Chapter Text
What the hell was he going to do?!
Wei Wuxian stared at the home pregnancy test sticks neatly lined along the bathroom counter. He’d gone through five of them just to make sure he wasn’t losing his mind. Each and every single one of those sticks had two prominent lines and with each one, his heart rate picked up a bit more. Panic was flavoring the air around him, adding a sour note to his usual sweet spicy citrus scent, and he was practically panting by the time realization had fully settled into his brain. If the Jiangs found out, would they kick him out? Where would he go? How in the hell was he going to raise a kid on his own?
Would the dad want to know? Should he tell him?
That sent another jolt of panic through his gut souring his scent until it resembled rotten oranges and flooded the room. Wei Wuxian gagged, opening a window and flicking on the fan to try to air out the space. It was one thing to get mixed up with an alpha in a rut for a blissfully hot hookup on a train. Telling that same amazing alpha that their hookup had knocked him up though - how was he supposed to do that!?!
It had never been meant to be more than that one chance encounter. The guy hated him, he was sure of it. Who would like an omega that forgot to take suppressants and went into heat which sent them into a rut on a god damn train in the first place? This was a disaster!
Wei Wuxian began to pace the length of the small bathroom, staring at those damning test sticks on the counter the entire time. He had a decent living here, it hadn’t been easy, but it was his and he was happy with it. The work was strenuous, in the good kind of way, and it was rewarding when he saw the fruits of his labor taking shape. He had a great friendship with his adoptive brother and sister, and so long as he didn’t rock the boat too hard, the madam tended to ignore him which suited him just fine. She had very little love for Wei Wuxian and he did his best to stay out of her way.
They had housed him, raised him and ensured he got a good education. All they seemed to want in return was for him to be loyal and not cause any trouble. A kid was trouble, though, wasn’t it?
“Fuck me!” He let it out in a huff and stood in front of the counter staring at the tests and raking his fingers through his long dark hair before scooping it up into a makeshift ponytail. Sweat was sliding down his spine as he paced, nervous energy making his muscles quiver. His rebellious stomach twisted in knots, just like it had for the past couple weeks and he looked heavenward like the answers could be found there. “Fuck, just…fuck!”
This wasn’t something he could do on his own! He was going to have to tell the Jiangs, and the father. It was the only thing he could think to do. Tonight. He could tell the Jiangs tonight at dinner. With that plan in mind, he scooped up the sticks off the counter, taking the test kit boxes with him, and left to get ready.
•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•
“You little whore!” The vicious reaction belonged to none other than Madam Yu.
She had always been displeased with Wei Wuxian and his existence in her home. He had only managed to stay on her relative good side so far through a herculean effort to avoid her at all costs. When he first presented, Wei Wuxian couldn’t be happy about it all because of this woman. Omegas, in her eyes, were dirty seductors that wrought destruction on homes. They caused upheaval in a relatively stable society. Alphas were fine, they were the leaders and the powerhouses, but omegas? Omegas were trash to her. She had put the fear of God into him for weeks after his first heat, he’d been convinced she was going to marry him off to the first interested alpha that came by just to get rid of him.
Fortunately, Uncle Jiang was always there to prevent that kind of catastrophic end, although that was about all he was good at stopping. The relationship between Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan was a testament to what happened in a forced marriage. To put it bluntly, it was ugly. They fought more than they got along; always having various arguments over the smallest things, and when it came to bigger matters, it was constantly a test of wills. They were both betas, which meant there was no naturally defined superior in the relationship. Some might have seen that as a good thing, however for these two, it was hell. Even if there had been an alpha between the pair of them, and even if it had been uncle Jiang that held the authority, Wei Wuxian was sure that his uncle wouldn’t have been the one to have the upper hand.
“Wei Wuxian! What were you thinking!?” Jiang Cheng sounded like a mini version of his mother. He was also a beta and he had adopted his mother’s wicked temper so it shouldn’t have been shocking, but Wei Ying still had hoped he would have at least tried to be understanding instead of instantly getting offended right off the bat. The fury on his face was a red haze of second-hand embarrassment and indignation, likely because he probably believed that this pregnancy would somehow tarnish the family name.
“Oh Wei Ying!” That was Jiang Yanli for you. She was the heart of the family, the soft soul and a fellow omega, although madam Yu seemed to like her regardless of that fact. A-Li sympathized with him the most when it came to the double standard all omegas faced. Yet in this moment, she actually sounded as if she pitied him. Wei Wuxian might have been imagining it, but he could swear he could smell her disappointment in the air. It was a slap to the face that he hadn’t expected. Granted, there were a lot of scents right now so maybe he was just imagining it.
Everything from outright fury and anger to pity and disgust. He could taste it in the air as his adopted family took in the news of his pregnancy over dinner. It changed the flavor of their scents. The three betas really didn’t have much of a scent to speak of, which meant the strongest flavor came from Yanli herself. The only one who hadn’t spoken was Jiang Fengmian. He sat there staring at Wei Wuxian quietly while everyone else reacted. Each vocalized response had We Ying cringing and shrinking in on himself.
God, this was it! They were going to kick him out.
Fuck, what if they didn’t!?
What if they make me abort my baby?
He hadn’t really thought about it until that moment, but by the time dinner had rolled around and he’d blurted out his news, Wei Ying was firmly of the mind on keeping the child. He had always wanted to have kids, he wanted a brood of them, and he really couldn’t regret the fantastic sex he’d had that put him in this mess. Not to mention, this was supposed to be impossible in the first place! He was recessive and he’d been warned it wouldn’t be easy to get pregnant let alone keep a pregnancy once it happened.
Not for the first time that day, Wei Wuxian felt fear. Real genuine terror filled him as he looked up from his cowered position at the dinner table to each face scowling back at him. A-Li bore a shocked and sad expression, while Jiang Cheng’s face was red-cheeked with barely repressed fury. Madam Yu’s blazing eyes and vicious glare cut to the core of his very soul. Uncle Jiang maintained the most terrifying expression of all with a silent, stony mask.
Shit.
“How could you do this to us! We gave you a home! We raised you! Fed you! That fancy education you got, it was because of us! This is how you repay our kindness?” Madam Yu was on a tear now.
“I didn’t plan this!” Wei Ying denied feebly. It sounded weak even to his own ears. “My heat came early! I was caught off guard! It was an accident.” He couldn’t say why, but Wei Ying kept looking to Jiang Fengmian like he would be the one to save him somehow.
“Disgusting slut! Your filth has stained our good name!” Yu Ziyuan snarled out her insults venting her anger.
“Ziyuan!” Uncle Jiang’s voice was sharp. “That’s enough.”
Madam Yu glared at her husband and threw down her napkin. “Don’t you dare defend him now. This is your fault as well! You couldn’t just leave him be, he would have been fine in the system! What kind of debt did you owe that bitch anyway?” Wei Ying flinched. He knew that she meant his real mother of course. It had never been a secret that Yu Ziyuan detested Wei Wuxian’s birth mother, though he never understood the reason for it.
“Enough!” Jiang Fengmian’s hand smacked hard against the table as his voice rose in volume. “What’s done is done. We’ll deal with this quietly.” It was bad, he was gonna tell him to abort the baby. Wei Ying could feel it.
“I’m going to keep the baby!” he spoke quickly, before anyone could try to tell him how to ‘deal’ with his problem. Silence descended all around the dining room.
“What?!” Yu Ziyuan was purple with her anger now.
“I’m keeping the baby.” Wei Ying’s voice was a bit firmer now. There was no way he was giving up on his chance to be a parent, not when this was something that shouldn’t have been possible in the first place. How could he give up such a precious gift without a fight? His baby was innocent and vulnerable, he had to protect it.
“Absolutely not!” Madam Yu was seething while her glare settled on Wei Ying in an attempt to intimidate him. “I’ll not have some whore birthing a bastard pup in this house! You spread your legs for any alph-”
“Ziyuan! Enough!” Jiang Fengmian shot to his feet to shout at his wife. It was getting ugly fast. He turned his scowl to Wei Ying. “You need to think about this, A-Xian. There are bigger things than your wants at stake here.” If this had been a calm discussion, it would almost seem like uncle Jiang was on his side and was trying to help him think rationally.
A bubble of hysteria tried to force its way to the surface and Wei Wuxian vehemently stamped it down as he straightened his posture. “I am keeping the baby!”
He didn’t want to explain that he was terrified and that he had no clue how he was going to do any of this. Deep down he just knew he couldn’t let them take his child away. Wei Ying’s only hope had been that they’d understand just a tiny bit! Unfortunately, even Yanli was looking at him like he’d grown a second head with his declaration. Why didn’t they get it?! He wanted the baby, he wanted his own little family! A real family that he could nurture and cherish. Was that so hard to see?
