pauses- in the consistent, busy schedule.

 

He finished showing the photos and tucked his phone away. The cafe was nearby, though Lan Zhan guided them down another hall and to the restrooms. He stopped and removed his bag, stripping out of his light blue sweatshirt to hand it to Wei Ying. “You will get sick.”

 

A grin slid onto his face. “Thanks! Lan Zhan-I’ll be quick!”

 

He dressed out of his hoodie and slipped on his best friend’s sweatshirt and balled up his soaked one in his hand. Everything smelled like sandalwood-it smelled so warm and comforting, he buried his nose in it and breathed in the scent. It tickled something inside of him-a tickle he usually got when in the presence of his best friend.

 

When he emerged from the bathroom he gave him another blinding grin and asked him what he thought. Golden eyes ran over him, “Acceptable. Keep it.”

 

“I thought so, too! Don’t worry! I will take good care of it!” The two of them gathered their things and left for their destination, Wei Wuxian happily strolling beside the other man.

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A broke college student, Wei Wuxian had to work on top of getting his degree as a Forensic Pathologist. Unlike his days as an elementary student, there wasn’t much opportunity in America to simply carry boxes in stores for feeble aunties, or to tutor students around him when the school offers free tutoring. He had to find a job that would allow him to work with a loose schedule, a decent pay, and odd hours. He was lucky to get in contact with a fellow Chinese student who’s aunt had a Medical Examiner's office one town over. Extremely lucky because this job also counted towards several of his lab classes-Lan Zhan spoke to someone and thus a deal was struck.

 

So lucky indeed.

 

The money was enough to pay for his daily expenses and rent at the end of the month. He rarely had to dip into his own personal savings, thankfully. He had scholarships to help him along the way but there were still loans and a credit card he had to pay off, so some nights he’d clock in and join in an important, high priority autopsy much like tonight.

 

A child found inside a bathtub in a random apartment, already cut open when they placed the body on the table. Organ traffickers , he thought.

 

He scrubbed down and washed his hands, finally, after a while. Irritation at the nose and mouth, the cause of chloroform. The child had been knocked unconscious and the cause of death ruled as a snap of the upper cervical spine. The child died from the fast acting cardiac and respiratory failure from the snap.

 

He brought the paperwork out of the morgue and into the storage, filing it away, then clocked out in time to see the sun beginning to rise.

 

He then went straight to school and slept in one of the couches in the library for four, wonderful hours until he went to his next class.

 

After noon he threw himself in the chair across from Lan Zhan and slumped onto the table, “I’m gonna do it.”

 

He didn’t look up from his work, “What, Wei Ying?”

 

“I’m going to quit the medical examiner's office and download a sugar daddy app on my phone. You don’t think the Jiang’s will find out if I do, do you?”

 

Lan Zhan, far used to this specific complaint of his, simply told him, “Wei Ying cannot quit because the job allows Wei Ying to receive credit for his laboratory classes. Wei Ying is a special omega, Alpha’s do not respect the privacy of such special omega’s, and will tell everyone they can if they become your sponsor. Wei Ying should not waste his time on someone that will be discourteous and only think about what they want and ignore Wei Ying’s desires.”

 

“I’m so tireeddd, Lan Zhaaannnn.”

 

“Go home and sleep.”

 

“I have to study though, we have a test next week and I won’t have time to study for it this weekend. I still have that paper to finish in crime scene investigation-Lan Zhannnnnnn.” He whined.

 

Lan Zhan closed his book-it worried Wei Ying for a second- then told him to wait.

 

He watched him leave, then return soon thereafter with a no spill, metal, starbucks tumbler in hand. The only sort of tumbler technically allowed inside the library, but a rule only Lan Zhan cared to follow. It was the newest version on their shelf and for the size it was, easily at least thirty dollars. On top of the price he paid for the steaming liquid on the inside that warmed Wei Ying’s hands when handed to him.

 

“Lan Zhan-you didn’t have to get me this.”

 

“Ridiculous.”

 

“Hey, hey. I will pay you back my next paycheck-”

 

“It is a gift for Wei Ying.” He told him, opening his book once more. “Gifts do not need to be repaid.”

 

He really must’ve been cold, too. The heat of the mug warmed all of Wei Ying-he should probably let the coffee cool down.

 

He waited, then brought the edge to his lips, taking a small sip and smiling once his usual brown sugar oatmeal cortado touched his tongue. Five pumps of brown sugar, extra foam. He took a longer sip, then pulled out his own study material, suddenly motivated to study.

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He returned later that evening and despite the coffee having worn off by then, he had energy to wash out the cup and place it on the drying rack for use tomorrow. All he cared about now was to sleep. Sleep and sleep until he could not do it anymore.

 

When Wen Qing walked through the door of the apartment she was in no better of a state than he was. Tossing her keys on the counter along with the pile of mail, she dragged herself over and fell on the couch right on top of him where he’d been watching her the entire time. Her head rested on the end of his calf and her heel dug into the back of his head. “Where’s a-ning?”

 

Wei Ying groaned into the armrest. “Nooooo. No talk. Only sleep.”

 

She pulled a yelp from him by shoving his head forward, “Answer.”

 

“Went with a-yang to get food.”

 

She sighed. “Of course.”

 

“They promised egg rolls.”

 

“I could eat five of them.”

 

“Good thing they said they’d get ten. And lots of duck sauce.”

 

His roommate/best friend/sister groaned, “How much longer?”

 

“Thirty if they go straight and come back. Fifty if they find an ally to makeout in.”

 

He could feel her frown from here. “I will kill a-yang and make it look like an accident.”

 

“I’ll forge the medical report to help.”

 

For a while after that they sat there in a comfortable silence, listening to the sounds of the main street and the occasional police cruiser that would drive past. The occasional beep of the low battery smoke alarm acted as a white noise, lulling him back into his dream he had before Wen Qing had showed up.

 

“...wha?”

 

“...mail.”

 

He blinked harder and twisted so he could see his best friend looking at him under the arm shielding her eyes. “I said, you have mail. Probably a few days old. And no, they weren’t bills. I think it was your sister’s handwriting and-Wei Wuxian!”

He apologized and accepted the heat of her glare where she now sat on the ground and went for the pile of discarded mail.

 

He found the light purple envelope and opened it-there was a short note, saying how his sister missed him and that she expected him to come to China this summer. Sorry, Shijie . He thought at first.

 

Then came the item that still lay in the envelope.

 

He read it-a mix of emotions stirring in his chest. His Shijie is getting married in the summer, and to that Peacock of all people. She’s getting married and also expects Wei Ying to be there for the bridal party. “Shijie’s getting married! Shit-what should I wear!? What gift should I bring?!”

 

“I don’t know! Isn’t there a dress code or something? And I’m pretty sure you are the gift, dumbass. You haven’t seen her in person for five years. She won’t care about a stupid gift if it’s you that’s bringing it.”

 

“Ah…but I still have to bring something-”

 

“When is it? Summer? We have time, we’ll find a gift for her together. You have like…eight months.”

 

“How’d you know it was the summer?”

 

“The Jins always get married in the summer.”

 

He did not know that.

 

“What about that other letter?”

 

What other letter? He set aside the invitation and his sister’s letter, not having to look too hard for the one she spoke about-

 

Pure ice water spilled all over his body .

 

For five years he had not seen, wrote or spoke to the woman. It had been five years ago that he packed his belongings and was dropped off by his Uncle, brother and Sister at the airport, waving him goodbye as he headed for America. Madam Yu had only gone so far to see him walk off the property, and didn’t bother to say a proper goodbye. This entire time he hadn’t heard from her-what could she want? Was it to tell him to not bother coming to the wedding-that his five years of refusing his return to home meant he was no longer part of the family?

 

He opened the letter.

 

He read the letter.

 

He stared at the letter.

 

The door to the apartment swung open gently, Wen Ning’s gentle voice miles away to Wei Wuxian’s thoughts.

 

He read the letter over and over. He wished he’d never opened it to begin with.

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Ever since he could remember when he was a child, the moment Uncle Jiang whisked Wei Ying to Lotus Pier and handed him off to the servants to be cleaned, to the moment he found himself under the scrutinizing gaze of Madam Yu, he had known that their support wouldn’t be forever. The first words the woman spoke to him were cut throat and scared him at four years old and freshly adopted.

 

“The second you turn eighteen you had better never call or ask us for help.”

 

Over the years, Jiang Fengmian would argue with his wife over her callousness and assure Wei Ying that it would never come to that. That Wei Ying will always have a room in their home and the backing of the Jiang name. He had even set aside a personal account for Wei Ying when he was ten and began declining car rides home and started coming home later after school, finding odd jobs by helping the merchants in town or tutoring his classmates for extra cash. It had made his uncle frown when he explained his reasoning and why he was saving, so his uncle opened an account for Wei Ying to have access to when he turned eighteen. 

 

A small part of him hoped that her years of threatening him and snide comments about not being able to wait till his eighteenth were only that, a threat.Though he also knew that if Madam Yu wanted it that badly, she would drop him off in some random location the moment the clock would strike 12am on his eighteenth whether or not he was prepared for it. So Wei Ying kept saving money and working through middle school. His uncle had decided if Wei Ying wanted to work to help put money in his account that he could help in the family business. Out of the Jiang maritime Shipping company, the resorts, restaurant chains and training centers, he believed Wei Ying would do best in the latter most listed, so his days were spent attending school then walking to the training center not far away and working there for some hours, then returning home to do his homework and mess with Jiang Cheng.

 

The pay was decent and for all of the nonsense Wei Ying spewed and the mischief he got into, he was studious in his savings. His uncle would clap him on the shoulder and give him a proud smile sometimes, it made Wei Ying feel good.

 

Now, of course, all of this rode on the fact that Wei Ying would one day present to be an alpha just like his mother and father had been.

 

His mother, a lawyer and partner of Baoshan Sanren-his not-grand mother who sent him birthday and christmas gifts when she found out the Jiang’s had taken him in-had met Wei Changze, best friend of Jiang Fengmian and head chef at one of his many restaurants, and fell in love. They were both alpha’s who were well known for their many talents and strengths, Wei Ying was a product of their union and displayed all of the same qualities his parents held when they were alive. Loud, playful and witty like his mother, strong, fast and athletic like his father. Wei Ying displayed all of the qualities of a good alpha from a young age, a fact that pissed off Madam Yu and was the center for arguments between Wei Ying and his brother.

 

Wei Ying was confident in his abilities and also believed that when he turned thirteen, he would become an alpha like the rest of his peers.

 

His thirteenth came.

 

Nothing happened.

 

Jiang Cheng, for once, had a leg up in presenting earlier than Wei Ying, as an Alpha.

 

Where Jiang Cheng was given his courtesy name and gained the scent of an electric storm, Wei Ying was given ‘Wuxian’ and kept his scent of baby powder.

 

Madam Yu was pleased. Jin Zixuan had something to poke at and Jiang Cheng had something that made his father recognize him more.

 

That peacock and his followers annoyed the hell out of Wei Ying, though he dished out his own insults easily and accepted the fact that he’d be a late bloomer. It didn’t matter to him as much as it did to his brother. I’ll just present next year. Were his exact thoughts.

 

Then the next year came, there still was no change.

 

And the year after.

 

His uncle took him straight to a physician the day after his fifteenth with Shijie in tow.

 

“If his parents were both Alpha’s, and he hasn’t presented yet, I suspect he may be a dominant alpha. The presentation of a dominant alpha is delayed in most cases. The body has to prepare itself to properly acclimate to the world and scents around them, and to balance out their hormones. In a case like this, I expect that he may even go into a rut when his presentation happens. So please, be prepared for this to happen. Have a safe space ready for him, no sharps, only soft things and make sure there is a water and food source....”

 

He stopped listening after that.

 

Yes, a dominant alpha would be something he could shove in that Peacock’s stupid face. If only the storm brewing on the horizon courtesy of Madam Yu’s wrath didn’t exist, then he could have enjoyed the news like he should.

 

That evening when they returned to the manor just resting on the edge of a crystalline blue lake, Madam Yu’s raging voice could be heard throughout the home and in the garden where Wei Wuxian hid. For hours her screeching and Jiang Fengmian’s gentle coaxing could be heard on and off.

 

Jiang Cheng found him tucked in a corner bush and snuck him inside and practically threw him in his room so he wouldn’t freeze to death on that cold, raining day. Shijie fed him and the Jiang siblings expertly snuck him in and out of the house for the two weeks it took for her anger to shave off.

 

Really, Wei Ying couldn’t have cared less about it all. Alpha or beta. It didn’t matter. His only worry had been the steadfast ticking of a clock, counting down the days that Madam Yu would or would not throw him out into the cold.

 

By the beginning of his Junior year he began applying to colleges all across the country and in America. His grades have always been excellent even if his worth as a student was questionable, and depended on which teacher was asked. He had no qualms or reason to not apply to prestigious schools and also applied for all sorts of scholarships as well. He’s thought long and hard about what he wanted for his future and it always came down to two things, security and travel.

 

“Just double major in something, stupid.” Jiang Cheng had told him one day. “Or stay and go to school for Law. Then you can partner with your grandmother.”

 

He’d made a face. “Me? In a stuffy suit all day?”

 

“Right. You’d rather stick your hand in fucking dirt than do that. Mud suits you more anyway.”

 

Through the month of October, leading up to the thirty-first and his seventeenth, he kept pondering and pondering what exactly he could do. His decision should parallel the appropriate university he’d choose in a few years. He was anxious. Tapping his pen or biting his fingernails, his focus to study nonexistent. For weeks he felt on edge and had an unease sitting in the base of his stomach. He hadn’t thought much of these feelings or the sudden need to take Jiang Cheng and A-jie’s things without asking-a large shirt that smelled like a current, a wool scarf that smelled of a flower shop and earth both held captive on the ever growing pile on his bed.

 

“A-xian?” A-jie’s cool hand pressed onto his forehead. “Are you sick? How long were you in the rain with A-cheng last night? Did you not warm yourself up properly?”

 

His breathing was ragged, and there was a pressure on his chest. He normally would have brushed aside the worry, say that he was ‘just fine’ and go to the car Uncle Jiang and his brother were waiting for them. Or maybe joke that he was three and needed his sister to dote on him like a child.

 

Instead a gurtled whine built at the base of his throat and slipped out into the nearly empty foyer. Like something inside him was pleased to have the attention and gentle comfort from someone similar to himself.

 

As soon as it left his mouth his sister’s eyes widened in tandem with his own.

 

“A-xian, a-xian. Sit. Sit, sit.” She made him sit on the small bench. “Stay here, I’ll be right back-I promise, I’ll be right back!” She assured him quickly, after another whine had escaped him, but a cry for her to not leave.

 

She dropped her bag and ran out the door, shouting for her father.

 

Wei Ying’s head slumped back into the wall. Everything felt so hot all of a sudden. There were so many smells and too much noise.

 

A hand touched him and he flinched, eyes shooting open to see the face of his very confused and concerned uncle. Behind him was Jiang Cheng who looked at him like he’d fallen and busted his head open.

 

“A-xian, stay with me.” His uncle snapped his finger. “I think you are beginning your presentation, let’s get you up to your room, okay? Can you walk?”

 

He couldn’t speak, therefore he couldn’t walk. His uncle took the lack of an answer and scooped him up. Another noise fell out of his mouth in complaint-he was too hot and his Shushu did not smell like himself. It was too much. All of it was too much.

 

His bedroom door opened and his sister immediately clocked in on something about the bed, pointing it out to her father. Carefully, his uncle laid him out on the lumps of clothes, hair ties, ribbons and suit ties he’d taken. Calmness and security blanketed him-he buried his face in the familiar scents of his family and shivered. There was rustling, words being spoken and his door opening and shutting every so often. He blacked out.

 

When he came to he was sticky in sweat and incredibly thirsty. His body was half obscured by all of the clothing items he’d taken. There were new smells and new sounds. Most notably was the gentle scent with a hint of a fleeting baby powder becoming drowned by it, vanilla and apples, accompanied by a waft of cinnamon and nutmeg. It smelled like comfort-like autumn. It made him think of the times he and his siblings would attend the Ghost festival and when his Shijie would bake apples, causing most of the large home to smell like the sweet treat.

 

Most alphas had strong scents. Woody, earthy, spiced scents. Jin Zixuan apparently smelled of cinnamon candies that Wei Ying hated, and Nie Huaisang’s older brother, Nie Mingjue, spelled like a burning fire. The beta claimed his brother’s scent wasn’t as horrible as it sounded, and Wei Ying did not want to get close enough to the man to test out that theory, so he believed his friend and never questioned it again.

 

So why does Wei Ying smell like a baked dessert?

 

“Are you conscious now?”

 

The voice startled him so bad but his body felt too heavy to move.

 

In the light of the afternoon, Madam Yu sat at the window, drinking her tea while studying him carefully. His throat was dry and tongue sticking to the roof of his mouth. She finished her tea and set it aside, folding her hands on her lap. “I will not sugar coat this. Wei Wuxian, you’ve surprised everyone and presented as a dominant omega.”

 

“Wha-” he croaked out, but was cut off.

 

“This changes things.” She said, “And I know you aren’t so stupid that you don’t understand what I mean by this. You have lived under my roof, ate the food purchased by my servants with my money, and have kept the favoritism of my husband for seventeen years. I never would have thought you would have a way to pay our family back, but I suppose you’ve won and proved me wrong.”

 

The woman stood, coming over to the side of his bed, regarding him in a way she’s never looked at him before. Always a nuisance and up to no good, she looked at him like she’d finally found a reason for her husband’s spur to adopt the boy. “You will no longer be thrown out, Wei Wuxian. You have finally offered something rare and sought after. So, by holding the Jiang name and having our support, you had better keep your legs closed until we can find the most suitable alpha to marry you off to. There will be no spoiled goods in this household. Alpha or Omega, do you understand me?”

 

He swallowed.

 

“Good.”

 

This changes things alright. He watched her leave.

 

A whole new set of problems that changed everything about his life after that. Not so much in school other than Jiang Cheng’s ridiculous attitude towards any alpha that approached their established friend group or the surprised looks of his fellow schoolmates when he’d returned, smelling like autumn and omega . A rare combination of being a male, an omega, and dominant . He was still the same Wei Wuxian the week prior-knotted hair, wrinkled school uniform and loose tie. His new status was the only reason he turned heads now, these days.

 

Jin Zixuan also could not insult him anymore to his face due to alpha propriety and Wei Ying ate up every bit of his stiff reactions to his taunts.

 

Working in the athletic center was fine as long as his stalkers- ‘ Bodyguards, a-xian’- were there. And he had to go places with them or his family which was not too difficult, he has always been surrounded by friends. Those changes were livable to him.

 

It was the awkward dinners and forced proximity of strange alphas that wrinkled his nose. He had always been a harmless flirt to girls, now he had to tone that part of him down during these times or else he’d give the wrong impression.

 

Alphas that came from many wealthy families or those that the Jiang family partnered with personally would travel to visit every so often and urge Wei Wuxian and the chosen suitor to mingle together. He had several meetings with the Jins and their many, many, many cousins.

 

There were few alphas that were fine with Wei Wuxian in the beginning, but failed at hiding their sneers when he did something not-so-omega-like or showed an interest in things like engineering or science. They’d awkwardly laugh off his rant and suggest maybe an interest in other things that did not require a college degree.

 

Those particular alphas were black listed by Madam Yu.

 

“A stupid omega is only that! Old money does not mean an old mind! I have not fed this brat and kept him alive for him to be uneducated! I will not waste money on him to go to a prestigious school, but he will at least get a degree in a local college!”

 

The alphas that he would meet with on a continual basis were the ones who were not privy to the thoughts Wei Wuxian had in his head or his interest in alpha dominated fields. Madam Yu’s sharp eye on him kept him from speaking what his mind wanted to say, and instead gave simple answers and nods. Polite enough to keep them coming, but distant enough that they were not too hopeful.

 

And it was like this over the course of the next year and a half. He was forced into these dinners in hopes that he’d find an alpha somewhat appealing. A mating bond could not be forced like a marriage, not unless the other part wanted to become very, very sick. In these situations, mutual attraction would help in knots being taken and births happening. Wei Wuxian, as the object of attraction, had the pick of the litter, and he wanted none of them.

 

He can say that an upside to this is that he was introduced to Wen Qing.

 

A sharp witted niece to Wen Rohan with an even sharper tongue and glare. The girl hated him and glared at him more than anyone has ever done in his life. Wei Ying was persistent, however, and chipped a small hole inside the ice that surrounded her and wormed his way inside. Over the course of time he actually had to fight with himself to not wave at her excitedly during their meetings-she did not want to be there as much as he didn’t. They bonded in a mutual respect for one another, and talked about their interests. Wen Qing enjoyed hearing him speak about science because that was the field she was going to get into. Her and her soft spoken brother, Wen Ning, both made their decisions in traveling to Gusu university on the other side of the world.

 

Her commentary on the school inspired Wei Ying to go home that night, and make his final decision. His Shijie decided on a local culinary school years ago. Jiang Cheng decided to go to the same school his father went to, and urged Wei Ying to join him on this path.

 

He wanted to. He really did.

 

But the degrees there didn’t suit him whatsoever and the school was too close to Lotus Pier for his liking. He didn’t want to be in a close enough proximity that he had to deal with these dates while focusing on his degree. The main branch of the prestigious school valued science and the arts-their programs unparalleled from what Wen Qing had gushed to him about.

 

He declined all other other school offers and declared himself to GU.

 

That information was kept quiet until his uncle took him out for dinner and slid the ‘thank you’ envelope from GU across the table. His shushu congratulated him wholeheartedly and promised to keep the information to himself. 

 

Wei Ying worked hard to get through his final months of upper secondary school while his uncle helped prepare his documents he’d need for his life in the states. After his graduation, he packed all of the things he could into a large suitcase and carry on. That following morning he gave the news that his plane would be leaving that afternoon, and asked if his Uncle would take him. School did not begin until months later, but he had an apartment he needed to settle into with his friends and a job he needed to get and save up for.

 

His brother did not have time to be angry then.

 

His anger came after Wei Ying confirmed his flight had landed, and his brother cussed him out before going radio silent for an entire month.

 

Wei Wuxian had left China to follow a path which led to security and a comfortable future, and with the hope that he could instead pay off his debt to the Jiang’s by becoming a doctor, and paying through money. There were plenty of Omega doctors in China, but although they hid it, the wealthy families and their Alpha children wanted a docile dominant Omega within their ranks. Not someone that was career oriented and independent. They wanted someone to bring other dominant alphas and omegas into their families-they wanted someone to breed .

 

That was not what he wanted.

 

Maybe that’s another reason he and Lan Zhan got along so well? He was one of the few dominant alpha’s in the school, maybe he knew exactly what it was like to have that sort of expectation thrown on you, just because of having a higher tier in their secondary gender.

 

That question would have to stay a question for now, however. Because he isn’t sure if this decision was the right one to make-if his current situation really was something he wanted to go through.

 

“Are you done eating?” The alpha sat next to him, directly in Wei Ying’s space. There was nowhere else to go in the small booth, he was already practically pressed against the wall.

 

He forked at the disgusting salad that he didn’t even order for himself, “Not just yet. I think the shrimp to lettuce ratio is a bit small, don’t you think? Can we get more?”

 

“It is the perfect amount for an omega. We wouldn’t want your stomach getting too full yet, would we?”

 

The implication made him feel sick.

 

“I was hoping we could discuss what I mentioned in our messages-”

 

The middle aged man came in closer. One of his hands resting atop of Wei Ying’s knee, he nosed at the bare shoulder of Wei Ying’s top. “We can discuss whatever it is you want as soon as you’re done.”

 

He dropped the fork on the plate and told him he was finished.

 

Pleased, the man called for the waiter to bring the check, then dropped a card on top of it without looking, flashing a smirk to him that he probably had hoped would make Wei Ying slick-it did not . He’s never been dryer in his life.

 

The waiter returned soon thereafter, and the man was pulling Wei Ying out of his seat. His legs felt like lead, the movement of the high end restaurant nothing but a blur to him. He has always been confident in himself, but with a hand he did not know resting on his hip and an unfamiliar smell filling his nose made him feel small . He felt sick to his stomach-the little bits of salad he’d forced down his throat wanting to come up.

 

He thought that the night would go differently-that he would find someone who wanted to give Wei Ying what he needed, because that is what sugar daddies are apparently supposed to do. Spoil their babies while asking for company or companionship, and sometimes actual sugar . He thought that they would sit down and discuss the terms of the arrangement and perhaps get to know each other a bit. It became evident the second the alpha sat beside him on the booth instead of across that his hopes for the night were not the same hopes the alpha had planned.

 

So now he stood on the curb waiting for the valet with a large jacket which reeked of peppercorn on his shoulders, owned by an alpha who was too fixated on Wei Ying’s done up face to notice that the same waiter who served them calling his name. The man growled out in frustration-a what!? That made Wei Ying flinch hard .

 

The waiter informed him he’d forgotten the bottle of champagne he’d ordered, and that the bag was on the table still.

 

“I will be right back.” He said.

 

Two things happened the second he went back through those glass doors.

 

One, his black corvette pulled into the roundabout and the valet was coming to Wei Ying. Two, Wei Ying was chucking the disgusting jacket at the poor, startled man and he was kicking off his pair of heels.

 

Years of running around in the fields of lotus pier and using the equipment at the training centers meant that he was fast on top of his natural swiftness. He was there in one moment and gone the next. He ran and ran and ran, running to places that were familiar to him-running to the oddly placed building that belonged to GU. The newer construction wasn't as close to the actual school grounds.

 

He finally stopped running and threw himself on a bench.

 

Fuck .

 

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

 

He’s so fucking stupid-he’s so dumb. He almost put himself in a situation like that of what he’s trying to avoid.

 

He’s twenty-four and a virgin by choice. He knew how alpha’s were-he wasn’t stupid. He’s always known how they looked at him. Especially after his first year at GU, when he began growing out his hair and enjoying a more feminine style to his usual sport wear. There were plenty of other beautiful omegas on campus, but being the only one of his kind there, it made him too much of an attention magnet. No one approached him-because that was it, curiosity of something new-but that did not mean they never looked at him like he was a full course meal ready for the picking.

 

He didn’t want any of those alphas. Or the ones madam yu had attempted pairing him up with.

 

Wei Ying wanted to go home. He wanted to go to his apartment and curl up into a ball on his bed in hopes that he’ll never have to wake up again. That all of his problems no longer existed because he could not be conscious again to deal with them.

 

He wanted to go home and cry. But how could he? He didn’t want to move, and his shaking was too bad. He should call Wen Qing but she’s asleep and has work, and Wen Ning is down with a cold again. If he called either of them he’d have to tell them he’d lied about going to his project partner's place to study for the night. He’d have to admit to Wen Qing that Wei Ying is a stupid fucking idiot, and have to admit why he’d done this to begin with. If she found out, she’d feel inclined to help, but he couldn’t ask that from her. Not when she’s doing so good here in her studies. It would put her in a difficult position that would be difficult to escape from.

 

Fuck.

 

He pulled out his phone. The low of the light illuminating his face.

 

His thumb scrolled through his texts and call logs. He couldn’t call any of these people. There’s no way he could face partial strangers in the state that he’s in right now-

 

Lan Zhan . It read. His contact photo of the man’s two rabbits he’d sent him a photo of years ago.

 

Lan Zhan. Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan.

 

He wanted Lan Zhan, now. He really wanted to talk to him. He wanted to hear his voice and maybe even smell his scent, too.

 

He really really wanted his best friend.

 

He pressed the call button before he knew it, then put it on speaker phone. It rang and it rang-he figured it would continue like that given the time it was, and his strict bedtime.

 

“Wei Ying?”

 

Wei Ying let out a shuttered breath and relief fell over him. Lan Zhan sounded tired-like he’d just woken up from his sleep. Wei Ying felt the relief and also guilt in having disrupted his best friend's rest all because of a very stupid, reckless decision that ended up with him on a park bench at….eleven at night.

 

“Wei Ying?” Now sounding slightly worried.

 

He licked his lips. “Ah…Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan. Look at you. You’re awake?”

 

“You called.”

 

“Right. Right, I did. I…” his breath shuttered again, closing his eyes. He tried to bite back a sob but he couldn’t. He heard it in his own ears, and knew his best friend definitely heard it as well. “I did something stupid. Something very, very dumb, Lan Zhan. So dumb that all of my good grades mean nothing now. How can I become a doctor if I’m making these dumb decisions? I just..I just wanted to call and hear you-”

 

There was rustling on the other end, this time Lan Zhan sounded much more awake and alert. “Wei ying, where are you?”

 

“I, uh….I am outside-”

 

“Outside where ? Who are you with? Are you hurt?”

 

“The shot in my pride hurts, yes. But no, I’m not like…dying. I’m alone-”

 

“Wei. Ying.” Lan Zhan exhaled, frustrated on the other end of the line. His next words were just shy of an order-Wei Ying felt its underlying in the man’s words. “Tell me where you are.”

 

“At school.” He said. “Well. Well not at school, yes at school, but not on the school grounds-”

 

“ Wei! Ying!”

 

“You know that new building they built in the summer? The one that caused all those roadblocks cause there was that worker who drilled a hole in the pipeline, and then the streets kept flooding, and Wen Qing got upset with me cause I convinced Wen Ning to join me in trying to swim. But then he got sick, so she threatened to hang me out the window by my neck-”

 

There was a car door slamming shut and the smooth start of an engine. “I am coming to pick you up. Which side are you on?”

 

“You know that graffiti billboard? The one those kids keep drawing boobs and di-”

 

“Yes.”

 

“I can see it. You know. If it were me who tagged the building, I would have made them uneven. No one has a perfect set of boobs or balls. Well. Not that I would know because of the internet. You know I see dead bodies all of the time.”

 

“Mn. You speak about them often.”