“There is no place for you here if you insist on this stupidity!” Snapped madam Yu. Wei Ying looked from her to uncle Jiang. He was praying that this would be one of those times where his uncle would step in and take charge for once. That he’d protect him.
It didn’t happen.
To his utter horror, Jiang Fengmian said nothing to counter his wife. Instead he frowned at Wei Ying nodding in agreement with his wife and sighed his displeasure. “Keeping the fetus is not the best choice. You aren’t married, there will be other chances.”
“What if there isn’t though!? I’m recessive! They said it wouldn’t happen!” The hurt in his voice was obvious. Yanli let out a distressed sound and clearly wanted to comfort Wei Ying, but she held back when her mother gave her a withering glare. Jiang Cheng was muttering under his breath and glaring at his dinner.
“You can’t be serious! Do you expect us to pay for this child? How are you going to care for it and yourself! Do you even know who the father is?!” That last comment stung. Of course he knew! How could he not? He’d been enamored with the alpha the second he’d set eyes upon him and recognized who he was on that train.
“Of course I do! I am not a slut! It was an accident!” One he was determined to turn into a happy situation, not a nightmare inducing abortion that could ruin his chances of ever having another shot at a family ever again. “Do you know how dangerous abortions are for a recessive omega? Do you know what you’re asking me to give up?”
“You should have kept it in your pants then.” Yu Ziyuan snapped back wickedly and she smacked her palm on the table, mimicking Jiang Fengmian’s outrage earlier. If it wasn’t such a serious situation, Wei Ying might have snicked at the irony in that.
“Clearly the doctors were wrong! All you have to do is beg the nearest alpha and you’ll have another pup to worry about! I will not have another bastard in this house!”
“Mother!” Yanli couldn’t hold back any longer, “It was an accident! Can’t you see how this is upsetting A-Xian?”
“Don’t you dare try to defend him! Take a good look, A-Li. This is what happens when you are soft! This could be you if you’re not careful. Do you think your precious fiancé would stick around if you were suddenly heavy with a random alpha’s child?” Scoffing at the absurdity, Madam Yu’s sharp words were enough to make Yanli flinch and go silent.
Wei Wuxian snapped at that. The knife he’d been holding sailed across the room and clattered against the wall behind Madam Yu’s head. It had the effect of stopping any further attacks against his shijie, but it also put all the focus right back wholly on himself. Four sets of shocked eyes locked on him. “Stop! Stop it! A-Li is your daughter! ”
“Yes! She is and she would never end up a whore like you!”
Wei Wuxian flinched as if he’d been physically slapped. “I’m keeping the baby! If you don’t want to support that, fine, I’ll leave!”
“Good riddance!”
“Wei Wuxian!” Jiang Cheng shouted at the same time that madam Yu spat out her heated response.
The rest started talking at once, or rather arguing, and Wei Ying stormed out of the dining hall practically running to escape the entire mess. Tears stung his eyes and clouded his vision as he bolted for his room and stuffed clothes and random things in a bag as fast as he could. Just as he was grabbing his jacket, Jiang Yanli appeared in the doorway.
“A-Xian! You can’t honestly be thinking about leaving!?” She was clearly upset, tears were trailing down her cheeks.
“I can’t stay here, not after that!” Wei Ying answered brusquely. His eyes were red and puffy from his own sobbing and he swiped his arm across his face to try and get rid of the evidence. His emotions were all over the place lately. “They won’t let me keep it, shijie, and all I want is to hold my baby! God, I want it so bad!”
After that kind of reaction from the people he thought he could rely on, there was no way Wei Ying could be convinced to stay. Madam Yu was likely to be on her way to accost him more and ‘lay down the law’ as she saw fit. It made a shiver roll down his spine imagining being beaten with a switch or worse. The only way he could avoid all that was to leave as fast as he could.
Telling the Jiangs had been a catastrophic mistake.
“What are you going to do?” She asked softly and Wei Wuxian had the sense to shrug a little helplessly.
“I’ll stay with Wen Ning tonight and figure out the rest tomorrow.” Wen Ning was a true friend and had helped him out of more than a few predicaments in the past. He was the last person Wei Ying could honestly rely upon at that moment.
Jiang Yanli nodded and moved into Wei Ying’s space, giving him a tight hug “You need to stay in touch, alright? You’re my little brother, I’m worried for you.” When she stepped back, she stuffed a wad of bills into Wei Wuxian’s hands. “Take this, please? You need it more than I do right now. Call me when you make it to Wen Ning’s. If you don't, I'll call the police.”
Wei Wuxian gave a watery chuckle at that and hugged Yanli again. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean for this to happen.”
“I know. It’s ok.” she was patting his back gently. The soft scent of lotus blossom and sweet berries circled Yanli like a comforting blanket. He’d always loved hugging her just so he could take it all in. The knowledge that this might be the last time he could do so was upsetting. “Mother is going to come lock you in your room. She and father are fighting, but it won’t be long.”
Even if he wanted to stay and savor this moment, he knew it was not to be. For being a beta, Madam Yu was a force to be reckoned with and Wei Ying had broken the golden rule tonight. He’d shamed the Jiang family in a way so unforgivable, the madam was ready to lock him away like some criminal. He couldn’t let her. She’d force him to get an abortion. She might just beat him to cause the abortion herself if she was angry enough.
“I’ll call you!” he promised before rushing past her and down the long hall to escape the Jiang Mansion. As he crossed the snow covered green and slipped out the small man gate by the drive, he looked back one last time. The simple but elegant sign naming the estate ‘Lotus Pier’ had always been a thing he loved as a child. The beauty, the security - it had been his home.
“Where do you think you’re going!” Jiang Cheng’s voice snapped through his brain and Wei Wuxian jumped.
“Aiyo! Jiang Cheng! You scared me!” The hope that his brother would maybe understand his side was still there.
“Good! What the fuck were you thinking? You can’t have a baby!” Jiang Cheng was pacing up toward him, face still red with rage and there was a disturbing glint in his eyes. His fists were clenched at his sides and it looked like he was itching for a fight.
“I can and I am!” Wei Wuxian retorted without truly considering the implication of his words.
“Wei Wuxian! This isn’t a game! I don’t understand you omegas! Is it so hard to ignore some dumb smell?” Jiang Cheng was seething mad. “How can someone’s fucking odor make you lose your god damn mind! You’re supposed to stay here! You are going to be my right-hand man with the business when I take over! You promised me!”
Every word he said was like a kick to the gut. Jiang Cheng thought he was a slut? He thought Wei Wuxian could control his reactions when he was lost to a heat cycle? They were standing there facing off against one another outside the gates and it was so unreal.
Any other day, he would have enjoyed a good wrestling match with his brother. It would have been for fun with no hard feelings. The way Jiang Cheng’s knuckles had gone white with the force of his grip screamed that it wouldn’t be a fun little tumble to air his frustrations. It was rather terrifying to think Jiang Cheng would try to beat him to a pulp for real. For over a decade, Wei Ying had called this home, yet here he was learning that he was nothing more than some slut with no control in the eyes of one of the few people he cherished and trusted most. It hurt.
“I never said this was a game! I am being serious, Jiang Cheng. You just don’t understand because you’re a beta. You have the luxury of getting a choice, I don’t g-ngghh!” His words were cut off as Jiang Cheng’s fist connected with his jaw.
Wei Ying saw stars for a second as pain bloomed across his face. Blotchy patches of black bloomed in his vision as he swayed on his feet from the force of that blow. It wasn’t the first time he’d ever been hit, he just hadn’t expected it right now, especially from Jiang Cheng. The taste of blood on his tongue snapped him out of his shocked state and his hand came up to feel his split lip. Eyes wide, he just stared at his brother. “What was that for?!”
“You idiot! You can’t do this to us!” Jiang Cheng made to grab Wei Ying’s arm but he deftly avoided it.
“You think I’m doing this to hurt you? To hurt your family?” The pain in his voice was unmistakable as fresh tears slid down his face.
“Aren’t you!? Look at everything we did for you! If it wasn’t for my father, you would have been put in the system!” He sounded just like madam Yu. It was sickening. Wei Ying’s stomach twisted as he recoiled from the spiteful words.
“A-Cheng! Stop! Let him go!” Yanli was suddenly there clinging to Jiang Cheng’s arm to stop him from hitting Wei Wuxian again. “A-Xian! Go!”
Wei Ying was dumbstruck at the whole situation. The hurt in his heart, it was crippling his soul. Jiang Cheng was growling at Yanli now and they were arguing. Wei Wuxian stumbled back a step, then two. He turned and started to run, legs pumping as he put distance between the Jiang estates and the shouts of his adoptive brother demanding he come back. It wasn’t until he’d gotten onto a bus a few blocks away and scrambled into a seat that he broke down and let out a little sob of anguish.
God, how could he be so stupid?
Swiping at his face again, he pulled out his cell phone and called Wen Ning. “Hey, can I crash on your couch?”
•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•
The meeting was going on longer than anticipated. It was the usual monotonous financial reporting which was difficult to pay attention to in the best of circumstances. Today, however, Lan Wangji was having a very hard time staying focused. The droning tone of the board members’ discussion washed over him and he kept his gaze focused naturally upon each speaker, however, his thoughts were drifting. To most outsiders, he looked normal and fully cognizant of what was going on around him. Inwardly, however, he couldn’t get the memories of that train ride out of his head.
The scent had lingered in his nose for a long time after they’d gone their separate ways. He had given his card, out of guilt, and offered compensation for the mess he’d caused. It was refused, yet he couldn’t stop thinking about what had happened and that man. The feel of his flushed skin, the way he responded, the sounds of his cries of pleasure, how wet and responsive he’d been, and the intoxicating scent of citrus and spice mingling together in an unexpected and extremely alluring way. It was a scent that he dreamed about. One that stirred his passions and had him shamelessly palming himself in the early morning trying to find a sweet release to the images that filled his head.
Someone cleared their throat, snapping Lan Wangji out of his thoughts as he looked at the expectant faces around him. Shit. What had they been saying? “I believe you are on the correct path with this plan.” he finally answered, recalling snippets of the discussion as quickly as he could. The men around him seemed to nod in agreement and the meeting continued. When it was all said and done and the conference room was emptying, Lan Wangji was prepared for the questions he knew would come from his brother. Lan Xichen never missed a thing and he had been watching Lan Wangji carefully.
“Are you alright?” Always one to start gently, his brother’s voice was soothing and gentle. “You seem - distracted.” At least Lan Xichen had waited for the room to be empty before he started to pry.
“It is nothing.” Lan Wangji always gave short answers when he didn’t want to talk about it.
Lan Xichen watched him for a heavy quiet moment and then sighed “You have been working rather hard lately, perhaps a break would do you some good?”
Lan Wangji’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly, a sign of his annoyance, “I can handle it. You do not need to worry.”
Ever since the family gathering a month ago, Lan Wangji’s mood had been off. Lan Xichen had noticed it yet he’d said nothing up until now. He was worried, his younger brother was ever the studious sort; highly disciplined and not one to shirk his duty ever. Yet in the last few weeks, he’d been absent minded, slow to decide and often found staring out windows or at nothing at all.
“Did something happen after the gathering?” It was a gentle prod for more, his brother was not one to divulge easily after all.
“Have you ever had trouble forgetting someone’s scent?” The question was softly spoken.
There was a pause and Lan Xichen took stock of his brother carefully. “Once, yes. I sometimes think I catch a hint of it now and then.” There was another heavy silence, “Wangji, did you meet someone?”
Lan Wangji’s hands clenched on his lap for a moment then he stood, tucking those hands behind himself as he walked toward the floor-to-ceiling wall of windows to stare at the traffic below. “It is not what you think.”
“You don’t know what I’m thinking.”
“There was someone on the train.” Vivid images danced in his head again. Writhing flesh, excited panting, those heated moans begging for more. He frowned. “I found them captivating.”
Xichen smiled and a brow arched ever so slightly “Did you speak with this person?” When his brother didn’t reply quickly, Xichen’s smile faltered and became concerned. “Wangji, you didn’t do something improper, did you?”
“It is a very distracting scent. I cannot get it out of my mind.” Wangji replied, ignoring the query about propriety. He couldn’t answer that honestly without shaming himself and his family. The way he’d acted on that train, the things he’d done, to a stranger at that; he couldn’t tell his brother how he’d faltered.
“Wangji…”
Turning to face his brother, mouth set in a stubborn line, he was all ready to deliver his assurances. After all, the likelihood of running into that person again was negligible. They hadn’t exchanged numbers or names, and even though he had given his card, Wangji highly doubted the omega had kept it. The whole incident was a mere chance encounter and it was just a memory now. Before he could say anything, though, there was a light rap at the door and one of the secretaries stepped in.
“Sir, there’s a young man at the desk, he said he needs to speak with you but he doesn’t have an appointment. He asked me to remind you about his rabbits, and that you would know what it meant.”
“Aren’t they cute? I liked how they looked like they were chasing one another, kind of a ying-yang thing.” The voice echoed in his head with that husky satiated sound as his fingers stroked lightly over his hip, tracing the white and black rabbit pair tattooed there. “Madam Yu would kill me if she knew I got this, but so far it’s my little secret, and yours now too.”
Lan Wangji blinked and stared at the secretary with a carefully neutral expression.
“Shall I turn him away?” she asked, voice tinged with nervousness at that stare.
“Bring him to my office. I’ll speak with him.” Wangji was staunchly ignoring his brother’s curious gaze and the rapid beating of his own heart. Hadn’t he just thought he would never see him again?
The secretary nodded and disappeared while his brother cleared his throat, obviously about to ask who this person was. Wangji was too wrapped up in the idea of being able to experience that spicy citrus scent again, though, and barely paid Xichen any notice. Why was he here? Was he alright? How had he found him? There were many questions, yet as curious as he was, he was also somewhat eager to meet the man again. No one else would have anything to do with him and rabbits, there was no way this could be anyone but his unexpected partner on the train.
“New business partner?” It was a neutral enough inquiry, yet it still rankled Lan Wangji for some reason.
“Just an acquaintance.” he denied smoothly and turned his attention to his brother. “We can finish our conversation this evening.”
Xichen gave a small nod and smiled, “As you say, Wangji. Do not keep your guest waiting. I need to speak with marketing about the new campaign anyway.” Giving his brother a little space, Lan Xichen stood and moved to leave without another word. He would hear more tonight, of that he was sure. When his brother said he would do something, he did it. There was no need to worry or wonder until then.
•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•
Wei Wuxian knew who he was coming to see. He had known the identity of his hookup from the moment he met him on the train. Lan Wangji, one of the major leaders of the corporate giant Cloud Recesses Incorporated, was hard to miss. He was so fucking gorgeous that he had been listed as one of the most eligible bachelors along side his elder brother for years.
The man exuded perfection without even trying. His flawless skin was the colour of pure jade, nose straight and regal, sinfully full lips that Wei Wuxian was intimately familiar with, and a gaze of molten gold that captivated anyone who looked at him. He was tall and fit with the powerful frame of an alpha, all broad shoulders and sculpted muscle deceptively hidden beneath power suits. HIs glossy black hair was always stylishly maintained. Lan Wangji was one of the most recognizable people of their generation.
If it hadn’t been for his heat coming on so abruptly, Wei Wuxian would have spent the duration of that train ride trying to learn a few things from the man and pick his brain about the various industry ventures and new technologies that CRI was very much involved in. He might have even fantasized about asking for a date if the alpha was receptive toward him.
Instead, he’d embarrassingly lost all semblance of control and had basically thrown himself at that Adonis of a man. Thank god it had been him though. It wasn’t like Wei Wuxian could really go anywhere on a train that would have been safe since he had not paid for a private room, opting for frugality and sleeping sitting upright instead. He could still remember his revulsion at the unpleasant scents of other alphas in the train car. There had been interest and arousal in those off-putting aromas as various strangers realized he was going into heat.
Wei Wuxian had panicked and blindly turned to rush out in an effort to escape a bad situation. All he’d managed to do was run face first into the chest of the most godly of alphas he’d ever encountered. The real kicker was his intoxicating scent. It was a subtle mix of sandalwood and fresh earthy air, it had been a balm over his frayed nerves that he’d shamelessly clung to while he begged for help. Those golden eyes were so intense that they'd captured Wei Wuxian in their gaze, yet it didn’t frighten him. Instead, he’d felt safe and protected.
Lan Wangji had wrapped strong arms around his shivering back and pulled him out of the public car, retreating to a private room with Wei Wuxian. Had it not been for that, Wei Wuxian had seriously considered throwing himself out of the train into the snow with the hopes of not killing himself in the process as a means to escape. As a result of that protective gesture, Wei Wuxian’s heat triggered his savior’s rut and they’d spent a blissful two days fucking in that train car. When it was over, and his heat had passed, it had been a little awkward but he never expected it to come to anything.
Which was why it was hard to fathom that Wei Wuxian was standing awkwardly in a large office with two whole walls made of glass windows waiting to meet Lan Wangji after having pined over the man and their unexpected encounter for the past month. There was a huge polished wood desk, a little fountain and a sitting area with a comfy looking couch. A door that sat nestled between bookshelves. Those shelves were lined with interesting books and random artifacts that looked very old and almost otherworldly. There was even a guqin on a low table to one side.
It took a lot of effort to work up the nerve to come here. Wei Wuxian didn’t even know what he expected from the powerful and famed Lan Wangji. Would he demand he abort the baby as the Jiangs had? Would he try to take the baby away from him? Perhaps he would just wash his hands of him altogether.