 

“I’m glad that I get to have hands-on experience. You know? I mean, it is sad that people die. Sort of. Morally. But it’s all just a part of life. I’m glad that I’m not stuck in one of those fake operation rooms. Everything is plastic. How can the students know what they’re doing if the dummies are plastic? They need something more realistic. Like, what if there were tiers in it? Lab one can be the theoretical approach with plastic. Then lab two can be theoretical with things that will actually burst if pressed wrong or moved where it shouldn’t be. That would be nice. Then it wouldn’t be only me in the class getting a realistic experience.”

 

“You should write to the head of the science department about your idea, Wei Ying. It is a smart idea.”

 

“That’s nice. Thank you, Lan Zhan. Even though I don’t feel very smart right now.”

 

“Wei Ying is very smart because he called me, and did not sit alone in the dark and not call for assistance.”

 

“To be fair, I didn’t know if you’d actually pick up.”

 

“I will always do my best to answer your phone calls.”

 

“It’s past your bedtime though? Your phone should have been on silent.”

 

“Wei Ying’s number is an exception. Yours, ge’s, uncles, Wen Qing and Wen Ning’s are able to come through if on silent.”

 

“Ah…well. That’s good then, isn’t it? I don’t know what I would have done if the call didn’t go through. I mean, I would have walked home, eventually. And showered and ate.”

 

“Is Wei Ying hungry?”

 

The question reminded him of the poor shrimp salad that was sat in front of him, and the sleazy hand of that alpha touching the dangling earrings from his earlobe.

 

“Wei Ying?”

 

“Ah..I dunno, Lan Zhan. I was, but now I’m not. I..don’t think I like shrimp anymore. I don’t like shrimp or shrimp salad. I don’t want that.”

 

“Wei Ying does not eat salad? You have always despised it.”

 

“Right. Because that is food for rabbits-and I am not a rabbit- oh.” He saw the bright lights of a familiar silver-blue lexus. “Is that you?”

 

The car pulled up in front of him and the line went dead. The driver's side opened, Lan Zhan soon coming into view as he rounded the car and walked to him in quick strides.

 

Before the date, Wei Ying had dressed up in a pink sweater that exposed his shoulders and a cream skirt that stopped at mid thigh with his only pair of good heels. He’d attempted to wrangle his hair together before wrapping it up in a bun, then of course his light makeup to pull everything together. But when Lan Zhan looked at him, it wasn’t in any way that what he was seeing was impressive. The sudden flare of his nostrils and the clench of his jaw told him alot.

 

Wei Ying looked like a mess.

 

I am a mess.

 

His throat felt tight again and water formed in his eyes. “ ‘m sorry. Lan Zhan. I look really bad, don’t I?”

 

“No. Wei Ying.” He looked like he was fighting with himself. “Wei Ying…I smell another alpha-”

 

“It wasn’t…whatever you’re thinking it didn’t happen. I mean. He wanted it to happen, but I left-”

 

“You are not hurt?”

 

“No. No. I’m not-”

 

“You are not wearing shoes.” He pointed out.

 

“Oh. I took them off when I ran-they’re right….” they were not next to him, it turned out. The spot next to him was empty.

 

There goes my only pair of heels.

 

Lan Zhan did not comment or scold him. Instead he stepped forward and dropped his jacket over him, then scooped an arm under his knees and another behind his back, pulling him up easily as if he weighed nothing. Wei Ying wrapped his limbs around him and let him carry him to the car to drop him inside, pulling the seat belt around him.

 

The seat warmer was already on, and the entire car smelled like the alpha. Wei Ying buried his head into the lapel of the autumn coat and breathed in that sandalwood scent, feeling the scared parts of himself beginning to settle some.

 

Lan Zhan slid into the driver's seat and drove off. Wei Ying watched the buildings go by. Middle class homes turning into more wealthy looking apartments after some time. He must have spaced out because Lan Zhan was now pulling his car door open and unbuckling Wei Ying, pulling him back into his arms.

 

The ride up the elevator was quiet. The sound of the gentle music and smooth passing from floor to floor just added to what Lan Zhan always felt like. Calm and gentle. Reliable.

 

The elevator rang and the doors opened. 

 

Lan Zhan walked them into his apartment, toeing off his own slippers, then taking Wei Ying through the penthouse. The style of the penthouse had always intrigued him. A mixture of modern and victorian-or he thinks that’s what it is. He figured they would go to the bathroom on the first floor where the guest bedroom was, Lan Zhan decided they would go to the top floor instead. This was an area that Wei Ying never dared to enter out of respect whenever he came over, because it was Lan Zhan’s personal space. The top floor was clean and white. Walls blue and not splattered with unknown sauces or liquids. Not a single thing out of place from what Wei Ying could tell, other than the thrown back covers on his bed.

 

Lan Zhan brought him through the glass bathroom and deposited him on the sink, rummaging around in the cabinets to place the items on the counter, then he went to the bathtub to begin filling the tub, even throwing in some bubble bath soap. He’d laugh a joke, but he really didn’t feel much like laughing right now. And the soap was the same one that was in the guest room downstairs, Lan Zhan must keep a bottle or two up here for the replacements. Or maybe there’s another omega that his best friend keeps the bubble bath up here for.

 

The man undid the first aid kit, then reached for Wei Ying’s feet- “Ah, Lan Zhan. You shouldn’t-”

 

He tried again but Wei Ying moved his foot away, earning himself a glare.

 

“I ran on concrete all over downtown. Who knows what I have on my feet-”

 

“That is why I must look at it.”

 

“At least wear gloves.”

 

“I will wear gloves if there is bleeding-give me your foot.”

 

He pouted but did as he was told. His large hand wrapped completely around Wei Ying’s ankle and held it carefully as he inspected his foot.

 

As he expected, there were cuts and scrapes there-on both. Lan Zhan gloved up and cleaned his foot with the precision of a future neurosurgeon. He cleaned the wounds and dressed them with liquid bandaid when he was done. Lan Zhan turned off the faucet to the tub, pulling off his gloves. Wei Ying looked at the bubbles and asked, “Do you like bubble baths?”

 

“I do not take baths.”

 

“Oh.” He didn’t feel so good about this. “So you keep bubbles for other pretty omegas that come up here then?”

 

Lan Zhan froze in his putting away supplies and flashed him a quick look. “I do not bring other omegas anywhere in my home. Wei Ying is the only one.”

 

“But, the bubbles?”

 

“...You enjoy bubble baths, and use more than the directed proportioned amount.”

 

He’s not sure why, but that made him feel a little better.

 

“...Lan Zhan?”

 

“Yes?”

 

“...do you not want to know what happened?”

 

Lan Zhan stood and looked over him for the millionth time that night. “You…had a date with an alpha.” Not a question but a statement.

 

A bitter laugh escaped him, “If you want to call it that. Lan Zhan…I…I did not listen to you, and I did something I shouldn't have done.”

 

“What did you do?”

 

It felt embarrassing to admit it out loud, so he pulled out his phone and unlocked it. His thumb moved across the screen until he found the cursed app and turned the phone to face the alpha. His best friend saw the words on the screen, eyes widening minutely, and looked at Wei Ying again with a look he could not name.

 

“I know. I know, I know. I was stupid. I knew I shouldn't have, but I didn't know what else to do.”

 

“Were you let go from the examiner's office? Did Wen Qing or Wen Ning get let go from theirs?”

 

“No. No, nothing like that. Why do you ask-”

 

“I am trying to understand….” He breathed. “..Why Wei Ying needed to get the help from a strange alpha he has never met before. From an app.”

 

“Right..right…you don't understand, cause I've never talked about it before. Cause Wen Qing knows and Wen Ning-I never bothered to tell you-” Hands came forward to stop Wei Ying from rubbing his own raw.

 

Golden eyes looked calm. Too calm. Like the calm right before a storm. “Tell me.”

 

“Oh it's just…it is not the ideal situation, Lan Zhan. It isn't. Madam Yu has always disliked me. But she's allowed me to be fed and given a proper education to. She kept saying I would have to leave when I was eighteen, I knew that I was a burden. I ruined hers and shushu's marriage, and a-cheng's relationship with uncle. Everyone thought I'd be an alpha-I thought I'd be an alpha. But I'm not and Madam Yu said that instead of sending me away, she would keep me to marry me off to an alpha. ‘For the sake of the family’. She…” he hadn't said it out loud, because that would mean it was real, and the position he was put in was not something he could easily escape from. 

 

“A-jie is getting married next summer. It will be a two week long process for me because she wants me in the wedding. Because I refused to travel back to China the last five summers, and that I've missed out on the meetings with those suitors, Madam Yu wrote that I will have those two weeks to spend with Wen Chao or Jin Zixun. She said it was my last chance to have a say in who my alpha will be, who I will be engaged to at the end of the two weeks. She said that they made offers she cannot ignore, even if they’d been blacklisted!” The image of the completely surprised Lan Zhan was becoming blurry. He could not see anymore than the tears dripping out of his eyes would allow. 

 

His voice shook, “I thought that if I found someone wealthy to act like my alpha, someone that could maybe impress Madam Yu, that I could avoid that option. I can't say no to her otherwise, Lan Zhan. Do you understand? The Jiangs have given me everything. A-jie and A-cheng are going to take over their businesses, and I should do what I can to help them. I can't say no when I was given things others would have dreamed of having. I owe everything to the Jiang’s. Most of the money in my savings, my life . I wouldn't be here if it weren't for the private schools I went to. I am so tired Lan Zhan. I am so tired. You tell me to not overwork myself but I had to. I thought that if I avoided using the money in my savings and didn't ask for help from the Jiangs, that she would be lenient and give me time. I was going to get my degree and pay them back-”

 

“Wei Ying. You have to breathe.”

 

“I can't breathe! How can I when I know that either Wen Chao or Jin Zixun is going to be my alpha!? They are horrible! I have always had problems with those two, I can't believe they'd even want me as an Omega!? I bet they think they can break me or something, but I've always been stronger than them and faster. I will not let them break me-”

 

“No one will try to break Wei Ying-”

 

“They will! They will try and then I have to choose between either alpha, but how can I when they are both so horrible!? I will be miserable and angry, and then I’ll have to find a way to hide away from them during my heats, because they’re both horrible Alpha’s and have always found me annoying and they’ll try to use my heat to get over on me-”

 

“Wei Ying-”

 

“I cannot bond with either of them, I will never be able to. I won’t let them try to force their knot in me, it’ll hurt and then I won’t even be able to get pregnant-but what if I do? I can’t raise a child knowing how they were conceived. I can't, I can't. She could have picked someone I got along with or maybe someone boring but of course she had to choose the two alpha’s I’ve always had to fight with. I don’t want Wen Chao or Jin Jixun as an alpha-I don’t want either of them. I don’t, I don’t-”

 

“You will not have to have either of them as an alpha-”

 

“You don’t understand! I have no other option! By next year I’ll be engaged to a horrible alpha and then I’ll be shipped off to China after I graduate, or even before that! They’ve always hated that I liked science and learning, once they find out about my degree they’ll hate it! They’ll marry me and then just try to breed dominant alpha’s out of me-”

 

“Wei Ying.” Lan Zhan’s grip on his hands were solid and almost vibrating. The strain in it and the anger hidden behind the words were familiar to him, the same tone he would get when he used to warn Wei Ying, back when the alpha couldn’t stand him. The only difference was even during those times the alpha never exuded any of his pheromones-now, Wei Ying could actually feel the weight of his anger heavy in the air of the bathroom. He hadn’t noticed it until now.

 

Great . He thought miserably. “I’m sorry Lan Zhan. I made you upset and I bothered you with all of this. I should have done something different, I should have known the Jin’s and the Wen’s would not be blacklisted so easily. I should have known that they would do whatever they can to tie me to their alpha-”

 

“You will not be tied to either of them.”

 

“I have to-”

 

“I will be your alpha.”

 

Wei Ying stopped talking.

 

So Lan Zhan kept going. “...I will be Wei Ying’s alpha. You will not have to marry or spend any heat with an alpha you cannot stand. You will not provide them with any dominant Alpha or Omega, because they will not have the opportunity.”

 

“Lan Zhan….What are you saying?”

 

“Delete the app.” He grabbed the phone and put it in Wei Ying’s hands. “There is no need to seek out another alpha for anything. I will be Wei Ying’s alpha.”

 

He looked at the phone in his best friend's hands-it clicked, Oh.

 

Lan Zhan is offering to be his sugar daddy?

 

“I…but I will only be a bother. I can’t use you.”

 

“Wei Ying is never a bother. I want Wei Ying to come to me, he does not need to go to another alpha. I am here for you, Wei Ying. You cannot ‘use’ me if what I give you is what I want. Let me take care of you.”

 

He sat there and looked at the phone in his hand.

 

Lan Zhan was a dominant alpha himself, and was from China. His family worked in a few things that Wei Ying couldn’t remember at the moment-medical, he thinks? Education? Lan Zhan lives in a penthouse and doesn’t work except for helping his older brother with things. He drives a 2023 silver-blue Lexus and always has the newest model phone. He’s never checked his card balance as much as Wei Ying has or checked the price of things when they’ve gone shopping or out to eat together. Even now, his Eberjay pajamas were more expensive than the outfit Wei Ying currently wore-with or without the heels. Wei Ying has witnessed him shop in the most outrageously expensive stores and never bothered to look at the price tag, and has never asked for a receipt. He takes care of their meals and drinks without expecting Wei Ying to ever pay him back and hasn’t had to take out any school loans. And for Christmas or Wei Ying’s birthday the alpha gives him expensive gifts-the earrings dangling from his ear for example.

 

His best friend is rich.

 

Not as rich as the Jin’s because they were pretty wealthy, but Lan Zhan’s family certainly wasn’t poor.

 

He was also-again-a dominant alpha.

 

Wei Ying being a dominant omega meant he was quite tall-as tall as the alphas that wanted to have him birth their children. The same case went for Lan Zhan, who was the tallest alpha Wei Ying had ever seen. Their first year together they were about the same height, then in the middle of the second year his best friend hit a major growth spurt and now towered over everyone on the campus. Zewu- jun , his older brother who he’d met a handful of times, was also a dominant alpha and was as tall as can be. A trait that ran in the family, apparently. Because those other few dominant alphas on campus couldn’t reach that height even if they tried.

 

Lan Zhan was also beautiful.

 

Most alpha’s would be described as handsome or attractive. Those words could not accurately describe the ethereal looks of his best friend.

 

The man worked out and had a strict diet. His skin was pale-not a sickly pale-but like snow. Like a jade stone wrapped in porcelain white. And his face has always looked like it was carved from said stone, the growth spurt had just made him look more eloquent and refined. He never grew his hair longer than where his bangs gently curved at the sides of his face, the back of his head layered and short.

 

There were plenty of times an omega stopped and asked Wei Ying about the alpha and for him to introduce them to him-Wei Ying did that one time to be nice and the poor omega ran away because they couldn’t withstand Lan Zhan’s sharp eye and cold demeanor. He definitely would have done that again as a joke if Lan Zhan hadn’t ignored him for weeks upon weeks after that.

 

He moved perfectly. He spoke perfectly-he was exactly what most alpha’s believed others saw them as. Lan Zhan was perfect while Wei Ying was not. He will become a neurosurgeon one day-the highest grossing surgeon there was.

 

If Madam Yu were to meet this alpha, she just might accept him and push aside whatever the Wen’s and Jin’s offered her-maybe just long enough for Wei Ying to get his degree and begin to pay her back. If Lan Zhan was enough for her, then Wei Ying wouldn’t need to worry about fighting off a dick he didn’t want and a marriage he would certainly never be happy in.

 

If there was a sliver of chance that him introducing an Alpha to her put those things aside…..there would be no other better option than the Alpha standing in front of him.

 

“Lan Zhan….other omega’s might be upset if I take up your time. Your suitors won’t be pleased at all.”

 

The look he received said ‘and?’ . 

 

Wei Wuxian didn’t know what to do with the flutter in his chest from that.

 

“ Please , Wei Ying.”

 

He took a shaky breath, “Are you sure, Lan Zhan? I don’t want to cause problems. Madam Yu and the Wen’s…the Jin’s…it might be a lot-”

 

“ I will be Wei Ying’s alpha. There will be no problems.”

 

“How can you be so sure? What if she causes problems with your family? Zewu- jun is nice, he doesn’t deserve to be dragged into my mess just like you.”

 

“I will talk to brother tomorrow so he is aware. He will not have problems, and if there are any, he likes Wei Ying very much. He supports this. You do not have to worry.” Lan Zhan seemed so sure of it, too. Like it was already a fact.

 

Wei Ying looked at the cursed app on his phone again, then to the alpha who’s shoulders were tense. “You promise that I am not using you? That I won’t be ruining our friendship? We’ve been getting along so well and I don’t want to ruin what we have.”

 

“Our relationship will only get better if you accept, Wei Ying. Please, allow me to be your alpha. I will take care of everything. I will take care of you. Don’t search for another alpha, there is no need if I am here in front of you.”

 

He nibbled on his bottom lip, the answer on the tip of his tongue. “....Okay.” He said, unsure.

 

“Okay?” Came out like a breath-like an exhale he was holding onto.

 

“Yes.” He said again this time, just a bit more sure. “Yes, Lan Zhan. I…I accept.” Lan Zhan can help him like he wants to, he can be his sugar daddy. And then once things are settled he’ll find a way to pay back his best friend for the trouble-maybe he’ll find him a good omega. Someone who is smarter and prettier than Wei Ying. Lan Zhan might like someone who’s quiet and demure-probably someone the complete opposite of Wei Wuxian.

 

The tension left his best friend completely. There was a twinge of what looked to be a smile hanging on the corners of his mouth-it froze Wei Ying’s brain for a second.

 

“Delete the app.”

 

“Okay.” Robotic movements moved to get in the app and delete his profile, then held onto the app and pressed the trash button. “Okay. I deleted it.”

 

Lan Zhan took the phone away and set it aside, then removed the jacket that smelled like him from off Wei Ying’s shoulders. Wei Ying was usually the one to initiate any physical contact with the two, so he didn’t understand what was happening until Lan Zhan already had Wei Ying wrapped in his arms.

 

He was so solid and warm. He smelt like comfort -or maybe that was the pheromones he was releasing. Omega-calm-I am here.

 

He tucked Wei Ying’s head into his collarbone and held him there.

 

“So full of surprises tonight.” He joked.

 

Lan Zhan let out a breath. “I..am happy that Wei Ying called me tonight. And that he did not go home with a stranger.”

 

“Me too….I’m happy you picked me up. I…I will try to be good from now on, okay?” He won’t take Lan Zhan’s effort and offer up for granted.

 

“Wei Ying is always good.”

 

“Even when I’m causing trouble?”

 

“Mn.” His chest rumbled in Wei Ying’s ear. “Wei Ying is good. But he will be better if he comes to me from now on. I will take care of you, Wei Ying. So please give me the chance to do it. If you need or want something, ask me first.”

 

“Okay…”

 

“We will talk more tomorrow over it, for now, Wei Ying needs a bath and rest.”

 

“Right. Bath..sleep.”

 

Lan Zhan pulled away just enough to look down at him-something warm and soft in his usual cold expression. “Are you hungry now?”

 

He shook his head.

 

“Do you need help getting in the bath?”

 

“No..but can you help me down?” The counter was ridiculously high afterall.

 

Lan Zhan helped him from the counter and then left to grab spare pajamas and other things he’d need while Wei Ying stood on the carpet. A glance at the mirror was all he could withstand-he really looked horrible.

 

Lan Zhan soon returned, then switched the see-through glass to darken before leaving him in the bathroom by himself. 

 

Wei Ying soaked in the bath for a while, then scrubbed himself clean.

 

The pajama shirt he wore drenched him like a nightgown and the boxers were more like shorts when he finally emerged from the bathroom. The light to the bedroom was on and Lan Zhan looked up from where he was reading his book where Wei Ying stood awkwardly in the doorway. Lan Zhan closed the book and rose from the bed, coming over to take Wei Ying by the hand. “You need sleep.” He said, then surprised him again by pulling him over to the massive bed.

 

Lan Zhan tucked him into the middle of the bed, then shut off the light to climb in next to him.

Exhausted. Ashamed. Relieved. He felt himself curl up into the man’s side and let himself fall asleep, surrounded by sandalwood and the pheromones leaking out of Lan Zhan’s scent- serenity .

Notes:

So! It kinda got a little heavy there at the end, didn't it? That surprised me too cause I didn't expect that.

WWX is himself and although JFM is the one who took him in, WWX will always feel embedded to the family because of Madam Yu(and without her, to be honest). He would definitely not let Wen Chao or Jin Zixun consummate anything if it came down to it. Luckily LWJ is there to help~~

Also, did you pick up on WWX'S idiocy? He will forever be a dense genius no matter the au lmaooo. He can't escape it!

Please! Tell me what you think!

I'm working on the next chapter now, I also like to give updates on my status and changes and all that(cause if u guys are going to put ur faith in me and stick through the wait, I think it's only fair to give small updates on the progress.) Which will always happen at the end notes of the most recent chapter posted.

If you are a Jiang Cheng/ Jingyi shipper or you want to see some age difference, smutty romance, check out my other WIP. You won't regret it!

Okay! See you next time!

Chapter 2: Gusu University; Part 2

Summary:

Wei Ying finds out what it means to be a sugar baby.

Notes:

FIRST OFF!! Can I say WOW!

I pulled a MIRICLE, i can't beleive I got this whole chapter done in that amount of time(my poor but hurts) And RIGHT before I need to go to sleep, too LMAOO

ANYWAY! I hope Ya'll enjoy this chapter!!

I am DEAD tired. so please don't bite my head off, I did NOT proof read. I'll do it later, so please, this author asks for your forgivnes.

Wei Wuxian slowly roused from his deep sleep by the smell of food and a low baritone voice from downstairs. The voice would pause, then return a comment here and there, mostly hums.

 

He felt so warm and comfortable in the bed with his arms and legs sprawled out. The covers were deliciously heavy and the scent that surrounded him urged him to continue his sleep like a finger saying ‘ come to me’. He followed it without hesitation-

 

And then his stomach rumbled.

 

Thoughts of shrimp salad and fingers brushing away his bangs made him shoot up from the bed. His eyes were wide, heart thumping in his chest as he looked around the clean room-he then saw framed photos of Wei Ying’s art style and Lan Zhan’s satchel hanging on the wall. That pulled out the rest of his memories from the night before-running away, losing his heels, calling Lan Zhan.

 

Accepting Lan Zhan’s offer to be my sugar daddy.

 

Maybe if he would’ve woken up in his own bed he would’ve brushed that memory aside and called it a hallucination. But nope. Here he was, dressed in Lan Zhan’s clothes and in his bed, kneeling on sheets that his best friend purchased with his own, vast, bank account. A bank account that may or may not be accessible to him-not that he really wanted to touch any of the money there.

 

To be fair he only sought out a sugar daddy because he knew they were wealthy and that wealth would have been used to impress Madam Yu. Wei Ying has never been good with accepting handouts, therefore he didn’t expect money to be thrown at him . He just needed that to be thrown at Madam Yu . He wanted to strike a deal with an alpha-offer him time and companionship, maybe sugar if he liked him enough- in exchange for the alpha to go with him to China and fake his way into making Madam Yu believe he’d found himself an alpha of good standing. One that would benefit the family so that way Wei Ying had more time. He didn’t need jewelry or clothes or anything-they would be nice to have, he is only human- he just needed an out for his troubles.

 

Lan Zhan was right last night. They do need to discuss everything further. Wei Ying didn’t need his best friend to throw things at him. He just needed an out.

 

Not wanting to waste time with it he dragged himself out of bed and down the stairs.

 

Here he could really smell the delicious bacon and eggs cooking and hear the sound of wood against metal.

 

Lan Zhan was dressed already with an apron tied around his waist.

 

Quietly, Wei Ying made his way over to the island and sat down in the tall chair, watching him. His phone was off to the side-he said he’d call his brother and talk to him. That must’ve been who he was speaking with-it was eleven now, Lan Xichen was most definitely up by now.

 

“Wei Ying.” Lan Zhan greeted him.

 

“Ah…good morning, Lan Zhan. Lan -er-gege .” He teased, smiling at the red dusting over the man's ears. “How did…how did you sleep? I see you’re making us brunch?”

 

“I slept well, thank you. And no. This is for Wei Ying. I ate earlier.”

 

The alpha cut off the stove then plated his food, coming over to set it in front of Wei Ying. A breakfast sandwich on a croissant with bacon and a cup of fruit on the side. Wei Ying grinned and snatched a strip off the plate and bit into it, groaning. “Ah! Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan! You are the best! I was so hungry, I felt my insides trying to eat itself!”

 

“Eat before your food gets cold.”

 

“Okay, okay!”

 

He ate silently, humming a happy tune with every bite while Lan Zhan worked on cleaning up the kitchen. Whenever the alpha cooks he cleans at the same time, unlike Wei Ying who uses every dish in the vicinity and piles it in the kitchen sink for later. That is the exact reason Wen Qing refuses to let him cook anything at home. Take out or the food Wen Ning or Lan Zhan makes him are his only options. He loves a good taco from Torchy’s, but that couldn’t beat a home cooked meal any day. Especially not his sister’s cooking-

 

“Ah…” Lan Zhan paused in his wiping off the counter and turned to look at him. Wei Ying’s ravenous eating stopped the moment he thought about her, and remembered why he’d even come down here. 

 

“Wei Ying?”

 

He slowly put down the sandwich, his hands coming together in his lap. “I just…I think we should talk. Like what you said last night.”

 

“Wei Ying should eat before we talk.”

 

“I’ll be honest, Lan Zhan. I don’t think my appetite will come back until we do.”

 

The alpha sighed, finishing his cleaning before he came to sit beside Wei Ying at the island. “You are concerned about last night? About my providing for you?”

 

“No…yes..I don’t know, Lan Zhan.”

 

“Does Wei Ying think that I cannot provide for him?”

 

“What?!” He shouted. “No! No, I mean, look at where you live!”

 

“Have I upset you in any way?”

 

“No-”

 

“Am I not a suitable alpha?”

 

“Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan.” He stopped him. “You are! You are kind and good and suitable. You can make any omega happy!”

 

“Then why does Wei Ying have concerns?”

 

“I just feel bad, Lan Zhan. I don’t want you to think you have to do things for me.”

 

“Why would I not do things for Wei Ying if I am his alpha?”

 

The last four words sent a flush to his cheeks which was frustrating because his best friend didn’t seem fazed at all. “Well, I’m just saying that I don’t expect anything from you. You can be my alpha, Lan Zhan. There is no one more suitable than you-I should be grateful, I am . I am very thankful.” His best friend was offering to be his sugar daddy so he didn’t have to hook up with strange alphas and so he can avoid getting married to Wen Chao . Of course he’s grateful! “I just don’t want to take advantage of you or all of this. ” He gestured to the very expensive, very elegant penthouse. “I am in the situation I am in because I was given things that shouldn’t belong to me. I don’t want to take advantage of you, and I don’t want to be indebted to you either-”

 

“Wei Ying.” He grabbed a hold of his hands and held them in his own bigger ones. “Listen.”

 

He swallowed, “Okay.”

 

“You agreed that I can be your alpha, yes?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Right now, I am Wei Ying’s alpha, yes?”

 

“Mhm-yes.”

 

“Does a good alpha not provide for their omega?”

 

“...they do.”

 

“If you are an Omega, and I am your alpha, should I or should I not provide for you?”

 

He licked his lips, “Ah…Well, yes? No-”

 

“Yes. The answer is yes.” He fixed him with a serious look. “I asked Wei Ying to allow me to be his alpha because I want to take care of him. I am capable of giving Wei Ying what he wants, and I can meet his needs. I want to give Wei Ying what he wants and needs. If I did not, then I would not be a good alpha, which is impossible if Wei Ying says I am a good alpha. Am I not?”

 

“You’re good. You're better than good.”

 

“Then let me be a good alpha to you, and let me take care of you.”

 

He hated this feeling. He really really did. 

 

His best friend really wanted to be a proper alpha to him, a good sugar daddy even though Wei Ying only needed him for the wedding and certainly didn’t deserve the attention. He felt so guilty no matter how much Lan Zhan insisted that it was what he wanted. But what other option did he have? What other good option did he have? He already agreed to it, and the alpha was being insistent on what he wanted to do.

 

Maybe I’m doing him a favor?

 

Yes…yes, maybe he’s doing him a favor, too? Sugar daddies sought out their babies for companionship and to blow all of their excess money on. Lan Zhan has always been an introverted alpha. Other alpha’s were too nervous to talk to him, and the behemoth of a man was much too intimidating for a normal omega. 

 

Wei Ying is not a normal omega-he’s never been.

 

Courtesy of his personality or his secondary gender, he’s not sure, but he’s always found companionship in roughhousing with alphas and betas alike. That’s why he used to dress how he did when he was a teenager. Short hair, track suits or loose athletic wear. He felt more alpha than he did omega even after his presentation-the first few months after that was annoying because his friends had started walking on eggshells around him, no way would he ever show up in anything remotely ‘cute’, or else they’d go back to treating him like the omega he was.

 

Normal omega’s don’t share an apartment or close kinship with a single alpha female, or her shy alpha brother. If his uncle were to find out about the arrangement or Jiang Cheng, hell would break loose. The zoom calls they had were perfectly coordinated moments when both alphas were out of the apartment. They believed he was renting an apartment in an omega’s only complex, not a grungy apartment just two blocks away from where someone was murdered and living with two alphas.

 

His sister was the only one who knew, because his sister was amazing and understanding. She and Wen Qing are friends despite the personality difference, so his Shijie trusted her and her brother with her little brother.

 

So.

 

Maybe Lan Zhan wanted a sugar baby or an omega for himself? He probably desired that feeling just like how all alpha’s do? And because Wei Ying is his best friend and the only omega that can handle his distant, indifferent, austere, icy personality, it would make sense for him to ask Wei Wuxian to fill that role for him. Lan Zhan would get happiness and fulfillment out of providing for an omega, like alphas usually want to do, while simultaneously giving Wei Ying an answer to his problems! Yes! And Lan Zhan is also a man of few words, so he probably couldn’t explain all of this without losing face.

 

It’s a good thing Wei Ying is a genius!

 

He can’t be taking advantage of Lan Zhan if Lan Zhan is also getting something out of the deal! It’ll be a mutualistic relationship! Exactly what Lan Zhan was craving!

 

“Okay, Lan Zhan!” His attitude doing a complete three-sixty. “You’re right! But it’s okay to tell me no, sometimes, okay? Don’t let me ask you to do anything stupid either. You can provide for me! I’m in your care now.”

 

Lan Zhan simply gave his hands a gentle squeeze, the same look from last night on his face. “I will be a good alpha to Wei Ying, so do not look for someone else again.”

 

“Yes. I promise.”

 

He’ll be a good omega for the alpha.

 

He’ll be the best sugar baby he can be.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

That being said, Wei Ying didn’t know exactly how to be a good sugar baby.

 

Should he demand to go to the mall and ask Lan Zhan to buy him things? Should he ask him for five dollars every other hour? He didn’t want to treat him like an ATM…unless that’s what Lan Zhan wanted he supposed.

 

He looked up some videos on youtube and watched Sugar daddies interacting with their babies, then turned to tiktok.

 

In his free time he scrolled through video after video on sugar babies, and what their daily lives were like. They would receive packages for things they needed or wanted from their daddy or walk with them through strips or malls to purchase things. Their daddy would take them to fancy dinners and pay for their food and drink. Offer them rides and take them on trips and go to the theater to see performances. Some sugar daddies provided so much for their baby that they essentially controlled what their baby's schedule would look like.

 

Maybe he should have asked Lan Zhan about the gifts he wanted to give him so he knew what to expect? Or what he wanted him to do.

 

The first couple of days in the new week, he didn’t have much time to sit down and ask the alpha that question. He had so many assignments to work on, plus working in the Morgue. He’d see him at school like usual and let him pay for their meal, then go study together in the library. The hallways at school and the quiet study area was hardly the proper place for them to talk about their new relationship.

 

Wei Ying pushed the thought away and focused on his studies and the class lectures.

 

While leaving his Anthro class one mid morning, the chatter of the students filling outside grew quiet. Wei Ying poked his head out and laughed-Lan Zhan had always been someone that stops traffic. And conversation. The students gave him a wide berth where he stood in the hallway.

 

“Lan Zhan!” He slung his bag over his shoulder and came up to him. “What are you doing here?”

 

“You have no more classes today. I thought we could go on a date.”

 

The word ‘date’ rang out through the halls like an echo. Whispers began as fast as everyone heard the word and soon the halls were buzzing in silent, sharp exclamations and complaints.

 

He’s been on plenty-unwanted-dates after he presented, but Lan Zhan promised to be a good alpha. Wei Ying didn’t know personally what a ‘good date’ would entail but he agreed still, feeling a bit shy when he ducked his head and nodded. “Okay-we can go on a date.”

 

Lan Zhan took his bag and left for his car in the parking garage.

 

The alpha drove them through downtown and to the highway, driving some cities away until they reached an aquarium- an aquarium?

 

Lan Zhan paid for the tickets and bought Wei Ying snacks.

 

He’ll admit…he was a bit confused about this date-wasn’t there supposed to be chandeliers and fancy outfits? That’s what he was used to, anyway.

 

“Wei Ying, look.” Lan Zhan nodded towards an exhibit, at a thin, grey thing with a long nose and a short mouth under it.

 

“Ha!” He laughed and wormed through the small crowd. “Lan Zhan! Look, look at its stupid face! A goblin shark-that’s a perfect name for it!” The little sign in front of the glass told him the goblin shark was a deep sea species and lived longer in its natural habitat. This one was found and rescued, and will live there until it dies.

 

Face glued to the glass, “I wonder what its insides look like?”

 

There was a whimper to the left of him-a child that looked at him like he’d killed the fish.

 

“It’s the circle of life, kid. It’ll die one day. When it does, we should take it and learn more about its anatomy. You know, for science.”

 

“I hate science!”

 

“Well science hates you!”

 

“Wei Ying. The aquarium has octopi if you want to see-” he did not finish because Wei Ying was already grabbing him and pulling him around the place.

 

About….two or so hours later, they left the building with bags of books on aquatic life. “You never know, Lan Zhan! Maybe one of these things will be the cause of death for someone, I should know these things, you know?” And Lan Zhan, determined to take care of him, paid for every item he placed in the basket.

 

Lan Zhan then took them to a diner and fed him a hearty burger while he ate his own healthy meal.

 

When the alpha dropped him off at the apartment he helped carry the bags inside, then left. For hours the place smelled like him-it was a small apartment. He subconsciously stuck to the living room where it smelled the most like him, then jumped nearly three feet in the air when Wen Qing bursted through the door, “You!”

 

“Me?!”

 

“Since when have you and Lan Wangji been a thing?!”

 

What? “How…you were at work! How’d you find out!?”

 

She took her keys and threw them on the counter. “You and a-yang take the same anatomy class, dummy! You’re both going after the same degree! Of course he heard about it, and then told A-ning, who told me! So again, since when have you two been a couple!? Why didn’t you tell me!?”

 

‘A couple’ wouldn’t be the right word, though he didn’t think it’d be a good idea to tell her about the arrangement. Scratching the back of his head, he gave her a sheepish smile, “It just happened-”

 

“When?!”

 

“Oh..you know…over the weekend.”

 

“Does he know?” She asked, “About that?”

 

“About all of those dates?”

 

“Yes. Does he know the Jiang’s have been trying to pair you with alphas? If he doesn’t then he should, because once they find out they’re going to come for deals with his family, you know?”

 

“He knows! And Zewu- jun . Lan Zhan talked to him and he said he’s fine with everything.”

 

She eyed him like she always does when trying to figure out if he was lying or not, then sighed. “Well, good. That’s good, a-ying. And since you have a rich boyfriend now, how about you ask him to get this apartment fixed up, yeah? I’m sick of using the stairs.”

 

“But your quads look so good-”

 

“My feet will look good when they kick you in the face.”

 

“So violent!”

 

“Whatever. I’m going to take a shower, but listen Wei Wuxian, I will actually kill you if you two fuck in this apartment, do you hear me? No sex! And he shouldn’t be fucking you anyways, not unless there’s a ring involved, but whatever! That’s none of my business!”

 

The alpha stormed off for the bathroom and slammed the door shut, the running water of the showerhead filling the apartment with its sound.

 

Sex?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

That first date became the first of many and marked how Wei Ying should expect them to go.

 

Bookstore dates, museum dates, the arcade. All indoor dates because snow was beginning to stick to the ground in that odd pattern-still a mixture of fall and winter. One of the more memorable ones was trivia night. He was heavily into pop culture and knew many random facts, Lan Zhan had an impeccable memory and knew everything else that Wei Ying didn’t-historical facts, the type of paint used most in certain centuries. The two of them made a terrifying duo and every time they entered the bar & grill, other patrons knew to show up prepared to lose or lose trying. Lan Zhan doesn’t sabotage his sleep schedule for nothing.

 

Then came the gifts.

 

It started small-a new cup from Starbucks, a new backpack because the one he had was not good for support. Lan Zhan went to the campus store and showed Wei Ying a white knitted sweater with GU on the front of it in blue letters. Wei Ying said it was cute, so Lan Zhan took that and the matching blue pants to go with it to the checkout aisle, then handed the bag to him when he finished.

 

It became his new favorite sweater.

 

After eating at a more upscale restaurant Lan Zhan slid a small box across the table. “For Wei Ying.”

 

Opal and tourmaline earrings.

 

They were expensive and felt heavy in his hand. Lan Zhan seemed pleased with giving him the gift, so Wei Ying swallowed the nerves and thanked him. Further research later showed that sugar daddies and alphas enjoyed seeing their omega in things they bought, so he wore them the next time he saw him on campus. Wei Ying saw those honey eyes flick to each exposed ear, then hummed.

 

Not too long after that moment they were in the library and Lan Zhan asked to see Wei Ying’s hand. The alpha reached in his pocket and pulled out a matching bracelet and clipped it on his wrist. “To match.”

 

Another set of earrings one day, a matching ankle bracelet another.

 

Thanksgiving he, Wen Ning, Wen Qing and Xue Yang rode in an uber Lan Zhan paid for to get to his apartment. He’d given Wei Ying his own key card so he could use it whenever he wanted; they didn’t have to wait for him to bring them in. Zewu- jun was there when they entered through the door dressed in a comical turkey sweater and slacks, greeting all of them with a polite smile.

 

He couldn’t help but notice the man looking at him and his little brother the entire night.

 

Lan Zhan would get Wei Ying drinks, replate his food for him and had also pulled him aside to drape a thin, cool necklace around his throat. It was made of entirely diamonds all around the chain up until the clasp in the back. Lan Xichen later complemented it with a knowing smile. “A-Zhan has good taste, the necklace suits you well.”

 

He flushed and ducked his head. “Thank you.” Then, after mulling over it, he asked, “You’re…fine with this?”

 

“I am very happy with this development.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Mhm. Please, don’t worry about any pushback from our end, okay?” He said with a tilt of his head.

 

“Okay?”

 

“And take good care of my didi. He really needs this.”

 

“Right.” Okay, I’m being a good omega. I’m being a good sugar baby.

 

That was good.

 

All of that was good.

 

Still, there was something that kept nagging him in the back of his mind-something he hadn’t really considered since accepting Lan Zhan’s offer. He kept the thought to himself and did what he did whenever he had questions on the subject, he looked it up on the internet. Prostitution was illegal, a Sugar daddy can’t blatantly pay their baby for sexual pleasure, and the relationship doesn’t always include that anyway, in many cases it really was about companionship.

 

Which got him thinking.

 

Lan Zhan never had to worry about Wei Ying not talking to him or spending time with him if he was available. Wei Ying talked and talked and talked until his mouth threatened to fall off and those around him wanted him to shut the hell up, and he was very sociable and looked forward to spending time with the alpha…doing most of the things they’ve already been doing . They’ve been to the science museum before, they’ve gone to the arcade. The trivia nights and aquarium are new, and the fancy restaurants they sometimes go to, so other than that and the gifts he’s been getting, their relationship hasn’t changed much.

 

So why ask him to be his sugar baby at all, if the alpha was already receiving the things a sugar daddy would want?

 

Which brings him to the thought that, of course, unless Lan Zhan wanted another form of ‘comfort’.

 

Comfort that Wei Ying, as an unmated omega, could give one Alpha Lan Wangji.

 

Lan Zhan? Sexual? Those two words didn’t compute together well in his brain. Then again, Lan Zhan was an alpha who-if he’s guessing this right-hasn’t ever received that type of ‘comfort’. He could very well be pent up, that might explain his rigidness.

 

Wei Ying waited until it was twelve pm in China and eleven at night for him to zoom call his sister.

 

They coordinated it like always, so his sister was already picking up the phone on the second ring. “A-xian!”

 

“Shijie!”

 

“How are you? How is school? It’s almost christmas, won’t you be having a break soon? You should come here and visit. I know A-cheng doesn’t say it but he does miss you.”

 

“I have another exam at the end of the week, then I’ll be done-I promise I’ve been studying! And sorry, I promised my friends to go with them to the beach over break. I sent my gifts over the mail already, they should get to the manor in time for christmas. I even got peacock a gift.” A lovely novelty t-shirt with the gremlin shark on it, and he didn’t have to waste his own money on it since Lan Zhan paid for it. “And I miss him too….I got the invitation. I’ll find something to wear in that color. What about my didi? Is he at the groom's party? Why couldn’t I be invited?”

 

“You know why, a-xian. No matter how amazing and strong my a-xian is, he is still an omega. It wouldn’t be appropriate.”

 

“I bet they’re going to do something cool, like rock climbing or something.”

 

“Have you taken up a new hobby since the last time we talked?”

 

He laughed, “You’re right. Me? Rock climbing? I’m so busy the only thing I want to climb in is my bed. Or the couch.”

 

“So….” the smile fell from her face. “A-xian…Have you read mothers letter?”

 

He paused- of course she knew, too . He threw himself onto his back in a huff and raised the phone up to see her again, “...Yes. I did.”

 

“A-cheng and I are fighting for you, okay? We both know how those two can get…how all three of you can get. Father is also uncomfortable with it because of the things they last said to you that made them black listed. I can’t say if he’s spoken to her for sure…but I don’t think he wants to see you paired off with either one of them.”

 

“Who are we kidding shijie? Uncle didn’t agree with you being engaged to that peacock for all those years but there wasn’t anything he could do about it, you’re lucky you both-” he made a face “-like each other.”

 

“We are.”

 

“There’s no way that could happen with either of those two stupid alphas. Jin Zixun is lazy and last I heard from a-sang, he’s put on a few pounds without the height to show for it. And that Wen Chao is secretly a sleaze-bag.”

 

“Oh my. A-xian, just what words are they teaching my precious brother over there in america? A-xian is three, he shouldn’t be saying such words.~”

 

He pouted. “Why not?”

 

“Because they are bad words. And A-xian isn’t someone who says those things or curses.~ Because he is only three.~”

 

“Okay, okay. A-xian is sorry he said bad things. But they’re still deserved.”

 

“More than.” She said, for sure. “Try not to worry too much. But, I will warn you now so you have time to prepare, mother has been planning all sorts of activities for you to spend time with them both while you’re here. I know it isn’t ideal, but for meal times at least, you will be sitting near one of them. And then you’ll be expected to go with either one of them to those dates.”

 

“Ugh!”

 

“The heads of the Wens and Jins will be there with them like usual. The other wedding guests will arrive on the actual day.”

 

“You’re telling me that I also have to deal with Wen Rohan and Jin Gaungshan?”

 

“I know, I know. A-cheng will be there to watch over everything.”

 

“Ha! What can my didi do? I can still beat him up, you know?”

 

“A-cheng’s grown a lot since you left A-xian. You’ll be surprised.”

 

“I’ve also grown a lot since I’ve been gone shijie! A-xian is seven now! If he’s stronger than me, that’s okay, I can just run away.”

 

Her expression went sad, “Have you really grown that much? Did I miss a growth spurt? I’ve always seen you when you hit them. How tall are you now?”

 

“Ah…how tall was I when I left?”

 

“You were only a few centimeters taller than me, I think about one-seventy?”

 

One-seventy centimeters? So around five foot six.

 

He rolled to lie on his stomach, looking at her sheepishly. “Um…let’s just say that I’ve grown some since then.”

 

“A-xian, how tall are you?”

 

“I don’t want to make you sad.”

 

“I’m already sad. I’ve been sad for years, just tell me, how many centimeters did I miss?”

 

He had to lie there and watch her face break when he said, “About eighteen centimeters, shijie. I’m almost one-ninety.” Six foot two.

 

“Are you serious? My a-xian is that much taller than me now?!”

 

He watched her eyes water and it punched him right in the gut. “I’m sorry shijie. I’m very sorry. I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

 

His sister swiped at her eyes, shaking her head. “No..no. It’s okay a-xian. It’s fine. I just..I can’t believe it’ll be six years next year since I’ve seen you, and you’ve grown so much. Will I even recognize you? How much have you changed? I want to see you now.”

 

“I know. I’m really sorry…”

 

“I know you’re going to be absolutely miserable when you come. I just hope that you’re at least happy to see me and a-cheng.”

 

“I miss you guys. Of course I’m excited to see you. You know, actually…” now that they were on the subject. “Can I ask you for a favor?”

 

She’d put the phone down so she could blow her nose off screen, then lifted again. Her eyes were now red and face a bit flushed-Wei Ying really needed to make up for all of this pain he’s caused her. He just…..couldn’t have stayed there or come back until now. “What does my a-xian need? I’ll do whatever I can.”

 

“You know how the invitations had the ‘plus-one’ boxes, and you asked for everyone to email Madam Jin if they were bringing a plus one?”

 

“Yes…I do.” Suddenly a bit curious. “Why? Are you planning on bringing someone? Do I know them?”

 

“No, you’ve never met before. And well….” thinking of the best half truth he could give. “I figured, if I’m going to be miserable, that I should bring a friend with me to help.”

 

“A friend?”

 

“Mhm! My best friend. Is that okay shijie?”

 

“How is this person your best friend but I haven’t heard about them yet a-xian?”

 

“Cause there isn’t really much to talk about?”

 

“....And what is your favor?”

 

“I was hoping you could organize another seat in and place settings next to me?”

 

“I can do that but Wen Chao or Jin Zixun are still going to want to sit next to you, your friend will probably have to sit next to one of us, because a-cheng is going to be on your otherside.”

 

“That’s okay!”

 

“It is?”

 

“Just trust me, shijie.” He winked. “They’re not going to want to sit next to me.”

 

They won’t have the chance.

 

“A-xian….” He gave her his best puppy dog eyes-his sister sighed, “Okay. Whatever my er-di wants. As long as he’s happy, and he comes to see me, I’ll do what I can. I just hope that whatever he has planned up his sleeve won’t cause him any harm.”

 

“Me? Plans? Why, a-xian is only two! I can’t get anything in my sleeves but my arm!”

 

“Mhm. Whatever my a-xian says.”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

‘190 centimeters my ass.’ His brother's text message said. ‘You’d better hope you’re not that tall, or else mother will kill the both of us. You for being stupid enough to grow that tall, and me for trying to save your sorry ass.’

 

Wei Ying texted him back. ‘At least I’ll be able to reach the afterlife faster than you will. Faster in life and in death. ;p’

 

“So!” He sent another text to his brother's response then looked away from his phone, to the alpha walking him into a store. “What’re we doing here? What about the beach?”

 

“Beach tomorrow, outlet today.”

 

“We need a whole day to shop at the mall?”

 

“Mn. Want to dress up Wei Ying.”

 

Sometimes …. many times ….he can’t get over the things the alpha says these days. His words were too flattering because that’s what he saved them for-he’s sure of it. No one should be able to say those things with such a straight face, like it hadn’t done something weird to Wei Ying’s chest.

 

Wait. His eyes squinted at the man, “Dress me up? For a whole day?”

 

“Mn. I will buy Wei Ying a new wardrobe.”

 

“A new wardrobe? I can barely fit the clothes I have in my closet now, Lan Zhan. They won’t fit!”

 

“I will help you go through your closet when we return, anything that cannot fit we can keep in my closet.”

 

He wanted to argue it-jewelry, the food and dates, those were fine. But a wardrobe?! In the shops the alpha frequents?! He’ll blow his entire bank account by doing that!

 

He can’t stop the man from doing what he came here to do, but he can try to curve the amount by a little. He stopped his walking and pointed at the first, cheapest store he could find within his eyes view. “How about there? I’ve never been there before!”

 

“No.”

 

“Great- no!?” He sputtered. “Why not?”

 

The alpha regarded the store in disdain. “They will not do the job correctly. You are a tall omega because you are dominant, most of your clothes do not fit your arms properly, or your pants. I will buy you new clothes that fit.”

 

“But!” He looked around, leaning into him. “But Lan Zhan, it will be expensive.”

 

“Do you believe I am the sort of person who is irresponsible with money?”

 

“...no?”

 

“It is settled then.” With a gentle tug Wei Wuxian was being led through the parting crowd and past all of the basic stores towards the low light, high ceiling store with a name he wouldn’t bother to pronounce. A woman greeted them professionally, then Lan Zhan told her they were shopping for new outfits and pointed at Wei Wuxian. 

 

She took one look at his face, then his very long legs and said, unsure, “This store is meant for omegas and betas….”

 

“He is dominant.”

 

“Oh! Wow, how wonderful. You are so tall! Yes, come with me so we may get your measurements!”

 

He was stripped, measured and attended to by probably every worker in the store. It was either a rich person thing, or a curiosity to get to see him. Lan Zhan sat on one of the round couches with a pamphlet and a pen circling things on it. Afterwards he handed the thing off to one of them, then they left. “They will send your clothes to my apartment.”

 

“I thought we needed the whole day to do this? That took…one hour?”

 

“We are not finished.”

 

Store after store, they entered. Some were like the first one, then a few he got to see the outfits himself and picked them out himself for them to make alterations to. He was unsure at first and kept looking at Lan Zhan for a while, the alpha caught on, “Is nothing to your liking?”

 

He eyed the store- everything was to his liking. Which was the problem. He tried laughing it off, “You know…everything in here is not modest , Lan Zhan. Someone might see and scold you for letting your omega walk around like that!”

 

“We are here because Wei Ying does not enjoy ‘modest’ in his casual wear. I have already chosen the clothes I want you to wear, now it is your turn to pick what you want.”

 

“...I can? I’m allowed to?”

 

“I will not attempt to police your body, Wei Ying. I do not want to and you will not appreciate it if I tried.”

 

He felt an urge and threw himself right into his arms to hug this wonderful, cool headed, amazing alpha. “Okay! I will pick what I want! Don’t regret it once I do!”

 

“I will regret nothing.”

 

Long to short shorts and skirts, crop tops of all variety, pants that hugged him and accentuated his long legs. He had fun picking out his new outfits and had also done what the alpha wanted him to do, which was to not check the prices of the things he wanted. Lan Zhan paid for it all and they took with them what didn’t need hemmed into another store filled to the brim in all sorts of heels.

 

His head whipped so fast, “Heels!? Really!?” That time with that alpha, the man hadn’t appreciated too much that Wei Ying was taller than him, and had told him to not wear heels again after that first date. He really was sad that he’d lost those, too.

 

“Do you want a pair for each outfit?”

 

“Yes-no. Maybe-”

 

“Choose whichever pairs you want, Wei Ying. There is room in my closet.”

 

So he did.

 

When they left the mall the trunk and back seat were both filled just like his heart. Wei Ying thrummed with excitement the whole car ride back to the hotel and up the elevator. Lan Zhan ordered room service while Wei Ying showered, then switched. During their dinner Wei Ying talked and talked like usual while Lan Zhan ate silently.

 

Wei Ying began thinking about that again. About sex.

 

Does Lan Zhan want to sleep with me?

 

His best friend sat the plates and utensils in the hallway while Wei Ying sipped on some water.

 

Lan Zhan is a good person and a very good alpha. If Wei Ying were to do any of his firsts with anyone then Lan Zhan would be the most deserving.

 

Madam Yu told him not to spread his legs for any alpha. He didn’t want to, not now really or before then. Some omega’s had sex before marriage although alphas were selfish and didn’t want them to do that, then there were those who didn’t for whatever reason.

 

Wen Chao would hate it if Wei Ying had given his first time to someone else and more if Wei Ying had taken a knot that wasn’t his.

 

But Lan Zhan was not in a rut, and Wei Ying wasn’t exactly ready or prepared to sleep with his best friend.

 

Assuming that’s what Lan Zhan wants from me.

 

“Lan Zhan?” The alpha hummed in question. Wei Ying thought carefully about what he should say next-nothing that would make their situation awkward or possibly scare away the alpha. “Lan Zhan…should we kiss?”

 

The man’s fist around the doorknob gave an audible crack and his body went rigid. Something thick laid in the air over him, Wei Ying could see him calming his breath. “...do you know what you are asking?”

 

“I’m asking you if you want to kiss me.”

 

“Does Wei Ying want me to kiss him?”

 

“....yes.”

 

Lan Zhan shut the door to look at him properly, fist still wrapped around the knob. “Are you sure?”

 

“I am. Yes.” Lan Zhan can kiss him. The alpha must have been waiting patiently for so long to finally get what he wanted, he’d been respectful of Wei Ying’s time it took to understand what he wanted, and didn’t try to take it from him or demand it. “If Lan Zhan wants to kiss me, he may-”

 

The alpha cleared the room faster than Wei Ying could blink and was standing in front of him, so close that their chests were nearly touching. He took the glass and set it aside, taking Wei Ying’s hand in his and held it there between them. Honey eyes flashed gold, searching all over his face and landing on his mouth. “I’ve never kissed anyone, Lan Zhan. You’ll be my first. I won’t know what I’m doing.”

 

“Wei Ying will be my first.”

 

“Really?”

 

The alpha ignored the surprise in his voice and lifted his free hand, running his thumb over the flesh of Wei Ying’s mouth, then tucked his chin between it and his forefinger. “We will learn together.”

 

He felt himself leaning in while the alpha leant down, whispering, “ Okay.” His eyes fluttered shut and something soft landed on his mouth. Wei Ying gasped, but his face was kept there. Lips pressed onto his mouth again-their beating hearts thumping loudly between them.

 

It wasn’t a toe curling, firework explosion of a kiss. The kiss was exactly what Lan Zhan had been acting towards him. It wasn’t too much or too little. It was tender and simple, respectful. Very, very careful. It made Wei Ying’s chest go warm and the parts where their skin touch dance with electric shocks. Lan Zhan held him there like that because he treasured their friendship and cared about Wei Ying so much that he didn’t immediately pin him to the ground to fuck him once he’d been given a yellow light.

 

He found himself sighing into the kiss.

 

Lan Zhan pulled away just a bit, his ears a burning red color when Wei Ying opened his eyes. “Is this okay?”

 

“Yes. It’s okay.”

 

And then he leant back in for another.

Notes:

AWWW how sweet!! This cute couple!

LXC is very supportive, Wen Qing just wants a new elevator.

Also, can we just all agree that LWJ is a very good alpha?! Very good boi. He deserves the pats on the back.

BUCKLE UP BUTTERCUPS. Cause the next one is gonna start WILD(sorta). LWJ is a VERY hungry alpha and WWX is a whole SNACK.

Tell me ur thoughts! Pretty please, and ~Kudos to spread the love~

See you guys next time!

Chapter 3: Gusu University; Part 3

Summary:

Wei Wuxian knows his ass is fat and so does Lan Wangji

Notes:

!!!! YA'LLL !!!!!

Before you hop in this chapter, lemme just say that these two are some freaks okay. But LWJ very much cares about WWX, he would never outright SA him or anything like that, not in this fic. I just want to point out that WWX is VERY unreliable with his own feelings AS WELL AS what OTHER people are seeing or noticing. WWX DEF is the type of omega to not really pay attention to what pheremones are being released from his body and all of that, okay. I mean, he DID just present like...7 years prior whereas everyone else presented around 13. And then he had promptly moved to america asap, he didn't really have time or anyone to help him with that all that much. so keep that in mind when you read this chapter.

ALSO! This author apologizes but I did NOT proof read this chapter either, so please, do forgive me lol.

anyways, enjoy!

Wei Ying would like to say that he prides himself in his intelligence. He’s always had school smarts and emotional intelligence, he’s a quick learner-something that pissed off his incredibly competitive brother and most of the alpha’s he went to school with, namely after his presentation. That hasn’t changed since he left his home for America, he’d also like to say that it had gotten better .

 

In example: Lan Zhan.

 

Reading his best friend properly was like studying a whole language in itself for years , so when he finally got it..he got it.

 

He’d been correct.

 

Lan Zhan wanted to have what most alpha’s wanted or what most sugar daddies sought after with their sugar babies. Lan Zhan was a healthy, dominant alpha that did want sex.

 

Never would he have ever thought of that until now.

 

The kiss they shared in the hotel room that day sparked the true beginning of their new relationship as a sugar daddy and his sugar baby, the reward for the alpha’s effort from all of his expensive purchases for Wei Ying. The alpha still tested the waters during that week they spent at the sandy beaches of Siesta Key. He would take Wei Ying out to go swim, eat and explore, then in the privacy of the hotel room he would regard Wei Ying after the long day with a look in his eye. It was a look that Wei Ying could now label as ‘want’ , Wei Ying would give his nod of approval and then the Alpha would descend on him like a ray of light and press their mouths together before Wei Ying could blink.

 

They returned after that week and began the integration of both their new semester schedules and their new form of physical affection.

 

A kiss to his lips after their dates, another for when the alpha would walk Wei Ying to his apartment door, another for when he’d greet the alpha when entering either his car or the penthouse and one for when they went to sleep and woke up.

 

They were always either soft or chaste depending on the rush-the chaste one’s were exclusively his own fault for his being in a rush with his added shyness of it all. Lan Zhan was his best friend and someone who used to hate him, he really couldn’t wrap his head around the alpha wanting to kiss him of all omegas. Yet there they were. The alpha expecting  a kiss from Wei Ying before exiting the car if he dropped him off at work.

 

And just when Wei Ying got used to the short kisses, Lan Zhan took it a step further one day by catching Wei Ying’s jaw before he could pull away completely. His eyes had been that gorgeous honey color darkened with another emotion he hadn’t seen before. The alpha’s movements had been slow so Wei Ying could see his intentions exactly when he leant back in to close the gap. The alpha, probably a bit fed up with short and sweet, decided that that would be the day they moved their mouths-and didn’t that send a whole new feeling over his skin.

 

Lips forced apart Wei Ying’s mouth into a slow, deep kiss. The moan chasing the gasp had been audable and unintentional when their tongues touched each other and shocked him like electricity. His hand had shot up to grip at the man's chest-there was something pleasurable about having Lan Zhan’s tongue pressing against his own.

 

Lan Zhan kissed him like that for only a minute or two, then pulled away to stare at Wei Ying’s flushed face.

 

Yes.

 

Lan Zhan was an alpha who wanted to kiss Wei Ying.

 

But that was not the only thing he wanted to do to him and it didn’t take long for Wei Ying to find out just what those things were. The sight that the alpha had seen that day-Wei Ying, flushed and eyes open wide in surprise with a hint of his sweet pheromones peaking out-must have been too tantalizing and made him want more .

 

Gone were those sweet, short kisses used in the privacy of Lan Zhan’s penthouse.