Even when he’d been waiting in the lobby, Wei Wuxian had half a mind to just turn around and bolt out of there as fast as he could. There were friends he could have called, like Wen Ning, that he could have asked for help from. Though that upset him just as much. Wei Wuxian didn’t want to be indebted to anyone, especially for a mess of his own making. It was bad enough that he’d troubled Wen Ning to crash on his couch last night. His friend had been very gracious and understanding, but it still upset Wei Wuxian greatly. If he couldn’t take care of himself now, how could he justify this stubborn want to keep his baby?
The only reason he was here in this massive office was to do the right thing and inform the father of his unborn child and pray for a miracle in which he wasn’t thrown out on his ass immediately. It was only fair, right? Plus, getting the chance to see him again was a bonus he couldn’t pass up. Wei Wuxian was secretly looking forward to catching that scent of sandalwood and crisp earthy air once more if he could.
He most assuredly was not here for another hookup. Nope, he was not here to ogle the broad shoulders he had clung so desperately to while kissing those sinful lips with wild abandon. He was not imagining the feel of those strong hands leaving bruising imprints on his waist and thighs while he got railed hard. Wei Wuxian was -not- here hoping for an encore, nope, not at all. No one could blame him if he tried to catch a glimpse of Lan Wangji’s cock, right? Would it be absolutely wrong of him to brush up close to accidentally cop a feel?
Fuck! No! He was not here to hook up with the man! No! Reigning in his overactive imagination and forcefully pulling in his scent before he embarrassed himself by clouding the entire damn office in his sweet aroma, Wei Wuxian began to wander around the spacious room to try and distract himself. He was wildly curious about the guqin and moved over toward it, reaching out to touch the strings lightly.
“That is very old.” The voice broke him out of his tactile inspection and he snapped upright and spun about.
”Aiyo! Oh! Sorry! It’s just…I wondered if it was still playable?” He was speaking quickly. “I mean it looks well taken care of. Not that you wouldn’t take care of something like that…”
This was not awkward at all. Nope. Wei Wuxian put on a winning smile and moved to introduce himself. “I’m sure you weren’t expecting to ever see me again!”
He was standing close to Lan Wangji now, though he had trouble meeting his eyes for very long. That intense golden gaze was fixed upon him and it made him squirm a little and self-consciously slide his tongue over his slightly swollen split lip. Lan Wangji’s eyes followed the path of his tongue, his gaze seemed fixed on the faint bruise on his cheek, it made Wei Wuxian nervous.
“So! Do you play?”
It was better to stick to easy topics to start, right? Wei Wuxian was losing his nerve again even as he took in the powerful figure that stood before him. His face was impassive, skin still a gorgeously flawless complexion of jade with a pair of golden eyes that seemed to bore into his very soul. His powerful shoulders were hidden beneath that tailored shirt just like Wei Wuxian had fantasized, and his fingers itched to touch him and peel off that blazer of his so he could bask in the sight of Lan Wangji’s powerful aura. The desire to touch was so powerful that Wei Wuxian had to ball his hands into fists at his sides.
“Mn, I do. This one is very old though.” he was scrutinizing Wei Wuxian, “You came to see me? You knew who I was?” Lan Wangji wanted to touch that bruised lip and had to repress his unusual rage that demanded he seek vengeance on an unknown assailant for hurting the man in front of him.
There was a dangerous tone to Lan Wangji’s question and it made Wei Wuxian nibble at his lower lip, which stung and made him lose his train of thought for a minute before he nodded. “I looked you up after, ah - after the train.” he answered awkwardly. “I lost your card…” his fingers scrubbed at the back of his neck just beneath the ponytail that held his hair back at that admission. He felt grossly underdressed for this encounter. His dark jeans were ripped at the knees, the simple shirt was loose and its colour faded from being washed too many times. Even his shoes were scuffed and clearly on their last vestiges of life. All in all, he looked pitiful next to the well put together alpha.
“I see. What brings you here? Did you decide you needed compensation after all?” Again it was a dark and guarded question.
Wei Wuxian shook his head immediately “Ah, no! No, nothing like that. Not exactly.” he frowned and let out a breath. God, this was so hard! “Can we sit?”
Lan Wangji nodded and motioned to the two chairs before his desk, promptly sitting in one before watching his guest to see if he’d take the other. This put them in close proximity and face-to-face. There was no obstacle between them, which was something he preferred. He’d already caught the citrus and spice in the air, though it was quite subtle and faint currently.
Mine.
The thought had lanced through him so fast that Lan Wangji had been stunned for a moment and was grateful that his guest hadn’t noticed his tensing posture. The possessiveness was unbalancing and it concerned him. They were strangers, he did not know this omega at all. One encounter did not mean he had any sort of perverse right over him - he wasn’t marked either, which was good. It meant there was no competition in the way.
The corners of his eyes tightened slightly as he inwardly chastised himself for thinking about competing for the rights to the man before him. They barely knew one another, this was pure infatuation, wasn’t it?
Wei Wuxian was not like most omegas he’d encountered. He was lithe and athletic in an alluring sort of way, and he was taller than average omegas that Lan Wangji was familiar with. His skin was pale and unblemished, those silvery eyes were mesmerizing. His easy smile was warm and inviting as well. To put it simply, Wei Wuxian’s beauty was unquestionable. The alluring scent that clung to him was driving Wangji a little crazy. Those enchanting lips were full and slightly swollen, both from being chewed upon just now and from the disturbing wound there. Wangji had the urge to taste them against his own once more. “Perhaps you should start with your name?”
“Ah! Right. I’m Wei Ying, courtesy name Wei Wuxian. I’m the adopted son of the Jiang family that runs Lotus Enterprises. Although recently, we’ve had a bit of a falling out.” he chuckled nervously as he sat down, fiddling with the hem of his shirt. “Have you dealt with them ever? I wasn’t really part of the ‘running the business’ dealings, but I know they are pretty involved in some finance and properties type stuff.”
Wangji nodded, “Yes, I have heard of them. We have had dealings on a few occasions, though I have never met you before.”
“That’s not surprising. The madam isn’t entirely fond of me and she always kept me at arms length. The less interest I took in the family business, the better.” he grinned again and shifted on the chair, it was pretty comfy.
“So why are you here?” Lan Wangji was curious, but he was also losing patience. If this was some sort of strange play by Lotus Enterprises, he was not impressed.
“Well, you see. I..I need to let you know something. Firstly, I want it known I am not here trying to get money or help. I just…I am doing the ‘right thing’ I suppose.” He took a breath and Lan Wangji’s eyes narrowed in suspicion.
“The right thing?” He asked carefully and Wei Wuxian’s eyes darted to his lap, avoiding Lan Wangji’s intense gaze, several times.
“Y-yes. I…well. I’m pregnant.” he blurted it out in a rush of air then looked up at the man sitting next to him. “It’s yours. I thought you should know.” Wei Wuxian’s posture was tense, bracing for physical retaliation. His arms unconsciously slid around his middle to protect his baby if it came to that.
Lan Wangji just sat there in stunned silence. His expression didn’t falter at all and he let the confession settle over him, choosing to say nothing immediately. Visions of that night flooded his memory again. The wet sound of flesh slapping together, the gasps and cries, the heat, the desire, the all consuming pleasure. That whining voice begging him to pound into his tight, wet hole while the alluring scent of citrus and spice swirled around him making him dizzy. It’d sent him into a rut at the time, they’d both been out of their minds with need.
“I thought you said…this couldn’t happen?” He distinctly remembered the reassurances afterward. He’d been worried, of course, and had offered to take responsibility. At the time Wei Wuxian had adamantly denied any chance of becoming pregnant and promised he had nothing to fret about.
“Well, that’s what the doctors told me. I’m recessive. They said it would be next to impossible.” Wei Wuxian frowned. “Like I said, I’m not looking for you to do anything. I just…thought you should know. I’ll be keeping the baby. I hope you’re ok with that. We can figure out visitation and stuff if you want. You don’t have to do anything though. I can handle it on my own.”
Lan Wangji’s brow furrowed in a subtle frown as he stared at the omega sitting next to him. “You think I would abandon my responsibilities?” There was that dangerous tone in his question again.
“No! No of course not, I’m just….releasing you from those responsibilities. I’ll be okay. I can take care of myself.” he spoke adamantly and made himself meet the alpha’s gaze as he said it. Wei Wuxian’s heart was hammering in his chest and he had to force his anxiety down so it didn’t sour the air with his worry and fears.
“You are releasing me?” The puzzlement was obvious and that furrowed expression intensified. “Have you been tested? This is not a hoax?”
It was Wei Wuxian’s turn to frown. “Why would I joke about this!? I took five home tests! I can assure you, they’re positive. Here!” he started fishing in his coat pocket and handed him a couple of the test sticks he’d brought with him. “See for yourself.”