 

Lan Zhan kissed Wei Ying on his designer couch like he meant it. On the couch or inside the car, the alpha held Wei Ying’s lips hostage until the omega couldn’t breathe. Each kiss grew longer and longer and hotter. Lan Zhan’s large hand adjusted from those respectful places to dropping on his upper thigh or onto his hip. The alpha wanted his fill at every chance he got and Wei Ying could not deny him, not since he’s been patient towards the omega for months and also because Wei Ying didn’t dislike it.

 

Kissing the alpha did things to Wei Ying that he only saw as a fantastical vision and never thought he’d experience it for himself. He’s had his own problems with alpha’s from his seventeenth and until he’d graduated. The alphas he’d been introduced to were not all horrible-there were ones interested in the arts and science like he was, that gave them something to talk about, but Wei Ying for some reason could never feel any attraction to them. None of them smelled appealing or made him weak at the knees.

 

Then there were the alphas like Wen Chao who felt that the whole world had to bow down to his very feet including his future omega, just like Wen Rohan. Alphas that saw Wei Ying’s brilliance and felt intimidated by it that they had to try and knock him down to satisfy themselves and also in an attempt to make him feel lesser than, which didn’t work because Wei Ying wouldn’t allow that to happen.

 

Somewhere along the way he had subconsciously come to believe that anything an alpha did to him would make him drier than Jin Guangshan’s personality.

 

But with this alpha , it was different .

 

The alpha that kissed him made him feel floaty. A good sort of small under large hands thumbing at the skin under his top and the inhalation of whatever Wei Ying would give him. Lan Zhan’s alpha scent would wrap around him completely in an effort to drown him in its weight but keep him floating on a boat ride of pleasure.  

 

The omega in him liked having the attention of such a viable alpha that his mind went to fog the longer they kissed-every suck of his tongue and separation of his lips against his. Wei Ying had wanted to do what he could to be a good sugar baby and omega for this alpha, who was going to save him from a future of an unwanted marriage, but hadn’t been too sure what to do to please his best friend physically. Wei Ying wasn’t sure how to satisfy an alpha who was completely different from the ones he’d been introduced to. His secondary gender thankfully took over and there was little Wei Ying could do to stop it. He let the alpha move his head how he wanted it, he let Lan Zhan kiss him to his very last breath. Then, when he couldn’t breathe anymore, he bared his throat easily for the alpha to work his way onto and stroked Lan Zhan’s silky hair as he did it. The omega in him whimpered the word alpha one time and that made Lan Zhan suck and bite harder all over the expanse of his neck. It made him want more .

 

The alpha, in return of Wei Ying’s pliant behavior, had placed a hand on his knee and moved to gently guide Wei Ying’s head onto the pillow next to the arm rest, settling his weight on top of him. A thrill had shot up his spine and heat had pooled into the base of his stomach. Lan Zhan’s upper body had felt so broad and heavy on top of him, his mouth hot and demanding. Wei Ying had moaned involuntarily and gave the alpha what he wanted.

 

Total control.

 

Lan Zhan was an alpha who liked to kiss Wei Ying, and he liked to touch him, too. Lan Zhan was an alpha that wanted to play with him as much as he could.

 

Now. Inside the top floor of the apartment complex, hidden away from the world behind the walls of the penthouse, Wei Ying’s eyelids were heavy and glossed over as they looked above at the tall ceiling. His fingers gripped tightly onto the expensive fabric of the alpha’s shoulders while his stomach danced with heat. The rise and fall of his chest letting him know that his heart was still beating.

 

The sweater he wore was currently pushed up to expose his chest and pert nipples to the alpha. All he could hear was the small sounds spilling out of his mouth and the lewd noises of something wet . All he could feel was the things being done to him by his best friend who he never thought would ever do to any omega, let alone him .

 

“ Ah… ” Lan Zhan ran his tongue around the base of his nipple and sucked- Wei Ying’s body jerked. “Lan Zhan!”

 

He sucked and he sucked on Wei Ying’s poor nipple. His breath was so hot on Wei Ying’s skin as he circled his tongue around everything it could reach. The alpha had grown to love lifting Wei Ying’s tops to play with the rose buds hidden beneath-they had never been sensitive until the alpha began playing with them.

 

One of his hands came up to give the other side of his chest a squeeze, then popped off the sensitive nipple and moved over to the next one, taking it and the flesh he could grip into his mouth entirely. The cavern of his mouth was too much-it was too warm and much too wet on him. Wei Ying couldn’t take being toyed with like that. The alpha pinched, sucked and bit until they were so sensitive he whined when they were exposed to the cool air again.

 

“Alpha, please!” Arching his chest into his mouth. “Please, Lan Zhan, we shouldn’t. We should stop.”

 

Lan Zhan ignored him completely and flexed his thighs to spread Wei Ying’s legs further apart, and lifted the sweater higher to drag his tongue over his skin. Wei Ying whined with every love bite being sucked into his skin and gripped onto him harder when he returned back to his bruising nipples, Lan Zhan sucked on them hard and dragged his teeth over them.

 

This isn’t good. His thoughts were hazy. This isn’t good at all.

 

It was too good . It was so good that it would cause a problem. “Lan Zhan. Alpha.” He tried to tug gently at the man’s hair. “Your couch. If you keep doing this, I will ruin your couch.” He’d been trying to stop it from happening but Lan Zhan pushing his legs apart caused Wei Ying’s control slip. Mixed in between the smell of an aroused alpha was the sweet, growing scent of an omega’s slick. Wei Ying felt the liquid coating around the inside of his cheeks. 

 

“If we continue this couch won’t be saved. Won’t you please give this omega a break, alpha? Lan Zhan? Lan- er-gege? ”

 

When their studying would end and their playing began Wei Ying had to be the one to initiate an end to this somehow in an attempt to save his best friends couch, and Wei Ying from embarrassment. It was difficult to just accept the pleasure of being touched so intimately by a perfect alpha without making a mess of his bottoms. Lan Zhan, the alpha that Wei Ying was beginning to see under that calm exterior, wanted to keep playing and touching the omega beneath him. Wei Ying had to find a way to call back on the practical part of the man’s brain to drag him back to the present, so the expensive couch cushions would stay slick-stained free.

 

It took another gentle tug of his hair to unlatch him from his chest and urge him up.

 

Lan Zhan’s eyes were now a dark amber and so sharp above him.

 

Wei Ying dropped his arm over his eyes and tried to catch his breath. His entire torso was exposed and he could feel the bruises marring his skin, his nipples felt so sore that the moving of his own chest tickled him with pain and pleasure.

 

Lan Zhan’s voice was deep with desire as he called his name, “Wei Ying.”

 

His heart still beating against his rib cage, he peeked under his arm to meet that heavy gaze again. “Yes?”

 

“The bed.”

 

“What?”

 

“The bed is prepared.”

 

He was confused, “You always make your bed, Lan Zhan? I know that. You hate that I don’t make up my own when I wake up.”

 

Lan Zhan took a very deep , grounding breath. His shoulders and jaw were visibly tense above him, “Wei Ying-” voice tight, “-is concerned for the couch. The bed is prepared to handle what the couch cannot.”

 

Wei Ying’s thoughts went blank exactly at that moment.

 

Lan Zhan peeled away the arm covering his face to look at him properly. “I have everything prepared to take care of Wei Ying upstairs. Allow me to take care of you.”

 

‘Take care.’

 

Wei Ying felt his brain crackle and pop. “Take care.”

 

With utmost seriousness, he said, “I want to make Wei Ying feel good. I want to take care of you, please allow me to do so.”

 

He wants to have sex.

 

His throat swallowed. “Lan Zhan..I, I have never-”

 

“I have never, either. I have done the appropriate research needed to prepare for this, I am confident that I can make Wei Ying feel good. Wen Qing gave you the pills, yes? You have been taking them?”

 

Wen Qing had tossed the bottle at his head and he caught it, glaring at him. “You’d better take one of those every fucking day. Do you hear me? We can’t afford for you to get knocked up or for you to fuck off and move out of the apartment, so don’t go getting yourself pregnant by Lan Wangji’s baby. If you do, you’d better drag us along with you to that fancy apartment. We’re the ones that's been taking care of your sorry ass all these years, we deserve it.”

 

Wei Ying nodded stiffly, “I have.”

 

Still tense and burning with desire, the alpha said again, “Wei Ying. Come to bed with me.”

 

He tried playing off his nerves. “Ha…ah, well. Lan Zhan. Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan. You’ll have to be gentle with this omega then. I still have to be able to walk, you know?”

 

Lan Zhan, as honest as ever, “I will be gentle with you this time.”

 

He laughed, “What about next time? I am but a feeble omega, Lan Zhan. What? Do you want to break me or something?”

 

Lan Zhan did not confirm or deny the question verbally but the look he fixed him with swiped away the playful grin on Wei Ying’s face.

 

The alpha-which Wei Ying now realizes this fully- does want to break him.

 

Not this time. But a definite promise for the one after.

 

Silently the alpha rose from the couch and scooped Wei Ying into his arms and walked to the stairs. He felt the taunt muscles beneath the man's shirt stiff as if he were holding himself back. 

 

If the omega didn’t know now what the man really wanted to do to him, he’d have teased him about it. Years of poking at this alphas buttons specifically meant he was all too aware that even someone as calm and collected as Lan Zhan had his limits, right now was not the time to test this limit specifically. If he did , he knows that whatever self control the alpha has will not last long enough to take Wei Ying gently. 

 

A foot hit the top of the stairs and brought Wei Ying back to the reality that was about to happen.

 

Lan Wangji was going to strip him down into nothing and fuck him. He was going to shove his cock inside Wei Ying’s tight, virgin hole and pleasure himself with it. He was going to fill up Wei Ying’s insides with his seed on the very bed that the alpha was currently laying him down onto, and it was going to be another first of many.

 

He felt nerves eating away at his skin and suspense, while simultaneously the thought of it all brought a rush of slick leaking out of him and it filled the air of the once quiet room. He saw Lan Zhan take in a breath and the man physically fought himself when he smelled Wei Ying’s desire. With a tightness to his words, he said, “I will…be gentle. With your body. There is no need to be nervous.”

 

He smelled that too? “Ah..sorry, Lan Zhan. I can’t help it. I have never done this before. I know what happens, but I don’t know what you want this omega to do. What should I do?”

 

“Lie down.”

 

It should have been an alpha order for how fast it made him drop on his back.

 

The bed was massive, but Wei Ying was lying improperly, so his legs took up the majority of the space. Lan Zhan stood there for a moment, just staring down at him until finally, the man placed a knee on the bed and crawled his way up to hover over him. Again, another rush of slick flowed out of him and was now beginning to seep through the material of his jeans.

 

Lan Zhan leant down and kissed him.

 

He kissed him and kissed him, he brought their mouths together deep and slow and led it into something more . Wei Ying felt the alpha’s desire through every inhale he stole out of Wei Ying’s mouth. Distantly he felt the knee between his leg nudge at his thigh, then the alpha’s other knee slotted between Wei Ying’s thighs. This was now a familiar feeling-he knew what it felt like to be in this position. He’d been taking such a position for weeks now.

 

He kissed him until he was breathless, then pulled away to see the work he’d done.

 

Pleased, he watched the alpha sit back and pull off his shirt- Wei Ying cursed in his head.

 

The alpha’s shoulders and chest were wide and defined, accompanied by arms chiseled carefully with a fine hand from some immortal being that worked hard on that stomach of his, too. His skin was as beautiful as his face, it wrapped around his sculpted physique tight and unmarred by anything. Where Wei Ying was lean, soft and round in some places, Lan Zhan was the complete opposite. This entire time, the body that was pushing him down onto the couch or lifting him-the body that Wei Ying had always cling onto since they first met- was this ? 

 

In spite of what they were about to do, Lan Zhan was not a messy person. Wei Ying almost laughed when he folded the fabric, but then the alpha came for his sweater as well and exposed Wei Ying’s entire naked front which sucked the amusement right out of him.

 

Lan Zhan is going to fuck me.

 

“Lift your hips.” Lan Zhan undid the clasp at the omega’s jeans and pulled them off long legs, along with the slick soaked briefs, just barely looking away to set them in the hamper dragged by the bed. He frowned when he looked back. “Wei Ying.”

 

“Ha. Lan Zhan. Alpha-”

 

“Hiding is forbidden.”

 

He’d dragged all his limbs to the middle of the bed and tucked his knees to the side in the attempt to keep some of his dignity. Sitting up as he’d done so. “Silly alpha. Lan Zhan, how can I hide from you? You’re in front of me.”

 

“I want to see Wei Ying.”

 

“You are seeing. You are looking at me, aren’t you?”

 

“ Wei Ying .”

 

He mocked back, “ Lan Zhan.”

 

A hand grabbed a hold of his ankle and tugged gently. Once, twice. He coaxed him to lie down bare in front of him so amber could finally run over every crevice of Wei Ying’s body. 

 

The last time he’d been so exposed to someone like this was the day before his presentation in the boys locker room. Those days were simple. He hadn’t presented and everyone thought he’d be an alpha, his being naked didn’t mean anything as far as he was concerned. Then once his secondary gender came out, he had his own private bathroom because there was no other one like him.

 

Wei Ying was naked. In front of Lan Zhan. In front of an alpha, who wanted very much to fuck him-that was going to fuck him if the tent in his slacks meant anything.

 

Being stared at so intently sent more slick to slip out of him and soak into the bedding under him. It did not go unnoticed, Lan Zhan gently… carefully …pulled him closer and placed a hand on his hip. “I want to taste Wei Ying.”

 

“Taste?”

 

He watched him as he nudged him. Wei Ying didn’t know what he meant by this, he followed in the direction the alpha wanted him to go- he froze once he understood.

 

“Wei Ying, trust me.”

 

“That position-”

 

“You are not in heat, I am not in rut. I will not bite you outside of that, it will hurt you if I did.” He nudged him again. “I have to prepare you, because you are not in heat and have not done this before. It will be too painful if I don’t.”

 

“...okay.” He turned around onto his stomach-large hands grabbed his waist and pulled him up, exposing the plump flesh of his ass coated in the thin layer of slick. His thighs were pushed apart, and hands came to knead on his cheeks lightly before pushing them aside. Wei Ying gasped, feeling more slick spill out of his puckered, virgin hole.

 

Too close behind him the alpha hummed before he dove in.

 

Inside the nearly empty penthouse, at the very top of an expensive apartment complex, Wei Ying’s pleasured cry filled the entirety of the space. Lan Wangji’s tongue was thick and wet , lapping at the slick coating around his hole before it had thrusted inside of him. His whole entire body jerked forward but his hips were yanked back, pulling another cry from his throat. Lan Zhan fucked his tongue inside of him and gripped his ass so hard. His head dropped into the mattress and hands gripped the blanket.

 

His tongue was skilled, it ran around his rim and dove in. In and out. Lapping up the slick as fast as it was made. He kept his cheeks open and sucked hard at his entrance before dragging his teeth gently over it, making the omegas thighs quiver. 

 

Wei Ying moaned into the bedding and shook , arching his back to push into the feeling. The alpha licked a stripe from his rim, up, then returned to press a finger inside.

 

Wei Ying was forced to sit there, cock painfully hard between his legs, as the alpha worked him open. One finger at a time, Wei Ying whined into the mattress, feeling drool pooling out of his opened mouth. “Alpha. Alpha, Lan Zhan. You are sucking so hard on me-you said you’d be gentle with this body. There is nothing gentle about it.”

 

Lan Zhan nipped at his ass in response. “If I were not being gentle, Wei Ying would not be able to talk right now.”

 

“Lan Zhan-how scandalous! Gusu’s favorite alpha! The valedictorian-ah! So vulgar! Who would believe it!? I…I have no one I could tell who would believe me-” he gasped at the fourth finger entering inside of him. “What other omega would believe me when I say the alpha they like is the sort to be rough with them!?”

 

Lan Zhan’s voice was on the edge of something dark, now. “Wei Ying.” A warning. “I made a promise to you, I will be gentle. Do not tempt me to do anything else, or else I will hurt you.”

 

“I’m sorry! Lan Zhan, I want you to be gentle. Be gentle now, and then we can see about next time-”

 

“Wei Ying is ready.”

 

“Huh-” The question was cut short. Lan Zhan had pulled away and left Wei Ying like that with his ass perched in the air and slick covered thighs shaking. There was a sound of metal and the rustling of fabric. He dropped his hips so he could see behind him-

 

Lan Zhan finished placing his folded briefs into the pile.

 

Wei Ying was frozen. He’d felt his entire body go white . “Ah…” Unsure, he inched away a bit. “I don’t think that’s going to fit…That…it won’t fit, Lan Zhan.”

 

“Wei Ying. It will fit-”

 

He shook his head. It was big- too big . A cock which he never would have thought he’d see that belonged to this alpha in front of him…it was too intimidating. He was painfully hard and perfect where it rested at the point of the defined V line of his muscled stomach. Lan Zhan had trimmed some, or maybe it was like that, he didn’t know. All he knew was that if the alpha were to try and put that in him, he’d be split in half most definitely and won’t make it to work tomorrow night.

 

He inched away again and yelped when the alpha caught his ankle for the second time. “Alpha! Wait! We can..you can use my thighs! Yes. They are slick and wet, how about that? Hmm?”

 

“Another time.”

 

“A condom, then! Don’t you need one! We should pause and get one-”

 

“Wei Ying, you know they are not necessary if neither of us are nearing or on our cycle and if you are on birth control.”

 

“Maybe the pills-Wait, wait-” Lan Zhan gave him a harsh tug to pull him back down, then the man climbed on top of him. “Lan Zhan!”

 

The alpha took one of his trembling hands and placed it on top of his chest. There was an unknown emotion in those amber eyes that looked at him openly, Lan Zhan’s face had gone soft. Wei Ying could feel the man's heart under his palm and felt the warmth radiating from it. “Wei Ying. I will take care of you, I will be gentle this time. Do not be afraid, not of me.”

 

His own throat was fighting for air. “It won’t fit-”

 

“It will fit because your body will accept it. Wei Ying is a resilient person and very strong, he can take what I want to give him.”

 

“It will hurt-”

 

“It may hurt, but I will go slow so you aren’t in too much pain. I will take good care of your body now, and after.”

 

“Lan Zhan-” the alpha shut him up with a kiss. His mouth was soft, peeling open Wei Ying’s own, and tasted something like oranges. Blearily, through his nerves and the natural fear of what’s to come, he wondered ‘Is this what my slick tastes like?’

 

Lan Zhan kissed his lips raw in an attempt to calm him down. Wei Ying tried-he really tried to relax into it, but the cock that was supposed to go in him was all to present where it rested on his upper thigh. It felt like it was the length of his thigh -it was not, that would be impossible he knew. It was so heavy though, and its girth would surely rip him open.

 

Lan Zhan moved his head down and sucked on his neck, successfully pulling a moan from his mouth. His legs were then nudged apart by strong thighs. Their naked bodies pressed so close together drew heat into his core again, his half hard cock grew in attention. Lan Zhan braced himself over him and slipped his hand between them-

 

“Lan Zhan-”

 

“It will be fine, Wei Ying.” The alpha drew his cock between the part in his cheeks, slicking himself up with Wei Ying’s arousal. “I will take care of your body after. Be good for me-relax.”

 

His breathing was shallow, his hands grabbed a hold of those defined shoulders as Lan Zhan lined himself up at his entrance.

 

Wei Ying tensed.

 

Lan Zhan pushed in anyway.

 

“Ah! Lan Zhan! Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan-” His mouth was covered again. Desperate, Wie Ying kissed the man back with so much force. He wrapped his arms around him and shook, his nails digging into the man's perfect skin. It hurt. It hurt so much but it felt so good to him at the same time. This was an alpha’s arousal entering inside of him. It was the physical evidence of Lan Zhan’s desire to have Wei Ying’s body-pushing past his rim and inside where no one else had ever been. He felt his legs shaking. He wanted to simultaneously pull away and stay, he didn’t want to feel it any more, but he did.

 

He broke apart from his mouth, gasping for air. “Is it in? Is that it?”

 

Lan Zhan’s face was tense and lined with a sheen of sweat, clearly holding himself back. He told him, “No.”

 

“No!?”

 

Wei Ying peeked between them, the alpha’s hips weren’t even near him! He threw his head back and cried as Lan Zhan filled him in just a bit more. “Too big!”

 

“Wei Ying can withstand it. He can endure.”

 

Inch by inch his hole was filled by Lan Zhan. Wei Ying lied there and gripped the alphas hair to kiss him again as he took what Lan Zhan had to give him, until it felt like his entire body was on fire and that his legs would fall off from where they were around his waist. Lan Zhan’s hips finally touched his ass, a cry of relief tumbled out of him. “Lan Zhan! Lan Zhan! Is this it? Is there more?”

 

“I am not in rut, so no.”

 

Thank every god there is. He could not handle a knot from this man.

 

His hips squirmed. “It is too much! Why would you do this to me, alpha?! Why would you want to fill your omega up so much like this?! So cruel to me! I'm hurt!”

 

“Wanted to because Wei Ying has been good and has been letting me take care of him. I want to take care of him in all the ways possible.”

 

“But it hurts! How is this taking care of me?!”

 

The alpha pressed another kiss onto his lips and then lifted, bracing himself over him, he watched Wei Ying’s face.

 

He didn’t know why he did that-and then the alpha began drawing his cock out of him, all the way to his rim, and slowly ground back in.

 

Fire burned inside of him. His back arched off the bed, his head throwing back onto the mattress. He’d been filled to the brim and then emptied, only to be pushed back into. Lan Zhan’s cock was so wide-so long. It reached so deeply inside of him and was pulled back out again.

 

The pace was slow and drove him to a point of madness. Where did pain and pleasure end? Every slow pull of his hips felt like his breath was being pulled into his throat, and every slow press of the cock settling back inside felt like that same breath escaped him. For once in his life, he did not know what to say. He could only feel.

 

He could only feel the firm press of the man’s hips. He could only feel their naked and sweaty skin sticking together where they touched, he felt the muscles of Lan Zhan’s stomach hard with every meet of their sexes. He did not know if he was breathing, he only knew that Lan Zhan was filling him and filling him at every slow drive of his hips.

 

His words slurred together, something as a mix of good and again.

 

The sharp snap of his hips brought him back to his consciousness.

 

“Lan Zhan-alpha. Alpha, I can’t breathe.”

 

Lan Zhan visibly fought his control and instead of responding, he kissed Wei Ying with so much passion. Wei Ying knew he said he wanted gentle, but the man had been spoiling him so much lately that he at least deserved to have a taste of what it was he wanted. So he held the man in his arms and clung to him, whispering in his ear, “A little harder, alpha. I know you said you won’t hurt me, but you can hurt me a little if you want to-” Lan Zhan growled and drew back and thrusted in him so hard that his body shot forward off the bed.

 

Any complaint did not stay on his tongue.

 

Lan Zhan pushed off of him and sat back, drawing the omega’s hips up and began impaling him on his cock.

 

“Ah-oh my-Lan Zhan! Fuck, fuck! Alpha, too much, too hard! This will break me!”

 

Those hands held a cruising grip on him and did not stop their hips snapping together. He fucked himself into Wie Ying’s body and there was nothing Wei ying could do about it. His body was dragged back and forth, back and forth. The bed creaked, the room filled with the sounds of Wei Ying’s whines and cries for him to slow down, to be gentle again, but Lan Zhan did not want to listen. Wei Ying’s body was being used to pleasure another….

 

It exhilarated him.

 

That thought he could not pine on because the slick snapping of their skin together and the cock driving in and out of his hole felt so amazing. It hurt so good. Lan Zhan saw him arching his hips to meet his thrusts and reached forward with one hand, tugging onto Wei Ying’s cock. “Lan Zhan! Lan Zhan! I’m going to-”

 

“Cum, Wei Ying.”

 

The orgasm tore through him so violently his bones popped as he arched into it. So much cum shooting out of his cock and flying all over his chest and the bed. Lan Zhan’s cock pushed him through it. Guiding him into ecstasy. The alpha pushed and pushed and drove into him so fast, so deep, so hard. Wei Ying’s cry was so loud it had to have been heard all over the building.

 

As he slowly fell from that high he got to see the moment Lan Zhan could not hold it in any more, his thrusts faster and faster until they sputtered and there was a low, nearly silent, groan that slipped out of his mouth. Lan Zhan’s face was completely open and readable. Beautiful dark brows drawn together and jaw tight. Lan Zhan came undone inside of the omega. Like thick molten lava spilling inside of his womb. The omega in him purred from being given that gift. Wei Ying was given the gift of this amazing and talented alpha before any other omega was allowed to have it. Lan Zhan had given Wei Ying his seed, Wei Ying was good enough of an omega to him to have earned his gift. Lan Zhan filled him and kept filling him, pumping his cock inside and out where liquid began spilling out of him, until finally the man had no more to give him.

 

The alpha’s bedroom only had the sounds of their panting breaths to fill it. It smelled completely of sex.

 

Sweat, cum, spit and slick.

 

Lan Zhan pulled out of him-immediately sending Wei Ying into a shiver. So much liquid that he couldn’t see spilled out of his used and abused hole. His legs were so tired, he hadn’t worked out those muscles in a long time. They dropped onto the bed with a light thump as Lan Zhan pulled away and stood, looking over Wei Ying’s exhausted body, drinking in the sight before him.

 

The alpha dressed into his briefs again, dropped back on the bed to kiss Wei Ying’s tear stained face, then left for the bathroom. There was the sound of cabinets and then water being drawn into the bathtub, then footsteps disappearing down stairs. All was quiet for a while-or it could have been just him falling asleep. At some point, the alpha reappeared and sat him up, pressing the cool bottle of cucumber gatorade to his lips.

 

He made Wei Ying drink it all before carrying him to the bathroom and dropped him into the hot bath to soak. Lan Zhan went back into the room for a bit, then came back and showered while Wei Ying watched the water fall over his body.

 

When he was done he came to Wei Ying with a bottle of shampoo and conditioner and began washing his hair in silence while he cleaned himself. His hands were gentle in his hair, completely different from when he had just left bruises on Wei Ying’s poor hips. They carded through his hair, washing, rinsing and brushing. The alpha helped dry him off and brought him back naked to the now clean bed and gently pushed him onto his stomach with the silent promise of an oiled massage.

 

This is nice . He thought as fingers worked through the muscle of his legs. Lan Zhan is a good alpha.

 

Displeasure then stirred in his chest at his next thought, Whatever omega gets to have him will be very lucky.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

He’s dying.

 

He is dying a slow, painful death and it is all because of Lan Wangji.

 

He told the alpha this, too, and the man exhaled in a way that was fond and said, “Wei Ying is not dying. Your body is sore from our activities, it will get better.”

 

“This poor omega is dying and the alpha that’s supposed to take care of him doesn’t care. How cruel.” That was a lie, Lan Zhan was taking great care of him actually. Lan Zhan has been letting him lie in his bed or on the couch and has given him many, many massages since their first time. He’d also ordered Korean barbecue and held the food up to Wei Ying’s mouth to feed him.

 

All of that care and Wei Ying’s body still hurt .

 

His ass, thighs, calves, lower back. All of it left a dull ache and when he walked he felt that his insides had been messed with-they had been .

 

He had to clock into work in the next hour and a half, all of that healing he’d done since yesterday till now only did so much. “I’ll go inside and climb on the table where I belong, since this poor body is dying. The cause of death will be ‘penetration per Lan Wangji’s massive dick’, that’s what it’ll be. I won’t make it to Shijie’s wedding, so you have to make sure you tell her I took it like a champ. Don’t let Jiang Cheng pick the engraving on my tombstone either, he’ll try to put something like ‘This asshole’s asshole wasn’t as big as his mouth, apparently’.”

 

Hands kneaded the inside of his thighs while the owner huffed-that was a laugh.

 

He whined, “Lan Zhan! Are you laughing at me!? This poor omega has work but how can I work when you’ve destroyed me!? And you were gentle this time, what about next time!? How will I be able to do anything after that if I cannot walk from just having gentle sex with you?! What will this poor omega do?!”

 

“You will have to get accustomed to it. The more we do it, the more Wei Ying’s body will get used to the feeling.”

 

“Ah! You devious alpha! I almost believed you too, with how serious you just sounded! You just want to fuck me again!”

 

“Mn.” Giving his bare ass a squeeze. “But it is true. The more we have sex, the more you will be able to withstand. I will take care of your body after like now, so do not worry.”

 

Wei Ying sighed into the mattress to enjoy the kneading along his thighs, then lower back. Lan Zhan worked in the lotion and oil, occasionally leaning over him to nose along his neck and scent gland, until it was time to get dressed, which the alpha assisted him with.

 

In the car, outside of the office, Lan Zhan asked him, “What time will you be finished?”

 

It was eleven at night now, well past the alpha’s bedtime so Wei Ying waved him off, “Oh who knows? It’s okay. A-yang is with me tonight, we’ll go home together when we’re finished.”

 

“Please call when you leave and when you get home.”

 

Ah, this alpha will make a great husband to someone.

 

He felt his smile falter for a second then brushed off whatever that feeling was in his chest and grinned, “Okay my alpha , I promise I will.” Lan Zhan always enjoyed it when he called him that. Very pleased, he pulled him over for a kiss to his lips, cheek then neck, again nosing along his jaw to wherever he could reach before allowing him to leave.

 

Xue Yang was the one who’s aunt owned the office. His fellow omega had his own family troubles, which is why he relocated to the paternal side of his family in america. A hispanic family that was large in size and in heart compared to the omega’s chinese relatives. He was sarcastic, mischievous, cunning and sometimes a little cruel.

 

So how sweet, soft spoken alpha Wen Ning came to adore him, he had no clue.

 

Him and Wei Ying got along just fine though, hence why the other set him up to work here during his second year of undergrad. Customer service hadn’t paid the bills all that well and his English could have been better. Working two jobs while going to school full time….it was rough.

 

Once Wei Ying emerged from the elevator and stepped into the office, A-Yang gave him one sweep over and grinned. “Your alpha finally fucked you? About time.”