Wangji reached out slowly and took the pregnancy test sticks from Wei Wuxian. When his fingers brushed against the other’s palm, there was a thrill that rushed through him. It was nearly electric and he itched to touch more. It took considerable restraint to prevent himself from acting like a brute. He stared at Wei Wuxian before looking down and seeing the results with his own eyes. It was like a punch to the gut. This could be fabricated though, couldn’t it? A doctor was needed to be sure.
“You are sure it’s mine?” The question slipped out before he could stop himself.
Wei Wuxian jumped to his feet, a snarl escaping his lips as he did so “What do you think I am!? I don’t throw myself at every gorgeous alpha I come across! You were my first and only partner!” as soon as he said it he could feel colour blooming up his neck and face. Did he actually just admit he was a virgin before that night? Fuck!
A thrill danced along Lan Wangji’s nervous system. Wei Wuxian thought he was gorgeous? It was something that made the tips of Lan Wangji’s ears warm with some unknown emotion and his chest puffed up marginally while he sat up a bit straighter. It took a second for the latter part to register. It had been a first time for both of them? More memories flooded his senses of long legs winding around his waist and heels pressing to the small of his back encouraging him to bury himself in that tight hot wet hole. Instinct had made them uninhibited and their encounter so very sensual.
A possessive desire to stake his claim made his jaw practically ache and his fingers curl against his thighs to restrain himself from doing something foolish. Would Wei Wuxian welcome such a claim? Would he be thrilled or would he rail against him in a violent rage? Lan Wangji was quite pleased to know that no other alpha knew the intimate side of his omega. It was a treasured secret between the pair of them. He would very much like to keep it that way.
Perhaps he could court the man and make his desire a reality? He’d never considered a partner, yet with Wei Wuxian, it seemed natural and very right, even if they didn’t really know one another all that well yet. Just the thought of getting to savor the beautiful omega and relish in his delicious scent had Lan Wangji imagining a blissful future for the pair of them. Reality shattered his amorous thinking as Wei Wuxian spoke again.
“Listen, I knew this was a mistake. I’m sorry for bothering you. Don’t worry about anything, I’m not holding you responsible, I don’t want your help.” God, but he really did. He really really needed it. The guy just called Wei Wuxian a slut though, and he could not let that go so easily, not after everything that had happened with the Jiangs. His pride wouldn’t allow it.
Wei Wuxian had only taken two steps before he felt a hand on his wrist stopping him. He looked back to see Lan Wangji standing rather close, his golden eyes wild and bright with some sort of urgency he couldn’t quite describe, and his face pinched in that almost scowl he had worn this entire time. “I did not mean for that to sound so cruel. Try to understand, I have to be careful. That does not mean I will ignore my responsibilities, whether you release me from them or not, I cannot ignore it.”
There was a squeezing sensation around Wei Wuxian’s heart and he let out a shuddering breath. He was on the verge of an embarrassing emotionally charged meltdown, which wasn’t something he’d planned on. It was just a lot of stress! First the blow out with the Jiangs and ending up essentially homeless, then the nerves about confessing only to be asked if he was sure he had the right father. A shiver rolled through his body as he did his best to push the shame he felt down.
“What exactly does that mean? How are you ignoring anything when I told you I can take care of it on my own?”
“Have you seen a doctor yet? You said this is highly unlikely, will it be dangerous?” The questions were sincere, yet Wei Wuxian took them poorly. All he heard was Lan Wangji fishing for an excuse to deal with the situation in an unpleasant way.
“You want me to abort my baby, don’t you?” he asked flatly, tears swimming in his eyes. He was going to cry in front of this gorgeous alpha! He shut his eyes and looked away tugging at his arm to try and break free.
The grip tightened instead, and Wei Wuxian was pulled closer until he felt long fingers tipping his chin up. “I never said that. I am trying to understand the risks. You said this..this was impossible.” The awkwardness would have been amusing any other time. There was also a comforting scent of sandalwood subtly permeating the area. It was like Lan Wangji was purposely trying to calm him down with his own pheromones, as if they were mates or something, but that couldn’t be right.
Wei Wuxian snorted inelegantly. “I defy the impossible it seems.” his free hand reached up to scrub at his face as tears slid out the corners of his eyes. His bruised cheek stung as he rubbed at it and it made him huff in defeat. “Look, I’m trying to do the right thing by telling you. I also don’t want you to feel trapped or indebted or whatever. I can handle this.”
Lan Wangji carefully searched his face, trying his best to understand the reluctance for his help. “I understand, however, I will not ignore my responsibility. I want to help.” He hadn’t ever thought of himself as having children, yet now that the situation had presented itself, he was not appalled by it either. Part of him was secretly excited by the idea, it made him regret asking if it had been a hoax earlier, although he couldn’t discount that possibility, and his brother and uncle would inevitably broach the question themselves as well. It was the only way he could justify why he’d asked it.
Granted this entire situation was unexpected. It was the very last thing Lan Wangji anticipated happening today, yet here they were. “Sit, please. Let me get you a drink.”
He was pulling Wei Wuxian over to the sitting area this time, to the more comfortable couch and chairs there. After managing to get the omega to sit upon the leather sofa, Wangji turned smoothly and moved to the table to pour a cup of water from the pitcher there. He held the cup out to Wei Wuxian quietly and waited.
For his part, Wei Wuxian was sniffling and doing his best to pull himself back together, wholly embarrassed that he’d just freaked out. His scent was still a bit sour with his distress and Wei Wuxian had given up on trying to control it. He had been prepared for it to be the other way around. It seemed far more likely that the famed Lan Wangji would lose his cool and be the one panicking or denying everything. It had never occurred to him that the passionate alpha he’d met on that train would be so reserved and calm like this. Taking the offered cup of water, he took a large sip and wiped at his face again.
“I just…thought you should know. I don’t expect anything.” He was being stubborn, sure, but he was not going to be accused of being some gold-digger with this either. In all honesty, Wei Wuxian hadn’t really thought through this urge to tell Lan Wangji he had fathered a child. All he could do was fall back on that dumb phrase of it being ‘the right thing to do’.
“You’ve said as much already.” The reply was unnerving for Wei Wuxian in its calm and measured tone that was the exact opposite of what he’d expected. “I also still want to help and take responsibility.”
It pissed Wei Wuxian off a little. Why wasn’t he upset!? “Aren’t you even a little freaked out?” he finally blurted. “I have been going crazy about this and you’re just so…so….cold and calm like a damn frozen pond or something!”
Lan Wangji ran his fingers through his hair at that, giving himself a slightly disheveled appearance, and let out a heavy breath of air. “I may not look upset, but I assure you that I am quite surprised. I was not expecting this.”
His blunt honesty was refreshing at least and Wei Wuxian nodded stiffly. “So what do you mean by taking responsibility?”
Moving to sit across from him in one of the plush chairs, Lan Wangji tapped his fingers on the arm rest for a few moments before speaking. The last thing he wanted to do was frighten Wei Wuxian off by going too fast. Holding back was difficult when every iota of his soul screamed at him to claim and protect.
“Naturally I will support your decision to keep our child. I will see to it that you receive proper medical care and ensure your safety.” The part of him that wanted to claim the omega right then and there was riding him hard.
That demand deep within him to state his right to mark his omega and handle everything was being strictly controlled through sheer stubborn will. This entire issue was testing his restraint more than anything else ever had. The way that this Wei Wuxian continually refused to accept his help rankled Lan Wangji and made it apparent he would have to start small. Going slowly was not what he wanted to do at all. He was afraid that if he did, everything would fall apart.
Wei Wuxian was clearly not expecting this kind of response. He fidgeted in his seat, fingers tapping rapidly against the cup he held and eyes darting around looking for easy escape routes. It was one thing to run from the Jiangs, they were betas and that made it easier to hide in some aspects. Lan Wangji was an alpha, and there was only one way in or out of this office. He was bigger, stronger and his heightened senses could pick out Wei Wuxian’s unique scent easily from within a crowd. Hiding from alphas was difficult in the best of circumstances. Trying to do it scared was next to impossible. The room that had seemed so big earlier now felt as though the walls were closing in on him.
“You aren’t going to make me get rid of my baby?” Wei Wuxian hadn’t registered that Lan Wangji had called the baby theirs earlier. His voice sounded small and timid and he was incapable of masking his worried scent from souring even more and clouding his usual sweet aroma. It tickled Lan Wangji’s nose prompting him to release his own pheromones in an attempt to soothe and reassure Wei Wuxian again.
“I will not make you do anything you do not want to do.” The reply was given in that calm measured voice. “I would very much like to be involved in my child’s future if you will allow such.” It was a risk to say so much so soon, but he felt reassurance was needed. The memory of the tattoo skirted around his thoughts again, and about how Wei Wuxian had joked of some madam being furious if she’d found out. Likely it was the Jiang matriarch he had referred to then. The fear associated with this madam was obvious and it concerned Lan Wangji greatly.
“You do?” those beautiful silvery eyes looked up at him with shock and hope.
Lan Wangji nodded and shifted to the edge of the chair he was sitting on to get a little closer. “I would not say it if I did not mean it.” He hoped this would be comforting and that Wei Wuxian would accept it.
“I don’t know what to say to that.” Wei Wuxian mumbled as he looked down at his lap, the glass of water still held nervously.
“Have you not had support up until now?” Their encounter on the train had happened just over a month ago. Had this been a burden he carried alone all this time? The way his omega curled in on himself seemed to be all the answer Lan Wangji needed and it made the line between his brows deepen with displeasure at such a revelation. It sharpened his own scent and he had to tightly reign himself in so he didn’t startle the man across from him.
“Ahh, my adoptive family was not impressed.” he gave a sheepish grin and finally took another drink of the water. “They basically kicked me out, but I’m staying with a friend on the couch for now. I’ll get my own place soon, so no need to worry!” Wei Wuxian’s hand was held out in a placating gesture, waving a little dismissively at his current living conditions.
Lan Wangi frowned even more, though it was really hard to tell since his facial expression barely changed. His imagination took a disturbing turn as he pictured Wei Wuxian in some strangers’ home, laying on a bed and being comforted by another person. That possessive urge to claim him slammed into his gut again and he sucked in a slow calming breath, tasting the flavor of his omega’s fragrance in the room. Did he have the right to be like this yet? Either way, Wei Wuxian staying in some strange friends’ home was unacceptable. Had it been this ‘friend’ that had left the bruise and split lip?
For a brief moment, Wangji imagined how he would repay such a ‘friend’ for harming Wei Wuxian like that. The alpha in him thrilled at the idea of destroying a danger such as that and instinct screamed through his veins demanding action and retribution. The longer this conversation went, the further the line blurred between hope and reality for Lan Wangji. Though it might not have been quite obvious to Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji was all in and wholly invested.
“You don’t have a proper place to stay?” Is your friend an alpha? Lan Wangji desperately wanted to ask, but felt like it wouldn’t be taken well.
“The couch isn’t bad, and it’s just temporary.” Wei Wuxian reassured him, attempting an awkward grin again like this was all par for the course and fine.
Lan Wangji’s frown was more noticeable in how his eyes darkened and that line between his brows seemed to deepen impossibly. He didn’t even know if this friend was properly taking care of Wei Wuxian. Who knew what kind of food he was getting? He looked overly thin - too thin for all things considered. The protective instinct kicked in again and Wangji spoke with confidence, completely ignoring the fact that he’d been planning to take things slow. “You can stay with me at my home if you need somewhere to go.”
“What?” Wei Wuxian was finally focusing on the man across from him.
“I have the space, and you need somewhere safe and secure. It will allow me to help you, if you accept of course.” Lan Wangji’s reasoning made Wei Wuxian blink dumbly at him.
“Is this some sort of guilt thing? You aren’t actually mad? I mean, you never planned on any of this. I don’t want to be a burden.”
“It is not a burden to take care of the omega carrying my child.” Lan Wangji replied smoothly as if this were the only acceptable response.
It was so alien after the disastrous way his pregnancy news had gone down with the Jiangs. Wei Wuxian didn’t entirely trust it. He protectively hugged his arms around his middle entirely forgetting he was holding a cup of water and it spilled on the cushion next to him and down his hip.. “Aiyo!” Wei Wuxian started in surprise at the cool wet feeling and his face reddened in absolute mortification at what he’d done. “Lan Wangji, my heart! You need to warn me if you’re going to say things like that!”
Lan Wangji stiffened slightly and the tips of his ears flushed with heat. He moved immediately when he saw the water spill against Wei Wuxian’s side, reaching to guide him to the other end of the sofa and finding a small cloth napkin to dab awkwardly at his wet hip. He was kneeling before Wei Wuxian now as he spoke, a gruff husky timbre changing the way his question sounded.
“Would you rather live elsewhere?” Lan Wangji really did not want Wei Wuxian anywhere that was not his house. Something deep and primal in his soul rebelled at the mere thought of his omega living anywhere that was not in his home.
Mine.
The thought washed through him again as he stared at Wei Wuxian, watching every emotion that passed across his features to better gauge the situation.
Wei Wuxian fumbled for the napkin, his neck and cheeks hot with embarrassment knowing he’d doused himself in water and gotten it all over a rather expensive looking leather cushion too. Most startling of all was seeing that perfect, handsome, and powerful alpha on his knees in front of him. The last time he’d seen Lan Wangji from this perspective, Wei Wuxian’s cock was being sucked wickedly. No! He couldn’t think about that stuff! Reigning in his wild imagination as fast as he could, Wei Wuxian straightened up a little and huffed.
“I honestly don’t have much choice.” He grinned sheepishly. “It’d only be temporary though, I really should find my own place.”
The admission was reluctant, however, Lan Wangji was glad for it and ignored the temporary remark. All he needed was a chance. Selfishly, he wanted Wei Wuxian to depend on him for everything. He wanted this omega to live in his home so much it made his teeth ache. That aroma of citrus and spice was intoxicating and smelled even better than it had in his memory.
“Then stay with me. Give it a try at least?” He had to go slowly, Lan Wangji knew this, but he couldn’t help offering his home. He had been thinking of this man ever since the incident on the train, and now that he was here, Lan Wangji was determined to not lose sight of him again.
A heavy sigh escaped Wei Wuxian and he gave a half nod. He hadn’t expected any of this to work out the way it had. Living at Wen Ning’s wasn’t a long-term solution and he didn’t want to burden his friend. If Lan Wangji was willing to do this, and if it worked out, well isn't that what he’d been hoping for? Honestly, he didn’t even know anymore. He had come here with dread filling his soul, and somehow he was being given everything he could think to need and probably more if he asked for it.
“What will you tell your family? Aren’t they going to wonder why you have an omega living with you all of a sudden?”
“I will tell them the truth, that you are carrying our child.”
Wei Wuxian blinked at him again, it was becoming a nasty habit it seemed. “Huh, just like that? Won’t they hate me or think I’m trying to trap you somehow?”
“Are you?” Lan Wangji’s blunt question made Wei Wuxian snort with a laugh.
“No, I’m not. If you’ll recall, I tried to leave.”
“Mn, you did.” Wei Wuxian caught the softening of the man’s eyes this time “Does this mean you will accept my offer to live at my house?”
“Will I have my own room?” It was way too absurd to think the man wanted a relationship, he had only talked about duty and his child, not about emotions or anything like that.
“Yes, I will also assist you with medical appointments. We should schedule you for a test and check-up to make sure everything is alright.”
Wow, this was really happening! Wei Wuxian was in a bit of a daze as he nodded. “Yea, I guess that’s the next step.” Why did he feel awkward again all the sudden? Maybe because he just didn’t know where he stood with this guy. It could also be that he had poured water on himself and it was slightly uncomfortable.
They’d had mind-blowing sex. He was pregnant - the sex was that amazing - and now he was going to live with one of the most eligible men in all of creation just like that! Not only was he about to move in with Lan Wangji, but the alpha wasn’t even mad at him! He was accepting all of this so well! Wen Ning was going to flip when he told him!
He was so stoked with all these little revelations that he hadn’t noticed Lan Wangji had pulled out his phone and was making a call to set up an appointment for a pregnancy check-up for him. Holy shit! The man didn’t waste time did he? As soon as he hung up he stood and looked at Wei Wuxian.
“Shall we get your things from this friend’s place?” He had been careful to not ask if this friend was anything more than that or not. Lan Wangji was not sure how he would handle the situation as that possessive urge burned through him again.
“Ah, yeah, I don’t have much, just this really.” he hefted the bag by the couch and shrugged. “I left in a bit of a rush.” Wei Wuxian said by way of explanation. It didn’t seem right to just spread all his things around Wen Ning’s tiny apartment after all.
Lan Wangji looked at him for a long moment. “Would you like to change?”
Relief swept through Wei Wuxian and he grinned widely. “You don’t mind? I’m wet.” The admission was sheepish and he hopped up looking around a little lost.
“There’s a bathroom right there.” Wangji would have loved to strip him here and now, but he managed to hold back and simply pointed to the door nestled between the bookshelves opposite the couch and sitting area.
“Right! I’ll be quick!” Dashing through the door Wei Wuxian went to change, leaving Lan Wangji where he was.
Raking fingers through his hair again, Lan Wangji noticed the mild tremor in his hands. He was going to be a father. The reality of the situation was finally hitting him. Pulling out his phone he sent a quick text to his brother informing him that he had to cancel their evening plans and that he would explain later. Wei Wuxian appeared mere moments later, the dark jeans with holes in the knees replaced with a pair of equally dark dress pants that were mildly wrinkled.