 

“Hey! How about you worry about yourself and not what I’ve been doing in my spare time-”

 

“I wrote a paper on him for psych last year I think? What was it about, again? Something about patience-I don’t know.” He shrugged and waved it off. “Whatever. He has to have patience if it comes to an omega like you.”

 

“Me? What about you? A-Ning wouldn’t kill an ant, but you'd burn a whole colony of them if you wanted to.” 

 

A grin playing on his lips. “I can be pretty convincing.~”

 

He did not want to think about what that meant.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The end of the semester was beginning to approach, the warm summer weather tracing the spring heat as time grew closer and closer. Exams would be soon, he would need to prepare for his two weeks absence for summer school, too, and what this meant for his job. He still has to find a wedding gift for his sister, find the outfit for the wedding, figure out how he was going to introduce Lan Zhan to the family-

 

He’s stressed.

 

Wei Ying felt himself becoming more nervous with the days that came and passed. Six years-five years and many months-it would be since he’s last stepped foot onto Lotus Pier, and a smidge longer than that since he’s had to deal with either alpha being thrown his way. According to his brother, how Wen Rohan and Qi Xingfeng got past the black list, they had the idea to offer the same bargain to the woman. On top of business deals, exemptions and partnerships, for every child Wei Ying bared for them he would get paid a large sum of money which a certain percent would go back to the Jiang’s themselves. It would be too tedious to wait thirteen years-or longer- for each child to present as dominant or not, so in this case it didn’t matter. The potential for a dominant anything between him and a regular alpha would only yield a carrier for the dominant, secondary, O. Wen Chao and all of those other alphas carry some recessive dominant gene, alpha or omega, a union between them would be ‘positive’ all around.

 

If a carrier for the dominant alpha gene was present, with the addition to his dominant omega genes, there would be a guarantee of two dominant alpha’s out of four while the other two would carry that dominant omega gene. Then that poor child, a regular alpha that carried the gene-would be pitted off to whoever to carry on the trend.

 

If only they had the ability to produce children together, that’d solve all of his problems.

 

“They’re trying to treat you like a fucking breeding horse or something.” His brother said over the phone that day. “Father says that neither alpha is allowed to be alone with you at all during this but second madam Jin is trying to insist that you’re given some time alone together to speak freely. She says that her son can get shy in front of people or some other bullshit like that, and said that’s why the meeting didn’t work last time. I doubt mother will allow it, even if she’s best friends with her sister, you’re too ‘valuable’ or something-father’s words, not mine. I think you're annoying as hell and I’m pissed at you for making Jiejie wait to see you all this time. I’ll punch you for every time she cried for you over the years.”

 

“You can try but I bet your short alpha arms couldn’t even reach my shoulder!”

 

“You’re a fucking liar Wei Wuxian! You’re not that tall!”

 

“You can look it up! Dominant omegas are tall!”

 

“They’re taller than omegas and as tall as alphas, not fucking taller than them! You think just because you’ve been gone all this time that I’d forget your tricks?!”

 

“Oh Didi, I can’t wait to see the look on your face.~”

 

“Shut up! And who’s your Didi, huh?! A da-ge wouldn’t fuck off and leave their older sister behind!”

 

“Just tell me you miss me already-”

 

“I hope you choke on something and die!” He screeched before the line went dead.

 

Lan Zhan had been walking beside him that entire time and eyed him at that, causing Wei Ying to laugh. “I know you and Xichen-ge have a weird relationship, but this is how normal siblings act with each other, gege.”

 

“...he told you to choke and die, Wei Ying.”

 

He shrugged. “It just means he misses me and can’t wait to see me in a few months.~”

 

The alpha was not convinced, though argued no further.

 

Together they walked to the library and began studying together. Lan Zhan had prepared a review sheet in his spare time and the two have been going through it whenever they could over the weeks. It was detailed and covered every single important topic they’ve gone over in their shared classes. It still didn’t beat Wei Ying’s-albeit stressful- successful style of studying.

 

Two entire cases of redbull, a stack of ramen cups and only one week to cram.

 

Lan Zhan had been horrified all those years ago when Wei Ying mentioned it.

 

“That is not healthy.” A nineteen year old Lan Zhan said. “Drinking too many energy drinks will harm the body. Without a balanced meal, you will not absorb the correct nutrients your body needs in order to memorize the information you review.”

 

“It’s worked for all of these years already though! Look where I am now, with you! Say, will you balance my meals for me then, Lan-er-gege-wait!” He had promptly turned the alpha away, red at the ears in anger.

 

It still amazes him how close they’ve gotten.

 

Close enough for the alpha to cum inside of me.

 

Sex hadn’t happened yet again after their first time despite saying they should practice at it. Lan Zhan had even drawn back on kissing him so passionately. Lan Zhan wasn’t the sort of person to sleep with someone and then just leave, it had never crossed his mind that that was what it was. He wanted to ask him why they haven’t fucked again, though he was also afraid of the answer he’d get.

 

Maybe Wei Ying wasn’t as good of a lay as he’d thought the omega would be?

 

Or maybe the alpha got that out of his system and just wanted to go back to only throwing his money at him?

 

Wei Ying sat there with his head in his hand and thought about that evening from months ago. Sex with him was painful because of that that he somehow kept hidden in his pants, Lan Zhan must’ve known it would’ve been rough for Wei Ying so that’s why he ‘researched’ whatever it was that he did. Then he’d taken good care of him afterwards. If it were-and he almost threw up in his mouth- Jin Zixun, the alpha wouldn’t have bothered with any of that.

 

Sex was painful…but it was also nice.

 

Being filled to the point of so much closeness with another person-with the alpha in front of him-was amazing in itself. It had hurt but the pleasure was there. Wei Ying really did take what the alpha had to give him. His cock and his release. He was a good sugar baby to him. The evidence of that stayed with him for days-the ache of his legs, the bruises on his hips. From then up until they disappeared, Wei Ying would often stand in front of the mirror and trace the outline of where the man’s hands had left hand prints.

 

Wei Ying looked at that very hand holding a pen.

 

His hands were so large they had easily wrapped around his ankle and dragged him across that bed. They were beautiful-perfectly manicured with not a single trace of dirt beneath his fingernails. He wondered what it’d be like for him to push on his back as the alpha took him from behind? What would they feel like gripping his hips in that position? How long would the bruises stay after? Would he fuck him deep and slow, or would he piston himself inside of Wei Ying and use him as he wanted-

 

“Wei. Ying.”

 

Lan Zhan snatched his attention.

 

The question stopped because Lan Zhan’s face said it all.

 

Deep, audible breaths, the alpha fixed his darkening eyes on him, “Wei Ying. Whatever you are thinking about, you need to stop.”

 

In their secluded spot in the library, he could now smell the faint sweetness of citrus coming from him and squirmed uncomfortably in his seat. He was about to apologize…..

 

An innocent tilt of his head he asked, “...tell me why I should stop, Lan-er-gege?”

 

His grip tightened around the pen. “ Wei Ying.”

 

“I thought you’ve lost interest in this omega’s body, or do you not want to deal with the suitors I’ll attract over here? It would cause too much noise for the library, wouldn’t it?”

 

Wei Ying watched him with excitement thrumming under his skin. The man seemed to be fighting with himself over his next words, but a part of Wei Ying didn’t want words. He wanted to see what the alpha would do. Would he bend Wei Ying over and fuck him on the table now, or would he pack up his things and leave out of irritation like he used to do?

 

He tested this by shifting to open his legs and let out more of that sweet scent.

 

Ink splattered on porcelain skin and all over the table.

 

Notebooks were shoved into backpacks then a hand yanked Wei Ying out of his seat, leading him out the exit door and for the nearly empty garage. Lan Zhan popped the trunk, tossed the bags in and slammed it shut, then opened the back door to practically shove Wei Ying inside, following.

 

The moment the door shut Lan Zhan slammed their mouths together. He forced his mouth open and shoved their tongues together, swallowing Wei Ying’s gasps and moans. 

 

They fell into a heated kiss of passion, hands were grabbing anywhere. Everywhere. Holding onto thin shirts or hair, Wei Ying urged to press their bodies together as close as possible to try and recreate that night, but everything was getting in his way. Their bodies were both much too long for the space of the car and kept tangling together.

 

Suddenly lips pulled off of him and a whine from his throat, Lan Zhan pushed at his shoulder, “Turn.”

 

Excitement filled him. The omega in him went compliant and turned away, then large hands yanked his hips up into the air-he gasped, “Lan Zhan!?”

 

“Wei Ying wanted this, so he will have it.”

 

Lan Zhan flipped up his skirt and ripped off his underwear, the action sent straight heat into the base of his stomach and forced out more slick flowing down his ass. Behind him there was the sound of the belt being undone and then a zipper, something warm and painfully hard dropped on top of his ass cheek. “Lan Zhan!?” He tried to crawl away but the alpha wasn’t having it and yanked his hips back. “Lan Zhan! I’m not prepared-”

 

“You are wet enough.” He told him and rubbed his cock between his cheeks, gathering up that liquid. “You can take me as is.” 

 

He shook his head fervently. “I can’t, I can’t! I will tear! I will break! ”

 

Lan Zhan breached his entrance and slammed inside of him in one thrust. Wei Ying screamed so loud into the car and parking garage, Lan Zhan gripped his hips and fucked him. The alpha fucked Wei Ying hard and fast, pounding into him so hard that the car shook in it’s spot.

 

Wei Ying couldn’t breathe.

 

He couldn’t breathe or see anything-the pain was excruciating. It hurt so bad he cried tears and snot dripped out of his nose. Every thrust of Lan Zhan’s hips ripped out choked sobs from his throat and his head fell forward onto the edge of the seat to muffle his cries.

 

Then a large hand came sliding onto the back of his head and pulled.

 

“Lan Zhan!”

 

He growled, “Hiding is forbidden.”

 

“Lan Zhan! Lan Zhan! Alpha! Please! Hurts, it hurts!”

 

His grip was harsh on his head, “Wei Ying likes it.”

 

“I’m gonna break!”

 

This urged the alpha to slam into him so hard that Wei Ying’s entire body flew forward. His face pressed into the glass of the window and his hand beside it, the man bent over his back, his gurtled growls and panting filling Wei Ying’s ear. Strong arms wrapped around his chest and his lower belly, driving his cock up into him like he were trying to fuck a baby into him.

 

“So deep! You’ll get me pregnant! I will get pregnant with an alpha’s baby-”

 

“Mine.” He growled. “It will be mine.”

 

“Is that what you want!? You have to pull out! You have to!”

 

Lan Zhan held him flat against his chest. “Wei Ying will have my baby. I will get him pregnant and he will stay pregnant.”

 

“Don’t come in me alpha! Mercy! Mercy, please! I can’t-Lan Zhan, I’m gonna-” A cry tore out of the pit of his stomach, out his throat as the pressing of that thick cock inside of him brought him so high. Wei Ying hard came in the back seat of Lan Zhan’s expensive car, spilling all over the door and leather seat. His hole tightened around the alpha driving into him to suck every last bit of pure pleasure that he could until his body slumped and was at the mercy of Lan Zhan’s vicious thrusts. His body could not do anything but accept the throb of the alpha’s cock inside of him as it pulsated and spilled all of his cum inside of him.

 

His breath fogged the window and took the man’s deep, grinding thrusts that used him until completion.

 

Through muted ears he heard Lan Zhan calling his name-he blinked. Somewhere along the way the alpha had lied him down and was hovering over him. “Hmm?”

 

“How does your body feel?”

 

“ ‘m tired.”

 

“Wei Ying did good today. I will take you home and take care of you.”

 

“Thought you didn’t want to fuck me anymore.”

 

His head shook lightly, “No. I want to have sex with you every day, I did not want to press it though. The first time was a lot on your body, I had to make sure you wanted more.”

 

“Okay.” Lan Zhan gave him a questioning look, so Wei Ying said, “I’ll do it. I’ll have sex with Lan Zhan every day.”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Everyday means everyday.

 

The alpha took his word to heart and held him to it.

 

Lan Zhan-calm, collected, eloquent Lan Wangji- had to be the most demanding sex partner to ever walk this earth, Wei Ying didn’t know if he would be able to survive it for however long their agreement lasted. Everyone thought the man was the pinnacle of an alpha. They thought Lan Wangji to be the pinnacle of the med students on campus or anyone they’ve met before-because he is - and that he was above such basic alpha behaviors. Lan Zhan, who reminded teachers about assignments, had no bad grades, could also play the guqin and never spilled a single drop of anything on his clothes. No one would associate the stereotypical traits of an alpha to someone so perfect.

 

They wouldn’t know that Lan Zhan wanted to breed Wei Ying like he was his true omega mate. No one would know that Lan Zhan would fuck Wei Ying on anything and everything he could just as long it was strong enough to handle his rough fucking. Lan Zhan loved pulling his hair and using whatever body part he could to mark Wei Ying as his omega to use. No one would believe him that, if the right buttons were pushed, the alpha would drag him to the secluded basement restroom and fuck him over the granite counter.

 

Everyday meant everyday to him.

 

The alpha had also played with his body a few times after picking him up from a few long hours at work. He’d park in the crumpling parking lot by Wei Ying’s shared apartment, push the omegas seat all the way back, and have Wei Ying turn so he could slip inside of him. Wei Ying would be so tired that he just lied there and took the alpha’s cock without saying a word. He let the man use his body while shivering in his own delight when Lan Zhan finally reached his climax inside of his poor, used hole.

 

From the car sex until now he spent his days walking around with a constant ache in his backside and sore thighs, looking at other omegas he came across and wondered if any of them would take Lan Zhan like he does? Would any of them get the chance?

 

Ten years from now when Wei Ying is off in the world and they’ve gone their separate ways, would it be one of their fellow classmates that was the one riding Lan Zhan’s cock in the back seat of a car? How many kids would they have? How many tries did it take them? Would the alpha ever look back and think about the times they spent together, naked and so close that their hearts were beating as one? Would he thank the heavens that Wei Ying had come into his life so he could have the proper practice for his future mate?

 

How pretty would his mate be?

 

How in love would they be?

 

Wei Ying hated those thoughts. It always made his chest hurt.

 

For now at least Lan Zhan was using him as his piece of ass and not someone else which made him feel just a bit better and lightened his sour moods. Wen Ning would always cover his nose and tell him he ‘smelled like an alpha’ after getting laid and coming home.

 

Kind of like right now. 

 

He threw his hands up, “We didn’t even have sex this time! Something came up so he dropped me off here, how can you guys say that!”

 

Wen Qing shrugged over her take out, “Don’t include me in this. You know I can’t smell.”

 

Wen Ning gave him a sheepish smile, “I didn’t mean that you smelled like… that . I mean you smell a lot like Lan Wangji lately is all.”

 

“Of course I do? We’re…you know. A thing.” Because he can’t say sugar daddy to them and save face at the same time. “I see him everyday.”

 

“You’ve always smelled like him. Since you started GU, it’s just a bit….. much now. The scenting’s gotten worse since you became a couple-but it’s okay!” Hurried. “I don’t mind, it’s just that he’s a dominant alpha and all, so it just makes it a bit worse….you know?”

 

“What are you talking about? Lan Zhan’s scenting me just started a few months ago?” After they had sex for the first time. 

 

Both siblings flashed a look at eachother, the woman shook her head, so Wen Ning gave him another weary smile, turning back to his food.

 

Weird.

 

That aside, exams were over. Online summer classes begin the following week. Lan Zhan took Wei Ying out to a nice restaurant to celebrate, he bought him two whole bottles of aged wine with his expensive looking card before they left the place, walking to the car. They drove past Wei Ying’s apartment complex, making him confused. “Lan Zhan?”

 

“I wanted to talk with Wei Ying.”

 

“...did I do something?”

 

The shake of the man’s head put his fears to rest-for a second there he thought he wanted to call it quits. He’d thought that Lan Zhan decided not to join him on his trip to save him from the grimy hands of Wen Chao and Jin Zixun…he thought that maybe …he found someone else he wanted to do these things with.

 

Lan Zhan drove them to his place and kept a hand on his hip as they went up the elevator, stepping into the lit apartment. Once comfortable on the couch, Lan Zhan told him not so good news.

 

Lan Zhan will be leaving for China before him, next week in fact, as per his usual summer visit back home. He won’t see Wei Ying until an indeterminate time after Wei Ying arrives there himself.

 

“I estimate to be finished early in the first week of your arrival. The visit will take longer because there are some things I must do before August.”

 

“...Oh.”

 

“Wei Ying, I will do my best to finish everything as fast as I can. I am not pleased about this, I do not want you around those that want to cause you harm.”

 

“I’ll be fine, Lan Zhan.” Waving it off, “I’ve had to deal with them before. Wen Chao was my senior and I would often see Jin Zixun because of that peacock, it isn’t anything I’m not used to. They’ll probably say something stupid, then I’ll punch them in their mouth, then they’ll run away crying because I hurt their alpha pride. All that matters is I don't have to pick either of them to be my alpha.”

 

“I still do not like it.”

 

He doesn’t either. But what could he do? If he has to suffer a few days, it’ll be worth it to at least see his family again after so long, they can’t make him spend all of his time with the two. How is that fair to Jiang Cheng or Yanli?

 

“I want to give you something.” Lan Zhan slipped something square into his hands.

 

Wei Ying opened the wallet-there were two cards, and the sleeve held cash that he could spend in China. “Lan Zhan…”

 

The alpha showed him which card could be used in America, and the other that would be used during his visit, and told him to buy whatever he wanted with them until he returned. As a request from him, Wei Ying ended up staying with him that night….and the next. And all of the nights leading up to the morning where he would depart for China.

 

Lan Zhan woke Wei Ying early to have one more tryst with him.

 

Out of the times they’ve had sex, this one made him feel more than just what his body felt. Lan Zhan held him close. He kissed him deep and pushed everything he had into each firm press into his body. He kissed Wei Ying’s forehead, cheek, mouth and jaw, his warm hands sliding down his back and over the ass he was slowly sinking himself into, over his thigh. The touch carving sparks into his skin that went straight for his heart and made Wei Ying see stars.

 

The way Lan Zhan had fucked him did not feel like that -like Wei Ying was just a sugar baby or another piece of ass, like he was an omega he essentially paid so he could have easy sex with.

 

It felt like a husband was making love to his wife one last time.

 

It felt like a goodbye.

 

Every touch and gentle caress of their tongues together felt like magic forming something in its wake. Something was stirring inside his chest like a storm as Lan Zhan filled him with his pleasure and kissed Wei Ying one last time.

 

It formed like a blossoming flower as the alpha tucked him in bed and brushed away the hair sticking to his face to get one last look at him.

 

The flower bloomed under Wei Ying’s flash of memories over the years up until then.

 

The door to the apartment shut.

 

The window into Wei Ying’s heart opened.

 

I'm in love with him.

Notes:

IN CONCLUSION! WWX is a literal dumbass but we all knew that!

NOW! I promise I will update this, but I have to prioritize the final chapter of my other fic, 'Obsessions', over the weekend so I can hopefully have it completed next week. I will then complete the rest of the next chapter for this one and update it, kk?

Now. please, besties, my lovely readers, let me know what you guys thought. Really, it means alot to me when you comment your thoughts.

And also, please remember to ~kudos~ to spread the love, mkay! Byeeeeee~~

Chapter 4: Shanghai; Part 1

Summary:

Back to China he goes, and back to America he wants to be.

Notes:

!!! TW !!!!

Usually I do a kinda....'at ur risk' kinda thing when it comes to reading, but I was like 'okay, ill warn my lovely readers'. Sexism exists and it's annoying. Be prepared to be angry when reading this chapter.

But YAY!! I did it!! I got it out for ya'll, sorry I would've posted earlier, but instead of studying Bronsted Lowry acids and bases, I decided I would make ~seventeen~ dubai chocolate bars to bring into work(so.much.chocolate.)

Enjoy!!!!!

(P.S. I did NOT proof read lol. MB)

From the airport twelve miles from where he lived, Wei Wuxian boarded the airplane heading for his home country, flying to the venue that would be held in Shanghai. He towered over the other boarding passengers to first class and sat in one of the spacious seats that accommodated his legs appropriately, courtesy of the Jin family riches. A sure cry from his flight to America all those years ago. He hasn’t been on a plane since-well....

 

He was excited. Nervous . He’d been both dreading this moment and looking forward to it, the conflicting emotions didn’t sit well in his stomach so he popped some medicine and relaxed once the plane had taken off.

 

For some hours he spent napping, snacking, watching TV with the occasional conversation with a flight attendant. It was as relaxing as a plane ride could get with so many people on the plane. He got up two times to use the restroom-both times were odd . Each time when he opened the door there was an alpha standing right there -two different men for each time-he almost barreled into. He apologized and stepped one way-kind of awkwardly squeezing in between the person and the door, glancing back over his shoulder to see the alpha standing there before going into the restroom.

 

He also noted that for first class, the people in there sure were active . What could they be doing that they needed to keep walking through his isle? Sick of making eye contact with them, he shoved earbuds in and slapped an eye mask on to take a nap.

 

Finally he felt the jerk of the plane catch the runway and grabbed all of his things in the space, standing once it was clear so he could get his bags-

 

“I can help you.”

 

Wei Ying startled for a second, “I’ve got it-” but the alpha took it off the overhead anyway and fixed the handle for him, giving him a kind smile.

 

“Thanks!” He shot a smile back then walked past him, waving goodbye.

 

Maybe things won’t be so bad after all?

 

Because the Jin’s and their close associates were known for their extravagance, of course the wedding would be held at the Ritz-Carlton. It was one of Shanghai’s favored hotels for weddings, his sister told him. When the taxi he ordered pulled into the roundabout of the fifty-eight story building he could see the sleek, modern and elegant, inside. It was beautiful when he walked in and took the elevator to the second floor for check-in. He thanked the woman and took his key card, taking the elevator up to the fiftieth floor until he found his room and opened the door-

 

He blinked.

 

Wei Ying double checked the number the woman wrote on the paper and the number on the door, then to the card that had his name on it.

 

Tentatively he called out a greeting into the hall but there was no answer.

 

Somehow, someone had bought him a massive suite bigger than his apartment . There was a round living room with decorative chairs and couches, a dining room and bar with an expensive looking bed. He walked to the bathroom and almost cried-it reminded him of a roman bathhouse or something. Then the wonderful view of the entire city available everywhere he walked.

 

He dropped his luggage on the bed with a promise to deal with it later and freshened up, dressing into a cute two piece outfit meant for summer and a pair of yellow heels to match. The shorts fit a little lose a few inches under his ass cheeks, it was an outfit Lan Zhan had picked out.

 

Lan Zhan….

 

He checked his phone for any text messages, there was nothing except for his newest message that told the alpha he’d landed just below the alpha’s last message from before Wei Ying left.

 

No. He told himself. Not now.

 

He combed through his hair easily since…. he’s ….been taking Wei Ying to the salon regularly and let it fall down his back and prepared himself mentally for this. His skin thrummed with excitement. He wanted to see his family, he missed them so much.

 

On his way out he caught sight of a bouquet of flowers with a note that made him want to gag.

 

Wei Wuxian,

 

I hope this room is to your liking, this room offers access to the club lounge which is on our itinerary, if you do not have a cocktail suit, there are plenty of stores we can purchase one from. If there is anything you want, call me at this number and I will personally bring whatever it is. I look forward to our days spent together.

 

-Wen Chao

 

“Ew.”

 

He tossed the flowers into the trash-he almost tossed the note, but decided to leave it on the table. He has plans for that.

 

After some sleuthing and riding up and down the elevator he found the floor where the reception would be. He hopped off the elevator and followed the signs around a sharp corner. There were people wrapping the winding stairs in decorative gold fabric, and some hanging more decorations on the edge of the glass barrier of the second story he was on. His heels clicked, coming to look at the massive hall that could fit the amount of guests invited, for sure. Round tables covered in a mix of white and red. Everywhere there were people decorating.

 

The only ones who were talking was the small crowd at the end of the wide room. There seemed to be a discussion about which way the rolls of decorative napkins should go on the plate-sound carried well.

 

It had better carry well, because in the group of people, there were two people he was most excited to see. He threw himself against the barrier and called out so loud the people beside him startled violently, calling out the name the alpha hates the most “Cheng-Cheng! Cheng-cheng, it’s me!”

 

“Who the fuck!?” He whirled as did the heads of the group towards where Wei Ying was higher above them.

 

Wei Wuxian jumped, waving his hands wildly, “It’s me! Didi! Shijie! It’s me, I’m here!”

 

“A-xian?” Her voice carried-confused. Then she got a good look at him and he saw her eyes go wide from the distance between them, she hiked up her dress, “A-xian!?”

 

“Shijie! It’s me, your A-xian! I’m here!”

 

“A-xian!” She brushed past the group and Wei Ying moved, too. 

 

He ran to the otherside-or tried to- of the platform, struggling to take off his heels while looking back at his siblings, where his sister was kicking into a run, and Jiang Cheng followed quickly behind her. Wei Ying laughed, “I’m here! I’m here! A-jie, A-cheng!” Hitting the stairs and running all the way down there.

 

He hit the cold marble floor and tossed his heels to the side, running right for the arms of his sister. “Shijie!”

 

His A-jie ran right into his chest and immediately flowers surrounded him and then the hint of electric along with it as his brother slammed right into them, too. Wei Ying cried out in joy. “I’m here!”

 

“A-xian!” His sister cried and Jiang Cheng cussed at him wetly behind her. He held on tight as he could, then pulled back to look at them both through tearing eyes. The both of them were no better than him.

 

A-jie was much smaller than he remembered-he much taller. Because she pointed it out, sniffling and her voice hoarse, her palm cupped his jaw, “Oh my-my a-xian. You’ve gotten so much taller-and your hair. You-” she sobbed, “You look so grown! You’ve gotten so tall and I missed it!”

 

“But I can’t be grown! I am three!”

 

His didi swiped at his own eyes violently, “ ‘Three’ my ass! What the hell!? Who-” he took in a breath. “Who told you to fucking grow taller than Jiejie?! Huh!?”

 

Their sister laughed through her sadness, “My A-xian will always be three. No matter how many heads taller he gets. I still need to feed him lots and lots of food so he can grow taller.”

 

“I missed your soup. I missed you, both of you.”

 

“Then stop fucking taking so many classes! It’s your fault Jiejie’s crying! I should punch you!”

 

“You can’t hit me, look at me! I’m just an omega! You can’t beat me up!”

 

It was then that his brother looked at him and his whole face contorted. “Who even are you!? You’re not my brother-he would never wear something like…like that-”

 

His Shijie came to his defense while laughing in her hand, smiling at the alpha. “A-cheng, our a-xian used to play in my makeup, remember? And now he’s older and wants to wear his own makeup. And doesn’t he look pretty?” Jiang Cheng visibly fought with himself-his sister was asking him for an answer, but he didn’t want to remotely compliment Wei Ying. “A-cheng?”

 

“I don’t know! If he feels pretty , I guess-”

 

“Aww! My didi says I’m pretty!”

 

He blushed violently at his cheeks, “As if! And look! You’re not even wearing shoes!”

 

Oh yeah.

 

He parted from the group to snag the heels off the chair and came back over. Jiang Cheng looked at them like he couldn’t believe what Wei Ying had in his hands, then stood there while the omega used his shoulder to put them on. Gaining even more height.

 

“What the fuck?”

 

“A-cheng-”

 

“Jiejie! The last we saw him he was wearing track pants and a shirt with a hole he ripped in it! And his stupid hair was a chopped mess!”

 

“I actually still have the pants,” he said. “But they're more like capris now. Those are my sleep pants. Or sometimes I’ll wear them to class if everything’s dirty and W-my roommate won’t let me borrow anything. And I cut the shirt into a crop top.”

 

His brother saw the skin of his belly and was definitely rearing to scold him, then a cough got their attention.

 

“Shushu!”

 

Jiang Fengmian laughed and held out his arms for Wei Ying, hugging him warmly like the father he’d taken the role of for him. He patted his back and pulled away, looking him over. “A-Li wasn’t kidding when she told me you’d gotten taller. Our a-xian has grown so much over the years. I never thought that I’d be the one to look up to you.”

 

Jiang Cheng chimed in, “That’s cause his heels are giving him that height!”

 

“Three inches-”

 

“Doesn’t matter!”

 

His uncle smiled warmly and patted his shoulder, “You’re definitely still taller than I remember.”

 

“Yes,” a voice that sent chills over his skin. “He is.”

 

Madam Yu hadn’t changed a day, and neither has her hatred for him, apparently. Wei Ying could live on any other planet in the solar system and she’d still never be happy. Her eyes were knives carving over every inch of him, her mouth frowned at her displeasure. “Do you plan to wear heels this entire time, Wei Wuxian?”

 

“...it’s all I brought.”

 

“And your clothes?”

 

“.....They are outfits for the summer.”

 

“Hm.” She shook her head and turned on her heel to go back to the table they were setting. “We will talk later.”

 

His uncle squeezed his shoulder, giving him a smile that said don’t worry .

 

I’m not.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The peacock was still as stupid and ugly as he remembered. He called him that, too, the second the alpha went to greet him. 

 

“You’re stupid, ugly, and I hate you.”

 

“A-xian!”

 

Jiang Cheng choked, “Ha-”

 

Jin Zixuan frowned and tucked his hand back into his pocket, turning the other way. “I guess some people can’t learn to grow up.”

 

He crossed his arms and bent down , “I guess some alpha’s can’t learn to grow.”

 

“You!”

 

But Jiejie got between them, “Now boys. Please, let’s not start anything. The wedding is in thirteen days, we’re still planning and I have all of my important people under the same roof for the first time in a long time. Please , can you try to get along.”

 

Immediately, “I’ll do anything for my Jiejie! But you have to know, this a-xian has missed his older sister so much! I can’t help that I’m jealous-this mean alpha’s trying to steal her away!”