“I swear, usually I’m much more coordinated.” Wei Wuxian assured him, struggling to zip up his bag as it dangled over his shoulder.
“If you are ready, I will take you home so you can get settled. You have an appointment with the doctor tomorrow morning.” The relief that filled his heart made Wangji eager to get his omega home.
Mine!
Never had he ever wanted something more in all his life.
•┈••✦ ❤ ✦••┈•
When Wei Wuxian pictured Lan Wangji’s house, he’d assumed it was some condo or penthouse kind of setup. The man was a well known alpha in the business world as well as society in general. He was famous in a lot of ways, and highly sought after when it came to the alpha/omega snobs who wanted to ‘better the genetic line’ of their clans. Being a power figure like that, it just seemed like he would naturally live in a glass and steel tower of some sort. He had utterly not expected to be taken to an estate like the one they arrived at.
It was up in the hills, removed from the bustle of the city, with an amazing view of the valley below. The whole estate was surrounded by wilderness and it was ringed in a large stone wall that looked like it would be a challenge to climb. The crushed gravel drive was clean and it swept up and around through the snow covered trees, branching off here and there, but Lan Wangji kept driving higher and further into the massive area.
When they finally did turn off, Wei Wuxian’s eyes widened. The house was a two story affair and it took after a more classical look. There was a separate large garage that they parked in front of and a path crossing a low foot bridge over a small stream that led to the front of the house. Benches sat on a pavilion in the front yard near the stream and the gardens were immaculate and full of all kinds of gorgeous plants and ancient trees. Snow and frost blanketed much of it, and the large pines and fir trees that surrounded the landscaped property added an air of isolation to the whole setting. Frost covered gentians were somehow blooming in the low spots and the little partially ice-covered stream swept around the back of the house to somewhere unknown.
While it had that classical look to it, the windows had been upgraded to give expansive views on the yard. Everything about it screamed it was a generational home and belonged to the wealthy. The Jiang estate, by contrast, was more modern and one large sweeping mansion that housed everything one would expect by a well-to-do family. This home was smaller than the Jiang mansion by a large margin, but that didn’t detract from it at all. In fact, Wei Wuxian found he rather liked its intimate feel.
Lan Wangji led the way and opened the door for Wei Wuxian allowing him to enter first. The entry was larger than he expected with polished dark wood flooring and light coloured walls with airy light blue drapes around the windows. To the left he could see a cozy looking kitchen and dining area. It held all the modern appliances. The house was modestly decorated in a sort of minimalist fashion with very few personal touches. To the right, there was a sitting room, and an open door to a study from the looks of it. What was really impressive was front and centre.
In the middle of the entry was a full-blown garden with crushed white gravel interspersed around the low shrubs and mature looking trees. It had koi lazily swimming in a shallow waterway that led further back and disappeared below stone steps set before a set of glass doors opening on to the back gardens. Two staircases swept up either side of this internal garden scape to lead to the second level which no doubt held bedrooms and the like, but Wei Wuxian was captivated by those glass doors and the yard beyond it.
A massive cherry blossom tree seemed to be the focus as it nestled next to a large mostly frozen pond that the stream from out front fed into. There was a large pavilion that coiled up against the full length of the back of the house and the gardens spilled out from there, more crushed gravel paths led through them in either direction, drifting around the perimeter of the large pond. It was gorgeous.
“Wow!” He breathed out the word without thought, mindlessly walking forward toward those doors and looking out through them.
“This is the Jingshi. My family estate has a few homes like this. My brother lives in the Hanshi, which is the next closest building to here.” The deep rich tone of Lan Wangji’s voice tickled behind Wei Wuxian startling him and he spun about with a sheepish grin.
“Your house is amazing!” There was no way this was real. Wei Wuxian had to be dreaming! Was he actually going to be living in this kind of paradise?
“It is comfortable.” Lan Wangji replied smoothly and set down a pair of slippers for Wei Wuxian. “If it is lacking in anything, let me know and I will get it for you.” Was it too soon to be promising anything his omega could desire? There was no question about it in Wangji’s mind either. Wei Wuxian was - his - omega, even if the man himself didn’t understand that yet.
Lan Wangji was enamored with his lithe figure, his bright eyes and exuberance. He wanted to wrap him up in a tight embrace and show him exactly what that spicy citrus scent did to him. The desire to taste those lips, to make Wei Wuxian whine and call him alpha was intense. He could feel his cock twitch and cleared his throat turning around to try and get himself under control before he embarrassed himself.
“Would you like a tour?” His voice sounded a little strained to his own ears, and he ruthlessly stamped down the urge to flood the room with his scent while he mentally started reciting his family’s precepts to calm his urges.
“Please! Is the pond deep? Can you swim in it?” Wei Wuxian turned around then grinning brightly, stuffing his feet into the slippers and carrying his shoes back to rest by the front door.
“Mn, it is cold though.” Wangji warned as he showed him the sitting room with its large couches and television set he’d only ever used a handful of times. There were some ancient family heirlooms on shelves and tables, artfully placed to accentuate the room, and a few pictures of his brother and uncle dotted the coffee table and mantle over a modest fireplace. “These doors lead into my study, there are books if you are a fan of reading.”
The study was rich with dark wood and windows that opened onto the back gardens. A more modern looking guqin sat on a low table and the room smelled distinctly like Lan Wangji. It was perhaps the most used room in the entire house aside from the bedroom. “There’s a bathroom here,” Wangji motioned to a door nestled along the far wall, “There’s another off the kitchen as well.”
Wei Wuxian obediently followed as they traversed that central entryway again and he got to wander around the kitchen with its breakfast nook and larger dining room area. It was clean and reminded him of a show home. By the time they circled back around to the stairs Wei Wuxian was feeling a little overwhelmed.
It wasn’t that he’d lived in squalor before, far from it actually. The Jiang estate boasted success and wealth, it was a freaking mansion complete with an indoor pool and everything, but this place was practically ethereal. It had some mystique to it that a modern mansion just could not emulate, no matter how hard one tried and it had caught Wei Wuxian in its spell. The stairs were made of the same dark wood as the floors with wrought iron balustrades. The landing above looked over the inner garden on one side and had sweeping floor-to-ceiling windows on the other side that showed the extensive gardens beyond.
To the left, he learned, was the master bedroom. It encompassed one half of the upper level and while Lan Wangji didn’t take him inside, the door was open and Wei Wuxian caught a glimpse of a large bed and sitting area with doors on the opposite end toward what he assumed was an ensuite bathroom and probably a closet. To the right there were three other doors, two of which led to furnished bedrooms with attached ensuites of their own. One had a view of the front of the house while the other looked over the back gardens and had what looked to be a small private patio.
The final door led to a personal gym. It had a substantially large open space covered in padded mats and a punching bag along with exercise equipment lining the walls. Its window overlooked the front of the house and from this vantage, Wei Wuxian could just make out a roof in the distance. That must be his brother’s home. He thought mildly as he wandered around, touching each piece of equipment. It was so damn spotless! He could smell the pine scent of cleaner masking the much more mouth-watering smell of sweat and Lan Wangji’s personal sandalwood and clean air aroma that Wei Wuxian was particularly fond of.
The entire drive here, he’d been doing his best to be subtle about taking in lungfuls of the alpha’s smell in the car’s interior. He was sure that Lan Wangji would call him out on it at some point, but the man had remained quiet and had only cast a few glances his way. Fiddling with the hem of his shirt allowed Wei Wuxian to keep his hands from reaching out to touch Lan Wangji’s arm or hair while he drove. It was embarrassing how much he wanted to cling to the man!
“I would recommend this room.” That deep voice tickled Wei Wuxian’s senses as Lan Wangji walked back into the bedroom that looked over the back gardens. “The patio connects to my room, but I assure you I will not impede on your privacy.”
Opening the patio door to the cool refreshing winter air, Wei Wuxian stepped out and looked at how the patio wrapped around the back of the house further than he realized. He could see the door to Lan Wangji’s room and realized that the back of the house was nearly all windows.
“Oh! Of course! I’m not worried about that though. I mean! Y-you don’t seem like the type to…uhh spy through windows…” Heat coloured his neck and cheeks as he stumbled through his answer. Especially because he’d just started fantasizing about himself watching Lan Wangji through the windows while he was on the patio. No! He was not trying to hook up with the man! This was because of the baby, getting any other ideas in his head was just going to lead to heartbreak later.
The silence was awkward. “We can shop for anything you might need. Clothing and necessities. If you want to change the furniture, we can do that as well.” Lan Wangji’s ears were pink with his own emotion while he looked around the bedroom.
“You don’t have to do that, I have a job, I can take care of those things.” That denial was quick. “I don’t want to be a burden. You’re already doing so much.”
Lan Wangji frowned. He hadn’t considered there would be a job. “Should you be working?”