 

“Aww, A-xian.” Pinching his cheek. “Don’t be jealous. A-xuan isn’t stealing me away. How could he? I have my baby brother I still have to feed.~”

 

Wei Ying grinned-flashing a look at the irritated alpha. “Okay, okay. This one will be on his best behavior for a-jie! You can count on me!”

 

“That’s my good A-xian. Now. Why don’t you go with A-Cheng to see how everything’s going outside? Later on we can have a look at your bridesmaid outfit.”

 

The two men left, Wei Ying following behind his brother through the hotel halls, occasionally giving whoever it is a cordial smile when the rare person would appear. His brother in return growled from his throat every now and again but said nothing. The clicking of his heels filled the silence between them-Jiang Cheng had something to say, it seemed, from his tense shoulders and the way he kept looking at his outfit.

 

“I still wear sportswear.”

 

“What?”

 

He looked at his brother, “I still wear sweat pants and tracksuits, I don’t really wear heels on campus all the time. The ground isn’t as smooth as the floor we’re walking on.”

 

“So? What’s that got to do with me?”

 

“Can you just say whatever the hell it is that you want to say? Are you mad I dress like this now? Oh! Are you jealous that these heels look great with my calves-”

 

“Wei Wuxian!” They stopped and Jiang Cheng glared hard at him. “It’s like you don’t even know!”

 

“Know what-”

 

“You’ve grown , dumbass! I want to fucking throw up from saying this, but you aren’t as ugly as you were before you left! And you’re just fucking flaunting that by wearing that!”

 

“But I like this-”

 

“You can fucking like it all you want! But you know who else is going to like it!? Wen fucking Chao , and that pig Jin Zixun! And you’d better not let Jin Guangshan see you in that!”

 

“No they won’t-”

 

“Wei Wuxian!” Oh , his brother wanted to punch him. Jiang Cheng wanted to really hit him , his restraint was amazing. “Every single fucking person we’ve walked past just now keeps fucking staring at you! It's disgusting! It’s a miracle your dumbass hasn’t gotten attacked, or something at school! Why the hell would you move so far away from us if you’d grow up and be like this!?”

 

“No one in school is interested in me! And you know why-”

 

“Which is pointless because you’re giving those two stupid fucking , undeserving, shit alpha’s a reason to WANT you! I’m working hard to try and convince mother that this is a bad idea, and so is Jiejie who’s supposed to be worried about HER WEDDING! Neither of us want to see you thrown at either one of them to be used like some cattle birthing farm, or something! I thought they’d remember what an ugly shit you were the second they saw you and say ‘no, I don’t want this one’. But no! They aren’t! Because you left and you fucking turned into an actual omega, not one that was meant to be an alpha!”

 

“A-cheng-”

 

“They're going to take one good look at you and then they’re going to do what they can to fucking have their way!”

 

“Wen Chao paid for my room.” He told him. “He knows where it is and everything.”

 

If he wasn’t already pissed, he certainly was now. Grabbing his wrist tightly he said, “Do not go anywhere in that room without me or someone else checking it first. Do not let him in there, ever! Not without someone trustworthy, do you hear me, Wei Wuxian!? And lock the door every time! If they do something to you, mother might pit you to them just to save face, we cannot allow that to happen!”

 

“Aww, but I wanted to prank Wen Chao! He told me to call him if I needed anything. I was gonna do that but slam the door in his face! Ha, he’d be so fucking mad!”

 

“You better fucking not! Don’t do it!”

 

He held up his free hand, “Okay, okay. I won’t. This brother of yours will listen to you.”

 

“Why aren’t you taking this seriously?! Do you want-”

 

“Don’t you dare finish that sentence, I’ll throw up all over you if you do.”

 

“Then you’d better listen to me!” Eye’s swiping over his outfit once more. “And you’d better start wearing something else!”

 

Ah. “Sorry didi, I can’t do that. I know what you’re saying, but I took my time picking out these outfits, and I like them so I’m going to wear them.”

 

“But-”

 

“Didi. How about this?” Wei Ying squeezed his shoulder. “And I need you to trust me when I say this. You don’t have to worry so much.”

 

“What the fuck are you saying to me right now!? How can I not!? Jiejie’s marrying that bastard , and now you’re supposed to fucking marry one of them ?! I won’t see two of my siblings marry horrible people-”

 

“Didi. Do you really think I’m that stupid-don’t answer that.” Stopping the man’s ‘yes’. “Let me rephrase, do you really think that I would come here without having a way to get out of this?”

 

“There’s no ‘getting out of this’!”

 

“Didi, didi. I promise, everything will be fine in the end.” He swore to his flushed brother. “It’ll be taken care of, neither one of them will be able to marry me.”

 

Jiang Cheng saw how serious his brother was being, “....what did you do?”

 

Wei Ying grinned with a hint of mischief. “You’ll see. But I guess I’ll need your help with kicking these alpha’s away in the meantime, so I’m in your care.~”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

That day he thankfully got to spend time with his sister, brother and uncle without having to worry about those other two thorns in his side. Wen Ruohan, Wen Xu, Wen Chao and associates were somewhere in the large building, not directly involved in the wedding preparations, but one Wen Chao was needed there for rehearsals. They were strictly there to woo one Wei Wuxian for one, and for two, the two heirs were to join the bachelor party and the wedding. Unfortunately because of the world they all grew up in, the wedding that was being held out of love could not escape the political aspects of it at all-Wen Chao and Jin Zixuan hate each other, if it were up to that Peacock, that alpha never would have been chosen as one of the groomsmen. 

 

‘It is important to show our familial ties.’ The peacock had said.

 

As for the peacock's cousin there was no way he would not be in the wedding. There to try and woo Wei Wuxian, he also had the important part of assisting Jiang Cheng-the best man- with the bachelors party. That was why the bastard wasn’t there. He had to do something regarding that and wouldn’t be back until the next day for the first rehearsal and their date.

 

So Wei Ying had a guaranteed freedom from an alpha for at least until dinner.

 

In the meantime he would drape himself on the shoulders of his brother while he whined about whatever it was, and then his Shijie would cover her mouth while she giggled into her palm, just as they used to do before Wei Ying’s presentation had to push them apart. The brothers helped the couple put together their vision the best way they could, and then when it was time for a break, Wei Ying took the siblings up to his suite where they hung out and explored the place.

 

Jiang Cheng sat on the bed while his sister held up the light pink blouse to go with his slightly darker suit pants. “Perfect! This is the perfect color!”

 

Jiang Cheng scoffed, with a bit of a sulk, “Surprised you didn’t get a dress.”

 

“Now, now. Just because I wear them doesn’t mean I wear them all of the time! Can I not like a bunch of things?”

 

“Whatever, as long as you got the right color. I would’ve punched you if I had to drag your ass to any of these stores at the last minute.”

 

“Actually!” He helped his sister pack the outfit away on the hanger, “Now that I think about it. A-jie, who’s your maid of honor? Is it Mianmian?” The beta was a good friend of hers, Wei Ying was well acquainted with her and how cruel the girl's words could be.

 

“I couldn’t pick one A-xian, I don’t have one.”

 

“Why not?”

 

His sister flashed Jiang Cheng a look, then him, then gave him a short smile. “I just couldn’t pick, but don’t worry, the aunties have something planned for the bachelorette party.”

 

“The aunties!? What do they know about parties!? You should’ve let me plan it! We could’ve done something fun-”

 

“A-xian, you know I could never ask you to do that.” Sadly. “I would have loved for you or A-Qing to be my maid of honor, but I know that both of your financial situations aren’t the best right now. You would have to work a lot to pay for something as extravagant as a bachelorette party. And A-Qing wouldn’t want to be anywhere near Wen Ruohan, I couldn’t ask her to do that. So….I didn’t pick.”

 

Oh.

 

His sister’s lips fell and she reached to cup his cheek, “Don't make that face. There's nothing to be sad about, it's fine. I talk to A-Qing all of the time, there will still be a bachelorette party and most of all, I have my A-xian here on a very important day. I couldn't ask for more.”

 

“But you deserve more.”

 

She shook her head. “This is all I need, so stop being sad okay? Now. How about we call for room service? Oh!” She gasped. “I know! We should have a sleepover ! The three of us! What do you say!? After dinner we can all come here and enjoy A-xian's suite together!”

 

“Wen Chao paid for the room, did this idiot tell you that?”

 

“He did?”

 

“Of course he did. There's no way this idiot paid for this room and those stupid outfits he packed all together.”

 

Looking to him for confirmation, his sister then frowned again. “We will have to check the hotel's policy. I don't know if he'll have access to it because he paid for it…I don't like this…”

 

“I'll lock the door, so it'll be fine!”

 

“Still…I would feel better if you weren't alone…”

 

“Where are you two sleeping then?”

 

“In a shared suite on the same floor as mother and father…I should have asked more when mother mentioned your room had been taken care of. I should have known that one of them would do something like this-”

 

“Really, I will be okay! If you want to I can see if another card can be made or something and give it to one of you. Maybe we can also find out what floor those two are on and mess with their rooms? Huh? How about it, cheng-cheng?”

 

“I really will punch you if you call me that again…but I agree. I think we should do that. What do you think? Torch the door handle? Melt the butter right under the door-”

 

Wei Ying laughed, “So he'll fucking slip!? Oh, I remember when we did that to what's his face! He was so angry he couldn't figure out who did it! Oh! I know! He's still terrified of bugs isn't he!? We could slip a spider under the door!”

 

“A few of them! We can do it when he's asleep, what if one crawls on him and he wakes up like that!?”

 

“Oh! Oh! And then after that we can dress up as housekeeping, sneak in and pour in some nair in his hair gel! Imagine if he's at rehearsal and all of his fucking hair starts falling out!”

 

He'd be confused and start crying like he used to when they were younger. Always threatening to ruin them and their families' businesses for it, not that a fifteen year old and fourteen year old boy cared about it at all.

 

The two of them laughed just like old times. It was an action that filled his heart with warmth-Jiang Cheng’s smile,rare and sorely missed, and his Jiejie's own that made it seem like everything was fine now. The three of them were together again after so long so really, what could be wrong in the world?

 

It was unfortunate that the sun had begun to set and their stomachs grew hungry in time for Madam Yu to call her daughter's phone.

 

“The reservation for the Flair Rooftop is at ten, we need to be there forty minutes early. You know the aunties arrive early, we must be respectable hosts. Tell Wei Wuxian to dress appropriately for the dinner, the Wen’s will be there. And he had better be on his best behavior or else.”

 

Jiang Cheng frowned heavily when Wei Ying pulled out the pink satin dress and its matching heels, and said nothing while their sister helped him tie two braids on either side of head and tied it in a bun. She left his bangs free, and complimented the diamond strings decorating the opened back of the dress. The walk there was not silent-Wei Ying could never shut up- but Jiang Cheng’s upset was palpable. His brother didn’t want that ass of an alpha to be an ass to him which was incredibly noble of him, but Wei Ying could care less. He would wear what he wants to. If he’s going to be subjected to this torture, he may as well be pretty while it happens.

 

On the highest floor of the hotel sat the large rooftop restaurant that overlooked the city, shining lights that illuminated what seemed to be the entirety of Shanghai. The sun being completely replaced by LED lights of all colors that they could see through the glass walls and barriers. He immediately took a photo of himself on the point of the patio outside and sent it to Lan Zhan, then hung there while the Jiangs waited closeby. 

 

He had received Madam Yu’s seal of approval-the comment she’d made was not a compliment in the slightest, if there was any reason he’d go back and change into something ‘boyish’, it’d be from what she said.

 

“At least you’re making yourself physically appealing. Any alpha would go after an attractive whore-”

 

“Ziyuan!” Jiang Fengmian hissed, absolutely astonished she’d say such a thing.

 

The woman tsked and glared at her husband. “Always coming to his aid. It’s like nothing’s changed.”

 

He was not surprised though it still stung. His sister tried to make him feel better by telling him that he looked very elegant and that her mother was from another time, her generation of omega’s wouldn’t really understand the fashion of theirs. His A-jie has similar tastes that she only wears around her friends and not family.

 

“My A-xian is so bold.” She cooed. “Maybe one day I’ll be as bold as him.”

 

One by one the wedding guest parties appeared through the inside of the restaurant and made their way out to the leveled patio to greet them while Wei Ying stayed in the back, leaning heavily on the glass barrier. A member of the family on paper, but never a true Jiang. ‘Seen and not heard’ did not hold a candle to her preferred ‘Never seen and never heard’.

 

He hoped that applied to this situation, though he doubted it seeing as he had to ‘make an impression’ to the alphas.

 

Which doesn't make sense, because I don't want either of them. They're the ones that want me.

 

The individuals that came down were those that would be in the wedding, their close relative or a friend they’d brought with them or even the occasional child. Then the small friend group Madam Yu somehow obtained, such as Jin Zixuan’s mother. Bridesmaids and groomsmen, and a family member or two for each. Wei Ying sat back and felt himself getting more and more irritable.

 

I don’t want to be here.

 

Or. 

 

I wish Lan Zhan were here.

 

He checked his phone and frowned further that the alpha hadn’t seen or texted him back.

 

“To think the auspicious day is only thirteen days from now, I am looking forward to having our families become closer.” Jin Guangshan stood tall beside his wife, and his wife’s sister who was the widow to Jing Guangshan’s brother-the mother of that pig bastard Jin Zixun. Knowing what he knew, Wei Wuxian thought it disgusting that Jin Zixun and Jin Zixuan were practically blood brothers despite having different parents, it made him sick.

 

“It has been a long time in the making.” Madam Yu had a strained, polite, smile on the corner of her mouth. “It will be a wedding worth the union of our families, and we are excited to mark this night the proper beginning of the next two weeks. It is important to have those we care about and who support us be close to us when planning something so important.”

 

“I couldn’t have said that better myself, A-Ziyuan.” Madam Jin smiled.

 

Qi Xingfeng, dressed in the Jin’s ostentatious yellow, added, “And hopefully there will be another union in the near future to strengthen the Jin’s and the Jiang’s.”

 

From there, he very clearly saw all of the Jiang’s faces either tighten or twitch-three of them different from the head omega of the family. “Yes…” Uncle Jiang said. “It would be an honor…though time can only tell.”

 

“The two weeks will come and pass before we know it. I am confident in my Zixun’s abilities, he is the most handsome afterall.”

 

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder….does it count if the person is blind?

 

“Speaking of…” Jin Guangshan looked between the individual members of the family, not finding the face he was searching for. “Where is that unruly ward of yours? He cannot be so small now that we cannot see him.”

 

“Oh, yes!” Qi Xingfeng’s voice was ever so polite, “Please, I should see him and put in a good word for my Zixun. I know they parted on bad terms last time, but see, my son gets shy. He didn’t mean to insult him. Is he still getting ready? When should we expect him?”

 

Madam Yu looked behind her and did not see the young man where he was-apparently- expected to be and frowned .

 

Uh-oh.

 

In that casual, passive-pretentious manner that many alphas of the older had, Jin Guangshan offered, “Or perhaps he does not have a suit for the evening? If he is to be the omega of my nephew, it’s important to show that we can provide for his needs. I can send for a suit and have it delivered as a gift from my nephew. Hopefully he is somewhat in tune with his nature and-”

 

“ That child -” the woman hissed through her teeth. “Is not that hard to miss. And is around here somewhere.”

 

And when I find him, I'll kill him. He felt the threat to his very bones.

 

Just as she ordered Jiang Cheng to find him and drag him by the hair there, Wei Ying’s heels clicked on the wood quickly to get to his family. Heads turning as he reached the little group, “Ah! Sorry, sorry! I'm here! Sorry, Shushu, Madam Yu! I was only taking photos to send to my friend-”

 

“I don't care what you were doing, greet the Jin's!”

 

The ‘not hard to miss’ comment held very true now that he made himself known.

 

When he was younger he was as tall as madam Jin and her sister, but now and with the assistance of his heels, he stood a couple inches taller than the head alpha himself.

 

In the mix of the Jiangs he stood out as the tallest. It gathered attention from those watching, and the three Jin's in front of them gawked at him like he were a foreign alien or something.

 

“Wei….Wuxian?” Jin Guangshan looked at his face just to be sure, then slowly trailed his eyes down the slim dress that fit him in all the right places, down to just above his knee. An outfit Lan Zhan specifically ordered for him to wear.

 

“His parents were above the average height for an alpha-remember, Guangshan? I suppose that's why my A-xian has grown so much all of a sudden.”

 

Madam Jin still looked at him like she couldn’t believe it while Qi Xingfeng's shock slowly turned into amazement. “Oh my …” she stepped forward and really began inspecting him. Having him turn so she could get a good look at him. “You've certainly grown! So tall! And your hair….” She thumbed the slight curve of the bangs brushing his chin and forehead, then felt the skin of his arms all the way to his freshly manicured nails. “Why…I remember when you and your brother were younger, and would challenge my Zixun and his friends to catch the most fish in the lake by the house. All of you would be covered in mud…now look at you! Not even a speck of dirt under your nails!”

 

I still catch fish in lakes, just with science partners instead. “Ah….thank you, auntie…”

 

“It is such a shame that my Zixun isn’t here right now, he would be so pleased-” Ew “-to see you’ve grown into such a beautiful Omega. I can’t wait to tell him!”

 

Thankfully he did not have to come up with a- polite -answer, because now that the aunties he grew up having interactions with saw him, they had been mingling towards their little group and suddenly his space was being bombarded. In the blink of an eye there were gentle caressing hands on his, compliments of his skin, the color of his hair, his height and how healthy he looked. In all of his years of living he’s never dealt with this sort of attention. Not by alpha’s, beta’s or omega’s. This was so foreign to him, but he tried to stay polite and smiled kindly when complimented, leaning down for the aunties who were curious about his makeup or the small freckles on his nose.

 

A-sang had also come over with a pout and asked him about his skincare routine.

 

All the while he felt a pair of sharp eyes on the side of his face-the familiar cut they carved on his skin the same knife he’d grown up with.

 

Any time he outdid the omega’s son he felt it.

 

And now with the aunties complimenting him so openly and calling him such a beautiful omega, he couldn’t help but feel that maybe she thinks he’s trying to outdo her daughter, too.

 

But I could never outdo Shijie-she’s the most beautiful person there is.

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Wen Chao’s ugly mug was still as ugly as the last time he’d seen him at seventeen.

 

Neither alpha son inherited the-objectively-attractive resting bitch face of their father. Instead, Wen Xu’s eyebrows were as thick as his skull and his equally annoying brother’s ear’s were so big, if Wei Ying were to toss him off the side of the building, he knew the man would fly.

 

All three of them had the same similar slicked back hair and wore the red, black and white combinations of their family colors when they finally arrived.

 

Wen Chao scoured the Jiang’s, bored, while his father went straight to the point and inquired about Wei Wuxian’s whereabouts. Madam Yu scowled in time with her own children, gesturing to where she’d forced the omega to sit and stay put- ‘Stop acting like you are so put together, Wei Wuxian, if you were then you would not have to pay our family back this way’ she’d scolded in his ear privately.

 

The madam gestured to him with her hand, Wen Chao and Wen Xu took one look at him and each said:

 

“Who the hell is that?”

 

“Are you two fucking blind-”

 

“ What-” Jiang Fengmian cut his son off with a look “-my son means to say, is this is A-xian. It’s been some years, and America has treated him well. We’re still getting used to it ourselves, but this is him.”

 

Wei Ying made a point to look his ‘match’ up and down and frowned . “ Wen Chao .”

 

His glare was not as harsh-still apparently trying to connect what he knew to what was in front of him. “ Wei Wuxian .”

 

Before anything could escalate further they were all ushered to sit down at their table to look at the menus. Wei Ying had to stay there at the edge of the booth with Wen fucking Chao taking up the seat across from him, his entire ugly fucking face blocked the beautiful view of the Shanghai skyline.

 

“Why did they set another table with this one?” Loud enough for him to hear, Madam Yu asked.

 

Shijie’s eyes looked at him, quickly, then said, “Ah. Sorry, mother. I must have miscounted when I made the reservations.”

 

“Hm.”

 

Crisis averted, thank you Shijie.

 

Wei Ying looked at the menu…he looked at his phone…he looked at his nails.

 

He looked everywhere except for the asshole sitting across from him.

 

The heads of the family sat at the other end with Wen Xu, Jin Zixuan and his siblings in the middle between them. It was spaced out so he and Wen Chao could have ‘privacy’ without it being ‘private’- because through the light conversation between the older adults, he could feel the waiting looks watching them. Would they talk? Would Wei Ying shove a nail file in the alpha’s eye? Who knew?

 

The waiter finally came to get their orders, he hadn’t touched the menu given to him meant for omega’s, having looked up what he wanted online. Before Wei Ying could get a word in, the jerk across from him said, “He will have the Calamari Fritti as his appetizer, then the Dijon-crusted Salmon and Pitsu for his main. He can have the passion fruit mousse for the dessert, and he doesn’t need the alcohol menu-”

 

“Are you fucking kidding me!?”

 

“Wei Wuxian!”

 

“He just ordered my food-”

 

But Madam Yu didn’t back down. “If he did then he is trying to be kind to you-” even if you don’t deserve it “-do not make me repeat myself!”

 

Ridiculous! I can’t even have anything to drink!?

 

Wei Ying fixed the alpha with the hardest glare he could muster who took the hateful look in stride, crossing his arms. They spoke between themselves. “Finally looking at me?”

 

“I’d rather look at an abscessed toe.”

 

“Same as always, no class wherever you are.” He looked him up and down. “I guess now you actually look the part. So why’d you dress up? To impress me or something-”

 

“Obsessed with my looks now, Wen Chao? I’d say I’m flattered, but really I’d like to throw up all over this table.”

 

“An alpha is supposed to order for their omega,” he eyed his face, then tried to get a better look from where he sat. “And for all I know you could be fat under the table, so don’t be so offended, I’m just doing what an alpha should do by looking after your body.”

 

“There’s only two things that’s fat here, and one of those is your giant fucking ears-”

 

That hit a sore spot, going red in the face. “Why are you so difficult?!” He hissed. “If you’re going to try and look like an omega, then act like one! I ordered your food because that’s what I’m supposed to do, this is a date, so thank me!”

 

“What do you think this is, the fifties?! As if I’d thank you! You didn’t even order me alcohol, which I need to get through this date with you!”

 

“You don’t need alcohol right now because you’re young and it’ll shrink your womb or whatever-”

 

“Alcohol consumption affects fertility rates by disrupting the hormone balances in your body, and reduces egg quality which can lead to miscarriages.”

 

“See-”

 

“ Heavy alcohol consumption, which is more than fourteen drinks per week, has a greater, significant impact. Alcohol does not shrink the womb, dumbass!”

 

“Oh what would you know-”

 

“I am going to be a forensic pathologist in seven years, that is a basic fact that I need to know-”

 

“What the hell is even that?”

 

“A licensed medical doctor that determines the cause of death.”

 

He made a face, “So you’ll touch dead bodies, what sort of profession is that? If you want to be a doctor, then work with kids or something. Do something that’s natural.”

 

I’m going to kill him.

 

This is it. He’s going to do it. It hasn’t been twenty minutes into the date yet he wants to kill this son-of-a-bitch.

 

Do this for Shijie.

 

Do not cause a scene.

 

Just breathe.

 

He took a deep breath. “I’m doing it because that’s what I want to do. The study interests me, and I am good at what I do, so I will pursue this degree whether you like it or not.”

 

He huffed, then pulled out his phone, tapping the screen before sliding it across the table. “Fine. I need you to read over this, then.”

 

“What is it?” His eyes narrowed.

 

“Obviously this whole arrangement will end with either you and I becoming promised to each other, or you and Zixun. So I’ve prepared an agreement that should please us both, and I know he’s done the same. Read what I have to offer, we can probably make the decisions quicker so we don’t have to continue this for longer.”

 

He grabbed the phone and began scrolling.

 

“You’re fucking kidding me.”

 

“I am not. But some of those things are up for debate, just because you look decent in the face doesn’t mean I like everything else.”

 

Essentially the eight paged document he read through listed the benefits of the agreement as well as the rules and expectations for both. Heats and ruts would be spent with each other exclusively to provide children, if Wei Wuxian insisted on pursuing a career path, he may carry the child to term and then a set of trusted nanny’s will help raise the children. Wei Wuxian was allowed to continue his schooling and dedicate himself to his work, but he has to prioritize the childbearing over that. If they do not compliment each other sexually outside of those times, any romantic or sexual relationships are allowed for both, but children are not allowed to be born from those unions. He is not expected to assist in any way of the Wen cooperation, but must know that he is a representative….

 

Wei Ying stopped reading and set the phone down, sliding it back over silently just as the meal he didn't want was placed in front of him.

 

Wen Chao reached for his own appetizer, brow raising as a ‘well?’. But Wei Ying did not answer him.

 

The omega did not touch the appetizer in front of him, or the entree and dessert. All of which were sent back to the kitchen. It caused concern for the chef, who made a personal visit to the table, and Wen Chao had to assure the man that all was well, and that it was an ‘omega thing’.

 

The meal ended for their specific group around the same time. Wei Ying saw the looks being passed between the others as Wei Ying sat there in his silence.

 

In his rage.

 

Beneath his skin he felt like he was vibrating. He's been plenty angry before, but not as much as he felt now. This was entirely different than anything he's ever felt before, and the alpha across from him didn't seem to catch onto that as he stood to meet the rest of the group coming over.

 

“A-xian?” Concern in his sister's tone.

 

Wei Ying looked at her, the Wens, his uncle and brother, then madam yu.

 

He turned his silent rage onto Wen Chao entirely. His eyes did not blink and he did not break eye contact as his body moved fluidly. Gripping the table to bring himself to his full height. The satisfaction of the surprise in the alpha's face went mute.

 

The sharp, resounding slap of his skin on Wen Chao's fucking face was louder than the bustling of the restaurant around them.

 

“I would tell you what you did wrong,” as calmly as possible. “But that would be too easy for you, wouldn't it?”

 

Shocked, the alpha held his bleeding face. “You-”

 

He slapped the other cheek so hard the alpha stumbled into the chair and his brother had to catch him. Madam Yu shouted his name, held back by her husband who wasn't as concerned about the assault on the alpha, not more than the concern he held for Wei Ying's temperament.

 

Wei Ying wiped his hand off with a towel and glared at the son-of-a-bitch. “Wen Chao. Almost seven years and you still haven't learned how to make someone like you, how shameful. If this is how you plan to impress me, then you may as well forget about all those kids you want. Because as of right now , I could never imagine letting that -” pointing at his crotch, “-between my legs.”

 

He threw the napkin on the table and snatched his phone up, fixating one last glare before he turned and walked away. The clicking of his heels heavy with the weight of his anger.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

When Wei Ying woke up sprawled over his siblings, he was greeted by a text from Lan Zhan and apology flowers sitting outside his door.

 

Wei Ying snatched the flowers and its note and tossed them in the trash as he mulled over whether or not he should call him.

 

He sent a text instead.

 

‘You’re almost done? How soon will you be here?’

 

The message marked read immediately.

 

‘Soon.’ Then followed a question. ‘You are awake early, why?’

 

‘My hand hurts and my didi rolled on it, so I woke up.’

 

‘Why are you injured?’

 

‘I backhanded Wen Chao then slapped him again into next week.’

 

Not two seconds later did his phone buzz in his hand and Lan Zhan’s ringtone played- ‘Super Tuna’ by Jin. He felt himself laugh before grabbing his room card and stepping out into the hall, bringing the phone to his ear. “Ah, so surprised that I can wake up at an appropriate time, gege? You wound me-”

 

“You hurt your hand.”

 

He licked his cracked lips and felt himself wishing the alpha was not on the phone, but in front of him. “I did.”

 

“Did he attempt to harm you?”

 

What would you do if he tried? “No, no. Nothing like that. He was just being a horrible date last night, that’s all. I had to slap him to remind him who he was speaking to.”

 

Last night his brother had said Wei Ying should have punched him instead, but their sister shook her head and gently rubbed his hand with oil and had said, “If a-xian were to hit him like an alpha, he would have treated the situation like a-xian was one. It’s good that he slapped him instead. Because our A-xian is an omega and like one, he deserves to be treated with respect, especially by a suitor. Nothing hurts an alpha’s pride more than the public rejection of an omega. He just might shape up from it.”

 

On the other side of the phone he heard a light sigh. “Do not strain your hand further. Avoid vigorous activity. Ice when possible to reduce swelling and take medication if you are in too much pain.”

 

“Gege, you should have told me you wanted to play doctor. I would have dressed for the occasion.~”

 

“Wei Ying.”

 

“Okay, okay. I will listen to what my alpha doctor has to say, this omega’s hand will be in top condition when my doctor finally gets here.~”

 

“Mn. I will examine it thoroughly.”

 

I miss you. “Are you busy?” He asked, leaning onto the wall. “How is everything going?”

 

“There are matters I must attend to. I was concerned for Wei Ying’s health and stepped out to call.”

 

“Oh. So you have to go?”

 

“Mn. I do.”

 

Do you miss me?

 

"Wait, can I ask....the card you gave me.."

 

"It is for you to use as you see fit."

 

"What is the limit?"

 

"Wei Ying's imagination."

 

"You're joking?"

 

"I am not. Whatever Wei Ying wants, he can have. I would assist in offering suggestions, though I cannot say more at the moment."

 

What if all I want is you?

 

“Okay, okay.” He forced out his laugh. “I will leave you to your matters, gege.”

 

I love you.

 

“We will speak soon, Wei Ying.”

 

“Yes. Speak to you soon, Lan Zhan.”

 

Can you ever love me?

 

The line went dead, Wei Ying felt his heart crumble into pieces.

 

Who would have thought that out of all of the alpha’s on this earth, or all of the beta’s and omega’s-because there are plenty of same gender couples out there, and Wei Ying finds all of them cute- that Lan Zhan would be the one to steal his heart? Cold faced, strict Lan Zhan that Wei Ying somehow was able to get to know beyond the surface.