“I’m not a delicate waif.” Wei Wuxian snorted with amusement but then he gnawed at his lower lip, which made him wince because it was still tender from the punch he’d taken the night before. He was just realizing that his commute was going to be hell now, when he considered the very real fact that no one from the marketing office had called to inquire where he was today. Did he really still have a job?
Wei Wuxian had worked for Lotus Enterprises after graduating from university two years ago. His focus was on marketing but he was truly an artist and tinkerer at heart. Out of every part of his job, he loved doing the graphic design work for promotional materials the most. After the blowout with Madam Yu and uncle Jiang, not to mention getting punched by Jiang Cheng, Wei Wuxian really didn’t know if that job still existed.
A sorrowful and slightly distressed flavor clouded his naturally pleasant scent as he frowned looking down at his hands. “Well, I had a job…”
“Did you quit?” The question was gentle, though Lan Wangji felt a protective urge sweep through him. That powerful desire was demanding he wrap up his omega in a tight embrace and reassure him. Managing to resist, Lan Wangji waited patiently for Wei Wuxian to elaborate.
“Ah - I work, or worked, for Lotus Enterprises. I’m not sure if that still exists since I took off.” He grinned wryly “It was a ...nasty argument.” The admission was sheepish at best, causing Wuxian to look at the floor in shame.
Lan Wangji moved closer, reaching out, tipping up Wei Wuxian’s head by his chin and sliding his thumb in featherlight touch over his swollen split lip. “Did this happen during your argument?” A husky quality had laced Wangji’s question. He was trying very hard to restrain himself, but he couldn’t help himself. The whole situation upset him and he was already thinking about how to deal with Lotus Enterprises in ways that would make them regret ever starting a business in the first place. All because of a split lip.
Wei Wuxian shivered at the touch, partly because he had been thinking about this man’s caress way back during the damn car ride here, and also because he knew his shame was on full display thanks to Jiang Cheng’s violent temper. “Oh this? It’s nothing.”
“It does not look like it is nothing.” That deep voice was sensual and rich in Wei Wuxian’s ears and he had to swallow the whimper that tried to bubble up his throat. He balled his fists in the hem of his shirt again.
“Well, my brother was upset.” When he saw Lan Wangji’s gaze harden, Wei Wuxian felt a thrill race down his spine. Shit! This guy could look scary. “It’s nothing though!” Giving his quick reassurance to hopefully spare any outburst of anger. “We wrestle all the time! I just let my guard down. It’s my fault I got hit like that.”
“Perhaps your brother needs to be educated on how to treat a pregnant omega.” Was that a growl in his voice? Holy shit that was hot!
“N-no! No, it's fine! Really!” Wei Wuxian took a step back and cleared his throat, looking away so his bruise wasn’t on full display. Some of his hair had slipped free from its ponytail which helped to hide his cheek. It was just past his shoulders and he took great pride in it usually, but the last few days had seen him just stuffing it in a hair tie and ignoring it as best he could.
Lan Wangji closed the distance again and reached up to tuck that hair behind Wei Wuxian’s ear. “Wei Wuxian, it is not fine. A pregnant omega should be cherished, no matter what they say or do. He had no right to lay hands on you.”
“Wei Ying.” His tongue slid over his split lip. “You can call me Wei Ying, I mean - you are the father of my child, we should be on more familiar terms right?”
There was a pause while those fingers lightly stroked down Wei Wuxian’s neck. “Then you may call me Lan Zhan.” The warmth of his breath washed against the side of Wei Wuxians neck and the whimper in his throat nearly escaped.
Closing his eyes Wei Wuxian took a deep slow inhale. Sandalwood and fresh clean air, it was so hard to describe. That damp clean earthy tone that just screamed fresh and wonderful, it enveloped Wei Wuxian’s senses and he leaned toward the alpha. One hand lifted up to rest lightly against Lan Wangji’s chest and he pressed his forehead to the man’s shoulder. All it had taken was a single touch and Wuxian wanted more.
“He was just upset. He didn’t mean it.” The words were mumbled and muffled with his proximity to Lan Wangji.
A deep rumble of sound akin to a purr, or maybe it was a growl, reverberated through Wangji as he gave up resisting and pulled the omega closer, wrapping his arms around him and gently rubbing his back. “It does not justify his actions.”
To Wei Wuxian’s utter horror, he started to cry, softly at first, then harder. The whole moment was so intimate and so comforting, all the hell of the past few days crashed over him and he sobbed. The sound tore out of him and he clung to Lan Wangji then, venting his sorrow and his fears. It was so unfair! Why couldn’t the Jiangs be like this? Why didn’t they support him? He’d been yelled at, accused of being a whore, shamed and thrown out. Sure he’d run out, but if he hadn’t, they would have forced him to abort the baby.
Lan Wangji was so accepting of everything. Hell, he’d offered up his gorgeous home without a second thought and he wasn’t mad! This day had been so stressful and Wei Wuxian had expected the worst, yet now here he was, in the lap of luxury, in the arms of the sexiest alpha he’d ever encountered and his snot was staining the man’s shirt.
“I’m sorry! God! I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to-mph!” Words were cut off as Lan Wangji’s lips pressed against his. It was chaste and quick, but it had still happened. Wei Wuxian just stared up at him, sniffling with tears staining his cheeks.
“You do not have to apologize. If anyone should, it is me.” Wangji’s hand was still lightly stroking up and down Wei Wuxian’s back in a soothing manner. “I should not have kissed you without your permission.”
Wei Wuxian’s lips were still tingling and he slid his tongue along them while staring up at Lan Wangji. He could see the intensity of desire darkening his golden gaze, but he still held himself in check. Ducking his head, he nuzzled his face against the alpha’s shoulder again and just stood there hugging him. Wuxian didn’t know what to say, he only felt his embarrassment at having sobbed like a child in front of the man of his damn dreams.
“I didn’t mind the kiss.” It was the truth yet he hoped it hadn’t been heard because it would just make things that much more awkward. For now Wei Wuxian just relished in the comforting scent of sandalwood and safety he was being granted in the moment. He could have this much at least, right? “I ruined your shirt.”
“It can be washed.”
“Thank you. For everything.” He hugged the man tightly for a little longer and forcibly pulled himself away. “I know this is for the baby, so I will do my best not to cross any more lines. It’s just been a rough couple days.” Wei Wuxian wouldn’t look up at Lan Wangji for a long time.
This living situation had to be clearly defined before he broke his heart getting the wrong idea or getting some mixed signals from hopeful wishing. Lan Zhan was just being kind while Wei Ying was getting stupidly dramatic and clingy. Maybe it could be blamed on hormones even though he was painfully aware that his attraction to Lan Zhan existed prior to his hormones taking a nose dive into insanity. Backing away from temptation he gave a watery grin, swiping at his eyes to try and compose himself and look like less of a wreck.
“I swear you’ll hardly know I’m here. I won’t cause you any trouble or anything.” The warmth of their embrace still lingered on his soul and Wei Ying knew his heart was in trouble if he kept this up. Backing away further, he turned to step back out onto the patio and leaned against the railing of the balcony. It created the space he was frantically in need of and he used the fresh cool air outside to clear his head.
Behind him there was nothing but silence for a painfully long few minutes. He lacked the courage to look back at Lan Zhan and see something like disappointment there, or worse. They both needed this space. He couldn’t trap anyone into this situation with confused feelings or something equally dumb. His soul would just not survive it.
“I will let you get settled.” The sound of Lan Zhan’s voice teased down to Wei Ying’s very essence. “Dinner will be ready in an hour if you’re hungry.”
A few moments later, the bedroom door clicked shut and Wei Ying was left alone to his own devices. In the hall, Lan Wangji paused for a minute, just standing there and his heart nearly broke as he heard another sob from the bedroom. Every instinct in his being was demanding he go back inside and comfort his omega. Those words of Wei Wuxian’s had frozen him though. The infatuation was one sided. He could see that now. His omega believed this was all duty and obligation and not because of genuine feelings.
It was all happening fast, but once Lan Wangji admitted he’d fallen for the man, he could only press forward with that knowledge and do whatever he could to keep Wei Ying by his side. The Lans had always held to the belief that they only loved once and they often fell hard into that love. Wangji had always scoffed at the notion, wholly believing it was just a good excuse to foster poor behavior.
The proof was in the past between his own father and mother and their strained relationship. How could that ever be considered love? Now, though, he thought he understood that overwhelming emotion and how it changed everything. Wangji was prepared to do whatever it took for Wei Ying, no matter how it cost him. It unnerved him how quickly he’d become irrevocably entwined in this one sided affection.
Lan Wangji’s lips set in grim determination. He was just going to have to show Wei Wuxian through his actions what he lacked in his words. Making his way downstairs, he pulled out his cell phone and called his brother.
“Wangji? Is everything alright?”
Lan Wangji wasted no time after his brother answered the phone. “What do you know about Lotus Enterprises?”