 

What was supposed to be a mutualistic relationship completely turned on its head now that Wei Ying’s fallen for the man. That was not what they agreed to. Lan Zhan’s ‘want’ for Wei Ying only went as far as what his companionship offered and what his body could handle. Lan Zhan wanted an omega to fuck and spoil, then fuck again. He did not want Wei Ying. He did not want Wei Ying’s love.

 

In the future when Lan Zhan decides to look him in the eye and break off their agreement, he will say to him, ‘ You were a wonderful experience.’

 

And then Wei Ying would have to nod and bite the words on his tongue-the words that were true to his heart…

 

‘You were…everything.’

 

They would then move on in the world. Lan Zhan would find a docile omega to mate with, have children, then live a quiet and peaceful life. He would not ever have had to deal with heartache because his heart was never an option for Wei Ying to take. When they part ways, it will be Wei Ying left there bleeding his chest open…and from how deep he now knows he feels, he’s sure the hole in his chest would be the death of him.

 

His heart would be left there to rot on the ground, in the very same spot Lan Zhan dropped it after their goodbye.

 

Fuck.

 

He gripped his phone in his hand and tried to breathe, swallowing the pain that stabbed him through his chest.

 

He managed to gather himself together before entering the room again, eventually getting ready for the day. He did as he was told and iced his hand while his sister-bless her-snagged him a few plates piled with food. Starved, he not so gracefully began shoveling food in his mouth and talking loudly with his siblings, which elicited Madam Yu to grab both the plates from the table and replaced it with a bowl of fruit.

 

“I had better not see you eat like this for the rest of the two weeks, Wei Wuxian. Last night you pushed your luck by striking Wen Ruohan’s son- Twice!” She hissed. “Be lucky that Wen Chao agrees with his father-that a union between you both will also result in attractive children. I don’t care if you are starving. You will control your eating. No sweets. No large portions. No fried foods.” Above him, she sneered. “You have nothing else to offer but a rare blood line and whatever they find attractive about you, I will allow neither of those things to be jeopardized. Once you’ve paid your debt, I couldn’t care less what you do.”

 

With that she tossed the plates of protein and sweets into the arms of a waiter and stormed off.

 

His sister patted his back as he looked at the fruit bowl dejectedly, “Don’t worry, A-xian. There’s many food places and mother won’t be around all of the time. You’ll still be able to eat, I’ll make sure of it.”

 

To make matters worse, at that time he heard an annoying ass voice say rather too loudly, “Alright, where is he?”

 

Jin Zixun stood next to his cousin with a scowl on his ugly ass face and that same stupid haircut they had when they were younger.

 

He found Wei Wuxian and his face morphed into shock and disbelief, staring for a disgusting amount of time, then pulled out his phone to begin typing something.

 

Wei Ying was planning to listen to Lan Zhan’s instructions fully-Ice, don’t strain or overwork his hand, medicine. He really was going to do as he told and reap the benefits of listening later once the alpha finally showed.

 

But then eight minutes later he was sitting in front of Jin Zixun reading the document on the alpha’s phone. His anger rising from every word he read and the blatant lustful looks being directed at him the entire time.

 

‘Heats and ruts will be spent together.’ It read. ‘Wei Wuxian is to dedicate himself to his children and not pursue a career that will be a priority over the children, and will not enter in a field predominantly made up of alpha’s(i.e. Healthcare with the exemption of nursing, scientific fields, ect…) Jin Zixun is allowed to pursue relationships outside of the marriage, but Wei Wuxian must not step outside of his role as an alpha’s omega. Birth control is not allowed, alcohol is not allowed unless provided by Jin Zixun. He will provide sex, comfort, and care in all the forms Jin Zixun wants, whatever time or day that may be. And will not have a say in how the sexual acts are performed; positions, protection(i.e. Condoms), and the decision for monogamy or polygamy sexual encounters will be completely up to Jin Zixun, and Wei Wuxian must attend if Jin Zixun requests it….’

 

He laughed. 

 

Wei Ying laughed until his chest hurt. Then the alpha eyed his legs which swung from under the table as Wei Ying stood-the omega adjusted the rings on his fingers, then slapped Jin Zixun three times and stomped on his foot with his heel for good measure. “Next time you propose something so fucking ridiculous, you’d better at least include alcohol.”

 

His right hand was out for the count, but so was the alpha’s pride and foot. He really hopes Lan Zhan will get there soon, because he’s not sure if he can keep the bones in his hand intact until then.

Notes:

Jin Zixun and Wen Chao SUCK!!!! Can't stand them I swearrrrrrrrr.

BUT. Were ya'll able to tell the difference in personalities between the two? I can't remember if WC was a hoe, i don't think he was, which is why it kinda translated into this. I think he's a entitled lil shit and an asshole, but in here he actually sat there and was like 'Well. better make a deal good enough for the both of us'. and so he actually had the conciousness enough to know that, while he thinks it's pointless, WWX would want a career. And WC(in here, can't remember in cannon) isn't thinking with his dick too much. So is like 'I GUESS i can TRY but if it's too much or doesn't work, then we'll just both find our own partners and be discreet and not make a mockary of the wen family name'.

Whereas Jin Zixun is a spoiled son(his mom is a 'boys mom') and looks up to his uncle too much. And thinks with his dick. hence the proposal. ALSO! If you didn't catch/understand, when he pulled out his phone and was typing, he was changing the stuff he wanted to. IDK what it said originally, but after taking one look at our pretty boi, he was like 'fuck yea'. Cause again....he thinks with his dick.

 

But YAY! YUNMENG SIBLINGS REUNITED!! DID ANYONE CRY?!(I did lol).

Their precious bro inherited his parent's good looks and height. He's too attractive for his own good, okay. But....hmmm. I wonder? Why is he only experiencing all of this attention now??(I know, and I know you guys know, cause it was vaguely implied the previous chapter).

I ALSO wonder....what other sicko is interested in our WWX????????? If there IS one.......

Anyways!! Tell me what you think! I hope you enjoyed! Remember, I love to read Ya'lls comments and it really makes writing all of this worth it!~

The next chapter is gonna be GOOOOODDDD. I can't wait to get it out, but alas, I have to prioritize my JC/LJY fic now. My lovely readers have been very patient, and they're so close to having an ending. So once I've completed that one, I'll start working on the next chapter for this. So don't expect an update for at minimun....2 weeks? Idk. prolly less tbh

ANYWAY!!!! Comment, tell me ur thoughts, ~Kudos to spread the love~ , stay tuned!

UPDATE(04/10): So! I totally flunked that last test and i cried, so i have to put all my focus in for the rest of the month. This fic WILL BE UPDATED!! But it will only happen once I finish studying AND whenever I get the other fic finished(it has 1-2 chapters left). So stay tuned! This WILL BE GIVEN AN UPDATE, I just don't know when. My last exam is on May 8th btw.

UPDATE(06/08):Ya'll, I suprise even myself. Literally was reading through this and got to the end of this chapter, then had the AUDACITY to ask 'where the hells the next one!?' As if IM not the author🙄😭🤣. Anyways! Dont ya'll fret! Im still active, I am finishing up thos last chapter on my other fic. After that imma get to writing the next chapter for this. Hoping to get an update next weekend for this one, but we'll see how that goes. Stay tuned!

Chapter 5: Shanghai; Part 2

Summary:

Alpha's are annoying....Wei Wxuian just wants HIS alpha the most.

Notes:

SHE'S BACKKKKKKKKKK

HERE I AM with your, now, regularly scheduled FIC. Enjoy!

!!!!!!!!!!!! P.S THE LANS ARE NOT THE MAFIA !!!!(lol)

“....relaxed, or else the club won’t rotate naturally.”

 

“Sure.”

 

“You’re right handed-”

 

“Left-”

 

“So it should be your left hand that will be your lead, and your right hand will be your trailing hand.”

 

“I said I’m left handed-”

 

“And your thumb-see here-”

 

“Yup.”

 

Jin Zixun placed his hand on the club slowly for Wei Wuxian to see, “It should be pointing at the head of the club-”

 

Horridly hot, Wei Ying couldn’t believe he was forced to suffer through this explanation on how to swing a golf club, of all things-by this sorry of an excuse for an alpha on top of it. The sun was too bright for his white hat to shield him, and had been too much for the pull over he’d brought for the ‘ date’ . He’d felt vindicated on telling his brother ‘I told you so’ when they arrived- they had argued that morning whether or not he should wear capris, or the short short’s Wei Ying had plucked from his suitcase. Suffice to say Jiang Cheng had been in a sour mood when they stepped onto the elevator to leave for the country club, and in the car on the way over-Wei Wuxian’s argument stating it would be too hot for him to golf, and if he fainted then the blame would be Jiang Cheng’s.

 

Yes, the stares one Jin Zixun kept glued onto his legs all day have been fucking annoying, but his lack of sweaty armpits compared to the other’s they’d passed along the way and Jiang Cheng’s, was more than satisfactory.

 

Wei Ying held his head where he leant on the club, barely listening to anything the alpha was saying to him.

 

How boring . He thought.

 

Jin Zixun spoke more and more nonsense until he was finished and grinned Wei Wuxian’s way, too grosely confident, he offered to help show him, like he’d offered at the last hole-and the one before that….and the other two before that. 

 

And like those three times, he sneered , “You have offered to ‘show me’ how many times now? Huh? What, do you think I will say ‘yes’ just because you explain and ask these things more than once?”

 

In fashion, the alpha’s face grew almost as red as the bruise on his face. “Why are you so difficult!? I am trying to do you a favor and be a good alpha, so why can’t you be a good omega and listen to what I am trying to teach you!? Huh!?”

 

He laughed, “Teach!? How can you teach me a thing!? You can’t even remember what I’ve said at each hole!” Wei Wuxian could see the man’s growing frustration-Jin Zixun had always been someone he could easily rile up in the past. Like in the boy’s locker room before his presentation, Wei Wuxian had been notorious for poking at Jin Zixun’s sore spot whenever provided the opportunity.

 

Much like now.

 

He straightened up, a wicked grin on his face. “Your piss-sized brain is as small as your knot, I suppose one can’t blame you too much for your shortage of memories.”

 

“You! How dare you-”

 

“Hmmm, I think that’s why second Lady Jin is insistent on a marriage between us-because I’ve already seen what other omega’s haven’t, the last thing she’d want is a lawsuit on the Jin family name. Oh!” His fingers snapped, “I know what it’d be called! Jiang vs. Micro Jin! Suiting isn’t it! What do you think, Cheng-cheng?”

 

His brother sat under the shade on the golf cart, thumb swiping on his phone. “Fitting, but when he tells mother, I had nothing to do with this conversation.”

 

Wei Ying grinned while Jin Zixun growled incoherent words and hit the ball in any direction before storming off with his caddy in tow. Wei Ying watched on in amazement-pouting some. “How dare he! He could’ve let me use my next one, I was excited.”

 

Jiang Cheng thought for a moment. “Are you talking about his ass cream?”

 

“BAHAHAHAH!”

 

His brother rolled his eyes from his spot on the cart but grinned along all the same. “You’re an idiot.”

 

“Is it a crime to ask someone if they still use cream on their ass?”

 

“No but good thing you didn’t, cause he might’ve tried to fight you, and then I’d have to beat your ass for making me move out of this spot to beat his.”

 

“Aww, I knew you loved me-”

 

He flushed furiously.  “Shut up and take your damn turn already so we can leave! It’s too fucking hot to be dealing with your shit, Wei Wuxian.”

 

He ushered a white ball from the caddy and bent down to place it at the spot where the other had been. Jin Zixun had made it pretty far in that short of time, surprisingly, now by the small body of water looking for his ball. And from what he could make out the alpha was still pretty pissed. Wei Ying stood there, looking at the sky, “Not windy today, is it Cheng-cheng?”

 

“Stop fucking calling me that-and no, it’s not. Clear fucking skies and too much damn sun.”

 

Wei Wuxian positioned himself-waiting, Jin Zixun was walking diagonally- until just the right moment struck for him to swing the club back and hit the ball square in the center. He, his brother and the caddies watched it fly and fly, soaring gracefully until its sharp whistling came to a sudden halt as it hit the blue of Jin Zixun’s hat. The alpha shouted and fell back into the pond with a massive splash , dragging the poor caddy along with him. They splashed around and around until Jin Zixun could stand, locking eyes with the omega from where he stood.

 

“WEI WUXIAN!”

 

He burst into laughter that echoed across the field. “Sorry! Sorry!” Though his tone was anything but apologetic, “I forgot to point my thumb down!”

 

“YOU BASTARD!” There were more strings of curses thrown his way, each one putting a pep in his step as he tossed the club back to the caddy and almost skipped to the drivers side of the cart.

 

“Move over! I heard they’ve got a dish called ‘Wiener Schnitzel’ and I want something in my stomach now .”

 

His brother made a face but moved over for Wei Ying to take the wheel, “You’re disgusting.”

 

The omega laughed, drawing attention back to the pond. “ I’m not the one with a fish up my ass right now, am I?” Jin Zixun was still heaving himself out of the water when Wei Ying blared the horn, calling out to the alpha as he pulled off. “Jiang Cheng and I are gonna go get food now! We’re taking the cart!”

 

His brother couldn’t help himself. “Hopefully the sun’ll dry you off on the way there!”

 

“What!?”

 

“Ha! And don’t worry! I heard ass creams are water resistant, so I’m sure you won’t get a rash like you used to!”

 

“WEI WUXIAN!”

 

He and Jiang Cheng laughed, blaring the horn one more time before Wei Wuxian  drove off, tossing a wave behind him at the very red, and pissed alpha.

 

The happiness he felt after seeing a damp Jin Zixun-barefoot and sunburnt- trudge into the opulent building only lasted for so long-as long as it had taken him to get back to the hotel for a few hours rest where he had to shower and change to finally meet Wen Chao after dinner. Stomach nearly empty, the cold of the leather car seat stuck to the back of his thighs and every bump in the road threatened to tear the flesh off his body.

 

He silently thought of a way to make that happen- an emergency room is better than being around Wen Chao.

 

Although the sudden thought made him want to throw up in his mouth, at least the son of a bitch was more subtle about staring at his legs unlike Jin Zixun. And he didn’t fill the space of the vehicle with unnecessary talk. All was quiet between the two of them and Jin Zixuan and Jiang Cheng.

 

Good thing too, because he wasn’t in much of a talking mood.

 

His eyes went over the last text he’d sent to Lan Zhan-a photo of himself eating a piece of broccoli, telling the alpha that he’s ‘ turning into a rabbit’ and had asked the man if he was cuter than the rabbits he has at home.

 

It would’ve been one thing if the alpha had read it, but that was from hours ago and there was still only the ‘delivered’ icon at the bottom of the bubble. 

 

His best friend might hold a busy schedule both in and out of school, but he has always been the sort of friend that was consistent in his responses, for the alpha to take so long to read the text….it worried him.

 

Suddenly Jiang Cheng bumped his foot, ripping his eyes away from the screen. Wei Wuxian turned his gaze to find his brother’s brows pinched together in a confused look, staring at Wei Wuxian strangely. 

 

“What?” He didn’t understand what just happened, yet Jin Zixuan and Wen Chao shared similar looks to Jiang Cheng’s-as if he’d spoken something completely nonsensical.

 

“What did you just do?”

 

What? “What did I just do? I am reading on my phone.”

 

“Not that dumbass, I’m talking about that . About what you just did.”

 

“I just told you what I just did- aish , what did you eat to make yourself sound so dumb, huh?! Should I talk to Shie- jie about this-”

 

“You fucking-”

 

It was the peacock who ended up cutting off Jiang Cheng, shaking his head as he did. The only reason the unwanted alpha was there was because his a- jie made him tag along, she didn’t trust Wen Chao one bit and especially not at night. Wei Ying would rather jump out this car than be suffocated like he was right now...

The conversation was cut short, leaving him with more unanswered questions and the weight of awkwardness dampening the mood of the vehicle. Wei Wuxian decidedly scrolled through his phone to ignore the feeling until the car finally came to a stop, and the driver opened his door.

 

Wen Chao stepped outside first and turned, offering Wei Ying a hand.

 

His face scrunched up. He slapped the hand away and pulled himself out of the vehicle, towering over the irate alpha in one smooth move. He did not need help getting out of a car. He hasn’t needed help since he could first do it himself, and that sure as hell wasn’t going to change this night for Wen Chao, or in front of a car exhibit of all places.

 

An ostentatious place. There were piercing lights above their group, the stench of alcohol was accompanied by sharp scents of peppermints and varying degrees of burnt smells-alpha hormones which coated the ground his heels clicked against on the way inside. Pride , he could also make out in the masses. The place seemed to be brimming with a bunch of cocksure alpha’s that surrounded themselves in expensive cars and attractive groups, all so they could get their fill on their ego’s. 

 

There were couples within the buyers as well-an alpha with a beta, or a beta with an omega, but more commonly was the alpha attempting to seduce their omega partner with their show of wealth in the numbers they threw around to sellers. The cars were sexy, he could admit. But then came the thought of a certain sandalwood scent mixed with leather and sex, and he suddenly couldn’t bear looking at the cars anymore. Instead he wondered why Wen Chao would bring him to such a place for a date. He sure as hell wouldn’t be giving the alpha any ass after this like half of the people in the building.

 

The question was soon answered by the distance between them growing short everytime they walked up to a car, and the preening look Wen Chao had on his ugly face when the owner of the car would glance his way.

 

Who knows how long he dealt with it before Wen Chao guided them to a sleek, red and black car and asked Wei Ying what he thought.

 

“It’s a car.”

 

The alpha crossed his arms, “Do you like it or not?”

 

“Why? You gonna buy it for me if I do?”

 

“I didn’t bring you here for nothing.”

 

Wei Ying shot him a glare. “Anyone can see why I was brought here. You must think so lowly of me that I would not notice.”

 

“Lowly, no. Not all of you at least.” As he said so he visibly eyed Wei Ying from his face and down his neck, trailing down the sequined dress all the way to the heels on his feet. It was a disgusting sight-the alpha may as well have punched him in the gut like he used to do, because the feeling of nausea after was all too similar. The alpha then shrugged his shoulders passively and shoved his hands in his pockets. “I have to impress you or whatever, don’t I? Omega’s want to be taken care of so I bet the feeling’s stronger since you’re dominant, be good and pick out a car already. If you don’t then I’ll pick it out, and if I do you can’t even be mad because I gave you the option first.”

 

“Who’s this omega that wants to be taken care of, huh? I know it’s not me.”

 

“Just pick a fucking car.”

 

He had half a mind to sock him in his face, but his cunning side caught a hold of him instead. A sly grin slid onto his face, telling the alpha “Fine.”

 

Three cars he picked out and two different addresses they went to. The grin stayed on his face the entire time whenever Wen Chao’s back was turned, earning himself a concentrated sigh from Jiang Cheng who was over whatever Wei Wuxian had planned.

 

On the way to the exit he sent a text to the group chat with Wen Ning, Wen Qing and Xue Yang.

 

‘Got a gift for you three~ <3. Btw, Wen Chao sends his love.’

 

Xue Yang sent a question mark and both Wen siblings sent varying emoji’s that made his smile brighter than his phone screen in the dark of the night.

 

Like a reflex though, his thumb moved over to check his thread with Lan Zhan….

 

‘Delivered ’ still as haunting as it’d been when he last checked.

 

Wen Chao opened the door to the car for him.

 

He made a face, and slammed the door closed, then opened it himself. “I can open my own doors.”

 

The alpha muttered something under his breath, a comment Wei Ying ignored. He just wanted the night over with.

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

When he was younger not so long ago, before his clothes stopped fitting and before the world around him grew smaller, he’d found a certain alpha to be so strange from what he knew. An alpha who’s white sweaters stuck out among the crowd, white so white it was ethereal almost and would have made anyone that pale look like a ghost. Perhaps Wei Ying had thought that then-boy WAS one at some point or the thought had crossed his mind, he could remember how eerily smooth the alpha moved. Lan Wangji, the jade-like-alpha with a stone cold face and heart that matched, was a complex creature to Wei Ying’s younger self.

 

A bore, for starters.

 

Lan Wangji was as rigid and straight as a ruler. He walked with one shoe in front of the other, never without school materials like Wei Wuxian often found himself in. He ate quietly in small bites, spoke to no one except when necessary-as if he had only a jar of words threatening to run out and he had to preserve them. His speech was perfect and he played an ancient instrument that no one should know how to play in this modern era.

 

In history when Wei Ying would sit directly behind him, the omega would sit there bored and watch how neat the alpha wrote his words onto the paper- not a single blob of ink out of place or a letter not as it should be. Not to say that every alpha was the same because they definitely were not, Lan Wangji still stood out among the more relaxed alpha’s that he knew of and lived with. Never bending, morally just, their argument in ethics had been one for the ages-the very same argument that had given Wei Ying a taste of something he still can’t describe years after the incident.

 

It had been a feeling that he couldn’t stop chasing after.

 

Lan Wangji had been pissed. His impassive face had morphed into something Wei Ying had never expected from him in those few months of knowing the alpha, and it exhilarated him in a way he’d never be able to explain. His skin had had some color to him and the anger brought LIFE into the stoic image that was Lan Wangji. The alpha had even yelled at him which he’d never done before.

 

‘ I did that. ’ Were his thoughts that day. Quickly followed by, ‘ I want to do it again. ’

 

He’s always been cunning and mischievous, but messing with Lan Wangji was a new territory he wanted to fully discover, but not in a way that would hurt their fragile ‘relationship’. If asked he would admit to saying or doing certain things just to get under the alpha’s skin, though most of the time it seemed he didn’t need to try too much, because everything about Wei Wuxian was everything the alpha hated. All of a sudden it had seemed that it didn’t require too much effort to get the alpha upset with him. All he had to do was breathe wrong and the alpha would be at his throat with ears the color of the burning sun- the glares were brutal to say the least.

 

‘ He’s kind of funny.’

 

Lan Zhan’s humor was subtle-blink and you’ll miss it. It’s extremely possible that Wei Ying had blinked hundreds-no-thousands of times before he caught the actual meaning in the alpha’s scolding. He can’t remember what the conversation had been but he can remember the feeling that had overcame him afterwards. Like opening a chapter to a book he couldn’t read before, but finally understood its words. The alpha hated him still, but Wei Wuxian was in too deep to stop reading his book now that he had a guide.

 

The alpha loved rabbits, he loved cute, soft things. In public Lan Zhan would stare at comfortable looking sweaters or vests longer than he would at anything and he would share that same sentiment towards Wei Ying’s Hello Kitty pajama pants when the omega would wear them to the library. He’d even kept the small key chain with bunnies on them that Wei Ying gifted him, they stayed strapped to the zipper of his book bag to this day-a jarring site for anyone who paid close enough attention to it.

 

He loved his older brother dearly and held so much respect for his uncle, Wei Ying could tell in the way he talked about them-the alpha’s face would relax minutely, completely opposite of the way it’d go stiff when he was Wei Ying wave at him or greet him suddenly.

 

Lan Zhan was human and Wei Ying had somehow been the one to first notice that about him.

 

Their fragile relationship turned from hate to friendship, then to best friends who were now in a mutualistic relationship of sex and money. How? He’s not sure. Lan Zhan stopped hating him one day and it went uphill from there.

 

This was the irony that he couldn’t stop reminiscing about in the following days.

 

Here was Lan Wangji on one hand. His best friend and a dominant alpha who couldn’t care less what Wei Wuxian did with his clothes or hair, he used Wei Ying for sex and company-yes- and no he did not love Wei Ying, but he treated Wei Ying respectfully and always considered him in planning their dates. He did all of this because he wanted someone to spoil and practice with until he was ready to move on and find someone to marry.

 

Then there was Wen fucking Chao and his twin Jin Zixun…..

 

Jin Zixun had an obsession with the country club, that is where they would travel to whenever rehearsals were over. He’d been smart enough not to put another club in his hands so turned it to other activities like rock climbing and swimming . It was obvious what the alpha was trying to do, so Wei Ying wore trunks and a swim shirt to the pool and refused to climb the wall anywhere near the alpha. He was a sore loser whenever Wei Ying would reach the top first and had been pissed when he’d walked out in Jiang Cheng’s swim trunks instead of the present the alpha gave him right before.

 

Wen Chao took to the nightlife like a drunk Wen Qing to a waffle house. The second date had been on a yacht so far from the coast that the lights of the city were like stars. Music blared and bodies rocked the boat, it wasn’t anything Wei Ying wasn’t used to, it was like being at a frat party in the states. Except he had to do it sober .

 

“If you want alcohol you’ll have to sit on my lap.”

 

He’d never turned down alcohol until that night.

 

His suitor was obsessed with the high life. He dressed in expensive suits and expected Wei Ying to wear the outfits he gifted to him-it took Madam Yu’s threatening to get him to oblige. There were drugs, alpha’s and plenty of entertainment for such a party. There were beautiful omega’s and beta’s there, and the rare alpha on the staff, too. Wei Ying ruined his ‘date’s’ night by refusing to dance with him, refusing to sit with him at a table full of lustful people, and had also flirted with many of the cute staff members that brought him drinks.

 

The date the next night brought them to a casino and Wei Ying refused to sit on the alpha’s lap again. He didn’t care what universe, time period or whatever. No way in hell would he sit on Wen Chao’s fucking lap. He didn’t even want to touch, speak or see the alpha .

 

“Hell no.” He cursed.

 

Wen Chao ‘tsked’. “Let’s be honest, Wei Wuxian. You aren’t going to choose Zixun’s offer. You and I both know I’m the better choice, so stop playing coy and fucking enjoy yourself why don’t you. You’ll be sitting in my lap eventually, may as well get used to it now.” It was Jin Zixuan that had saved the alpha’s head from being smashed into the fucking blackjack table.

 

It should be unbelievable that the person who didn’t want to marry him treated him kindly whereas those who did want to were treating him only as his secondary gender. Apparently to them it didn’t matter that they used to fight when they were younger or that they’d insulted his dead parents to his face more times than he could count. The hatred meant nothing as long as his ass looked good in a dress and that he could offer them a means for relief and status. Wei Ying wouldn’t care if either alpha were dominant or grew a different face, he hated them enough that he didn’t want either one to ever touch him, so why is that not translated the same on their end?

 

And why has Lan Zhan not answered my texts?

 

Wei Ying tried to be positive. He smiled in the morning, barely complained at his meals and practiced his role in the wedding perfectly. He went through the wretched dates with both alpha’s and didn’t kill either one by the end of the days, but something started changing in him with every tap on his phone to see an unread message.

 

He trusted Lan Zhan to follow through with the plan, this was never the issue. It was the lack of control that he had of the situation that bothered him. He didn’t know where the alpha was, when he was coming other than a general date, or why the alpha wouldn’t answer him. Hunger carved him from the inside out until it felt like he was bleeding fear into the pits of his stomach, drowning in it on the seven day mark.

 

Wen Chao sucked. Jin Zixun sucked. He hated them both so much he couldn’t stand it.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

‘Lan Zhan, I used the card like you told me to. Did you see the purchase? Sorry if it was too much.’

 

‘Alpha, I embarrassed Jin Zixun today. He thought I wouldn’t know how to ride a horse, but I did and I was on the winning team in the polo match. How could he have forgotten I used to ride the horses in the farms when we were children? We should go ride horses when you get here.’

 

‘Lan Zhan, we should go skiing, too. There is the perfect mountain for us to go to. Have you ever been?’

 

‘I will keep bothering you until you answer me, gege. You’re silent but not like this lol.’

 

Hakkasan. Chic and classy, just ten minutes from the hotel. Shiny, dark floors and red-lit-lanterns lighting the way to their tables. The Jin’s booked a private section for everyone to join, a decision made from the wedding party as a celebration for a job well done. Rehearsals were going smoothly, decorating the event effortless, and now that was left for the next week is light practice and certain parties for the bride and groom. Everyone was in good spirits.

 

Well, everyone but him , of course.

 

Among the large round table of the Wen’s and Jiangs, he sat between his brother and Wen fucking Chao-because of course he doesn’t get a break for one night. It had taken his a- jie’s help to even arrange this otherwise he’d be on the yacht again followed by some car race or casino-who knows what Wen Chao had up his sleeve. Not that the alpha ever asked Wei Ying what he’d like to do. Then to add salt on the wound, Jin Zixun’s ugly face was there at the table nearby, eyeing him constantly while also being a pig to the wait staff when no one was looking.

 

He was hungry, cold, and heartbroken slouched in his chair and scrolling through his phone until he had to put it down to look at the menu. Light and healthy options. Salads and fish… shrimp . His stomach was a cavernous abyss yet he couldn’t imagine consuming any of these options. He wanted meat . Stir fried beef like Jiang Cheng had ordered, or Jin Zixuan’s order of crispy duck. Not the options on the menu given to him.

 

He decided he’d rather go hungry than eat what’s expected of him. When the waiter returned to him, he passed along the menu. “Nothing on here suits my appetite. Thank you, but I will take another glass of water.”

 

“Wei Wuxian, don’t be ridiculous.” Wen Chao snatched the menu before the waiter could fully take it, reading it. “He will take the fried prawns.”

 

Wei Ying snatched the damn thing back. “No, I will not . I don’t like prawns.”

 

“Then get the cod. Stop being difficult.”

 

“How about you stop telling me what I should and shouldn’t do.” He shoved the menu in the waiter's arms and said, “I don’t want anything except for water. Thank you. And where are the restrooms?” 

 

The man pointed in the direction of the restroom.

 

“Thank you.” He went to move, but Wen Chao was already out of his seat to help pull Wei Ying’s back. The omega slapped his hands away and pushed out of the chair, glaring at him hard before going to the restroom-his heels clicked harder because he heard Wen Chao say something to the waiter, ordering food for him anyways.

 

When he returned he sulked into the chair. The conversation held at the table was white noise to him until Wen Ruohan noticed his son’s equally dismissive stature as his date and cut through the light talk. Taking a sip of his wine, he suggested, “Why don’t we ask the waiter for a separate table for you both?”

 

Under the watchful gaze of Madam Yu he would normally act more civilized in an attempt to please her-when he was younger he would do well to hold his tongue until she was not present or until he could no longer. He would keep his true thoughts to himself and go along with what the head of the family wanted. Keep the peace in front of her, then wreak havoc later on.

 

Except right now his stomach had been empty for days. He was freezing cold and didn’t want to wear Wen Chaos sweater that was forced on him. He didn’t want the food that would be placed in front of him however long from now. He was tired of watching everyone around him allowed to do as they pleased while his brother was stressed watching over him, and his sister who should be focused on her wedding was more focused on him and his situation. Wen Chao stunk. Jin Zixun stunk . And now that was all he could smell because that’s who he had to keep company with for days now .

 

And his poor fucking heart is bleeding out in his own very chest because of an alpha that he wants, has, but cannot keep . The alpha who hasn’t texted or called him back at all.

 

He could not hold his anger any longer and very shortly said to the man, “I’d rather eat with a fucking corpse than your son.”

 

“A-Xian.” His uncle chided , giving Wen Ruohanan apologetic look. “I apologize-”

 

“No.” His wife cut him off. “Don’t you dare apologize for him, you have apologized too much for him this week. This is your fault for sending him to America where they have no manners or respect for their elders, but he should know better. Wei Wuxian, apologize for your boarish behavior.”

 

He would have never thought to talk back to the older omega but the words flew out of his mouth before he could even think. “Boarish? Me? Apologize? I have had plenty of manners compared to him and Jin Zixun! Wen Chao is the one demanding I sit on his fucking lap all the time, and Jin Zixun is the one who gave me a string fucking bikini to wear at the pool-”

 

“They what?” Jiang Cheng bristled. His face twisting angrily, “Is that why you stole my trunks? Why the hell didn’t you say anything? I’ll fucking kill them-”

 

“You will do no such thing Jiang Cheng, sit down ! And you! How dare talk back to me, Wei Wuxian.” Her eyes were knives on his skin and her neck slowly grew red. His a- jie tried placating her-Madam Yu shrugged off the hand on her shoulder and glared hard at him like the bug he was to her. “And how can you be upset about those things, huh? When the way you dress tells them you want that attention-”

 

“Ziyuan.” Jiang Fengmian’s tone was sharp. “It is not his fault and it is not appropriate that either one has been making him feel uncomfortable. If it were Yanli or A-Cheng, you would feel upset on their behalf, and I am upset now that I am hearing about this.” Pointedly eyeing Wen Chao. “ It is not a discussion to have here at the table, but there will be one as soon as possible.”

 

“I will apologize for any disrespect I have caused.” The alpha said beneath the gaze of his father, “But Wei Wuxian, have you not apologised to your family yet?”

 

“What?”

 

His eyes gleamed with revenge. “Yes. For not telling them the truth of your living arrangement.”

 

..What!?

 

“What is Wen Chao talking about, A-xian?”

 

He couldn’t know…could he?

 

Wei Wuxian wasn’t going to answer, so Wen Chao snitched. “I overheard Wei Wuxain the other day…” Twirling his wine in his hand. “It seems that he and my dear cousins are awfully close . Apparently they all live together.”

 

“Cousins?” Jiang Fengmia thought. “Wen Qing and Wen Ning? That isn’t possible, A-xian is living in an apartment to house only omegas close to campus. Your cousins are alpha’s if I remember correctly.”

 

“They are alphas, and Wei Wuxian is lying to you about something. There are omega only dorms on campus from what I researched, the apartments he claims to live in are downtown. Not within walking distance to the campus. Wei Wuxian, am I wrong?”

 

His uncle looked at him expectantly…Madam Yu and his brother. Wen Xu had a smug look on his face like his ugly brother. He could kill Wen Chao, but that wouldn’t fix anything. So he decided to do what he did best in these situations with his uncle….

 

“Shushu….”

 

“No…A-Xian, is he speaking the truth? You are living with two alpha’s?” He didn’t use his full name so he wasn’t mad- that’s good- but he was using that tone that he’d get when he was disappointed in him and wanted to use it as a teaching lesson.

 

“I will explain, I did not want to worry you. It is cheaper to not live on campus and to have a roomate, A-Qing and A-Ning already had an apartment and they offered to let me stay when I moved there; we split the cost of the bills, it is by school and near the bus stop. They were the only one’s I knew when I moved there, it was just more convenient for me.”

 

“I understand but a-xian, you could have spoken to me. We will discuss it more later but do not expect me to drop this subject because I will not.”

 

“Yes shushu.”

 

When his uncle wasn’t looking he kicked Wen Chao in his stupid calf and pinched his arm.

 

No one said anything as the waiters began placing appetizers on the table and refilling drinks. The silence was heavy and awkward. He could see his sister and brother glancing at him, the smell of the food around him made him want to throw up. He tried drowning all of it out by scrolling through his phone again-searching for anything to distract him.

 

Spoons scraped lightly on glass plates…he focused solely on trying not to cry.

 

“Pardon.” The waiter spoke above him, placing a small jar onto the table. “A gentleman requested I give this to you…”

 

The jar he placed on the table was round like the half of a gourd. Black with a red cloth on top of it tied by wrapped yarn, his fingers brushed the characters on the front of it, reading in his head ‘ Emperor’s smile’ .

 

The night was young, he and his classmates still had hours before the shops would close downtown and they were rearing to have as much fun as possible. The group was loud, flirtatious, and slightly tipsy from their bar hopping. Though in the group of sophomores there was one who stuck out-a person that Wei Ying’s drunk self couldn’t leave alone for too long.

 

He hung off the arm of the alpha that hated him so, wondering why the alpha allowed him to do so, and why he had come along in the first place.

 

Lan Zhan looked away from where Wei Ying’s cheek rested on his shoulder. “.....It would not be appropriate to not accompany you knowing you and others will be intoxicated.”

 

“Oh. It’s one of those two hundred rules you have at home, right?”

 

“....four-thousand.” Is all he said.

 

“Four thousand!? How do you remember all of them Er-gege!?”

 

The man’s ears went red in anger and he took a deep breath. “We learn them by copying…it is a passtime.”

 

“No wonder you are so rigid Lan Zhan! What kind of fun is that? That is a punishment! Do your rules prohibit fun ? Come on,” he waved at the many bars around them. “You should drink with us-oh wait, that’s forbidden too, isn’t it?”

 

“On the mountain, yes. Off the mountain, though we are encouraged to follow our clan’s teachings wherever we may go, brother drinks casually with friends in town. He is never punished or reprimanded for it.”

 

“It’s Xichen-ge, right? What does he drink?”

 

“I cannot say for sure, though I suspect Emperor's smile would be the favored drink.”

 

“Emperors smile? Never heard of it.”

 

“The ingredients and production are strictly in Caiyi. It is popular among locals and tourists in that area, but not well known.”

 

“Hmmmmm. I wanna try it. Lan-er-gege,” He hugged tighter onto the alpha’s arm. “I’ll follow you to China when you don’t expect it gege, and then I’ll have you take me to your home town so I can have some. Would you be mad if I did, Lan-er-gege? It won’t be a problem, will it?”

 

Sick of Wei Ying’s nonsense, the alpha huffed in irritation. “Ridiculous.”

 

A hand came in from his left for the bottle.

 

Wei Ying snatched the bottle away faster than lightning and growled at Wen Chao.

 

He was stunned into silence. The table stopped eating-Wi Wuxian was breathing hard.

 

But just as quick as that anger had come it was replaced by the overwhelming sensation of glee.

 

Lan Zhan is here!

 

Quickly he pulled up his camera to check his hair and makeup, then startled those around him when he pushed out of his chair. Practically throwing the bottle the alpha’s way, “Cheng-cheng, watch this. And don’t you dare drink it! This is a special gift for me, I will never forgive you!”

 

“Dude, what the hell?”

 

“Just watch it!”

 

“Okay! But what the hell are you doing? Where do you think you’re about to go, huh?!”

 

“A- xian ,” His uncle asked, concerned. “Is everything alright-”

 

He ignored his uncle and looked to his left. “Wen Chao, you need to move.”

 

Before addressing him, the alpha was stunned over his sudden behavior, spoon still in hand. Then the words caught up to him and he scoffed, “ What-”

 

Wei Wuxian slammed his hand on the table and the back of the alpha’s chair, leaning in so close he could smell the apprehension on him. He did not give a single shit now that he was here, and he’ll be damned if anything stands in his way. “I will be back. And if you and your drinks are not gone when I do, I will drag you out of this fucking chair in front of this entire resturant. This is your warning.” 

 

“What-”

 

“And take this.” He stood taller and pulled off the jacket, tossing it on at the man. “It stinks like you and I hate it. I don’t think my new friend will like this scent.”

 

Both his siblings and uncle stood but Wei Ying stopped them by raising his hand. His sister asked, visibly concerned, “ ‘New friend’? Is everything fine? Where are you going? Who sent the bottle?”

 

His grin grew wider, walking from the table, he threw behind him, “I will be right back.~”

 

Through the perfume, alpha stenches and food scents, the wisp of sandalwood stood out. His uncle called for him but his own body moved on autopilot towards that smell he missed dearly. He never knew how much comfort that scent brought him while he had it until he didn’t. He felt every beat of his heart in his chest. His lungs were short on air, his body thrummed in excitement. It took him to the winding stairs scattered with people, his heels clicking on the marble, tugging on him like a rope to the very top.

 

No matter how bright the city lights were or how loud the cars below blare their horns, neither could overcome the sound of his heart stopping at the sight of oh-so-golden eyes shining in the dark of the night. Dressed in light blue, brown and white, the bouquet of roses he held onto made his heart soar for the skies. His mouth curved gently-a joyous smile that Wei Ying knew all too well- and his arms opened wide to fold Wei Ying into when the Omega ran towards him. 

 

Sandalwood drowned out any disgusting scent on him. It completely covered him and for a moment-just for those few precious minutes- everything felt right again. There was no Wen Chao or Jin Zixun lusting looks or advances. There was no heartbreak or one-sided love, nightmares that plagued him about their future separation. No future omega to envy because Lan Zhan was here with him again.

 

He slipped his arms beneath the man's cardigan and clung to the shirt on his back, pressing his watering eyes into the man's hard chest. “Lan Zhan. Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan. You naughty alpha, you.”

 

“Wei Ying?”

 

Ah. He’d missed his voice so much. “I texted you. You never answered me, were you trying to be mean to me, alpha? So cruel to your omega.”

 

Lan Zhan exhaled fondly, “Your email.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“I could not use my phone on the plane, so I emailed Wei Ying instead.”

 

He froze. “....you did?”

 

“Mn. I texted you recently.”

 

He pulled away and brought his phone out so fast. The light of it luminescent on their faces, he swiped to his mass of unread emails and…. “Damn.” There were several emails. Long ones as if they were written letters.

 

But wait.

 

He tapped and swiped, reloading their text thread on his phone, he never received any text messages from the alpha-

 

“..Shit.” He suddenly remembered what they were supposed to do that night. “I think I still have it on airplane mode-” He cursed again. The damned button was shaded in.

 

Curse Wen Chao and his stupid fucking yachts.

 

“Wei Ying.”

 

The alpha gently pushed away his phone to have his full attention. Expression neutral but his eyes told a different story. Wei Ying grinned and looped his arms around his shoulders, nuzzling their noses together sweetly. “Oh, alpha. My alpha. Whatever should I do to greet you? Hmm. Perhaps…no, no. You wouldn’t-”

 

“ Wei Ying .”

 

“Ha! Okay, okay! I suppose a kiss should suffice?” He teased.

 

Lan Zhan nodded his head, closing the gap between them. The kiss they shared was slow and sweet, parting their mouths so they could taste each other for the first time in almost a month. Lan Zhan pulled him in close, Wei Ying accepted the gentle hand on the low of his back and pressed in as far as he could.

 

I missed you. I love you.

 

I love you. I love you, Lan Zhan.

 

He wanted to tell him. He wanted to tell him and then shout it to the roof tops. How satisfying would it be to pull this alpha around wherever he wanted just to say to those who walked by, ‘This is the love of my life’. He could paint canvases, take photographs or wax poetry to show just how much he loved Lan Zhan.

 

The words he wanted to sing fell from the tip of his tongue and into the kiss they shared on that rooftop, bathed in the light of the city. He poured his emotions into it in hopes the alpha would hear his silent confession until they finally parted for air. If he did, he did not say so. Rather he pecked him on the lips one more time and pulled away to offer Wei Ying the roses. “For you.”

 

He accepted them with a smile and smelled them, “Oh?” He noticed the yellow flowers in the bouquet and a different shaped red flower-close to a rose, but not quite. “Sunflowers..and what about this flower?”

 

“Carnations.”

 

His throat hummed, pleased. Don’t flowers mean things?

 

…Nah. Lan Zhan probably picked what looked prettiest.

 

“These certainly are pretty, Lan Zhan. Say, how did you know where I was?” The alpha looked away in a way that was guilty. “Ha! Lan Zhan, did you do something naughty? Hmm. Let me guess. You….put a tracker on my phone?”

 

“....and your watch.”

 

He really did! He laughed hard and got right under the alpha’s face. “Lan Zhan! You are so naughty! It’s okay.” He threw his arms around his shoulders again, pecking his lips, cheek and nose. “I get it. I cause a lot of trouble wherever I go.”

 

“You have done nothing wrong, Wei Ying. I did not trust others…I was worried. The Jins do not consider your feelings and neither do the Wens. I did not want you to come here alone with them to begin with, not in a city that cannot be trusted with people who I do not trust. Wanted to know you were safe….I am sorry, I will remove the tracking as soon as possible.”

 

“Oh you sweet, silly alpha.~” He pulled him in for another kiss, and then a peck to his jaw. “The trackers can stay, but that means that I get to track you, too.~”

 

Wei Ying accepted the hand that rested just above his ass and the nosing along his jaw. “Mn. Acceptable.”

 

“How come my alpha wanted to meet me out here instead of inside?”

 

Lan Zhan dragged his nose down his neck and kissed the skin near his scent gland. “Wanted private time with Wei Ying.”

 

He missed me? His heart fluttered. The omega opened his mouth to tease….then the light of the city pulled his attention to something spectacular . At first he thought he was imagining things, but the light was too bright for him to not see it . His hand came between them, brushing away the curtain of hair from the alpha’s face. “...Lan Zhan. Is that…do you have a tattoo?”

 

“..Yes. Wei Ying, I have had tattoos for longer than you have known me.”

 

What!? His other hand came up to push the other part of his bangs away, the sight causing his jaw to fall on the floor. Wei Ying couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Two identical cloud tattoos on either side of his forehead, they were light blue and outlined in white, both had been obscured by the alpha’s parted bangs but- “Lan Zhan! I have never seen these before! Why did you not tell me?!”

 

Air slipped out of the man's mouth as he let Wei Ying touch and prod at the tattoos. “Wei Ying..I have told you before about them.”

 

“Lan Zhan! Lying is forbidden, isn’t it?! You definitely didn’t tell me cause I would have remembered!”

 

“Wei Ying has a hard time remembering things. Our third year of college, you asked me if I had a tattoo or piercing. I then informed you of my tattoos and why, you did not ask more on the subject so I said nothing more.”

 

Wei Ying stood there and thought hard, trying to remember the conversation….He felt that there was something that happened, but he couldn't put his finger on it. 

 

Lan Zhan grabbed his hand and kissed the inside of his wrist. “Do not think too hard, Wei Ying. I do not expect you to remember details like these. Yes, I have tattoos. They are important symbols of my home and each member of our family receives them after presentation. I use makeup to cover them so as to not cause distraction.”

 

Your beauty is distraction enough is what he wanted to say, instead came out a question while he thumbed the smooth skin. “So why take off the makeup today?”

 

“Because I am meeting Wei Ying’s family. It is important.”

 

Ah. He thought. He must want to be his true self.

 

“Are you ready to meet them, then? Madam Yu will be unbearable, and so will the Jin’s and Wen’s.”

 

Lan Zhan kissed his forehead and said, “I have been prepared for a long time.”

 

“Well good!~ Just follow my lead.~”

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In all of his years he could only count on one hand the amount of times he’d been stunned into silence due to someone else’s beauty, the first being Madam Yu. She’d been cruel, yes, but at four years old he can remember how pretty she had looked before she opened her mouth. Her beauty was elegant, sharp, dangerous, just like her personality.

 

Next was his sister-Jiang Yanli who was a ray of sunshine after the storm that was her mother. Her smile had been kind, his young self found a favoritism because her hugs were so warm .

 

Then the picture of his mother he kept safely tucked away to this day.

 

He’s seen many beauties growing up after, though none could compare to the beauty of one Lan Wangji. Like a jaded statue he was perfect. He was beauty incarnate that men and women strived to have-graceful, smooth skinned, shiny…silky hair like water. Tall with a perfectly constructed face and deep, golden eyes that shone like a star. Angelic to Wei Wuxian’s devilish features.

 

White against black.

 

It would take more hands to count how many times people stopped and stared at the alpha, because how can one look away from him so easily?

 

He expected it, but he couldn’t have felt more proud when he reappeared in the restaurant with this alpha beside him.

 

Standing before his table, and with the attention of the rest of the wedding party, he held onto Lan Zhan’s forearm and thought ‘ Maybe this is how Wen Chao felt?’ Lan Zhan is otherworldly, a dominant alpha and the tallest there. How could anyone else compare?

 

“Everyone,” he spoke in the dead silence of the room. “I’ve just made a friend.~ He is my friend now, so I am inviting him to sit with us. Isn’t that right gege?~”

 

“Mn.” He offered the table a small bow, speaking as eloquently as normal. “It is a pleasure to meet you all.”

 

The Wens said nothing or the Jins, his uncle looked shocked, staring at Lan Zhan as well as Madam Yu, and his sister kept looking at the part where their hands were held. Steadily the omega’s mouth grew into a beaming smile, her hands coming to cover her mouth like she’s seen something she never thought she would.

 

And Jiang Cheng….well..

 

His brother has never made such an expressive face before.

 

“Gege!~” His hands clapped. “Gege, I will say, how hungry are you?”

 

“I can eat.”

 

He saw the movement of staff members coming over-an idea popped into his head. “Good, good. See.” His lip stuck out and grabbed the man’s wrist, bringing it to his stomach. “See, since we are now friends, friends tell each other the truth. And the truth is gege that I have lost so much weight in days. I am starving-I am so hungry but all I am allowed to eat is rabbit food. I have not had anything nice to eat.”

 

His reaction was genuine when his eyes narrowed slightly, the heat of his palm hot as it felt his stomach, then slid to his hip he was familiar with. “It is important to consume the recommended calories according to your activity level, age, weight and secondary sex. You should not be eating anything less than two-thousand, five hundred. It is not good for the body. Wei Ying is not a rabbit and should not eat rabbit food.” Their server who finally reached the table was surprised to have Lan Zhan suddenly request a menu from her.

 

Lan Zhan pulled out the chair,  guiding him by the waist into it, then pushed him in before taking the seat that had been Wen Chaos originally. “Oh!~ So kind of you, gege!~ So nice to me.~” 

 

The alpha opened the menu-Compared to whatever the waiter put on the table, the menu was godsent.

 

He hugged the alpha’s arm. “What should I get, gege?”

 

“Whatever you want-”

 

“Excuse you.” Madam Yu glared. “I do not see how it is appropriate for you to come to our table and begin ordering for an occupant at this table, one of whom is not your concern.”

 

Lan Zhan’s glare was infamous. He matched the woman’s ten-fold and spoke shortly, “Wei Ying is my concern. I will pay for him.”

 

“You-”

 

“Mother-wait.” A- jie ’s smile could not be contained. “I think if A-xian’s friend wants to be kind to him, it should be allowed. He has not eaten at all today.”

 

Wen Chao’s irritating, integrating voice cried out before the madam’s could. “I ordered him food, he doesn’t need some random stranger to purchase him something to eat! Wei Wuxian, this is ridiculous-”

 

Lan Zhan cooley ignored those words being spoken to him. He said what he’d said, and now he was urging Wei Ying to choose what he wanted from the menu before the waiter left. The omega smiled into the man's arm and pointed at the dimsum platter, the sanpei chicken claypot with extra chili, and the coconut semifreddo for dessert. “Oh! And some hakka noodles!”

 

Lan Zhan eyed him, “If you would like hakka noodles, then I believe you should order the smaller portion of your dessert to fit it in. It is late, if you go to bed after eating these things, you could get indigestion.”

 

“Ah! But gege! Alpha, I am so hungry though!~”

 

The man thought. “If we order it how I suggest and you are still hungry after, we will find another restaurant to eat at. I do not want you to get sick.”

 

He laughed and nuzzled his face into his shoulder. “Ah! So caring about this omega-Okay, okay! I will listen to your advice.~”

 

Beside him Wei Ying heard, “I think I’m gonna be sick.” It was his brother, definitely, but Wei Ying didn’t have it in him to look at anything else except the alpha as he passed over the menu to the waiter. Lan Zhan smelled so wonderful, he’d missed him so much that words couldn’t form what he felt. If he could bury himself in the man's skin, he would.

 

He felt on the white cardigan, “Ah, gege. Your sweater is so nice.~ It’s so warm, you would think they would raise the heat in here! This omega is so cold.”

 

Without a word the alpha slid his sweater off and helped slide Wei Ying’s arms through. Lan Zhan was used to Wei Ying’s physical affection and let him stick to his side as he ate the prawns that had been placed there before, all the while Wei Ying played on his phone. His family and the Wens were still confused, and the matter hadn't been solved… yet …but he felt whole again having those he loved the most surrounding him-minus the Wens and Jin Zixuan of course. Wei Ying smiled to himself at every sniff of Lan Zhan’s sweater he buried himself into, and he laughed quietly to himself at the fascinated gazes of his tablemates.

 

Food was finally placed in front of him. His appetizer plus his main course which had been brought with everyone else’s. Lan Zhan had only ordered a vegetarian goose roll, so he was finished long before Wei Ying moved onto his claypot….

 

“ Ouch .” He dropped the spoon in the pot and rubbed his wrist.

 

“Wei Ying?”

 

“Ah-it is nothing, gege.” He pouted. “See, I have overworked my hand these few days. I have hit the same two alpha’s too many times. See, can’t you see that it is swollen?” The alpha remembered what he’d told him before, frowning as he turned to him to hold his hand. “See, gege? This omega’s wrist hurts so much. I can barely feed myself anymore because I am so frail.”

 

Lan Zhan kissed the inside of his wrist-a choking sound coming from Wen Chao, Jiang Fengmian and Jiang Cheng as he did. “Allow it to rest.”

 

“But how will I eat?”

 

His best friend wasted no time to begin feeding Wei Ying.

 

Each bite was perfect. The chicken was delicious and paired perfectly with the rice, Lan Zhan would also use the chopsticks to feed him the noodles every other bite. Wei Ying grinned happily and closed his mouth over the utensil each time the food came towards him, humming in delight. He wasn’t joking when he said he was starving. He could’ve eaten five peking ducks on his own; he was that hungry! 

 

Lan Zhan fed him every bite of his food, down to when desert came out. Wei Ying was thirsty, he wanted some of the emperor's smile to go along with the sweet treat, so Lan Zhan produced a thick metal straw and jammed it into the top of the jar. Wei Ying held onto the wine and sipped it in between his bites of desert. 

 

“Ah!~” His mouth popped off the straw. “Delicious, gege! You really know how to pick good wine.~”

 

“Mn. I have more for you.”

 

“Really!? Thank goodness because I have not been able to have one drink since I’ve been here! Can you believe it gege?! I like alcohol and yet I’ve been forced to go on so many dates sober! These alpha’s that I’m supposed to be choosing are so annoying and gross-”

 

Madam Yu hissed from across the table, “ Wei Wuxian! That is enough!”

 

He kept on. “But you smell much better than them, gege. And I like that you fed me.~”

 

“I will feed you more if you would like it.”

 

The gears in his mind worked fast, the grin that curved onto his mouth was far from innocent. He looked at Madam Yu, then Wen Ruohan and Wen Chao, before gently tugging Lan Zhan’s head closer to his. Lan Zhan’s skin felt smooth under his palm as he cupped his cheek, his nose trailing down his jaw.  “Gege….I will gladly eat anything you give me. Perhaps you can feed me again in my hotel room.~ I’ve got a very nice view if you want to see it.~”

 

There were sudden sounds of protest, but all Wei Ying could focus on was the sudden darkness that overcame those bright eyes. From gold to carmel, Lan Zhan’s face told him everything he needed to know.

 

“Wonderful.~ Let’s go, Er- gege.~ ”

 

He and Lan Zhan stood.

 

So did Wen Chao, Madam Yu, Jiang Cheng and his uncle.

 

The restaurant was not quiet whatsoever-not anymore. This part of the restaurant became loud with Wen Chao’s and Jiang Cheng's sputtering complaints, Wen Ruohan’s demand for explanation at Madam Yu. His uncle’s words cut through the mass louder. The man who had raised him like a son, the alpha of his family and the reason he was there today to enjoy this luxury, he would not stand for this apparently. Like any alpha father witnessing their omega child in the arms of a strange alpha-dominant or not- his protective nature would not let him sit now that Wei Ying was trying to leave out of sight together….for obvious reasons . “Absolutely not. Wei Wuxian, no.”

 

Wei Wuxian yes.~

 

He pouted and held onto the front of his alpha’s shirt, “I’m sorry uncle. I’ve decided that I don’t want to suffer any longer. The choices I’ve been given are awful. So! Wen Chao.” He said, then to Jin Zixun who had been listening like others were. “Jin Zixun. I would say thank you for the interest, but that would be a lie. I have decided both of your offers suck, you are both ugly and stink. I do not want either of you, I want this alpha.~”

 

“What!?”

 

“Wei Wuxian, stop causing a scene-”

 

Lan Zhan’s arms pulled him in closer, hand dangerously close to his ass to the point Jiang Cheng’s face grew red. “I will be Wei Ying’s alpha. There is no need to search for others.”

 

“I don’t know who you think you are, but this is inappropriate. There are agreements between our families, and you have no claim to try and interfere.” Wen Ruohan told them.

 

“I apologize but I want Lan Zhan only. I don’t want anyone else.~”

 

“What did you say?”

 

“What?” He questioned back. 

 

Lan Zhan just briefly let go of him to reach for his wallet. He first set more than enough money onto the table, and then he pulled out… business cards? He tucked his bangs into his ears to get them out of the way, it just so happened that it showed the tattoos adorned on his forehead. It was so odd…all of the attention seemed to suck right onto his tattoos. From Wen Ruohan to even Madam Yu, even the Jin’s who uncharacteristically stood out of their chairs the moment he’d done that. Lan Zhan walked around the table, eyes on him the whole time, and handed both Jiang heads the white cards. “Brother will be in the city soon, if there are questions, he requested I provide these.”

 

“Brother..”

 

“Lan Huan.” He told her. “Courtesy name Lan Xichen. I am Lan Zhan, Courtesy name Lan Wangji. Lan Qiren is our paternal uncle, they are prepared to answer questions should you call them. As I have said, brother will be visiting soon if you wish to speak face to face.”

 

For perhaps the first time in her life, Madam Yu’s composure was not a cobra ready to strike, but a gaping fish . The card in her hand caused such a strange reaction….

 

Maybe she was friends with their late father? That makes sense. But then why is everyone else acting so odd?

 

Lan Zhan offered them a polite bow and returned back to Wei Ying’s side, sliding his hand around his waist and pulling him in close. “Wei Ying?”

“Right, right. Bye, everyone!~ I hope you all have a great rest of the night.~” Because I certainly will.

Notes:

I passed chem ya'll, im taking calc but yea. Sorry for the delay, I hate leaving things not complete(i WILL BE COMPLETING IT), but i had to focus on school and then i needed a mental break, then i had to finish that other fic. So here I am. I am back and i will be posting as soon as I can.

Tell me, what did yall think!? Are yall clocking what Im writing? WWX is a big idiot, isn't he? It's okay, we love him still.

Please comment your thoughts, they're big motivators for me. And kudos to spread the love~~~ See yall again soon with this next chapter, these two have been apart for too long so things is gonna get SPICY.~~~

P.S. This is NOT a mafia fic!!! The lans are good, morally just peeps. there is NO GANG activity here.

Chapter 6: AUTHORS NOTE

Sorry to get your hopes up! This is just a quick note!

So sorry that I haven't updated in two months, I feel so bad but I needed a small break from writing the smut and stuff, and also my brain really wanted to write a few other things that I've been thinking about. So I kind of also needed a break from this fandom. I am currently writing up the next chapter, but it's gonna be a slow process. And I've decided that I want to get ahead in writing this, so what I mean is that when I get the next chapter finished, I'm not going to post it right away so that way I can do the next two after. Cause I've got school coming up, it's sort of what I'm doing for the other fic I'm writing.

 

So! Sorry for the hiatus, I am back but don't expect the next chapter to come out for a little bit. I know, it's sad, but I'd really like to just feel like I'm not failing u guys by writing another chapter, then being gone for a bit because school's kicking my ass. I'll probably post the next one when I'm almost done writing the very last chapter.

 

That being said! There's three total more chapters left for me to write for ya'll(maybe two, not sure). They'll be long, so bare with me, and be patient cause Organic Chemistry is going to suck(I NEED at least a 'B' in this class).

 

Thank you all for your love and support!~ I can't wait to get this next one out to you, I know ya'll have been waiting! If you have any questions or want an update, just drop a comment and I promise I'll respond. Don't be afraid to ask, I promise I won't be upset!~

 

Thnks!~~